MELBOURNE, Australia -- Japanese ace Hideki Matsuyama has already left his imprint on the World Cup, much to the despair of the course superintendent of host golf club Kingston Heath.Matsuyama spent so long on the practice putting green in stifling heat on Monday that his footmarks burned the grass in three spots which then had to be temporarily cordoned off.While few early arrivals even ventured outside in the 35 degrees (95 F) heat, the world No.6 worked undistracted for five hours to perfect his putting technique to prepare for the fast greens that are one of the trademarks of the 7111-yard (6503-meter) par 72 course thats ranked second behind Royal Melbourne in this citys famed sandbelt golf region in the south-east suburbs.Matsuyama, who has won three of his past four starts, including the recent WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, laughed off the marathon putting lesson, saying: Those footprints are there because I weigh a lot.Japan is the pre-event second favorite behind Australian pair Adam Scott and Marc Leishman, with Matsuyama joined by a fit-again Ryo Ishikawa for the teams competition of foursomes on Thursday and Saturday and four-balls on Friday and Sunday.Ishikawa, sidelined by a lower back injury for six months from February, said the invitation was motivation for his return that has already netted a win in Japan and top 10 finish in Malaysia.Hideki is definitely one of the hottest players right now. Im just coming in here trying to do my best and be able to compete with him because its definitely a great opportunity here this week, Ishikawa said.Hot is also an apt description for Swedens Alex Noren, who will partner 65th ranked David Lingmerth, after victories at the Scottish Open, European Masters, British Masters and, just two weeks ago, the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.Norens world rankings trajectory, from as low as 654th after his first tournament of 2015 to checking in at No.9 last week is an astonishing climb.Noren has the benefit of being an occasional visitor to nearby Huntingdale when it was home of the Australian Masters.While a Monday night storm and subsequent showers for two days have deadened the greens, Scott predicted that precision rather than power would be the key on the tight, tree-lined layout where the bunkers are cut into the side of the putting surfaces, with no fringes to stop a wayward approach shot.Irelands Shane Lowry said he and colleague Graeme McDowell had a game plan after the first practice round and have already changed it due to a different wind direction.The foursomes will be a tough test and youve got to try to make a score in the four-balls, Lowry said.McDowell believes the event is wide open despite the focus on the Americans Rickie Fowler, whose world ranking is 12, and Jimmy Walker (19), along with the Australian and Japanese pairings. Englands Chris Wood (37) and Andy Sullivan (40), Scotlands Russell Knox (18) and Duncan Stewart (315) and Spains Rafa Cabrera Bello (30) and Jon Rahm (125) all look capable of victory.McDowell was tied eighth when Scott won the 2012 Australian Masters at Kingston Heath. New Zealands Ryan Fox, tied fourth at last weeks Australian Open, was tied 14th in that same tournament. Others with Kingston Heath experience are Austrias Bernd Wiesberger, tied 14th when Tiger Woods won the 2009 Masters title and Germanys Alex Cejka, who shot 76 and 80 to miss the cut that year.Lower ranked teams with genuine chances include Belgium (Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts), Thailand (Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat) and Denmark (Soren Kjeldsen and Thorbjorn Olesen). Bobby Evans Rams Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Cooper Kupp Youth Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Eric-Dickerson-Jersey/ .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Bobby Evans Jersey . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. Gerald Everett Jersey .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. The drama between the Rio Olympics 400-meter freestyle gold and silver medalists has dominated the headlines of Australian and Chinese media since the opening day of the Games, triggering a continuing war of words in both countries over Australian swimmer Mack Hortons controversial remarks on Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. Even though Sun has concluded his third Olympic journey after failing to advance to the 1500-meter freestyle final, neither side appears willing to budge on its stance.ESPN editorial teams in China and Australia look back at how the saga unfolded, rose above sports and got blown out of proportion.Where did it all start?Ahead of the 400-meter freestyle final on Aug. 6, Horton said Sun splashed him during a practice to say hello and he didnt respond because he didnt have time for drug cheats --?apparently referring to Suns three-month doping ban in 2014.The Chinese swimming