La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara insists his side will relish the "lion's den" of a sold-out Aviva Stadium in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final against Leinster.

O'Gara believes his squad are ready for a hostile atmosphere in Dublin.

"There is a certain enjoyment factor when you go into the lion's den," said the Munster and Ireland legend.

"We will either grow or shrink."

La Rochelle needed a last-gasp try to beat four-time winners Leinster last year and O'Gara is hoping they can deliver another stellar performance as they look to become the first team to retain the title since Saracens in 2017.

"We have high standards and we have ambition to do something special in these players' lives," added O'Gara.

"We have the chance to play for each other in the final of a European Cup.

"It doesn't get any bigger and it doesn't get any better, we are here and we are ready to go."

'Daunting task' ahead in Dublin

The 46-year old admitted that Leinster having home advantage only increases the difficulty of winning the game, but has called on his players to rise to the challenge.

"We are in the home of Leinster, it is a really daunting task, but it is a great challenge and one that we want to succeed in," he said.

"It won't be easy, it never is easy, but we have prepared all season for this game and it is to be attacked as opposed to be feared.

"As a player I would have been damn nervous about it, as a coach I am extremely excited about it. Where else do you want to be?

"We realise how difficult it is, we understand the opposition and how good they are. It is going to be a belting match I hope."

O'Gara added: "Strategy has a role tomorrow, but the big emphasis for us is performing to our standards, having fun and challenging ourselves.

"I think all players need to be themselves, if they come into the environment trying to put a mask on or feel like it is hard work, they should be doing something else.

"You get one shot at this, it is rugby, it is meant be enjoyable and a very special time in your life and that is the message, we are very grateful for the opportunity."

Familiar surroundings

O'Gara was also keen to point out that this is a home final for him as he looks to add some new memories to the vast array he already has at Lansdowne Road from his playing days.

He is Ireland's second most capped player ever and the country's record points scorer, winning three Triple Crowns and a Grand Slam in 2009.

"It is a home game for me too, I have such great memories in this stadium," he said.

"The minute I walked through here again, I couldn't believe that I was here as you are in a time warp with being so focused [on the game]... when you step back, you realise it will be a fantastic moment and there is a lot to be proud of.

"Now is not the moment to be reflective, however, it is time to drive on and get the best out of our players."

Cullen keen to avenge 'painful experience' in Marseille

O'Gara's opposite number Leo Cullen has been boosted for the final by the timely return from injury of Ireland wing James Lowe.

Lowe comes into the side in one of 12 changes made by Cullen from last week's United Rugby Championship semi-final loss to Munster.

Cullen has heaped praise on his players' application in training before the European showpiece and hopes their efforts will be rewarded in front of a raucous home crowd on Saturday.

"You can't fault the lads, they have prepared unbelievably well this week and I can't wait to see them play and deliver something close to their best, that is all they can do," said Cullen.

"Pressure is a good thing, we all want to be here so it is the most positive pressure we could ask for.

"We hope to have a great turnout of supporters and that everyone gets behind the team."

Leinster are bidding to equal Toulouse's haul of five Champions Cup titles with victory on Saturday, having lost two finals since their last triumph in 2018.

"We were very close last year and it was a painful experience," admitted Cullen.

"To give up the lead right at the end after being ahead for the majority of the game, was an opportunity lost.

"Credit to everyone for getting to this stage again, now it is about delivering on the plan, not looking too far into the future and doing our jobs."

Wales pair Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric have retired from international rugby just four months before the World Cup.

His announcement came just an hour after 33-year-old Tipuric revealed he was also quitting international rugby.

Both Ospreys forwards had been named in Warren Gatland's 54-man training squad for September's World Cup in France.

The pair were Six Nations champions in 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2021 while Jones won the first of his five titles in 2008.

Jones, who made his international debut against Argentina in 2006, has played 158 times for Wales and 12 Tests for the British and Irish Lions on four tours.

He led the Lions on the 2021 tour of South Africa and was skipper for the 2013 Test-winning decider against Australia in Sydney.

