job, catching five passes for 63 yards and returning kicks.INJURY

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Its no secret that Patrick Reed grew up idolizing Tiger Woods. He often wears a red shirt on Sunday afternoons to pay homage and his recent Ryder Cup success can be at least partially credited to a desire to strut his stuff in front of the vice captain assigned to him that week.On Thursday afternoon, Reed was gift-wrapped a front-row seat to Woods return, serving as his first playing partner during a competitive round in nearly 16 months.As he watched Woods open with four birdies in his first eight holes at the Hero World Challenge before stumbling, a singular thought entered Reeds mind.I was like, Oh, my gosh, he later said. Tiger is back.The seemingly never-ending debate over Woods relative back-ness is subject to interpretation. Some consider him already back, having played four rounds this week. Others wont believe he is back until he begins playing a full PGA Tour schedule once again. Even others contend he isnt really back until hes contending for tournament titles -- or possibly even until hes winning them.Well, heres one thing we can agree upon: Woods being back portends positive things for golfs short-term future.Despite the doom and gloom picture that many have painted -- from decreased interest in the game to lower television ratings -- golfs most elite level has thrived and flourished in the few years since Woods latest decline. Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth have become a quartet of entertaining superstars, any of them capable of dominating a tournament on a given week, while the likes of Reed, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka and Hero champion Hideki Matsuyama represent the next tier of exciting young golfers, if not a blurred line between the two.I think we proved that golf does not need Tiger, Brandt Snedeker said. It was successful the last couple of years when we didnt have Tiger, to see Rory and Jordan and other guys step up and play the way they did. That said, golf is better when Tiger is around. I dont know if we need Tiger. We all want Tiger. I want to see Tiger playing again. Its fun.Golfs in a really good position these past few years and thats without him, Rickie Fowler concurred. Now it can only be better with him. He can only help it. And the better he plays, the better it is for the game.The game enjoyed its greatest popularity, numbers-wise, during Woods prime years. Starting with his transcendent victory at the 1997 Masters and through the injury-riddled 2008 U.S. Open title, he was the connective tissue, bringing the masses to the game and the game to the masses.It was enough to make these past few years -- with all of the young players atop the games highest level -- pale in comparison, despite the fact that there were burgeoning rivalries and a greater competitive balance on a weekly basis.If we can allow ourselves to consider the possibilities, theres potential for all of these players to continue playing their best golf, while adding the games most popular player to that mix. Its not a stretch to believe Woods full return to form could result in a golden age for the game, a cross-generational blend of superstars on some of its biggest platforms.Thats really exciting for us, Spieth said. Tiger moves the needle. Tiger created golfers from athletes -- even myself. I played a lot of sports and Tiger certainly played a large influence in why I decided to play golf. ... He can still have that influence for another decade on the golf course. I think he can truly help get the numbers back up in golf that have been dropping a little bit.The state of the game is tremendous; throwing him back into it just makes it even better, Zach Johnson explained. If hes playing competitive golf and he can play a mildly full Tiger schedule and stay healthy, even if hes in contention just two or three times, its going to elevate the product to a high that maybe we havent seen in a long time.Reed was among those who received a glimpse of the interest level Woods can once again bring to the game. He admitted that if he hadnt been in the field this week, he likely would have been watching from home, keeping an eye on the guy who has had so much influence on his own game.For him to come back and play really well, it just means more for us, Reed said. It not only grows the game, but it allows my generation to see the Tiger that we used to see on TV. I would love for him to get back to the stage where he is just playing solid, Tiger golf and be able to go against him.It can be argued whether golf is already in a good place or hurting from those declining numbers. It cant be argued what impact Woods return to the most elite level would bring to a game that always draws more interest with him playing well. Indianapolis Colts Jerseys . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Ben Banogu Womens Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.coltsofficialstore.us/authentic-devin-funchess-colts-jersey/ . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Rock Ya-Sin Colts Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Peyton Manning Womens Jersey . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. SAN DIEGO -- Colin Kaepernick began the game by taking a knee during the national anthem. The veteran quarterback ended it with reason to hope hell have more games with the San Francisco 49ers.Kaepernick passed for 103 yards after kneeling in protest alongside teammate Eric Reid during the national anthem in the Niners 31-21 preseason victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.Kaepernick and Reid, a starting safety who wasnt playing, declined to stand for the anthem before a preseason game dedicated to military appreciation by the Chargers. Kaepernick has decided not to stand this season to draw attention to American racial injustice, minority oppression and a litany of additional concerns ranging from police brutality to military veterans rights.The message is that we have a lot of issues in this country that we need to deal with, Kaepernick said. We have a lot of people that are oppressed. We have a lot of people that arent treated equally, that arent given equal opportunities.Kaepernick then played a solid first half in his competition for the 49ers starting job, going 11 for 18. The veteran didnt have an interception or a touchdown pass, missing on two potential scoring throws in the waning seconds of the half. He also rushed four times for 38 yards.Less than four years after leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, Kaepernick is in competition for the starting job with Blaine Gabbert, who didnt play in San Diego after getting extensive playing time in the first three preseason games for the Niners (2-2).Kaepernick hopes to be the 49ers starter, but he is likely also in competition for a roster spot after a disappointing 2015 season during which he lost his starting job and had extensive injury problems. Although Kaepernick realizes he still could be released, hes hopeful of a future with the Niners.This is a phenomenal organization, and Ive had great conversations here, Kaepernick said. Ive had great memories here, and this team has given me the opportunity to become the man I am today. Im grateful for that. Im thankful for that, and San Francisco has become my home.Niners coach Chip Kelly wouldnt say whether Kaepernicks play had improved his chances to win the starting job -- or to avoid being cut.Well make those decisions when we watch the film, Kelly said. That goes for everybody on the football team, not just Colin.Kaepernick didnt play in the current preseason until last week against Green Bay, when his refusal to stand for the anthem firstt gained attention.ddddddddddddaepernick got only scattered boos before the game and during the anthem, but Chargers fans serenaded him while he led a 16-play, 85-yard scoring drive to open the game capped by DuJuan Harris 1-yard TD run.Christian Ponder passed for 101 yards and rushed for the go-ahead touchdown for San Francisco with 3:08 to play, improving his own chances for a prominent job in the Niners fluid quarterback picture.Marcus Rush got his fifth and sixth sacks of the preseason in the second half of a standout performance by the San Francisco linebacker. After Rush forced a fumble that led to Ponders TD run, he intercepted a deflected pass.Kelvin Taylor sealed the Niners win with a 10-yard TD run with 1:55 left.Kenneth Farrow rushed for 63 yards and a third-quarter touchdown for the Chargers (1-3), who rested their stars. Isaiah Burse caught a 17-yard TD pass from Mike Bercovici in the third quarter during strong performances by both roster hopefuls.Chargers fullback Chris Swain, a rookie from Navy, also scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.Farrow excelled in his competition for the third-string running back job, breaking off a 44-yard run on a third-quarter drive. He is hoping to secure a role after Branden Oliver was lost for the season with an Achilles tendon injury.I definitely had to step up tonight, being that there is a hole in the room, Farrow said. I feel like I did a good job, and well see what happens.ROOKIE WATCH49ers: QB Jeff Driskel threw interceptions on his first two passes of the third quarter, certainly damaging his hopes of winning a job from Ponder or Kaepernick.Chargers: DE Joey Bosa was on the sideline, but didnt play. The first-round pick staged a 31-day holdout before signing Monday. ... Bercovici passed for 75 yards with two interceptions.POSITION BATTLES49ers: CB Will Redmond appeared to have an inconsistent game in his attempt to earn a larger role. The rookie was playing in just his second preseason game after a knee ligament injury.Chargers: Burse looked sharp in his attempt to earn a job, catching five passes for 63 yards and returning kicks.INJURY UPDATE49ers: No apparent injuries.Chargers: LB Nick Dzubnar left the field slowly in the third quarter with medical personnel accompanying him. He returned to the game later.---AP NFL website: www.pro