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SPORTS Wednesday 11 december 2019

Reed

Continued from Page 18 into it. We’re not here to
read articles and get into
Reed played in a foursome this or that.
with Woods, Justin Thomas We are here to try to win
and Patrick Cantlay. As he points for the U.S. team in
prepared to tee off, a fan the Presidents Cup. ... It’s
in the bleachers said, “Now in the past. And I under-
on the tee, The Excavator.” stand it’s going to be some-
Reed turned toward the thing that continues to get
fan and tipped his cap, brought up, but none of us
then drilled his iron down worry about it.”
the fairway. That didn’t stop Thomas.
Eleven of the 15 players He was in the bunker on
and captains who were one hole, stood up to the
available for interviews shot and purposely took
Tuesday were asked about two practice swings that
Reed. That included Reed, swiped away sand, then
and one of the questions stood there laughing be-
directed to him was, “You fore dropping the ball else-
didn’t cheat?” where.
“No, of course not,” Reed “It’s all in good fun,” Thom-
replied. as said. “We needle each
He stood patiently before other all the time but it’s USA’s Patrick Reed hits out of a bunker during a practice session ahead of the President’s Cup Golf
the largest group of media, never anything personal.” tournament in Melbourne, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
answering every question Still to be determined is Associated Press
about what happened, whether it becomes per-
whether it bothers him to sonal to anyone else, inside to the fire. ... We know we tional team has seven rook- day. He paired himself with
hear the word “cheat” or outside the ropes. have to play well to beat ies, with Adam Scott the Thomas for the opening
bandied about or if he Marc Leishman was out- the Americans, and that’s highest-ranked player at round of the Bahamas, and
even cares what people spoken last week after see- what we’re preparing for.” No. 18. The average world it appears likely they will be
think of him. ing the Reed violation on This is a big year for the In- ranking of the American partners, particularly with
Reed just wants to get on television from the Austra- ternational team, led by Er- team is 12.3. Cantlay and Reed hav-
with the Presidents Cup, lian Open. Asked about it nie Els. It has only one victo- “This week, this is probably ing played together in the
and his teammates felt the again Tuesday, he said, “I ry in the 25 years since the the best chance we will team event in New Orleans
same way. only saw what everyone Presidents Cup was creat- have with this golf course, the last few years.
“That’s something that’s else saw. I guess we’ve all ed to give players from out- this crowd, and I think the Or maybe he will play
great about Patrick is he’s made up our own minds side Europe matches styled way our guys are playing,” again with Reed, after hav-
been a great team player about it.” after the Ryder Cup. That Louis Ooshtuizen said. “It’s ing gone 0-2 at the Ryder
and he’s always wanted “I think we’re just going to was in 1998 at Royal Mel- no fun going out and ev- Cup last year.
to win points for the team,” let that one go and try and bourne, the only other time eryone is saying, ‘They’re Either way, Woods is sure to
Justin Thomas said. “So I beat him on the course,” the matches were held in just going to run over them draw a crowd.
think the only way it could Leishman said. “I think December. again.’” “It doesn’t matter where
become a distraction is we’ve said enough, or The underdog label, even Woods is required to play you go in the world, I think
what the headlines are I’ve said enough about it. I for a home game, has nev- at least once before the people are going to root
and how much we read don’t need to add any fuel er fit so well. The Interna- 12 singles matches Sun- for him,” Thomas said.q
Giants seek pitching, but few

signs Bumgarner returning

By JANIE McCAULEY here,” Zaidi said Monday. mean necessarily in San
AP Baseball Writer “We are in touch with Diego, but there’s a good
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San them. We will meet with chance we do that,” Zaidi
Francisco Giants would them in person at some said. “We’re having mul-
sure like to add a pitcher point here.” Bumgarner tiple conversations on that
at this week’s winter meet- was perhaps the biggest front. Pitching is a big pri-
ings. reason San Francisco won ority here for us as it is for a
It just might not be Madi- a third World Series over lot of teams. It has been a
son Bumgarner. five years in 2014 and major focus for us leading
San Francisco president of earned MVP honors from up to this and I expect us In this Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, file photo, San Francisco Giants’
baseball operations Far- the Fall Classic. He hasn’t to be busy this week.” Madison Bumgarner waves toward fans before pinch hitting
against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of a
han Zaidi plans to meet been quite so dominant When the season ended, baseball game in San Francisco.
with agents for the free since. The 30-year-old may Bumgarner had prepared Associated Press
agent left-hander, but seek a deal similar to Zack for the fact his tenure in
there are few signs the Gi- Wheeler, who finalized a San Francisco could be Many figured Bumgarner $12 million contract option
ants are ready to commit $118 million, five-year deal over. The Giants are look- would be gone by the All- for 2019, the final year in a
big money to him for the with the Philadelphia Phil- ing to move forward with Star break, but Zaidi opted $35.56 million, six-year deal
long haul. lies on Monday. a younger roster and not to trade him. Bumgar- he signed in April 2012 that
“We’re in contact with his “I would expect us to add smaller payroll while trying ner called the constant included $12 million club
representatives and ex- at least one starting pitch- to build back into a consis- speculation “just noise.” options for both 2018 and
pect to meet with them er here and by here I don’t tent contender. The Giants exercised his ‘19. q