JOAQUIN NIEMANN

Shaun Norris is headed home to South Africa to see his young children and decide on his future.

Mito Pereira had a one-shot lead in the PGA Championship when he sent his tee shot into the water on the par-4 18th hole at Southern Hills.

Will Zalatoris is leading the PGA Championship with great shots and a good draw.

Sebastián Muñoz is atop the leaderboard again at the Byron Nelson after shooting 66.

Ryan Palmer shot a 10-under 62 on Friday at the Byron Nelson for a share of the second-round lead with Sebastián Muñoz and 40-year-old tour rookie David Skinns.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — (AP) — Cameron Young showed it doesn't always take years of practice to go low at Harbour Town Golf Links, shooting an 8-under 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in his RBC Heritage debut. Young had only heard of Harbour Town's treacherous gauntlet of tight, tree-lined fairways and small greens that demand accuracy. A bit of advice: Stay aggressive, particularly with a loaded RBC Heritage field in pursuit. Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is not playing the RBC Heritage. Morgan Hoffmann played his first PGA Tour round since October 2019 after stepping away due to muscular dystrophy.

Except for the fact that it was off a club swung by Tiger Woods. That’s basically average for Woods at Augusta National; literally, his career average in 91 tournament rounds at the place is 70.9. No place does it better than the open-air museum of golf that is Augusta National. So was Tiger Woods. “This is only one round,” Woods said.

Of all the 6,576 shots that were officially struck at Augusta National on Day 1 of the Masters, only one truly mattered.

Tiger Woods was back in the Masters some 14 months after a car crash that shattered his right leg.

Hideki Matsuyama is a Masters champion and apparently a master host.

“We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here," two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said. Casey had been dealing with back spasms this week and told Augusta National on Thursday morning that he would be unable to play. ___8:50 a.m.As Tiger Woods' tee time at the Masters looms, Jose Maria Olazabal has made the first birdie of this year's tournament. Olazabal is a two-time Masters champion and is playing the tournament for the 33rd time. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play.

“We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here," two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said. ___1:20 p.m.A year after a Japanese player won the Masters, another is off to a fast start at the Masters. Casey had been dealing with back spasms this week and told Augusta National on Thursday morning that he would be unable to play. Olazabal is a two-time Masters champion and is playing the tournament for the 33rd time. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play.

“We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here," two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said. ___1:20 p.m.A year after a Japanese player won the Masters, another is off to a fast start at the Masters. ___8:50 a.m.As Tiger Woods' tee time at the Masters looms, Jose Maria Olazabal has made the first birdie of this year's tournament. Olazabal is a two-time Masters champion and is playing the tournament for the 33rd time. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play.

“We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here," two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said. Takumi Kanaya made birdie on each of his first two holes on Thursday and found himself alone atop the leaderboard at Augusta National. Casey had been dealing with back spasms this week and told Augusta National on Thursday morning that he would be unable to play. ___8:50 a.m.As Tiger Woods' tee time at the Masters looms, Jose Maria Olazabal has made the first birdie of this year's tournament. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play.

“We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here," two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said. ___1:20 p.m.A year after a Japanese player won the Masters, another is off to a fast start at the Masters. ___8:50 a.m.As Tiger Woods' tee time at the Masters looms, Jose Maria Olazabal has made the first birdie of this year's tournament. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play. Forecasters say there isn't a great chance of more rain on Thursday at Augusta National, though strong wind is expected to greet the afternoon wave of players.

___1:20 p.m.A year after a Japanese player won the Masters, another is off to a fast start at the Masters. After five consecutive pars to start his round, the five-time Masters champion stuck his tee shot at the 180-yard par-3 6th hole to tap in range of about 2 feet. ___8:50 a.m.As Tiger Woods' tee time at the Masters looms, Jose Maria Olazabal has made the first birdie of this year's tournament. Olazabal is a two-time Masters champion and is playing the tournament for the 33rd time. Player, the three-time Masters champion who has long been an advocate of physical fitness, was first to play.

Tiger Woods is back.

As tradition dictates, there is now very bad news to report about Canadian golfers Mike Weir and Mackenzie Hughes.

Golf has a bright future and isn't quite ready to let go of Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods is planning to play in the Masters and he thinks he can win.

Maverick McNealy was the last man to get into the Dell Technologies Match Play.

The opening day of the Dell Technologies Match Play has had its share of pillow fights.

Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Hoge share the lead after a long and wet start to The Players Championship.

Kurt Kitayama came into the Honda Classic with 25 previous appearances on the PGA Tour, most of them ending by missing the cut.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is not ready to declare the threat of a rival Saudi league over.

And while Riviera already is regarded as among the best courses on the PGA Tour, it’s about to get a lot more traffic. “We're making decisions that are affecting the direction of the PGA Tour for decades. The Los Angeles Open went to Rancho Park in 1983 as Riviera prepared for the PGA Championship. But the PGA Tour and a major were held the same year at Riviera in 1948 (U.S. Open) and 1995 (PGA Championship). I got to do it fairly soon.” — Bernhard Langer, 64, on trying to break Hale Irwin's record of 45 wins on the PGA Tour Champions.

Megan Watanabe is the first woman to be president at Riviera Country Club.

Greg Norman has had his share of rough Sundays in major championships.

About the only thing Niemann missed was a chance to break the oldest tournament scoring record on the PGA Tour. As for Niemann, Riviera hasn't had a 23-year-old winner since Phil Rodgers in 1962, the tournament best known for Jack Nicklaus making his pro debut. Niemann picked up $2.16 million for his second PGA Tour victory. This year is the 100th anniversary of when Sifford, the first Black golfer to win on the PGA Tour, was born. Niemann missed a 4-foot par putt and took his second straight bogey, and the lead was down to two with three holes to play.

Joaquin Niemann has finished off a wire-to-wire victory at Riviera.

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang) (Ryan Kang)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Joaquin Niemann couldn't find a fairway over the final two hours at Riviera and it didn't matter. Joining them in the final group will be 24-year-old Viktor Hovland, who had eight birdies in his round of 65. That only got the Norwegian within six shots of Niemann. Niemann was at 19-under 194, breaking by two shots the record last held by Justin Thomas in 2017. Young is playing only his 12th time on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open appearance as an amateur at Pebble Beach in 2019.

Joaquin Niemann has another scoring record at Riviera and is one step closer to winning the Genesis Invitational.

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang) (Ryan Kang)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Joaquin Niemann was playing so well and having so much fun doing it at Riviera that he didn't want to stop. And then he picked up right where he left off Friday and shattered the 36-hole record in the Genesis Invitational. Among those who finished early Friday, next in line was Adam Scott, a two-time winner at Riviera. The 72-hole record was set in 1985 by Lanny Wadkins at 20-under 264, and it's the longest such record on the PGA Tour. He hasn't hit his second shot closer than 60 feet either day, but he made par.

Joaquin Niemann returned from his best day of golf at Riviera and had another round just like it.

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang) (Ryan Kang)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Joaquin Niemann had an idea how Riviera was playing Thursday when he saw no one from the morning draw posting better than a 5-under 66. When his round ended, Niemann had an 8-under 63 to match the lowest score for the opening round at Riviera and build a three-shot lead. “And playing with two great guys, two of the best players of all time, added to that a little bit. Even in ideal conditions — pleasant sunshine, very little wind — all but Niemann were held in check. He was second in the field to Niemann in the statistical category that measures play from tee to green.

Japan Golf Zozo Championship Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama plays a shot during the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship on Narashino Country Club course in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Thursday, Oct, 21, 2021. (Kyodo News via AP) (173225+0900)CHIBA, Japan — (AP) — Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama overcame cold temperatures and often steady rain showers to shoot a 2-under 68 Friday and take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the PGA Tour's Zozo Championship. Cameron Tringale birdied his final hole for a 66 and was in second place. Tokyo Olympic gold medal winner Xander Schauffele, playing in the same group at Matsuyama, shot 74 and was 12 strokes behind the Japanese star. Only three of the top 20 in the world are playing in Chiba, the PGA Tour’s only stop on the Asia swing.

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama overcame cold temperatures and often steady rain showers to shoot a 2-under 68 and take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship.

Joaquin Niemann finished his final round at the Tour Championship in record time, but his jogging came with a comical surprise after the 18th hole.

Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Alex Noren of Sweden eyes his putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament, Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)DETROIT — (AP) — Cam Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title when Troy Merritt missed a 6-foot par putt on the fifth hole of a playoff. He misread a break on a 12-foot putt on the fifth playoff hole, then won when Merritt made bogey. Davis closed with a 5-under 67 to match Merritt (68) and Joaquin Niemann (68) at 18-under 270 at Detroit Golf Club. Niemann dropped out of the playoff with a bogey on the first extra hole, his first bogey of the week.

Cam Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title when Troy Merritt missed a 6-foot par putt on the fifth hole of a playoff.

Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Troy Merritt drives off the fourth tee during the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)DETROIT — (AP) — Troy Merritt aced the 219-yard 11th hole at Detroit Golf Club and shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday for a share of the lead with Joaquin Niemann in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Niemann, who shared the 36-hole lead with Tom Lewis, pulled into a tie by two-putting from 46 feet at 17. Merritt won his second PGA Tour title at the 2018 Barbasol Championship. He became the first player from Chile to win on the PGA Tour at The Greenbrier in 2019.

Troy Merritt aced the 219-yard 11th hole at Detroit Golf Club and shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday for a share of the lead with Joaquin Niemann in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Joaquin Niemann of Chile drives on from the 16th tee during the second round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament, Friday, July 2, 2021, at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)DETROIT — (AP) — Joaquin Niemann and Tom Lewis topped the jam-packed leaderboard heading into the weekend in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Niemann and Lewis each shot 3-under 69 on Friday to reach 10-under 134. The 22-year-old Thompson had a 1-over 73, a day after matching a Detroit Golf Club record with a 63. DeChambeau, who has an endorsement deal with Rocket Mortgage, declined interview requests for the second straight day.

Joaquin Niemann and Tom Lewis topped the jam-packed leaderboard heading into the weekend in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Augusta National was behind the idea of the Asia-Pacific Amateur that was created in 2009.

Chris Kirk putts on the 13th green during the third round at the Sony Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Honolulu. Na finished one shot ahead of Joaquin Niemann and Chris Kirk, and only one of them got a consolation prize. Niemann chipped in for birdie from 55 feet on the par-3 17th and got up-and-down with a long bunker shot on the 18th hole for a 66. Needing nearly 150 FedEx Cup points at the Sony Open, his tie for second was worth 245 points. He looked comfortable even when the Sony Open appeared to be slipping away.

Brendan Steele lines up his putt on the ninth green during the third round at the Sony Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)HONOLULU – Brendan Steele knows he can play well at the Sony Open whether it's windy or calm, in sunshine or rain. One year after Steele lost a late lead at Waialae and lost in a playoff, he delivered the lowest score of his career Saturday in ideal conditions with a 9-under 61 that gave him a two-shot lead going into the final round. “You hope that you come back and you play well and erase whatever negative memories there are,” Steele said. It was wide open on Saturday, and it's not likely to be any different in the final round.

Nick Taylor hits from the eighth fairway during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Jamm Aquino)HONOLULU – Stewart Cink could not remember a more ideal day in Hawaii, and he had a round that matched the occasion. Enjoying a surge in the twilight of his career, the 47-year-old Cink putted for birdie on all but one hole Friday on his way to a 7-under 63 that gave him a share of the early lead with Webb Simpson. Cink already won the season-opener in the Safeway Open in September, his first victory since the 2009 British Open at Turnberry. Simpson holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 seventh hole, hit it tight on No.

(AP Photo/Jamm Aquino)HONOLULU – Joaquin Niemann had no regrets about the 18th hole at the Sony Open. “Spent a few days thinking about that last hole, but taking all the positives from the week and pull it out for this week.”They weren't easy days for Niemann. The 22-year-old from Chile is still too young to have experienced the inevitable losses that pile up in this sport. Niemann's only bogey was when he fell asleep on a 25-foot birdie putt above the hole at No. We talked for an hour about the whole tournament, not for that 18th hole.

