SAFC’S Maloney signs extension
San Antonio FC has signed defender Connor Maloney to a multiyear extension, the team announced Thursday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Every club and coach desires a Connor Maloney,” said San Antonio FC head coach Alen Marcina. “An incredible human being with a growth mindset, a leader, an all-in commitment to the vision, and an on-field high performer. Connor’s expansive skillset and receptiveness to tactical information, and ability to then immediately apply, perform and execute the asked tasks are invaluable traits.”
Since coming to San Antonio in 2020, Maloney has appeared in 75 matches, starting 74 with 6,642 minutes played in USL Championship play. The Penn State product has assisted eight times with SAFC, including a career-best four in 2022
Maloney was a crucial piece of the 2022 squad that defeated Louisville City FC 3-1 in the USL Championship final this month, appearing in all but one match over the course of the season. Throughout the season, Maloney appeared at every position except forward or goalkeeper.
The highlight of Maloney’s 2022 campaign came in the Western Conference Final against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, when he scored in the 23rd minute to put SAFC up 1-0. The goal was Maloney’s first-ever score in USL Championship play.
Three share lead at Queensland
Adam Scott shot a 5-under 66 on Thursday after a 6 a.m. tee time to trail by one stroke after the first round of the Australian PGA championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane.
Three other Australians shot 65s in the afternoon groups — Min Woo Lee, Jason Scrivener and John Lyras — to share the first-round lead.
Brad Kennedy, Anthony Quayle and South Korean Jeunghun Wang matched Scott’s 66 and were tied for fourth.
Scott was playing in the same early-morning group as British Open champion Cameron Smith, who was three strokes behind after a 68, and Ryan Fox, a close runner-up to Rory Mcilroy on the European tour’s order of merit this season, who had a 72.
The 35-year-old Fox is No. 27 in the world after ending last year at No. 213. The New Zealander won two European tour events and had four runner-up finishes in his resurgent season.