There was the alluring promise of hope in the air for England fans on the morning the 2021 Six Nations began.

The sun shone on Twickenham on Saturday morning, weather that would allow the likes of England's Jonny May or maybe even relative newcomer Ollie Lawrence to turn fans' hopes into reality.

But darker clouds loomed. And as afternoon turned into evening, the hope wore thin, Scotland ending nearly four decades without a win in south west London as they secured a well-deserved 11-6 victory.

All week England had been promising better things to come in attack. Jamie George said they wanted to take teams apart, Eddie Jones used phrases like "adapt and evolve" and Henry Slade was excited by the prospect of getting his hands on the ball more.

The first drops of rain began to fall, no longer ideal conditions but surely England would still get to celebrate an opening-round win.

They had not lost at home to Scotland in 38 years, after all.

But something was amiss on the Twickenham turf. Instead of scything runs and deft offloads, there was only ill discipline.

The penalty count hit four after just five minutes, giving Scotland fly-half Finn Russell the chance to take the lead.

England's autumnal style of play had been labelled by many as turgid. At least they were winning then.

Repeated use of a repetitive kicking game did not make enjoyable watching for England fans, but their side lifting the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup trophies did.

As the last of the hope that an English side more akin to Fabien Galthie's effervescent French flock might show up was washed away in the drizzle, it was Scotland who shone.

Debutant Cameron Redpath was making the breaks that opposite number Lawrence - with whom he had played for England Under-20s - needed to cement his place in Jones' squad.

Redpath had previously been called into camp by the England head coach but the 21-year-old was never capped and so instead chose the country his father Bryan once captained.

Lawrence, also 21, came away from the match with 3m made and one carry. Redpath came away with a slightly more respectable 40m and four carries - the one that got away, both from England's defenders and Jones' grasp.

The presence of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland in the stands was an extra incentive for England's stars, but it is surely a list of Scottish names the New Zealander has taken away as he ponders his selection for July's South Africa tour.

May could do no wrong in the autumn, with a particular highlight his impressive solo try against Ireland, but faced with a rampant and resilient Scotland, he could do little right.

The wing made uncharacteristic errors under the high ball and on the opposite side of the pitch Anthony Watson was struggling to make something happen too.

After referee Andrew Brace got frustrated by one penalty too many and sent Billy Vunipola to the sin-bin, Scotland showed England how it was done.

That the visitors' only try was a team affair seems fitting given it was their unified determination that earned them the historic victory.

The ball passed through the hands of Russell, captain Stuart Hogg, Redpath and hooker George Turner before Duhan van der Merwe eventually wrestled it to ground across the tryline.

Some had suggested this could be Scotland's year, though the opposition fans would not dare believe it before kick-off.

The narrative could even have suited England, who were almost undone by the favourites tag when they had to come from behind to beat a second-string France side in the Autumn Nations Cup final.

On Saturday Jones' side were missing five key forwards, vocal leaders on the pitch. Most of their Saracens contingent had not played since early December and even Premiership players were low on game-time after the cancellation of two rounds of European action.

And, of course, Twickenham was still empty.

In fact, with the match behind closed doors because of the pandemic, after Van der Merwe's try it felt like a Scotland home game such was the passion of the celebrations from the visitors' bench.

There are many excuses to be given, but the most logical explanation for the result is the Scots' superb play.

Captain Owen Farrell - moved from centre to fly-half to create a more muscular midfield with Lawrence and Slade - struggled to pull England's strings but did manage two penalties.

A second-half turnaround seemed plausible as Russell saw yellow for a thoughtless trip on Ben Youngs, but it turned out Scotland did not need him anyway as Hogg proved he had just as many tricks up his sleeve.

The visitors' pressure was unrelenting to the end and England's replacements - including fly-half George Ford - could do nothing to turn the tide.

Jones' side have been forced to settle for defeat in their Six Nations opener for the second year in a row.

Just as in Paris last year, they come away with a losing bonus point that may well be enough to secure the title further down the line if they can turn things around.

