Taking part in a left-swing conspiracy

Two big-name left-handers played golf together last week.

That’s right -- Phil Mickelson played a round with University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

This proved advantageous for Tebow, who was allowed a few swings with Mickelson’s driver.

“Every time I use it now, I remember that he used my driver because there’s a big mark on the top of it,” Mickelson said.

They also held a contest to see who could throw a football farther.

“He beat me by two yards,” Mickelson said. “He was on his knees, though.”

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Trivia time

How many home runs did Babe Ruth hit in the minor leagues?

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Grappling with short game

Golf is not the most strenuous exercise, but a couple of sumo wrestlers created controversy when they played golf two days before their upcoming wrestling tournament.

According to the Mainichi Daily News, Asashoryu and Hakuho played a golf match Friday, just two days before the start of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

“It’s unbelievable that they played golf at a time like this. I would dismiss them if they were my disciples,” said one irate stablemaster belonging to the Japan Sumo Assn.

At first glance, wrestling two days before a golf tournament might be considered hazardous duty, but golfing two days before a wrestling tournament is evidently considered a breach of concentration and discipline.

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Vote canceled

Because of a lack of interesting athletic performances, the Singapore Sportsman of the Year award was put on the shelf for 2008.

For the first time since its inception in 1967, the award was left vacant.

As Singapore National Olympic Council President Teo Chee Hean told Reuters: “We felt that the performance of the men could have been better and decided not to make an award this year.”

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It’s about time

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is hoping Matthew Stafford plays regularly for the Detroit Lions this season. “I’m waiting for somebody to break that NFL rookie record for interceptions I set back in ‘98,” says Manning, who had 28 passes intercepted.

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Trivia answer

One. In 46 minor league games, Ruth hit his only home run on Sept. 5, 1914, while he was in the middle of pitching a one-hitter for Providence in Toronto.

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And finally

Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, to the Chicago Tribune, on the difficulty in making trades: “Just because you may need and want and desire something, it doesn’t mean you can pick up the phone like you’re ordering out for a pizza.”

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mike.penner@latimes.com