07-17-2019, 12:55 AM
DUBLIN, Ohio -- Keegan Bradley had his best round ever at the Memorial on Thursday. It was the way he accomplished that feat that was so unusual. Bradley did not use a belly putter for the first time in his PGA Tour career, and it worked out just fine. He knocked in a 12-foot birdie putt on his opening hole, added four more birdies for a 5-under 67 and was one shot out of the lead among the early starters at Muirfield Village. "Im totally in a trial period here," said Bradley, whose best score in eight previous rounds was a 71. "Im not in any way saying Im switching for good from now on. This is just for right now and this week." Masters champion Bubba Watson, Chris Kirk and Paul Casey each had a 66 on a hot morning at the Memorial. Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy, both coming off victories on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, were among those playing in the afternoon. Bradley was the first player to win a major using a belly putter at the 2011 PGA Championship. The anchored stroke used for long putters will be banned starting in 2016, which he said was like a "ticking clock in your head." But it was advice from his mother, and a week of practice and trash talking with Michael Jordan, that persuaded him to give it a try. Bradley didnt like the way he finished off the Byron Nelson Championship two weeks ago, and while talking to his mother, she suggested he go to a shorter putter. "I hadnt put any thought into it up until that point," he said. "And so I thought I needed something to get me excited about playing because I was bummed." Bradley has not won since the Bridgestone Invitational in 2012, and he needs to get moving if he wants to earn a spot on the Ryder Cup team. Inspired to experiment by his mother, he played with Jordan at The Bears Club in South Florida, asking him to be relentless in heckling and make Bradley feel uncomfortable, "which hes good at." "And we just kept playing and playing. And I felt better and better with it," he said. "And I came here not knowing what I was going to do. I played a round with Brendan Steele and I felt good with it again, and I thought theres no reason for me not to do it." Bradley said he last used a conventional putter in 2010 in his second start on the Nationwide Tour. He is not considered a bad putter. Bradley switched over to the belly putter because he felt he was better with it. His plan for the year was to qualify for the Ryder Cup team and start converting to a shorter putter after October. Now? Who knows? The putter is 41 inches, which is about 6 inches longer than a standard putter. The difference is that Bradley doesnt press the end of it into his belly. He felt better over lag putts, and he said the shorter putter improved his touch on fast greens. "The negatives are just ... Im aware that people are watching me," he said. "And thats the hardest part." Watson also started his round at No. 10 and got going with an eagle on the 15th hole. He finished strong with four birdies over the last five holes, knocking in a 15-foot putt on the ninth hole. Hunter Mahan had a bogey-free 68, a signal that he is finally starting to round into form. Mahan has not been in the top 20 since the second week of March at Doral. David Njoku Womens Jersey .Y. - Alex Rodriguez paid $305,000 for evidence that could be used in the case involving the Biogenesis of America drug clinic, the Daily News reported Saturday. Sheldrick Redwine Browns Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.brownsauthenticproshop.com/Customized/. Chile applied pressure in midfield right from the beginning, challenging aggressively and continually surging forward. Eduardo Vargas beat the offside trap and fired home a stinging shot for Chiles opening goal in the fifth minute. Chad Thomas Womens Jersey . -- The Denver Broncos locked up a shutdown cornerback, only his name wasnt Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Britton Colquitt Youth Jersey .J. Ellis hit an RBI single in the ninth inning, Hanley Ramirez hit a tape-measure, three-run homer in the first against Cliff Lee and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Saturday night.England Womens Rochelle Clark could move one step closer to achieving history when England face France on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm. The Worcester Valkyries prop has been named on the bench for the clash at the Twickenham Stoop and should she feature she will equal Jason Leonards record of 114 international appearances.Speaking to Sportswomen about the feat, Clark said: Jason Leonard has been an idol of mine from when I started playing rugby; I wanted to be like him. To even be anywhere near his record is absolutely amazing. He is a nice guy and he has been very supportive. He knows I am coming for him so it will be awesome when I hopefully achieve it. I will be very proud.Since making her debut in 2003, Clark has gone on to win seven Six Nations titles and witness a number of changes to the womens game. However the highlight of her career came in 2014 when the Red Roses lifted the coveted Womens Rugby World Cup trophy. Rochelle Clark after receiving her MBE in 2015 It was a different type of rugby since I started and the professionalism now has just changed and evolved so much, she said. It has been amazing to be part of that era going from a quite unprofessional stage to being really professional.For me it was two times unlucky, third time lucky and that was all I have been driven for since I started playing rugby was to then be part of a World Cup-winning side. That was definitely the best day of my life.Reaching her idols target is not the end of it for Clark. She now has her Worcester coach Donna Kennedys all-time womens cap record of 115 in her sights. I couldnt give it up to a nicer person, said record-holder Kennedy. Rocky has done fantastic in her career and records are there to be broken. Giving it up to Rocky is probably the best person I can give it up to.Simon Middletons side will be without Emily Scarratt for the clash, the 28-year old missing out through concussion while Amber Reed is also unavailable due to an ankle injury. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.dddddddddddd99. No contract. The Red Roses boast a match-day 23 totalling 1,000 international caps with Olympians Claire Allan, Natasha Hunt, Katy Mclean and Danielle Waterman also named among the starting line-up. Katy McLean on the charge during England sevens duty The two nations have faced each other twice already this year, winning one game each. However since the 2014 Womens Rugby World Cup, France have the upper hand over their opponents, securing three wins to one.England Women: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Kay Wilson, 13 Claire Allan, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Fiona Pocock, 10 Katy Mclean, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1, Vickii Cornborough, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Emily Braund, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter.Replacements: 16 Vicky Fleetwood, 17 Rochelle Clark, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Harriet Millar- Mills, 20 Izzy Noel-Smith, 21 La Toya Mason, 22 Emily Scott, 23 Ceri Large. Emily Scarratt is sidelined with concussion France Women: 15 Caroline Landagnous, 14 Camille Grassineau, 13 Rose Thomas, 12 Lucille Godiveau, 11 Elodie Guiglion, 10 Christelle Le Duff, 9 Yanna Rivoalen; 1 Lise Arricastre, 2 Manon Bigot, 3 Patricia Carricaburu, 4 Celine Ferer, 5 Manon Andre, 6 Pauline Rayssac, 7 Laetitia Grand, 8 Safi Ndiaye.Replacements: 16 Gaelle Mignot, 17 Annaelle Deshayes, 18 Lenaig Corson, 19 Gaelle Hermet, 20 Romane Menager, 21 Camille Cabalou, 22 Carla Neisen, 23 Julie DuvalWatch England v France live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix on Wednesday from 7.30pm. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV Also See: WATCH: Greenwoods favourite five England trio up for top award Vunipola ready for brutal Boks QUIZ: Englands last win over SA ' ' '