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TROON, Scotland -- As Phil Mickelson struts around Royal Troon, positioning himself to make a run at a sixth major championship, theres no doubt he remains the Peoples Champion. Charles Harris Jersey .Go get `em, Phil! they scream at every hole of the British Open. We love you, Phil!One group, crowded onto a rooftop alongside the 17th green, unveiled a sign inviting him to stop by for a serving of Scottish pancakes. No word if he took them up on the offer, but knowing Lefty, its not out of the question.Yet, theres another side to this warm-and-fuzzy story, and its worth remembering as Mickelson takes aim at his second British Open title.For all the good hes done inside and outside the ropes, this is the same guy who buddied up with a big-time gambler, supposedly got in hock to him for a lot of money, and took part in a shady stock deal that brought a nearly $1 million payoff in a matter of days.Outside of a few embarrassing headlines when the matter came to light nearly two months ago and having to pay back his ill-gotten gain, Mickelson went largely unpunished for his highly questionable dealings as far as anyone can tell.The feds didnt have enough evidence to charge him with a crime. His sponsors stuck with him. And the PGA Tour, from all indications, quietly let the matter fade away without so much as a slap on a wrist.Somehow, that doesnt seem right.At the very least, Mickelsons dealings with Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters were worthy of some sort of sanction from those in charge of the game, which values honesty and integrity so highly that players are expected to call infractions on themselves.Now, theres no evidence of Mickelson betting on golf -- outside of the harmless practice-round wagering he does with his buddies -- but its long been known that Lefty has a fondness for sports gambling. Hes supposedly scored huge payoffs on Super Bowl and World Series wagers, and there have also been reports of him losing millions of dollars.None of this should sit well with the folks at the PGA Tour. Just dont expect them to come clean on how they feel about it. Unlike other major sports organizations, the tour wont discuss any disciplinary action that it takes against its players, or even if they violated a rule.It is known the tour forbids players from having dealings with persons whose activities, including gambling, might reflect adversely upon the integrity of the game of golf.In that regard, Mickelson failed miserably.His name turned up in a federal civil suit accusing Walters and Thomas Davis, a former corporate board member at Dean Foods, of insider trading that allowed them to make tens of millions of dollars in illicit stock trades.While the golfer was not charged, he did agree to repay -- with interest -- the $931,000 he made in about a week on a single trade of Dean Foods in the summer of 2012, allegedly on a tip from Walters. An official from the Securities and Exchange Commission summed it up succinctly: Mickelson made money that wasnt his to make.So why would one of the worlds highest-paid athletes get involved in such a dubious transaction? Well, according to the SEC, he had placed bets with Walters prior to the tip, he owed Walters money at the time of the deal, and he repaid Walters a month later in part with the proceeds of his trading.The tour had every right to come down hard on Mickelson for putting the game in such a negative light. It shouldve ordered him to receive counseling for his gambling (and maybe it did), but thats not enough.Mickelsons actions were worthy of a suspension -- three months, minimum -- which wouldve knocked him out of the last three majors of 2016.Of course, that didnt happen.So there was Mickelson, on the top row of the leaderboard at the British Open, the latest chapter in a brilliant career known for pulling off high-risk shots.In the opening round, he nearly became the first player to shoot 62 in a major championship. It was a bit more of a struggle on Day 2, as Mickelson worked around a couple of bogeys for a 2-under 69 that sent him to the weekend with a one-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson.At 46, Mickelson has a chance to become the second oldest champion in Open history, surpassed only by Old Tom Morris way back in 1867.Im starting to hit shots like I did 10 years ago and starting to play some of my best golf again, Mickelson said. I dont see why theres any reason I cant continue that, not just this week but for years.Hard not to cheer for someone with that sort of attitude, especially when you see him bumping fists and doling out golf balls to youngsters all the way around the course.He can still be the Peoples Champion.He just shouldnt be above the law.---Paul Newberry is a national writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at pnewberry(at)ap.org or at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . Cordrea Tankersley Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Raekwon McMillan Jersey . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. http:///...-Jersey.html?cat=922 . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. ATLANTA -- Brian Snitker described Tyrell Jenkins fourth-inning collapse as a rookies growing pains.Even so, it was difficult for the interim manager and Braves fans to watch.Jenkins was impressive for three innings before giving up eight runs in the fourth, and Atlantas late comeback fell short in an 11-9 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday night.Jenkins (2-4) gave up nine runs while lasting only 3 1/3 innings.Unfortunately, it just got out of hand, Jenkins said. It was tough. ... Going into the fourth it just kind of unraveled.The Braves led 3-1 after three innings, and Jenkins retired the Nationals in order in the third.I thought the way the first three innings went the kid was going to go seven innings, Snitker said. His stuff was crisp, his location was good, and then his stuff wasnt so good, location wasnt so good. It kind of completely turned upside down pretty much.Its just part of a young pitchers plight trying to get to where they want to go.Daniel Murphy and Trea Turner hit homers in Washingtons big fourth inning. Ryan Zimmerman also homered among his three hits in his return from the disabled list.Washington set a Nationals record with nine hits in the inning, including eight straight, and had 17 hits in the game.Max Scherzer (13-7) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, regrouping after giving up three runs in the second.Mark Melancon gave up a two-run single to Chase dArnaud, cutting the lead to two, before recording the final out for his 36th save.Adonis Garcia had a two-run double in Atlantas three-run second. Jeff Francoeur drove in a run with a pinch-hit, bases-loaded single off Matt Belisle in the eighth. Koda Glover gave up three runs in the ninth before giving way to Melancon.Nationals manager Dusty Baker applauded the spirit the last-place Braves showed with their five runs in the last two innings.Youve got to give those guys over there credit, Baker saiid. Cordrea Tankersley Youth Jersey. . They dont quit. They keep fighting and fighting. ... Most teams if they were where they are now, this time of year, their spirit would be broken. Theyve got a lot of spirit over there.The first-place Nationals have won the first three games of this series and are 11-1 against the Braves this season.Murphy led off the fourth with his 23rd homer, caught by a fan wearing a red Bryce Harper jersey on the first row of the right-field seats. Turner added a three-run homer off Jenkins.Even Scherzer joined the fun with a run-scoring single in the fourth.Scherzer beat out an infield hit in the seventh to drive in another run.Anthony Rendon had four hits and scored three runs.DANSBYS DAY OFFBraves rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, had his first break from the starting lineup since being called up on Wednesday.Just pick and choose, really, Snitker said of the decision. He doesnt need to go out there every day. Its going to be a big enough acclimation to the major leagues.BIGGER INNINGThe nine hits in the fourth were the most for the Nationals/Expos franchise since Montreal had 13 hits and scored 13 runs in the sixth inning of a 19-3 win over San Francisco on May 7, 1997.TRAINERS ROOMThe Nationals also reinstated catcher Jose Lobaton from the DL. He Lobaton has been out since July 20 with left elbow tendinitis. Right-hander A.J. Cole and catcher Pedro Severino were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.UP NEXTNationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez will look for his 100th career win in the finale of the four-game series. Gonzalez threw six scoreless innings but received no decision in his only other start of the season against Atlanta, a 2-1 Nationals win on April 12.Braves: Joel De La Cruz (0-6) will make his first start against Washington. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '