NEU » is winding journey has also alter

NORTON, Mass. -- The question, at its roots, really was based on a compliment, backhanded as it might have been.It was asked of Paul Casey just minutes after hed completed a third consecutive 5-under 66 at the Deutsche Bank Championship that gave him a 3-stroke lead entering Mondays final round.This is the same Paul Casey who once was ranked as high as third in the entire world, the same player who owns 13 career victories on the European Tour, the same one who has cashed nearly $30 million in professional tournament earnings alone.Its also the same Casey who is making his 194th career PGA Tour start this week and somehow, someway, has only one career title on United States soil. Its true: While his résumé shows five career runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, three third-place results and three dozen top-10s, his lone victory remains the 2009 Shell Houston Open.And so, with all of that information at our disposal, knowing what a talented player the 39-year-old Casey has been for so many years, the question really was rooted in a compliment.Why havent you won more over here?Rather than chafe at the insinuation or make excuses, Casey mowed down the question like so many putts he has rolled in on the TPC Boston greens this week.I think early in my career, admittedly, there was a couple of fairly good players that seemed to be dominating, he answered. Goodness knows how many wins Tiger [Woods] and Phil [Mickelson] and then theres others. Im sure Ernie [Els] thinks he could have about 10 majors if it wasnt for those two, as well. Theres lots of guys. What an era to play in. Im proud that I played in that period of time. Got to play with Tiger. I saw some amazing stuff and I hope that I see that again.Casey didnt stop there, though. He added that for much of his career, when he was playing PGA Tour events, it was against the best of the best.A lot of the time when I was playing in the U.S., I would only play 15 events and those were majors, World Golf events, Bay Hill, Memorial. Basically, everywhere Tiger was. It was tough. So there wasnt a lot of opportunity is what it felt like. You play some good golf, you get top-10s and just get blown out of the water by what feels like the greatest ever, which Im fine for that period.He didnt leave it there. With Woods on the shelf and those dominant players less dominant in recent years, he attempted to offer a rationale for what is now a seven-year winless streak.Recently, Ive got no excuse. Im almost looking like its a second chance, wherever that cutoff point is, say, a couple of years ago or something like that. Its now time to try and correct that statistic or double that number of wins, and then triple it, whatever it might be. I dont know the reason. I can give you the answer for the first part right now. The last two or three years, no excuse. But Ive been doing a lot of hard work so lets hope it pays off.The subject has taken on even more relevance this year, as Casey has controversially given up his European Tour membership to focus solely on playing the PGA Tour. That move has kept him from becoming eligible for the European Ryder Cup team, but it has allowed him the luxury of not having to travel back and forth across the Atlantic on a regular basis.Its a luxury that he felt was a necessity at this point in his life.Lifestyle is totally different, and thats something I cant emphasize enough, he said. Having said that, I still missed my little guys second birthday on Wednesday. Theres still things I miss. ... Theres still things were missing and it hurts, but its way better than it was, and so thats wonderful.On Monday, Casey will attempt to not only double that PGA Tour career victory total, but justify his decision to play in the U.S. full-time.That second win has been long elusive, and surprising that it hasnt come quicker.Casey doesnt have an excuse -- or even a reason -- for why he hasnt won in the past few years. Hes hoping, though, that after the final round, hell no longer need one. Replica Soccer Jerseys . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. https://www.cheapsoccerjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . 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PITTSBURGH -- James Conner has big plans for this weekend, and it has nothing to do with saying goodbye.Thanksgiving marks the 1-year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis that threatened the Pittsburgh running backs career, one that kickstarted his remarkable comeback and turned Conner into an inspirational figure for others in the same fight.Conner -- fully healthy and showing extended flashes of the raw brilliance that made him the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 -- will celebrate the milestone with a massive family meal sometime after the Panthers wrap up the regular season against Syracuse on Saturday at Heinz Field.Its going to be a good holiday this year, Conner said Tuesday.Whether its his last as a college player, Conner isnt saying. Any decision on whether to return for a redshirt senior season next fall wont come until after Pitts bowl game. Conner stressed he wants to make the smartest choice. He also doesnt want to be a distraction to the 19 teammates who will run through tunnel at home for the final time, most of whom arrived at Pitt alongside Conner in 2013.Im just going to sit back and enjoy their special moment, Conner said.Conner anticipated being in this situation a year ago. Then he tore the MCL in his right knee in the 2015 season opener against Youngstown State. A hastily arranged press conference the first week of December -- which most expected to be Conner announcing he was heading to the NFL -- instead turned into the disclosure that he was battling Hodgkin Lymphoma.Months of chemotherapy followed. Conner put his challenge out there for all to see, joining his teammates for workouts and doing outreach to other cancer patients looking for someone to lean on. Yes, its not something he ever imagined hed be doing around his 21st birthday. It hardly seems to bother him.Its all positive energy, he said. If you see a young kid in a sad situation, you feel for him and me personally because I can relate to it.And overcome it, too. After a sluggish start this fall in which he seemed intent on trying to turn every touch into something spectacular instead of just doing what hes always done -- namely, keeping his legs and arms churning with a ferocity few in the country can match -- Conner has relaxed in recent weeks.dddddddddddd Hes gone over 100 yards in three of Pitts last four games, and his two 1-yard scoring runs in last weeks 56-14 thrashing of Duke made him the all-time leading touchdown maker (53) in Atlantic Coast Conference history.Heady territory for a kid who attended a football camp at Pitt as a defensive end prospect before getting recruited as a running back. His 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame seems tailor-made for the NFL. Yet his winding journey has also altered his perspective. Hes no longer in such a hurry to get to the next thing.You cant look too far ahead, Conner said. I dont even look a week ahead because, especially me, you dont know whats going to pop up.Asked how he would benefit from another year in college, Conner smiled.Probably some more records, he said. I dont know if I came back, just add to the legacy. I hope they retire No. 24 one day. Thats a goal of mine.One thats probably already secure either way. While offensive coordinator Matt Canada hopes to have Conner around next fall, he understands if Conner moves on. One look at the way Conner is playing, including a stiff-arm during a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Clemson that helped Pitt rally for a 43-42 upset, he certainly looks pro-ready.Why should people want to tackle James? Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. Theres not many people that want to tackle James Conner.Its why even with a running back draft class that could include LSUs Leonard Fournette, Georgias Nick Chubb and Florida States Dalvin Cook, Conner likes his chances if he opts to move on to the next phase of his life sooner rather than later.I like to think Im pretty talented, too, he said. I just focus on me and do what I can and hope I get the opportunity.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '