LaPorta leads in England

Francesco Laporta of Italy shot 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the BMW PGA Championship on Saturday as Bernd Wiesberger moved closer to sealing a place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

Nineteen players were within five shots of the 264th-ranked Laporta, who was 14 under overall, heading into the final round of the flagship event on the European Tour. The closest was English player Laurie Canter, who shot 70 and was a stroke behind in second place outright.

Ryder Cup qualification is the major subplot of this week’s tournament at the tour headquarters at Wentworth, which marks the final chance for players to earn points to gain an automatic place in the European team.

Wiesberger looks almost sure of getting in via the European points list after shooting a second straight round of 67 to climb to a tie for seventh place on 11 under. The Austrian golfer, who has never played in the Ryder Cup, needs to finish only in the top 50 to jump above Rory McIlroy on the list. McIlroy would still be assured of making the team via the world points list.

The Lakers traded the rights to Marc Gasol back to the Grizzlies on Friday night, where the 36-year-old center spent his first 11 NBA seasons. ESPN then reported the Grizzlies intend to waive Gasol, who plans to begin the new NBA season at home in Spain.

NBA:

A jury has found a former Broncos DE Justin Bannan accused of shooting a woman in the shoulder in 2019 guilty of attempted first-degree murder. Bannan’s got underway Aug. 30 and ended Friday, KUSA reported. Bannan was accused of shooting a woman at a Boulder business while in a drug-induced state where he claimed the mafia was after him, according to an arrest affidavit. Sentencing is set for Nov. 5. ... ESPN reported the Eagles are signing LT Jordan Mailata to a four-year, $64 million extension. The deal, which runs through the 2025 season, could be worth up to $80 million and includes $40.85 million guaranteed.

NFL: