The Essendon supplements saga that has blighted the AFL landscape for so long has drawn closer to a conclusion, with a dignified yet defiant Jobe Watson announcing he has decided to hand back his Brownlow Medal.With an AFL Commission meeting looming, Watson announced on Friday he would return his 2012 medal.He was one of 34 past and present Bombers players suspended for the 2016 season for anti-doping code violations arising from the clubs ill-fated supplements program.The commission, while relieved of the onerous task of stripping Watson of the award, must decide on Tuesday if 2012 joint runners-up, Richmonds Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell - then with Hawthorn - will be awarded medals retrospectively.Watson, who only announced in September he would return to the club, said he made the decision to hand back the award with mixed emotions.The basis of my decision links back to values, Watson said in a statement.Football has always been a part of my life, from being a young boy watching my dad play, to my own ambitions of pursuing a dream to play at an elite level.I have benefited from being brought up in a community where people strive to be the best they can be and bring out the best in others. It has been incredibly distressing for me to have people question my integrity and infer an intention to act against the spirit of the game - a spirit that is intrinsically a part of who I am.The basic principle behind this prestigious award is to honour the fairest and best. If there is a question in peoples minds as to whether the 2012 award is tainted, the fairest and best thing to do is to give it back and honour the history that has gone before me.The AFL praised Watsons move and said his statement would be considered when the commission met to decide the future of the 2012 medal.The AFL acknowledges that this was an extremely difficult decision to make, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.In Jobes own words, he is honouring the history of the medal and putting the interests of the game first, and this is an honourable position for him to have taken.The 34 players involved in the clubs 2012 supplements program have steadfastly maintained their innocence and Watson has been at pains to make it clear his decision had not been an admission of guilt.Those players were sensationally suspended when the Court of Arbitration for Sport in January upheld a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal.Lawyers representing the players appealed the ruling at the Swiss Federal Tribunal, but that bid was dismissed in October - an action Watson said brought an end to the matter from a legal standpoint.Essendon issued a statement shortly after Watsons announcement, apologising for putting him in an untenable position.Jobe has remained unassailably dignified under the most-extraordinary pressure over the past four years, Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner said.The club takes responsibility for placing Jobe in this position and unreservedly apologises to him and his family.Jobe is a person of the highest integrity and character and has the total support and admiration of our membership, staff, executive and board.The Essendon family has been, and will continue to be, incredibly proud of Jobe Watson.Watson had previously declined an invitation to put his case to keep the medal to the AFL Commission.But he expressed his desire to share his frustration over the whole investigative process with the commission in a forum and at a time that was right for him. 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Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid.CROMWELL, Conn. -- Although Bubba Watson will always have a soft spot in his heart for Augusta National, he enjoys playing TPC at River Highlands nearly as much. Watson shot a 3-under-par 67 Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Patrick Reed and Padraig Harrington after two rounds of the Travelers Championship. "I love this place. I always play well here," Watson said. The 2010 Travelers champion was at 10-under 130. Reed and Harrington were at 8-under after both shot 66s in the second round. Four players -- including 2007 champion Hunter Mahan -- were tied for fourth at 7-under. Charley Hoffman, who held the first-round lead after a 61 on Thursday, followed that with a 73 in a round that included three bogeys and a double-bogey. One week after winning the U.S. Open at Merion, Justin Rose was tied for 12th at 5-under. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., followed his opening round 65 with a 70, and is also five shots back at 5-under 135. Calgarys Stephen Ames and Brad Fritsch of Ottawa are at 139. Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., missed the cut, finishing his two rounds at 146. Watson, whose last victory came in the 2012 Masters, has played well in this event often. Hes finished in the top 15 four times in six previous starts, including that win in 2010 -- his first on the PGA Tour -- and a second-place finish last year. "The tee shots set up well for me. I like the way they look," Watson said. "Theres about two tee shots on the whole course that are really tough for me. Other than that, the course sets up well for me." With two top-10 finishes and six top-25s this season, Watson is currently 57th in FedEx Cup points. He finished tied for 32nd in last weeks U.S. Open. "Its funny. Last year if I dont hit the hook shott and I dont win, I dont have a win all year, even though it was my best year on Tour," Watson said, referring to his sweeping left-to-right recovery shot from the trees in his playoff win at Augusta.dddddddddddd "Im looking to be more consistent. I had a lot more top 25s over the last few years, a lot less cuts." Watson began his day with a bogey at No. 10 but made four birdies after that in the relatively benign morning conditions. Windy conditions kept many of those who began their rounds in the afternoon from matching the scores of their early rising counterparts. Still, Harrington managed a 66 despite teeing off at 12:40 p.m. "It did get windy out there," Harrington said. "It was a challenge but there were still opportunities to make birdies." Harrington hasnt won since the 2008 PGA Championship, his third career major. The 41-year-old Irishman has missed four cuts this season but is playing relatively well lately. He finished 10th at the St. Jude Classic two weeks ago and tied for 21st at the U.S. Open last week. Harrington shot consecutive rounds of 4-under-par but called his second effort "a fighting 66." "I didnt hit it perfect in any shape or form on the first two days," said Harrington, who was in contention to win here in 2010 and 2012. "So Im not exactly brimming with confidence." Rose admits to being a bit tired but still shot 68 Friday. "I havent hit the ball quite as solidly as I would have liked to," said Rose, who made bogey on River Highlands two easiest holes, Nos. 2 and 15. "I just think I need to maybe go and take care of my body a little bit, some stretching, some physio, maybe a workout, just work out a few kinks. I feel a little bit stiff and tight in the back and the hips." ' ' '