Woods will play at Bridgestone

Tiger Woods’ sixthplace finish at the British Open on July 22 has earned him a spot at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron.

Woods rose to the top 50 in world golf rankings, and that earned him his spot at Firestone.

He hasn’t competed in the event since 2014, but it’s one of Woods’ favorite courses. Woods has won the event eight times.

Woods last won the Bridgestone Invitational in 2013.

This year’s tournament is Aug. 2 to Aug. 5 in Akron.

NFL

The New York Giants have signed rookie firstround pick running back Saquon Barkley to a contract.

The No. 2 overall selection from Penn State rushed for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns and caught 102 passes, eight for scores, in three seasons with the Nittany Lions. He had 5,538 total yards on 791 touches for averages of 7.0 yards per play and 145.7 yards per game.

Barkley joins four draft choices who had previously signed: guard Will Hernandez of UTEP (second round), outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter of Georgia (third round), defensive tackle B.J. Hill of North Carolina State (third round), and quarterback Kyle Lauletta of Richmond (fourth round).

Defensive tackle RJ McIntosh, a fifthrounder, also signed later in the day, completing the team’s draft class.

Coach Pat Shurmur will hold his first practice Monday with the team’s rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans.

MLB

METS’ SYNDERGAARD BACK TO DL » In the latest bizarre medical development for the baffling New York Mets, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the 10-day disabled list after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease.

The team believes it’s likely Syndergaard caught the contagious virus when he made an appearance at a baseball camp for kids during the All-Star break last week.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway says that probably explains why Syndergaard weakened and his velocity decreased during Friday night’s victory at Yankee Stadium.

Syndergaard returned from the DL on July 13 after sitting out more than six weeks with a strained ligament in his right index finger. Callaway and assistant general manager John Ricco say it’s possible the righthander will miss only one turn in the rotation this time while allowing the virus to run its course.

WNBA

STORM’S BIRD SET MARK » Seattle’s Sue Bird, already the all-time WNBA assists leader, played her 500th career game, passing DeLisha Milton-Jones (499) for the WNBA record for games played in the Atlanta Dream’s 87-74 win over the Storm.

Angel McCoughtry and Tiffany Hayes added 16 points each for Atlanta, which took the season series 2-1 with the win over Seattle.

The Dream (159) scored the last five points of the second quarter and led 50-34 after Hayes’ 3-pointer to open the third.

The Storm (18-7) closed within 52-45 in the middle of the third but got no closer.

Auto racing

HAMILTON WINS GERMAN GP » Lewis Hamilton regained the championship lead in unexpected and dramatic fashion on Sunday, winning the German Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel crashed while leading near the end.

Heavy rain played havoc late on at the Hockenheimring as Vettel misjudged a basic entry into a turn and slid over the gravel into the barriers with 15 laps to go.

The four-time Formula One champion started from pole position and seemed in control.

He was livid with himself, kicking the gravel in frustration as he stepped out his car.

His mishap opened the door wide open for Hamilton.

The British driver was fourth at the time of the crash, having started from 14th on the grid because of a hydraulic problem in qualifying.

Valtteri Bottas started and finished second on a great day for Mercedes, with Kimi Raikkonen taking third on a bad one for Ferrari.