Jones captained Wales 48 times, including the 2019 Grand Slam when he was named the Six Nations player of the tournament.

He has also won three league titles with Ospreys and is set to appear for the Barbarians against a World XV and Swansea, his hometown club, later this month.

'Special memories'

"Having been selected in this year's preliminary Rugby World Cup squad, and after ongoing dialogue with the coaching staff and the WRU [Welsh Rugby Union], I have decided to step away from the international game," Jones said on social media.

"So, after 17 years I look back on special memories with Welsh greats and future Welsh greats.

"My grandfather and father both nurtured my passion for rugby in my younger days which has continued throughout.

"The opportunity to be professional in the sport I love was a dream come true, and to represent my home region, the Ospreys, and clubs within the region, namely Mumbles and particularly Bonymaen, who guided me in my favourite years, was beyond special and something for which I am hugely grateful."

'Pillar of the game'

Wales head coach Gatland said Jones had been an "incredibly special" player during a "phenomenal" 17-year career.

"His leadership, dedication and determination are second to none, every single time he has taken to the training pitch or put on the red jersey," he said.

"Al's passion and commitment for his country are limitless and he has been an important pillar for the game in Wales. He leaves a lasting legacy in Welsh rugby."

Jones' announcement swiftly followed the one made by his long-time team-mate and close friend Tipuric.

The three-time Lions tourist has not given a specific reason behind the decision, but confirmed he will continue to play for Ospreys.

Making the shock announcement on social media, he said: "During the off-season I've had time to reflect on my career and now seems the right time to step away from international rugby."

Tipuric made his Wales debut in 2011 and was to become regarded as among the finest all-round players of his generation.

Having emerged from the shadow of Sam Warburton to finally make the number seven jersey his own, he went on captain Wales last year.

'Privilege'

He was a key member of the Wales team that reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2015 and semi-finals four years later. He was expected to appear at a third tournament this September having been named in Gatland's early squad.

"It's been a privilege to put on the Welsh jersey and have so many great memories," he added in the statement.

"I'd like to thank all the players and coaches that I've been fortunate enough to work with over the years and the wonderful support I've received from the Welsh public.

"I'm looking forward to spending more time at home and putting all my energies into playing for my home region the Ospreys."

Gatland described Tipuric as an "integral player" for Wales, who was never one for the limelight.

"He's quiet off the pitch, but his skill set and his work rate really set him apart from others," Gatland added.

"He doesn't like a lot of fuss, but he has made an outstanding contribution to Welsh rugby."

Ospreys said his decision to step down from Test rugby would be "sorely felt" by Welsh rugby.

"Known for his incredible work rate, agility, and rugby IQ, Tipuric has been an integral part of the Welsh national team for over a decade," the club said in a statement.

"He has become known as one of the finest open-side flankers in the game. He has contributed significantly to Welsh rugby's recent successes, including two Grand Slams."

Tipuric missed the last month of the regular domestic season with a foot injury sustained during Ospreys' Champions Cup defeat at Saracens in April.

Toulon overpowered meek Glasgow Warriors to claim the European Challenge Cup and give the retiring Sergio Parisse the perfect send off.

Glasgow never looked like becoming the first Scottish side to win a European trophy, despite Kyle Steyn's riposte, as Fijian fliers Jiuta Wainiqolo and Waisea Nayacalevu stretched Toulon's lead.

Sebastian Cancelliere and Steyn salvaged some pride for Glasgow, but Toulon fittingly had the last laugh as Ihaia West crossed with two minutes remaining to clinch the club's first Challenge Cup.

Toulon had heroic performances from Serin, Nayacalevu, Cheslin Kolbe and Charles Ollivon among a battalion of others, but all eyes turned to Parisse at the end.

The wonder man was excellent as he has been for practically every day of his extraordinary career.

The Glasgow fans might not have been minded to salute him, but everybody else in rugby would have done so heartily. He'll be exiting the game in the blink of an eye but the legacy? Sensational, absolutely sensational.

