Simpson's 68 nets U.S. Open victory
SAN FRANCISCO, June 17 (UPI) -- Webb Simpson carded a 2-under-par 68 for the second straight day Sunday, rallying past Jim Furyk to claim the 112th U.S. Open Championship at The Olympic Club.
Simpson was in the clubhouse with a one-shot lead at 1-over 281 as third-round leader Furyk and Graeme McDowell each had a chance to force a playoff with a birdie on the 18th.
But Furyk ended up bogeying the final hole and McDowell settled for a par, making Simpson the fifth U.S. Open winner to come from behind at the San Francisco course for a victory.
McDowell ended with a round of 3-over 73, tying Michael Thompson (67) for second place at minus-1. Furyk (74) finished two back at 3-over 283.
Second-round co-leader Tiger Woods -- a two-time U.S. Open winner -- ended in a tie for 21st at plus-7 following a round of 3-over 73.
David Toms (68), Padraig Harrington (68), John Peterson (70) and Jason Dufner (70) shared fourth place at 3-over.
Earnhardt ends long win drought in Mich.
BROOKLYN, Mich., June 17 (UPI) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. claimed his first victory in 143 races Sunday, ending the long drought by taking the Sprint Cup event at Michigan International Speedway.
Earnhardt logged his first victory in a Sprint Cup Series race since 2008, leading 96 laps and then finishing 5.4 seconds ahead of defending series champion Tony Stewart in the rain-delayed contest.
It was the popular driver's 19th career victory but his first since a June 2008 victory at the same Michigan track.
He had limited his practice time due to engine concerns before the race.
Matt Kenseth retained the top spot on the Sprint Cup points leaderboard with a third-place finish. Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the Top 5.
Braves' Beachy placed on disabled list
ATLANTA, June 17 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy, the National League's ERA leader, was placed on the disabled list Sunday with right elbow soreness.
Beachy, who has compiled a 5-5 record with a 2.00 ERA this season, was removed from Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles after tossing 3 2/3 no-hit innings.
The hurler will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam to further diagnose the problem, the team said.
To take his spot on the roster, the Braves recalled pitcher Todd Redmond from Class AAA Gwinnett, where he was 6-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 13 starts.
Tomlinson set to retire as a Charger
SAN DIEGO, June 17 (UPI) -- LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL's fifth all-time leading rusher, will retire from the game as a member of the San Diego Chargers, the team said Sunday.
Tomlinson -- who holds or shares 28 Chargers records -- will sign a ceremonial contract with the team and then officially retire Monday as a member of the team that drafted him with the fifth overall selection of the 2001 draft.
Tomlinson spent nine years with San Diego, including 2006, when he was named the NFL MVP with 1,815 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He scored 31 overall TDs that season, which stands as an NFL record.
"There have been very few players in the NFL who have meant as much to their team as LT did during his career here," Chargers head Coach Norv Turner said. "In particular, his MVP season in 2006."
Tomlinson, 32, played with the New York Jets the past two seasons after being released by the Chargers in 2010.
Over his 170 career games, Tomlinson compiled 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns on 3,174 carries.
Audi takes top three spots at LeMans
LEMANS, France, June 17 (UPI) -- Audi took the top three spots at the 24 hours of LeMans in France Sunday, marking the first time the venerable endurance race was won by a hybrid car.
The No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro took the checkered flag followed by two other Audis in second and third position.
The first two cars were hybrids followed by the conventional No. 4 diesel Audi in third.
The first-place team was made up of drivers Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer. They completed 378 laps, required 33 pit stops and finished a full lap ahead of the No. 2 car.
The 80th running of the LeMans race included 21 cars that did not finish and a serious crash that sent No. 8 Toyota driver Anthony Davidson to the hospital with a back injury.
