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CHARLIERIEDEL—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Danny Willett, watches his putt on the 10th hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf championship at Oakmont Country Club on Tuesday in Oakmont, Pa. ByDougFerguson TheAssociatedPress OAKMONT, PA. Danny Willett makes his debut in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. At least the U.S. Open that he grew up watching. The record will show that Wil- lett first played the U.S. Open in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2, which had been restored to its original design by replacing the rough with natural sand areas, vege- tation and wiregrass bushes. He also played last year at Cham- bers Bay, with its fine fescue grass that allowed the ball to bounce and roll like on a links course. Those were a departure from the U.S. Open that over the years had been defined by narrow fairways, thick rough and firm greens. And that's the definition of Oakmont. "I'm just looking forward to, I guess, my first U.S. Open on a golf course that I've notoriously watched growing up," Willett said Tuesday. "Back to kind of how people see U.S. Open golf." Even with rain in the fore- cast ahead of the opening round Thursday, no one expects a win- ning score under par. Defending champion Jor- dan Spieth played in unusually strong wind on Sunday and said he would have shot no better than 75 and then treated himself to a beer for a fine day of work. US OPEN Oakmontatoughtestonceagain "I'm just looking forward to, I guess, my first U.S. Open on a golf course that I've notoriously watched growing up. Back to kind of how people see U.S. Open golf." – Danny Willett, golfer By Janie Mccauley The Associated Press OAKLAND Stephen Curry sat on the bench and buried his head in his hand. Fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson wrapped a towel around his face. This was misery for the Warriors and their fired-up fans, who made for the exits early during Monday's 112- 97 NBA Finals loss to the Cavaliers that sent the series back to Cleveland for a Game 6 on Thursday night. They wanted so badly to do it for DraymondGreen,doitforeachother, and for their home crowd this time. Instead, Golden State is going to Ohio again. One flight the Warriors surely would have preferred not to take at this road-weary stage of an- other extra-long season, but it will be well worth it if they hoist a sec- ond straight trophy when these NBA Finals finally end. Their "Strength in Numbers" mantra was tested once more in a game that mattered so much. The Warriors lost at home for only the second time this postseason and fourth overall. Yet there's no panic now for the defending champions after LeBron James and the Cavs forced at least one more game in what has become quite the testy rematch. The War- riors lead the series 3-2 and still have the upper hand. "We're all disappointed. We want to win," guard Shaun Livingston said. "With the stakes being what they are right now, obviously it's a gut punch. But it's the finals. It's not going to be easy. They're not going to lay down. It doesn't matter who's on the court. We've got to play." Golden State will get a boost hav- ing emotional leader and All-Star forward Green back after he sat out Game 5 serving a suspension for a Game 4 swipe at James' groin. NBA FINALS WARRIORS STAY CONFIDENT GreenbackinthemixforGame6inCleveland while Bogut may be out; Warriors lead series 3-2 ERIC RISBERG — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, top, reaches for the ball next to Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during Game 5of the NBA Finals in Oakland Monday. JOHN G. MABANGLO — EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson, le , and Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston jump for a rebound during Game 5of the NBA Finals in Oakland Monday. The Cavaliers won 112-97. By Greg Beacham The Associated Press The NHL is ready to roll the dice on Las Vegas. A person with direct knowl- edge of the NHL's decision says the league has settled on Las Ve- gas as the home for its next ex- pansion franchise, provided or- ganizers can come up with a $500 million fee. The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity be- cause details of the plans have not been released by the league ahead of its Board of