GOLF
Former Boston Red Sox players Roger Clemens, Kevin Millar, Tim Wakefield and Derek Lowe, former New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie and former Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask are among the golfers who will play in the Drive for Kids celebrity tournament in June at Falmouth Country Club.
The four-day event, which replaces the Korn Ferry Tour tournament held in 2021 and 2022, is scheduled for June 21-24. A total of 36 celebrities are expected to play, including actor Patrick Dempsey, baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz, hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick and Olympic hockey gold medalist Mike Eruzione.
Among the other celebrities who have committed to the event are former New England Revolution and U.S. national team soccer player Taylor Twellman, former tennis player Mardy Fish, and NBC Today show co-host Dylan Dreyer.
EUROPEAN TOUR: Sami Valimaki of Finland carded a bogey-free 8-under 64 to share the lead with Martin Simonsen of Denmark after the opening round of the Thailand Classic in Chonburi, Thailand.
Coming off a second-place finish in the Singapore Classic, where he finished one stroke behind Ockie Strydom of South Africa on Sunday, the 24-year-old Valimaki made five birdies on the front nine – including on his opening three holes – before picking up three more after the turn.
The Thailand Classic returned to the European tour for the first time since 2016.
Sitting a stroke back was the German pair of Yannik Paul and Alexander Knappe.
SOCCER
EUROPA LEAGUE: Barcelona and Manchester United served up a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their playoff, in Barcelona.
Barcelona struck first in the 50th minute on defender Marcos Alonso’s header from a corner and leveled in the 76th when Raphinha’s cross from the right wing curled into the net untouched.
In between, Marcus Rashford beat Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post with a shot from a tight angle in the 53rd, then created United’s go-ahead goal seven minutes later with a cross that was flicked by Bruno Fernandes and then ricochet into the net off defender Jules Kounde for an own goal.
AUTO RACING
NASCAR: Ross Chastain signed a long-term contract extension with Trackhouse Racing announced ahead of the season-opening Daytona 500 as NASCAR’s hottest young team officially shored up its lineup deep into the future.
Chastain, who turned 30 in December, is in his second season driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse, the team owned by former driver Justin Marks and entertainer Pitbull. He made it all the way to the championship finale last year and finished second to Joey Logano in the Cup standings.
FOOTBALL
NFL: A Las Vegas grand jury has indicted New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara in connection with a brawl last year at a Strip casino, his attorneys confirmed Thursday.
Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Kamara last year just after he played in the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium, the day following the alleged attack on Feb. 5, 2022, at The Cromwell. Kamara was initially facing a felony count of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and a gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit battery.
Chiefs cornerback Chris Lammons was also charged in connection with the alleged battery, along with co-defendants Percy Harris and Darrin Young.
• The New York Giants re-signed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, who was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent next month.
Hodgins, 24, was one of the Giants’ biggest surprises this season as they ended a five-year postseason drought and made it to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, losing to conference champion Philadelphia.
Hodgins was claimed off waivers from Buffalo on Nov. 2 and quickly became a favorite target of quarterback Daniel Jones. He finished with 33 receptions for 351 yards in just eight regular-season games, and tied Richie James for the most touchdown catches with four.
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