ATZENBRUGG, Austria — John Daly walked off the course during the second round of the Austrian Open on Friday after a dispute with officials over a ball drop and two-shot penalty.
After completing the 15th hole, Daly was told by referee Andy McFee he had dropped his ball in the wrong place after it landed in an unplayable position under a TV tower. Instead of accepting the two-shot penalty, Daly said, “I’m done” and quit. He was 4-over before the penalty. The 45-year-old Daly, a two-time major champion nicknamed “Wild Thing,” had thrown a club into the water after a mishit on the same hole.
Robert Coles shot a 7-under 65 for the best round of the day to share the lead at 135 with Joost Luiten (70), Thomas Norret (70) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (68).
• Steve Stricker, who went 4-0 with Tiger Woods as a partner at the Presidents Cup two years ago, said his left arm feels so weak he can’t guarantee being fit enough to play the event Nov. 17-20 in Australia.
“I just want to get better,” said Stricker, who has an MRI set for Tuesday. “That’s the frustrating thing. And I’ve got to look out for next year. I just feel beat up.”
• Europe overcame a spirited rally by the United States in the fourballs to lead 4 1/2-3 1/2 after the opening day of the Solheim Cup in Dunsany, Ireland.
It could have been worse for the Americans, but Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer came back from one down with two to play to beat Europe’s Laura Davies and Melissa Reid by one hole.
Newman wins pole at New Hampshire
LOUDON, N.H. — Ryan Newman was the last car out and the fastest after a 51-minute rain delay at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, turning a lap of 135.002 mph to win the pole for Sunday’s Sylvania 300.
Red Bull Racing drivers Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers were second and third, respectively. Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch rounded out the top five. Newman and Busch were the only Chase drivers in the top five.
• Kevin Harvick sold his controlling interest in his Truck Series team to Eddie Sharp Racing, ending a 10-year run of ownership that included two series championships.
• Del Worsham (top fuel), Cruz Pedregon (funny car), Jason Line (pro stock) and Andrew Hines (pro stock motorcycle) were the top early qualifiers for Sunday’s NHRA Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas.
Footnotes.
Clint Trickett, a redshirt freshman, could make his first start for Florida State today against Clemson while star quarterback EJ Manuel nurses an injured shoulder.
• Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton said he’s ready to get back in games but he understands why the team is taking it slow as he returns from a concussion suffered in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
• Former Connecticut basketball star Tate George, who went on to a brief NBA career, surrendered to federal authorities in New Jersey to face charges stemming from what prosecutors say was a Ponzi scheme.
• East Carolina extended the contract of men’s basketball coach Jeff Lebo through the 2018-19 season.
