Off the wire

GOLF

Thomas wins Honda Justin Thomas nearly holed a wedge that got him into a playoff, and then hit a 3-wood over the water and onto the green to beat Luke List in a sudden-death playoff Sunday in the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Thomas closed with a 2-under 68 and won for the second time this season. List was going for his first PGA Tour victory. He put the pressure on Thomas by reaching the par-5 18th in two in regulation, two-putting for birdie and a 69. But he missed the fairway in the playoff and made par. Tiger Woods was briefly within three shots of the lead on the front nine. He closed with a 70 and finished 12th.

Korda sets record Florida’s Jessica Korda set a tournament record to win the LPGA Thailand at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course on Sunday in Chonburi. Korda held off Lexi Thompson and local hope Moriya Jutanugarn for a fourstroke victory after a final-round 67 for an overall total of 25-under 263, smashing the previous mark of 22 under set by Amy Yang of South Korea in 2017. Thompson, who won here in 2016, turned in a bogey-free round that included eight birdies to sign off with a 64 for a 21-under 267. Moriya finished with a final-round 67 for an overall 21-under 267.

Pepperell prevails Eddie Pepperell survived a tense finish to win the Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club on Sunday for his maiden European Tour title. The 27-year-old Englishman held off a spirited challenge from compatriot Oliver Fisher, who needed a third successive birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff, but had his putt from 6 feet slip past the hole for a par. Pepperell shot a 2-under 70 for a four-day tally of 18-under 270, while Fisher, who started the day tied for the lead, could only manage a 71. Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult (68) finished third at 16 under. Schwartzman wins Rio Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman beat Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Rio Open for his second career title. The 5-foot-7 Schwartzman, seeded sixth in the clay-court event at Jockey Club Brasileiro, will enter the Top 20 in the world for the first time today. Ranked 23rd, Schwartzman beat Norway’s Casper Ruud, Argentina’s Federico Delbonis and France’s Gael Monfils en route to the final. The eighth-seeded Verdasco teamed with countryman David Marrero to win the doubles title Saturday night. They beat Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Alexander Peya of Austria, 5-7, 7-5, 10-8.

Tiafoe takes first title American Frances Tiafoe hit consecutive aces on the final two points to clinch his first career ATP title with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at the Delray Beach Open on Sunday. The 91st-ranked Tiafoe, who should move up about 30 spots in today’s new rankings, was playing in his first career tour-level final against the 64th-ranked Gojowczyk. Tiafoe, 20, is the youngest American to win a title since a 19-yearold Andy Roddick won the 2002 Houston trophy. Gojowczyk was bothered by an upper left leg injury and received a couple of treatments during the match. The first time Gojowczyk called for the trainer to wrap his thigh was when he was about to serve with Tiafoe leading 5-0 in the first set.

Khachanov tops Pouille Big-serving Karen Khachanov secured the second ATP title of his career after beating Lucas Pouille 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in the Open 13 final on Sunday at Marseille, France. The ninth-seeded Russian had 16 aces in a closely fought contest, winning on his second match point when the third-seeded Frenchman hit a forehand into the net from the back of the court. The pair hugged at the net in a show of sportsmanship. Khachanov broke Pouille in the third game to take early control. Pouille broke back with a fine backhand winner down the line to make it 5-5, but then lost his next service game as Khachanov whipped a forehand winner down the right side of the court. It gave the imposing Russian a second chance to serve for the set and he clinched it with a strong service winner. After saving two break points at 15-40 in the opening game of the second set, Pouille secured the only break of that set to level the match. Khachanov hit nine aces in the third set and neither faced a break point until the 12th game on Pouille’s serve. It gave Khachanov a match point, but he missed a fairly routine smash at the net following a rally. Pouille double faulted to give him another chance to win.

BASEBALL

Infielder breaks leg Philadelphia Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks broke his leg during a collision with teammate Andrew Pullin during a spring training game. Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said Sunday that Middlebrooks broke his left fibula. Kapler said additional tests were needed to determine whether Middlebrooks also had ankle damage. Middlebrooks, 29, was playing third base during Saturday’s exhibition against Baltimore and went back into left field attempting to catch DJ Stewart’s popup when his ankle tangled underneath Pullin as the ball fell for a single. Middlebrooks was removed from the field on a cart.

A-Rod to stay with Yanks Alex Rodriguez is remaining with the New York Yankees as a special adviser. A-Rod served as an adviser and instructor following his retirement as a player in August 2016 through the end of his $275 million, 10-year contract last fall. New York said Sunday that Rodriguez and Nick Swisher had been added as special advisers, joining Reggie Jackson and Hideki Matsui. “I think he has a lot to offer,” new Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said. “Hopefully it’s an opportunity for him to impact our team. I think everyone understands just how smart of a baseball mind he is and his ability I think to communicate that sometimes is really something he’s special at, especially with the younger guys.” Rodriguez is replacing Boone as an ESPN analyst on Sunday night telecasts.

BASKETBALL

Butler has knee surgery The Minnesota Timberwolves said All-Star guard Jimmy Butler underwent successful meniscus surgery on his right knee. The team announced Sunday that the operation was performed by Dr. Diane Dahm at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Dahm is the team’s orthopedic surgeon. Butler will be sidelined indefinitely. The team says further updates on his progress will be issued as he begins rehabilitation. The injury occurred Friday in a loss to the Houston Rockets. Butler is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He has played in 56 games.

Shaq’s son shuns Arizona Shareef O’Neal, the son of Shaquille O’Neal and a top college prospect, will not be playing for Arizona in the wake of a report that FBI wiretaps allegedly captured Coach Sean Miller discussing a $100,000 payment to get Deandre Ayton to sign with the team. “At this time I am opening up my recruitment due to the current events with the U of A Bball team,” he tweeted. “I would like to thank all the coaches for recruiting me. At the time my family and I think it’s in my best interest to look at other options to assure my play in the NCAA next year.” His decision comes after ESPN reported that wiretaps of Sean Miller and Christian Dawkins, a former employee of ASM Sports agent Andy Miller, allegedly show the two discussing the payout for Ayton, a potential No. 1 draft pick. O’Neal, a senior 6-foot-9 power forward at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Calif., will not require a release by Arizona because he signed nonbinding financial aid papers last April rather than a letter of intent. It is unclear where O’Neal will play, although Kentucky and LSU, where his father played, were reportedly under consideration before he committed to Arizona.