JASON DAY

Talor Gooch of Oklahoma had no problem with 25 mph wind that swept over Sea Island.

Three-time Travelers champion Bubba Watson picked up three strokes on Kramer Hickok over the final two holes, shooting 68 to pull into a tie for the lead at 10-under par with the minor league tour regular.

A look back at the U.S. Open from 10 years ago to 100 years ago offers a mixture of record performances and blown putts, of playoffs and perhaps one of the most underappreciated victories by a major champion.

Phil Mickelson is looking like the Mickelson of old at the PGA Championship.

The breeze was stiff enough Monday morning off the Atlantic coast that Jason Day hit a bullet of a 4-iron into the par-3 14th at Kiawah Island and watched it tumble down a shaved slope 10 feet below the green. As he finished the back nine on the first official day of practice for the PGA Championship, he ripped a 3-iron into the closing hole on the Ocean Course. It has been nine years since the PGA Championship was last held at Kiawah, a week that featured strong wind one day, heavy rain the next and ultimately an eight-shot victory for Rory McIlroy.

Jordan Spieth gets his fifth chance at going for the career Grand Slam.

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

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)AUSTIN, Texas – For a sport known for its glacial pace, fortunes can change quickly in golf. That was the cutoff for the top 64 players to get in the Dell Technologies Match Play. Rozner won all four of his matches at Formby Golf Club on the Lancashire coast of England. Rozner said he spoke to Dubuisson last week to find out why he did so well in the Match Play in 2014. I'm trying to take it match after match, step after step.”He makes it sound like a slow process.

Conners surged into the lead with a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th hole — his second eagle on that hole in two days — for a 3-under 69 and a one-shot advantage over former Bay Hill winner Martin Laird (67). He was two shots behind, along with Viktor Hovland and Lanto Griffin, who each had a 68. The forecast featured plenty of rain Saturday, which figures to make Bay Hill play longer and tougher, while also keeping the greens from getting as crusty as they were last year when Tyrrell Hatton won with a closing 74. He won at Bay Hill in 2011 on a final round so tough a 75 was enough to get the job done. He played in the morning, had a pair of birdies and came to the 16th, the easiest at Bay Hill.

He shot 1-under 71 as he goes for a second victory at Pebble Beach in the last five years. A pedestrian round that included bogeys on two of the par 5s left Spieth two shots out of the lead with three holes to play. Spieth didn’t have to contend with what he predicted to be a “mean” day at Pebble Beach. The raging wind was more of a stiff breeze along the ocean holes that Pebble gets all the time. He made bogey on the easiest hole at Pebble Beach from the middle of the fairway on the par-5 second hole, coming up well short of the green, pitching short of the putting surface and missing a par putt from 5 feet.

Viktor Hovland, left, of Norway, waits to putt on the eighth hole of the South Course during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)SAN DIEGO – Viktor Hovland birdied his final for a 7-under 65 on Torrey Pines’ tough South Course on a rainy, miserable Friday, giving him a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open. Reed shot an even-par 72 on the South Course a day after firing an 8-under 64 on the easier North Course. AdThe weather is supposed to clear up for the weekend rounds on the South Course. “I just played really solid and made some putts.”He had just one bogey, on the par-4 15th.

Reed, Noren and Scottie Scheffler — who was one stroke back — all played Torrey Pines' easier North Course and will play the South Course on what could be a wet Friday. After a 321-yard tee shot, he hit his approach to 16 feet and made the putt. Noren, from Sweden, also took advantage of nice weather to get a low score on the North Course. Yeah, I think anytime you shoot 68 on the South Course here you’ve got to be pretty happy." He was replaced by fellow APGA player Willie Mack III, who shot a 2-over 74 on the South Course.

And no one is more concerned than Ryder Cup officials. THE RYDER CUPNo other golf tournament relies so much on noise than the Ryder Cup, which is why it was postponed from last September. Phil Mickelson has played in every Ryder Cup since 1995 — Morikawa wasn't even born then. Since the last Ryder Cup, Lefty has finished a combined 84 shots behind in the five majors he made the cut. McIlroy, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas all have had moments of brilliance.

“Motivation for me, it's not that hard,” Johnson said Wednesday at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, where he has won twice. Johnson was runner-up at the PGA Championship, losing a one-shot lead at Harding Park to a closing 64 by Collin Morikawa. And he did enough at the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup for the first time. Johnson spent much of last week down the coast in Makena to chill out and do a little work. Because of the shortened season, anyone who made it to the Tour Championship joined the 26 winners at Kapalua.

HOUSTON – Carlos Ortiz held off Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama by closing with a 5-under 65 to win the Houston Open on Sunday, becoming the first Mexican to win on the PGA Tour in 42 years. He had to settle for a two-putt birdie, and it held up when Johnson and Matsuyama narrowly missed birdie chances coming in. Needing two putts to win, the 29-year-old holed a 20-foot birdie putt for a two-shot victory. Ortiz held back tears as he waited for his playing partners to putt. The Houston Open was the first domestic PGA Tour event that allowed spectators, with 2,000 tickets sold daily.

