Donald is playing the Humana Challe

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LA QUINTA, Calif. - Luke Donald is playing the Humana Challenge for the first time in a bid to keep pace on the West Coast swing.The 37-year-old Englishman opened the year last week in Hawaii with a tie for 51st in the Sony Open and will play next month at Torrey Pines and Riviera.The last few years I played a lot in the Middle East, said Donald, set to open play Thursday. I think with the new wraparound schedule, I feel like in previous years (Riviera) has been kind of my first event of the year and I feel like Im getting left behind a little bit. Some guys have played eight and nine events and Im playing my first or second.Hes skipping the Match Play event April 29-May 3 in San Francisco because of a conflict with his brothers wedding. Donald won the 2011 Match Play tournament in Arizona.He set his wedding date before the tournament decided to change the date, Donald said. He thought that it was a free week that I dont usually play. ... I told him I would definitely be at his second wedding, but he didnt find that too funny.Donald is working full-time again with instructor Pat Goss, his coach at Northwestern, after shifting to Chuck Cook last year for help with his full swing .Its certainly easier to have one coach rather than split short game and full swing, and certainly its been fun being back with Pat, Donald said.No. 1 in the world for 56 weeks in 2011-12, hes 34th now. Donald won the last of his 13 worldwide titles in November 2013 in the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan. He has five PGA Tour victories, the last in 2012.___A SOLDIERS GAME: Chad Pfeifer, a 33-year-old teaching professional who lost his left leg in Iraq, is playing in the pro-am competition.Pfeifer started playing golf in 2007 while rehabbing at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. His leg was amputated above the knee after his vehicle has hit by a roadside bomb.Golf saved my life, Pfeifer said.Hes paired with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bud Norris. They will play alongside PGA Tour players Scott Langley and Brendon de Jonge in the first round.A contestant on Golf Channels Big Break series, Pfeifer is a three-time Warrior Open winner, the 2011 National Amputee champion and tied for fifth last year in the American Century celebrity event. He played college baseball at Northwest Nazarene in Idaho.Im representing thousands of my brothers and sisters who fought and continue to fight for our country, Pfeifer said.He teaches at the Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona.___IN-N-OUT ALLOWANCE: Jason Dufner has lost more than 20 pounds through exercise and a gluten-free diet after struggling with shoulder problems last year.Hes serving as a Humana Well-Being Ambassador during the Humana-sponsored tournament.All those things that you like to eat I pretty much dont eat anymore, Dufner said.He hasnt gone completely cold turkey.Ive been clean since that In-N-Out burger Sunday, Dufner said. Probably be the only one I eat all year. So, theres allowances here and there.___DESERT DNA: Sam Saunders played his way into the event grandfather Arnold Palmer won a record five times.Its a huge accomplishment for me and just a great feeling of knowing that I have earned my spot in this field and it wasnt given to me, said Saunders, a PGA Tour rookie after earning his card last year on the Web.com Tour.Playing on sponsor exemptions, Saunders missed the cuts in 2010, 11 and 12.I was glad to see I got in on my own number comfortably this week, Saunders said. It just gives me a feeling of belonging and knowing that Im just out here to do my job and Im just one of the other guys and trying to do the best I can to have a chance to win a golf tournament.Palmer won the inaugural tournament in 1960 and added victories in 1962, 68, 71 and 73. He also won the 1959 Thunderbird Invitational in the area. PGA Wests Arnold Palmer Private Course is the host layout.___HOMEGROWN: Byron Smith is making his first appearance in his hometown event.The 33-year-old Smith won the Web.com Tours Rex Hospital Open last year in North Carolina and finished 21st on the regular-season money list to earn a PGA Tour card.Its pretty unreal for me to play in this thing finally, Smith said. I grew up here in the desert and been coming here for a long time. So, to play in it is pretty special. ... Its a home game. Im just super excited because its a dream come true.Smith tied for 19th in his PGA Tour debut in the season-opening Frys.com Open in October. He missed the cut last week in the Sony Open. Zapatillas Saucony Rebajas .com) - James Harden put the Houston Rockets on his back and willed them to an overtime victory on Thursday. Zapatillas Saucony Outlet . -- D.A. Points was disqualified Friday from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for using a training device while waiting to play the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. http://www.baratassaucony.es/. Six years of waiting are finally over for the Dallas defenceman. Daley had a goal and an assist, Kari Lehtonen recorded his fifth shutout of the season, and the Stars clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 with a 3-0 victory against the St. Comprar Zapatillas Saucony Baratas . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. Saucony Baratas Online .Murray has played 20 matches in five weeks, winning three titles to climb to fifth in the ATP Race.The two-time Grand Slam champion also seeks to qualify for next months ATP World Tour Finals.Murray said: I always wanted to qualify for it, but also I want to get back into the top 8 players in the world and it makes a huge difference for seedings in the major events.Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch has issued a statement in reaction to the criticism levelled at the club by Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash. Koukash called a news conference on Wednesday at which he urged Super League clubs to consider splitting from the RFL, just a day after criticising rugby leagues governing body.The clubs outspoken owner also hit out at Perpignan-based Catalans, criticising the number of non-European players they have in their squad, while also questioning what they contribute to Super League. Dragons have now offered a tongue-in-cheek response, inviting Koukash to join them in the south of France to see how they operate.Dear Marwan, we were used to better manners from the chairmen and owners from other Super League clubs, read the chairmans statement on Catalans Dragons official website. We are delighted of your recent arrival in our sport. As we did 10 years ago, you have brought a new impulse to the competition. I am available to discuss with you about how we negotiate contracts with players and their agents and our ability to fill our stadium. I invite you to spend [a] few days in Perpignan to discuss this together, Im sure a journey in the South of France will calm your anger. The entire Catalans Dragons club wish you, all the clubs and their fans a very enjoyable weekend at the unique and amazing event that is the Magic Weekend. Players from Wakefield Wildcats and Catalans Dragons look ahead to Sundays Magic Weekend showdown Watch Magic Weekend from St James Park on Sky Sports this weekend.dddddddddddd All 12 Super League clubs will be in action, with coverage of Salford Red Devils game with Widnes Vikings beginning on Sky Sports 3 HD at 2pm on Saturday.Catalans Dragons face Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday. Coverage gets underway on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12:30pm. Also See: Chase battling depression Magic Moments Super Leagues showpiece event Magic Weekend on Sky ' ' '