Schauffele is among 16 players in the Tournament of Champions who didn't win last year. His girlfriend came down with COVID-19 in the middle of December, and a few days later, Schauffele tested positive and eventually had minor symptoms. Schauffele is among 16 players at Kapalua who failed to win an official event, though he did have the lowest 72-hole score at the Tour Championship. The winners-only field is including players who reached the Tour Championship because golf was shut down for three months due to the pandemic. Schauffele already has played four times in the new season, which began in September, and that includes two majors.

Instead of Augusta National members and their guests, the course was filled Monday with Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, all of them playing a practice round on a course that only looked the same. The COVID-19 pandemic that shut down golf for three months forced a reconfigured major championship schedule unlike any other, particularly at the Masters. "The things that will be the same is it still means the same to us all, and maybe even more so because we return to Augusta National every year. This is the Augusta National hardly anyone gets to see. When it means going to Augusta National to get ready for the Masters — April, November, doesn't matter — it takes the sting off.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Sergio Garcia pulled out of the Masters on Monday after informing Augusta National he tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the second player to withdraw following a positive test. Garcia won his only major at the Masters three years ago in his 19th appearance, the most of any player before winning a green jacket. Joaquin Niemann of Chile previously announced over the weekend he tested positive and withdrew. It was the first domestic PGA Tour event that allowed limited spectators on the course. He brings to 15 the number of PGA Tour players who have tested positive since golf returned in June from the COVID-19 pandemic-caused shutdown.

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo, Bryson DeChambeau, of the United States, reacts after sinking a putt for par on the 18th hole to win the U.S. Open golf tournament in Mamaroneck, N.Y. DeChambeau's first major validated his work at getting bigger and stronger. He is the favorite going into the Masters. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

DeChambeau walked over to his bag, removed a wrench and tightened the screws on the bottom of his driver. It hit a small tree right of the fairway, dropping straight down and robbing DeChambeau of what he figured would have been a 400-yard drive. Moments like these are why DeChambeau is the talk of golf going into the Masters. He believes DeChambeau is headed done the right path with his program and his relentless passion to think outside the box. And now he goes to the Masters as the betting favorite in a year in which five players other than DeChambeau have reached No.

Dustin Johnson holds up the FedEx Cup trophy after winning the Tour Championship golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 at Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

For the PGA Tour player of the year, the candidates were Johnson, Thomas, PGA champion Collin Morikawa (two wins), Webb Simpson (two wins) and Jon Rahm (two wins). Johnson won the Travelers Championship and The Northern Trust to go along with his FedEx Cup title he won at the Tour Championship. He also was runner-up to Morikawa at the PGA Championship. More interesting will be the vote for PGA Tour rookie of the year. ... Country singer Colt Ford, who once played professionally, is making his PGA Tour Champions debut on a sponsor exemption.

Jon Rahm reacts after making his putt on the first playoff hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill., Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. There was his 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for a two-shot lead that Johnson erased with two birdies of his own, none bigger than the last one. His first win came at Torrey Pines when he made a 60-foot eagle putt and wound up winning by three. They were the only five players under par at Olympia Fields. He now gets two weeks off before the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, and Olympia Fields proved to be a good test for that.

Every par at Olympia Fields is hard work, and Johnson played the final 13 holes Saturday with nothing worse than that. It's what carried him to a 1-under 69 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama, leaving them as the only players under par going into the final round. I feel like it's fairly similar, just obviously these conditions and the greens are a lot more difficult," he said. Rounds like that go a long way at Olympia Fields, the former U.S. Open course playing like one with its thick rough and rock-hard greens and enough wind to make the fairways look tighter than they are. All of them are one round away on a golf course where small mistakes can lead to bogeys or worse on just about every hole.

Tyrrell Hatton of England had one of six rounds at 63 as he tries to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his year. Abraham Ancer rode his strong iron play to a 65, while Ryan Palmer had a 66 to join the lead at 15-under 198. A week ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge, 14 players were separated by three shots going into the final round. The six rounds at 63 marked the third time since October that at least six players shot 63 in a round. There were seven such rounds at the RSM Classic in November, about 80 miles down the Atlantic coast at Sea Island.