team immediately responded with fury, denying Suns alleged provocation and calling Hortons remarks a well-thought strategy.I think I am OK with playing some psychological warfare but not using this kind of things, Suns coach Zhang Yadong told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. I think it is kind of dirty, or even despicable. But I believe Sun will be more mature after going through this and will face this type of things in a correct way.After beating Sun and winning gold, Horton said his victory was a win for the good guys. Playing down his perceived rivalry with Sun, he said it was a match between him and an athlete who has tested positive.This is the Australians little trick, Sun responded decisively. Every athlete that has made to the Olympics should deserve respect.Horton has since been targeted in huge waves of online trolling, with many accusing him of conducting personal attacks on Sun. But others have defended him, saying he was simply being forthright about his stance against doping.A diplomatic feud in the pastThe bickering between the two Olympians soon spiraled when Chinas swimming governing body released a statement saying, We think his inappropriate words have greatly damaged sporting ties between China and Australia, and damaged the image of Australian athletes. These comments lack manners, and we strongly ask that Horton apologize.Australia quickly dismissed Chinas call for an official apology, with chef de mission Kitty Chiller saying Horton had the right to express his views.The International Olympic Committee tried to maintain peace, saying?that while athletes are encouraged to enjoy the freedom of speech, they should treat each other with equal respect.It remains unclear whether the latest incident reflects any existing discord between the two swimming teams. After Suns suspension in 2014, Australia banned him from training in certain facilities as the country tightened rules on foreign swimmers anti-doping testing requirements. Denis Cotterell, a renowned Australian swimming coach who had been coaching Sun, also had to cut ties with him.Sun saiid he didnt know that the medication he was taking for a heart condition contained a banned substance.dddddddddddd The World Anti-Doping Agency banned trimetazidine a few months before Suns failed test but reclassified it as a modulator of cardiac metabolism later in 2015. The substance is no longer banned in competition.A 2015 report by Australian tabloid The Daily Telegraph asserted that Sun still trained in the country despite the training ban. The story, headlined Chinese swimming drug cheat Sun Yang secretly training with Australian coaches on the Gold Coast, caused a stir in China.The Global Times, Chinas state-backed newspaper known for its often assertive and nationalistic commentaries, published a controversial op-ed last week lamenting Australias uncivilized acts in dealing with the Sun-Horton saga.A truly bitter rivalry?The perceived hostile rivalry between Sun and Horton might be blown out of proportion.An accomplished Olympic and World Championships medalist, Sun is Chinas top swimmer and is treated as a national treasure. He displays distinct confidence and personality not commonly seen from Chinese athletes and is known for speaking his mind. Horton, on the other hand, was relatively unheralded in Australia before this Olympics, known for his quiet and unassuming style.After his first gold medal and remarks about Sun, he now has become a household name. The notion that the two have a tense relationship appears to be a myth. Xu Qi, a manager with the Chinese swimming team, said?that Sun is actually close to many Australian swimmers, including Horton.The media and public opinion tug of war on Suns doping incident more epitomizes a clash of contrasting views. Hortons voice as well as the support he has garnered fits into a larger trend already seen at the Rio Olympics in which?more athletes are speaking out against doping. China still lags behind in sports technology and management, which can get overlooked outside the country. Its easy for people in the country to feel that their improved efforts in fighting doping arent appreciated.Different receptionsIn China, Suns unparalleled star power in many ways has put swimming in the national spotlight, with around 1.3 million people watching him gliding in Rio toward gold. His latest shocking elimination from the 1500-meter race -- partially a result of cold and fever -- is bound to generate enormous disappointment in the country.In Australia, swimming is popular as a recreational sport with good participation. It is also the countrys most popular Olympic sports thanks to big names like Ian Thorpe. On the international stage, it is the American swim team, not Chinese, that Australia considers a rival in the pool. In addition, because of Hortons relatively small stardom compared to Suns, his Olympic accomplishments will be received much differently back home. ' ' '