Tag: Jr.

These are the 10 father-son combinations who have won PGA Tour events

The first happened all the way back in 1861. The most recent occurred in 2018.

First, a disclaimer. We are not predicting future professional success for Charlie Woods, the golfing offspring of proud papa Tiger Woods. We’re enjoying watching him grow up right in front of our eyes alongside dad at the PNC Championship, but Charlie, like any young phenom, has a long road ahead before he starts hoisting trophies.

Nonetheless, it is fun to think of the possibilities. And if Charlie were to ascend to the Tour and starting winning on that level, those two would join a pretty exclusive list.

There are 10 father-son combinations to win on the PGA Tour. The first happened all the way back in 1861. The most recent occurred in 2018. Here’s the list.

Eric Axley goes low at PGA Tour Champions Q School with front-nine 28; Wes Short, Jr. leads

After an opening eagle, Axley had six straight birdies to start his second round.

There’s going low.

And there’s what Eric Axley is doing Wednesday during the second round of the PGA Tour Champions Q School final stage.

Starting on the back nine on the Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale, Axley eagled the par-5 10th hole. Nice start.

He then went birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie to get to 8 under through six holes.

Axley finally cooled off with pars on the par-5 17th and par-4 18th. Still, he made the turn in 28 and was officially on 59 watch.

“Once I eagled No. 10, it seemed like the birdies weren’t much more than tap-ins,” Axley said. “I think I had it inside three feet on each of my first eight holes, except the par-3 16th. There, I had 192 yards and hit it to six feet, but still made it. So, everything just felt really comfortable down that stretch of holes.”

The 28 ties the low nine-hole score on the PGA Tour Champions in 2023.

He then parred Nos. 10 and 11 but a disastrous quadruple 7 on the par-3 third hole, his 12th of the day, did some damage to his scorecard. He would later birdie Nos. 5, 6 and 7 to post a 7-under 64 and walk off the course tied for sixth. He ended the day in a tie for seventh.

“I hit a weird tee shot on No. 3 that ended up in a bad spot,” he said. “I couldn’t get it on the green from where I was, so I ended up having a bogey putt from 20 feet. I ran that by three feet, then ran it by three feet coming back. So, that was a four-putt. It was like getting punched in the stomach when you aren’t prepared for it. But, I did bounce back somewhat with three more straight birdies on 5, 6 and 7. So, that helped.”

Axley, 49, has one win – the 2006 Valero Texas Open – in 209 starts on the PGA Tour and $3.2 million in career earnings. He doesn’t turn 50 until April 22 next year but is vying for one of five tour cards being handed out this week for the 2024 season.

Wes Short, Jr., shot a 63 on Wednesday and sits at 12 under, alone in first at the halfway mark. He had seven birdies and an eagle. Daniel Chopra, Shane Bertsch and Cameron Percy are tied for second at 11 under. Alan McLean is solo fifth at 10 under.

Other notables include Dick Mast, the last golfer in the field at age 72, beat his age by shooting an even-par 71; Scottsdale’s Bryan Hoops, the lone amateur in the field, tied for 12th after scores of 64-72; and former Major League pitcher John Smoltz is last. He followed his first-round 80 with a 76. He is 14 over.

Andrew Booth, Jr. could practice as early as tomorrow per ESPN

Cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr. may be nearing a return to practice after suffering an injury last week.

After suffering an injury during training camp last week, it appears that Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr. may be nearing a return.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported on Saturday that Minnesota Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr. was on the field during walk-thru, and said that the injury he suffered was “nothing serious.”

https://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/1687891940191109121

While this news is indicative of Booth’s injury being just a minor setback, it does raise concern for the second-year cornerback. He has been battling injury concerns since high school, and there has not been any sign that these battles will cease anytime soon. 

Minnesota took a bet on Booth’s talent when he was on the field when they took him 42nd overall in the 2022 NFL draft. But, they have yet to get a return on that investment.

With all of the swings at the cornerback position that they have made since then, from Mekhi Blackmon to working out Ronald Darby, it makes you wonder if the Vikings are starting to raise their concerns about Booth.

Duck defensive end Jordan Burch on Lott Impact Trophy watch list

Jordan Burch was named to the Lott Impact Trophy watch list, an award given to players who display on-field prowess, and off-field character.

When Jordan Burch announced he would be transferring from South Carolina and looking for another place to play, Oregon’s Dan Lanning was one of the first ones to get the former 5-star on the phone.

The Ducks needed to replace DJ Johnson, and it was celebrated when Burch said he was coming out west to play in Eugene. Oregon knew the on-the-field talent it was acquiring, but Burch is as impressive off the field as well.

He is on the watch list for the Ronnie Lott IMPACT Trophy, an award named for former San Francisco 49ers great and NFL Hall of Famer, Ronnie Lott.

According to the Pacific Club Foundation’s website, the award is “unique because it represents the first college football award to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

“The IMPACT award is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of athletics and recognizes college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.

Burch battled injuries during his time at South Carolina, but he had a career season in 2022 with 60 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Alabama’s Will Anderson, Jr. was the 2022 winner.

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NFL Draft: 7 of first 10 picks were former 5-star prospects

Some will tell you that stars don’t matter, but when you look at the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, that is a different story.

In college football, there’s an age-old saying that “stars don’t matter.”

Well, don’t tell the 2023 NFL Draft that.

According to 247Sports’ rankings, seven of the first ten picks in the NFL Draft were former five-star prospects.

The Carolina Panthers started that run by selecting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the 1st overall pick. Young was a five-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, earning the No. 1 ranking nationally.

