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Tag: contention
Potgieter in contention at Torrey Pines
Aldrich Potgieter will head into the final round of the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines two shots behind the leader, Harris English.
The 20-year-old South African is in third place on seven under after carding a five-under-par 67.
Potgieter’s round included a spectacular eagle two on the par-four 12th where he holed out from 173 yards.
Buckets from the fairway!
20 -year-old Aldrich Potgieter holes it from 173 yards for eagle and is now just one shot back @FarmersInsOpen.
: Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/l3idosvK90
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 24, 2025
English rattled in a hat-trick of birdies on the closing three holes to grab a one-shot lead.
The 35-year-old from Georgia, chasing his first PGA Tour win since victory at the Travelers Championship in 2021, carded a six-under-par 66 to move to nine under for the tournament through 54 holes.
After the chaos of Thursday, when strong gusts halted play and sent scores soaring, calmer conditions marked a return to normalcy for Friday’s third round at the picturesque course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
English, who had struggled to a one-over-par 73 on Thursday, took full advantage of the lull in winds to compile a round that contained seven birdies and only one bogey.
A 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th started his late charge, and he moved into a share of the lead on the 17th when his 170-yard second shot from a fairway bunker left him with a seven-footer for birdie.
English saved his best for the par-five 18th, hitting his third to within three feet before tapping in the birdie to claim sole possession of the lead.
“Had some really good numbers on those last three holes and sometimes you’ve just got to be aggressive when you have really good numbers,” English said. “It’s nice to finish like that, some good momentum heading into tomorrow.”
Leading the pursuit of English on Saturday will be Andrew Novak, the 29-year-old from North Carolina who is still yet to enter the winner’s circle after four years on Tour.
Novak carded a bogey-free 66 comprised of six birdies and 12 pars to move to eight under for the tournament.
Novak’s round gathered steam with a run of four birdies in five holes starting at the 9th on Torrey Pines’s south course, including a brilliant chip-in from the greenside rough on the par-five 13th hole.
He then finished his round – and grabbed the solo lead after coolly rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.
Novak said he is unfazed by the possibility of a nervy finale on Saturday.
“I’ve been nervous a lot of times playing golf, it’s just part of it. You just have to step up and hit the golf shot. It’s going to come down to that tomorrow.”
Germany’s Matti Schmid, South Korea’s Lee Kyoung-Hoon, Joel Dahmen and Lanto Griffin are tied for fourth on five under, four off the lead.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Aldrich Potgieter/Getty Images
Potgieter in contention at Torrey PinesSouth African golfer, Jaco Potgieter, has put himself in contention at the prestigious Torrey Pines golf course. With a strong showing in the first two rounds of the tournament, Potgieter has caught the attention of fans and fellow players alike.
Potgieter’s solid ball-striking and consistent putting have been key factors in his success so far. He has shown a calm and composed demeanor on the course, handling the pressure of a high-stakes tournament with ease.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Potgieter to see if he can maintain his strong play and potentially challenge for the title. With his game in top form, anything is possible for this talented golfer.
Stay tuned for updates on Potgieter’s performance at Torrey Pines as he continues to chase victory on one of golf’s biggest stages.
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Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff out of contention
The Australian Open is bubbling up nicely with the three leading women’s singles contenders all still battling for the title.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka, second seed Iga Swiatek, and third seed Coco Gauff are all yet to drop a set in Melbourne, but the title was not the only thing at stake heading into the tournament.
All three had opportunities to end the tournament as the world No 1, with incumbent – and defending champion – Sabalenka facing the most pressure in terms of points to defend.
With two rounds of action done, we look at what’s now at stake in the battle for the top spot.
Gauff out of contention
With impressive wins over Sofia Kenin and Jodie Burrage to start her campaign, Gauff is well in contention to win her second Grand Slam singles title this fortnight.
However, her (admittedly slim) chances of ending the tournament as the world No 1 are now over, thanks to Swiatek making the third round.
The American can move to a maximum of 8,108 points with a run to the title, while Swiatek has already moved to 8,120 points after matching her round three result from 2024.
That ensures Gauff cannot rise to the top of the WTA Rankings for the first time after the event, though she could still overtake Sabalenka and move back to her career-high of world No 2.
For that to happen, she would need to lift the title and hope defending champion Sabalenka does not reach the last four.
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Advantage Swiatek
Having matched her round three run from 2024, Swiatek no longer has any more points to defend in Melbourne – meaning any further match wins will see her increase her total of ranking points.
In contrast, Sabalenka – ahead of Friday’s third round against Clara Tauson – still has 1,870 points to defend after earning 2000 points for her title run 12 months ago.