Glasgow were quietly confident that they could spoil the farewell, but it would have required them to turn up in Dublin to do that and they didn't. In body, yes. In attitude and accuracy and every last thing you need to win big finals? Nowhere close. They'll have a world of regrets over this drubbing.

In their absolute worst nightmares Glasgow couldn't have imagined such a grim final, a non-performance when what they needed was their greatest performance. They were an incoherent mess in going 21-0 down and a bit of a sad case as they toiled horribly to make a game of it.

They had huge chunks of attacking minutes in the opening half, masses of excellent field position, five metre scrums, five metre lineouts, overlaps and they butchered every one of them with a lack of accuracy, an outbreak of panic and some wretched decision making.

Glasgow needed a whole lot more than soft-touch rugby if they were to give themselves even half a chance of climbing out of the hole they were in, but a dramatic comeback never looked likely. Toulon just waited about in defence and waited for Glasgow to cough it up.

It all went so wrong, so quickly for the underdogs. Toulon had lost four Challenge Cup finals out of four - and lost Dan Biggar inside a few minutes - but before the first quarter was over they were screaming hot favourites to win this one.

Serin went off injured at the break but he'd done more than enough damage in the 40 minutes he played.

His first try was opportunistic brilliance, a subtle grubber through the narrowest of gaps in the Glasgow 22 and a quickfire pick-up and finish. Ruthless. And way too rapid for Glasgow. Serin's conversion make it 7-0 and the Scots were spooked.

Toulon made them suffer again soon after. Glasgow coach Franco Smith had made some monstrous calls in his team selection when leaving Johnny Matthews, his try-scoring hooker, Richie Gray, his lineout kingpin and Rory Darge, his back-row wrecking ball, on the bench. All three calls backfired horribly.

Glasgow's lineout was catastrophic. The great Parisse's try had its origins in an error out of touch by the Warriors, a ball slapped down and gobbled up Toulon. Parisse blasted over from close range.

Toulon fed off Glasgow's blunders and there was another at the lineout that led to a third score for the French. The thrower, the lifters, the jumpers were all at sea as the ball soared over the back to Charles Ollivon.

In the next wave, Nayacalevu thundered past Sione Tuipulotu in midfield. When they were in striking distance, Serin threw a dummy close to the Glasgow line and the Warriors bought it.

Over he went for his second score, over went the conversion and over and out went the cry from the Glasgow fans. At 21-0, there was no coming back. The only thing left to be decided at that point - and we were only in the 25th minute - was how bad was it going to get. Gruesomely bad, as it turned out.

Toulon were on a different level. It helped them that Glasgow lacked anything resembling composure and conviction when in good position, but the gulf in class was stark.

There was piling on the pain as it went on. Benoit Paillaugue lobbed over a penalty to take it to 24-0 and even when Steyn finished smartly down the short side to get Glasgow on the board, Wainiqolo danced over straight after.

Toulon were patient and powerful in their phases, just turning the screw as they went. The outstanding Nayacalevu got on the end of those inexorable passages of play, powering his way through a broken defence to stretch the lead to 29 points.

The Glasgow cavalry was sprung from the bench. Far too late. Cancelliere and a second from Steyn removed some of the ugly look from the score but it meant nothing, West's late try rubbed more salt in the wound in any event.

The final was long since done before all of that unfolded, the glory was all Toulon's. Parisse's, in particular. His last big day and he went out in the grandest style.

Line-ups

Glasgow Warriors: Smith, Cancelliere, Jones, Tuipulotu, Steyn, Miotti, Horne; Bhatti, Brown, Z Fagerson, Du Preez, Cummings, M Fagerson, Vailanu, Dempsey.

Replacements: Matthews, McBeth, Berghan, Gray, Bean, Darge, Price, McDowall.

Toulon: Kolbe, Wainiqolo, Vuidravuwalu, Paia'aua, Villiere, Biggar, Serin; Priso, Baubigny, Gigashvili, Tanguy, Alainu'uese, Du Preez, Ollivon, Parisse.

Replacements: Tolofua, Gros, Brookes, Isa, Bastareaud, Paillaugue, West, Sinzelle.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

"What a way to say goodbye to rugby."

The Italian great could barely bring himself to the leave the pitch, his country's flag draped around him as he took in every last second at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

One hundred and forty two Italy caps, appearances in five World Cups, two Challenge Cups, two French Top 14 titles and many great memories.

"It means a lot," Parisse told BT Sport after Toulon's 43-19 win. "It's difficult to put some words on emotions.

"It's good for the team, for me personally, it's important - I try to enjoy every moment with the team, and I'm really happy because I think we really deserve the win.

"I'm Italian, so I'm emotional in everything I do. Tonight it was about just trying to enjoy, and just happy to play with this group, and happy to finish my career with Toulon. Just enjoy it, and have a good night in Dublin with the boys."

Smith worked with Parisse during his debut season at Benetton back in 2002. Even in bitter disappointment at losing, the South African was full of praise for Parisse, who has been Italian rugby's totemic figure for two decades.

"He was a 19-year-old chap, and a young exciting guy full of skill, like he is now, but a bit more reckless with it I suppose," Smith said.

"And he's nurtured and challenged himself and looked after his body to be here 20 years later to be out there tonight. What a gentleman. We had a quick word with him after the game and he's an important rugby figure.

"I always say good people make good players and he's a classic example of that. He can be really proud he gave it his all until nearly 40 years old. What a way to say goodbye to rugby."

'I'm a bit sick of learning'

While Parisse and his team-mates lapped up the adulation from the stands, Glasgow were burying their heads after a hugely frustrating performance.

Their aim was to become the first Scottish side to lift a European trophy, but they never really came close. Toulon raced into a 21-0 lead as Warriors toiled, and a rally was too little, too late.

It added to the pain of losing to Munster in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final two weeks ago. A season of progress is tinged with what-ifs.

"It's a little bit frustrating," captain Kyle Steyn said. "I'm a little bit sick of learning, you just want to achieve now.

"But this is a really good group, we're lucky 96% of the group will be here going forward. But it's a massive learning curve - like Franco said, it's a completely different skill to win a final after getting there.

"That's the lesson. You've got to stick to your system and be accurate. In the Munster game and tonight we created lots of chances but didn't take them and Munster and Toulon did."

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes spent Friday recovering from the sixth-longest game in Stanley Cup playoff history.

Neither team practiced on the off day before Saturday night's Game 2 in Raleigh, with Florida leading the series 1-0 after a 3-2, quadruple-overtime thriller. Game 1 finished at 79:47 of overtime play.

For Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour, the day off was a chance to rest after leading all skaters with 57:56 of ice time and skating over eight miles in the game, according to the NHL.

"Surprisingly, I still had some energy," Montour said. "But at the end of the game, I was really happy we got the win. Then it was straight to rest and recovery."

Both teams did whatever they could to rejuvenate during the game, from downing caffeinated beverages to munching on salty snacks, granola bars and fruit. Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei said he ate four bananas between periods. Florida's Eric Staal stuck with apples and oranges, saying he would burp up bananas.

The physical toll was one aspect of Game 1. Then there was the emotional and mental strain. Before the Panthers won in four overtimes, they thought they had won in the first overtime. But winger Ryan Lomberg's goal was overturned on video review because the NHL determined that the Panthers' Colin White had interfered with goalie Frederik Andersen.

"You get the overtime winner, there's a celebration, a release. But then it's, 'Oh, just kidding,'" said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. "I was really impressed that we went back to work, that we didn't lose our composure in a situation where you easily could have. That's a statement of our group. We've had a few of those moments [in the playoffs] where we get tested and you say, 'Let's just go back to work.'"

For the Hurricanes, getting back to work was the only thing to do after a devastating loss.

"It was a weird day and a long day and not a great day for us. But that day is over," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We've done this for five years. The mentality of doing your best today, and then when tomorrow comes, you focus on that day."

