Sports News

PGA TOUR enters a fantastic two-week stretch at Bay Hill this week with the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Four of the world’s top six golfers are on the field this week for one of the toughest challenges players will face in the TOUR. The thick bumps and nearly 7,500 yards that face the best in the world mean it will take incredible effort to get to the top.

We saw victory from long after long victory this year in TOUR and Honda Classic was no different with Sep Straka, who came out on top. There is a lot of depth in the world of golf right now, but the API usually sees one of the golfing elites prevailing.

Our GolfBet staff reviewed the odds board and determined their favorite picks for the week at Bay Hill. See them below.

Keith Mitchell – Top 10 (+350)

Jason Sobel: Although I realize that my weekly previews are getting dangerously close to looking like a Keith Mitchell fan page, there’s no reason to jump in now.

In five starts so far in 2022, Mitchell has four results of 12 or better, including last week’s T9 at Honda. He will now turn to API, where he completed T5 and T6 in three career starts. The truth is, I think his driving skills should help him more at Bay Hill than at PGA National, where he won his only PGA TOUR title three years ago, as the shots he gets should serve as more appropriate indicator this week. (Which says a lot, I understand, because Straka won while leading in this category.)

And just in case all this is not enough to convince you, let’s take into account the story of Mitchell, who remains after his last round on Sunday to congratulate his teammate from college for the victory. This should cost at least a few karma points.

Sungjae Im – Top 5 (+600)

Chris Murphy: Each of my results over the last few weeks has finished in the top five, so this week I will take a new approach and look to take advantage of this close, but not quite, result.

This week it’s with Sungjae Im, who I expect to recover quickly on Bay Hill after a disappointingly missed cut as a favorite in last week’s Honda Classic tournament. He was +1000 to win the event last week and now we get odds for him to be in the top five, albeit in a much stronger field, at +600.

The biggest problem for Im last week was Thursday, when he lost 2.6 strokes in the approach and another 2.9 strokes in one round. He bounced with irons on Friday, receiving a full blow on the field, but failed to make enough shots to get into the numbers to play over the weekend.

The South Korean is now heading to Arnold Palmer Invitational, another course that has suited his game over the past few years with three discounts and two top 3 spots in his last three trips to Bay Hill.

This course is well suited to his game, as it requires little staining and is also played on his preferred Bermuda surfaces. Everything is fine for Sungjae to have another solid week and a top finale in the API.

Victor Howland +1800

Matt Vincenzi: Howland comes this week with hot irons, which is the most important aspect of taming Bay Hill. In his last start on the Riviera, the 24-year-old received 6.1 strokes on approach. The performance lags only behind Tony Finau and the winner Joaquin Niemann in the category, leading Howland to fourth place.

Howland was also very good on the Riviera last season. He amassed 4.1 strokes in the approach (fifth place finish) and improved his hot form the following week. His next start came at the WGC Concession, where he finished second with 8.7 shots on approach, the best result of his career. Howland is heading to Florida again after a strong performance on the Riviera and I expect another performance on the ceiling.

The world’s No. 4 golfer recently won the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour (January 2022). Despite worldwide success, Hovland is still looking for a remarkable victory in the PGA TOUR. Bay Hill would be a logical place for that to happen.

Matt Fitzpatrick +3000

Derek Farnsworth: This is my first week as one of the best bets, so I could turn to the fences with a full bet. Fitzpatrick has never won a PGA TOUR, but has seven professional wins under his belt.

When trying to predict clear winners, many look to the latest form, many look to the history of the course, and many look to the course. Fitzpatrick has all three on his side this week. He finished T12 or better in each of his last four starts worldwide, including consecutive top 10 in his first two TOUR starts in 2022 (Pebble Beach T6 and Waste Management Open T10). He hit three consecutive top 10 on Bay Hill, including second place in 2019.

He has always said that he prefers difficult golf courses and those that challenge all aspects of your game. This definitely meets the requirements, as Bay Hill has been in the top 10 in terms of difficulty on tour in each of the last three years.

If Fitzpatrick can start a good start on Thursday and Friday, I like his chances of being in a dispute over the weekend. It is assumed that the wind will intensify on Saturday and Sunday, which should play in its strengths.

Jason Kokrak and Mark Lishman both finish in the top 30 (+310)

Rob Bolton: All right, FanDuel, I see you. You caught me. I join your conversation.

You will find this bet in Golf Specials 2. This is among a handful of tempting options that reflect a wider range than the same boards from the last two weeks at FanDuel.