Third-overall pick Will Anderson, Jr., Young’s college teammate, was also a five-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. Anderson, Jr. was ranked as the No. 14 player overall in the class.

The only three players in the top ten who were not five-star prospects are C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Devon Witherspoon.

According to 247Sports, their rating system is designed to project NFL success, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the stars rating was successful this season.

Our ultimate goal is to accurately project college success with an element of raw ability baked in. To that end, we have turned to the NFL Draft as the measuring stick and answer key that best indicates, in a quantitative manner, the level of success and ability players showcased during their college careers.

What the Byron Murphy signing means for the Vikings

Murphy will make an immediate impact for Minnesota as a starter in Brian Flores’ aggressive #Vikings defense

Even though it’s taken a while, the Minnesota Vikings have another cornerback.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Vikings have agreed to terms with cornerback Bryon Murphy. The deal is worth about $22 million over two seasons.

The announcement of Murphy’s contract comes at a critical time for Minnesota. Heading into free agency, only Akayleb Evans played a significant amount of snaps for the Vikings at cornerback last season.

Minnesota saw two former cornerbacks move to different teams since free agency opened on Monday. Veteran Patrick Peterson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cameron Dantzler Sr. was claimed by the Washington Commanders.

Here is how Byron Murphy can fit into the Vikings’ plans.

 

Photos: Oldest living Masters champ Jack Burke, Jr. turns 100

His Masters win in 1956 remains the largest comeback in tournament history.

He’s the oldest living Masters champ and he turns 100 this weekend.

Jack Burke, Jr., who is also the oldest PGA Championship winner, hits the century mark on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Gene Sarazen, the 1935 Masters champ, lived to be 97 and three months; Byron Nelson stretched his years to 94; Doug Ford died in 2018 at 95. Burke outlived them all, and although the 1956 Masters winner hasn’t returned to Augusta National since 2011, the accomplishment remains etched in his memories.

His Masters win came during the 20th playing of the event and the first one to be televised, although the CBS cameras were only on holes 15, 16, 17 and 18 on Friday through Sunday.

The most memorable part of his victory, though, was the he came back from eight shots down to win, still the largest comeback in Masters history.

Amateur Ken Venturi, led the tournament by four shots after 36 holes; he was up eight shots on Burke. After 54 holes, Burke was still down eight shots. He would end up winning by a shot and his 1-over final remains tied for the highest winning score at Augusta National.

Check out some photos through the years of Jackie Burke.

The Augusta Chronicle’s Doug Stutsman contributed to this story.

2023 Senior Bowl Preview: Linebacker

We continue our Senior Bowl preview with the linebackers

One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.

Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.

As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, both managing editor Tyler Forness and columnist Matt Anderson will be there in person to break everything down.

We will be breaking down each position group and what to look for throughout the week. Here is the edge rusher position.

Previous:

Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive tackles
Interior offensive line
Interior defensive line
Edge rushers

Best low-cost wing and big man trade targets for the Boston Celtics

The Celtics may add a wing to help take pressure off of their stars, as well as look at a big man who might be able to ease the minute load on the ball club’s frontcourt.

The Boston Celtics will likely make a move or two ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline to add a wing to help take some pressure off of their two stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as well as taking a look at a big man who might be able to ease the minutes load on the ball club’s frontcourt.

With Brown and Tatum among the highest minutes-per-night players in the league and bigs Al Horford and Robert Williams III likely also playing more than they ought to be in order to be fresh and at their respective peaks for the 2023 NBA Playoffs, both bigs and wings are likely priorities. And with a hefty tax bill already on the table, cheaper solutions in terms of salary and asset cost that would raise the team’s payroll little or not at all will probably be the preferred route.

With that in mind, we put together a comprehensive list of such options the Celtics might target that wouldn’t need more than a first-round pick (and some much less) plus younger prospects in a reasonable deal.

Chris Cooley on Commanders offense: ‘It’s becoming an anemic offense’

Last week was a tough game for the Washington offense, and the 49ers have the NFL’s best defense.

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As usual, former Washington tight end Chris Cooley provided good insight into the Commanders’ loss to the Giants in Week 15 in his appearance on the Kevin Sheehan Show podcast Friday.

Here are some quotes from Cooley:

“The Heinicke fumble and Thibodeaux return from the 2-yard line is an unbelievable dagger to them. It is an offense that can’t score enough points, that can’t afford to give the defense points.”

“The Terry McLaurin penalty is so egregious it is unbelievable. He (the official) should be fined; he should be suspended. That can’t happen…That is b___ s ___.”

“A critical situation at the very end of the game, and you are going to flag that (McLaurin)? Then you are not going to turn around and flag a piggyback ride for pass interference?”

“Between two games, a tie and a loss, you could take eight plays and truly change it. The better team, Washington, should have won both of those ball games.”

“I think when you tie and lose (those games) I think New York is either coached better, executing better, so New York is a better team. I was wrong. Their quarterback is better.”

“What were you trying to get to in this game? They didn’t set up anything. That’s what I would continue to ask Washington, ‘What are you getting to?’ ”

“They are right now one of the worst teams in the league in creating big plays. They don’t get them.”

“There was no complement to the pass game to what was a pretty good run game in the first half with a loaded box…Robinson is getting better in part because he is getting healthier. He is quicker than he was six weeks ago. There is more of a burst. He is running with power. He looks great. He should’ve had [more] touches in that game.”

“Throughout the game, I didn’t like a lot of Heinicke… I think his grade is a D+ and Scott Turner a D.”

“San Francisco pressures ten times more than the Giants. This is a four-turnover game (vs 49ers) the way he played vs the Giants.”

There is much, much more…