Hurricanes forward Stefan Noesen said the game was "a tough one to swallow" but that the exhaustion of four overtimes meant a better-than-usual night of sleep.

"I was out cold pretty quickly. Usually takes me a couple hours, but playing 40 minutes of hockey takes a toll on you for sure," he said.

Brind'Amour said the four-overtime game changed the plans for the Hurricanes' off-day. The players weren't coming to PNC Arena for an optional skate or meetings. They were at home and resting.

"That was not originally part of the plan, but [Saturday] will be regular day," he said.

Goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Andersen played 139:47 and 139:43, respectively, on Thursday. Maurice said he has no concerns about running Bobrovsky back for Game 2. But Brind'Amour said he won't know Andersen's status until Saturday.

The Hurricanes have a capable backup goalie in Antti Raanta, who has stellar numbers on home ice, in case they want to give Andersen time to recuperate for the rest of the series. Brind'Amour said he was "definitely considering" a load management decision for his goaltenders ahead of Game 2.

"You have to. The guy played the whole game," Brind'Amour said of Andersen.

For his skaters, however, the Hurricanes coach indicated that load management might not come into play.

"I've got a 38-year-old in the back end," Brind'Amour said of defenseman Brent Burns, who played over 54 minutes in Game 1. "Maybe I shouldn't go to him [in Game 2]. But I can tell you right now that if I confronted him, he would punch me in the face. This is why they play the games, to get in these moments. So I guess that answers [the question] for the rest of the guys too."

Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Saturday.

"I expect both teams to bounce back and be ready to go," Staal said. "I know the way we train and prepare ourselves. Our guys are in phenomenal shape. I'm pretty well aware of how Roddy trains, so I'm sure the rest of [the Hurricanes] are the same. It'll be highly competitive. The pace will be there. The juices will be flowing."

TAMPERE, Finland -- Defending champion Finland produced a five-goal final period to rout newcomer Hungary 7-1 at the ice hockey world championship on Friday.

A third victory in five games moved co-host Finland to third place in Group A behind the United States and Sweden. The top four in each eight-team group advances to the quarterfinals.

Mikko Rantanen, who contributed three assists for a tournament total of seven, has yet to score after 55 goals for his Colorado Avalanche in the NHL regular season.

Germany beat Austria 4-2 after a slow start to record a second straight win in Group A.

In Riga, co-host Latvia edged another newcomer Slovenia 3-2 in Group B, and Kazakhstan prevailed over Slovakia 4-3 in a shootout.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he's planning to meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford.

Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week.

"This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town," Lamont said. "It's evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years -- still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that's ready to come and be their partner."

Talk of a relocation for the Coyotes has taken on steam since voters in Tempe, Arizona, this week rejected a referendum for an $2.3 billion entertainment district that would allow the franchise to build a new arena there.

Connecticut has not had an NHL team since the Hartford Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997. The state has just one top-tier professional sports franchise, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, which plays at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a 10,000-seat facility that is not built for hockey.

The possibility of a move to Connecticut is considered a long shot. Hartford's 48-year-old XL Center, where the Whalers once played, is in need of a major renovation. It's operator, the Capital Region Development Authority, is expected to begin taking bids soon on repairs that it has estimated will cost at least $107 million.

A number of other cities have already been named as potential landing spots for the Coyotes should the franchise choose to move. Those include Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Quebec City and Hamilton, Ontario.

LAS VEGAS -- Brett Howden's game-winning goal less than two minutes into overtime gave the Vegas Golden Knights a 4-3 win Friday night against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

The sequence that led to the Golden Knights taking a 1-0 series lead was just as quick as overtime itself.

Chandler Stephenson carried possession into the Stars' zone before playing a centering pass to Mark Stone. He then fed an instant backhanded pass to Howden, who was left alone at the net front. Howden's initial shot went wide but he recovered the rebound off the boards and fired a shot beneath the goal line that he banked off Oettinger for the win.

"I just tried throwing it in there and got lucky that it went in," Howden said. "I think Oettinger put it in himself. I was just trying to throw it in there and see what would happen."