Notwithstanding how Tori Pines rewards strength and precision, the same combination does damage to Bay Hill. These two are doing their job with this profile. In fact, both are in the top five of my Power Rankings at PGATOUR.com, so my expectations are for much more than fulfilling the conditions of this prop.

Kokrak has gone T10-T18-T8 here in the last three editions, respectively. He has six top 30 in his last eight trips, so even before rising to his current level on the world stage, he was a force in Bay Hill.

Leishman is a former champion (2017) who turned this title into five consecutive top-25s. He was a monster all season and we already know how reliable he is when the wind gets stronger, which will happen this week.

Will Zalatoris +2900

London Silinski: This may be a hot decision, but I personally believe that Zalatoris may be the third best iron player in the world after Colin Morikawa and Justin Thomas. The 25-year-old is ranked №1 in this area in SG: approach in his last 24 rounds and has two places in the top six in the last three starts.

We like to target Willy Z at non-birdie fest events, where his poor performance is less exaggerated. Fortunately, Bay Hill requires a precise iron game to fight, which is actually all we need to know. Zalatoris have actually been close to a neutral runner in their last 24 rounds, which is a scary thought for everyone else on the field this week, because if they win anything on the Greens, they are on the shortlist to win.

After T10 here last year on debut, I expect another huge week from this golf prodigy.

Hideki Matsuyama +2500

Brian Berryman: That number stood out the first time I went through the odds early Monday morning, and it was my first click of the week.

Bay Hill is a challenging golf course that will require a full comprehensive game to win. In the last 24 rounds, Hideki ranks sixth in this field in Strikes Received: Tee-to-Green and first in Wins Won: Total. He even got hit in his last four starts, a great indicator that every aspect of his game is snapping.

This hot stretch of play led to two wins and an additional final in the top 10 in his last six starts. He has never missed a cut in this event in seven attempts and is in great shape this week. Many signs point to Hideki this week.

Vis says he and three others have received an offer to buy Chelsea from Abramovich, but there is no fixed selling price, according to the Swiss newspaper.

Vis was quoted in the interview as saying: “I have to wait four to five days. Abramovich wants too much right now. You know, Chelsea owes him two billion. But Chelsea has no money.”

Weiss, who founded the medical device company Synthes USA, insisted in an interview with Blick that he could consider a deal for Chelsea only with a bunch of investment partners.

“I can imagine starting in Chelsea with partners. But first I have to look at the general conditions. But what I can already say: I will definitely not do something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium of six to seven investors, “Weiss told the newspaper.

Since Abramovich took over the club in 2003, Chelsea have won 17 major trophies, including two Champions League trophies and five Premier League titles. The Blues are currently the winners of the Champions League after beating Manchester City at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, the other Everton Premier League club has suspended all trade sponsorship agreements with Russian companies owned by Alisher Usmanov, with immediate effect Wednesday.

A statement posted on the club’s website said: “Everyone at Everton is shocked and saddened by the horrific events unfolding in Ukraine. This tragic situation must end as soon as possible and any further loss of life must be avoided.

“The players, the coaching staff and everyone who works at Everton have the full support of our player Vitaly Mikolenko and his family and will continue to do so.

“The club can confirm that it has immediately terminated all trade sponsorship agreements with Russian companies USM, Megafon and Yota,” the statement said.

USM Holdings is sponsoring the Finch Farm training ground, while Megafon is sponsoring Everton’s women’s jerseys.

Dressed in Ukraine’s blue and gold colors, the hot-tempered Elina Svitolina hit Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in Mexico on Tuesday and said her mission was to unite the world of tennis behind her country after Russia’s invasion.

Svitolina initially refused to play her first match against Potapova at the Monterrey Open, but continued after tennis authorities decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing under the name and flag of their countries.

“I think my mission is to unite our tennis community to stand with Ukraine, to help Ukraine, because what we are going through is a terrible thing for all Ukrainians,” said the former world number three after his victory.

“That’s why I’m here. That is why I am playing for my country and doing my best, using my platform and resources to present this, and I am trying to invite people to support Ukraine. “

Svitolina, who said she would donate her prizes from the Ukrainian Army tournament, defeated Potapova 6-2, 6-1, hitting her chest repeatedly on the court. After the match, the players exchanged a few words online, before Svitolina expressed her gratitude for the support of the audience. The television charts had a blank space next to where Potapova’s flag and state would normally be.

