Olson contends in Open, copes with death in family
Amy Olson, in the final group of the U.S. Women’s Open as she goes for her first victory, now is coping with heartache over the sudden death of her father-in-law in North Dakota, Golfweek reported Sunday night.
The LPGA Tour confirmed to Golfweek on Olson’s behalf that Lee Olson died Sunday night.
Olson’s husband, Grant, is the linebackers coach at North Dakota State. He had flown into Houston this weekend to watch his wife try to win at Champions Golf Club. She went into the final round one shot behind Hinako Shibuno. The round was suspended by rain about 25 minutes before Olson was to tee off, and it will resume this morning.
The LPGA said Grant Olson had returned to North Dakota to be with his mother and brother.
Olson, 28, won 20 times at North Dakota State to tie an NCAA record. She has yet to win in seven years on the LPGA Tour, losing a chance to win a major in the Evian Championship two years ago until a double bogey on the final hole to finish one behind. WESTWOOD, 47, WINS RACE TO DUBAI >> Lee Westwood clinched the Race to Dubai title to end a season as the European Tour’s No. 1 player for the third time, at the age of 47, after a crazy finish to the DP World Tour Championship won in dramatic circumstances by Matt Fitzpatrick.
Westwood finished in second place outright on 14 under par after a 4-under 68 in his final round, which was enough to jump to the top of the Race to Dubai standings — but only after meltdowns by his rivals in the final holes at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Patrick Reed, seeking to become the first American to be Europe’s top player, bogeyed Nos. 16 and 17 to drop out of contention for the Race to Dubai title. Then Laurie Canter double-bo
geyed No. 17 and could only par the last, leaving Westwood alone in second.
Fitzpatrick made par at No. 18 for a one-shot victory to win the tour’s season- ending event for the second time, after 2016.
Motorsports
VERSTAPPEN WINS IN ABUDHABI >> Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in dominant style for his second victory of the season and 10th of his career.
He finished 16 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas and 18.4 clear of world champion Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull enjoyed a rare and significant success over both Mercedes cars.
MLB
PORTER BECOMES METS’ GM >> Jared Porter and the New York Mets finalized a four-year contract that makes him the 14th general manager in franchise history. Porter, 41, spent the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks as senior vice president and assistant general manager.
Mixed martial arts
FIGUEIREDO RETAINS FLYWEIGHT TITLE >> Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno fought to a thrilling majority draw at UFC 256 late Saturday night, with Figuereido setting a UFC record with two defenses of his flyweight title in three weeks.
Lightweight contender Charles Oliveira also earned his eighth consecutive victory by unanimous decision after dominating former champion Tony Ferguson on the ground in Las Vegas.
Just 21 days after Figueiredo (20-11) stopped Alex Perez for his first title defense at UFC 255, the Brazilian returned to the cage and survived a perilous stalemate with Moreno (185-2), who also fought at UFC 255.
Obituary
AVALANCHE ARCHITECT LACROIX DIES >> Pierre Lacroix, the astute executive who was the architect of two Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup championship teams, has died. He was 72.
The Avalanche confirmed his death. No cause of death was given.
Lacroix was a driving force behind turning the Avalanche into a perennial power after the team relocated from Quebec to Denver for the 1995-96 season. The Avalanche hoisted the ’96 Stanley Cup Trophy in their first season in the Mile High City and again in 2001.
Known for his shrewd trades, Lacroix struck a deal with Montreal to acquire Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy during the ’95-96 season. It paid off with the city of Denver’s first major sports championship.
In another big move soon after, Lacroix matched a large contract offer made to Hall of Fame forward Joe Sakic that assured he would wear an Avalanche sweater for the rest of his career.
Lacroix also traded for Hall of Fame defensemen Ray Bourque and Rob Blake, who were instrumental during the 2001 Stanley Cup run.