Howden's goal is the latest in a narrative that has come to define the Golden Knights during these playoffs: They're a team that can get goals from their entire lineup. The Golden Knights have had 14 different players score goals these playoffs, equaling the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers (the Stars lead the way with 15).

Stars winger Jason Robertson, who did not score in the second round against the Seattle Kraken, staked his team to a 1-0 lead with less than 90 seconds remaining in the first period from a deflection off a shot from Roope Hintz.

Golden Knights center William Karlsson tied it at 1 in the second period before giving the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead just 1:19 in the third period. Both of Karlsson's goals were a byproduct of his constant movement. Karlsson carried the puck into the Stars zone and played a pass to Zach Whitecloud. Karlsson kept skating and was able to get to the net front right as Whitecloud's shot went off the boards with Karlsson there to collect the rebound and fire it into an open net.

His second goal was the result of a blocked shot that led to a 50-50 puck that Karlsson snagged before creating a little bit of separation before firing off a wrister that beat Oettinger for the lead.

"Well, the first goal, I kind of got lucky, I'd say," Karlsson said. "I'm sure Whitey was trying to put that one on the net. I just wanted to be first for the possible rebound, but it went behind the net instead and perfectly to me. On the second one, I was just kind of backing up and trying to play safe and there was a chance for me to grab the puck. It's hard to explain but I try to be in the right place and that pays off sometimes."

Hintz, who had a hand in all three of the Stars' goals, tied it at 2 before Teddy Blueger scored what looked like the initial game-winning goal with a little more than 10 minutes left in the third period.

Blueger's goal was his first of the postseason and just his second career playoff tally. But it came at a time that allowed the Golden Knights to take what was ultimately a temporary edge from another source of offensive production.

"I think we have good depth at all positions -- goaltending, defense, forwards," Blueger said. "I think whoever is in the lineup can do the job. That's probably what it is."

Blueger's goal also led to a late push by the Stars. Vegas controlled most of the possession in the game with a shot-share of more than 71 percent in the first period, followed by 55.6 percent in the second in 5-on-5 play, according to Natural Stat Trick. Dallas countered by owning the puck with a 63.4 percent shot-share, which played a significant role in why the Stars had 16 shots in the third compared to the Golden Knights with eight.

Creating and maintaining that level of pressure resulted in the Stars pulling Oettinger for a 6-on-5 advantage that set the stage for captain Jamie Benn's game-tying goal. Benn along with Joe Pavelski and Hintz were camped at the net front when Miro Heiskanen's shot from the point reached Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill to create a scramble on net.

Hintz and Pavelski fought for possession with Pavelski sliding the puck over to Benn, who passed it into the net for a tie game with 1:59 left in the third. And while Benn's goal did tie the game, it also represented something else.

Namely? How these playoffs have seen Hintz go from one of the Stars' most open secrets into a player who has become a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

This was the sixth time Hintz finished with more than two points in a game, and he's had more than three points in five of those performances. It's why Hintz will enter Game 2 leading the NHL with 22 points in the playoffs. Panthers star winger Matthew Tkachuk would be the closest player of those still playing and he's trailing Hintz by five points.

With Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday between the Panthers and Hurricanes going to four overtimes, there was some expectation that the Stars and Golden Knights could possibly create another lengthy battle Friday.

Instead, Howden ended it early.

"It can't always be the stars, right? Or the guys that you would expect, and that's what's been good about our team," Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We've had different people step up in key moments. It's the time of the year where you got to enjoy the moment and kind of embrace it. Raise your hand if you had Howden in your pool in overtime? You probably went in a different direction and that's good for us. That's why we've been able to win."

Taking Game 1 has not been a necessity for the Golden Knights. They lost 5-1 to open the first round against the Winnipeg Jets before winning in six. But they did win Game 1 versus the Edmonton Oilers before clinching that series in six wins.

Yet here's why beating the Stars in Game 1's this postseason comes with a rather intriguing caveat. The Minnesota Wild beat the Stars in overtime to open their first-round series. The Kraken also beat the Stars in overtime to open their second-round series.

