Scheffler rallies at Players
Already the best in the world, Scottie Scheffler added another layer to his legend Sunday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He became the first player to win back-to-back in 50 years of The Players Championship by matching the biggest comeback and the lowest closing round by a winner.
Scheffler holed out for eagle from the fourth fairway and had four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn, sending him to an 8-under 64 and a one-shot victory that wasn’t decided until the final putt.
Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark all had a chance to force a playoff with a birdie on the daunting 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass.
Clark had the last shot, a putt just inside 18 feet that dipped into the cup on the left side and came out on the right side, leaving him stunned as he placed his hand over his mouth.
“I don’t know how that putt doesn’t go in,” Clark said. “Even when it kind of lipped, I thought it would lip in. I’m pretty gutted it didn’t go in.”
Scheffler, who started the final round five shots behind, was on the practice range preparing for a three-hole playoff when he got the word and showed more emotion than usual for someone who is getting used to winning.
“It’s tough enough to win one Players,” Scheffler said. “So to have it back-to-back is extremely special. Yeah, really thankful.”
Scheffler finished at 20-under 268 and won $4.5 million.
NFL
Leighton Vander Esch retired Monday following six NFL seasons, with the linebacker stepping away after missing 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year because of the latest in a series of neck injuries.
The announcement by the 28-year-old former first-round draft pick came three days after the Cowboys released Vander Esch with a failed physical designation. His injury last season was the fourth since 2019 involving the neck and was considered career-threatening.
Falcons sign McCloud: The Atlanta Falcons signed receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year contract on Monday.
McCloud is a return specialist who also provides new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins with another potential target on offense.
The Falcons also announced that defensive lineman Kentavius Street is staying with the team after agreeing to a one-year deal.
MLB
The Atlanta Braves optioned all-star pitcher Bryce Elder to the minors on Monday, deciding to open the season with Reynaldo López as their fifth starter.
López, who signed a $30 million, three-year deal with the Braves in November, earned the rotation spot by allowing just four earned runs over 16 2⁄ innings
3 in five spring appearances. He surrendered 10 hits, walked six and struck out 13.
Elder, by comparison, gave up 11 earned runs and 15 hits in 12 innings covering four appearances for an 8.25 ERA.
NBA
Missing three regular starters with injuries, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed forward Marcus Morris Sr. to a 10-day contract on Monday to give them some depth.
Morris played in 37 games earlier this season for Philadelphia before being traded to San Antonio on Feb. 8. The 34-year-old agreed to a buyout with the Spurs and was waived Feb. 29.
AUTO RACING
Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee on Sunday, passing Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the final laps for his fourth victory at the famed short track.
Hamlin also won at NASCAR’s bullring last September.
It was Hamlin’s 52nd career win and locks him into the playoffs. Brad Keselowski finished third in a Ford, Alex Bowman was fourth in a Chevrolet and Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson rounded out the top five.
The race was chaotic, with cars burning through tires at such an alarming rate that NASCAR issued each team an extra set.
TENNIS
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev, 7-6 (5), 6-1, for the second straight year in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday in Indian Wells, California, earning his first title since winning Wimbledon last year.
Alcaraz became the first man to defend his Indian Wells title since Novak Djokovic won three in a row from 2014-16.