NEWSMAKERS
Tiger prowls near lead at Honda Classic
Tiger Woods is four shots behind going into the weekend at a windy Honda Classic, where just about everyone remaining has a chance. Luke List had a 4-under 66 in the morning and Jamie Lovemark had a 69 in the afternoon. That was enough for the two players who have never won on the PGA Tour to share the lead at 3-under 137. It’s the highest score to lead the Honda Classic, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., through 36 holes since it moved to PGA National in 2007. Woods was two shots off the lead until putting his tee shot in the water on the par-three 15th for double bogey. He shot a 71 and was at 1-over 141, just outside the top 10. Mackenzie Hughes (75) of Hamilton and Corey Conners (72) of Listowel, Ont., were both at 2-over.
Islanders ink Bailey to six-year deal
Josh Bailey has agreed to a sixyear, US$30-million deal to stay with the New York Islanders instead of testing free agency this summer. The 28-year-old forward was selected to his first all-star appearance last month. He has 15 goals and 47 assists this season — already setting career highs for assists and points (62). Bailey is tied for seventh in the league in assists and third on the Islanders in points, behind rookie Mathew Barzal (65) and captain John Tavares (64). Bailey’s contract status was largely overshadowed this season by that of Tavares, who is also in the final year of his deal.
Ticats hire Ex-NFL HEAD coach Glanville
Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach June Jones has brought in a familiar face to run his defence, hiring former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville. The 76-year-old Glanville, who spent the 2017 training camp with the TigerCats, was a head coach with the Houston Oilers (1985-89) and Atlanta Falcons (1990-93). The Ohio native has also served as a defensive co-ordinator for numerous teams, including Atlanta (1979-82) and Houston (1985-89) in the NFL. Glanville and Jones have coached together multiple times at both the NFL and NCAA levels.
Toronto FC signs midfielder AkEtxE
After nearly two years of watching Ager Aketxe, Toronto FC finally signed the Spanish midfielder Friday using targeted allocation money. Fellow Spaniard Victor Vazquez played a large part in helping the 24-year-old decide to come to Toronto. The native of Bilbao, Spain joins the Reds after playing with Cadiz CF, where he scored five goals in 18 appearances. Aketxe spent his youth career with Athletic Bilbao after joining the academy at the age of 10. Toronto is back in action on Monday, when they play host to the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions League round-of-16 series. The Reds picked up a 2-0 win in Colorado on Tuesday.
Korda fires record 62 to lead LPGA Thailand
Jessica Korda shot a courserecord 62 at the LPGA Thailand on Friday to lead by four strokes after the second round. Playing her first tournament since having jaw surgery, the American fired eight birdies and finished with an eagle to move to 16-under par at the halfway point, a 36-hole record for the event. Korda is the daughter of former tennis player Petr Korda. She leads another American, Brittany Lincicome, who carded a 65 to sit at 12-under at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course. Brooke Henderson (68) of Smiths Falls, Ont., is tied for fifth at 9-under, while Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (73) was well back at 4-over. Korda is making her season debut in Thailand after the surgery and is playing with 27 screws holding her jaw in place.
English FA charges guardiola over ribbon
The English Football Association charged Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for promoting a political message by wearing a ribbon in support of imprisoned and ousted pro-independence Catalan politicians. Guardiola was born in Catalonia and is revered in the region because of his links with Barcelona’s soccer team, as both a player and coach. Guardiola has been wearing the yellow ribbon at matches and news conferences since Catalonia’s failed secession bid in October when a banned independence referendum was held. The English FA says the ribbon is a “political message” that requires him to be charged with being in breach of kit and advertising regulations. Guardiola has until March 5 to respond to the charge.