Deine erste Kategorie » Louis touchdown.We threw a couple different l

In the end, Mike Weir didnt win the HP Byron Nelson. And yet he emerged from the tournament with perhaps something just as important as a first-place cheque and a trophy. Weir got a sign, an indication that all the work he put in, all the hours he spent on the range, the rehab he did after elbow surgery, the tinkering with clubs and instructors, and fighting off the naysayers who told him he was done, has been worth it. Sure it was just one tournament and it will take a few more solid performances to show that the magic has returned for good for Canadas favourite lefthander, but if nothing else, Weir can claim salvation. He knows that he can do it, play golf on the PGA Tour at the highest level. Weir led the tournament early on Sunday, rattling off four birdies in the first five holes. Bogeys at six and nine dropped him out of top spot and although he fought back valiantly at the end, his run came up just short. Brendan Todd pulled out a two-shot win with a sparkling bogey-free final round. For many, Weirs performance was a surprise. But for some time now, hes has been telling all that his ball-striking has been in form but an uncooperative putter is all thats been holding him back. At the Masters there were blips that proved what he was saying. He climbed to within a shot of the lead during the second round and he had three solid rounds at the Wells Fargo before being derailed with a final-round 77. This week, it finally worked, thanks in part to exchanging an oversized putter grip with a well-worn, thin one that was on an old putter. He finished second in Strokes Gained – Putting and first in Putts in Greens in Regulation. Despite his confidence and unwavering optimism, Weir has, at times, questioned his future during his struggles. Over the past four years, hes had doubts. There were doubts when he missed 18 straight cuts and fell outside the top 1,000 in the Official World Golf Ranking. There were doubts when he had to use up two career money list exemptions to keep playing. There were doubts when he earned a grand total of $23,312 over a two-year stretch in 2011-12. But Mike Weir never lost hope. He believed he would get back, if not to the point of winning another major then at least to where he could compete on the PGA Tour. The amount of time Weir put into his game, to trying to find an answer would wear out most professionals. And to be sure, there were a few dead ends he went down. But thats all now in the past. Weir said he has no plans to look in the rear-view mirror. "I dont think I will, to be honest," said Weir on the last four years. "Im here now and Im pushing forward. Ive been asked that question a lot, Ive answered it a lot. I am where I am now and Im pushing forward. Im not going to reflect on the past; thats history now. Im playing good golf and I want to keep that going." Still, he hasnt forgotten just how difficult this stretch has been. And as his game deteriorated after hitting a root at the 2011 Heritage, the questions increased, questions about his game and his ability to still compete. "I just knew that it was inevitable," Weir said of the constant inquiry. "I didnt take offence to it. It was matter of fact – I was playing poorly. I was trying to dig myself out of it. I didnt have any explanation for it except what got me into it, which was obviously the elbow issue, having surgery then trying to play through that and then basically being afraid to hit the ground, the bad habits I got into and probably coming back a little bit early." The bad habits piled on. One caused another and then another. At times, Weir struggled with the driver so badly, it was frightening. During one round where he shot 78, one of his playing partners told me later that if his short game wasnt all-world, Weir might have shot 90. But he stuck with it, kept working and now is finally seeing the fruits of his labour. "I dont know if my swing is that much different really," said Weir. "There are some aspects of my game, being a little older, that arent as dynamic as they used to be. But at the same time there are things that are a little better. I have a little better understanding of things. Ive learned a lot from a couple of teachers Ive used the past couple of years. I think thats helped me too." The finish provided a long list of accomplishments for Weir: His first top 10 since 2010; the first time hes led a tournament since 2007; the first time since last years John Deere that hes had four rounds in the 60s; a cheque for $745,200 (US), and a move of 100 spots on the FedEx Cup point list to 87th. While there are no guarantees, it should be enough to allow him to keep his playing privileges for the 2014-15 season. Of course all those are just numbers. What truly matters most for Mike Weir is being able to play golf and enjoy himself once again. The smile as he walked off the 18th green on Sunday was evidence of that. Bill Ranford Oilers Jersey . Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season. Milan Lucic Jersey . Bookies were offering odds of 13/1 before kickoff that the home team Houston Dynamo would prevail by three goals to nil. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/mark-fayne-jersey/ . - The Seattle Seahawks have signed nine players to 2014 future contracts, including quarterback B. Wayne Gretzky Jersey . - A late-game interception by defensive back Malcolm Butler saved the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. Darnell Nurse Oilers Jersey .J. -- While Martin Brodeur wasnt willing to say he stole one for the New Jersey Devils against the Columbus Blue Jackets, almost everyone else was.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - St. Louis quarterback Austin Davis had begun mentally preparing for the 2-minute offence if San Francisco took the lead or tied it on a field goal.Wide receiver Kenny Britt opted to say a little prayer that the defence would come through.The Rams did just that, changing their goal-line look for the very possibility Colin Kaepernick might try to take it in himself with the game on the line.St. Louis stuffed him yet again, Kaepernick coughed up the ball and James Laurinaitis recovered to seal the Rams wild 13-10 victory over the 49ers on Sunday.They deserve it, Davis said about the defence. They won us the ballgame today.Defensive end Jo-Lonn Dunbar read Kaepernick perfectly.Jo-Lonn did a great job recognizing sneak, Laurinaitis said. You can just kind of tell by a quarterbacks mannerisms when theyre going to sneak.The play was upheld on review, though Kaepernick clearly thought he was in the end zone with a winning touchdown for the Niners (4-4).I know I crossed the line. I was looking into the end zone, Kaepernick said. The ball came out. I have to hold on to it.Last-place St. Louis (3-5) sure is throwing a wrinkle into the NFC West race after victories over defending Super Bowl champion Seattle two weeks ago and then the 49ers — by a combined five points.Here are some things of note from the Rams victory at Levis Stadium:UNDER REVIEW: A pair of reviewed calls played heavily into the outcome.Referee Jerome Boger found himself answering the questions afterward, noting on the final play there was nothing we could see that could change the ruling on the field.The first half ended in strange fashion.When Phil Dawsons 55-yard field goal try came up well short, Tavon Austin caught the ball near the back of the end zone and brought it out a few yards before backtracking to try to get around the right edge.Derek Carrier tackled Austin in the end zone as the first-half clock expired.As the two teams headed for their respective locker rooms, the head coaches stayed put for the ruling, which was that forward progress was stopped in the field of play and the play stood without a safety.MISSED CHANCES: The 49ers realize they cant afford to lose games like this and stay in the West race. They still have two games with Seattle — including Thanksgiving nigght at home — and a season-ending matchup against Arizona.ddddddddddddSan Francisco, which has reached three straight NFC championship games, sits in third place.Weve just got to look at ourselves in the mirror and were going to try to get to this post-season, running back Frank Gore said. Weve got to go do it and stop playing around.MARTINS DEBUT: Marcus Martin picked up a blitz on the 49ers initial drive, leading to a 15-yard catch by Crabtree.But on the next series, Martin had a bad snap on third down that was low and forced Kaepernick to grab the ball near his shoestrings.The rookie centre had his share of growing pains in his NFL debut. He replaced injured starter Daniel Kilgore, lost for the season to a fractured left ankle that required surgery.Martin got beat several times, too, including on Laurinaitis sack up the middle on the first play of the second quarter.They brought a lot of pressure, Martin said. They have a good front seven.Veteran left tackle Joe Staley also struggled to protect Kaepernick.We have all the talent in the world. Weve been doing some dumb stuff and they took advantage of it, Staley said. Penalties, dumb blocks, dumb techniques, and dumb schemes.SACK-HAPPY RAMS: The Rams came into the game with six sacks all season, then took Kaepernick down six times in the first half alone on the way to eight total sacks by six players.Robert Quinn had a pair of second-quarter sacks and forced Kaepernick into a lost fumble on one that set up St. Louis touchdown.We threw a couple different looks at him, Quinn said. The D-line rushed their tails off. When we had an opportunity to get him down, we found a way. Against a guy like him, if you miss him, he can strike off 50-60 yards.BORLANDS TACKLES: Rookie Chris Borland had a career day on an otherwise forgettable afternoon for San Francisco.The rookie third-round draft pick did a fine job filling in for injured linebacker Patrick Willis, who missed his second straight game with a strained muscle in his left big toe.Borland had 18 tackles with 15 solo tackles.He has benefited in the meeting room with Willis and injured All-Pro NaVorro Bowman.Our defence played better overall but just a sour taste in my mouth, Borland said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '