THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 SPORTS

US try to solve Ryder Photo of the day Cup with task force

NEW YORK: After two decades of European team that brought even more attention to dominance in the Ryder Cup, the the loss. The task force does not include Americans have created a task force to fig- Azinger, who said on Monday it was too ure out why they keep losing. soon after the Ryder Cup. Azinger said he Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were has a private meeting already scheduled among 11 players, captains and PGA of with the PGA of America within the next America officials who were appointed to month. The co-chairs are PGA chief execu- the “Ryder Cup Task Force” that will look at tive Pete Bevacqua and Derek Sprague, everything from qualifications to captain’s next in line to be PGA president at its annu- picks and even practice schedules during al meeting next month. Paul Levy, the PGA the matches. secretary, was the third official appointed Europe has won the Ryder Cup eight of to the task force. Sprague told The the last 10 times, including a comfortable Associated Press in Bermuda the task force victory last month at Gleneagles that was has people who represent all but two Ryder remembered as much for Mickelson indi- Cup teams from 1975. rectly criticizing U.S. captain Tom Watson’s “Back in those days, we were winning,” leadership style in the closing press confer- Sprague said. “The last 20 years have been ence. “This is a great step by the PGA to a real challenge.” Sprague said the task accomplish what we all want - to win the force would cover the way the captain is Ryder Cup,” Woods said in a statement selected, how players qualify, how many issued Tuesday by the PGA of America. captain’s picks, when they should be Woods has played on only one winning picked, even small details like when the team in his seven Ryder Cup appearances. team arrives and the schedule leading to it. Mickelson (10 appearances) and Jim Furyk Watson asked the PGA Tour for a week (nine) have played on only two winning off before Gleneagles. That led to four con- teams. The other players are Steve Stricker, secutive FedEx Cup playoff events. “We an assistant captain at Gleneagles, and heard feedback that wasn’t such a good Rickie Fowler, who has yet to win a match idea,” Sprague said. Overlooked in the reac- in his two Ryder Cups. tion to the latest American loss was the The former captains are Davis Love III strength of the European team, which had (2012), Tom Lehman (2006) and Raymond four of the top five players in the world Floyd (1989). None captained a winning when the teams were set. Europe had three team. The previous two Ryder Cups were of the four major champions in Rory decided by one point, including Medinah McIlroy (British Open, PGA Championship) in 2012 when Europe rallied from a 10-6 and Martin Kaymer (U.S. Open). deficit behind impeccable putting. Justin “I see the negative connotations to it Rose sank a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th taking away from our victory, but I see the hole in singles and Ian Poulter made five positive side that they’ll have to really have Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell celebrate after winning the V8 Supercars Wilson Security Sandown 500. — www.redbull.com straight birdies in a momentum-turning an in-depth look to what they are doing fourballs match Saturday afternoon. wrong, and try to bring together a recipe PGA President Ted Bishop, saying he was that connects,” Graeme McDowell said from Islanders win NY showdown tired of losing, picked Watson to be captain the Volvo World Match Play Championship for Gleneagles. Watson had not been to a in England. The PGA of America did not Ryder Cup since he was captain of the last reveal a timetable for when the task force NEW YORK: The New York Islanders contin- U.S. team that won in Europe in 1993, and would meet or even what would come out ued their unbeaten start to the new NHL sea- NHL results/standings at 65 he was the oldest captain in Ryder of it. The next captain, typically announced son by scoring four goals from just seven Cup history. at the PGA annual meeting in November, shots in the third period to beat the sliding The move backfired. Watson appeared will not be selected until next year. New York Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday. Kyle NY Islanders 6, NY Rangers 3; Anaheim 4, Philadelphia 3 (So); San Jose 6, Washington 5 (SO); Dallas to be out of touch at Gleneagles. The Ryder “I think we’re naive to think we’re going Okposo netted his 100th NHL goal to put the 4, Columbus 2; Toronto 3, Colorado 2 (OT); New Jersey 2, Tampa Bay 1; Buffalo 4, Carolina 3 (SO); Cup ended with an awkward news confer- to perfect a winning process in the next 24 Islanders ahead in the opening minute of the Calgary 3, Nashville 2 (SO); Los Angeles 6, Edmonton 1. ence in which Mickelson - beside Watson - months,” Sprague said. “I think this task final frame. Western Conference Eastern Conference praised the success of Paul Azinger in 2008 force needs to be open to it. If we win in Among the day’s other games, New Jersey Atlantic Division in the most recent US victory and suggest- 2016, great. But even if we win, we Pacific Division made it three wins from three road games to WL OTLGFGAPTS Montreal 3 1 0 11 14 6 ed that Watson didn’t embrace that win- shouldn’t say the process is perfect. It will start the season when they won at Tampa Tampa Bay 2 1 1 