LEE WESTWOOD

Billy Foster grabbed the flag on the 18th green, pulled it toward his face and gave it a kiss.

Rory McIlroy says he was wrong about his prediction in February that the Saudi-backed rival golf league was “dead in the water.”.

Phil Mickelson has returned to golf after four months out of public view and is facing severe scrutiny because of where he’s playing and who is paying him.

Dustin Johnson is joining the Saudi-funded golf league.

The PGA Tour is denying releases to golfers who want to play in the first Saudi-funded tournament next month in England.

The “ManningCast” so popular on “Monday Night Football” is coming to major championship golf.

Westwood said he has asked both the European tour and the PGA Tour for the release required to contest the $25 million event at Centurion Club from June 9-11. Westwood has previously said it would be a “no-brainer” to play for such big money at his stage of his career. I’ve supported the European Tour for 29 years. “The first time I ever played in Saudi Arabia was on the European Tour,” he said. “The first three times I played there, the European Tour sanctioned it so they had no problem with where the money came from.

Lee Westwood has requested a release to play the first event of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational series in Britain next month.

Sixteen players have made it to the weekend in the Dell Technologies Match Play.

As if the Dell Technologies Match Play isn't fickle enough.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — The Latest on the Dell Technologies Match Play (all times local):___6:30 p.m.As the second day of the Dell Technologies Match Play heads for a conclusion, already 14 of the 32 matches have gone the distance and six winners staged back-nine comebacks to win. The old boys from Blighty will be battling each other with a chance to win their group in the Dell Technologies Match Play. 4 who will show up Friday at the Dell Technologies Match Play with no chance of winning his group. Cantlay has yet to advance out of group play in his four years at the Match Play. ___9:45 a.m.Paul Casey's warmup lasted only a few minutes before he realized his back was not good enough to play in the Dell Technologies Match Play.

As the second day of the Dell Technologies Match Play heads for a conclusion, already 14 of the 32 matches have gone the distance and six winners staged back-nine comebacks to win.

The chances of an American golfer being crowned as European No. 1 for the first time were already strong heading into the Race to Dubai finale this week.

HOUSTON — (AP) — Marc Leishman, Russell Henley, Talor Gooch and Luke List shared the lead Thursday in the suspended first round of the Houston Open, with List still on the course when darkness stopped play. Leishman, Henley and Gooch each finished at 5-under 65, while List had three holes left when play was called for the day. “We knew we weren’t going to finish so just trying to get as much as we could in,” List said. He's playing for the fifth time in the last six weeks. He's playing on a sponsor exemption.

Marc Leishman, Russell Henley, Talor Gooch and Luke List shared the lead Thursday in the suspended first round of the Houston Open, with List still on the course when darkness stopped play.

A young and hungry U.S. squad didn't just take back the Ryder Cup.

In the post-defeat dissection that’s sure to come for Europe's Ryder Cup team, certainly the disappearing act by Rory McIlroy will be one of the top talking points.

All the drama Saturday at the Ryder Cup was to see if Europe could make a game of it.

Europe closed out two matches in rapid succession, then the U.S. closed out another to give the Americans a 10-5 lead with one match left on the course Saturday.

___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.

Capsules from the opening day at Whistling Straits in the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup Golf Team USA's Bryson DeChambeau hits a drive on the second hole during a four-ball match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):2:30 p.m. ___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The two will take on Jon Rahm, coming off a win in his morning match, and Tyrell Hatton. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter.

Youth is being served for this U.S. team in the Ryder Cup.

___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. It was Garcia's 23rd Ryder Cup victory, matching Nick Faldo for the overall record. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.

Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.

Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:30 a.m. The U.S. has raced out to a 3-1 lead after the opening matches in the Ryder Cup. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter.

Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:20 a.m. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. ___11 a.m.Europe has captured the first point in the Ryder Cup, but trails in the remaining three matches on the course. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup.

It was Garcia's 23rd Ryder Cup victory, matching Nick Faldo for the overall record. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The most lopsided foursome matches in Ryder Cup history finished 7 and 6. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.

Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):10 a.m. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The most lopsided foursome matches in Ryder Cup history finished 7 and 6. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia hits on the fifth hole during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):___9:10 a.m.John Rahm's putter is still hot. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is underway on a chilly morning at Whistling Straits. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.

The United States took a 6-2 lead for its largest opening-day advantage at the Ryder Cup since 1975.