“For me, playing the game here is not just for myself,” Svitolina said. “I play for my country, I play for the help of the Ukrainian army and people in need. Every victory I achieve will be very special. “

In Lyon on Tuesday, Ukraine’s Diana Yastremska collapsed on the court after defeating Romania’s Anna Bogdan in the WTA 250 tournament. The 21-year-old and her younger sister spent two nights in an underground car park last week before their parents sent them off Ukraine. boat to Romania and then safely to France.

“I am happy to have won for my country, but at the same time I am very sad,” said Yastremska, who wrapped herself in a Ukrainian flag after her 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (7) victory. “My heart stays at home and my mind is fighting here, so it’s very difficult to find concentration, to find balance.

“This victory, compared to what is happening in my country, is nothing. But at least I’m happy to be fighting for my country. I am really proud of the Ukrainians and they are really heroes. I hope it’s over soon. “

The International Paralympic Committee’s decision Wednesday to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete as “neutral athletes” sparked a heartbreaking response just hours after it was announced.

Russian athletes have already been scheduled to compete as RPCs, abbreviated by the Russian Paralympic Committee, as punishment for the state-sponsored doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and subsequent cover-ups.

The IPC added more restrictions for the Russians when the Paralympic Games open on Friday. Belarus has been sanctioned for its involvement in aiding Russia in the invasion and war against Ukraine.

But there was no expulsion. And that hit my nerves.

At a press conference in Beijing hours after the decision, a reporter who said he worked for the Kyiv Post asked IPC President Andrew Parsons what he would say to the family of young biathlete Evhen Malishev.

Malishev was killed this week in Ukraine, but the exact circumstances of his death are unclear. The International Biathlon Union said Wednesday that he “died this week while serving in the Ukrainian army.”

A Kyiv Post reporter picked up the photo of the young man while questioning Parsons.

“I can’t even begin to imagine the pain his family is currently experiencing,” Parsons said. “I can only tell them that my deepest thoughts are with them. This is absolutely not fair. This is disgusting. This is against humanity. “

Parsons has repeatedly defended the decision not to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes, saying IPC rules do not allow it. The IPC is based in Germany, and he said any expulsion “will be overturned in a German court”.

“The principle of political neutrality and true faith in the transformative power of sport must be our North Star, our strength or perhaps our lifeboat,” Parsons added.

The Ukrainian-based reporter said he was the only journalist in the country to reach Beijing, and again pressed Parsons to explain why Russians and Belarusians should be allowed to compete – even as neutral athletes. He repeatedly identified them as “aggressor nations”.

“I can’t even imagine how painful it is to be Ukrainian right now,” said Parsons, a Brazilian. “I try to sympathize and sympathize. It’s difficult. My country is not at war and my family is not hiding in the subways of the capital of my nation. “

IPC spokesman Craig Spence acknowledged the disgust many feel for allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete.

“Right now the world is focused on us and they may not agree with the decision,” Spence said.

Nadine Doris, the British minister in charge of sport, called it a “wrong decision”.

“They (IPC) must join the rest of the world in condemning this barbaric invasion by banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing,” she said.

Parsons said the decision was not unanimous among a dozen board members, but said a majority supported it. He did not give a breakdown of the vote.

Both delegations will be excluded from the table of medals, and the IPC said it would not hold events in either country “as long as the current situation continues”. Parsons called it “the most severe punishment we can impose under our constitution and current IPC rules.”

Instead, athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under the Paralympic flag and use the Paralympic anthem. The RPC delegation must cover the “RPC” symbol on the uniforms of all events and ceremonies. The Belarusian delegation must cover its national flag on uniforms.

The IPC has said it will also withdraw the “Paralympic honor” given to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It says the “Paralympic orders” have also been withdrawn by: Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the organizing committee in Sochi (now Russia’s deputy prime minister); Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (now Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Service); Oleg Siromolotov, Head of the Interdepartmental Command Center for Security of the Sochi Games (now Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs); Alexander Gorovoy, Deputy Chief of the Interdepartmental Command Center for Security (now First Deputy Minister of the Interior).

The International Olympic Committee on Monday urged sports bodies to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events, but left the final decision to the individual governing bodies. The IOC has delayed the crackdown on Russia, allowing its athletes to take part in the last four Olympics following the Sochi doping scandal.

The IOC said action was needed now to “protect the integrity of global sports competitions and the safety of all participants”, but left it to the sports authorities to circumvent the exclusion, adding that Russians and Belarusians could compete as neutral athletes. or teams if expulsion was not possible due to short notice.