13 8 5 ning formula. In the aftermath of the loss, be evolving.” Freelancer Josh Ball in Bay, Toronto won in overtime against San Jose 3 0 0 13 5 6 Ottawa 2 1 0 6 5 4 various reports painted a picture of a Southampton, Bermuda, contributed to Anaheim 3 1 0 16 12 6 Toronto 2 2 0 14 14 4 heavy-handed leadership style in the U.S. this report. — AP Colorado, and Dallas notched its first victory of the campaign by winning at Columbus. Los Angeles 2 1 1 12 9 5 Detroit 1 1 0 4 4 2 The Islanders broke loose for four goals in Vancouver 2 0 0 9 6 4 Boston 1 3 0 4 9 2 the first 11 minutes of the third and improved Buffalo 1 3 0 8 17 2 Calgary 2 2 0 11 12 4 Florida 0 2 1 3 9 1 to 3-0 while sending the Rangers (1-3) to Arizona 1 1 0 5 8 2 Metropolitan Division their third straight loss. After Okposo’s goal, Edmonton 0 2 1 7 16 1 New Jersey 3 0 0 13 6 6 Brock Nelson made it 4-2 at 4:50, and Mikhail Central Division NY Islanders 3 0 0 15 9 6 Grabovski connected 30 seconds later to Pittsburgh 2 0 0 11 6 4 make it a three-goal edge. New Jersey’s Cory Nashville 2 0 1 9 6 5 Columbus 2 1 0 10 7 4 Schneider made 26 saves to help the Devils Minnesota 2 0 0 8 0 4 Washington 1 0 2 10 8 4 win 2-1 at Tampa Bay. Chicago 2 0 0 9 4 4 NY Rangers 1 3 0 11 19 2 Travis Zajac put New Jersey ahead and Dallas 1 1 1 7 9 3 Philadelphia 0 2 2 11 16 2 Carolina 0 2 1 9 13 1 that stood until 8:59 in the third when Alex Colorado 1 2 1 4 12 3 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one Killorn replied for the Lightning. Mike St. Louis 1 1 0 6 4 2 Cammalleri scored what proved the winner point in the standings and are not included in on a power play at 11:19. Toronto’s Phil Kessel Winnipeg 1 2 0 7 9 2 the loss column (L). scored 34 seconds into overtime to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 win at Colorado. James van Voracek sent the game into OT with the tying beat Carolina 4-3. Calgary’s Joe Colborne Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul also scored for goal for the Flyers (0-2-2) who are winless scored the only goal of the shootout to lift Toronto. after four games for only the fourth time in the Flames to a 3-2 win at Nashville. Los Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene scored for franchise history. Angeles’ Tanner Pearson had two goals and the Avalanche, with former Calgary Flames Buffalo’s Marcus Foligno had two goals an assist, and linemates Jeff Carter and Tyler captain Jarome Iginla making two assists to and Zemgus Girgensons scored on a back- Toffoli added a goal and an assist apiece as pick up his first points with his new team. hand to end a long shootout, as the Sabres the Kings cruised past Edmonton 6-1. — AP Dallas’ Tyler Seguin scored three goals, including the tiebreaker with 7:44 left, to lift the Stars to a 4-2 victory at Columbus. Seguin redirected Jamie Benn’s shot to BERMUDA: Martin Kaymer of Germany poses with the trophy after winning the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course. — AFP give the Stars the lead then added an empty- netter. Benn scored and made three assists for the Stars. Jimenez eyes Hong Kong title Ryan Johansen scored both goals for the Blue Jackets, who were trying to get to 3-0 for HONG KONG: Miguel Angel Jimenez is bid- “It’s one of my favorite golf courses in the the first time in the franchise’s 14 seasons. ding for a record-breaking fifth Hong Kong world,” Jimenez said. “You have to be accurate San Jose’s Matt Irwin and John Scott were Open title this week but faces stiff competi- from the tee because if you miss the fairway unlikely goal-scorers as the Sharks won 6-5 tion from a stellar field including major win- you get a difficult lie in the short rough. “I’m after a shootout against Washington. The ners Ernie Els and Y.E. Yang. The tournament is hitting the ball well and I’m planning to make Sharks led 3-0 in the first period, 4-1 in the an important stop on the European Tour again it my fifth win here.” second, and 5-3 late in the third before after being relegated last year, with the likes If he does then he’ll become only the Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Troy of Nicolas Colsaerts looking to secure their fourth player to have won the same tourna- Brouwer scored 1:16 apart to tie the game place in the lucrative Race to Dubai ‘Final ment five times, joining 14-time major winner with 4:35 remaining in regulation. But Joe Series’. Spanish veteran Jimenez, who at 50 is Tiger Woods, British Open legend Tom Watson Pavelski scored the only goal in the shootout the oldest winner on the European Tour, is and Germany’s Bernhard Langer. Four-time for San Jose which had not conceded a goal also seeking to become the first golfer to win major winner and golf hall of famer Els is play- in their previous two games this season. the event three years in a row. ing in the event for the first time and told AFP Irwin and Scott, who both scored only one “It feels like home here,” he told reporters he was relishing the prospect of trying to goal last season, combined for the opening in the southern Chinese city. “I’ve won four snatch Jimenez’s crown. three goals. Anaheim’s William Karlsson and times out of 10 appearances which I think is a “I’d love to have the opportunity,” the very good percentage.” Jimenez triumphed in South African said. “Obviously Jimenez is the Jakob Silfverberg scored in the shootout to 2004, 2007, 2012 and last year-defeating master round here. You get so much confi- lift the Ducks to a 4-3 win over