But England's shock loss opens unexpected doors for almost every other team. Scotland's three home games suddenly seem like an opportunity and the stakes of Wales and Ireland's match on Sunday have been raised.

Any promises of an exciting new English attack - like that shown by the French against admittedly significantly weaker Italian opponents - have not borne fruit.

As Saturday drew to a close there was still hope in the Twickenham air, but it did not belong to the English.

Scotland claimed a first win at Twickenham since 1983 as returning fly-half Finn Russell orchestrated a shock 11-6 Six Nations victory over England.

Defending champions England clawed back six points and Russell's charge was briefly halted by a yellow card.

But a resilient Scotland were undeterred and added another penalty.

England had been favourites to win the tournament but, with France having opened their Six Nations with a 50-10 defeat of Italy, their chances suddenly seem much slimmer.

Scotland, on the other hand, look likely to improve on last year's fourth-place finish with Wales their opponents at Murrayfield next weekend.

That is one of three home games for the Scots in the 2021 Six Nations, with round three's trip to Paris now looking decisive for their title hopes.

Scotland bear burden of Twickenham history

There was no shortage of history surrounding the Calcutta Cup match. It marked the 150th anniversary of the first time England and Scotland played each other and the fact Scotland were without a win at Twickenham in 38 years was a key talking point in the build-up.

All the players had been confined to coronavirus bubbles in the week before the tournament, with England only allowed to socialise outside or otherwise stay alone in their rooms.

The joy of breaking free of their confines combined with the sense of occasion meant both sides sprung out onto the Twickenham pitch, but it was Scotland who looked keenest, determined to throw off the shackles of such a long winless run south of the border.

England, who fielded a relatively inexperienced front row with three experienced props absent, proceeded to concede four penalties in the first five minutes.

The fourth gave Russell - who was returning to international duty after a shoulder injury - the chance to put Scotland ahead.

England's lack of attacking prowess drew criticism in their victorious Autumn Nations Cup campaign and they had promised better in 2021, but it was the visitors who shone in that area as debutant Cameron Redpath made repeated breaks.

For the hosts, the misdemeanours continued. On the eighth penalty conceded, referee Brace had had enough and sent number eight Billy Vunipola to the sin-bin after catching him offside.

As England's penalty count entered double digits, the visitors got their just reward.

It started with Russell and travelled through a who's who of Scotland's backline, the excellent Stuart Hogg, Redpath and hooker George Turner combining to feed Van der Merwe, who stepped inside and powered over near the left corner.

The celebrations were briefly halted as Scotland gave away a penalty and England captain Owen Farrell sent the ball over from just inside his own half.

As Farrell lined up a second penalty, he suggested the television match official reviewed a trip by Russell on England scrum-half Ben Youngs - leading to a yellow card for the talismanic 10.

After Russell had left the field, Farrell scored his penalty and cut Scotland's lead to two.

Scotland keep up unrelenting pressure

Less optimistic Scotland fans might have thought their side would unravel with Russell off the pitch but, after gathering their thoughts at half-time, the visitors continued to look threatening without their main man.

Some had said that at an empty Twickenham and with several England leaders missing, this was Scotland's best chance of a win since 1983.

England boss Eddie Jones questioned before the match whether that expectation might become "heavy" for the Scots, but they looked to be carrying their lead lightly as the second half wore on.

In the absence of Russell, Hogg stepped up to show he had his own box of tricks. A sublime kick to the corner meant Van der Merwe came close to another try and, although Scotland did not get five points, they were rewarded with the return of their fly-half.

Not only were Scotland outplaying England in attack, they were outgunning them at their own kicking game with Hogg continuing to make good use of his boot.

England's defence managed to avoid further embarrassment by halting a Scotland maul a few metres out and Redpath continued to show his quality.

The centre - son of former Scotland captain Bryan - surely caught the eye of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland in the stands as he stole the ball from Tom Curry on the floor, much to the delight of the Scottish bench.

