Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 13 april 2018
Sabbatini with early RBC Heritage lead, Johnson 5 shots back

By PETE IACOBELLI of releases everything for
AP Sports Writer the closure of the last hole,"
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. he said.
(AP) — Rory Sabbatini shot Sabbatini surpassed his pre-
a 7-under 64 for his low- vious Harbour Town low of
est round ever at Harbour 66 in the 2009 final round
Town Golf Links and a two- when he tied for eighth, his
stroke lead Thursday in the best showing in eight previ-
RBC Heritage, with top- ous appearances.
ranked Dustin Johnson five Johnson, ranked No. 1 for
shots behind. more than a year, won at
The talk leading up to the Kapalua and has four other
tournament was of the re- top 10s since January in-
turn of Johnson, the South cluding last week at the
Carolina native who grew Masters where he tied for
up about three hours north- 10th in the year's first ma-
west of here yet had not jor. He looked to continue
played in the Palmetto his strong play at Harbour
State's lone PGA Tour stop Town where he posted 10
since 2009. But it was Sab- birdies to one bogey during
batini who quickly moved Wednesday's pro-am.
to the top in perfect, wind- However, things did not
less conditions on what's come as easily for Johnson
typically one of the most In this April 8, 2018, file photo, Dustin Johnson hits on the fourth hole during the fourth round at the in his first time here since
wind-swept layouts of the Masters golf tournament, in Augusta, Ga. 2009.
year. Associated Press Johnson took bogey on his
Matt Kuchar, Billy Horschel, second hole, the 11th. He
Chesson Hadley and John course's signature hole with play with three more bird- ing his back Sunday while caught fire in mid-round,
Huh shot 66s. Johnson had the lighthouse in the back- ies coming in. He closed working on his stance. He starting a run of four straight
a run of four straight birdies drop — to about 7 feet to the round with consecu- received treatment every birdies on the 18th hole. But
in the middle of his round, set up another birdie. tive birdies on his final two day since and decided Johnson missed 8-foot par
but ended up with a 69. He "I think anytime you can holes, the eighth and the to go as long as he good. putts on the fifth and sixth
was tied for 20th. birdie 18 on this golf course, ninth. Turns out it was all the way holes and took one more
Sabbatini, starting on No. it's key because 18 is not "All things considered, the to the end. Sabbatini even bogey on his closing hole,
10, birdied four holes on a very forgiving hole," he course is probably as easy got a bonus on his final tee the ninth.
his front nine. He made a said. as I've ever seen it play," box when he finally got his "I haven't played here in a
52-foot putt on the par-3 Sabbatini, the last of whose Sabbatini said. back to pop after stretch- while, so it's definitely a little
14th and put his approach six PGA Tour wins came in Sabbatini wasn't sure he'd ing on No. 9 to make him- bit different being here,"
on No. 18 — the Pete Dye 2011, kept up the strong even tee it up after hurt- self feel better. "And it kind Johnson said.q

FIRESTONE of six PGA Tour events that man exhibition of the ma-
Continued from Page 17 have been around at least jor champions, and then
PGA Tour Commissioner 20 years that Woods has became a regular event
Jay Monahan did not never played. Woods has in 1976. The WGCs began
specify the 2019 dates in been slowed the last four in 1999, and Firestone has
Memphis except to say the years because of back sur- hosted one every year
event would be held about geries. His last victory was since then except for 2002,
the same time as the WGC at Firestone in 2013, and he when title sponsor NEC
in Ohio, which typically is dipped as low as No. 1,199 took it to Sahalee outside
the first weekend in August. in the world from sitting Seattle.
It will be played at the TPC out for most of the last two The Bridgestone Senior
Southwind, making it the years. Now healthy, after Players Championship
only course in the TPC net- playing six tournaments, he will be played July 12-15,
work to hold a World Golf is up to No. 88 in the world. 2019, with the winner get-
Championship. "As of right now, Tiger ting a spot in The Players
The WGC field is limited to Woods would not be quali- Championship. The Senior
the top 50 players in the fying. Next time you see Players was held at nearby
world ranking, players from him, you should ask him In this June 18, 2015, file photo, Tiger Woods speaks to the me- Canterbury Golf Club from
dia during a news conference after shooting a 10 over-par 80
the most recent Ryder Cup that question," Monahan in the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Chambers 1983 to 1986.
and Presidents Cup teams, said as the room broke Bay in University Place, Wash. The PGA Tour said 57 of
and winners of select tour- into laughter. The Memphis Associated Press the 78 players who com-
naments from the six tours tournament began in 1958, peted in the Senior Play-
around the world that and FedEx first became ating with FedEx over con- ish before the NFL season. ers last year have played
make up the International the title sponsor in 1986. verting the Memphis event The plan is for the Houston Firestone during their ca-
Federation of PGA Tours. Monahan said that when into something much big- Open to occupy the spot reers. Jose Maria Olazabal
At a boisterous news con- it was clear Bridgestone ger. in the schedule a week be- won the NEC World Series
ference in Memphis, the was not going to renew its The change also elimi- fore the U.S. Open. of Golf in 1990 and 1994
first question to Monahan sponsorship of the WGC at nates a week in the current Firestone was best known (it was held on the North
was whether Woods will fi- Firestone — estimated to schedule as the PGA Tour for hosting the original Course in 1994), while Vijay
nally come to the FedEx St. be worth some $14 million moves toward ending its World Series of Golf, which Singh won the Bridgestone
Jude Invitational. It is one a year — he began negoti- season on Labor Day to fin- began in 1962 as a four- Invitational in 2008.q