Azinger reportedly will captain Ryder Cup team

Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo have competed on the golf course and shared space in a television tower as commentators. The next time they square off will be as Ryder Cup captains in two years at Valhalla.

Azinger, a former PGA champion and cancer survivor who played in four Ryder Cups without losing a singles match, has been selected the next American captain, according to two people with knowledge of the appointment.

They did not want to be identified because the PGA of America has not announced its selection, which could come as early as next week.

Azinger did not immediately return a phone call.

He will be in charge of a U.S. team that has lost three straight times to Europe, including record margins (181/2-91/2) the last two matches. Last month in Ireland, Europe became the first team to win all five sessions of the matches.

“I think he’ll bring a lot of fire,” Jim Furyk said. “He’s a feisty player, a real competitor. I think he’ll bring that attitude to the team.”

The PGA of America had talked to Azinger about being captain for the ‘04 Ryder Cup, but he declined.

Azinger said last week at the Chrysler Championship in Florida that he had spoken to the PGA of America, but stopped short of calling it an interview process.

NASCAR

Gordon penalized

NASCAR penalized Robby Gordon for intentionally causing a caution at Atlanta Motor Speedway that affected the race outcome for championship contender Jeff Burton.

Gordon, who owns his race team, was docked 50 driver points and 50 car owner points, and fined $15,000 for throwing a piece of roll bar padding onto the track during Sunday’s race at Atlanta. The debris caused NASCAR to call a caution, which helped Gordon to his 10th-place finish, but hurt Burton’s final result.

Gordon also was placed on probation until the end of the year. Crew chief Greg Erwin was fined $10,000.

College football

Ex-OU pair ineligible

The NCAA ruled that two former Oklahoma football players, including one who transferred to the University of Montana, cannot play football this season and will lose a year of eligibility for accepting payment for more work than they performed at a car dealership.

Offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, who transferred to Division I-AA Montana, must pay $8,137 to the charity of his choice. Quarterback Rhett Bomar, who transferred to Sam Houston State, must pay $7,407.

Both will be allowed to play next season, and will have two years of eligibility remaining, assuming they meet all other eligibility requirements.

College basketball

Wildcat suspended

Kentucky forward Sheray Thomas was suspended for the Wildcats’ first two exhibition games and the season opener because of an undisclosed rules violation. The 6-foot-8 senior started 12 games last year and is expected to be a major contributor at power forward. Coach Tubby Smith said he would have started.