Arnie Has Benign Tumor Removed

Arnold Palmer has suspended practice for a few days but was “up and about and feeling fine” after minor surgery to remove a small growth on his side. Doctors removed a benign, fatty tumor just under the skin on the right side of his waist.

Palmer, 55, had the surgery at Latrobe (Pa.) Area Hospital Wednesday morning and was released later in the afternoon. He plans to start practicing again soon and hopes to play at Newport, R.I., on July 26.

Britain’s Zola Budd conceded early defeat in her 3,000 meters showdown with Mary Decker Slaney, while the more experienced American warned that Saturday’s race--billed as an Olympics rematch--could help ruin the teen-age Budd’s career.

“I don’t think I can win because Mary’s best time is some eight seconds faster than mine,” Budd said. “I’ll be happy to beat my previous best.”

Slaney said: “If I had been managing her (Budd), I probably would not have allowed her to run competitively this year. A lot of times, the pressure is more detrimental, and unless the person can handle it and knows how to deal with it, it can ruin them.”

Former UCLA quarterback Rick Neuheisel, who was the San Antonio Gunslingers starting quarterback the past two seasons, will not return to the team next season.

Neuheisel was the only Gunslinger to earn more than $100,000 this year. His contract was for $120,000, with an additional $30,000 for incentives.

The NCAA has begun an investigation of the Memphis State athletic department.

Recent news stories about Memphis State’s nationally ranked basketball program have reported allegations of special favors for athletes, overpayments on student grants and an offer of $10,000 to relatives of a player.

Mike Green, a starting linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, was arrested on drug charges after police said they found him carrying one gram of cocaine. He led the team in tackles the last two seasons.

The Chargers will not comment on the situation pending the outcome of the investigation.

Steve Cram, the new world record-holder in the 1,500, decided not to compete against double Olympic champion Sebastian Coe at a Grand Prix track meet in London Friday night.

Cram complained of stiffness in his right calf and said the aftereffects of his world-record performance had taken their toll.

The U.S. Basketball League announced that it would end its inaugural season a month early because so many of its players are leaving to attend National Basketball Assn. camps.

Among the players going to NBA camps are former Boston College guard Michael Adams, Manute Bol of the Sudan and John Williams of Tulane.

The Professional Surfing Assn. of America will hold its Graydog Grand Prix this weekend at Malibu. Competition will begin Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7:30. Total purse for the event is $5,000.

Names in the News

Pam McGee, of USC and Jackie White, of Cal State Long Beach were among eight women picked to attend the Harlem Globetrotters’ training camp this fall in Los Angeles, where the first female player will be named. Pam’s twin, Paula McGee, who also played at USC, was selected as an alternate.

Dave Cowens, former Boston Celtics star, has stepped down as head coach of the Continental Basketball League’s Bay State Bombardiers in Worcester, Mass.

Wladyslaw Kozakiewicz, Poland’s pole-vaulting gold medalist at the 1980 Moscow Olympics has fled his homeland and is seeking political asylum in West Germany.