The Scots did not let up and if anything their pace only became more relentless as the end drew near. Jonny Gray lifted England wing Jonny May off the ground to win a maul, Russell tried for one more drop-goal, but it was not to be.

The final whistle blew and it could almost have been a Scotland home game. All that could be heard at Twickenham were the cheers of every single member of the travelling Scottish side.

Man of the match: Finn Russell

'There's a lot more to come'- what they said

England head coach Eddie Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They played tough, edged the set-piece, won in the air and we just could not get in the game. We were not at the races today.

"I take responsibility - I didn't prepare the team well enough. We just had one of those days. We don't have many, but we had a bad day today."

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There was a calmness on and off the field. I don't know whether it's because there's no crowd.

"It felt like the players were in control today. We had a bit of defence to do at the end but the players stood up well. I'm very proud of the performance and there's a lot more to come from the players."

'One of the best Scotland performances ever' - analysis

Former Scotland scrum-half Andy Nicol on BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is one of the best performances Scotland have ever put in.

"There was creativity, physicality, good kicking and an intensity and togetherness - the win was fully deserved.

"That is as dominant a performance from Scotland against England there has been for over 30 years. It was outstanding, an unbelievably good 80-minute performance."

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live: "What a fabulous tournament we are part of. Not winning for 38 years, then to bring a performance like this. I have never seen a Scotland performance like this. Total dominance in all areas, full stop. Scotland fans should quite rightly be celebrating long into the night."

Line-ups

England: Daly; Watson, Slade, Lawrence, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Obano, Williams, Lawes, Earl, Robson, Ford, Malins.

Sin-bin: B Vunipola (24)

Scotland: Hogg (capt); Maitland, Harris, Redpath, Van der Merwe, Russell, Price; Sutherland, Turner, Z Fagerson, Cummings, J Gray, Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Cherry, Kebble, WP Nel, R Gray, Graham, Steele, Van der Walt, Jones.

Sin-bin: Russell (38)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After a successful first year with Josh Williams and DGM Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Alloy Employer Services will continue as a strategic partner for Williams’ No. 92 Chevrolet Camaro this season.

After originally starting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last July, Alloy ultimately supported Williams at 23 races by the end of last season.

Alloy Employer Services is an innovation leader for HR related business services and offers competitive solutions to the complex needs of workers compensation and employee benefits, as well as other core HR functions. Alloy helps clients manage their workforce and the risks associated with doing so, leading to reduced costs, simplified administration, and improved outcomes.

Industries that Alloy serves include healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, maintenance, hospitality, and construction.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Alloy’s Midwest roots have led to a national reach, serving its clients with workers in more than 40 states across the country thanks to their risk management expertise and innovative plan designs, helping employers to thrive in any business environment.

“Alloy is pleased to back Josh Williams again this year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Alloy Chief Marketing Officer Chris Estey. “Josh’s hard work, spirit and heart represent the many employees across the country that Alloy supports in the workplace every day. Our motto is ‘stronger by design,’ and we believe that our involvement with Josh and everyone at DGM Racing has made both sides stronger together throughout our partnership.

“We look forward to continuing the relationship this year and cheering Josh and the No. 92 Alloy Camaro on during the season.”

Williams is looking to build on a career year in the Xfinity Series, which saw him earn six top-10 finishes last year and finish 15th in the driver point standings last season.

The 27-year-old from Port Charlotte, Fla., also scored his career-best finish of sixth in the fall race at Kansas Speedway, an emotional night that came on the heels of the sudden death of Tim Hayes, one of Williams’ longtime crew members in his grassroots racing program.

This season, thanks to the backing of Alloy and a renewed focus, Williams believes he and DGM Racing can contend for a spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, even with the addition of several new drivers and teams that has made the field of full-time competitors as deep as it has been in many years.

He’ll also have the support of full-time crew chief Shannon Rursch and NASCAR veteran Reed Sorenson, who will serve as Williams’ spotter for the entire NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

“We did a lot of great things last year, but I believe that was just the beginning of what we’re capable of as a team,” Williams said. “It’s great to have the folks at Alloy Employer Services back with us for another year in the Xfinity Series; they stepped up in a big way last year when we needed them, and they’ve been great to work with throughout our time together. It’s an honor to carry their colors and represent their brand as we go into a year that, I think, is going to be a whole lot of fun.