Philadelphia. Stuart Manley of Wales and Thailand’s Prom dence in winning events and if you’ve done it Tim Jackman, Devante Smith-Pelly and Meesawat in a playoff after they finished level four times you really get a very good feeling Matt Beleskey scored in regulation for the on 12-under. about the place,” he added. “It’s not really Ducks. Mark Streit and Wayne Simmonds NEW YORK: Mikhail Grabovski No. 84 of the New York Islanders flies past Henrik Lundqvist No. The $1.3 million event starts on Thursday myself against him but if it works out that way each scored power-play goals and Jakub 30 of the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. — AFP and takes place over the Hong Kong Golf Club it would be great.” at Fanling, where each of the illustrious Els will play the first two rounds with Asia’s event’s previous 55 editions have been held. lone major champion Yang, from South Korea, Miller extends TV deal, hopes Tiger finds form who is looking to give his career a much- needed boost. The 2009 PGA champion has NAPA: In his own words, Johnny Miller doesn’t play some role on TV. It’s bad enough not to be “he’s slowly accumulating bits of scar tissue from dropped outside the world’s top 600 players think he has lost his marbles. Not all of them, any- calling the shots at a US Open, even worse when small disappointments and putts that burn the since blazing a trail for Asia five years ago with way. And there’s a big part of him that wants to it’s in Northern California, the roots of his Hall of edge of the hole and don’t fall. I’m lukewarm on his major victory, sensationally coming from see if Tiger Woods can find his game. Fame career. “That would be tough to watch the prospect of another stretch of play like he behind to defeat Woods. Miller was the first person who dared to men- Pebble or Olympic Club and not be able to cover experienced in winning the Tiger Slam.” Woods The Hong Kong Open is the penultimate tion the “C” word (choke) in a golf telecast. As he it,” Miller said, pausing to smile before adding, “For has been stuck on 14 majors since 2008, though event of this season’s European Tour and is co- finished his 25th year as the lead analyst for NBC me. Maybe not for other people.” Miller has Miller was slightly off on his timing. sanctioned with the Asian Tour. Belgium’s Sports, he began thinking about the “R” word - annoyed plenty of people - mostly players - dur- A year after the book came out, Woods went Colsaerts is looking for a strong week over the retirement. It didn’t help that NBC lost the US ing his 25 years in the booth. on an incomparable tear until his reconstructive par 70, 6,699-yard course as he looks to secure Open when the USGA couldn’t refuse an offer That list includes Woods. It’s nothing personal. knee surgery in 2008. He won six majors (a career a place in the season-ending ‘Final Series’. from Fox that topped $1 billion. Miller also has a It rarely is with Miller. “The nice part about my Grand Slam in 14 majors), was runner-up four The series of four big-money events will history of leaving on his own terms. He started career is I started covering him at the US Amateur, times and only twice finished out of the top four. feature only the top 60 players in the Race to scaling back his playing career in his early 40s. “I and I was going to the national junior (U.S. Junior Winning majors has been tough on Woods since Dubai rankings beginning with the BMW was thinking I’m 67. I’m getting up there,” Miller Amateur) when my sons were in it,” he said. “So the implosion in his personal life, followed by a Masters in Shanghai in two weeks’ time. said over the weekend at Silverado, where he was I’ve covered pretty much his whole career.” Miller variety of leg and back injuries. Woods has missed Colsaerts, lying 58th, is in fine form, just the unofficial host at the Frys.com Open. “I didn’t was never more prescient than in a book he wrote 25 percent of the majors dating to 2011. “I knew missing the European Tour’s first ever round of know how my marbles were going to be at that 10 years ago, “I Call The Shots.” In debating both he’d have a down time, sort of like I did in ‘78,” 59 by one shot on his way to finishing second time. So far, I haven’t lost too many. I’ll be the first sides of whether Woods (who had eight majors in Miller said. “His personal life tumbled in. He lost a at the rain-interrupted Portugal Masters last guy to quit this if I start losing it.” Instead, he 2004) could surpass the 18 majors won by Jack lot of mojo there, and then he’s had injuries on top week. The Belgian will play alongside Jimenez extended his deal with NBC Sport through at least Nicklaus, he wrote that Woods was an old 28 as a of that. He had a lot happen in a short amount of in the opening two rounds. Also competing in 2017, with an option for another year. child prodigy and “I have a feeling Tiger is dead in time. He’s in an interesting place right now. I think Hong Kong are 2002 US PGA Champion Rich That would end a year before the US Open his prime right now, and that it won’t be long he’s going to have a second career that will be Beem, American Peter Uihlein and China’s returns to Pebble Beach for the sixth time, and before the hole shrinks back to its regulation 4 pretty good. But he’s got to get it going pretty Phil Mickelson number one Liang Wenchong. — AFP part of Miller wonders if there’s a chance he can 1/4-inch size.” “Like everybody else,” Miller wrote, soon. I’m pulling for him big time.” —AP