Guess how that turned out for the Wild and Kraken? The Stars beat the Wild in six games before ending the upstart Kraken's season in seven games.

"The good news is that the other two ended the right way," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said when asked about losing a third straight series in overtime. "That's what we'll hope for, but you got to win some overtime games too in the playoffs. You can't go 0-for-3, 0-for-4 in the playoffs in overtime. That's something we've got to get fixed quickly."

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Oak Hill is delivering a little bit of everything at this PGA Championship. One constant is Scottie Scheffler, who is getting used to chasing majors.

A frost delay at the start gave way to warmth and wind Friday morning before rain showers brought out the umbrellas in the afternoon. Scheffler was steady as ever, posting a 2-under 68 that gave him a share of the lead with Corey Conners and Viktor Hovland.

“These are the positions I want to be in,” Scheffler said. “I show up to the tournaments to perform at my best. I’m proud of how I did the first few days, and I’m excited to be in a good position going into the weekend. With that being said, I’m going to keep my head down and keep doing what I’m doing.”

Hovland, who shared the 54-hole lead at St. Andrews last summer, is getting used to this, too. He dropped only one shot early in his round of 67, and closed with a 7-iron out of wet, thick rough to 5 feet for birdie. It was his 10th consecutive round in the majors when he ended the day among the top 10 on the leaderboard.

Conners had a 68, at one point building a two-shot lead until he had to rely on his short game to account for some errant drives and tough holes on the front nine.

They were at 5-under 135, two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau (71) and Justin Suh (68).

The leading seven players — that includes Brooks Koepka, who shot 31 on the back nine in his round of 66 — came from the same side of the draw. They were delayed by two hours from freezing temperatures and a coat of frost on the grass. They avoided the wind Friday morning, and then passing showers took some of fire out of Oak Hill.

“The rain ... just thankfully we didn’t have any wind, so that kind of helped us out,” Hovland said. “With that rain, the ball went a little bit short. And if you’re in the rough, it tends to make that rough a little bit juicier. At the end of the day, it makes the greens softer, and you can maybe be a hair more aggressive.”

There were some impressive turnarounds, to be sure.

Shane Lowry had six birdies in an eight-hole stretch in the rainy afternoon until closing with a pair of bogeys. He had to settle for a 67, leaving him in a large group at even-par 140, five shots behind but still very much in the thick of it.

That group included club pro Michael Block (70), and it includes Rory McIlroy, who felt as though he hit the ball badly — and sounded like it on one drive — and was mildly stunned when he glanced at the leaderboard after his 69 to find himself in range.

“I think how terribly I’ve felt over the golf ball over the last two days, the fact that I’m only five back ... I guess that’s a good thing, because I know if I can get it in play off the tee, that’s the key to my success over the weekend,” McIlroy said.

Some players were simply happy to still be around for the weekend.

Masters champion Jon Rahm, the No. 1 player in the world, opened with a 76 and couldn’t get a putt to fall. He was running out of holes, one shot over the cut of 5 over, when he ran off three straight birdies and salvaged a 68 to make the cut with one shot to spare.

Jordan Spieth walked off the tee at the drivable 14th figuring he would have a good look at birdie. And then he found such an awkward lie in a front bunker that his shot sailed over the green, over the boundary fence and landed somewhere on the grounds of Irondequoit Country Club.

He had to try it again, scratched out a bogey, birdied the 15th and ended his day saving par with a 10-foot putt to make the cut on the number. He was tied at the bottom with defending champion Justin Thomas, who took two shots to escape a bunker on the 18th and had to make a 7-foot bogey putt to get to the weekend.

And now the focus shifts to the top, a mixture of major champions, players making their debuts in the PGA Championship, a PGA Tour rookie and a club professional. All of them were within five shots of the lead.

DeChambeau began the round in the lead. Eric Cole was one shot ahead in the morning and still had four holes to complete the frost-delayed first round. His first swing of the day went into the water, he shot 67 to finish one behind and then had a 74.