No team in sports embraces the underdog label like Europe's Ryder Cup squads.

No team in sports embraces the underdog label like Europe's Ryder Cup squads.

The Ryder Cup will kick off Friday morning with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas taking on the latest version of the Spanish Armada, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.

The Americans always seem to bring the better players to the Ryder Cup.

Bryson DeChambeau is determined to be a team player in the Ryder Cup and he is wasting no time proving it.

Civic-minded Wisconsinites wanted to make sure Bryson DeChambeau, who was chomping on a sandwich during a practice round Tuesday, sampled the local fare.

Sergio Garcia is still the youngest Ryder Cup player in history.

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry have been picked by European captain Padraig Harrington to fill out the team for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

VIRGINIA WATER, England — (AP) — Billy Horschel became the second American, after Arnold Palmer, to win the BMW PGA Championship following a dramatic final round that saw Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton secure the final automatic qualifying places in Europe’s Ryder Cup team on Sunday. Horschel had to get over the disappointment of missing out on a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team this week, and did so by winning his first regular event on the European Tour. The race for spots on the European team for the Ryder Cup went to the final round of the last qualifying event, and was predictably frantic considering so many points were on offer at the tournament. Wiesberger, who shot 72, will make his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits this month after qualifying via the European points list, along with Hatton. That bumped Rory McIlroy into the five qualifying spots on the world points list.

Billy Horschel became the second American after Arnold Palmer to win the BMW PGA Championship following a dramatic final round.

The hardest part of Sergio Garcia's day was before he even got to Royal St. George's.

Louis Oosthuizen and Jordan Spieth are leading the way at the British Open.

Expect the unexpected will be the motto for the world’s best golfers this week as they get a crack at links golf for the first time in two years in the British Open at Royal St. George's.

British Open Golf England's Lee Westwood plays his tee shot from the 1st tee during a practice round for the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)SANDWICH, England — (AP) — The unwanted milestone Lee Westwood has been creeping toward is finally here. The British Open at Royal St. George’s will be Westwood’s 88th major championship, and no other player has competed in that many without winning one. “It shows I’ve been a good player for a long, long time.”So, it was put to Westwood, a former top-ranked player, a 27-time winner across the European and PGA Tours, and the reigning three-time European No. 1: How does it feel to be described as the best player never to win a major?

The unwanted milestone Lee Westwood has been creeping toward is finally here.

Louis Oosthuizen and Sergio Garcia are among Olympic qualifiers who aren't going to Tokyo next month.

Sam Burns is rolling again with the second-round lead at the AT&T Byron Nelson in his first start since getting his first PGA Tour victory.

Justin Rose was down, then up, and finally level at the end of Day 2.

Dustin Johnson is scheduled to be in Butler Cabin on Sunday evening, draping the green jacket over the shoulders of the Masters champion.

Justin Rose picked one of the toughest days at Augusta National for his lowest score in the Masters.

Dustin Johnson didn’t feel like his Masters victory was less significant last fall because no fans were at Augusta National to see his win and celebrate with him.

Robert MacIntyre of Scotland makes his debut in the Masters this week.

Herman Keiser won a green jacket after the Masters went four years without being played because of World War II.

Already the most fickle event in golf, the Dell Technologies Match Play on Friday was an endless frenzy. “You just never know what can happen out there," Billy Horschel said after beating Max Homa on the third playoff hole. 64 seed in Match Play history to make it to the weekend. 60 seed, while Erik van Rooyen (62) advanced by beating Daniel Berger with a par on the second playoff hole. The eight playoffs to decide group winners broke the previous mark of five in 2017 since group play began six yeas ago.

Wise shot his second straight 6-under 64 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead into the weekend at the Honda Classic. The 128 total is the lowest 36-hole score at PGA National since the tournament moved there 15 years ago — and marks the first 36-hole lead of Wise’s PGA Tour career. Wise birdied the last to finish off the 64, the eighth round of 64 or lower surrendered by PGA National this week. He opened with a 69, then shot 62 — the fourth score that low in Honda history at PGA National — Friday. Jones (61), Wise (64) and Russell Henley (64) had the 64s or better Thursday; Hagy, Ryder, Wise, Brice Garnett (64) and Stewart Cink (64) had them Friday.

