Fowler faces uphill chase on long day of US Open qualifying
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Already facing a long day, Rickie Fowler found the road even tougher Monday in 36-hole qualifying as he tried to avoid
missing the U.S. Open for the first time in 11 years.
Fowler was among 685 players seeking 54 spots in nine qualifiers across eight states to fill the field for the U.S. Open, which starts June 17 at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Fowler already missed the Masters this year after falling well outside the top 50 in the world.
He played his opening round at Brookside in 1-over 73, which was halted for three hours because of heavy rain and thunder, meaning he likely would need at least a 65 at The Lakes to have any chance.
Branden Grace went from a fourth-place finish at the Memorial to an early start in Jupiter, Florida, and he parred the final hole at The Bear’s Club to earn one of six spots available. Grace chose to play in Florida because it’s his home course.
Patrick Rodgers led all qualifiers in Florida. Also getting through was Luis Gagne, who shared low amateur honors in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
New York’s Tom Thibodeau picked as NBA’s coach of the year
NEW YORK — Tom Thibodeau got the New York Knicks back to the playoffs, guiding the team to its second-best record in 20 years.
And in the eyes of the voters, that coaching job was the best in the NBA.
Thibodeau was revealed Monday as the NBA’s Coach of the Year for 2020-21, as determined by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. The Knicks went 41-31 this season, then fell to Atlanta in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
It was the closest balloting since this version of voting was introduced 19 years ago. Thibodeau got 43 first-place votes and finished with 351 total points, while Phoenix’s Monty Williams actually got more firstplace votes — he got 45 — but finished with 340 points.
“Anytime you get an award like this, I’m obviously honored,” Thibodeau said on the telecast announcing the results. “But it’s more a reflection of our group and our organization.”
It was Thibodeau’s second time winning the award; he also got it in 2011, his first season with the Chicago Bulls. And another first-year turnaround in New York merited him the trophy for a second time.
Utah’s Quin Snyder was third and got 10 of the remaining 12 first-place votes. Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers was fourth, getting the other two first-place votes. Atlanta’s Nate McMillan was fifth, Brooklyn’s Steve Nash was sixth and Denver’s Michael Malone was seventh.
Alabama, Saban agree to new 8-year deal through 2028 season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban, who has won a record seven national championships, has agreed to a three-year contract extension running through the 2028 season.
Alabama announced the extension on Monday, including $8.425 million in base salary and a talent fee for the current contract year with annual raises of unspecified amounts. The 69-year-old Saban, who has led the Crimson Tide to six national championships since taking over in 2007, will receive an $800,000 “contract completion benefit” after each contract year from 2022-25.
Saban said in statement that he and his wife, Terry, “are pleased and happy to sign another contract extension that will keep us in Tuscaloosa through the end of our career.”
“Our family calls Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama home, it’s a place where our roots now run deep.”
Arizona State baseball coach
Smith out after 7 seasons
TEMPE, Ariz. — Tracy Smith is out after seven seasons as Arizona State’s baseball coach.
Athletic director Ray Anderson announced Monday that the school and Smith had parted ways a day after the Sun Devils were bounced from the NCAA’s Austin Regional.
“Decisions like this are never easy to make, but I want to thank Tracy for his efforts over the last seven years,” Anderson said. “We are committed to returning Sun Devil baseball back to one of the country’s elite programs and will look for a leader who can help us compete for
Pac-12 titles, consistently host postseason competitions and return us to the College World Series.”
Smith was hired in 2014 after earning national coach of the year honors at Indiana the year before. He led Arizona State to NCAA regionals four times, but no trips to the College World Series.
The Sun Devils finished 3322 after reaching the Austin Regional. Arizona State beat Fairfield in Austin, but lost to Texas and was knocked out of the bracket with a 9-7 loss in a second game with Fairfield on Sunday after blowing a five-run lead.