McIlroy 1 off lead in Mexico City WGC
MEXICO CITY — Rory McIlroy had more trouble with his stomach than his ribs. He opened with a 3-under 68 and was one shot out of a six-way tie for the lead as the Mexico Championship made a strong debut Thursday.
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood, two of the four players who were in the field for the first edition of this World Golf Championships event 18 years ago, each shot 67 and were part of a big group atop the leaderboard at Chapultepec Golf Club that included PGA champion Jimmy Walker, Torrey Pines winner Jon Rahm and Ryan Moore.
Michelle Wie rolled in several clutch putts and had six birdies in a 10-hole stretch to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. The 27-year-old Wie, who has struggled with injuries and form since winning the U.S. Open in 2014, shot a 6-under 66 at the new Tanjong course. “It’s a marathon this week, it’s not a sprint,” said Wie. “But I have to say I’m very proud of where I’ve positioned myself today.”
Gregory Havret, Haydn Porteous, and Alexander Bjork shared the lead after the first round of the European Tour’s Tshwane Open in South Africa, all carding 6-under 65s at Pretoria Country Club. sexual violence by his players or try to obstruct any investigations tied to the assault scandal at the nation’s largest Baptist university.
Briles released a one-page letter defending himself against allegations that he ignored incidents of assault and ran a rogue football program full of miscreants. The letter was issued one day after the Texas Rangers, the state’s elite criminal investigations unit, said it had opened a preliminary probe into how Baylor handled assault reports over several years.
“I did not cover-up any sexual violence. I had no contact with anyone that claimed to be a victim of sexual or domestic assault. Anyone well-versed in my work as a coach knows that I strove to promote excellence, but never at the sacrifice of safety for anyone,” Briles wrote . “I did not obstruct justice on campus or off.”