Jake Knapp shares Scottish Open lead with 64 as McIlroy shakes off rust, salvages 68

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland >> Jake Knapp is loving links golf so much he’d like to extend his stay another week, and he took a step toward that Thursday with a 6-under 64 that put him in a four-way share of the lead after the opening round of the Scottish Open.

The blustery conditions at The Renaissance Club were not enough to keep more than half of the 156-man field at par or better, although Rory McIlroy had to birdie his last three holes — and make a 25-foot bogey putt on the 15th hole — for a 68.

Sepp Straka had eight birdies in his round of 64, also joined by Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez atop the leaderboard alongside Knapp. Four other players were one shot behind, while Scottie Scheffler had to settle for a 67 and was three back.

Knapp is among those who have not qualified for the British Open next week at Royal Portrush. The Open is offering spots to the leading three players at The Renaissance Club who are not already in the field.

His current itinerary is to leave Monday for Boston and then to home in California.

— The Associated Press

Frank Layden, former Jazz coach and general manager, dies at 93

SALT LAKE CITY >> Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93.

“Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,” the Jazz said in a statement Wednesday. “There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, Coach.”

Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He’s the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984, when he also was honored as executive of the year.

Among the best one-liners attributed to him was one about a problem player he coached: “I told him, ‘Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?’ He said ‘Coach, I don’t know and I don’t care.’”

For years, including during his time coaching the Jazz, Layden struggled with his weight, leading him to quip: “I don’t know but I stepped on a scale that gives fortunes and the card read ‘Come back in 15 minutes alone.’”

— The Associated Press

Downes, Kilcoyne to meet in Massachusetts Amateur 36-hole final

Ryan Downes and Patrick Kilcoyne will meet Friday with the 117th Massachusetts Amateur Championship on the line.

The pair advanced with quarterfinal and semifinal match play victories Thursday at GreatHorse in Hampden.

Downes, a GreatHorse member and Longmeadow resident, is a standout player at Vanderbilt. He became the youngest winner in event history when he captured the state title two years ago at Essex Country Club at age 17.

He will face Kilcoyne, a member at Woodland Golf Club. The Belmont native plays at Gettysburg College.

The 36-hole championship match will begin at 7:30 a.m.

Downes nipped Joseph Lenane of George Wright Golf Club in a terrific semifinal which went 19 holes. Kilcoyne advanced by besting Aidan Emmerich of Kernwood CC, 2 and 1.

To advance to the final, both players had to survive the cut after 36 holes of stroke play and then defeat four opponents in match play.

— Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald