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Sports

Tiger Woods says he’s all about majors and legacy — a rebuke of Phil Mickelson, who’s skipping his PGA Championship defense

TULSA, Okla. — Tiger Woods is all about majors and legacy, a point he drove home Tuesday in a sharp rebuke of Phil Mickelson and his support of a Saudi-funded golf venture that led to Mickelson not defending his title at the PGA Championship.Even as Woods resumes a remarkable return from a car crash 15 months ago that nearly led to his right leg being amputated, the PGA Championship cannot escape the absence of Mickelson and speculation about who might sign up for Greg Norman’s new Saudi-backed golf series.AdvertisementWoods said he hasn’t tried to reach out to Mickelson since Mickelson’s self-imposed hiatus from golf three months ago, mainly because of their difference of opinion on how golf should be run.“I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies,” Woods said. “I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past.Advertisement“There’s plenty of money out here. The tour is growing. But it’s just like any other sport — it’s like tennis — you have to go out there and earn it. You’ve got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It’s just not guaranteed up front.”That was a reference to some of the Public Investment Fund money out of Saudi Arabia being offered to players to join Norman and his LIV Golf Investments. According to various reports out of Britain, some top players were being offered more than the $120 million Woods has made in career PGA Tour earnings.Mickelson showed his hand in two interviews published in February. He accused the PGA Tour of “obnoxious greed” while playing in Saudi Arabia, and more incendiary comments followed when Alan Shipnuck published an excerpt of his unauthorized biography on Mickelson.Mickelson said the Saudis were “scary mother-(expletives) to get involved with” and then dismissed the country’s human rights atrocities — such as the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi — by saying it was worth it to gain leverage to make changes on the PGA Tour.He also said he didn’t care if the Saudi league failed, as long as the PGA Tour made changes he wanted.Mickelson decided Friday he would not play at Southern Hills, missing out on a chance to be celebrated for his historic win last year at Kiawah Island when at age 50 he became golf’s oldest major champion.Phil Mickelson holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship on May 23, 2021, at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. (David J. Phillip/AP)He is the first PGA champion not to defend since Woods was recovering from knee surgery in 2008 and skipped the tournament at Oakland Hills.“It’s always disappointing when the defending champion is not here,” Woods said. “Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the tour and committed to the legacy of the tour have pushed back against, and he’s taken some personal time and we all understand that. Advertisement“But I think that some of his views on how the tour could be run, should be run, been a lot of disagreement there. He’s just taking his time and we all wish him the best when he comes back.”Woods, meanwhile, is back and more optimistic than he was a month ago at the Masters. He said those who are close to him were thrilled to see him walk all 72 holes at Augusta National, his first time walking while competing since the Feb. 23, 2021, accident in Los Angeles that shattered bones in his right leg and ankle.All he could think about the day after was a bad putting week that led to a 78-78 weekend.“I did not see it that way Monday,” he said. “I was a little ticked I didn’t putt well and felt like I was hitting it good enough and I wish I had the stamina.”He said the Monday after the Masters was a tough day of recovery, and then he went right back to work trying to gain strength and endurance.“It’s better than the last time I played a tournament, which is good,” Woods said.AdvertisementHe won the last PGA Championship at Southern Hills by two shots in 2007 for his 13th of 15 majors. He barely recognized the course after a restoration project that brought back a few meandering creeks and returned the edges of the putting surfaces so they funnel shots away from the green.Tiger Woods holds up the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship on Aug. 12, 2007, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. (Morry Gash/AP)The bigger challenge is the players he is trying to beat, who make up the strongest field of the majors. Woods is 46, and Mickelson showed a year ago that age is only a number. However, Mickelson had been playing a full schedule all along. Woods, with his injuries, would appear to be limited to the four majors this year at most.One help is the nature of the walk. Augusta National is among the toughest in golf. Southern Hills features a sharp drop from the first and 10th tees and a tough climb at the end of each nine. Otherwise, it’s a relatively gentle stroll.“Figured the first mountain you climbed was Everest,” Woods said of Augusta National. “That’s the steepest golf course you’re going to play and that was the first one you climbed. It’s going to get flatter and better.”He still struggles on certain days. He said it’s never as easy as it might look.“But I feel like I’m doing better,” he said. “I’m having more days which are better, more positive.”

Sports

Tarik Cohen appears to get injured while the former Chicago Bears RB was live-streaming a workout

Former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen, now a free agent, apparently suffered an injury during a training session being live-streamed on his Instagram account.The hard-luck player, released in March by the Bears because of past injuries, grabbed the back of his leg after going down during the workout. The incident was seen on Instagram Live, with Cohen falling to the floor after backpedaling.AdvertisementCohen played three full seasons with the Bears but tore knee ligaments in Week 3 of the 2020 season. He missed the rest of that season and all of 2021 before the Bears released him.A fourth-round draft pick in 2017, Cohen had a strong rookie year as a running back and kick returner. He made the All-Pro team as a punt returner in 2018, when he led the NFL with 33 returns for 411 yards (12.5 average).

Sports

Lucas Giolito expected to start Wednesday for the Chicago White Sox after returning from the COVID injured list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lucas Giolito felt “a little off” the morning after his May 10 start for the Chicago White Sox.“I immediately talked to (head athletic trainer) James (Kruk) and got tested, and that first rapid test showed positive (for COVID-19),” Giolito said Tuesday. “Then we did the PCR and it came back the next day. That was that.”AdvertisementThe Sox placed Giolito on the COVID-19-related injured list Friday. He’s expected to return Wednesday and pitch against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.“It was (my) second time having it,” Giolito said. “I had it in the offseason and this time was a little bit rougher the first couple of days. But I recovered very quickly. Excited to be back. It was not fun being away from the team and having to watch all the games on TV.Advertisement“I had body aches and stuff in the mornings and at night. It was two days of pretty bad. During the daytime, when we got meds in me, I was pretty good. But it was important to rest and recuperate. I’m glad to be feeling 100% now and back.”Giolito’s return means the Sox will make slight adjustments to the rotation. Vince Velasquez is in line to start Thursday’s series finale with Dallas Keuchel and Michael Kopech scheduled for the first two games against the Yankees in New York. Sunday’s starter will be either Johnny Cueto or Dylan Cease.White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito wipes his face in the dugout after a rough first inning against the Los Angeles Angels on April 29, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Giolito said he was able to stay in shape “as best as I can.”“Routine was thrown off a little bit,” he said. “But I was able to do some good work and I had some equipment at home, quarantine-style. Feeling good. It’s good to be back here and get a nice day of being outside.”Sox manager Tony La Russa said Giolito could have pitched one of Tuesday’s doubleheader games, but “we thought it was a real push. Better off having him pitch (Wednesday).” Giolito is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts this season. He was on the IL from April 9-24 with a left abdominal strain that he suffered on opening day.The Sox will be a step closer to a healthy pitching staff when Giolito takes the mound. Lance Lynn is working his way back after undergoing right knee surgery to repair a torn tendon during spring training.Giolito enjoyed watching Cueto pitch six shutout innings in his Sox debut Monday.Advertisement“He’s come out of the gate tremendously already in one game,” Giolito said. “I’m excited to get to know him better and have him part of the rotation. We never know when like something like this could happen, like COVID … or the injuries happen. Having that depth is super important.“Bringing in a player like Cueto — who has a wealth of experience, been on winning teams — bringing that knowledge and that experience to the table to help us along with his great pitching ability (is) always welcomed.”

Sports

Pall ball: Former White Sox and Cubs pitcher Donn Pall has number retired before Evergreen Park-Shepard contest. ‘It’s amazing.’

Former White Sox and Cubs pitcher Donn Pall offered up a message for high school baseball players after having his No. 20 retired by alma mater Evergreen Park.If he can do it, anybody can.Advertisement“Whenever I speak to kids, I’ll tell them my story,” Pall said. “Nobody ever looked at me and said, ‘That guy’s going to be a major leaguer. That guy’s phenomenal.’“Nobody said I was going anywhere. Nobody recruited me for college. I went to walk on at Illinois and got cut my freshman year. I tell people, ‘You just never know.’”AdvertisementDonn and Kate Pall walk out on the field for the former White Sox and Cubs pitcher’s number retirement ceremony before Shepard and Evergreen Park played a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)After the pregame ceremony, the rest of Monday night belonged to Shepard. The Astros rolled to a 10-3 win to stay in the hunt for the South Suburban Red championship.Junior right-hander Andrew Alarcon allowed just one unearned run over four innings and drove in three runs on two singles to lead Shepard (15-10, 11-4).Dominic Chillmon went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Paul Kladis also drove in two runs as the Astros closed within a half-game of Reavis for the conference lead.Grady Elwood allowed one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of relief and Jack Hughes added a two-run single for Evergreen Park (14-17, 7-11).Shepard’s pitcher Andrew Alarcon (5) delivers a pitch against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)Alarcon said he was inspired by Pall’s story.“That was really exciting for me to see, that even if you don’t start at a big school, you can go far,” Alarcon said. “That’s my dream. I’m trying to do the same thing he did right now.“I’m just trying to get my name out there, start from the bottom and go to the top and finish there.”Pall’s name and number will adorn a fence along the third base line at Evergreen Park, an honor that means a lot to the 10-year Major League Baseball veteran.Advertisement“I grew up here and lived here for around 25 years,” Pall said. “I have a lot of friends that still live here. I love coming back to Evergreen Park always. There’s certainly a special bond with me and this community, all the fields I played on here and the high school. It means a lot to be back.“Who would ever think this would be happening for me? It’s so cool to be able to do that, to retire the number and to get to see these incredible fields they have here. It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true, really.”Evergreen Park’s Alejandro Munoz (7) connects against Shepard during a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)After graduating from Evergreen Park, Pall attempted to walk on at Illinois but did not make the team as a freshman. He tried again as a sophomore and made the cut.His breakthrough did not come until he was a fifth-year senior. He went 13-1 with a 1.98 ERA and attracted attention from MLB scouts.Daily SouthtownTwice-weeklyNews updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and WednesdayIn 1985, he was drafted in the 23rd round by the White Sox. He pitched on the South Side for six seasons. He also had stints with the Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Florida Marlins.Pall went 24-23 in his career with a 3.63 ERA.AdvertisementShepard’s catcher Mike Radz (12) tags out Evergreen Park’s Sean Higgins (18) at the plate during a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)Not bad for a guy who could not get a college scholarship.“If you want something bad enough and someone tells you you’re not good enough but you want it, keep working hard and keep getting after it because you never know,” Pall said. “I’m the story that proves that.”For Elwood, a sophomore who retired Shepard’s final 10 hitters of the game, there could not be a better hometown role model for a young pitcher.“The path that he took, it would be awesome if I could ever do something even close to that,” Elwood said. “That’s the goal.”Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.