Tiger replacement Straka shares lead in the Bahamas
NASSAU, BAHAMAS » Sepp Straka was home in Alabama preparing for a big week of golf matches at his club, a friend’s wedding and the SEC Championship game. And then Tiger Woods couldn’t play in the Bahamas because of a foot injury, and Straka had a change in plans. It worked out OK for him.
The replacement for Woods managed six birdies at rain-soaked Albany for a 3-under 69 that gave him a share of the lead at the Hero World Challenge with defending champion Viktor Hovland, Tom Kim and Collin Morikawa.
Straka is the only player to have never played in a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup at Albany.
Elliott most popular driver
NASHVILLE, TENN. » Chase Elliott simply can’t be beat when it comes to his grip on NASCAR’s title as fans most popular driver.
In a season in which he won five races and finished fourth overall, Elliott
added another victory Thursday night. At the season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center, the National Press Association declared Elliott winner of the fan-decided most popular award for a fifth consecutive year.
Elliott’s run as NASCAR’s most popular driver started in 2018, the first year of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement.
Thorns to be sold
The owner of the Portland Thorns announced he is putting the club up for sale, the latest fallout from an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Merritt Paulson’s decision comes nearly two months after a pair of team executives were dismissed for their roles in systemic abuse and misconduct within the NWSL.
Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates and the law firm of King & Spaulding released results in early October of an investigation that detailed the series of abuses and misconduct that impacted multiple teams
in the league, including the Thorns.
Locals lead after Round 1
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA » Local professional David Micheluzzi shot a courserecord equaling 7-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the Australian Open where the men’s and women’s championships are being played concurrently for the first time.
Micheluzzi rode a hot putter to roll in eight birdies to match the course record. Another Australian, Grace Kim, led the women’s field with a 7-under 66 at nearby Kingston Heath .
2024 Tour to end in Nice
NICE, FRANCE » The 2024 Tour de France will end on the French Riviera instead of the French capital because of the Olympic Games.
The finish of cycling’s marquee race leaves Paris for the first time since 1905.
Tour organizers said the last stage of its 111th race will take place in the Mediterranean resort of Nice on July 21. Five days later, Paris opens the Olympics.