Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

GOLF
MICKELSON CRUISES TO VICTORY AT PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
Phil Mickelson won for the second straight week yesterday by closing with a 1-over 73 to become the first wire-to-wire winner in the 68-year history of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Mickelson finished at 19-under 269, missing by one shot the tournament record set seven years ago by Mark O’Meara. Still, it was the first time in his career he’s won in consecutive weeks. Mickelson won by five shots last week in Phoenix. He wound up winning Pebble by four shots over Mike Weir. The margin might have been even wider except that Mickelson missed six birdie putts inside 18 feet over the final seven holes.
Greg Owen of England birdied the last hole for a 72 and finished third to earn $360,000. Paul Goydos and Tim Clark each shot 71 to finish another shot back.
BASEBALL
LARKIN RETIRES, JOINS NATIONALS’ FRONT OFFICE
Shortstop Barry Larkin, a 12-time All-Star who spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, has retired and joined the Washington Nationals’ front office as a special assistant.
The Reds, his hometown team, had rejected his overtures to return for a 20th season, deciding to turn the position over to younger players. Larkin, 40, said he had been interested in working in a team’s front office and perhaps eventually managing a team. Over 2,180 games, Larkin hit .295 with 441 doubles, 76 triples, 198 home runs, 960 RBI, and 379 stolen bases. He helped the Reds win the World Series in 1990 and was National League MVP in 1995.
BASKETBALL
MALONE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT IN UTAH
Karl Malone officially announced his retirement yesterday, saying “you will not see me play again. That is a promise.”
After a season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Malone, 41, returned to the arena he called home for 18 of his 19 NBA seasons to make the announcement expected since Friday. Malone, the league’s MVP in 1997 and 1999, finishes second on the NBA’s career scoring list with 36,928 points, just 1,459 behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
TENNIS
RODDICK ROUTS SAULNIER FOR SAP OPEN TITLE
Top-seeded Andy Roddick breezed to a 6-0, 6-4 victory over unseeded Cyril Saulnier in 50 minutes to win the SAP Open yesterday in the fastest final on the ATP circuit this season.
Roddick, who needed just nice aces, played a near-flawless first set on the way to winning his 16th career title less than 20 hours after a thrilling 7-6(3), 6-3 semifinal win Saturday night over third-seeded Tommy Haas. Roddick, ranked third in the world, becomes the first to win the event in consecutive years since Mark Philippoussis in 1999 and 2000.
SAFINA UPSETS MAURESMO FOR OPEN GAZ DE FRANCE TITLE
Russia’s Dinara Safina beat second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to win the Open Gaz de France yesterday. Safina, the sister of Australian Open champ Marat Safin, clinched her third WTA career title while Mauresmo, who won here in 2001, finished second for the third time.
GAUDIO DOWNS PUERTA IN BUENOS AIRES FINAL
Second-seeded Gaston Gaudio beat wild card Mariano Puerta 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Argentine final at the ATP Buenos Aires yesterday. Gaudio, the 2004 French Open winner, made more mistakes, but his well-placed forehand shots and solid serve led him to his second title in a row after winning last week in Vina del Mar, Chile.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NO. 2 NORTH CAROLINA RALLIES TO BEAT NO. 19 UCONN
Rashad McCants had 11 of his 15 points in the second half, while Raymond Felton had 14 of his 16 points in the final 20 minutes as no. 2 North Carolina beat no. 19 Connecticut 77-70 yesterday in Hartford. The Tar Heels (20-3) committed only four turnovers in the second half while forcing the Huskies into 13 of their 22. Josh Boone had 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Huskies (15-6), who held a three point lead at halftime.
In other Top 25 action yesterday, David Lucas scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to lead Oregon State to a 90-73 victory over no. 11 Washington. The Huskies (20-4, 10-3 Pac-10) had their four-game winning streak halted. The Beavers (14-9, 6-6) haven’t had as many victories since the 1991-92 season.
HORSE RACING
FUSAICHI ROCK STAR RUNS TO SAN VICENTE VICTORY
Bob Baffert-trained Fusaichi Rock Star replaced sore-footed stablemate Roman Ruler yesterday and scored a front-running victory in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes.
Fusaichi Rock Star, winning for just the second time in five career starts, moved to the front early and held off fast-closing Don’t Get Mad by a length. Consolidator, the odds-on favorite trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Victor Espinoza, finished fourth and last,1 1/4 lengths behind Kirkendahl in the seven-furlong race.
– Associated Press