What a cool happening going on today at St. Andrews. The postponement of the final round to today, the first time that's happened there since 1988, has made for a more local and normal crowd witnessing the drama in person.
The well-heeled people across the world who went had depart, and now tickets are going for dirt cheap. Darren Rovell reports that the cost if $15.60 a ticket, and kids under 16 are free with an adult. Wow. Too cool.
A few Monday links:
-- Sally Jenkins of The Washington Post writes about Jordan Spieth and Paul Dunne trying to make the British Open a history major.
Dunne, carried along by a home crowd and steadied by UAB Coach Alan Murray, who caddied for him, birdied five of his first 10 holes. With plans to turn pro and join the European Tour this summer, he seemed to think a victory as an amateur in the Open was within the realm of possibility. “I don’t see why not,” he said. He appeared completely unsurprised by his rounds of 69-69-66. “Yeah, it’s surreal that I’m leading the Open, but I can easily believe that I shot the three scores that I shot,” he said. “If we were playing an amateur event here, I wouldn’t be too surprised by the scores I shot. It’s just lucky that it happens to be in the biggest event in the world.”
But perhaps the player least surprised by his position was Spieth. Has there ever been a young player as well put together? Not just physically, though he certainly has a sense of squared balance and proportion, along with a sense of neat, tucked-in organization. It’s the sense of mental put-togetherness that makes him so impressive. He is completely secure in himself and sure of what he is doing, and the stakes don’t bother him.
“I’m going to play to win — I’m not playing for a place,” he said. “I don’t want to place third tomorrow. I want to win.”
-- Kudos to the Clemson sports information staff on producing yet another spiffy football media guide. Here's a look at it, hot off the presses:
-- Here are some eye-opening details from the Associated Press on the guy who was allegedly funneling money to Tar Heels.
Both probes focused largely on ex-players Quinn, Marvin Austin and Greg Little. But roughly 75 pages of unsealed documents include other examples, including ex-player Kendric Burney telling investigators in October 2013 that he received monthly payments from Hawkins while an eligible athlete.
Burney, who missed six games in 2010 for improper benefits from Hawkins connected to trips, said Hawkins paid him and other players for agent meetings, the documents state.
Burney said Hawkins arranged and attended his meetings with financial adviser Marty Blazer and agent Peter Schaffer — two people who exchanged hundreds of calls with Hawkins, according to phone records cited in the warrants.
In a phone interview Sunday with the AP, Burney, now Schaffer's client, said he didn't know exactly how much money Hawkins gave him.
"He was just helping me at that point find a good agent," Burney said. "Now as far as all the money situation, we never, never knew who it was coming from and never did I ever say, 'Hey, let's go get money from this agent."
And this:
The documents state Burney told investigators Hawkins summoned athletes to the house he shared with Parker to find "envelopes with their names on them lined up on a table." Burney also said Hawkins paid him for signed memorabilia.
In February 2013, Quinn told investigators Hawkins provided $13,700 to steer him to Schaffer and Blazer, and called Schaffer "his guy," the documents state. Quinn said Blazer wired him money under the name of a teammate's girlfriend to avoid detection.
That May, Quinn's ex-girlfriend — identified as an athlete whose name matches a former UNC softball player — told investigators Quinn received transfers through her account and said Hawkins was giving him money, the documents state.
Little also told investigators in 2013 he had received payments from Blazer through the account of former teammate and NFL receiver Hakeem Nicks, a client of both Blazer and Schaffer, according to the documents.
Quinn, now with the St. Louis Rams, and Little didn't play in 2010 and were declared permanently ineligible by the NCAA.
-- David Teel says the ACC's Coastal Division is baffling again entering the conference's media days in Pinehurst.
To be charitable, reporters voting at the ACC Football Kickoff have whiffed on their Coastal Division forecast three years running. During that span, 11 of 327 ballots, less than 4 percent, correctly picked the champion.
The last two years were even inept: One accurate pick among 232.
You could call us knotheads and/or suspect that we overindulged on vittles and adult beverages. There's a kernel or three of truth to both charges.
At least we've been better with the Atlantic Division, where Florida State has reigned three consecutive seasons. The Seminoles received 199 first-place nods during that span, though only 18 of 120 in 2013, the year they went undefeated and won the national championship.
-- And this guy says the ACC lacks a sure-fire national title contender.
When the ACC gathers in Pinehurst this week for its annual football media shindig, something will be missing. For the first time in a few years, the conference lacks a sure-fire national-title contender.
The ACC appears to be deeper across the board, just not at the top. The usual suspects aren't quite at their usual level, with Florida State needing to replace Jameis Winston and possibly Dalvin Cook, and Clemson with serious holes to fill on defense despite what should be a high-powered offense.
From the perspective of each individual team, it's probably better for everyone to be better (especially for teams in the Atlantic Division chafing annually under the reign of Florida State and Clemson). From a conference perspective, there's an argument to be made that one standout team is essential.
-- And finally, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer and Booker T. Jones kicking some tail here:
LW
