Hovland in position to repeat in Mexico

Viktor Hovland was hitting it so well he had no trouble taking on a big risk, and it paid off Saturday with a big finish for a 9-under 62 and a two-shot lead in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Hovland, the defending champion, hit driver just over the green on the par-4 17th and hit a dart into the closing hole at El Cameleon for the lowest score of his PGA Tour career.

That gave him a two-shot lead over fellow Oklahoma State alum Talor Gooch (63), and he was three clear of Justin Thomas (64).

“That was fun today,” Hovland said. “Got off to a nice start and it was nice to have one of those rounds where you can kind of keep it going throughout the day instead of maybe slowing down towards the end there where, frankly, there’s some tough holes.”

Matthew Wolff, who started the weekend with a two-shot lead, made a pair of bogeys early in his round to fall out of the

lead and managed only one birdie in his round of 73 that dropped him out of contention.

NFL: Wisconsin health care organization Prevea Health ended a nine-year partnership with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers after he detailed his reasoning for avoiding the three COVID-19 vaccinations endorsed by the NFL. The move comes a day after Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” he had sought alternative treatments to COVID-19 vaccination because he’s allergic to an ingredient in two of the FDA-approved shots. Rodgers, 37, didn’t say what ingredient he was allergic to, or how he knows he’s allergic. The reigning league MVP found out he contracted COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Soccer: Playing its final match under caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan before Xavi Hernández takes over, Barcelona blew a 3-0 halftime lead and settled for a 3-3 draw against host Celta Vigo on Saturday. Barca remained ninth in the Spanish League.