T25-S CAROLINA-BACK ON TRACK
Spurrier happy South Carolina’s back on track
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) β Steve Spurrier’s learned a bit more about No. 24 South Carolina β and likes what he’s discovered.
The Gamecocks coach understands, he says, that right now his players can’t match the group that went a program record 11-2 in each of the past three seasons. But he saw a fire in his players on the sidelines and improvement on the field in a 33-23 victory over East Carolina and that’s enough for now.
Spurrier said the Gamecocks (1-1), who fell three spots in the rankings, realize they’re a team that must scratch and claw for every yard and each stop in order to come out on top.
That’s what took place Saturday night when the Gamecocks withstood an early blitz by the Pirates (1-1) and gradually gained control.
US WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR
Margaret Shirley tops US Women’s Mid-Am qualifying
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) β Margaret Shirley shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at Harbour Trees to lead the 64 match-play qualifiers.
The 28-year-old Shirley, a former Auburn player from Atlanta, had a 2-under 142 total to take medalist honors for the second straight year. She reached the final last year in North Carolina, losing to Julia Potter.
“I had a really good day,” said Shirley, a manager of rules and competitions for Atlanta Junior Golf. “I hit the ball really solid and made a couple good putts at the end. It was a solid round for sure.”
First-round leader Dawn Woodard of Greer, South Carolina, was a stroke back after a 72.
Potter, from Granger, Indiana, was third at even par after 72.
The event is limited to players 25 and older.
PANTHERS-BUCCANEERS
Anderson throws 2 TDs, leads Panthers over Bucs
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) β Derek Anderson filled in nicely for injured Cam Newton, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns Sunday to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 20-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite rallying with two late TDs, it was an ugly debut for the Bucs (0-1) under coach Lovie Smith. The defense applied little pressure on Anderson, and an offense that was among the worst in the NFL in 2013 showed few signs of improvement until midway through the fourth quarter.
With Newton cheering from the sideline after being held out because of a rib injury suffered in preseason, Anderson completed 24 of 34 passes with no interceptions and one sack. The 10th-year pro tossed threw for TDs of 5 yards to Greg Olsen and 26 yards to rookie Kelvin Benjamin.
Carolina’s defense did its part, too.
US MID-AMATEUR
Harvey, Nurski share US Mid-Am medalist honors
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) β Scott Harvey and Brad Nurski shared medalist honors Sunday in the U.S. Mid-Amateur to top the 64-man match-play field at Saucon Valley.
The 36-year-old Harvey, a real estate property manager from Greensboro, North Carolina, had a 5-under 76 on the Weyhill Course after opening with a 65 on Saturday on the Old Course, the site of match play.
The 35-year-old Nurski, a railroad conductor and switchman from St. Joseph, Missouri, birdied four of his last eight holes on the Old Course for a 70 to match Harvey at 1-under 141.
Sixteen players tied for 62nd at 9-over 151. They will have a playoff Monday morning on the Weyhill Course for the final three match-play spots.
The event is limited to players 25 and older.
WEBCOM TOUR FINALS
Adam Hadwin wins Web.com Tour Finals event
DAVIDSON, N.C. (AP) β Adam Hadwin won the Chiquita Classic on Sunday to jump from fourth to second on the money list after the second of four events in the Web.com Tour Finals.
The 26-year-old Canadian, the Chile Classic winner in March, closed with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over John Peterson. Hadwin finished at 18-under 270 at River Run.
Hadwin earned $180,000 to push his season total to $473,667. He wrapped a PGA Tour card with his fourth-place finish on the regular-season money list and is competing with the other top-25 players for PGA Tour priority, with the final leader getting a spot in The Players Championship.
Nos. 126-200 in the FedEx Cup standings and Nos. 26-75 from the Web.com Tour’s regular-season money list are playing for 25 PGA Tour cards based on their earnings in the four tournaments.
Peterson shot a 68. He earned $108,000 and has made $127,600 in the first two Web.com Tour Finals events, more than enough to regain his PGA Tour card after finishing 179th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Third-round leader Greg Chalmer had a 75 to drop into a tie for eighth at 12 under. The 40-year-old Australian was finished 132nd in the FedEx Cup standings.
NASCAR-GIBBS STRUGGLING
Gibbs cars need to find speed to contend in Chase
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) β Joe Gibbs Racing got all three of its cars into NASCAR’s playoffs. But if something doesn’t turn around quickly, the organization won’t have a shot at winning the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth have a combined two victories between them, and the trio was hardly impressive in Saturday night’s final warmup before the Chase begins.
Busch finished 14th, Hamlin was 21st and Kenseth was 41st after hitting the wall early.
The Chase begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway.
