Clan-Members » THE MENDJames van Riemsdyk got a chance to get into game

Danny Willetts ongoing back problems have forced him to pull out of the World Cup of Golf at the end of this month. Willett was due to partner Lee Westwood for England in the team event at Kingston Heath in Melbourne, but he will now take a break from golf following next weeks DP World Tour Championship.The Masters champion has been troubled by back issues for the last few seasons, and he revealed last week that he was undergoing swing changes in a bid to alleviate the problem in the long term. Danny Willett has decided not to travel to Australia for the World Cup of Golf Willett pulled out of last months British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, after straining his back during the pre-tournament pro-am, and he has opted against travelling to Australia for the 28-team event which begins on November 24. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. The 29-year-old issued a statement which read: I was really looking forward to playing the World Cup with Lee Westwood, but considering everything, including the amount of travel involved and extra strain, decided that it was not in my best interests. Willett was due to partner Lee Westwood in the team competition Willett admitted the changes he is making to his swing have contributed to his poor run of form since the Ryder Cup, and he now faces a huge task to overhaul Henrik Stenson at the top of the Race to Dubai standings.Stenson ended Willetts lengthy stay at the top with his runner-up finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions, where the Englishman was a lowly 75th in the 78-man field in Shanghai. Willett looks incresingly unlikely to catch Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson Willett, who missed the cut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship the week after his torrid Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine, tied for 68th in last weeks Turkish Airlines Open to remain over 250,000 points behind the Swede.Stenson is currently six shots ahead of Willett at the halfway stage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, where the Open champion can wrap up his second Race to Dubai crown with a win if Willett finishes outside the top 10. Live World Cup of Golf November 24, 2016, 1:00am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Also See: Willett reveals swing changes Race to Dubai scenarios Golf live on Sky Sports 4 European Tour Schedule Kerry Wood Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/ . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Brandon Kintzler Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Ian Happ Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to reap the reward of having the NHLs worst team last season.Auston Matthews is the prize.Toronto took advantage of its awful season by drafting the highly skilled player with the No. 1 pick overall, the franchises first selection at the top of the NHL draft since 1985.Matthews, who just turned 19, will have a chance to make an instant impact.The Maple Leafs won just 29 games last season, their fewest since 1970 when they played six fewer games, and won only one more game the previous season.Mike Babcock, meanwhile, proved coaching can only do so much.Toronto gave him a $50 million, eight-year deal a year ago, hoping the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold-winning coach could make a difference.Last year, he did not as the Maple Leafs finished last in the league.This season, Babcock is expecting much better results.Were way better, Babcock said in an interview with The Associated Press while leading Canada to a World Cup of Hockey title. We got kids, but we got skill. Its a way different program than a year ago. We now have a team.Were like a fast-climbing stock. You want to buy. Last year, you didnt want to buy.Here are some things to watch as Toronto prepares to play at Ottawa on Oct. 12 in the NHLs first regular season game:FRANCHISE PLAYERTorontos hopes of reviving its beloved hockey franchise rest with Matthews, its first No. 1 pick overall since selecting Wendel Clark a little more than three decades ago.Matthews showed the world his talent as a key player for the North Americas 23-and-younger team, scoring once against Sweden and Russia and having an assist against Finland. He also very much belonged on the ice in his preseason debut against Montreal after playing in the World Cup.I felt really good, Matthews said.The 6-foot-3, 216-pound center looked good, too, flashing his rare blend of size, speed and skill. He was born in California and lived in Arizona before going to Switzerland last year to prepare to play in the NHL. Matthews had 24 goaals and 22 assists in 36 games for the Zurich Lions.ddddddddddddLots of skill, Babcock said after coaching Matthews for the first time in a game. Hell figure it out.IMPORTANT INVESTMENTBabcock bristled at the notion Toronto didnt make a splash in the summer to improve their team, pointing to picks the team gave up to acquire Frederik Andersen from Anaheim.We traded a first and a second to get a goalie who could win games, he said.The Maple Leafs also dealt goalie Jonathan Bernier as part of the deal.Andersen signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Maple Leafs, cashing in on his 77-26-12 record over three seasons while competing for playing time with the Ducks.ON THE MENDJames van Riemsdyk got a chance to get into game shape during the World Cup, playing three games and having one assist for the U.S.The 27-year-old forward played in just 40 games last year before his season ended due to a broken left foot.Its huge to have him healthy, Babcock said. We think hes a high-end player. The more skill we have around him, the better off well be.I think JVR is going to have the best year of his career.So far, the 2013-14 season was his best when he had 30 goals and 31 assists.GETTING AN ASSISTBabcock was busy with Canadas World Cup team, giving assistant coaches Jim Hiller, D.J. Smith and Andrew Brewer a chance to lead the team during training camp and early in the preseason.It was a great to give those guys an opportunity to run the program, Babcock said. They probably enjoyed it.TURNING 100The Maple Leafs are planning a season of celebrations to commemorate their centennial. The highlight may be when Toronto hosts the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field, home of the Canadian Football Leagues Argonauts, in the leagues annual outdoor game on New Years Day.----Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage ' ' '