Hilfestellungen » midfielder Rafinha, giving more freedom

SOUTHPORT, England - Gene Sauers mastered a stiff breeze to shoot a 3-under 67 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Senior British Open. The 50-year-old American had all pars on the front nine for a 34 at sunny Royal Birkdale. He then birdied the 10th and bogeyed the 11th. His three successive birdies from the 15th left him at 33 for the back nine. "I hit a lot of solid shots in the wind, so it didnt really mess with me too much," Sauers said. "Im really pleased with the way I played. This is only my third British Open and its a great privilege and honour to be here." Four players were at 68, among them 2010 British Senior Champion Bernhard Langer. The German was joined by South Africas David Frost, Australias Peter Senior and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines. Only 10 of the 144 players bettered par. Sauers is 23rd on the Champions Tour money list and has made 11 cuts from 11 starts this year with two second-place finishes and a third. At 69 were former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and fellow Americans Gary Hallberg, John Cook and Jeff Hart as well as Australias Peter Fowler. Defending champion Fred Couples and Mark OMeara, who won the 1998 British Open at Birkdale, shot 74s. Colin Montgomerie, their playing partner and a senior rookie, was two strokes better. Tom Kite, Steve Pate, Mark Wiebe, Rocco Mediate, Steve Jones and Tom Pernice Jr. were among a large group at 70 along with Scotlands Sandy Lyle, Irelands Mark McNulty and New Zealands Greg Turner. Langer finished birdied three of his last four holes. "I was very pleased with my long game and finally the putter started working at the end," he said. Frost picked up a birdie at the sixth to be out in 33. He birdied No. 10 to go 2 under but then dropped shots at the 13th and 16th before an eagle at the long 17th got him back in 35. Senior moved to 3 under with birdies at Nos. 10, 11 and 17 but dropped a stroke at the last hole. "I think there will be a lot of good scores out there," Senior said. "The course is playing nice and it gives you a lot of opportunity." Minoza fought back from 4 over after just three holes to post the early clubhouse lead at 68. He had birdies on Nos. 10, 14, 15, 16 and 18 to finish the back nine in 31. Cook was undone by a double-bogey at the last hole, turning a potential 67 into a 69. "It was one of those terrible mistakes that you make and learn from. But Im pleased to be under par in a major championship," he said. Hallberg, second to Fred Couples at Turnberry last year, had an eagle, four birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey on his card. "Thats my game," he said. "Its up and down. But it was just a joy to play out there. It was beautiful." Jaylon Ferguson Youth Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Jaylon Ferguson Womens Jersey . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/Youth-Lamar-Jackson-Ravens-Jersey/ . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Jonathan Ogden Youth Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Trace McSorley Jersey . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. MADRID -- Looking desolate, Lionel Messi sat on the ground and slowly began rolling down his socks, knowing his night was over. Barcelona fans in the stands could not hide their apprehension, sensing the teams biggest star was in trouble.Messi had just pulled a muscle in Barcelonas 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, and tests showed he will be sidelined for three weeks with a groin strain.Although the injury leaves Barcelona facing the difficult task of playing without the star midfielder, it has no need to panic. The Catalan club has coped extremely well recently when playing without Messi, who was out for nearly two months last year with a knee injury.In the nine games he missed from September through November, Barcelona won seven, drawing one and losing another -- a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla. Coach Luis Enriques team outscored opponents 21-6 as Neymar and Luis Suarez stepped up to make up for their teammates absence. The two scored 18 goals between them with Messi sidelined.Last year, Messi had an even longer injury and we overcame it, said Luis Enrique, whose team still went on to win the Spanish league.Messi wont play in at least three games -- at Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo in the Spanish league, and at Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League. He is certain to miss Argentinas World Cup qualifiers against Peru on Oct. 6 and Paraguay on Oct. 11.We try to take care of him, but its complicated with this calendar, Luis Enrique said.The coach said Barcelona will remain strong ennough without Messi but admitted that he will have to look for different solutions.ddddddddddddThe midfielder, who got hurt while sprinting for the ball in the 58th minute, was replaced by Arda Turan, who will be the likely starter in the next three games. Turan had also played when Neymar was away with Brazil during the Summer Olympics.Luis Enrique could also replace Messi with midfielder Rafinha, giving more freedom up front to Neymar and Suarez, or with newly signed forward Paco Alcacer, which would change the teams tactics. The coach may also pick between midfielders Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes.Barcelona trails Real Madrid by three points after five rounds in the Spanish league. It leads Group C in the Champions League thanks to its 7-0 rout of Celtic in the opener on Sept. 13 -- a game in which Messi scored three goals.If Messi recovers within the timeframe given by the team, he will be back in time for the highly anticipated Champions League match against Manchester City on Oct. 19.Messi had already endured similar injury problems earlier this season. He hurt a muscle while playing for Barcelona in the Spanish league and had a groin problem that kept him from playing for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier.He has scored eight goals with Barcelona this season.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni ' ' '