Page 18 - AT

A18 SPORTS
Saturday 4 January 2020
Niemann opens

with 66 to lead

at Kapalua

By DOUG FERGUSON any harder," Thomas said.
AP Golf Writer By the end of the round, it
KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — all felt easy. Thomas hit to
Fresh off his Presidents Cup 10 feet to a left pin on the
debut, Joaquin Niemann tough 13th hole, added
of Chile brought fresh con- another birdie with a pitch
fidence and plenty of form he clipped perfectly up the
to Maui by opening the slope to tap-in range on
year with a 7-under 66 for the par-5 15th and closed
a one-shot lead over Justin out his round with anoth-
Thomas after the opening er perfectly judged pitch
round Thursday at the Sen- down the slope and grain
try Tournament of Cham- to 4 feet on the par-5 clos-
pions. Niemann is one of ing hole.
15 first-time winners on the Matt Kuchar and Rickie
PGA Tour last year who are Fowler were at 68, with de-
playing the rejuvenated fending champion Xander Joaquin Niemann walks off the 18th green after making birdie during first round of the Tournament
Plantation Course at Ka- Schauffele, Jon Rahm and of Champions golf event, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
palua for the first time. He Patrick Cantlay among Associated Press
knew his way around just those another shot back. and Niemann had plenty tour to use all the new back He made a 30-foot eagle
fine in weather that might Only nine players in the of company. tees that were part of the putt two holes later and
be as good as it gets all 34-man field of PGA Tour Thomas also thrived at Roy- refinement project. didn't drop a shot the rest
week. winners failed to shoot par al Melbourne, going 3-1-1. Kapalua still provided its of the way.
He missed only one green or better. Niemann didn't Then again, he's been play- usual punishment for missed Rahm came into the new
and saved par. After a 30- win a match at Royal Mel- ing well the last six months shots, however. year fresh off two wins and
foot birdie on No. 4, which bourne — he went 0-3-1, with only one finish out of Dustin Johnson, a two-time a runner-up finish before
he called his best shot of twice facing two of the the top 12 and none out of winner at Kapalua, made his wedding. He felt some
the day, his other six bird- best U.S. partnerships — but the top 20. six birdies and an eagle. rust, and he had some mild
ies were all from 10 feet or thrived on the stage under Key to his round was keep- That was barely enough concerns after making the
closer. International captain Ernie ing bogeys off his card as to offset his double bogey turn with a clunker into the
Thomas, who won at Ka- Els. "The Presidents Cup was much as the flurry of birdies on the par-5 ninth and four sand on the par-3 11th that
palua three years ago, one of my best experiences at the end. other bogeys, most of them led to bogey and a bad
played bogey-free and since I turned pro," he said. "It's kind of a mini-goal I because of wild tee shots. drive on the 12th that was
made five birdies over his "I shared a lot of moments have very round," he said He had to reload on No. 9. saved by the width of Ka-
last eight holes for a 67. with the best players in the of playing bogey-free. "I He went into the waist-high palua's fairways.
He heard about the condi- world. I got Ernie as a cap- make enough birdies that grass left of the 12th, right "I probably had one of the
tions in the forecast for the tain. That is just awesome. I if I minimized the mistakes, of the 14th and had only worst professional shots I've
rest of the week, which in- think that week was really it's not that hard to have a seven pars. That added to hit in my life on 11, followed
clude gusts in the 30 mph special for me. He told me chance to win the tourna- a 72. by a pretty bad drive on
range, and wasn't both- that it's going to be really ment." Cantlay had few com- 12," Rahm said. "It was just
ered by that or his lack of helpful for my career, for Warm sunshine and mod- plaints after a 69. His only a couple of bad shots. It's
birdies until the 11th hole my future." erate wind for these parts mistake was a tee shot into pure rust. The mind wasn't
onward. It appeared to help in the also helped. The wind was the weeds right of the third in the right place. Besides
"It's not like I was going to try first round of the new year, reasonable enough for the hole for a double bogey. that, it was a great day."q

NFL to select greatest moments as part of 100th season

By BARRY WILNER the final four, fans will choose the No. 1 overall Los Angeles Chargers: Epic in Miami
AP Pro Football Writer moment in voting from Jan. 23 until noon on Su- Miami Dolphins: The Perfect Season
NEW YORK (AP) — From the Immaculate Re- per Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2. New England Patriots: 28-3
ception, already voted the best play in NFL his- Video clips and text describing each team's New York Jets: Super Bowl 3
tory, to the Dolphins' perfect season that has moment will be available when fans vote. The Oakland Raiders: Marcus Allen's Reverse Run
been selected as the all-time top team, the NFL winner will be announced during the Super Pittsburgh Steelers: The Immaculate Reception
is searching for its greatest moment. Bowl pregame show on Fox. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracle
As part of its celebration of the 100th season of The 32 contenders: NFC
play, the league is conducting balloting for its AFC Arizona Cardinals: Fitz To The Post
most iconic moment at NFL.com/greatestmo- Baltimore Ravens: The Mile High Miracle Atlanta Falcons: 2016 NFC Championship
ment and is encouraging fans to vote for one of Buffalo Bills: The Comeback Carolina Panthers: Smith's Game-Winning TD
the 32 team nominations. Voting will determine Cincinnati Bengals: Jennings Kickoff Return Chicago Bears: Bears Super Bowl 20
the top eight AFC and NFC moments until Jan. Cleveland Browns: 1964 NFL Championship Dallas Cowboys: Hail Mary
9 at midnight EST. Denver Broncos: Elway's Helicopter Run Detroit Lions: Thanksgiving In Detroit
That will leave 16 contenders that will be cut to Houston Texans: Watt's Pick 6 Green Bay Packers: The Ice Bowl
eight across both conferences in voting from Indianapolis Colts: Jackson's Interception Los Angeles Rams: The Tackle
Jan. 9 until midnight EST on Jan. 16. Those eight Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor's 90-Yard Touch- Minnesota Vikings: The Minneapolis Miracle
moments will be reduced to four in balloting down New Orleans Saints: Porter's Pick-6
from Jan. 16 to midnight EST on Jan. 23. From Kansas City Chiefs: 65 Toss Power Trap New York Giants: The Helmet Catch.q