PGA Tour suspends 'Furyk' rule
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- PGA Tour officials have altered a rule that led to Jim Furyk's disqualification from The Barclays because he was late for a pro-am event.
Furyk showed up late for last Wednesday's pro-am, saying his cellphone alarm had failed to go off. The tour rule at the time forced his disqualification from that week's tournament.
But Tuesday, the PGA Tour said it was suspending the rule for the rest of 2010 and changed the penalty for a player being late for a pro-am event to "a matter of unbecoming conduct."
The player would participate in the rest of the pro-am and "may be required to perform additional sponsor activity" but could play in the ensuing tournament. A player who misses the pro-am entirely, unless it is because of a valid excuse such as illness or family emergency, will be disqualified from the week's tournament.
The PGA Tour said the rule will be considered at a policy board meeting in November.
Furyk was third in FedEx Cup standings heading into The Barclays but has slipped to eighth after missing the tournament. The winner of the FedEx Cup collects $10 million.
Alabama's Ingram has knee surgery
TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram had knee surgery Tuesday and will miss No. 1-ranked Alabama's opening game Saturday.
Alabama Coach Nick Saban said Ingram, a junior running back, injured his left knee during Monday's practice. Saban said Ingram is considered to be on a week-to-week basis but will miss Saturday's opener against San Jose State. The Crimson Tide play No. 14 Penn State on Sept. 11 in a key early season game.
Saban said Ingram had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and the procedure was considered successful.
"This is not an injury that will affect Mark's future ability to make a full recovery in a relatively short time frame," Saban said.
Ingram won the Heisman Trophy and helped Alabama to the Bowl Championship Series title with a 14-0 record last season when he rushed for 1,658 yards and caught 32 passes for another 334 yards. He scored a total of 20 touchdowns. The rushing total marked an Alabama record for a season.
Sophomore Trent Richardson is expected to replace Ingram against San Jose State.
Chelios to join Red Wings' front office
DETROIT, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Defenseman Chris Chelios has ended his 26-season NHL playing career but said he will remain in the game as part of the front office of the Detroit Red Wings.
Chelios, 48, last season appeared in seven games for the Atlanta Thrashers, allowing him to tie Gordie Howe for the NHL record for most seasons as a player. Chelios played from 1983-2010.
He previously played for Montreal, Chicago and Detroit, appearing in 1,651 regular-season games and scoring185 goals and amassing 948 points. He also played in 266 playoff games and was part of Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1986, 2002 and 2008.
Chelios played for Detroit form the end of the 1998-99 season through 2009. He will serve as an adviser to hockey operations for the Red Wings.
"I've been fortunate enough to be a part of this game at the highest level for a long time," he said in a release from the Red Wings. "I've met a lot of great people and developed some special relationships along the way.
"The three championship teams I've been lucky enough to be a part of have truly been the highlights of my career.
"I'm excited for this next challenge to begin and I'm also thankful the Wings have extended this opportunity for me to continue to be close to the game."
Tina Charles is WNBA Rookie of the Year
NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles, who set a league rebounding record, was a unanimous choice as WNBA rookie of the year.
Charles, who was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2010 WNBA draft after a college career at Connecticut, averaged 11.7 rebounds a game. Her 398 total rebounds in a season represent a WNBA record.
Charles also averaged 15.5 points a game and had 22 double-doubles, another league record. Charles won all four WNBA Rookie of the Month awards this season.
She was the unanimous choice of a panel of 39 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the WNBA and who voted for the rookie award.
The WNBA also released its 2010 All-Rookie team, which is chosen by the league's coaches. In addition to Charles, other members of the All-Rookie team are: Minnesota Lynx guard-forward Monica Wright, New York Liberty guard Kalana Greene, Connecticut Sun forward Kelsey Griffin and Chicago Sky guard Epiphanny Prince.
