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While most of the golfing world prepares for the return of the sport to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years, a fierce battle is set to be waged beginning Thursday at the $4.8 million John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.With only two events remaining before the start of the FedExCup playoffs at The Barclays Aug. 25-28, the John Deere Classic provides a pivotal opportunity for those hanging around the bubble for the top 125 players to qualify. All but two players ranked from Nos. 120-135 will be in the field this week.Other notables include 2012 winner Zach Johnson, who has done no worse than tie for third at the event every year since 2011, three-time event champion Steve Sticker (2009-11) and former top-ranked amateur Jon Rahm, who makes his sixth career professional start as he seeks to earn his PGA Tour card for next season.Johnson is from an hour away in Iowa City, Iowa, and will make his 15th consecutive start at what he considers a home event. The JDC has typically been played in July, but was moved to August this year due to the jumbled schedule created by the Olympics and the Ryder Cup.Im excited for the week, Johnson said. I mean, its just a little bizarre its this week rather than July, but thats a whole nother subject. Its never a bad time to be in the Quad Cities.The top four players in the world opted not to play in the Olympics, which included third-ranked Jordan Spieth, who is also the defending JDC champion and a two-time winner of the event. In announcing he would skip the Rio Games, Spieth also said he would not defend his title in Iowa.I dont think it would be an appropriate move to play that week, Spieth said last month.That leaves the door of opportunity open for the 152-player field, headed by Johnson, who enters as the 22nd-ranked player in the world, followed by Kevin Na (No. 34).There are a lot of factors probably involved, Johnson said when asked about his success at the JDC. Im certainly comfortable with golf course. Im certainly comfortable with these greens and the bentgrass. Im certainly experienced here.With that comes confidence, I think. Oftentimes confidence, like Ive said, can breed momentum. It can just carry over week to week, month to month, year to year.With eight of the top 100 players in the field, it also leaves plenty of room for those hovering around the FedExCup bubble to earn critical points with next weeks Wyndham Championship serving as the final pre-playoff event.I do think its a little unfortunate that its the first week of the Olympics, Johnson said. You can look at it a number of different ways. There are only two weeks left before the playoffs start. There are only so many weeks left of Ryder Cup points. There are a lot of things at stake, so guys want to play and get some points here and there. There are incentives there.That includes Camilo Villegas and Brendon de Jonge, who skipped an opportunity to play in the Olympics so they could attempt to pick up FedExCup points in Illinois. Villegas enters the week No. 146, while de Jonge is No. 150, making this a critical tournament for both players. The current line for The Barclays sits with Johnson Wagner, who sits precariously in the 125th spot with 405 points. Wagner finished in a tie for fifth in this even last year.Rahm could throw another wrinkle into the equation with a victory this week. Playing on Special Temporary Members status, Rahm is not eligible for the FedExCup playoffs unless he wins an event. He already has 424 non-member points, and the former Arizona State star has a tie for third at the Quicken Loans International and a solo third at the Canadian Open among his first six professional starts.I dont think you ever achieve perfection in this game, Rahm said when asked if hes a perfectionist. The closest weve had to perfection weve had is Tiger, and we all know he was looking for it every single day.Im more of a feel player. Whatever I feel that day is what I do.Not only are there 500 FedExCup points on the line, but a $864,000 winners share. Spieth beat Tom Gillis in a playoff after the two tied at 20-under in regulation last year, so there are birdies to be had, and Johnson doesnt expect the course to play much different just because the tournament is a few weeks later this year.My guess is wont be a whole lot different, he said. I mean, I grew up in this area. July and August seem to be one month out here. Its hot, humid.If it was down South there is summer and really hot summer. Up here its different. Im assuming its not going to be a whole lot different.Thomas Jordan Jersey Signed . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Khris Middleton Jersey Signed .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. https://www.cheapnbajerseysjustwholesale.com/vincent-yarbrough-jersey-signed/ . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Bob Cluggish Jersey Signed .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Jack Tingle Jersey Signed . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.LOS ANGELES -- UCLA guard Jordin Canada was so focused on grabbing the one rebound she needed for her first career triple double that when teammate Monique Billings flung away the rebounded basketball they both held, Canada glared at her. Players and coaches on the UCLA bench all knew what was at stake and collectively groaned in disbelief.Everyone finished with smiles because Canada grabbed her 10th rebound with 48 seconds left.Canada had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to lead No. 9 UCLA to a 95-47 win over Southern University on Friday night.Its the sixth triple-double in school history, and Canada also crossed the 1,000-point mark, a milestone she didnt realized she reached until after the game.Its also an honor. Its a great feeling to know that Ive put in the work, Canada said. Im very proud of myself, but its not all about points. Yes, its a great honor, but its not everything.Billings had a double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds, her fifth consecutive one dating back to last season. She also set a career-high with six steals.But she drew the ire of her point guard.We have goals that we have to meet. Mo was one rebound away from getting 15 rebounds, which was her goal, Canada said. I was one rebound away from getting a triple double. At the time, I thought she already met her goal. When the ball went up we both had it, and I was screaming because I wanted it. She took it away. I was mad. I didnt realize she hadnt met her goal until afterward, so I felt bad. Were just really passionate about getting our goals.UCLA had just nine players available. Four players are injured and have yet to play this season.Canada prides herself on passing, defending and, when a milestone is on the line, rebounding.Ive never seen Jordan so mad at me running down the court, Billings said with a laugh. She got her rebound too, after so its all good.Skylar OBear scored 14 points and Briana Green added 112 for Southern (1-2).ddddddddddddKennedy Burke led the Bruins in scoring with 23 points, including a career-high five 3-pointers. UCLA had a school-record 14 3-pointers as a team, breaking the mark of 12 set against Hawaii in 2009.BIG PICTURE:Southern got the experience of playing one of the best teams in the country on the road and will have plenty of learning opportunities in a postgame film session.UCLA has its sights set on a national championship and with a loss to No. 2 Baylor on the road four days ago, it showed the Bruins theres work to be done. UCLA dominated at home on Friday, where it plays so well, but hasnt won a road game against a ranked opponent in its last 13 consecutive games.UP NEXT:Southern University returns home to play Bethune-Cookman on Thursday but its a one-game stint in New Orleans as the Jaguars play six of their first eight games on the road.UCLA hosts Cal Poly on Sunday before traveling to Mexico for the Cancun Challenge, which starts on Thanksgiving.POLL IMPLICATIONS After the loss at No. 2 Baylor on Monday, which came after the polls were released earlier in the day, UCLA likely will fall out of the top 10. The Bruins played Southern on Friday, which has just one win, and will play Cal Poly, which lost its first two games of the season, on Sunday, so wins against those teams likely wouldnt help keep UCLA in the top 10.QUOTABLEI think were still not playing anywhere close to what were going to become. Thats a good news-bad news. Its bad news because we missed an opportunity at Baylor. The good news is that theres no danger this group is going to peak early. We have so many things we still need to work on. On the other hand, were shooting the ball great. Were a selfless team.-- UCLA coach Cori Close on ways to improve after a 48-point win ' ' '