Sports shorts NFL Man of the Year finalists announced

J.J. Watt, Greg Olsen and Benjamin Watson are finalists for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

The recipient of the award that recognizes a player’s contribution in his community and to society in general will be revealed on Feb. 3 at NFL Honors, when The Associated Press announces its individual NFL awards.

Houston defensive end Watt, in his seventh NFL season and a threetime Defensive Player of the Year, had the goal of raising $200,000 for Hurricane Harvey relief in Houston.

His fundraising did a whole lot more, bringing in an incredible $37 million in 19 days. Watt has dedicated himself to finding organizations that will apply the funds in a way he has promised both donors and victims of the storm.

“For me, this nomination is about so much more than one man,” Watt tells The Associated Press. “It’s about the hundreds of thousands of people who helped donate to those who went through an extremely difficult time and rose above it all.

“I also know this is about honoring the city and its people.”

Golf

RAHM WINS PLAYOFF » Jon Rahm beat Andrew Landry with a 12-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff in the CareerBuilder Challenge.

In fading light Sunday on the Stadium Course at PGA West, Rahm finished off Landry for his second PGA Tour title and fourth worldwide victory in a year. The 23-year-old Spaniard will jump from third to second in the world ranking.

Rahm overcame surprising par-5 problems in regulation to shoot 5-under 67. Landry forced the playoff with an 11-foot birdie putt on 18 for a 68. They finished at 22-under 266.

Rahm missed a chance to win on the first extra trip down the 18th when his 9-foot birdie try slid left, and on the second,

Landry’s 8-footer to end it went by to the right. They missed long birdie tries on the third extra hole, the par-4 10th. GARCIA WINS IN SINGAPORE » Masters champion Sergio Garcia began his 20th year as a pro by closing with a 3-under 68 for a five-shot victory at the Singapore Open.

Garcia won for the 28th time in his career, and in his fourth Asian country.

Starting the final round of the rain-delayed event at Sentosa Golf Club, the Spaniard birdied his first hole, picked up two more birdies before the turn and made all pars on the back nine.

He won by five shots over Satoshi Kodaira (71) of Japan and Shaun Norris (70) of South Africa.

Jazz Janewattananond, a 22-year-old Thai, was among four players who earned spots in the British Open.

Tennis

KEYS IN AUSSIE QUARTERS » Madison Keys has continued her strong run through the Australian Open draw, returning to the quarterfinals here for the first time in three years with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Caroline Garcia on Monday.

The U.S. Open finalist is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park and is averaging a brisk 62.5 minutes on court through her first four rounds.

Coming into the match against Garcia, she had only dropped 14 games — the second fewest among the women through three rounds, just behind Angelique Kerber’s 13 games.

Keys could meet Kerber in the quarterfinals if the 21st-seeded German beats Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan.

Keys is seeded just 17th after undergoing wrist surgery and missing several months on tour last year, but she is playing pain-free again and looking increasingly confident as the tournament goes on.

Keys, the only American woman to reach the fourth round, said she feels like she’s playing without pressure since returning from her wrist injury.