Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Report: Mickelson says $10M match with Woods in the works
NEW YORK » Golf.com is reporting that Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are contemplating a $10 million winner-take-all exhibition match.
The report says Mickelson was hopeful the match would have taken place on July 3 in Las Vegas, except that negotiations with a television network and corporate support could not be worked out in time.
Mickelson says they are working on a different date. Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, declined to comment on the report.
Woods was involved in made-for-TV exhibitions some 15 years ago. They evolved from singles matches with David Duval and Sergio Garcia to team matches, one of them a mixed team exhibition.
Kraft leads Lahiri, Simpson by 1
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. » Kelly Kraft is about to find out whether he’s ready to handle the lead entering the weekend for the first time on the PGA Tour.
Kraft shot a 7-under 63 in the second round of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier Friday to take a one-stroke edge over first-round leader Webb Simpson and Anirban Lahiri of India.
Kraft posted his career-best round at the Old White TPC. He was at 13-under 127.
Kraft is looking to turn around a season that has included missed cuts in seven of his 10 previous tournaments, including last week at the Quicken Loans National.
Lahiri shot a career-low 61 and Simpson had a 67. Both were at 12 under.
Revitalized Willett in contention
DONEGAL, IRELAND » Ryan Fox of New Zealand, Matthieu Pavon of France and Dutch golfer Erik van Rooyen shared the lead after the second round of the Irish Open, while Danny Willett’s return to form catapulted him into contention at Ballyliffin Golf and Country Club.
Willett reached a career-high ranking of ninth after claiming his first major title at the 2016 U.S. Masters, but slumped to 442nd after missing his ninth cut in 12 events at last week’s French Open.
The Englishman, 30, added a 2-under 70 to his opening 68 to lie two shots behind Fox (69), Pavon (68) and Van Rooyen (65).
Movistar launches 3-man attack to end Froome’s Tour reign
CHOLET, FRANCE » Movistar is launching a three-man attack to foil Chris Froome’s quest to win a fifth Tour de France.
While most teams appoint one leader to fight for the title, Movistar says Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde, and Mikel Landa all start the race on Saturday with equal options to become their No. 1 rider.
“We always come here with high hopes, but this year it definitely looks like it is our turn more than ever to aspire for victory with these three leaders,” Movistar general director Eusebio Unzue said.
“It’s undeniable that this team has gotten better and that we are coming here in perfect position to achieve the goal of arriving to Paris in the yellow jersey.”
However, some rivals question whether not having a defined leader and seven more riders tasked to help him through the grueling 21-stage race will only create confusion and in-house competition for Movistar.
Marsch quits as Red Bulls coach
HARRISON, N.J. » Jesse Marsch resigned as coach of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and was replaced by top assistant Chris Armas, a former U.S. national team defender.
The Red Bulls said Marsch left to pursue a new opportunity. Marsch may head to head to Germany to work for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, which is owned by the same parent company.
New York is second in the Eastern Conference with 10 wins, four losses and two ties, losing just one of its last 10 matches.
Marsch leaves after 3½ seasons in New York and is the winningest coach in franchise history with 58 victories, 35 losses and 25 ties. The 44-year-old led the club to the 2015 Supporters’ Shield, a U.S. Open Cup final appearance, and two trips to the CONCACAF Champions League.