Carlos Ortiz tees off on the 10th hole during the second round of the Houston Open golf tournament Friday, Nov, 6, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Jason Day was back in contention on the eve of the Masters after two eventful days alongside Phil Mickelson. “He kind of left himself in some pretty tough positions and you’re just struggling the whole day,” Day said. The 12-time PGA Tour winner returned the next week at Sherwood to tie for 60th, and took last week off. “I think that was really helpful to learn that.”Carlos Ortiz of Mexico had a 68 to match Day at 5 under.

Brandt Snedeker hits his third shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Houston Open golf tournament Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Houston. Snedeker shot a 5-under 65 in the afternoon to take a two-stroke lead in the last event before the Masters. “Drove it great,” Snedeker said. “Around this golf course you have to be in the fairway, otherwise it’s going to be a long day for you. “The golf course kind of forces you into being patient just because you can’t really miss too many greens,” Scheffler said.

Jason Kokrak holds the championship trophy after winning the CJ Cup golf tournament at Shadow Creek Golf Course Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in North Las Vegas. Schauffele answered with three straight birdies, the last one a 45-footer that made it feel as though he was going to claim another PGA Tour victory by coming from behind. Kokrak played bogey-free on a course where trouble was never too far away. Making it even tougher on Kokrak and Schauffele was Jason Day, the third in their group, withdrew with a neck injury on the second hole. Kokrak earned a spot in the Masters next month from reaching the Tour Championship a year ago in August.

Collin Morikawa poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in San Francisco. Since then, he has played 28 tournaments around the world and already has three victories on the PGA Tour, one of them a major championship. That alone puts him among the elite, except that Morikawa didn't need to win the PGA Championship to feel that way. When I woke up today, I was like, This is meant to be. This is where I feel very comfortable, Morikawa said. Rare is Sunday at a major with so many possibilities at the beginning, at the turn and down the stretch.

Dustin Johnson hits from the fairway on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)SAN FRANCISCO Dustin Johnson lost his yardage book and still found his way through an enormous crowd of contenders Saturday, making eight birdies at Harding Park for a 5-under 65 and a one-shot lead in the PGA Championship. Even that might not have stopped Johnson from making his most birdies in any round of a major. Johnson didn't have smooth sailing, either, especially when he couldn't find his yardage book. Johnson shot 65 even with a double bogey on the ninth hole.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)Bogey, bogey, bogey. This was not what Brooks Koepka had in mind when he was thinking about three in a row at the PGA Championship. It's all because of those three straight 5s he made on the par-4 13th, 14th and 15th holes Saturday at chilly Harding Park. He's in the same spot he was coming into the day two shots out of the lead. At one point late in the afternoon, Koepka was one of 15 players within two shots of the lead.

Li Haotong of China, watches his putt on the 10th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Like too many tour pros, the guy leading the PGA Championship after two rounds is not above letting his clubs do the talking. What makes Li Haotong stand out from the crowd is what one of those clubs says about him. McIlroy, a two-time PGA Championship winner, got the shot back by running off four birdies in a row, then gave that back with a triple-bogey at No. Day recalled seeing Li practicing when he teed off, then incredulously watched a video of Li back at on the range after Day had finished.

Haotong Li of China, chips to the green on the seventh hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)SAN FRANCISCO Li Haotong is the first player to reach 8 under par at the PGA Championship. The sun already was forcing its way through the marine layer Friday morning, with calm conditions at Harding Park. Li, the 25-year-old from China, opened with two birdies and then made a 15-foot birdie at the fifth hole. DeChambeau snapped his driver -- which he nicknamed the Kraken -- during Thursdays opening round at TPC Harding Park.

Li Haotong of China, hits from the fairway on the 10th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in San Francisco. He also played a World Golf Championship last week with middling results, but he found his form in San Francisco. Brendon Todd, who shared the 18-hole lead with Day, settled for a 70 and joined them at 135. Li, who primarily plays the European Tour, went back to China in March when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down golf. If the lead holds, Li would be the first player from China to hold the lead after any round of a major.

Jason Day of Australia, watches his tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Jason Day is on a pretty good run for a guy who hasnt won a tournament in two years. The 32-year-old Australian has finished in the top 10 in three straight tournaments heading into this weeks PGA Championship in San Francisco. I feel like the momentum that Ive had over the last three starts has kind of seeped into this week, Day said. The funny thing is that every day Im excited to go back to the golf course and play.

A fans watches through a hole in the fence along the the 12th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in San Francisco. Were going to celebrate what weve got, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said about the weeks eerily silent arrangement. I actually miss playing in front of fans because you obviously work off that, especially in a major championship., Day said. This week, though, instead of fans surrounding the tee boxes, there are a hand-sanitizer dispensers. And instead of roars echoing through the cypress trees, its the quiet congratulations of a fellow playing partner: Nice shot.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO Jason Day took his first step toward a return to the spotlight in the majors Thursday at the PGA Championship. Koepka is the two-time defending champion, presented the opportunity this week to become only the seventh player in the 160-year history of major championship golf to win the same major three years in a row. After a slow start, Koepka powered his way six birdies and made a series of key putts for par and one 12-footer for bogey that gave him an ideal start to this major. Woods is used to tournament golf in the COVID-19 era. He made the adjustment and tied for second last week at a World Golf Championship.

(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)DUBLIN, Ohio The PGA Tour first started going to Asia in 2009 with the HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship. David Lipsky wouldnt have guessed then how that would parlay into his best shot at finally getting a PGA Tour card. The Dunhill was a co-sanctioned European Tour event, which put him in the top 10 in the Race to Dubai. Being among the top 10 in points at the end of the season at least can get him into opposite-field PGA Tour events, and it will go a long way toward a PGA Tour card for the fall of 2021. Lipsky reached the final stage of Q-school in 2012 the last time it awarded PGA Tour cards and finished poorly.

Heres everything you need to know about the Detroit Golf Club, Thursdays tee times and how to watch the tournament. 10: Sebastian Cappelen, Rhein Gibson, Donnie TrosperCourse informationCourse: While the Detroit Golf Club features two 18-hole courses, the North Course is used for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. 12: Par 4, 459 yards -- Par is a great score on the long and difficult par 4 12th. The 18th features a shallow ditch running the entire length that will dictate strategy from tee to green. Once on the green, players will be faced with possibly the most difficult putting surface on the course.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Webb Simpson is competing on the PGA Tour again after his family had a coronavirus scare. I mentioned to the commissioner last week that based on our numbers, our stats, I told him the safest place anyone can be in the United States right now is on the PGA Tour," Simpson said. While the PGA Tour has resumed play, the pandemic is keeping the fans away. In the previous three PGA Tour events, the top five competed each week. The Donald Ross-designed Detroit Golf Club is a short course by PGA Tour standards.

DETROIT Many of the worlds top golfers are in Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic this weekend, but you wouldnt really know it, thanks to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit: Tee times, how to watch, course infoThe Detroit Golf Club will look much different than when the PGA Tour came for the inaugural edition of the tournament last year. The Detroit Golf Club is a big part of that effort. As the tournament gets going Thursday, Detroit Golf Club head pro Josh Upson said he doesnt expect scores to be under par by 20 strokes like they were last year, when Lashley finished at 25 under par. This year, the club has grown the rough to five inches and the greens will be running at 12/12.5.

Both golfers shot bogey-free rounds, with Todd making five birdies on the front nine and Johnson five on the back. Todd said the round became a game of whatever you can do, I can do just as well. Its hard to miss the leader boards obviously, so (Johnson's) name was up there from a pretty early point, Todd said. Mackenzie Hughes, who led after a 60 on Thursday, shot his second straight 68 for sole possession of fourth place. Nick Watney withdrew just before the second round of last weeks RBC Heritage Championship.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Jason Day has asked to be tested for COVID-19 just before the third round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. Officials have decided to have him play as a single Saturday as a precautionary measure. Two more players withdrew because of the coronavirus Friday -- Denny McCarthy for a positive test, and Bud Cauley, who tested negative but decided to pull out after playing alongside McCarthy on Thursday. There have been seven COVID-19-related withdrawals from the Connecticut event.

Kevin Na, a four-time PGA TOUR winner, will also make his Rocket Mortgage Classic debut next week. 11 and five-time PGA TOUR winner. 31Bubba Watson - The 2012 and 2014 Masters champion and 12-time PGA TOUR winner. Nate Lashley Inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic champion in 2019. More: Rocket Mortgage Classic section

The PGA Tour returns to the California coast this week for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The worlds number-five player also boasts a strong history at Pebble Beach, with two wins among his eight top-10 finishes. Theyll look to take their place (possibly again) among the esteemed list of champions at Pebble Beach. Patrick Cantlay (9/1)Cantlay, at eighth in the world, is the only other top-10 player at Pebble Beach. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am airs Saturday, February 8 (3:00 6:00 pm ET) and Sunday, February 9 (3:00 6:30 pm ET) on CBS.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)Ernie Els filled out an International team loaded with newcomers by choosing two more Presidents Cup rookies with his captain's picks Wednesday night. Among his picks were Jason Day, who will be playing for the fifth time, and Adam Hadwin, who made his debut in 2017. That makes six players on the International team who will be playing the Presidents Cup for the first time. There has not been a playing-captain in the Presidents Cup since Hale Irwin in the inaugural event in 1994. The Presidents Cup is Dec. 12-15 at Royal Melbourne in Australia, where the International team recorded its only victory in 1998.