UPDATE SPORT NEWS
Golf: Adam Scott triumphs at Bridgestone WATCH LIVE!!!!
Will Carlos Tevez stay with Manchester City in the next EPL season? SEE LIVE!!!!
FOOTBALL
Spanish players' strike may delay La Liga start
The decision would affect top-flight and second division games in Spain. SEE NOW!!!
TENNIS
Bopanna-Qureshi enter R3 of Rogers Cup
Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina crashed out in the first round of the women's doubles event. SEE NOW!!!
GOIF
Atwal disappoints on final day, finishes 68th
Arjun Atwal finished 68th at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. LIVE NOW!!!!
CRICKET
3rd Test: Bell departs after Cook century
Bell was clean bowled by Kumar after Cook completed his 19th Test ton, his fourth this year. LIVE NOW!!!
No More Fear Factor
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Tiger Woods mercilessly choked new growth.
He towered so formidably over the game that young talent couldn’t blossom in his shadow. His beat downs stunted youthful ambition before it could threaten his dominion.
“Tiger destroyed a lot of players, confidence wise,” says Butch Harmon, Woods’ former swing coach.
It’s probably no coincidence that a new wave of youth is on the rise as Woods slumps.
The irony is that Woods inspired this new generation, and now he’s doing the kids a large favor by getting out of their way so they have room to grow.
The PGA Championship begins Thursday with so many gifted young players aiming for the big prize at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero and Ryo Ishikawa don’t have clear paths to superstardom, but they have the advantage a generation didn’t have a decade ago. They have a path unblocked by Woods.
“Is it easier for young guys now that Tiger isn’t sucking up all the oxygen?” Stewart Cink said. “In a way it is, because it gives more young players an opportunity to show their stuff. He isn’t winning as much. He isn’t hogging all the attention, all the press. There’s room right now for a Rory McIlroy or Rickie Fowler to emerge and become a superstar. These guys were going to be good anyway, but in Tiger’s absence . . .”
In Tiger’s absence, there’s a chance to make it happen faster.
“These kids don’t have the fear of Tiger because they aren’t getting their brains beat in by Tiger,” Harmon said. “They are fearless.
“It’s unbelievable how good they are, and they’re only going to get better.”
The game’s at pivotal turning point with Woods off his form, with a changing of the guard at hand. The wonderful question looming over all of it is whether Woods regains his form, whether he bounces back to make these kids measure themselves against the guy they grew up idolizing.
If Tiger finds his form, the game could enjoy another terrific jolt seeing him take on his litter.
These kids weren’t just inspired watching Woods beat down all his peers. They dreamed of beating Woods themselves.
Growing up in Northern Ireland, McIlroy was 7 years old when Woods won his first major in a 12-shot runaway at the Masters. McIlroy said as a boy he imagined duels with Woods, imagined having putts to beat Woods in the U.S. Open or Masters.
McIlroy imagined measuring himself against Woods. He was asked Wednesday if he still imagines it.
NATHAN SETS TWINS SAVES RECORD IN WIN OVER RED SOX
MINNEAPOLIS - Joe Nathan came to the Minnesota Twins in 2004 as an unknown middle reliever with one career save on his resume.
Seven years, four All-Star appearances, 255 saves and one Tommy John surgery later, Nathan is the best closer the Twins have ever had.
Nathan set the franchise record for saves and Jim Thome hit a tiebreaking RBI double during Minnesota's three-run eighth inning to help the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 on Wednesday night.
NOTES: The Twins got some good news earlier in the day when Gardenhire announced Justin Morneau will be activated from the disabled list on Friday in Cleveland. Morneau has been out since June 9 after having neck surgery. ... Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia was given the day off. "He was fighting me on it the last two days," manager Terry Francona said. "Last night after the game, he's like, 'I'm tired.' This will be really good for him." ... Francona disputed a call in the sixth when umpire Ted Barrett gave the speedy Ben Revere home on a double by Mauer that was caught by a fan. ... Perkins has given up five runs — four earned — in his last three appearances. He had an 11 appearance scoreless streak before that. ... The Twins are off Thursday and will begin a three-game series against the Indians in Cleveland on Friday. Carl Pavano (6-9, 4.71) will take the mound for the Twins against Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.71). Thome will continue his pursuit of career homer No. 600 in the place where his career began. He is two away from becoming the eighth player to reach the mark. ... The Red Sox are off Thursday as well and will head to Seattle for a three-game set against the Mariners starting on Friday. John Lackey (10-8, 6.14 ERA) will start Game 1 for Boston against Blake Beavan (3-2, 2.83 ERA). Lackey has been improving lately after a dreadful start. He allowed three runs in six innings in his previous start against the New York Yankees.
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