GOLF: ‘Big 3’ flop at Deutche Bank

In Norton Mass, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh played together in the Deutche Bank Championship yesterday, but combined to shoot 3-over par. Camilo Villegas, on the other hand, shot a career-low 63 to take the lead after the first-round lead on the TPC Boston course.

NFL: Pats’ Harrison suspended

The NFL will suspend Patriots safety Rodney Harrison four games for violating its substance abuse policy, Harrison said last night. The league does not comment on substance-abuse suspensions.

The suspension was first reported by ESPN.com, which said Harrison admitted to federal investigators that he obtained human growth hormone.

NBA: Knicks keep Nichols

After failing to persuade him to head to Europe for a year, the Knicks yesterday offered rookie guard Demetris Nichols a one-year non-guaranteed minimum contract ($427,000) to retain his rights yesterday. Nichols is expected to sign and be at training camp Oct. 1. -Marc Berman

* Knicks center Randolph Morris pleaded guilty yesterday in Lexington, Ky., to reckless driving and agreed to pay a fine and court costs. Morris’ attorney, Jim Lowry, entered the guilty plea on his client’s behalf for the Aug. 7 incident.

MLB: Cubs deal for Trachsel

The Cubs turned to their past to bolster their current push for the playoffs, acquiring 36-year-old right-hander Steve Trachsel from the Orioles yesterday for pitcher Rocky Cherry and infielder Scott Moore.

* The Cardinals, adding a bat for the stretch drive, acquired power-hitting Russell Branyan from the Phillies for a player to be named.

NCAA: ‘Cuse clobbered in Dome

Louis Rankin ran for a career-high 147 yards and three touchdowns, and Jake Locker scored twice and didn’t commit a turnover in an impressive debut to help Washington beat Syracuse 42-12 last night at the Carrier Dome. The Orange’s Andrew Robinson finished 20-for-32 for 199 yards but was sacked seven times, losing 17 yards on 13 carries.

OBIT: Golf champ Brewer, 75

Gay Brewer, the 1967 Masters champion who won 11 times on the PGA Tour, died yesterday at his home in Lexington, Ky., after a fight with lung cancer. He was 75. Brewer, who also won once on the Champions Tour before retiring in 2000, had been battling cancer since October.