Sports in 2 Minutes

From The Associated Press

Wind, rain, then a break in weather at the British Open

SOUTHPORT, England—The day started with howling wind and soaking rain. By afternoon, the showers had stopped and the breeze tailed off.

Rocco Mediate was among those taking advantage of the break in the weather.

Mr. Everyman proved his performance at the last major championship was no fluke, becoming the first player at the British Open to break par Thursday. His 1-under 69 was quickly matched by Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby, all of them late starters seizing on their meteorological good fortune.

Mediate chipped in for birdie at No. 17, then knocked in a 20-footer for another birdie at the final hole. Clearly, he’s gotten over his playoff loss to Tiger Woods at last month’s U.S. Open.

“I love it here,” said Mediate, playing the British for the first time since 2002. “It’s great to be back.”

McDowell and Allenby also headed to the Royal Birkdale clubhouse with birdie-birdie finishes, joining Mediate atop the leaderboard.

This was a day that could be divided into two very distinct groups: Those who had to tee off in the morning, and those who checked in later.

Out of the first 26 threesomes — exactly half the 156-player field — there were 19 scores in the 80s and two other players quit before they could get there, too. There wasn’t one red number in any group. The average score was 77, the numbers jacked up by steady, sometimes heavy rain and winds gusting up to 35 mph.

Among the horror stories: Phil Mickelson lost a ball in the tangly rough; Vijay Singh signed for an 80, and so did Ernie Els, the worst score ever on his sterling Open record; Sandy Lyle and Rich Beem simply gave up.

Vikings decline comment on tampering charges

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Vikings declined Thursday to talk about allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre.

Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan issued a two-sentence statement on Thursday. It said the Vikings “are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league.”

A person familiar with the Packers’ complaint told The Associated Press Wednesday night that Green Bay has filed tampering charges against the Vikings.

The person, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said Packers officials believe Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had discussions with Favre that would violate league rules. Presumably, such discussions would include the possibility of Favre leaving the Packers for their NFC North rivals in Minnesota.

“They feel like Favre had something (in place), and that’s why he was so anxious to get his release all of a sudden,” the person said.

Favre and Bevell are friends going back to Bevell’s days as an assistant in Green Bay. The three-time MVP retired in March, but has since said that he wants to return, which has led to a messy back-and-forth with Packers GM Ted Thompson.

Red Wings-Blackhawks will play at Wrigley

CHICAGO—Frosty baseball games have long been a fixture at Wrigley Field, where a stiff wind off Lake Michigan can chill fans, players and managers alike.

Now the Friendly Confines is going on ice. For one day.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks are taking hockey back outdoors when they meet New Year’s Day 2009 in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.

It will be the NHL’s second Winter Classic. Last season in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game and the Pens won on Sidney Crosby’s goal in a shootout.

It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.

The game, beginning at noon Central Time, will be televised nationally on NBC.

Radomski finds shipping slips under TV

NEW YORK—Convicted steroid dealer Kirk Radomski looked under his television last weekend and found overnight mail slips from packages he claims were used to send human growth hormone to Roger Clemens’ house, according to the lawyer for Brian McNamee.

Clemens sued McNamee, his former trainer, for defamation this year after McNamee claimed the seven-time Cy Young Award winner used steroids and human growth hormone.

“Radomski sent a package to Clemens. Apparently, from what we understand, Brian did not sign for it even though he requested HGH for Clemens and/or his wife,” McNamee’s lawyer, Richard Emery, said Wednesday.

“Brian, when he went to check Debbie, Clemens had the HGH all laid out for him. That’s contrary to Clemens’ testimony in front of Congress. So, once again, the slip corroborates Brian’s truthfulness.”

Clemens is the subject for a federal perjury investigation after telling Congress he never used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Drugs hit Tour again; Italy’s Ricco ousted

NARBONNE, France—Drugs hit the Tour de France again Thursday, and the third doping bust netted the biggest name yet: Italy’s Riccardo Ricco, a winner of two stages.

The disclosure came hours before the 12th stage, which was won by Britain’s Mark Cavendish while Australia’s Cadel Evans kept the yellow jersey.

But as is often the case in cycling, drugs overshadowed racing. This is the third straight year the sport’s showpiece event has been undercut by doping.

“May the cheaters get caught. May they go away,” Tour president Christian Prudhomme said. “I said to the riders before the race, behind closed doors, that you have the key. Some didn’t get the message.”

Evans said he welcomed the drugs busts, and “that the sport is being cleaned up in serious, fair and transparent way. Our sport is being crucified for doing the right thing.”