Finau, Cauley grab PGA lead
Tony Finau arrived at the 18th tee with a chance at a course record, but his approach splashed in the water and his bogey dropped him into a second-round tie for the lead with Bud Cauley yesterday at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
A birdie at the par-5 final hole would have given Finau a share of the course record, but he settled for a 7-under 65 and is tied with Cauley at 8-under through 36 holes at TPC San Antonio.
Cauley and Finau, winner last year at the Puerto Rico Open, both lead by 1 over 23-year-old Australian Cameron Smith, Kevin Chappell, Robby Shelton and veteran 1994 Texas Open winner Bob Estes.
Ian Poulter, Europe’s Ryder Cup star, missed the cut and lost his fully exempt status on the PGA Tour. . . .
Jason Knutzon of the United States fired a 2-under-par 69 to maintain a 2-stroke lead after the second round of the Panasonic Open in Noda, Japan. . . .
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 to lead by 4 shots when the second round of the Shenzhen International in China was suspended due to storms. In all, 75 players did not finish Round 2.
NFL: Decision time
Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie would like some resolution before the draft next week on whether running back Marshawn Lynch wants to come out of retirement and be traded to the Raiders.
Lynch retired following the 2015 season and still has a contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Lynch met with the Raiders earlier this month to talk about a possible return but nothing has been finalized.
The Seahawks gave the Raiders permission to talk directly to Lynch and he met with coaches and front office officials a few weeks ago about his interest in joining his hometown team. The Raiders must negotiate a contract with Lynch, agree to a deal with the Seahawks and Lynch must apply to be reinstated by the league.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he doesn’t expect any difficulty coming to terms on a trade with the Raiders if Lynch decides to return. . . .
The Buffalo Bills claimed safety Trae Elston off waivers, a day after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns. ... Third-down running back Chris Thompson resigned with the Washington Redskins.
Colleges: Off to NBA
Gonzaga junior Johnathan Williams declared for the NBA draft but will not sign with an agent, leaving open the possibility he will return for his senior season. Williams has until May 24 to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to Gonzaga. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. . . .
Ike Anigbogu hired an agent, ensuring the freshman won’t return to UCLA’s basketball team. The 6-foot-10 forward-center declared for the NBA draft two weeks ago, but didn’t immediately sign with an agent. He joins fellow freshmen Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf in leaving early for the draft and hiring agents. . . .
New North Carolina State men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts signed a six-year contract worth at least $2.2 million per year.
Misc.: On the pole
Kyle Larson will start on the pole on points because rain washed out qualifying yesterday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.
Larson won at Fontana from the pole in the No. 42 Chevrolet and started first a week later at Martinsville. He has five toptwo finishes in just seven NASCAR races this season.
Chase Elliott joins Larson on the front row of tomorrow’s race. . . .
Defending champion Real Madrid will meet city rival Atletico Madrid in the semifinals of the Champions League in a rematch of last season’s final. The Spanish teams also met in the 2014 final, with Madrid winning both times. Yesterday’s draw pitted Juventus and Monaco in the other semifinal.
Madrid will play the first game at home on May 2. Monaco will host Juventus on May 3.