BURNS HOLDS ON AT WINDY RIVIERA
LOS A N GELES» The wind stopped Sam Burns right when he was about to get started with a five-shot lead Saturday at the Genesis Invitational. Darkness stopped him right after two straight bogeys narrowed his lead to two.
Thus ended a wild afternoon at Riviera, where the wind was raging so strong that it blew Keegan Bradley’s putt off the green at No. 10 and nearly blew Max Homa’s shot into the hole at the par-5 first.
A four-hour delay didn’t make Riviera any easier.
Burns, the 24-year-old from Louisiana, went 31 consecutive holes without a bogey and kept Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and everyone else at a distance. When the streak ended on No. 8, it was the start of three inevitable bogeys over six holes.
“It’s a hard course with no wind,” Burns said.
He was at 10-under par through 13 holes, two shots ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick, who had a most bizarre round by going 10 consecutive holes without a par — six birdies, four bogeys.
The third round was set to be completed Sunday morning ahead of the final 18 holes.
American Morris hurt. American forward Jordan Morris left the field on a stretcher with what could be a significant leg injury suffered during Swansea’s 4-2 loss to Huddersfield on Saturday in England’s League Championship. The 26-year-old, on loan from Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, entered at the start of the second half and was taken off about 20 minutes later.
“We will know more in the days to come, but it did not look a good one, that’s for sure,” Swansea manager Steve Cooper said.
Gasol denies deal with Barcelona.
M A DRID » Pau Gasol denied Spanish media reports on Saturday that he has reached a deal to return to Spain to play for Barcelona. Gasol said on Twitter he remains “focused on my recovery and I am not ready to get back to competing just yet.”
The 40-year-old Gasol has been trying to regain his fitness to be ready to play in his fifth Olympic Games.
Babcock to coach college team.
SA SK ATOON , SA SK ATCHEWA N » Mike Babcock, who coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title and the Canadian men’s team to two Olympic medals, is taking over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s team.
The Saskatoon native and former Huskies player, replaces Dave Adolph, who announced his retirement on Dec. 7 after 27 years coaching. He will coach on a full-time volunteer basis for the next two seasons.
Bieber in training camp.
CLEV EL A ND»
Cy Young winner Shane Bieber reported to training camp on Saturday with the Indians after the right-hander was quarantined with COVID-19.
Bieber, who was baseball’s best pitcher in 2020, was medically cleared and joined Cleveland’s other pitchers and catchers in Goodyear, Arizona. The 25-year-old recently tested positive with the virus, but only experienced mild symptoms.
Blue Jackets can have fans. The Columbus Blue Jackets received permission from state authorities to allow a limited number of fans at games starting next week.
The city of Columbus and the Ohio Department of Health signed off on the plan to allow up to 1,953 fans — 10% of Nationwide Arena’s capacity — for the last 16 home games, beginning March 2 against Detroit.
Shawcross will play for Inter Miami.
MI A MI» Ryan Shawcross signed with David Beckham’s Inter Miami in Major League Soccer on Saturday, a day after leaving the English club Stoke after 14 years.
Cubs, Marisnick have deal.
CHICAGO» The Chicago Cubs finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with outfielder Jake Marisnick on Saturday.