News+Notes Report: Mickelson had $40M in gambling losses

Federal auditors investigating Phil Mickelson’s role in an insider trading scheme found his gambling losses totaled more than $40 million from 2010 to 2014, according to an excerpt from Alan Shipnuck’s forthcoming biography.

Shipnuck posted the excerpt on his “Firepit Collective” site Thursday. His unauthorized biography on Mickelson is to be released May 17 during the PGA Championship. Mickelson is the defending champion. He has not said if he will be playing.

Shipnuck wrote that government auditors investigated Mickelson’s finances over four years from 2010 to 2014. The author cited a source with direct access to the documents.

Mickelson’s annual income in 2012 — the time of the Dean Foods stock deal that netted Mickelson nearly $1 million in one week — was estimated at about $48 million.

Day leads Wells Fargo >> Jason Day shot a 7-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Joel Dahmen was a shot back on what could be the best day for scoring at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, with rain, wind and unseasonably cool temperatures in the forecast through Sunday.

Day made five of his eight birdies from inside 10 feet. The Australian took the lead with a chip-in on the par-4 15th hole.

Matthew Wolff, local favorite Denny McCarthy and PGA Tour rookies Aaron Rai, Callum Tarren and Paul Barjon were two shots back. Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked player in the field

at No. 7, had an up-and-down 67.

Pro basketball

Simmons has successful back surgery >> Ben Simmons underwent what was determined to be a successful back surgery in Los Angeles. The Brooklyn Nets are hoping that he is fully recovered before the start of training camp this fall.

Simmons will need about three weeks for an “initial recovery period,” the Nets said, before he can start his rehabilitation program.

Training camp will start in late September.

Pro football

Chargers sign LB Van Noy >> The Los Angeles Chargers added another veteran to their defense, signing outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

Van Noy will be going into his ninth season. He had 66 tackles for the New England Patriots last season and was second on the team with five sacks. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.

Van Noy was released by the Patriots in March.

Baseball

Twins’ Baldelli, Arraez, Bundy test positive for COVID-19 >> Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and second baseman Luis Arraez were out for their game at Baltimore after testing positive for COVID-19.

Bench coach Jayce Tingler managed the Twins.

Motor sports

Byron signs 3-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports >> William Byron has agreed to a three-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports that will keep him in the No. 24 Chevrolet through the 2025 season.

The 24-year-old Byron has two Cup Series wins already this season.