SPORTS DIGEST || Ovechkin to miss NHL All-Star Game

Ovechkin to miss

NHL All-Star Game

WASHINGTON

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin will miss the NHL All-Star Game because of a lingering lower-body injury.

Coach Barry Trotz said Ovechkin has been dealing with the injury since mid-November. After Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, Trotz called pulling Ovechkin a “long-term” organizational decision with the Stanley Cup in mind.

By rule, Ovechkin must miss the Caps’ first game after the All-Star break, Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.

Ovechkin had been voted Metropolitan Division captain by fans for the NHL’s new 3-on-3 tournament. His replacement was not immediately announced.

Ovechkin has 28 goals and 14 assists this season and recently became the 43rd player to reach the 500-goal milestone.

Mickelson admonishes

Aussie teen

SAN DIEGO

Australian teenager Ryan Ruffels makes his PGA Tour debut at Torrey Pines with a stern lecture from Phil Mickelson.

Don’t talk about wagers. And don’t embellish the story.

Ruffels said in the Sydney Morning Herald two weeks ago that he played with Mickelson and his brother, Arizona State golf coach Tim Mickelson, at Torrey Pines last month. Ruffels says Mickelson gave him 2-to-1 odds of beating him, and the wager was $2,500. Ruffels says he birdied six of the last seven holes to win $5,000.

Ruffels later said he was not considering going to Arizona State and the amount in the story was exaggerated.

Mickelson said Wednesday that it was “high school stuff” and that Ruffels will have to stop that now that he’s on tour.

Oosthuizen shares

lead in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar

Louis Oosthuizen made another fast start to his first tournament of the year, shooting a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Qatar Masters to share the lead with Pablo Larrazabal on Wednesday.

The 2010 British Open champion has won his first event of the calendar year in four of the last five years, and is in a good position already in Qatar after rolling in seven birdies in a bogey-free round.

“I don’t know the reason why I always play well in January — probably because I’m well rested after a long break and a holiday. I should take more eight-week breaks,” said Oosthuizen, who is bidding to become the fourth South African winner in six events so far in the 2016 European Tour campaign.

“I enjoy the time away from the course and not touching my clubs, and afterwards I’m ready to go again and hungry to get back playing.”

Larrazabal also made seven birdies and no bogeys after the Spaniard hit 17 greens in regulation at Doha Golf Club, where 36 players broke 70 despite the windy conditions.

Andrew Johnston and Nicolas Colsaerts are a shot behind along with Swedish Challenge Tour graduate Bjorn Akesson, who was 7 under after 11 holes but bogeyed No. 8 — his 17th hole.

Wilson goes first

in Pro Bowl draft

WAHIAWA, Hawaii

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been selected with the first pick in the Pro Bowl Draft.

Wilson was chosen Wednesday by Michael Irvin, who is serving as a Pro Bowl legend captain opposite fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

Rice took New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with his first pick, the second overall in the draft.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones went with the third pick to Team Irvin, and Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack was drafted by Team Rice with the fourth pick.

Thirty-four players — mostly linemen — were pre-drafted on Tuesday for the NFL’s all-star game. Forty-eight players will be drafted or assigned Wednesday.

The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at Aloha Stadium.

Associated Press