Matt Jones of Australia hits from the 18th tee during the first round of the Honda Classic golf tournament, Thursday, March 18, 2021, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Jones tied the course record at PGA National with a 9-under 61. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Matt Jones’ opening round at the Honda Classic was remarkable. Jones tied the course record Thursday on a typically windy day at PGA National with a bogey-free 9-under 61 giving him a three-shot lead. “I was just managing the golf course and hitting good shots,” Jones said. And Hunter Mahan had a six-hole stretch in which he made, in order, eagle, bogey, bogey, triple bogey, bogey, birdie.

Then, Brian Harman shot 69 to tie for third at The Players Championship and went from No. Most curious is the case of Gary Woodland, the former U.S. Open champion and a Match Play finalist in 2015. Under the PGA Tour guidelines, he has to self-isolate for 10 days. THE BOUNCEIt didn’t take Collin Morikawa long to learn how to win on the PGA Tour. A year later, he won a playoff over Justin Thomas at Muirfield Village and a major at the PGA Championship.

Thomas took on every shot in The Players Championship, right down to the 5-wood that rode the edge of the lake down the left side of the 18th fairway, and closed with a 4-under 68 for a one-shot victory over Lee Westwood. He won for the seventh straight year, his 14th career title, and became only the fourth player to win a major, The Players Championship, the FedEx Cup and a World Golf Championship. “This week was huge to win a big championship like this in front of fans again, which is incredible. Thomas was four shots behind when he walked off the green on the par-3 eighth with a three-putt bogey. He was outside the cut line after nine holes Friday, made it with two shots to spare and then tied The Players Championship record with a 12-under 132 weekend.

That's how it was last week at Bay Hill, when DeChambeau came from one shot behind to beat Westwood with a par on the final hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Westwood, who turns 48 next month, no longer has to go up a few classes to face DeChambeau, golf's fearsome heavyweight. Also four shots behind was Brian Harman, who began his day by holing a wedge for eagle and shot 69. DeChambeau can't blast away at Sawgrass because of the bending tree-lined fairways and water hazards. He also knows from recent experience — seven days ago — that it might not be easy the way Westwood is playing.

Westwood, who turns 48 next month, played well enough to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week at Bay Hill except that DeChambeau was one shot better in a fascinating duel of generations on a course that favors power. Ad“I think to compete in any of these tournaments against the best players in the world, you can’t have any weaknesses in your game,” Westwood said. "I wouldn’t be able to say I’m doing this better or that better. His 36-hole total of 154 was his highest ever in his 11 appearance at The Players Championship. AdFour players from the top 10 in the world missed the cut — Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Tyrrell Hatton and Webb Simpson, whose hopes ended with one of 13 balls in the water at the island-green 17th.

Garcia thought he had plenty of time to get from the range to the 10th tee to start his round. Then he fired off a 7-under 65, capped off by a birdie-birdie-eagle finish for a two-shot lead over Brian Harman. AdWhen darkness brought the first round to a halt — 21 players didn't finish — there already were 13 scores of 80 or higher. “For some reason, it just kind of fits my eye,” said Garcia, who won The Players in 2008 and has twice been runner-up. British Open champion Shane Lowry took bogey on his final hole for a 68 and was tied with Corey Conners and Matt Fitzpatrick.

He holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole to regain a share of the lead. Westwood tied him with a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 12th, only to give it back with a three-putt on the 14th. DeChambeau took the one-shot lead to the 18th and hit his most important drive of the day — in the fairway. DeChambeau's birdie putt slid by some 5 feet and he shook his arms in celebration when the par putt dropped. With a bogey on the final hole, he shot 74 to finish alone in third.

He might not be able to contemplate driving a par 5 — that sideshow Saturday at Bay Hill belonged to Bryson DeChambeau. You've got to be top 50 in the world,” Westwood said. He grabbed the lead by holing a 30-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole (DeChambeau made birdie) and a 30-foot birdie putt on the closing hole (DeChambeau made par) to reach 11-under 205. Conners, who started the third round with a one-shot lead, could only manage a 71 on a cool, breezy day at Bay Hill with only a few drops of rain. Sunday was shaping up as another thriller at Bay Hill.

Swing" are new tournaments the European Tour will pay for out of its tournament development fund. If the quarantine is not lifted, top European Tour players would have to choose between a major and four European Tour events with minimal prize money. Hotels need to be in operation and the quarantine needs to be lifted to continue with these events, Pelley said. We wouldn't be announcing these events without having had significant dialogue with the UK government, Pelley said. The European Tour said no one will lose status for 2021 and there will not be a Q-school at the end of the year.