Now Swiatek has reached the third round, world No 1 Sabalenka must reach the semi-finals to have any chance of hanging onto her ranking.
That does not change should Swiatek progress to the fourth round and then the quarter-finals, though if the Pole reaches the semi-final, Sabalenka would then have to make the final.
Should the top two seeds then meet in the final, the winner would hold the world No 1 ranking come Monday.
Potential ranking points for Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
Potential pathways
Sabalenka could move one step closer to defending her ranking and title on Friday when she faces the unseeded Tauson inside the Rod Laver Arena.
The Belarusian could then face 14th seed Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round and then 12th seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-final – with projected opponent, fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, already out.
That could set up a semi-final against third seed Gauff, who she beat in the last four a year ago.
Having beaten Rebecca Sramkova on Thursday, Swiatek will return to court on Saturday for a round three clash against Emma Raducanu.
If she wins that match, she’ll face Jaqueline Cristian or Eva Lys in the fourth round, before a projected quarter-final against eighth seed Emma Navarro, and a semi-final versus fourth seed Jasmine Paolini.
The highly anticipated match between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the upcoming tennis tournament has fans buzzing with excitement. Both players have been in top form recently, making this match a must-watch for tennis enthusiasts.Unfortunately, rising star Coco Gauff has been knocked out of contention in the tournament, leaving fans disappointed but eager to see how Swiatek and Sabalenka will fare against each other. With their impressive skills and determination, it’s sure to be an intense and thrilling match that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting showdown between two of the best in the game!
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Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, tennis match, WTA, Grand Slam, women’s singles, sports news, tournament update, player analysis, match highlights
#Iga #Swiatek #Aryna #Sabalenka #Coco #Gauff #contention
Can Zach Wilson Lead the Titans to Super Bowl Contention?
As the Tennessee Titans look ahead to the upcoming NFL season, all eyes are on their young quarterback, Zach Wilson. After being selected with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson has quickly become the face of the franchise and the hope for a Super Bowl run.Wilson’s rookie season showed glimpses of his potential as he threw for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns despite facing the challenges of a new offense and limited weapons around him. With a full offseason to continue his development and build chemistry with his teammates, expectations are high for the young signal-caller in his sophomore campaign.
But can Zach Wilson lead the Titans to Super Bowl contention? The answer is a resounding yes. Wilson possesses all the tools necessary to become a franchise quarterback and lead his team to the promised land.
First and foremost, Wilson has the arm talent to make all the throws on the field. His combination of accuracy, arm strength, and touch allows him to fit passes into tight windows and stretch the defense vertically. This ability to push the ball down the field opens up the offense and keeps opposing defenses on their toes.
Furthermore, Wilson’s mobility and athleticism give the Titans a dual-threat option at quarterback. His ability to extend plays with his legs and make throws on the run adds a new dimension to the offense and keeps defenses off balance. Wilson’s athleticism also allows him to pick up yards on the ground when needed, giving the Titans an extra weapon in short-yardage situations.
In addition to his physical tools, Wilson possesses the intangibles needed to lead a team to the Super Bowl. His work ethic, leadership, and competitive drive have already endeared him to his teammates and coaches, and his willingness to put in the extra work to improve his game sets a positive example for the entire organization.
With a talented supporting cast that includes playmakers like Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, and Julio Jones, Wilson has the weapons around him to succeed. If he can continue to develop and build chemistry with his teammates, there’s no reason why the Titans can’t make a deep playoff run and contend for a Super Bowl title.
In conclusion, Zach Wilson has the talent, athleticism, and intangibles to lead the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl contention. With a full offseason to continue his development and a talented supporting cast around him, Wilson is poised to take the next step in his career and lead the Titans to glory. Titans fans should be excited about the future with Wilson at the helm.
#Zach #Wilson #Lead #Titans #Super #Bowl #Contention,zach wilson titans
Dorian Finney-Smith steps into championship contention with Lakers
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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff Writer
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — After spending his first day with the franchise, newly acquired Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith pointed out that L.A.’s trade with the Brooklyn Nets didn’t just bring him from the East Coast to the West Coast.
It brought him from near the bottom of the NBA standings to championship contention.
“It’s fun, man,” Finney-Smith said Monday. “Just the opportunity to play for a championship. Not even just playoffs. In Brooklyn, we were just fighting to get in the playoffs. Here, we’re trying to win the championship. So it’s a different approach, different energy, all around.”
The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks in 2027, 2030 and 2031 to the Nets for Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton on Sunday.