DeChambeau had a rugged start, too, particularly on the par-4 sixth hole, so difficult that it yielded only three birdies out of 156 players and had an average score of 4.75. He was in a greenside bunker, took two shot to get out and made double bogey.

He didn’t make his first birdie until the par-3 11th hole — DeChambeau hit 6-iron from 248 yards to 6 feet — and had two more birdies before a bogey finish.

And then he headed to the range as darkness fell.

“I know what to do. I’ve done it before,” said DeChambeau, the U.S. Open champion at Winged Foot in 2020. “It’s been a few years, but it doesn’t mean I don’t know how to do it, and if it’s not my time, it’s not my time. I feel like I’m definitely trending in the right direction finally.”

So does Scheffler, who contended at the PGA Championship in 2020 as a rookie, won the Masters a year ago and missed a U.S. Open playoff by one shot at Brookline.

He opened with two birdies, made his first bogey of the tournament on the seventh hole and caught Conners for the lead with a tough up-and-down from thick rough on the 14th and a wedge to short range on the 131-yard 15th hole with a front pin.

“The tournament is halfway done,” Scheffler said. “I had two good days so far, and I’m just hoping to continue that as the week goes on.”

If the pairings are any indication, Saturday's third round of the 105th PGA Championship will be electric.

Tyrrell Hatton-Phil Mickelson and Cam Smith-Jon Rahm early.

Hideki Matsuyama-Max Homa and Collin Morikawa-Adam Scott in the middle of the tee sheet.

And highlighting the lead groups: Brooks Koepka-Bryson DeChambeau.

The beef between two (former?) rivals has seemingly disappeared since the two stars defected to LIV Golf last summer, but there's no doubt with both in contention, just two groups in front of the final twosome, all eyes will be on them to see how they play and interact alongside each other.

Here is a look at the complete tee times and pairings for Saturday at Oak Hill Country Club (all times ET):

8:10 a.m. – Mark Hubbard, Rikuya Hoshino

8:20 a.m. – Yannik Paul, Denny McCarthy

8:30 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Lee Hodges

8:40 a.m. – Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas

8:50 a.m. – Patrick Rodgers, Kazuki Higa

9 a.m. – Alex Smalley, Thomas Detry

9:10 a.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Phil Mickelson

9:20 a.m. – Tony Finau, Chris Kirk

9:30 a.m. – Taylor Montgomery, Thomas Pieters

9:40 a.m. – Adrian Meronk, Dean Burmester

10 a.m. – Cam Smith, Jon Rahm

10:10 a.m. – Thriston Lawrence, Tom Hoge

10:20 a.m. – Xander Schauffele, Ben Taylor

10:30 a.m.– Chez Reavie, Lucas Herbert

10:40 a.m. – Taylor Moore, Pablo Larrazabal

10:50 a.m. – Sam Stevens, Padraig Harrington

11 a.m. – Joel Dahmen, Nicolai Hojgaard

11:10 a.m. – Adam Hadwin, Matt Wallace

11:20 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa

11:30 a.m. – Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood

11:40 a.m. – Hayden Buckley, Sihwan Kim

Noon – Sahith Theegala, J.T. Poston

12:10 p.m. – Stephan Jaeger, Victor Perez

12:20 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott

12:30 p.m. – Beau Hossler, Kurt Kitayama

12:40 p.m. – K.H. Lee, Harold Varner III

12:50 p.m. – Eric Cole, Ryan Fox

1 p.m. – Patrick Cantlay, Mito Pereira

1:10 p.m. – Cam Davis, Dustin Johnson

1:20 p.m. – Keegan Bradley, Matt NeSmith

1:40 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry

1:50 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Adam Svensson

2 p.m. – Sepp Straka, Keith Mitchell

2:10 p.m. – Justin Rose, Michael Block

2:20 p.m. – Callum Tarren, Taylor Pendrith

2:30 p.m. – Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka

2:40 p.m. – Viktor Hovland, Justin Suh

2:50 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners