PGA Tour execs to testify in Senate
Two leading figures for the PGA Tour have agreed to testify next week before a Senate panel reviewing the tour's surprise agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.
The panel will have to wait to hear from LIV CEO Greg Norman and Yasir AlRumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabian national wealth fund behind the rival circuit.
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations said Ron Price, the PGA Tour's chief operating officer, and board member Jimmy Dunne have agreed to appear July 11.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who chairs the panel, and ranking member Sen. Ron Johnson, RWis., said Norman and AlRumayyan cited scheduling conflicts as to why they would not be able to appear.
LIV Golf is playing outside London this week. Its next tournament is not until early August.
NFL
FORMER ARIZONA CARDINALS COACH TOBIN DEAD AT 79 >>
Vince Tobin, who coached the Arizona Cardinals to their first playoff win in 51 years in 1998, has died. He was 79.
The Cardinals said Tobin died Monday morning at his Arizona home.
Tobin was hired in 1996 to replace Buddy Ryan and took over a team that had future Hall of Fame defensive
back Aeneas Williams and quarterback Jake Plummer.
Tobin went 28-43 in four seasons as Arizona's coach.
Colleges
FLORIDA TAKES STEP TOWARD RENOVATING SWAMP >> The Swamp is getting a makeover, a significant overhaul that's expected to cost at least $400 million and be a “multigeneration solution” for an aging and iconic stadium in the heart of Florida's campus.
The Gators announced plans Monday to hire an architect for the design of its revamped Florida Field, the first public step in a process that's been ruminating for years. The school will open a formal selection window in July.
Athletic director Scott Stricklin said it's “premature to speculate” on the final cost, seating capacity and a specific timeline.
Cycling
PHILIPSEN WINS STAGE >> Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen won the third stage of the Tour de France in a bunched sprint on Monday, while Adam Yates of Britain kept the race leader's yellow jersey.
The 25-year-old Philipsen, who won two stages in last year's race, was expertly led to the front by his Alpecin–Deceuninck teammate Mathieu van der Poel and comfortably held off German rider Phil Bauhaus and Australian Caleb Ewan as they dashed to the line.
Danish sprinter Fabio Jakobsen was fourth ahead of Belgian standout Wout van Aert, who failed to overtake Philipsen on the right in the last 50 meters and backed off near a crash barrier.
Horse racing CHURCHILL DOWNS EXTENDS TRAINER BAFFERT'S BAN THROUGH 2024 >>
Churchill Downs is extending Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's suspension through 2024.
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced it was continuing Baffert's ban citing “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses to CDI-owned racetracks.”
Baffert was initially suspended for two years after 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.
Track RUNNER FACES 10-YEAR BAN IN DOPING CASE >>
Marathon runner Titus Ekiru faces a 10-year ban in a doping investigation centered on the race that currently ranks him as the sixth-fastest man of all-time in the event.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said Monday the 31-year-old Kenyan faces two charges for positive doping tests and two more of tampering.
Ekiru ran a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, 57 seconds to win the Milan Marathon in May 2021. The current record is 2:01.09 by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last year.
Ekiru tested positive at the Italian race for the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide, which is prohibited for use in-competition unless an athlete is granted an exemption for medical use.