Thomas, Harris share top spot in first event
Justin Thomas kept bogeys off his card, thanks in part to Dustin Johnson’s caddie, and birdied three of his last five holes Thursday for an 8-under 65 to share the lead with Harris English in the Sentry
Tournament of Champions.
Thomas couldn’t have asked for a better start in his bid to become the first backto-back winner at Kapalua since 2010. But it was the 13th hole where Thomas got his biggest break.
He sent his drive well to the right into the deep native grasses, expecting it never to be found. He hit a provisional, and the group made a cursory search when Austin Johnson found it by stepping on it.
NHL: Montreal will be able to play home games despite the Quebec government’s imposition of a curfew aimed at curbing COVID-19 in the province. There will be no fans at games. Players and personnel will be tested daily and they are not allowed to visit other people when off the ice. Premier Francois Legault said the measures will take effect Saturday and remain in place until at least Feb. 8. ... The New Jersey Devils re-signed defenseman Sami Vatanen less than a year after trading him to Carolina. The Devils announced it was a oneyear, $2 million contract.
Soccer: Aston Villa reported a “significant” coronavirus outbreak and closed its training ground on Thursday, putting in jeopardy its scheduled FA Cup home game against Liverpool. ... Sporting Kansas City re-signed midfielder Roger Espinoza for a 12th season with the MLS club. ... Diego Alonso will not be back for a second season as coach of the MLS’ Inter Miami. ... Philadelphia transferred central defender Mark Mckenzie to Belgium’s Genk. The Union said the transfer fee was for multimillion dollars but did not specify the amount.