Finney-Smith and Milton, who were in Orlando with the Nets when they received the news, flew to L.A. on Sunday night and observed practice Monday while waiting for the trade to be officially completed when physicals for all the players involved are cleared.
Lakers coach JJ Redick — who was a teammate of Finney-Smith’s with the Dallas Mavericks and Milton’s with the Philadelphia 76ers — said he hoped to have both players in uniform Tuesday when L.A. hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Dorian gives us another defender and he’s a guy that has guarded multiple positions throughout his career,” Redick said. “He’s worked to become an elite spot-up, catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. So, just excited to have him. Shake, another guy that can handle the ball and score the basketball and shoot the basketball.
“I know what they bring on the court. I also know what they bring in terms of a culture and locker room fit. … It’s going to be great for our group, both on and off the court.”
Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points on 45.9% shooting (43.5% from 3), 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20 games for Brooklyn. Milton averaged 7.4 points on 46.5% (38.9% from 3), 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
While Finney-Smith, 31, makes $14.9 million this season and has 35 playoff games under his belt, Redick said he will not change his current starting lineup featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and the 21-year-old Max Christie.
“We’re in a good spot with our starting group right now,” Redick said. “So, he’ll play and he’ll come off the bench, and like I’ve told you guys several times, I want consistency with that group, but I’m not going to be stubborn and locked into something if it’s not working. But it’s working right now, and [Finney-Smith] is a guy that can fit in very easily with any lineup and any sort of roster.”
Redick credited Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka for completing the trade in late December, with the Feb. 6 trade deadline still six weeks away.
“It’s certainly a positive in my eyes to be able to integrate these guys for a longer stretch of time,” Redick said. “We need these guys to be available now to play.”
Lakers backup point guard Gabe Vincent left Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings early with a hip injury and did not practice Monday. L.A. continues to be without forward Jarred Vanderbilt and center Christian Wood, who have both yet to play this season. Vanderbilt participated in the noncontact portion of practice Monday, however.
“There’s a real value in creating cohesion and continuity and connectedness,” Redick continued. “And the more you have to do that the better I think your chances are when you get to April and May and hopefully June.”
While Finney-Smith had to sit out practice Monday, he made sure to make good use of the time by introducing himself to James on his new teammate’s 40th birthday.
“I told Bron today, this is probably the most I ever said something to him,” Finney-Smith said. “I’ve been guarding him for nine years, but I’m just not too friendly on the court. So now I just have to pull that shade down and ask him, ‘Give me some of those shoes.’ I can finally ask for some of that gear. We never know when he’s going to hang it up.
“It was fun to be able to ask him for something, knowing I ain’t got to compete against him tomorrow.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a big move in their quest for another NBA championship, as they have reportedly signed forward Dorian Finney-Smith.Finney-Smith, who spent the last six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, brings versatility and defensive prowess to the Lakers lineup. His ability to guard multiple positions and knock down three-pointers will make him a valuable asset for the team as they look to make a deep playoff run.
With Finney-Smith joining a roster that already features superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers are now viewed as serious contenders for the NBA title. His addition adds depth and skill to a team that is already loaded with talent.
Lakers fans are excited to see how Finney-Smith will fit in with the team and help them compete for another championship. His impact on both ends of the floor could be the missing piece that propels the Lakers to success in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting journey as the Lakers chase another championship with Dorian Finney-Smith in the mix.
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#Dorian #FinneySmith #steps #championship #contention #Lakers
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Seattle Seahawks eliminated from NFL postseason contention
Seattle has not made the postseason for the second consecutive year, the franchise’s longest streak since 2009.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday night, one week before the conclusion of the National Football League (NFL) season.
The Seahawks (9-7) needed an Atlanta Falcons victory on Sunday Night Football to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Washington Commanders held on for a 30-24 victory over the Falcons in overtime to eliminate the Seahawks from the playoff race.
Regardless if the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams (10-6) in Week 18, Seattle will not qualify for the playoffs because of the league’s tiebreaking procedure.
Seattle has not made the postseason for the second consecutive year, the franchise’s longest streak since 2009.
Mike Macdonald’s team rebounded from a 4-5 start with four consecutive wins, vaulting the team into the lead in the NFC West division. The Rams, however, have won five straight games to wrestle control of the division away from the Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks have officially been eliminated from NFL postseason contention after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite a strong effort throughout the season, the Seahawks fell short of securing a playoff spot. Fans are disappointed, but hopeful for a better season next year. Thank you to the players and coaches for their hard work and dedication. #GoHawks
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#Seattle #Seahawks #eliminated #NFL #postseason #contention