“I really see a lot of potential out of our team this year, and I think that’s made even stronger with having Shannon Rursch as our full-time crew chief this year,” Williams added. “Having worked with Shannon for a handful of races last season, we’ve already got a foundation together and had some success that I think we can grow. I’m pumped about 2021 and ready to get it kicked off at Daytona.”

Williams enters the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway on Feb. 13 as one of the undervalued superspeedway racers in the Xfinity Series garage.

He finished ninth at Daytona last August and added a seventh-place finish at the Florida facility’s sister track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, in October. With the right breaks, Williams believes he can contend for a victory in the season opener and lock up a berth in the playoffs from the very beginning.

“The draft is such an equalizer; it allows us to race on an even playing field with all the big-name teams, but even then, I feel like we closed the gap a good bit at the end of last year,” Williams noted. “I think you’ll see us fighting for top 10s a lot more this year after the way we ended 2020, but we know Daytona always presents us with a really good shot to perform and we hope to capitalize on that.”

The NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener from Daytona takes the green flag on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. ET, with live coverage on FS1, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

OCALA, Fla. – Saturday afternoon’s second event of the day for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets at Bubba Raceway Park was rained out just prior to the start of heat races.

With tornado warnings in the area and rain falling, which is forecasted to continue for the rest of the evening, the event came to an end following Fatheadz Eyewear Qualifying where Tanner Thorson recorded quick time.

A new event for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets is now scheduled for Monday night, Feb. 8 at Bubba Raceway Park.  Pits open at 4 p.m. ET, with the front gates at 5 p.m. and cars on track at 6 p.m..

For Monday, adult general admission tickets are $30 with kids age 11 and under free.  Pit passes are $40 each.

Saturday’s Fatheadz Qualifying session will count toward the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points due to it being a complete session. However, Monday’s program will begin completely from scratch, starting with hot laps and qualifying before going into the heat races, semi-feature & feature event.

After Jordan Spieth played his way into contention through 36 holes of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, many were wondering could he keep it up over the weekend, where he’s typically struggled the past few years.

Spieth’s answer: Tying his career-low round on Tour, a 10-under 61 on Saturday at TPC Scottsdale that earned him a share off the 54-hole lead with Xander Schauffele.

As with most 61s, there were plenty of highlights, as Spieth totaled 10 birdies (a career best), including long putts on Nos. 16 and 17 among his six back-nine birdies.

Spieth got things rolling early – literally – by following a birdie at the par-5 third hole with a 19-foot birdie make at the par-4 fourth.

Two holes later Spieth yanked his drive left into the desert – he’d hit a few from the native area on the day – but wedge from about 100 yards out to inside of 5 feet to set up another birdie.

“I got really luck off the tee shot here,” Spieth said. “What a nice sand wedge that was. Certainly a bonus to get a birdie there after hitting a provisional ball off the tee.”

A 10-foot birdie make at the par-4 eighth helped Spieth put together an opening nine of 4-under 31.

“Just putting really nice pace on it to where if it got anywhere near the hole, the hole seemed to grab it today,” Spieth said.

Spieth’s waywardness off the tee continued at the par-4 10^th, where he missed way left again. But he managed to steal a birdie after chipping in from left of the green.

“I was all over the place on that hole and somehow got a 3,” Spieth said.

On the next hole, the par-4 11^th, Spieth almost holed out for eagle before making a stress-free birdie.

He almost made another eagle at the par-5 13^th, getting a great bounce on his second shot from the right desert, but he missed a 4-footer and settled for a tap-in birdie.

Spieth’s shot of the day, in his mind, came at the par-5 15^th, where he hit his second shot, a hybrid, from 265 yards to 25 feet on the island green to set up another birdie.

Then the big birdie putts started to fall again. Spieth drained a 36-footer on the famous par-3 16^th, a day after three-putting the hole from 8 feet.

“I only wish this was last year,” Spieth said. “It was loud, but last year this would’ve been another level. Really cool.”

On the very next hole, Spieth converted from 30 feet after fanning his drive a little right.

A closing par gave Spieth his third-round 61 and kept him tied for the lead at 18 under, which is his second-best score in relation to par after 54 holes on Tour.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endured a sour ending to his 100th Premier League game in charge saying his team was kicked in the teeth in a 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday.

United's away league form has been outstanding this season, but simple errors unbecoming of title contenders have led to four defeats at Old Trafford, most recently a 2-1 reverse to bottom team Sheffield United.

- Dawson: Man United's blown lead unacceptable in title chase
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

United took a 2-0 lead against the Toffees, but amateurish defending allowed the visitors to wipe out the deficit and then snatch a draw with the last kick of the game from Dominic Calvert-Lewin after they had fallen behind again.

The result dented second-placed United's hopes of winning their first league title since 2013 as it left them two points behind leaders Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

Solskjaer reacted with a touch of defiance as he praised his team's prolific scoring, but could not ignore the disappointment of having to settle for a draw which tasted like defeat.

"We deserved to win the game but that is football for you, you have to take your chances and cannot concede with every shot," Solskjaer said.

"First half, I did not feel we played particularly well, but scored two fantastic goals. You go in at the break 2-0 up feeling we have not hit where we could do.

"After 2-2, we played really well then the last kick of the ball kicks us in the teeth and we go home disappointed.

"We have to focus on improving as a team. We are scoring more goals, creating chances and you felt you dominated the game and should have won it."

United's woes were compounded by a thigh injury to in-form midfielder Paul Pogba, who limped off in the first half after appearing to pull something when making a simple pass.

"It looks like a muscle injury, so we've just got to check him up tomorrow and have a scan and get him treatment," Solskjaer told MUTV. "Hopefully he'll recover quickly."

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with his team's effort and stressed they were punching above their weight to stay in contention for a top-four finish.

"It was like a win but it is just one point," he said after the result moved his side above Chelsea into sixth on 37 points, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

"We competed against one of the best in the Premier League. We are not at the same level but we can fight and compete with our qualities. I am proud of my team.

"We deserved it, even if we were shy in the first half. We played with more courage in the second half. We attacked and pressed forward. At the end, we deserved to have a point."

MANCHESTER, England -- When referee Jon Moss blew the final whistle on Saturday, Victor Lindelof picked up the ball and punted it into the empty Old Trafford stands: The action summed up Manchester United's night.

Having led 2-0 and then 3-2 with seconds remaining, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side managed to draw 3-3 with Everton and give up more ground in the Premier League title race.

As the players trudged off amid the visitor's celebrations, it felt a lot like the 4-4 draw with Everton in April 2012 that ended up costing United the league.

It is too early to say whether this result will have a similar impact, but it is the type of game they really have to win if they want to push Manchester City right to the wire.

- Report: Man United waste lead twice, draw 3-3 vs. Everton
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

City will be five points clear with a game in hand if they beat injury-ravaged Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. It shouldn't have been like that.

At half-time United were flying after goals from Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes put them 2-0 up. Everton looked dead and buried, but within seven minutes of the restart it was 2-2 when first Abdoulaye Doucoure and then James Rodriguez found the net.

United looked to have recovered from their wobble when Scott McTominay made it 3-2, but the final 10 minutes were filled with tension and panic until Dominic Calvert-Lewin stabbed in the equaliser with the last kick of the game.

It was no surprise that Lindelof wanted to boot the ball as far into Stretford as he could. United were a threat going forward, and Fernandes' goal in particular was spectacular, but it was overshadowed by what happened at the other end. For just the fourth time in the Premier League era United led by two goals at half-time and failed to win.

"We played some good football in the second half but conceded three goals from three shots on target, when you do that it is disappointing," said Solskjaer after the match.