Gover- nors meeting on June 22 in Las Vegas. Quebec City was also strongly considered for expan- sion. A second person who had been briefed on the decision said Las Vegas was a "done deal" fol- lowing the recommendation of the NHL's executive committee. The Vegas franchise is ex- pected to begin play in the 2017- 18 season, which is the earliest the league could expand, ac- cording to a third person who has been briefed on the decision. The franchise would be the NHL's 31st team and the first major professional sports fran- chise in Las Vegas, the rapidly growing gambling center of the American West. The NHL hasn't expanded since 2000, when Minnesota and Columbus paid $80 million each to join the league. Prospec- tive Vegas owner Bill Foley is a wealthy businessman who isn't likely to blink at the elevated price tag previously proposed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bett- man as an expansion fee. The Las Vegas bid says it has secured more than 14,000 sea- son-ticket deposits for the new team, which will play in T-Mo- bile Arena, the sparkling new multipurpose building on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. HOCKEY Las Vegas decided on for NHL expansion CASPER, WYOMING The follow- ing are second round winners from the College National Finals Rodeo, June 13, 2016, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Ro- deo Association. Bareback Riding: (second round winners) 1, Dylan Wahlert, Casper College, 77 points. 2, Wy- att Denny, Feather River College, 76.5. 3, Tanner Phipps, Univer- sity of Tennessee — Martin, 74. 4, Clayton Biglow, Feather River Col- lege, 73.5. 5, Kody Lamb, Tarleton State University, 72.5. 6, Tristan Hansen, University of Montana — Western, 72. 7, Blake Smith, Dick- inson state University, 71.5. 4, Ty- ler Potter, Blue Mountain Com- munity College, 70.5. Steer wrestling: (second round winners) 1, Marcus Theriot, East Mississippi Community College, 3.9. 2, (tie) Cameron Morman, Dickinson State University, and J.D. Struxness, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 4.2 each. 4, Benjamin Cox, Southern Arkansas University, 4.3. 5, (tie) Kodie Jang, Western Texas Col- lege, and Sam Powers, Sul Ross State University, 4.5. 7, (tie) Dil- lon Hushour, California State Uni- versity — Fresno and Coltin Hill, Central Wyoming College, 4.8. Breakaway Roping: (second round winners) 1, (tie) Danyelle Williams, Blue Mountain Com- munity College and Mia Man- zanares, McNeese State Univr- sity, 2.1 seconds each. 3, Chey- enne Britain, Ranger College, 2.4. 4, (tie) Tess Turk, University of Montana — Western, Brittany Dias, Californa State University — Fresno; Taylor Engesser, Gillette College; and Dalli Bean, Treasure Valley Community College, 2.5. 8, Kate Gover, Missouri Valley Col- lege, 2.6. Saddle Bronc Riding: (second round winners) 1. (tie) Clay Elliott, Panhandle State University, and Mitch Pollock, College of South- ern Idaho, 73 points each. 3, (tie) Tayte Clark, Sheridan College, and Tyler Baeza, McNeese State University, 71.5. 5, Colton Miller, Central Wyoming College, 71. 6, Garet Aldridge, Sam Houston State University, 70.5. 7, Wyatt Casper, Clarendon College, 70. 8, (tie) Quincy Crum, Feather River College, and Briar Dittmer, Mis- souri Valley College, 68.5. Tie-Down Roping: (second round winners) 1, Colton Farquer, Cal Poly State University — San Luis Obispo, 7.7 seconds. 2, Coo- per Martin, Hill College, 7.9. 3, Marcus Theriot, East Mississippi Community College, 8.0. 4, Cord Barricklow, Southern Arkansas University, 8.4. 5, De'Andre' Jack- son, Vernon College, 8.8. 6, Tay- lor Skinner, Idaho State Univer- sity, 9.0. 7, Brody Stallard, New Mexico State University, 9.1. 8, Wyatt Caldwell, Utah Valley Uni- versity, 9.3. Team Roping: (second round winners) 1, Wyatt Casper, Clar- endon College and Trevor Kirch- enschlager, Ranger College, 5.0 seconds. 2, Clayton Biglow, and Lane Santos-Karney, Feather River College, 5.1. 3, Taylor Winn and Colton Robins, Southern Utah University, 5.8. 4, Ky Barry, Central Arizona College and Carl Sweazea, New Mexico State Uni- versity, 6.0; 5, Mason Boettcher and Ty Arnold, Wharton County COLLEGE RODEO Monday slack results from Casper US OPEN PAGE 2 WARRIORS PAGE 2 RODEO PAGE 2 HOCKEY PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, June 15, 2016 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1