Scheffler chases rare PGA achievement in Houston
Scottie Scheffler will chase PGA Tour history this weekend as he attempts to win his third consecutive start.
The World No. 1 enters the Texas Children’s Houston Open coming off victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
Rory McIlroy in 2014 was the last golfer to win three straight stroke-play events. Dustin Johnson won three straight tournaments in 2017 but it included a match-play event.
“I don’t really think much about that kind of stuff. I had a good rest week at home last week,” Scheffler told reporters Wednesday at Houston’s Memorial Park Golf Course.
Scheffler, 27, did not compete in last week’s Valspar Championship in Florida.
“I was pretty worn out after Bay Hill and Players, so it was nice to get home and just relax,” he said. “I didn’t do nearly as much practice as I typically would have in the last week, so coming in shaking off a little bit of rust the last couple days. But (my) game feels like it’s in a good spot, so I feel rested and ready to go this week.”
Scheffler finished T9 in the most recent Houston Open in November 2022, 10 strokes behind winner Tony Finau.
The Texas native tied for second at the tournament in 2021, carding a courserecord 62 (8 under) in the second round.
Houston marks Scheffler’s last scheduled appearance before next month’s Masters Tournament (April 11-14). The
PGA Tour moves to San Antonio next week for the Valero Texas Open.
“I’ve done it different ways in the past,” he said of his upcoming schedule. “Some years I played before Augusta. The year I won Augusta (2022) I did not play going into it. As far as this year goes, I’m scheduled to not play next week so I have a week off before the major but some of the other majors I’m playing the week before.”
ETC.
MLB: Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the transfer of the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by David Rubenstein.
“I congratulate David Rubenstein on receiving approval from the Major League Clubs as the new control person of the Orioles,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a news release. “As a Baltimore native and a lifelong fan of the team, David is uniquely suited to lead the Orioles moving forward. We welcome David and his partners as the new stewards of the franchise.”
In January, the Angelos family announced its intent to sell the Orioles and related assets for a reported $1.725 billion. Rubenstein will serve as the controlling owner.
Rubenstein’s group is made up of fellow private equity billionaires and others, including Hall of Fame member and lifelong Oriole Cal Ripken Jr.
Peter Angelos, who bought the Orioles for $173 million in October 1993, died March 23. His son, John, took over the operation of the team as his father’s health declined.
“To own the Orioles is a great civic duty,” Rubenstein said, per MLB.com. “On behalf of my fellow owners, I want the Baltimore community and Orioles fans everywhere to know that we will work our hardest to deliver for you with professionalism, integrity, excellence, and a fierce desire to win games.
The Orioles, with a promising young roster, won an American Leaguebest 101 games last season but were swept by the Texas Rangers in the
ALDS. The team’s first game under new ownership will be Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Angels.
Tennis: World No. 1
Novak Djokovic has ended his longtime partnership with coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Djokovic, 36, collected 12 of his record 24 Grand
Slam singles titles during his six-year run with Ivanisevic, 52.
The surprising split comes about two weeks after a third-round loss to 123rd-ranked Luca Nardi
at Indian Wells.
“Goran and I decided to stop working together a few days ago,” Djokovic posted Wednesday on Instagram.
NFL: The Carolina Panthers flew under the radar and signed free agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. The team did not disclose terms but ESPN and NFL Network reported it’s a two-year deal worth $20 million and up to $24 million with incentives.