ATLANTA - Rory McIlroy is perplexed that his remarks on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson being on the last few holes of their careers caused so many headlines.McIlroy was asked on the eve of the Tour Championship whether Woods and Mickelson not being eligible for the 30-man field represented a changing of the guard. He disagreed, saying that Woods was injured most of the year and Mickelson had played well in spots but was going through a long stretch.Noting their ages (Woods is 38, Mickelson is 44) and injuries, he said they were getting into sort of the last few holes of their careers.He went on Twitter that night to explain what he was asked and what he said.I was going through Twitter last night and it was like, Hold on, did I say something bad here? I dont think I did, McIlroy said Thursday after opening with a 69. Look, I know Tiger and Phil really well. I get on really well with both guys. Ive said much worse to Tiger before.McIlroy and Woods recently made the rounds on talk shows together.McIlroy said Wednesday:Phil has played well in parts this year. He came really close to winning the PGA. I feel like hes gotten a little better as the year has went on. But its a lot of golf for him to play in such a short space of time. So you could see he was getting a little tired the last couple of weeks. And, I mean, Tigers not here just because hes been injured or he is injured. He hasnt had the opportunity to play.But I think if he gets back and when he gets back to full fitness, youll see him back here again. So Im not sure ... theyre just getting older. Phils 43 or whatever he is and Tigers nearly 40. So theyre getting into the sort of last few holes of their career. And thats what happens. You get injured. Phil has to deal with an arthritic condition as well. So it obviously just gets harder as you get older. Ill be able to tell you in 20 years how it feels.McIlroy said he didnt feel he had to defend himself, but that his tweets were to clarify his remarks.I thought I was very complimentary, he said. I said the only reason Tiger wasnt here was he didnt have the opportunity. I wasnt writing him or Phil off at all. ... I didnt say anything out of line or wrong.Asked if he felt as though he needed to explain his remarks to Woods, McIlroy smiled and said, Ive said worse to his face. . Bradley is one of eight players selected to the team who also played in this years World Cup in Brazil. The MLS all-stars will compete against German giants Bayern Munich in Portland on Aug. . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March.
http://www.nhlpanthersauthority.com/aut ... rs-jersey/. In a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night, Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife, younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field. . Parnell will be out much longer if it turns out he needs surgery. But first, he will try resting for two weeks before beginning a throwing program that could last up to a month, general manager Sandy Alderson said. . Brazilian striker Brandao opened the scoring with a header in the 55th minute before winger Franck Tabanou volleyed home from close range to double the lead in the 61st.GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- J.R. Smith is recovering from knee surgery, then faces an NBA suspension when he returns. Amare Stoudemire is recovering from knee surgery -- yes, thats three in the last year -- and faces a restriction on his minutes when he returns. The New York Knicks have the NBAs leading scorer in Carmelo Anthony, but after that there are questions about whos going to put the ball in the basket until their second- and third-leading scorers get back. They downplayed those concerns Tuesday after their first practice of the season. "Weve just got to be patient until we get those guys back, and then when they get back, theyre going to fit right in," coach Mike Woodson said. Smith was the NBAs Sixth Man of the Year last season after averaging a career-best 18.1 points. Though he apparently experienced knee pain since early in the season, he waited until well after it was finished to have patella tendon surgery and an arthroscopy on his left knee to repair a tear in the lateral meniscus. He said Monday the delay until mid-July was in part family related, that he felt it was more important to focus on getting his new contract done first. The Knicks said at the time the expected recovery time was 12-16 weeks, and along the way five more games have been tacked on to his absence when the NBA suspended him for violating the anti-drug program. Hell sit out the first five games hes physically able to play. The Knicks already planned to be cautious with Stoudemire this season after he played in just 29 games last season because of a pair of surgeries, one on each knee. Then he underwent another procedure on his left knee this summer, and though he was able to do some shooting Tuesday, the Knicks dont know when hell be ready for game action. Woodson said the former All-Star will play very limited minutes at the start, and iits doubtful hell play more than about 25 a game at any point.dddddddddddd Add the 14.2 points he averaged, and the Knicks are missing 32 per game from their top two reserves on last seasons 54-win team. "I think guys just have to do their part, making shots, and when their time comes just contribute everything that they have," Anthony said. "Well see what happens. Until J.R. gets back, until Amare gets back, we have enough guys that can score the basketball." He mentioned Andrea Bargnani, the former No. 1 overall pick the Knicks acquired from Toronto in July. But the Italian forward-centre played in just 66 games the last two seasons, his scoring nose-diving from a career-high 21.4 points per game in 2010-11 to just 12.7 last season. The Knicks think hell regain his form and provide outside shooting that will keep double-teams away from Anthony. "The main thing is winning, because in Toronto we didnt go to the playoffs for five straight years so Im starving for winning and get back to the playoffs," Bargnani said. "So its all about the team. I can score the ball, thats what I do, so I hope my scoring skills can help the team." New York also signed Metta World Peace, but he hadnt even averaged in double figures for two straight seasons before rebounding with 12.4 points per game last season. Still, Woodson thinks this team has enough options that it can be more balanced than the 2012-13 squad that set an NBA record with 891 3-pointers but often became stagnant when the outside shots werent falling. He said Anthony, Bargnani, World Peace and eventually Stoudemire can all play in the post. "It gives us a better threat this year," Woodson said, "where we dont have to always live on the perimeter and be able to explore mismatches, which is kind of nice." ' ' '
