Fridley's Merritt earns PGA card

Troy Merritt has never played in a PGA Tour event. That's about to change.

Even after making double-bogey on the final hole, the Fridley golfer shot a 3-under 69 on Monday to win the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, finishing the six-round event at 22 under and one shot ahead of tour veteran Jeff Maggert.

"Probably the most satisfying double-bogey I've ever made," Merritt said.

Matt Jones (66) was third at 19 under, one shot ahead of Martin Flores (65) in the event where the top 25 finishers earned cards on the PGA Tour for 2010. Rickie Fowler made it comfortably, his final-round 70 leaving him tied for 15th.

Merritt, a former Winona State golfer, earned $50,000 for medalist honors. There was no formal ceremony, just a long line of relatives and well-wishers getting autographs and photos taken. "The trophy is to get to play with the big boys next year," Merritt said.

Former Gopher Bronson LaCassie finished in a tie for 26th place (a 424 score) and earned fully exempt status for the Nationwide.

Iditarod loses $1 million in funding The world's most famous sled dog race is feeling squeezed by the poor economy.

The Iditarod Trail Committee says in a press release that organizers are facing a reduction of $455,000 in revenues after losing a media partnership and two sponsorship deals in the past month. Organizers lost another media sponsorship as well as a significant cut in sponsorship money in late 2008 that reduced coffers by $485,000. That meant a $300,000 reduction in prize money for this year's race, down from $925,000 from the previous year.

Patrick NASCAR deal close Part -- but not all -- of the plans IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick has to enter NASCAR will finally be revealed on Tuesday.

Patrick, whose flirtation with NASCAR has been the subject of endless speculation for months, has signed a contract with JR Motorsports to run a limited schedule in the Nationwide Series, beginning next season. However, exactly what that schedule includes remains unclear. Sources said no specific number of races -- or even her first Nationwide race -- will be announced on Tuesday.

'Basketball wives' to hit airwaves A VH1 reality series that promises an inside look at the lives of NBA players' wives and girlfriends is set to air early next year.

VHI said Monday that "Basketball Wives" will show the upside of the women's lives -- big homes, designer clothes and jewelry -- and the drawbacks, including worries about whether their husbands are being faithful on roadtrips.

Treasure Island to hold MMA bouts Treasure Island Event Center in Red Wing will play host to a Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting event featuring MMA super star and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Joe (Diesel) Riggs against Ray Steinbess at 7 p.m. Friday. The bout marks Riggs' returns to the Minnesota fight scene after a six-year absence.

The winner of the match will go on to "Strikeforce" next month, which will air on the Showtime cable network. The card is scheduled to include seven other bouts. For ticket information, phone (877) 849-1640.

• The Gophers women's swimming and diving program announced that Sara Axness (Eau Claire, Wis.), Maggie Keefer (Stillwater) and Sarah McCrady (Eagan) have signed letters of intent to compete for the Gophers.