SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 SPORTS

Ward, Stewart vow to return from injuries for

ENGLEWOOD: T.J. Ward’s Super Bowl was just as adamant: “Anytime you get Newton may prove to be a nightmare. TUMULTUOUS SEASON tackles, two sacks and two forced fum- guarantee doesn’t exactly possess the an opportunity to play in this game, and These two safeties could prove instru- Stewart banged up his knee midway bles. Stewart almost instantly fit in since same sort of sizzle as Joe Namath once you can run a little bit, I’m guaranteeing mental in containing Newton, who’s 6- through the third quarter, while Ward joining the team this season. He inter- promising - and delivering - a win. For you’re going to be out there.” foot-5, 245 pounds and does just about left early in the fourth. That left backup cepted Brady last weekend before hurt- the , though, the strong Especially since this is basically a everything well. “He’s probably at all safeties and to ing his knee, an injury that doesn’t have safety’s guarantee just might make the homecoming for Ward. He went to high times one of the top-10 biggest players patrol the field against Tom Brady & Co. him all that concerned. “Just getting as difference in one. school in Concord, California, which is on the field,” Ward said. “He’s a talented Ward and Stewart have yet to prac- much treatment as I can and that’s really Ward vowed he would play a week about 60 miles away from Levi’s dude. He’s got a big arm. He can run. Did tice this week and are listed as question- the plan right now,” Stewart said. “I from today despite a tender ankle. Even Stadium. he win MVP yet? Well, he’s probably able on the injury report. “Extra days are mean, get better along the way.” Same more, free safety “There’s something about where you going to win the MVP. He won the always needed for healing, so I definitely plan for Ward, because home is waiting. pledged to be back, too, after spraining come from - the air, the grass, the Heisman. He’s a rare breed of athlete.” think it helps,” Stewart said. “It’s just get- “I can’t wait to get back in the Bay Area the MCL in his right knee during a win sounds - that brings up memories,” Ward That’s why Ward needs to be at 100 ting healthy and getting ready to play.” so I can taste that Bay Area air,” Ward over New England in the AFC title game. said. “Sometimes, I’ll be somewhere percent - or close to it anyway - for this This has been a tumultuous season said. “Get that home feeling. Get the Their health is the biggest question away from home and smell that grass top-ranked defense. He could also see for Ward, who missed the first game of butterflies in your stomach. “It doesn’t mark for Denver heading into Super and it reminds me of playing Pop some time covering Greg Olsen, a tight the season because of a league suspen- really get too much more special than Bowl 50 against Carolina. Warner. This is going to take me back of end who “ works well within that sion and three more later in the year the 50th Super Bowl anniversary at Ask them, and there’s really no uncer- when I was dreaming of this moment.” offense,” Ward explained. “He has great with an ankle ailment. But he’s been a home, in your hometown. I don’t think tainty at all. “Without a doubt in my Only, now it’s a reality. But trying to hands. He runs good routes. He seems to playmaker when he’s been on the field. you can write a better story than that. mind, I’m playing,” Stewart said. Ward bring down Panthers quarterback Cam be a smart player.” He finished the regular season with 61 Unless we win. “When we win.” — AP

Amazing Grace wins Qatar Masters again

DOHA: South African Branden Grace who has now won seven European shot a composed final-round 69 yes- Tour titles, told the Tour website. terday to become the first player to “The key was my grinding and retain the Qatar Masters title. The 27- staying patient. It was tough out year-old conjured up four birdies to there, but fair. I knew if I stuck to my finish on 14 under par, two strokes guns and tried to give myself some ahead of Spaniard Rafael Cabrera- opportunities, I could do it.” Briton Bello and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen. Paul Lawrie, the former British Open “It’s a dream. This is a tournament champion who led the tournament that kicked my season off last year after three rounds, slumped to a and hopefully it can take me to even fourth-round 78 to finish well down better things this time round,” Grace, the field. — Reuters Choi seizes share of lead in San Diego

LOS ANGELES: KJ Choi, who is chasing northwest of San Diego, California. his first win on the USPGA Tour in five Several notable players missed the 36- years, fired a five-under 67 Friday to grab hole cut including defending champion a share of the halfway lead at the and world number two Jason Day of Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Australia. Day, who withdrew from The 45-year-old South Korean was tied Wednesday pro-am with flu-like symp- with American Gary Woodland, who also toms, followed a first round 72 on the SINGAPORE: This handout photo taken and released by Lagardere Sports yesterday shows Jordan Spieth of the US hitting a shot during round shot a 67, at nine-under 135 after 36 North Course with a two-over 74 on the two of the Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. Round two of the tournament resumed following the previous day’s suspen- holes. South Course. sion. —AFP Choi has 20 international wins, World number four Ricky Fowler, including eight victories on the USPGA coming off a win last week in Abu Dhabi, Tour making him the most successful and San Diego native Phil Mickelson also Asian golfer in history. His last PGA win missed the cut. Fowler carded a 71 and Spluttering Spieth three came at the Players Championship in was at par after two rounds, failing to 2011 when he beat David Toms in a play- make the cut by a stroke. The final two off. “I hit it very well,” said Choi who had rounds will be played on the South off the pace in Singapore seven birdies and two bogeys in the sec- Course and Choi said it will be even ond round on the Torrey Pines North tougher because of stormy weather Course. “This week my iron play and put- expected for part of the weekend. He SINGAPORE: World number one Jordan Spieth “I made all my putts inside six feet yesterday at 07:30 a.m. (23:30 GMT) today to finish his ting is much better than it was the last said it is going to be like a British Open. struggled again with his putting as he ended a but missed five or six today. I’ve just got to get round along with 12 others. The fourth round week of the season. I had very good con- “I have had many experiences overseas long 28-hole yesterday three shots off the pace comfortable on the shorter length putts,” the was brought forward to 08:20 a.m. China’s Liang trol with my putter.” in the British Open with it being windy at the Singapore Open. American said after his second round. Wenchong managed to squeeze in his third Woodland birdied five of his first nine and rain. And my house in Dallas is so The American was on the course at 07:30 He was again short of his major-winning form round, tapping in to complete his second con- holes to become the co-leader at nine- windy so I will need some imagination in (2330 GMT) to finish 12 holes of his weather- in the afternoon, with two birdie fours on the secutive four-under 67 after the horn had under. American Dustin Johnson was my shots to win,” he said. delayed second round, signing for a one-under- fourth and seventh punctured by a bogey on sounded for the clubhouse lead on eight-under. alone in third after a bogey free six- Choi has finished in the top 10 in the par 71 before returning in the afternoon to the fi