Unlikely duo leads U.S. Open
SAN DIEGO, June 12 (UPI) -- The unlikely duo of Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman emerged as co-leaders Thursday after the opening round of the U.S. Open.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson survived spotty play in their superstar pairing to stay in the chase at Torrey Pines, the longest course ever to host the nation's oldest professional golf tournament.
Streelman, a rookie on the PGA Tour, and Hicks, who is not even a member of the tour, shot 3-under 68s. Streelman, whose best tour finish has been a tie for 29th, led by himself until he bogeyed his final hole late in the afternoon.
The co-leaders had a one-shot edge over Rocco Mediate, Stuart Appleby, Eric Axley and 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy.
Two-time Open winner Ernie Els was at 1-under 70, as were Lee Westwood and Robert Allenby.
Mickelson was part of a group at 71 that included Vijay Singh. Woods shot a 72, as did Woody Austin and Stewart Cink.
Mickelson was 3-over at one point in his round before finishing off his comeback with a birdie at the 18th and Woods suffered two double bogeys.
Woods admitted his surgically repaired left knee became sore during his first competitive round since the Masters.
Ovechkin named NHL MVP
TORONTO, June 12 (UPI) -- Washington winger Alex Ovechkin capped the NHL Awards Show Thursday by winning his first Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player.
Ovechkin received 128 first-place votes on the 134 ballots cast by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
Ovechkin had also won the Art Ross Trophy that goes to the NHL scoring leader and the Maurice Richard Trophy, awarded to the top goal scorer. Ovechkin produced 112 points with 65 goals during the regular season.
Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom claimed his sixth Norris Trophy, which goes to the NHL's top defenseman. The only players with more Norris awards have been Bobby Orr (8) and Doug Harvey (7).
Other award winners included:
-- Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk, who captured both the Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship) and Frank Selke Trophy (top defensive forward).
-- Chicago winger Patrick Kane, winner of the Calder Trophy (top rookie).
-- New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, who won the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender).
-- Washington's Bruce Boudreau, who claimed the Jack Adams Award (coach of the year).
Cubs complete sweep of Braves
CHICAGO, June 12 (UPI) -- Jim Edmonds' homer in the ninth tied the game and a hit batsman in the 11th drove in the winning run in the Chicago Cubs' 3-2 decision over Atlanta.
The Cubs finished off a sweep of the Braves and won their 11th straight game at home.
Kerry Wood (3-1) struck out four in two innings to get the win.
The comeback victory, combined with St. Louis' loss to Cincinnati, increased the Cubs' lead over the Cardinals to 3 1/2 games at the top of the National League Central.
Atlanta took a 2-1 lead into the ninth, but Edmonds hit a one-out homer off Blaine Boyer to force extra innings.
Manny Acosta (3-5) walked two batters in the 11th and gave up a single to Geovany Soto that loaded the bases. Jeff Ridgway relieved Acosta and his first pitch hit Reed Johnson, bringing in Aramis Ramirez with the winning run.
Atlanta left 14 men on base.
Jonathan Ogden retires from the NFL
OWINGS MILLS, Md., June 12 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, a Pro Bowl choice in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons, announced his retirement Thursday.
Ogden, 33, ended his playing career after a nagging left big toe injury would not respond to constant medical treatment. The injury limited the former No. 1 draft pick to just 11 games last season, the fewest in his career.
He was chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft following an all-American career at UCLA.
Ogden noted that family members, team officials and current and former Ravens' players attended his retirement announcement at team headquarters in Owings Mills, Md.
"Football teams are like families and it's good to see that the other members care," he said.
The 6-foot-9 inch, 345-pound native of Washington joins other likely hall-of-famers Brett Favre, Warren Sapp and Michael Strahan in retirement since the end of the 2007 season.
