Reed dodges controversy, shares lead at Farmers

Patrick Reed was involved in another rules controversy Saturday in the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. He also had a share of the lead with Carlos Ortiz.

On the par4 10th, Reed hit a 190yard shot out of a bunker with a TV replay showing the ball bounced once before settling into the rough at Torrey Pines. Believing the ball didn’t bounce, Reed picked it up to see if it was embedded before a rules official arrived. Reed told the official that no one in his group, as well as a nearby volunteer, saw it bounce.

Reed was awarded a free drop and saved par. He bogeyed four of the next holes before birdieing No. 18 for a 2underpar 70 and a share of the lead with Ortiz at 10 under. Ortiz had a 66 on the South Course.

In December 2019 in Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Reed was penalized two strokes for appearing to deliberately improve his lie in a bunker.

“The ball just disappeared. None of us saw it bounce,” said Reed, who added that a nearby volunteer told him that it did not bounce. “I looked at my group and said, ‘Guys, she didn’t see it bounce it, either, so I’m going to mark this ball and see if it’s embedded.’ ”

PGA Tour rules official Ken Tackett said Reed “did all the things we ask to do of a player.”

Sam Burns (70), Lanto Griffin (72), Viktor Hovland (73), Jon Rahm (72) and Adam Scott (72) were two shots back at 8 under. Rory McIlroy (70) was in a group of four at 7 under. Paul Casey hit a 3iron to 10 feet and holed the eagle putt to complete a bogeyfree 8under 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic, giving the Englishman a onestroke lead at 15 under overall over Robert MacIntyre (67) as he seeks a 15th win on the European Tour.

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Gregorius, Phillies agree on $28 million

The Philadelphia Phillies and shortstop Didi Gregorius reportedly have agreed on a twoyear, $28 million contract.

Gregorius, who turns 31 next month, batted .284 with 10 homers, 40 RBIs and an .827 OPS in 60 games in his first season with the Phillies. He hit .274 and averaged 20 homers and 75 RBIs over four seasons with the Yankees between 201518. He hit 16 homers and drove in 61 runs in 82 games in 2019 after Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17, 2018, to repair a torn elbow ligament. The A’s, in the midst of a quiet offseason, added depth to their pitching staff Saturday.

Oakland acquired lefthander Cole Irvin from the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced. Irvin, 26, made 19 appearances for the Phillies over the past two seasons — 16 in relief — totaling a 6.75 ERA in 451⁄3 innings. He pitched in three games in the shortened 2020 season.

A fifthround pick out of Oregon in 2016, Irvin has primarily been a starter in the minors. The Chicago White Sox reportedly have agreed to a $3 million, oneyear contract with lefthander Carlos Rodon. The White Sox nontendered Rodon last month, making him a free agent. Righthander Trevor Williams reportedly agreed to a oneyear contract with the Chicago Cubs, giving the NL Central champions another option for the back end of their rotation. Williams, 28, was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after he went 28 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts in 2020.