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A16 SPORTS
Tuesday 14 March 2023
Scheffler on another big run, this one getting attention

By DOUG FERGUSON Straits. Steve Stricker was
AP Golf Writer torn between Scheffler and
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. good friend Sam Burns for
(AP) — Scottie Scheffler fi- his last picks, which doesn’t
nally won, and then he kept seem like much of a de-
winning, and the question bate now.
a year ago was when this While it was an American
incredible hot streak would rout, one of the more pivot-
finally cool. al moments was Saturday
Now comes another ques- afternoon when Scheffler
tion: Did it ever? made two big putts on the
Even with a green jacket closing holes of a fourballs
that ended last year’s re- win that felt like the end for
markable run — four vic- Europe (and it was). Then,
tories in six starts, capped he handed Rahm his first
by a Masters so dominant loss of the week in singles.
he four-putted the last hole That prompted Brooks Ko-
and still won by three shots epka to refer to him as a
he reached the top so “big-game hunter.”
quickly that it was tougher He has a big game off the
to appreciate it than a tee. He delivers with his long
slow, steady rise like Dustin irons nothing was prettier
Johnson or Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler celebrates after winning The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, than Scheffler’s 3-iron to 15
Jon Rahm. March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. feet for birdie on the par-3
The Players Champion- Associated Press eighth on Saturday and his
ship brings a different view short game is exquisite. As a
of the No. 1 player in the ing The Players Champion- last year even while stay- had a chance to win the boy, Scheffler would watch
world. Scheffler is on anoth- ship into a runaway with a ing atop the world ranking FedEx Cup, and I wasn’t tour pros at Royal Oaks in
er big run, this one getting five-shot victory. from March to October be- able to get it done,” Schef- Dallas and challenge them
far more attention. Of the final four groups, his cause the Masters was his fler said. “And by the time to money games (coins, no
He won the WM Phoe- 69 was the only score un- last win of the year. Easily I got home, I was worn doubt, at that age).
nix Open for the second der par. “I think the team overlooked was that he lost out. I was mentally, physi- He also is bold. One remark-
straight year on a Sunday around him and the way in a playoff at Colonial to a cally drained, emotionally able aspect to Scheffler’s
that featured Rahm, Justin he’s wired ... he’s extremely 45-foot putt by Sam Burns drained. game Sunday was taking
Thomas and Nick Taylor. He grounded,” Jordan Spieth and was one putt away “But the hard times make on every shot, regardless of
was one foot away from a said. “He’s got really good from a potential playoff at the good times that much his lead. He hit driver on No.
close birdie chance on the parents, great family struc- the U.S. Open. sweeter.” 6 (with a three-shot lead)
18th to tie for the lead at ture. Randy Smith has been More memorable was los- Now he has six wins in his and No. 15 (with a five-shot
Bay Hill. around for a long time his ing a six-shot lead in the last 27 starts, and 16 finishes lead). He also went for the
And then against the stron- coach and he’s been with final round of the Tour in the top 10 during that green on the par-4 12th
gest field so far this year at him forever. So I don’t see Championship at East span. “His top 10s are off with water down the left
the TPC Sawgrass, Schef- it changing. He’s in a good Lake to McIlroy, which cost the charts,” Spieth said. side. His 3-wood was right
fler seized control with a position to be able to con- Scheffler the FedEx Cup. This stretch of golf could be where he was aiming, right
65 on Saturday and really tinue to do this for awhile.” “I had put myself in a po- traced to the Ryder Cup in of the green, setting up a
showed his mettle by turn- Scheffler was easy to forget sition all year to where I the fall of 2021 at Whistling fifth straight birdie. q

AP source: Browns restructure Watson contract, re-sign Pocic

By TOM WITHERS the person who spoke to is not publicly disclosing ments with free agents for and projected starter Nick
AP Sports Writer the AP on condition of an- any information. Teams are two days before signings Harris suffered a season-
CLEVELAND (AP) — The onymity because the team permitted to reach agree- can become official start- ending knee injury in the
Cleveland Browns shifted ing Wednesday. Following exhibition opener.
some of the money they a 7-10 season, the Browns Pocic stepped in and an-
owe Deshaun Watson so are expected to sign some chored Cleveland’s solid
they can spend more on defensive linemen and per- line, which includes All-Pro
players to help him. haps another wide receiver left guard Joel Bitonio and
The Browns restructured the for Watson. steady right tackle Jack
quarterback’s record-set- Another priority was re- Conklin, who signed a four-
ting $230 million contract signing center Ethan Pocic, year, $60 million extension
to create salary-cap space and the Browns locked the in December.
ahead of NFL free agency, 27-year-old up by agree- Watson’s restructuring was
a person familiar with the ing to bring him back on expected because it was
situation told The Associ- a three-year deal, said the easiest way for the
ated Press on Monday. the person who has di- Browns to clear space after
The Browns always have rect knowledge of the being roughly $14 million
had the ability to convert team’s plans. Pocic had over the salary cap. Gen-
Watson’s base salary ($46 Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks a strong 2022 season with eral manager Andrew Ber-
million in 2023) to a signing to pass during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in the Browns, who were in a ry recently said the restruc-
bonus and created $36 mil- Pittsburgh, Pa. bind at center after they turing of Watson’s deal was
lion of room, according to Associated Press released veteran JC Tretter “on the table.”q