Kitayama leads Pebble Beach as bad weather looms
Kurt Kitayama is starting to feel more comfortable each time he gets in contention on the PGA Tour, and the Chico native can only hope that's the case going into the weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Kitayama opened with 10 straight pars before getting on track and finished birdiepar on two of the tougher holes at Pebble Beach for a 2-under 70 that gave him a one-shot lead Friday.
Kitayama was at 9-under 134 and led by one over Keith Mitchell, Brandon Wu, Joseph Bramlett and Hank Lebioda.
The way the forecast looks, getting comfortable on the Monterey Peninsula takes on a different meaning.
Katayama's last shot at his first PGA Tour win was in the fall in the CJ Cup of South Carolina at Congaree. He was tied for the lead going into the weekend with Jon Rahm, and he was in the final group and one shot behind Rory McIlroy going to the final round.
Starting times for Saturday were moved up one hour because of strong wind, and it doesn't take much in these parts for it to be a problem.
NBA NETS' KYRIE IRVING REQUESTS TRADE >>
All-Star guard Kyrie Irving has asked the Brooklyn Nets for a trade, according to ESPN and The Athletic.
Irving made the request after talks about a new contract did not go to his liking, the news outlets reported Friday.
The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday. The Nets — coming off a 43-point loss at Boston on Wednesday — open a five-game homestand on Saturday against Washington.
Irving's agent and stepmother, Shetellia Irving, told Bleacher Report last week that she had reached out to the Nets regarding an extension. Kyrie Irving — whose current deal with the Nets expires after this season — is eligible for a four-year contract worth as much as $200 million.
Football MENACING CHARGE AGAINST BENGALS' JOE MIXON IS DISMISSED >>
Bengals running back Joe Mixon no longer faces a misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing over allegations that he threatened and pointed a gun at a woman in Cincinnati.
A Friday order dismissing the case in Hamilton County Municipal Court said only that the city prosecutor's office requested the dismissal “in the interest of justice.”
A warrant for Mixon was issued Thursday. A police officer's accompanying affidavit alleged that the 26-year-old pointed a firearm and told the victim: “You should be popped in the face. I should shoot you, the police (can't) get me.”
It said the altercation happened a few blocks from the Bengals' stadium on Jan. 21 — the day before Cincinnati beat the Buffalo Bills in a divisionalround playoff game — but included no other details about the circumstances. RAIDERS HIRE FORMER COMMANDERS OC SCOTT TURNER >> Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner is joining the Las Vegas Raiders' staff, likely helping oversee the passing game.
“I'm just happy to be a part of the staff and it's obviously coach (Josh) McDaniels' deal, and I'm just going to be ready to contribute and help the best I can,” Turner said Friday. “I'll get out there and get a feel for the team. It's just everything's so new right now.”
The 40-year-old Turner was the Commanders' offensive coordinator the last three seasons before he was fired Jan. 10. Washington ranked 20th in total offense, 21st in passing and 24th in scoring this season.
Turner, the son of longtime former NFL offensive coordinator and head coach Norv, oversaw eight quarterbacks during his time with the Commanders. Their offense was ranked in the bottom half of the league all three seasons.