FRONT ROW: Nash is sticking around

EVERYONE’S FAVORITE: Steve Nash is the most popular athlete in Arizona, and it’s not even close.

The floppy-haired point guard has won fans of all ages across the state, thanks to his fan-friendly style of play and his wonderful personality. People become sports fans specifically to root for people like Nash.

The biggest reason why the Phoenix Suns’ transformation from 60-win powerhouse to 45-win lottery team was the distinct possibility that it might force Nash to consider leaving the Valley of the Sun in order to capture that elusive championship ring.

After all, Nash is 35 years old with back problems. Once his six-year, $63 million contract with the Suns ran out after the upcoming season, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see him test the free-agent market — possibly reuniting in New York with Mike D’Antoni, the coach whose free-flowing offense was seemingly tailor-made for Nash’s skills.

However, those fears were squashed this week, as Nash has agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract extension that will keep him in Phoenix until 2012.

Even if Nash isn’t quite the player he was when he won those back-to-back MVP awards, he’s still the face of this franchise and the most popular player this team has employed since Charles Barkley’s prime.

The Suns likely aren’t going to contend for a title next season, but Nash’s presence will make the fans happy.

CONSOLING WATSON: After Tom Watson squandered the chance to become the oldest major champion in golf history, he received a phone call from an old friend and rival — and perhaps the best person to talk to in a situation like this.

Jack Nicklaus — who battled Watson in that epic 1977 Open at Turnberry — told him that he couldn’t have played any better than he did.

“Jack told me: ‘Watson, that’s the first time I ever sat down and watched all 18 holes of any golf tournament, ANY golf tournament,’” a smiling Watson told Reuters.

Nicklaus had his moment in the sun in 1986, when he shocked the world to win the Masters at age 46 — well after his prime had passed.

At 59, the chances of Watson enjoying a similar run up the leaderboard seem unlikely, but nobody is soon to forget his fantastic performance at Turnberry — especially his old friend, Jack.

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