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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BASEBALL
Weather greets team's first spring practice
ANDREW JOSEPH
ajoseph@kansas.com
ajoseph@kansan.com
The 2012 campaign for Kansas baseball officially began Friday afternoon with the first practice of the spring season at Hoglund Ballpark.
"I think we're just really excited to get started. It's been a long two and a half, three weeks with the individuals, and the weather has been incredible," coach Ritch Price said.
Last season, the baseball team spent the days of practice shoveling pounds of snow off the turf of Hogland Ballpark, but this year practice started differently. With some unusually warm winter conditions, the team was able to stretch and throw outside.
"We feel really fortunate with the way the weather has been with the opportunity to get outside," Price said.
The warm weather forecasts for the upcoming days should give
Kansas even more chances to prepare for the season in ideal baseba conditions.
The Jayhawks ended the 2011 season with a 26-30 record, failing to qualify for the Big 12 Tournament. This year, Kansas welcomes back six starters and the core of the starting rotation.
Price is in his 10th season at Kansas and holds a record of 299-250-2, and he named pitcher Jordan Jakubov, infielder Chris Manship and infielder Jake Marasco as
captains for the 2012 season. The Jayhawks will travel to Nashville, Tenn., opening the season against Middle Tennessee State on Feb. 17.
Edited by Tanvi Nimkar
Tucker Tharp Right Field
GOLF
Tiger falters in final round
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tiger Woods talked all week about his improved ball control — then it let him down when he needed it most.
Woods resembled the Tiger of old over the first three rounds at the Abu Dhabi Championship, stringing together a trio of rounds below par before shooting an even 72 in Sunday's finale to finish in a tie for third place behind winner Robert Rock and U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy.
The 117th-ranked Rock shot 70 for an overall 275 to beat McIlroy (69) by a shot. Woods was a further shot back with Thomas Bjorn (68) and Graeme McDowell (68). The 18-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero (69) and George Coetzee (70) of South Africa were another shot back.
"Today I just didn't give myself enough looks at it," Woods said. "Most of my putts were lag putts. +didn't drive the ball in as many fairways as I should have ... It was a day I was just a touch off the tee and consequently I couldn't get the ball close enough."
The 14-time major winner appears to have recovered from a two-year victory drought in which he was sidelined by injuries and personal turmoil. But Woods must now face the fact that, at age 36, there are plenty of players — known and unknown — who can potentially beat him.
"There's plenty of big events to go, but I'm pleased at the progress I've made so far," said Woods, who won the Chevron World Challenge last month to end his drought. "I just need to
keep building, keep getting more consistent, and today was a day where I putted beautifully. Just didn't give myself enough looks."
Coming into Sunday, Woods was tied for the lead with the unheralded Rock and was the clear favorite to win. Rock had only one victory under his belt compared to 83 for Woods worldwide, but it was Rock — battling his nerves over playing alongside one of his golfing idols — who held it together down the stretch.
"It's pretty hard to believe that I managed to win today. Very surprised," the Englishman said. "I played good. So I guess I had a chance from early on, a couple of birdies made the day feel a little bit easier."
"But it's difficult playing with Tiger. You expect almost every shot to threaten to go in. It felt a lot of pressure and couldn't afford any lapses in concentration at all."
It was a storybook ending for Rock, who rose from a club pro to join the European Tour in
2003 and only got his first tour win last year at the Italian Open. The victory will elevate him into the top 60.
"It doesn't get an awful lot harder than playing with Tiger Woods," Rock said. "So I guess barring a major championship, I know I can handle that again. So that's pretty nice to know."
"I was just focusing on trying to hit fairways and then hit my iron shots as good as I have been and give myself chances at birdies," Rock said. "Both Tiger and Peter struggled on occasions on a few holes and I managed to keep my ball in the right position and didn't put myself under too much stress until the last, which was a relief."
Rock wobbled on the 18th when his drive landed in a pile of rocks near the water — forcing him to take a drop — but he recovered beautifully, reaching the green in four and two-putting for the win.
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