Smotherman drops career-low 62  in Utah 

Manila Times - Oct 3, 2026

IVINS, Utah — Austin Smotherman made 10 birdies Friday (Saturday in Manila) to match the lowest round of his PGA Tour career, a 9-under 62 that gave him a one-shot lead in a Bank of Utah Championship where making birdies is the only way to make up ground. Kevin Roy opened with a pair of 63s and broke by five shots his best 36-hole score. In perfect conditions at the Black Desert Resort, that left him one shot behind Smotherman. Smotherman, playing in his 100th PGA Tour event and still looking for his first victory, made all but two of his 10 birdies from inside 10 feet. His longest was a 20-footer on the par-3 17th, part of a birdie-birdie-birdie finish that gave his second 36-hole lead of the year at 17-under 125. He also led after 36 holes at the Cognizant Classic, where he tied for second. “It was just very steady — a lot of greens, a lot of fairways, a couple tight wedges,” Smotherman said. “It’s what you’ve got to do to shoot 9 under.” He also shot 62 at the Cognizant Classic in February and the Bermuda Open four years ago. Doug Ghim had another bogey-free round, this one a 62 that...

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14-year-old Banga shooting victim laid to rest

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Oct 3, 2026

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Oct 3, 2026

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Public transport fares rise in E. Visayas amid higher fuel costs

Oct 3, 2026

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Oct 3, 2026

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Oct 3, 2026

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Tinio seeks full disclosure of BARSc budget amendments

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Oct 3, 2026

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Yape named PH flag bearer for Asian Games closing 

Oct 3, 2026

Yape named PH flag bearer for Asian Games closing 

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Enriquez snags silver in Asian Games jiu jitsu

Oct 3, 2026

Enriquez snags silver in Asian Games jiu jitsu

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PBA expects crop of talent   

Oct 3, 2026

PBA expects crop of talent   

DESPITE the exodus of Filipino cage talents who now play overseas in Japan and South Korea, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial remains optimistic that the pro league’s next rookie draft in Jan. 2027 will welcome a fresh influx of talents from the collegiate ranks. Marcial said the pro league will be holding the annual PBA Rookie Draft on Jan. 17, 2027. “I’ve heard from many of our basketball friends that the coming draft will be talent heavy, especially those coming from the UAAP and the NCAA since the tournaments are already done by December,” Marcial told The Manila Times in Filipino. Even players from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League are expected to join the draft, which could bring in young blood for Asia’s first professional league. Geo Chiu, who helped the Abra Weavers win the 2025 MPBL championship, in fact, emerged as the top pick in last year’s rookie draft. The talent depth could potentially attract former Ateneo big man Kymani Ladi, recent Asian Games Gilas 3x3 player Nic Cabanero, former Adamson forward Cedrick Manzano, Forth Padrigao, along with Fil-Americans DJ Fenner and Remy Martin, who recently played for Strong Group in the Williams Jones Cup. While the pro league has significantly lost major Filipino basketball talents, as some have opt to sign and play in the Japan B. League and Korean Basketball League, Marcial welcomed the competition from overseas. The league chieftain also maintained that the PBA remains unique, in that, it continues to provide a solid path for players who used to play overseas to continue their careers in the Philippines. “(Playing overseas) It has been there to provide livelihood for the players. That’s fine with us in the PBA. And they (Japanese and Korean pro leagues) are not threats,” he said. “We also know some of them will still come back and play in the PBA.”

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