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In the wake of the news that Elin will file for divorce (click here for ESPN’s article), I present you some photos you won’t see any time soon.

You would think she’d be smiling because of the payday she’ll receive, but if she had her druthers, she’d like to have her old life back.

Yeah, I don’t see them walking hand in hand any time soon.

If Elin were to hug Tiger now, it would be with one arm and it would be more of a choke hold than an embrace.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Earlier this year Phil Mickelson’s wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer.  He got some more bad news when he found out that his mother Mary also has breast cancer.  She is set to have surgery later this week at the same hospital where Amy had her surgery.  Phil has played in two tournaments since Amy’s diagnosis, including a second place finish in the U.S. Open.

Phil has not set a timetable for another return, but he is not likely to compete in the British Open.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Mickelson family.

If you’re a sports nut like me you factor that aspect in when selecting a place to take a vacation.  When you are planning your Summer vacation, I ask that you consider Minnesota.  Unless you are an avid ice fisher or snowmobile, I recommend staying away from Minnesota in the Winter, but it is a beautiful place in the other three seasons.

It should come as no surprise that the land that gave birth to water skiing would know how to turn water into a playground. Sailing. Wakeboarding. Windsurfing. Jet skiing. Boating. Scuba Diving.  Minnesota is also host to the world’s largest tub of fresh water—Lake Superior—a great location for adventure kayaking. And don’t forget world-class canoeing in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Our almost 12,000 lakes hold some of the finest game fish to ever wear scales: large and smallmouth bass, trout, pike, muskies, and of course, Minnesota‘s state fish – the mighty walleye.  Plus, Minnesota has about 10 million acres of public land open to hunting–that’s about one-fifth of the state’s area. There’s great hunting for deer, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, and all manner of large and small game. 

Minnesota has become an established travel destination for the golf aficionado. After all, it is home to more national USGA events than any other state. Here you’ll find the perfect blend of technical challenges and breathtaking beauty. From the open links of the prairie to the woodsy parkland courses with their rolling fairways and water hazards. And with 90% of Minnesota’s 498 golf courses open to the public, a dream round is just a trip away.

Minnesota’s natural scenery is thrilling all on its own. But it’s even more breathtaking when it’s amplified by high adrenaline and adventure. Whether you like to commune with nature by thundering through the woods on a mountain bike or by way of kayak, your inner adventurer will love Minnesota’s wild side.

If you prefer more traditional sports like baseball, it’s your last chance to see the Minnesota Twins in the Metrodome.  I prefer baseball outdoors, but if you’ve never watched a game in a dome, it does have some intrigue, especially when the Twins are playing well.  The loudest gave I have ever been to in any sport was a Twins-Red Sox game in the dome around the time of their 1991 World Series title.  They have two of the best players in the game in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

What are you waiting for?  Explore Minnesota.

For the first time in recent history Tiger Woods will not be the sentimental favorite for a major.  When the best golfers in the world tee off at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, NY, Phil Mickelson will have the heart of the country behind him.  His wife Amy was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a short break to be by his wife’s side, he rejoined the tour last week for the St. Jude Classic.  Phil was off to a great start entering Sunday at -4.  He shot a 75 (+5) to finish tied for 59th at one over.  Not bad for a rusty guy.  Brian Gay ran away from the field with a -18, five strokes better than runner ups David Toms and Bryce Molder.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The U.S. Open will be about Tiger and Phil initially though.  Tiger won last year’s Open in dramatic fashion over Rocco Mediate despite playing on an injured knee.  With a little luck the two will be paired up on Sunday in a match for the ages.  This time America will be on Phil’s side.

Mark Teixeira blasted 3 HRs.  Umpire Brian O’Nora had to leave the game after being hit by a broken Maple bat.  They are bad news.  Gary Sheffield hit a HR in his return from the DL.  Shawn Chacon got released after tossing Astros GM Ed Wade around like a ragdoll.  Albert Pujols was activated from the DL, and promptly went 4 for 4.  The Twins won their 9th straight.
 

Pacman Jones wants to be called Adam Jones.  Hopefully, he’s serious about changing his image.  Apparently Imus isn’t as he made stupid comments and then backpedalled the next day.  Jevon Kearse got popped for a DUI.  Dude, you’re 31.  Grow up.  Speaking of growing up, Cedric Benson has to blow into a tube before he can drive.  An arrest was made in the Javon Walker thumping.  The G-Men signed G Chris Snee to a six-year, $43.5 million deal.  The Bills locked up G Brad Butler.
 

Allen Iverson isn’t opting out of his last year with Denver.  Carmelo took a plea in his DUI case.  He’ll miss the first two games next year.  Shaq’s silly rap dissing Kobe cost him his stinkin’ badges with Maricopa County.  Portland bought New Orleans’ 27th pick.  Denver traded its 20th pick in the draft for a future Charlotte first rounder.  Toronto traded T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal.  The Nets traded Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.  James Jones will test the free agent market.  True to form it was Rose, Beasley, and Mayo with the top three picks in the NBA Draft.  Minnesota sent Mario Chalmers to Miami for cash.  Detroit traded a couple of picks for D.J. White.  Portland traded Brandon Rush, Jarrett jack, and Josh McRoberts to Seattle for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.  The Wolves traded Mayo, Marco Jaric, Antoine Walker, and Greg Buckner to the Grizzlies for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins.  The last two draft day trades (Marbury for Ray Allen and Randy Foye for Brandon Roy) didn’t work out so hot for the Wolves.  We’ll see about this one.

Ottawa signed C Chris Kelly to a four-year.  L.A. traded a 2nd round pick to Colorado for C Brad Richardson.  Phoenix got C Olli Jokinen from Florida for Defensemen Keith Ballard and Bick Boynton, as well as a 2nd round draft pick.  Calgary got C Mike Cammalleri, Montreal got F Alex Tanquay, Anaheim got the 17th & 28th picks, and L.A. got the 12th pick in a multi-team deal.  Philly sent F R.J. Umberger and a 4th round pick to Columbus for 1st & 3rd round picks.  The NHL suspended Anaheim Owner Henry Samueli following aguilty plea for lying to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  San Jose signed F Joel Pavelski, F Jeremy Roenick, and G Brian Boucher.  Tampa Bay signed C Vincent Lecavalier to a nine-year, $77 million deal.  Scott Niedermayer is coming back for another run.
 
 
Duquesne signed Coach Ron Everhart to a three-year extension.  Indiana AD Rick Greenspan will resign.  

 
Alabama kicked LB Jimmy Johns for selling dope.  I always thought he sold subs.  Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey is transferring to Howard.  His former teammate DeAndre McDaniel was arrested on domestic abuse charges.  Central Florida RB Ricky Kay was suspended following his recent arrest.

 
Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Sonoma (Infineon Raceway).  Carl Edwards won the Camping World RV Rental 250 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Stewart Cink won golf’s Travelers Championship.  Jeff Sluman won the Bank of America Championship (Champions Tour).  Jarrod Lyle won the Knoxville Open (Nationwide Tour).  Martin Kaymer won the BMW International Open.  Eun-Hee Ji won the Wegmans LPGA.  Camilo Villegas and Bubba Watson won the CVS Caremark Charity Classic.  The LPGA U.S. Open is going on.  It’s in Minnesota this year.

Third-ranked Novak Djokovic got bounced from Wimbledon in the second round.  Alla Kudryavtseva beat hottie Maria Sharapova.  Janko Tipsarevic beat Andy Roddick.  Rainer Schuettler beat James Blake.

That concludes the Tidbits. As always feel free to add any stories you liked this week in sports or discuss any of the stories I mentioned.

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