"We reacted well after their two goals but then why was there four minutes added in, we had to get the ball in the corner and see it out. Poor goals to concede.

"I wouldn't blame anyone on the goals but we know we could have done better as a team on all of them."

Nine goals against Southampton and another three here means United are comfortably the Premier League's top scorers, but the goals against column is becoming more and more of a worry.

Calvert-Lewin's goal, scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time, was the 30th league goal United have conceded this season -- the most of any team in the top half of the table and only one fewer than Fulham, eight points adrift in the relegation places. By contrast, Man City have conceded 13.

Solskjaer is the type of manager who can live with goals going in if they are something special, but all three of Everton's were avoidable. First, David De Gea fumbled Calvert-Lewin's tame cross to gift Doucoure a tap-in, and then a lack of pressure on the ball gave Doucoure an age to pick out Rodriguez 10 yards from goal without a red shirt within touching distance.

It's the third goal, however, that was the worst of the lot.

United couldn't deal with Lucas Digne's long free kick into the box, and when the ball squirmed in between De Gea and Calvert-Lewin, the Everton striker looked like the only one who wanted to win it.

United had already got away with one when Harry Maguire was bundled over by Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison had the chance to score while Maguire lay on the floor expecting to hear a whistle that was never going to come. He should have been stronger, an accusation that could be levelled at every United defender during a frantic finish when they seemed to radiate vulnerability.

Lindelof's hoof into the air at the end was the only thing any one of them did with any conviction, and by then it was too late.

Solskjaer spoke at his pre-match news conference on Friday of needing to strengthen certain areas of his squad and it would not be a shock to see him bring in another centre-back in the summer.

The question marks over Lindelof refuse to go away and Eric Bailly is not fit often enough to be relied upon -- hence why Dayot Upamecano at RB Leipzig remains a target. De Gea's performance will also restart the debate about whether it is time for Dean Henderson to get a run in the team.

"We deserved to win the game but that is football for you, you have to take your chances and cannot concede with every shot," said Solskjaer.

"After 2-2 we played really well then the last kick of the ball kicks us in the teeth and we go home disappointed. We need to stop conceding easy goals."

NEW YORK -- Kevin Durant is ineligible to play in the Nets' next three games after he drove with a team employee who tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, sources told ESPN. Durant will be eligible to rejoin the team on Friday, Feb. 12, coach Steve Nash said on Saturday.

The NBA's health and safety protocols say that any player who was exposed to someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for six days.

The Nets will be without Durant for a string of games, beginning on Saturday against Philadelphia. He will also miss games against the Pistons on Tuesday and the Pacers on Wednesday.

If Durant continues to test negative for COVID-19, he will be eligible to return against his former team, the Golden State Warriors, on Feb. 13.

Durant was maskless in a car on Feb. 5 with a team employee who tested positive three separate times, sources told ESPN. The Nets' star drove with the employee to the practice facility for testing, home from testing and to the game.

After Durant arrived at the game on Friday, the associate returned an inconclusive COVID-19 test. Minutes before tipoff, Durant was pulled from the starting lineup. He returned midway through the first quarter. In the third quarter, during a time out, a Nets staff member came over to Durant and seemed to tell Durant that he was ineligible to finish the game.

Durant played 19 minutes before exiting.

All other Nets players and staff members continue to test negative for COVID-19. The Raptors have not returned any positive tests, sources told ESPN.

Durant, who had COVID-19 in May, has continued to register antibodies and tested negative for the virus seven times over the past three days, sources said.

The NBA's COVID-19 protocols do not differentiate between players who have antibodies and those who do not.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibodies are "proteins that help fight off infections and can provide protection against getting that disease again." Scientists are still unsure what degree of immunity antibodies provide against being infected again.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A day after saying he needed to be patient about results, Jordan Spieth matched his career best with a 10-under 61 on Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Xander Schauffele in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Winless since the 2017 British Open, Spieth is trying recapture the form that carried him to 11 PGA Tour victories - three of them majors - in his first five seasons on the tour.

