THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 SPORTS

In , being No. 1 does not mean being No. 1 that week

NORTON: Good news for the PGA Tour. The that the PGA Tour has no tournament. That musical chairs was the summer of 1997 “The only way I can answer that is that it impossible. The world ranking does a rea- battle for No. 1 in the Official World Golf gives McIlroy his own slice of world ranking when Woods, and Greg wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I sonable job making it plausible. Ranking is so confounding that no one is history - a record third time he goes to No. 1 Norman were each No. 1 over three weeks. remember I went to No. 1 in August that The fact a player can miss the cut - two in complaining about all the points and projec- by sitting out the previous week.Thankfully, That was easier to stomach because Els year,” Duval said Monday. “Just getting there a row, in Spieth’s case - and go to No. 1 is no tions of the FedEx Cup. McIlroy managed to provide a little clarity. “It (Buick Classic) and Norman (St. Jude Classic) and being there awhile ... you know, I didn’t reason to blow up the system and start over. Give it time. The FedEx Cup still has two is what it is,” he said. Minus a tweak or two won tournaments to get there. much pay attention to it after that.” And it would be rash to suggest that golf tournaments left before it awards $10 mil- over the years, it is what it has always been. It doesn’t always work out that way. Spieth knows the feeling. He got to No. 1 should be measured by one year instead of lion to a player who might not have had the The world ranking is easy to mock at the Woods and traded time at the for the first time with a runner-up finish to the current two-year formula. best year. Or might not win at all. moment because of the changes that are top of the ranking in the summer of 1999 Jason Day at the PGA Championship with a Getting to No. 1 is no small achievement, The world ranking? That will be cleared related more to when points are incremen- when they met in the infamous “Showdown score that would have won all but two PGAs and arguably more difficult than winning a up soon enough. For the moment, this is as tally deducted over a two-year period. It’s at Sherwood,” an 18-hole match that was in more than a half-century of stroke play. major. Otherwise, it’s little more than a con- bizarre as it has ever been. Jordan Spieth still based on results, just not the most billed as Monday Night Golf. Woods, who He recalls crossing the third-base line to versation piece. made history Tuesday, just not the variety he recent. had returned to No. 1 a month earlier, pulled throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers McIlroy has won seven times in the last would have wanted. There have been 61 Asked if he understood the math away when Duval hit the straightest drive of game when he heard over the loudspeaker two years with two majors in 2014. Spieth changes at the top in the 30 years of the involved, McIlroy said, “I left school when I his career, right into the rock formation in being introduced publicly for the first time has won six times over the last two years world ranking, and Spieth is the only one was 15, but I understand it to a certain the middle of the 16th fairway. Woods won, as No. 1 in the world. It was a big deal. with two majors in 2015. Over two years, it’s who got to No. 1 by missing the cut. It gets degree.” Forget the math and consider the 2 and 1. McIlroy got there for the first time by a push. Over the last year, it’s Spieth. Over better. history. During an eight-month stretch start- Both players took that week off from the holding off a late charge by Woods to win the last three months, not many would Rory McIlroy, who closed with a 66 at the ing in September 1990, four players went to tour and Duval went back to No. 1.Duval’s the Honda Classic in 2012. “The first time is argue against Jason Day. “We all know who Deutsche Bank Championship and tied for No. 1 by not playing the previous week - recollection of his return to No. 1 without always sweeter,” he said. the best player is,” McIlroy said, pausing to 29th, will return to No. 1 next Monday even (twice), Greg Norman and Ian playing is worth noting because for the Trying to measure golfers from tours on smile. “And it’s not me.” Until next week, though this is the one week of the season Woosnam. Perhaps the greatest episode of longest time he had no recollection at all. all six continents where the game is played is anyway. — AP Where did Tyler Sash go?

IOWA CITY: Before the news broke in 2012 that Tyler Sash would be suspended by the NFL for using Adderall, I received a text from Tyler Sash. He laid it all out. Why he did it. How angry he was for allowing that to happen. He owned it and served his punishment. Then, after the 2012 season, Sash was cut. He always intended to work out and earn his way back into the league. You know that didn’t hap- pen. Today, we all learned Tyler Sash’s life ended. He was found dead this morning in his Oskaloosa home. All we know about it is that he was 27 and he was alone and that is jarring. Sash had a pretty straightforward exterior during interviews. You wanted X-and-Os? He gave you X-and-O. You wanted to have a little fun? Maybe. He better know you and trust you. I think he reached that point during his years at Iowa, the roaring late 2000s. That Indiana ricochet (the first ricochet came off the back of his helmet, by the way) and return for a TD, that happened on Halloween 2009. “Coach called it a miracle,” Sash said before the 2010 Orange Bowl. “There’s a picture in the com- plex and someone was dressed as Jesus in the background. They were saying it was a miracle TOKYO: Yana Shcherban of Russia spikes against the Dominican Republic dur- and there’s a picture of me and Jesus in the back- ing their first round of the Women’s Volleyball. — AP ground. It was funny.” Here’s me during that Orange Bowl interview: Have you seen that thing on the Internet? It’s a Poland defeat Russia picture of you with a bunch of rainbows shooting out and says “Tyler motherbloooooooop Sash?” INDIANAPOLIS: In this Feb. 5, 2012, file photo, ’ Tyler Sash (39) takes HAMAMATSU: World champion Poland Facundo Conte added 17. “Yeah, I saw that. I didn’t know what it meant,” he said. “You could take it two different ways. I a moment before the start of the NFL XLVI football game against the New came from a set down to beat defending Italy also reached 2-0 with a com- England Patriots. — AP champion Russia 26-28, 27-25, 25-19, 25- fortable 25-17, 25-18, 25-15 win over didn’t know if I was the next Power Ranger or if it 22 at the volleyball World Cup yesterday. Australia, which dropped to 0-2, while meant something else.” What does mom think of It was a little ‘70s detective show. It was a little mented concussions in the NFL. I know he took Bartosz Kurek scored 25 points as Iran picked up its first win by defeating that? “I don’t think she’s seen it. I don’t think she’d of the 2004 movie with Ben Stiller and Owen some friendly fire from a teammate at practice at Poland improved its record to 2-0. The Tunisia 25-17, 21-25, 25-14, 25-20. like it.” Wouldn’t it look good on a T-shirt? “That’s Wilson. It was a buddy movie with each star tak- least once. Two shoulder surgeries. At that Orange also stayed unbeaten and Canada beat Egypt, after almost blow- for the 18-to-22-year-olds to decide.” ing a turn in front of the camera. Bowl, I asked him about throwing his body into gave Japan a first loss by 25-23, 21-25, ing it, 25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 24-26, 15-12 Here’s me asking about the “Sash is Trash” T- “I’m probably the Ben Stiller. He’s more of the being a box safety. 25-11, 25-14. Argentina moved to 2-0 as for its first win. Two berths for the Rio shirts a few of his friends who went to ISU wore Owen Wilson type,” said Greenwood as he pointed “I think everybody at the end of the year is it outlasted Venezuela 30-32, 25-15, 24- de Janeiro Olympics are on offer in the during the 2009 game at Ames (the game Sash at Sash. Starsky and Hutch. Sash and Greenwood. probably beaten up and I’m not anymore particu- 26, 25-13, 15-10. Cristian Poglajen 12-nation tournament that runs to picked off three passes): I know there’s a funny Interception and pick. “A little bit,” Sash said of the larly than anyone else,” Sash said. And then he scored a team-high 18 points and Sept. 23. — AP story there and I know you know those guys, or I think you know those guys. “Starsky and Hutch” reference. “You could say that paused and laughed, “I mean, no.” “It was a high school thing at first,” Sash said. if you want.” Did Sash ever recover from being cut from the “We would play against our rival Pella and they Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz didn’t want Sash to NFL? The timeline shows ventures lost, including a would and they would always bust me and give leave early for the NFL, Sash told me at the com- sneaker shop in Des Moines. There was the 2014 Metcalf strives for me a hard time. And now that Iowa State is our bine in 2011. Sash also said it wasn’t a bitter arrest in Oskaloosa for public intox and interfer- rival, they continued the tradition with ‘Sash is departure. Here’s an excerpt from a combine story ence with official acts. Was Sash falling or fading Trash.’” I wrote in 2011: “He [Ferentz] wanted me to stay,” or any one of those sad words for lost? first World medal Do you have one of those? “I don’t have one.” Sash said Sunday from the NFL combine. “From a The last time I saw him was before the Iowa Me: Do you want one? “I would like one someday, leadership standpoint, obviously, we lost a lot of State game last year at Kinnick. We shared some but I don’t want one right now.” Interviews with guys on defense. We have four guys here from the genuine laughs, kind of like the old Iowa safety LAS VEGAS: Brent Metcalf is as brutal you believe in.” Tyler Sash. defense and I feel like (former teammate Brett) days, which, sadly now, wait . . . Aren’t Old Aren’t with his honesty as he can be with The focus the last year has been on I mentioned Sash picked off three passes Greenwood should’ve gotten an invite being a At All Old And Will Never Be Old. opponents on the mat. Even if that honing his strengths and developing against Iowa State in 2009. Brett Greenwood, the four-year starter.” The late dispatches were secondhand. The NFL bluntness is directed toward himself. more setups. Metcalf owns impressive free safety to Sash’s strong safety, picked off two. This was the first in the last three seasons that charge never got out of the blocks. Sash lost a lot He has succeeded internationally, win- leg attacks, including one of the best (Please click the on the Pat Angerer tweet for an didn’t have Sash under the knife for a shoulder of weight. I’m not sure he had a job, and I’m not ning tournaments and capturing left-handed high crotch takedowns. update on Greenwood and watch the video until surgery. He had both shoulders undergo MRIs on sure where his finances were beyond not being Sunday, which turned his medical exam into an paid to play football for the NFL. There was a men- medals, but he admits it didn’t come He also spent time improving in other the end.) ordeal. As a fourth-year junior, much of his peer tion of working toward a real estate license. when it matters most. Metcalf has positions, which has helped win gold Here’s what I wrote. Both gentlemen were kind enough to humor me and play along. group had departed or was departing Iowa. I asked Sash once what his major was. He another opportunity to earn his first Pan-Am Games, silver at Ivan Yarygin It was a little “Starsky and Hutch.” “He [Ferentz] told me at the end of the day, laughed and said, “Football.” I laughed. I didn’t like medal at the United World Wrestling’s Grand Prix and a bronze at Grand Prix Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood slid over the whatever I decided once a Hawk, you’ll always be the answer, but I didn’t tell him to throw down top annual event. of Paris earlier this year. hood of their red sports car in their leather jackets a Hawk,” Sash said. “We’re going to have your back and anchor and get something out of it. I laughed “It’s time to go and do it,” Metcalf “The area where I really lost it last and busted everything in the air Saturday at Jack no matter what you decide.” and now I really hate everything about that said. “I’m getting to the point in my year was the front headlock position,” Trice Stadium. Pain was a constant. He suffered two docu- answer. — AP career where it’s like, ‘Let’s get this Metcalf said. “That’s an area I’ve been damn thing done.’ Let’s achieve the very strong in ... I’ve gotten good in things you want to achieve.” that area fast and that’s why I lost the Metcalf will wrestle in his fourth match, basically.” Oman Air continues partnership UWW World Championships, compet- The World Championships return to ing in the 143-pound men’s freestyle the United States for the first time bracket today at the Orleans Arena, since 2003 when New York City hosted with Oman Football Association beginning at noon (Iowa time). the men’s freestyle competition. USA Metcalf is currently ranked second finished in the team standings that OMAN: Oman Air has extended its range of new products and servic- great honour for OFA to be associ- Oman Air emblem on internationally. The University of Iowa year. support for the Oman Football es. Chairman of the OFA, Sayyid ated with them. We are grateful to team jersey. We are extremely two-time NCAA champion and three- Even though he has won, US Open Association (OFA). In continuation Khalid Al Busaidi, was very pleased Oman Air for their support over proud of our country and our time national finalist was a World titles in Sin City, he prefers a less of its role as the Official Carrier of with the news. He commented the past years and thank them for team, and work hard to deliver a Team member in 2010, 2013 and 2014. chaotic host. He is excited to have the National Team for 2014, Oman “Oman Air is one of Oman’s most their ongoing commitment. Our positive message to the world of He has awaited this chance since he more hometown fans, including Air has signed an agreement with high profile companies, and it is a players would be proud to show the great country we live in.” was eliminated after going 1-1 last friends and family, with the chance to OFA. The announcement also con- year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Only a attend. firms Oman Air as one of the key medal, more likely a title, will prevent “From my point of view, it really partners for the Oman Football that feeling. doesn’t change much because I was Association. The signing ceremony “It was a big disappointment after motivated and really wanted to win was attended by media and high- last year’s World Championships,” the last year, too,” Metcalf said. “There is a ranking officials from both the Hawkeye Wrestling Club member said. certain amount of pride and you have sides, in a simple ceremony held at “All you can really do is get yourself in to realize that (and) embrace the fact the Seeb Stadium. that position again and I’ve been for- this is your home, home crowd and Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air tunate enough to do that. Now, we’re home mat. If that edge helps you get CEO commented: “Oman Air sup- in the same boat where it is you’ve giv- to where you want to be, which is the ports many activities across Oman, en yourself another opportunity so top of that podium, then good.” and of course football is a sport let’s take advantage of it.” Iowa is set to host USA Wrestling that is loved by Omanis. We are Metcalf trained with fellow national Olympic Team Trials in April. Not only pleased with our role as the Official Carrier of the National Team of team member Daniel Dennis and are personal goals at stake, but the top Oman. The Oman Football Hawkeyes Ryan Morningstar, Matt six qualifiers at each weight secure Association does a great job in nur- McDonough, Brandon Sorensen and their nation’s spot in the 2016 turing the budding talents in foot- Iowa freshman Vince Turk. The Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A ball. This tie-up also helps us pro- approach didn’t change and worked strong performance will go a long way mote the Oman Air brand.” to be at his prime physically. to set up next year. Oman Air is the Sultanate’s des- “I feel good,” said Metcalf, the 2015 “It’s important for us to deliver ignated national carrier and the World Cup champion. “My body is now,” Metcalf said. “One, because we airline has continued to witness great. It’s a matter now of just getting are at home but also because we are rapid growth over the last few the weight down. My body is feeling leading into an Olympic year. There is years. This has seen significant good and ready to fire. “You stay the a whole lot of great things you can do increases in the size of the airline’s course of what you’ve done and what for yourself and set yourself up for that fleet, major expansion of its net- you believe in with the philosophy Olympic team by doing the job.” — AP work to include over 48 destina- tions and the introduction of a