Mickelson gets exemption
Phil Mickelson is assured at least one more crack at the major that has given him the most heartache. He accepted a special exemption Friday to play the U.S. Open.
Mickelson becomes the first player since Vijay Singh in 2010 to receive an exemption without having won the U.S. Open, and he’s not without merit. He has won five majors – all of them except the U.S. Open – to go along with his 44 victories on the PGA Tour.
He has been eligible for every U.S. Open dating to 1994, but the 50-year-old Mickelson has fallen out of the top 100 in the world ranking. He had said in February 2020, a month before golf shut down because of the pandemic, that he would not accept an exemption even if the USGA offered him one.
BASEBALL
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu injured his face and knee after colliding hard with Kansas City Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier on the first base line in the opener of a doubleheader Friday. The Royals won the game, 6-2.
Shortly after both players left the game, the White Sox announced Abreu had suffered a facial contusion and laceration. The 2020 AL MVP also had a bruised left knee, but tests for a concussion were negative. His status is day to day.
The Royals said Dozier had a bruised quadricep and neck discomfort. He was placed on the 10-day injured list.
After popping up in the second inning, Dozier jogged out of the batter’s box with his head down. Abreu was running along the first base line while tracking the ball.
The two players ran into each about 20 feet from home plate as catcher Yasmani Grandal caught the pop for the second out of the inning. Abreu and Dozier dropped to the ground and were attended to by the medical staff.
NFL
A source tells The Associated Press that Broncos wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton sustained a serious knee injury Friday while working out on his own.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hamilton is suspected to have torn an ACL, as first reported by NFL Network.
That not only imperils his $2.183 million salary for 2021, but it also squelches trade talks for the fourth-year pro from Penn State.
This is the second time this month that a Broncos veteran has been hurt away from the team’s facilities.
On Friday, the Broncos cut Ja’Wuan James,a week after putting him on the non-football injury list after the right tackle tore an Achilles tendon while working out away from the team’s headquarters.
AUTO RACING
Romain Grosjean survived a fiery Formula One crash, then left the series behind for a move to IndyCar, where he figured he might compete for wins.
In just his third race, driving for Dale Coyne Racing, Grosjean will lead the field to the pole at one of the most storied track’s in the world.
Grosjean turned a lap at 1 minute, 9.4396 seconds around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course Friday to beat two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden for the pole.
He flexed his arms in joy knowing he’ll lead the field to green Saturday to start the Indianapolis Grand Prix.
TRACK & FIELD
American triple jumper Omar Craddock was banned for 20 months on Friday over missed doping tests and will miss the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 world championships in Oregon.
Track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit alleged the 2019 Pan American Games champion broke anti-doping rules with three violations of the whereabouts rule in a 12-month period.