Spieth, Spaun share lead at Byron Nelson
McKINNEY, Texas — Jordan Spieth had his longest stretch all day of mere pars — a whopping four holes — on the besieged new home course of the AT&T Byron Nelson when the local favorite stepped over a 55-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th. Nothing but the bottom of the cup, and good for a share of the firstround lead with J.J. Spaun at 9-underpar 63 on a nearly wind-free Thursday. Spieth, Spaun and plenty of others had little trouble with TPC Craig Ranch north of Dallas. There were 132 players in the field of 156 under par, with 94 of those in the 60s on the 77-year-old tournament’s third host course in its most recent four editions. “It’s a good golf course, but it’s playing about as easy as it can play,” said 2018 Byron Nelson winner Aaron Wise,
who was one shot off the lead and tied with Joseph Bramlett, Doc Redman and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello. “We got a ton of rain the last two days and then perfect weather today and looks like tomorrow and Saturday as well, so it’s set up for scoring.” After last year’s COVID19 cancellation, the Nelson returned to the suburbs at McKinney’s Craig Ranch after two years at Trinity Forest, a treeless links course in Dallas. The Four Seasons resort in nearby Irving was home for more than 30 years. Craig Ranch was the site of two Korn Ferry Tour Championships, but it was little match for its first test at the higher level. All three Baylor School graduates currently on the PGA Tour are in the field. Chattanooga native Keith Mitchell, coming off a tie for third at the Wells Fargo Championship, opened with a 67 and was tied for 34th. Luke List,
who shared sixth Sunday, was one stroke behind and tied for 54th, while Harris English (70) was tied for 96th.
› Chattanooga’s Stephan Jaeger shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 and was tied for third after the opening round of the Knoxville Open. The Baylor School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate was three shots behind leader Greyson Sigg, who had a two-stroke edge on Kyle Reifers after the first day at Holston Hills Country Club. The 31-yearold Jaeger’s six Korn Ferry Tour wins, tied for second on the all-time list, include the 2018 Knoxville Open. That victory was accomplished during his rookie season on the PGA Tour after he did not have a spot in The Players Championship that week. Jaeger, who is from Germany, has won twice already on the Korn Ferry Tour during its current season and is set to head back to golf’s top circuit in 202122, but with a third win this season he would be automatically eligible to compete on the PGA Tour.
FOOTBALL
› NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with firstround selection Caleb Farley and four of his fellow draft picks just before their three-day rookie minicamp. The Titans announced Thursday they have agreed to terms with five of their eight draft picks along with 10 undrafted free agents. Farley, a cornerback, was the No. 22 pick overall out of Virginia Tech. The Titans also agreed with right tackle
Dillon Radunz of North Dakota State, taken in the second round; wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick of Louisville, taken in the fourth; and wide receiver Racey McMath of LSU and safety Brady Breeze of Oregon, both of them sixth-round choices. That leaves linebacker Monty Rice of Georgia and cornerback Elijah Molden of Washington, the team’s third-round selections, and outside linebacker Rashad Weaver of Pittsburgh, another second round-round pick, still unsigned. Weaver is facing a charge of simple assault after an incident in Pittsburgh last month. Among the undrafted free agents, the Titans signed Ohio State kicker Blake Haubeil to compete against Tucker McCann. They also signed tight ends Miller Forristall of Alabama and Briley Moore of Kansas State.