Nelson earns induction into golf Hall of Fame
St. Augustine, Fla. – Larry Nelson, overlooked as a Ryder Cup captain and often forgotten despite his remarkable journey from Vietnam War veteran to three-time major champion, finally got his due Wednesday when he was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
“Of all the awards, nothing can top this,” Nelson said.
Nelson was elected on the PGA Tour ballot by getting 65 percent of the vote, the minimum required.
He will be inducted Oct. 30 at the World Golf Village, along with the late Henry Picard, selected through the veteran’s category; and Vijay Singh, who deferred his induction after being elected last year.
SOCCER
U.S. climbs to fourth in FIFA rankings
The United States moved up one spot into fourth place in April’s FIFA world rankings, the Americans’ highest showing. The U.S. ranking went up despite a 4-1 loss at Germany and a 1-1 tie at home against Jamaica last month.
Defending champion Brazil maintained the top spot. The Czech Republic, which plays its World Cup opener against the United States on June 12, remained second, followed by the Netherlands.
Kolo Toure scored in the 41st minute, giving Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the first leg of the European Champions League semifinals in London.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Huskers receiver Mulkey dismissed
Wide receiver Grant Mulkey has been dismissed from the Nebraska team for violating undisclosed team policies. Mulkey, who would have been a senior in the fall, has played in 27 games the past three seasons and has 45 career receptions.
Utah State quarterback Jerod Walker was charged with aggravated sexual assault, then kicked off the team. Walker, 19, was arrested last week after a woman accused him of raping her in his campus apartment April 9. Walker, who played in nine games last season as a freshman, told police he had consensual sex with the woman. He was scheduled to appear in court today in Logan, Utah.
FOOTNOTES
Morrison, Powe opt for NBA draft
Gonzaga All-American forward Adam Morrison and California forward Leon Powe declared for the NBA draft. Morrison said he has an oral agreement “etched in stone” with agent Mark Bartelstein, while Powe said he does not plan to sign with an agent immediately, giving him the option to return to the Golden Bears for his junior season.
Seimone Augustus, who led LSU to the Final Four for the third consecutive season, won the Honda Award as the nation’s top female college basketball player for the second consecutive year. Augustus also signed with the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.
Felisha Legette-Jack, who spent the past four years as Hofstra’s women’s basketball coach, was named to a similar position at Indiana.
The Philadelphia Flyers named Robert Esche their starting goaltender for their playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.
The New York Giants signed linebacker Brandon Short, who spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
The Dallas Cowboys signed safety Marcus Coleman to a one-year deal.
The New York Jets signed offensive lineman Anthony Clement from the San Francisco 49ers.
Former Miami Dolphins running back Larry Csonka, the host of a cable television show filmed in Alaska, was fined $5,000 for conducting commercial work in a national forest without obtaining a special use permit.
With the help of his Discovery Channel teammates, Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych had the gap he needed to win the second stage of the Tour de Georgia, finishing 5.3 seconds ahead of Toyota-United’s J.J. Haedo.
Former Indianapolis 500 winner Pat Flaherty and former car owner Al Dean will be inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next month.
The Four Continents figure skating competition will be held at the World Arena in Colorado Springs for the second consecutive season. It is scheduled for Feb. 5-11.
Kermit Cintron stopped David Estrada at 1:13 of the 10th round to win their International Boxing Federation welterweight elimination title bout in West Palm Beach, Fla. With the win, Cintron is the No. 2 contender, increasing his chances of facing Floyd Mayweather, Antonio Margarito, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya or Fernando Vargas for championship implications.
