THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 SPORTS Phil Mickelson splits with long-time caddie LOS ANGELES: Phil Mickelson, a five- relationship,” Mickelson said. “Our deci- 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013. tionships don’t often last that long. I will congratulate him.” Mickelson showed he time major winner and three-time sion is not based on a single incident. We Mickelson’s younger brother Tim, who always be grateful that I was around to can still contend in majors, finishing sec- Masters champion, announced Tuesday just feel it’s the right time for a change.” filled in for a day when Mackay was sick witness so much of Phil’s career.” ond to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson last July he has split with caddie Jim “Bones” Mickelson has not won a title since at a World Golf Championships event in Mickelson’s success made Mackay’s in a British Open thriller. Now he must do Mackay after working together for 25 the 2013 British Open, his fifth major Mexico earlier this year, will take over as dream come true. “When Phil hired me in so without Mackay. “My relationship and years and 41 professional triumphs. crown after the 2005 PGA Championship the caddie for “Lefty” for the remainder of 1992, I had one dream: to caddie in a history with Bones far exceeds golf,” The 47-year-old lefthander and the and the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters. the season starting with his next event, Ryder Cup. Last year, at Hazeltine, Phil Mickelson said, saying he looks to for- bagman he met at 1992 US Open section- Denying him a career Grand Slam is a the PGA Greenbrier Classic on July 6-9. played in his 11th straight Ryder Cup. It ward to “sharing life and friendship” for- al qualifying in Memphis parted ways as US Open triumph and Mickelson with- “After an amazing 25-year run, Phil was so cool to have a front-row seat,” ever. Mickelson won his first PGA event friends, each releasing a statement saying drew from last week’s edition of the event and I have mutually decided to go our Mackay said. “I wish Phil nothing but the in 1991 at Tucson, Arizona, as an amateur as much. “After 25 very rewarding and to attend his daughter’s graduation. separate ways,” said Mackay, who this best. His game is still at an elite level, and before meeting Mackay, the only one of memorable years, Bones and I have mutu- Mickelson has finished as a US Open run- year has been recovering from a double when he wins in the future (definitely his 42 career tour titles to come without ally decided to end our player-caddie ner-up a record six times, including 1999, knee replacement. “Player-caddie rela- the Masters), I will be among the first to “Bones” on his bag. — AFP CRICKET Greats lament ‘sad day’ as Kohli topples Kumble NEW DELHI: Batting great Sunil Gavaskar ences between Virat and Anil. But it is a really analyser than @anilkumble 1074 on Indn hori- lamented a “sad day” after Anil Kumble stepped sad day for Indian cricket,” Gavaskar told NDTV. zon (we are) ignorant really!” down as India coach over a rift with captain Virat “India have won everything since the time Kumble, 46, had already appeared headed for Kohli, leaving the hotseat vacant once again. Anil took over,” he added. “I can’t see Anil doing the exit after the Board of Control for Cricket in Kumble said Tuesday his position was “unten- much wrong in one year. Differences (can) hap- India (BCCI) advertised for a new coach last able” after Kohli questioned his leadership style pen in any team but see the results.” month, although he was an automatic candi- and told the Indian board he had reservations India suffered a humiliating defeat to date. Former India opener Virender Sehwag and about the spin legend extending his one-year Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final on Australia’s Tom Moody are reported to be among stay. Since Duncan Fletcher left in March 2015, Sunday, but Kumble also helped them reclaim the possible replacements for Kumble, whose India, currently the world’s top Test team, have the number-one Test ranking and maintained an contract ran out after the Champions Trophy. struggled for stability with Ravi Shastri and unblemished record in five Test series. PHILADELPHIA: In this March 29, 2017, file photo, Atlanta Hawks’ Dwight Howard pre- Sanjay Bangar both taking on temporary roles Former India captain and coach Bishan Singh KING KUMBLE pares to shoot a free throw during the team’s NBA basketball game against the before Kumble’s reign. Bedi also signalled his disappointment, tweet- Sehwag, who seems to be the frontrunner Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte “I have very little knowledge about the differ- ing: “If there’s more intelligent/committed Crkt for the job, believes it would be tough for any- Hornets have reached an agreement to acquire center Howard from the Hawks. — AP one to match Kumble’s success as coach. “The way this Indian team has performed BASKETBALL under his coaching, I doubt whether anybody else will be able to replicate his success,” Sehwag told UC News, an online data provider. Atlanta Hawks send center “I don’t know about his coaching style but as a player, as an individual and as a senior he is Dwight Howard to Hornets just brilliant,” said Sehwag, who played under Kumble’s Test captaincy. Sambit Bal, editor in ATLANTA: Dwight Howard’s Atlanta eliminated in the first round for the first chief of ESPNCricinfo.com, said the manner of homecoming was short-lived. The Hawks time since 2014. Following the season, Kumble’s exit set an unwelcome precedent for sent Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in coach Mike Budenholzer resigned his addi- Indian cricket. “I think that sets a bad precedent today’s NBA draft to Charlotte for center tional role as president of basketball opera- really... it’s really a case where the BCCI has Miles Plumlee, shooting guard Marco tions and Wes Wilcox stepped down as backed the captain over the coach,” he said. “The Belinelli and the 41st pick, getting the deal general manager. The Howard trade is the message is sent out to the next coach: fall into completed late Tuesday night. first deal for new Hawks GM Travis Schlenk, line or else,” added Bal. Howard, an eight-time All-Star and who faces the difficult challenge of re-sign- A three-man panel of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav three-time NBA Defensive Player of the ing free-agent forward Paul Millsap. Ganguly and VVS Laxman, who picked Kumble in Year, will be playing for his third team in “It is extremely important for our organi- June last year, will deliberate over Kumble’s three seasons following a disappointing zation that we maintain our flexibility and replacement. As well as Sehwag and Moody, one-year return to his Atlanta hometown. this trade helps us achieve that critical reports say other candidates are Englishman “We are excited to add a player of goal,” Schlenk said. “We appreciate the con- Richard Pybus, who has coached Pakistan and Dwight’s stature to our roster,” Charlotte tributions that Dwight made on the court Bangladesh, former India manager Lalchand general manager Rich Cho said. “He has and in the greater Atlanta community this Rajput and ex-paceman Dodda Ganesh. been a very talented player, an elite past season.” Howard, 31, is due to earn An Indian Express column said the pressures rebounder and rim protector as well as a $23.5 million each of the next two seasons. of modern cricket demanded a “strong chain of physical presence since the moment he Plumlee, 28, still has three years remaining entered the league. Howard’s best seasons on his contract at $12.5 million per season. LONDON: This photograph taken on May 26, 2017 shows India’s head coach Anil Kumble command”. “Giving veto powers to the captain came alongside coach Steve Clifford and Belinelli, 31, is set to earn $6.6 million in attending a practice session at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on May 26, 2017 ahead of the and players over coaches sits at odds with the we believe their familiarity will make an the final year of his deal. start of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament. Batting great Sunil Gavaskar direction cricket is moving in,” the column said. immediate impact for the Hornets this Michael Jordan’s Hornets have been lamented a “sad day” yesterday after Anil Kumble stepped down as India coach over a rift with “Indian cricket has once again endorsed that upcoming season.” Clifford was an assistant attempting to land a star player for quite captain Virat Kohli, leaving the hotseat vacant once again. —AFP captain is more important than a coach,” it added. —AFP with Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers some time and Howard potentially gives during Howard’s stints with those teams. them that if he can return to playing at a “I’m excited about working with Dwight high level. Point guard Kemba Walker has again,” Clifford said. “He brings a defensive developed into an All-Star, but Nicolas Cavaliers in chaos after GM mindset, shot blocking ability and a level of Batum struggled last season after being physicality that will be a huge asset for us. handed a $120 million, five-year contract - We look forward to him continuing his the largest ever given to a Hornets player.