Woods says Tilghman meant no harm

Tiger Woods says Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman meant no harm when she used the term "lynch" during commentary about him, and he regards the issue closed. "It was unfortunate," Woods said yesterday in his first public comments since Tilghman was suspended for two weeks by Golf Channel. "Kelly and I did speak. There was no ill intent. She regrets saying it. In my eyes, it's all said and done." During the second round at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, Tilghman and analyst Nick Faldo were discussing possible challengers to Woods when Faldo suggested the players gang up on Woods. "Lynch him in a back alley," Tilghman said, laughing . . . Phil Mickelson's start to the season was in doubt when his doctor directed him to stay in bed for two days for a respiratory problem. Mickelson, who has been suffering from heavy congestion, shortness of breath and fatigue, postponed a press conference today at the Buick Invitational, and his management company said his goal was to play in the pro-am tomorrow so that he could play in the tournament.

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin easily won Horse of the Year and 3-year-old male honors at the 37th annual Eclipse Awards in balloting by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Association. Rags to Riches won 3-year-old filly honors after upsetting the boys in the Belmont. Todd Pletcher earned his fourth consecutive Eclipse as trainer of the year with 139 votes . . . Gov. Eliot Spitzer extended the New York Racing Association's temporary operation beyond tomorrow's deadline, allowing races to take place at the Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga race tracks until at least Feb. 13 as negotiations continue between the state, NYRA, and its competitors over who will run thoroughbred horse racing in the state for as long as the next 30 years.

Sidney Crosby's sprained right ankle will knock the NHL's reigning MVP out of this weekend's NHL All-Star Game. The Pittsburgh Penguins placed their captain on the injured list, and because there is still swelling in Crosby's ankle, he won't be re-examined by team doctors until next Tuesday . . . Boston College and Quinnipiac moved up, New Hampshire, Northeastern, and Massachusetts fell, and UMass-Lowell remained No. 15 in the USCHO.com/CSTV and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine men's Division 1 polls. The Eagles moved up three spots to No. 8 in both. The Bobcats, whose 10-game unbeaten streak is the longest currently in the division, moved up two to No. 12 in both. UNH is No. 7, Northeastern No. 11, and UMass No. 14 in both. In the USCHO.com Division 1 women's poll, UNH and Harvard remained No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

Yadier Molina, one of the top defensive catchers in the major leagues, agreed to a $15.5 million, four-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals . . . Righthander Brett Tomko agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals . . . Reliever Scott Proctor and the Dodgers agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,115,000, avoiding salary arbitration . . . Righthander Michael Wuertz and the Cubs also avoided salary arbitration, agreeing on an $860,000, one-year contract . . . Righthander Octavio Dotel is in negotiations with the White Sox on a multiyear contract that could make him the club's closer . . . Albert Pujols, angry his name was incorrectly linked to the Mitchell Report on steroids last month, banned a reporter and cameraman from St. Louis television station KTVI from participating in a news conference. On Dec. 13, KTVI broadcast an incorrect report, citing information posted on the website of WNBC, that linked Pujols and other players to the Mitchell Report . . . Simon Spotlight Entertainment plans to publish Jose Canseco's "Vindicated," which intends to name players with alleged links to performance-enhancing drugs, in time for Opening Day.

Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal called sitting out the season with a bruised left knee a "worst-case scenario" and refused to put a timetable on his return . . . Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, who suffered season-ending injuries to his right knee and right leg last month, hasn't decided whether he'll retire . . . Pacers coach Jim O'Brien, who coached Chris Webber with the 76ers in 2005, said the former All-Star forward was never interested in practice or truly committed to the offensive scheme . . . Lakers forward Trevor Ariza will be out about eight weeks because of a broken right foot suffered at practice Sunday . . . The Minnesota Timberwolves' Gerald Green, who won the Slam Dunk competition last year as a member of the Celtics, will defend his crown on NBA All-Star Saturday Night Feb. 16 in New Orleans against first-time entrants Rudy Gay of Memphis and Jamario Moon of Toronto . . . Norm Chow, fired last week from his job as offensive coordinator by the Tennessee Titans, is the new offensive coordinator at UCLA . . . Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, who twice has broken the 5,000-meter indoor world record at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, will return this year to compete at 3,000 meters. The event begins Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center . . . Marco Koolman, who led Franklin Pierce to its first Division 2 national men's soccer title, was named the division's coach of the year . . . Actor Jason Priestley, who was seriously injured in a racing accident in 2002, is co-owner of the new Rubicon Race Team that plans to enter a car in the Indianapolis 500 in May.