Englishman Dougherty leads U.S. Open
OAKMONT, Pa., June 14 (UPI) -- Englishman Nick Dougherty managed a 2-under 68 Thursday, one of just two sub-par rounds of the day, to take a one shot lead after 18 holes at the U.S. Open.
Although almost half an inch of rain fell prior to the first round, and although the pin placements on several of the holes were relatively easy, the Oakmont Country Club course was still a brutal test.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina was in second with a 69 -- and the only players at 70 were Bubba Watson and two-time Masters champ Jose Maria Olazabal.
Some of golf's most recognizable names were among the 16 players at 71 -- including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy. Fred Funk, who at age 51 would be the oldest major championship winner ever, also shot 71.
Phil Mickelson, who suffered a wrist injury while hitting balls out of the thick Oakmont rough during a practice round earlier this month, played in pain and recorded a 74.
Ernie Els, who won the U.S. Open when it was last contested at Oakmont in 1994, shot a 73.
Pettitte extends Yankees' streak to nine
NEW YORK, June 14 (UPI) -- Andy Pettitte allowed four hits in eight innings Thursday as the New York Yankees won their ninth straight, 7-1 over Arizona.
Pettitte (4-4) -- on the eve of his 35th birthday -- walked one and struck out four while Alex Rodriguez had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Rodriguez leads the majors with 68 RBI.
Arizona has lost six out of seven.
Hideki Matsui had three of the Yankees' 12 hits and Bobby Abreu extended his hitting streak to 13 games, reaching once in four at bats.
Doug Davis (4-8) took the loss, giving up four runs on six hits in five innings.
The Yankees' nine-game streak is their longest since winning 10 in a row in May 2005.
Crosby named NHL's MVP
TORONTO, June 14 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was named the National Hockey League's most valuable player Thursday night as the league's top individual honors were awarded.
Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy that goes to the MVP. Members of the NHL Players Association also voted Crosby their MVP, which brought him the Lester B. Pearson Award.
The winner of the Hart Trophy is determined by the Professional Hockey Writer's Association.
The Penguins' star picked up the Art Ross Trophy as well, the award that goes to the league's leading scorer.
Other awards and their winners:
-- Vezina Trophy (leading goaltender): Martin Brodeur, New Jersey.
-- Calder Trophy (leading rookie): Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh.
-- Norris Trophy (leading defenseman): Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit.
-- Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship): Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.
-- Frank Selke Trophy (leading defensive forward): Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina.
-- Jack Adams Award (leading coach): Alain Vigneault, Vancouver.
IOC commission 'very impressed' by London
LONDON, June 14 (UPI) -- A commission chairman from the International Olympic Committee said Thursday he was "very impressed" with London's efforts ahead of the 2012 Summer Games.
The IOC's Coordination Commission visited London for two days this week to check on progress on aspects of the Games, including sports venues development, the Olympic Village and transportation.
"The IOC has been very impressed with what we have seen this week," commission Chairman Denis Oswald said in a release. "There is an excellent team in place who work together with real spirit."
Oswald also said London would serve as a model for future Olympics in regards to the London Games' legacy and cultural and educational aspects of the Olympics.
One issue not covered in the IOC release was the controversial logo, which has been derided. Previously, an Olympics official said the flap over was" making a big thing out of something very small."
The London Olympics are scheduled for July 27-Aug. 12, 2012.
