First-place Eagles raise expectations
Perez leads CIMB Classic by one stroke
Pat Perez led by one stroke halfway through the CIMB Classic after carding a 7-under-par 65 around a four-hour delay for rain on Friday. Fellow American golfer Xander Schauffele was on Perez's tail after a long-range eagle on the third hole set up his 5-under 67. Defending champion Justin Thomas had another poor round by his high standards, a 71. A three-peat on the TPC Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia where he clinched his maiden U.S. PGA Tour title in 2015 seems a tall order. Two bogeys compounded by a double bogey on the 12th meant Thomas was 10 shots behind Perez, at 3 under for the tournament. Perez, meanwhile, was hoping for more gusty winds and rain after making eight birdies, including four in a row. He's at 13-under 131 overall. "I don't want sunshine at all. It's too hot, way too hot," Perez said. "I like it just the way it is right now, perfect. Cloudy, no wind. "I didn't think I really played that well. I got off to a slow start, I was 1 over through four. We had the break, and ... I like the front (nine), I play better on the front." Kang Sunghoon of South Korea (68), Thomas Pieters of Germany (67) and overnight leader Cameron Smith of Australia (71) were tied for third, four shots off the pace at 9 under. More unsettled weather is expected over the weekend.
Yin’s in front at Hana Bank Championship
Angel Yin shot a 7-under 65 and took a two-stroke lead after the second round of the KEB Hana Bank Championship at Incheon, South Korea. Yin had an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole and six birdies, offset by a lone bogey on No. 17, to finish at 11-under 133, two shots ahead of overnight leader Sung Hyun Park (69). Park, who won the U.S. Women's Open for her first major and was ranked No. 2 in the world, was tied with fellow South Koreans In Gee Chun (65) and Jin Young Ko (67). On the fifth, Yin struck a 6 iron to 12 feet and coolly sank the eagle putt. "That got everything started," Yin said. "I made a few pars in the beginning, but that eagle just fired everything up." In Gee, a two-time winner on the U.S. LPGA Tour, is still hunting for her first victory of the year, after posting five runner-up finishes among her eight top-10s. Cristie Kerr, coming off a victory last week in France, shot 69 and was in a group of five tied for fifth at 8 under. Brooke Henderson offset two bogeys with seven birdies for a 67 and was in a share of 13th at 6 under.
Philadelphia — Expectations for the Philadelphia Eagles have soared following another convincing victory.
This was supposed to be a rebuilding season, but the Eagles (5-1) have emerged as the team to beat in the NFC East and they're a front-runner in the conference.
If they get some key players back from injury and improve some areas, the Eagles are legitimate Super Bowl contender.
"We're winning these games, but there is a lot to fix, a lot to correct as well," coach Doug Pederson said Friday, a day after a 28-23 win at Carolina. "It's never perfect."
Wentz shines
Carson Wentz tossed three touchdown passes and the defense stifled Cam Newton and the Panthers (4-2) to help Philadelphia become the NFC's first 5-win team. Three of those wins have come on the road.
The Eagles have a mini-bye before hosting the Washington Redskins (2-2) on Monday, Oct. 23. That'll start a threegame homestand.
"I've got to keep them focused and grounded on even some of the situational stuff still," Pederson said. "We've got to eliminate the big play on defense. We've got to get better in the red zone on offense, and just keep working in those areas. We weren't as good on third down (Thursday) night, so we've got to keep working that area. So just keeping them focused and detailed on those specific areas."
Wentz has established himself as a rising star in his second season. The 2016 No. 2 overall pick withstood relentless pressure, took a lot of hits and overcame some dropped passes and penalties to lead the Eagles to victory in front of a hostile crowd on short rest.
He lowered his shoulder and took on tacklers a couple times and made precision throws in clutch spots in the second half.
"That's the one thing about this kid," Pederson said. "He's so tough mentally and physically. He just stays in there and battles and still, his eyes are down the field. He doesn't let (getting hit) get to him.
"He's a great leader of this football team even in his second year. Guys really respect the way he plays. It's exciting to see from your quarterback."