IPC move comes as Russia is banned from competing in a long list of sports including ice skating, skiing, football, hockey, basketball, athletics and some tennis events. Some sports, such as swimming, have not followed the IOC’s recommendation to ban Russians, instead allowing them to compete as neutral athletes.

Parsons acknowledged the possibility of some Paralympic athletes refusing to compete against their Russian counterparts. He also said that IPC options were “limited” due to the possibility of legal challenges from Russia or elsewhere.

IOC President Thomas Bach will not attend the Paralympic Games and has appointed Parsons, an IOC member, to represent the body. IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng was supposed to attend, but there was a positive test for COVID-19. The IOC said Ng had only mild symptoms.

Representatives of the Paralympic Games say that 648 athletes and 49 delegations will take part in the Winter Paralympic Games. There were 2,900 athletes with 91 delegations at the Winter Olympics last month.

Officials say 71 Russian athletes are expected to take part in the Paralympic Games, which are joined by 20 from Ukraine. The entire Ukrainian delegation was expected to arrive in time for Friday’s opening ceremony. The Paralympic Games close on March 13.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NFL Combine is here, as well as a new model project from Mel Kiper.

With three choices from the first round, there are many different potential outcomes for the Philadelphia Eagles. It is unlikely that they will actually make all three selections, but here is what Cyprus thinks the birds will do.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – Trent McDuffy, CBC, Washington

Let’s fill in some holes for Philadelphia, which has three choices in the first round and problems in several places on its list. The Eagles qualified for the playoffs last season, winning six of their last eight games, but their defense was revealed along the way. They allowed quarterbacks to complete an incredible 69.4% of their passes, which ranked last in the league. McDuffy, who has not allowed a single touchdown in coverage in the last two seasons, could play in place against Darius Slay. He also has the ability to play outside the slot.

It will be interesting how the Eagles cope with their position in the corner back this offseason. We may soon have some clarity on the status of the forthcoming free agent Stephen Nelson. What he has read here is that he is looking forward to testing the market and will eventually receive a bigger offer than the Eagles are willing to pay him. And if that’s the case, they’ll need a new starter from the outside.

The Eagles already have a number of domestic candidates to play for them. The team made a concerted effort to acquire a number of young bodies at the site, as if hoping for at least one to move forward. This group includes:

• Zack McPherson (23)
• Tay Gowan (24)
• Carrie Vincent Jr. (23)
• Mac McCain III (24)
• Josiah Scott (22)
• Andre Chachere (26)

None of these guys should be considered a confident starter entering 2022. Of this group, McPherson showed the greatest potential. The selection for the fourth round in 2021 is likely to start for the Eagles this year.

Or maybe the Eagles will really choose a corner in the first round. Despite the lack of eye-catching ball production, there are things you might like about McDuffie. Check out this scout report from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

A three-year-old starter, the average size of which is overshadowed by skillful strength, which allows it to compete with throws from different coatings. He is an elite racer with a hug mentality of the route, nurtured by body control, dexterity, aggression and outbursts. He is an annoying defender of the press with the tools for supremacy in the area. He is ready to fly down and hit anyone close to football. He keeps his eyes on the prize and has an itchy, quivering trigger to close the throwing windows and play with the ball. He lacks blocking traits, but he has a blocking talent and his competitive energy is contagious. He can play outside or from the slot and has a very high floor with the potential to become one of the best corners of the league at some point during his first contract.

Zierlein also included this note from the NFC Scout Director:

“Of all the defenders (former) Washington coach Chris Peterson has appointed, he may be the best. Talent, athleticism and make-up are really pure. “

Intriguing.

I tend to think that there is a reason for the Eagles to accumulate all these young angles and partly because they do not want to spend more resources on the position. Jonathan Gannon has a history of extracting more or less in the corner, in part because of his use of soft areas of Cover 2 that do not burden his border defenders.

But if the Eagles believe a corner like McDuffie is a star with his head and shoulders above the rest of the prospects on board, it could still happen.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND) – David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan

The Eagles finished 31st in the league with 29 sacks last season; there must be fixed. Getting pressure on the quarterback is a way to improve your overall defense. Ojabo is a pure pass-rusher who is still developing as a running defender. He had 11 sacks and five forced touches, causing chaos against potential number one Aidan Hutchinson. I would feel better to take Ojabo in the middle of round 1 against the top 10, because he can be absorbed in the game of running, but his aspiration is undeniable.

I would be shocked by the main ‘S’ (so I guess I should have just written “Shocked”) if the Eagles didn’t leave the first round with a champion. The Eagles value the position, this is a great need for them and there must be a desired perspective for them.

Last week, we downplayed the idea that Travan Walker would be great for the Birds. Cyprus forces the Eagles to switch to Walker to take Ojabo instead.

The latter perspective is more intriguing in terms of tools and production. Obaho has shown incredible athleticism and is coming out of the season with 11 layoffs.

Ojabo’s relative inexperience – he played only 620 photos (20 games) in college – could signal that he will need some time to develop in the NFL. But the other side is annoying.

See what an NFC scout is like said Zierlein:

“I’m not saying he will be a better player overall, but I think Ojabo will be a more productive striker than (Michigan teammate and potential number one overall) Aiden Hutchinson.”

Alas Spicy.

Call it a premonition, but I think the Eagles ended up drawing either Ojabo or Jermaine Johnson in the first round. Cyprus removed the latter from board number 13 in this model.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – Traylan Burks, WR, Arkansas

Another 1st round selection for the Eagles, to which I gave defenders numbers 15 and 16. This could be a place to take another receiver, their third consecutive draft to take one in the first round. Jalen Reagor, number 21 in 2020, is not disappointed – I thought it was an achievement at the time – while DeVonta Smith, number 10 last year, had a good but not great season for rookies. I would buy the Jalen Hurts a different type of receiver at Burks that is large and physical (6 feet-3, 225 pounds) and can complement Smith’s speed. Burkes had 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Razorbacks last season. I’m really curious to see his athletic test numbers in the combine; it is possible that he will rise even higher on the board.

Burkes had previously been cast for the Eagles in Todd McShay’s fake project last week, which we discussed here in BGN.

Speaking at the Combine on Wednesday morning, Burkes I did I say The Eagles are one of the teams he has spoken to. He also said he was modeling his game after Deebo Samuel. The idea of ​​adding this type of player to the Eagles’ attack is a fun idea.

It also makes sense of what the team would like to add to the position of the receiver. Assuming Jalen Hurts is back, I don’t know if Philly will be looking for another volume target. They are already underutilizing their top option at DeVonta Smith. On the other hand, the Eagles really don’t have to make long-term decisions based on a quarterback who hasn’t erased doubts as a player in the franchise.

Overall, not a bad extraction. Some may think it’s unrealistic for the Eagles to take a wide receiver in the first round for the third year in a row, but I actually think it’s more likely than them to take a midfielder or a corner. I doubt how realistic McDuffie’s choice is, but I think Ojabo will definitely be in the game.

what do you say

Russian figure skating trio Kamila Valieva, Anna Shterbakova and Alexandra Trusova will not be allowed to take part in this month’s World Championships in Montpellier, France.

The International Skating Union (ISU) announced on Tuesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from international competitions until further notice following the invasion of Ukraine. This is a consequence of bans by other international sports governing bodies in recent days on the advice of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Russian figure skaters have already faced strict control and international reaction since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Valieva, a 15-year-old sensation who has been in the adult circle for only a few months, tested positive for a banned heart drug on December 25 appeared after the team competition. Russia ranked first, the United States won silver, and Japan held bronze. These medals have not yet been awarded and may change after an investigation into Valieva’s drug test.

Valieva, the Olympic favorite, was allowed to compete after an appeal and entered the random skate in first place, but fell to fourth with uncharacteristic falls of the last skate of the evening. The 17-year-old Shcherbakova won gold instead, and Trusova placed second in one of the most unpleasant moments for medals in recent Olympic memory. The program is now under investigation with doping issues – which have already been found by Russia to have ruled the Sochi Games – and pressure and lack of tact on the part of coaches.

The ISU Board covers figure skating, speed skating and short track. A statement said it would continue to monitor the situation “and its impact on ISU’s activities and take further steps if and when necessary”. Russia’s Alexander Lakernik is vice president and told the New York Times he could not comment on the ban because of his position on the board.

Russia is extremely proud of its figure skating skills and the country is a constant contender for medals, often sweeping the podium. Five of the 12 figure skating medals awarded in Beijing went to the Russians. The ban also applies to three sets of Russian skating teams that have participated in their individual disciplines. The duo of ice dancing Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov won silver. In doubles, Evgenia Taraova and Vladimir Morozov won silver, and Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Galyamov won bronze.

The World Cup is scheduled to begin on March 21. Olympic medalists often miss the event because it is so close to the Games. But after the drama around the Olympics, the event was marked on calendars to see if Valieva would compete and return to the top of the podium with an investigation that still covers everything.