The 27-year-old Texan raised the volume considerably at TPC Scottsdale, drawing the biggest roar of the week from the limited crowd on the par-3 16th when he curled in a 36-footer for birdie and the outright lead.

He followed with a fan-thrilling 30-footer for birdie on 17 after driving well left on the short par 4.

Instead of the usual Saturday crowd that has topped 200,000, attendance is capped at 5,000 fans a day, the most for a tour event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spieth gave them a show to remember.

After making four birdies on the front nine for a share of the lead, he had an unexpected birdie on the par-4 10th when he chipped in from 68 feet after driving left and hitting his approach long and left.

Spieth hit inside a foot from 170 yards for birdie on the par-4 11th, then just missed eagling the two back-nine par 5s. On the 13th, he couldn't get a 5 1/2-foot eagle putt to fall after hitting a 208-yard second shot from the desert hardpan. On the water-guarded 15th, he left a 24-foot eagle putt 6 inches short.

Spieth had a career-best 10 birdies and matched his tour best of 61 set in the third round of his 2015 victory in the John Deere Classic.

The fourth-ranked Schauffele, coming off a second-place tie last week at Torrey Pines, shot a 65 to match Spieth at 18-under 196.

Schauffele, the second-round leader, made a 7-foot birdie putt on 17 to tie Spieth, then missed an 11-footer on 18.

Scottie Scheffler and Kyoung-Hoon Lee each shot 66 to get to 14 under.

Third-ranked Justin Thomas, third the last two years in the event, had a 64 to join Louis Oosthuizen (63) at 14 under.

Thomas squandered five strokes on two holes late Thursday and early Friday, making a triple bogey on 17 in the first round and opening the second with a double on 10.

Steve Stricker, the 53-year-old U.S. Ryder Cup captain trying to become the oldest winner in PGA Tour history, had a 69 to drop into a tie for seventh at 13 under with Brooks Koepka (66) and James Hahn (66). Stricker began the day a stroke behind Schauffele after opening rounds of 65 and 66.

Leon Spinks, who surprised the boxing world by beating Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1978, died Friday night at age 67, according to the Firm PR, which represents him.

Spinks had been suffering from prostate and other cancers.

The St. Louis native, who had won a gold medal as a light heavyweight at the 1976 Olympics, was just 13 months and eight fights into his pro boxing career when he stepped into a ring in Las Vegas on Feb. 15, 1978, against Ali.

But Spinks -- a heavy underdog who had never gone beyond 10 rounds --- came right after the champ, who was 36 years old and clearly on the downside of his career.

Spinks, then 24, had enough endurance to survive a 15th-round flurry from Ali -- and provide one of his own in the closing seconds. The split decision went to Spinks, who flashed his famous gap-toothed grin after becoming the only fighter to take a title from Ali in the ring.

But that would turn out to be the highlight of Spinks' career. First, he was stripped of the WBC title for refusing to defend against top contender Ken Norton. Instead, Spinks chose a rematch with Ali, who took back the WBA title in a unanimous decision at the Superdome in New Orleans seven months after their first bout.

The boxing world has lost Leon Spinks . We send our sympathy to Brenda, family and friends. May he Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/rGnPfbHWAp

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) February 6, 2021

Spinks would fight just once more for the heavyweight title, a TKO loss to Larry Holmes for the WBC belt in June 1981. He then dropped down to the cruiserweight division, but lost his only title shot to Dwight Muhammad Qawi on a sixth-round TKO in March 1986.

Spinks retired at age 42 after losing a unanimous decision to Fred Houpe in December 1995, and finished his career with an unremarkable record of 26-17-3 (14 KO's).

Spinks, who battled in wrestling and mixed martial arts later in his career, dealt with financial and medical problems later in life. In 2014, he suffered intestinal damage and was hospitalized after swallowing a piece of chicken bone. It led to multiple surgeries. In 2019, he was in and out of the hospital while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Spinks was the brother of Hall of Fame former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks and the father of former undisputed welterweight world champion Cory Spinks.