LeBron, Heat dig deep to top Pacers in Game 1

MIAMI (AP) — It could have been the perfect matchup to cap an unforgettable game. LeBron James driving to the rim to face Roy Hibbert, one play to decide Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

McQuaid: Panel to study UCI-Armstrong 'collusion'

GENEVA (AP) — Cycling federation president Pat McQuaid says an independent panel will examine the allegations that the UCI was complicit in Lance Armstrong's doping.

Penguins rout Senators 7-3, take 3-1 series lead

OTTAWA (AP) — Sidney Crosby was careful not to get too far ahead of himself after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins rout the Ottawa Senators for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Woods: Garcia comment hurtful, time to move on

Sergio Garcia apologized to Tiger Woods for saying he would serve fried chicken if they were to have dinner at the U.S. Open, an ugly addition to nearly two weeks of verbal sparring.

Ocean not all that separates US, European fans

Imagine Derek Jeter leading the New York Yankees off the field because opposing fans were yelling racial slurs and throwing bananas at his team. Or a game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls halted because of unrelenting race-baiting from the crowd.

UEFA introduces minimum ban for racist abuse

LONDON (AP) — UEFA says its executive committee has agreed to introduce a 10-match minimum ban for racist abuse by players or officials.

Bears LB Urlacher announces his retirement

CHICAGO (AP) — Brian Urlacher wasn't sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he's calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.

WR Crabtree tears right Achilles tendon

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers suddenly have a huge void in their receiving corps as they chase another Super Bowl berth: Michael Crabtree is sidelined after surgery on his right Achilles tendon.

AP Source: Coach K returning to US men's team

Mike Krzyzewski had decided to remain coach of the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team.

AP Interview: Rogge praises wrestling's changes

LONDON (AP) — Wrestling's governing body has "reacted well" and made the necessary changes to give the sport a chance of saving its place in the Olympics, IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

McIlroy slumps as Ilonen shines at wintry Wentworth

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy suffered a late first-round meltdown in almost wintry conditions at Wentworth as he ballooned to a two-over-par 74 in the PGA Championship on Thursday. With some players wearing beanies and thick mittens for protection against chilly eight degree temperatures and winds gusting up to 20mph, it was Finn Mikko Ilonen who looke

Olazabal urges Woods and Garcia to settle row

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Former European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal drew on the memory of his 2003 spat with Padraig Harrington as he urged fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods to settle their differences. Garcia and 14-times major winner Woods have always had a frosty relationship and the Spaniard had to issue an apology on Wednesday after making a

Golf-Olazabal urges Woods and Garcia to settle row

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 23 (Reuters) - Former European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal drew on the memory of his 2003 spat with Padraig Harrington as he urged fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods to settle their differences. Garcia and 14-times major winner Woods have always had a frosty relationship and the Spaniard had to issue an apology on Wednesday after ma

Analysis - Has the anchor ban come too late?

By Mark Lamport-Stokes (Reuters) - The royal and ancient game of golf, renowned for its etiquette and self-imposed penalties, has undergone many changes to the rules over its 600-year history but few issues have triggered as much debate as the proposal to outlaw the anchoring of putters. In a genteel sport where an inadvertent cough on a downswing can create controversy, the announcement by golf's

James saves Miami in last-gasp win over Indiana

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - LeBron James scored the game-winning points in the dying embers of overtime as the Miami Heat held off a determined Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a thrilling Eastern Conference Finals opener on Wednesday. If broadcasters were concerned that another easy series win for Miami would further damage ratings, they got the perfect antidote with the Pacers pushing the Heat a

Dodgers find spark to whip Brewers, rookie Ryu wins

(Reuters) - If Don Mattingly's comments and lineup change were aimed at shaking up his struggling Los Angeles team, he certainly got his wish as the Dodgers hammered Milwaukee 9-2 on Wednesday. With the Dodgers bottom of the National League West despite having one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball, Mattingly questioned his team's toughness and benched outfielder Andre Ethier. "It'

Golf-Has the anchor ban come too late?

By Mark Lamport-Stokes May 22 (Reuters) - The royal and ancient game of golf, renowned for its etiquette and self-imposed penalties, has undergone many changes to the rules over its 600-year history but few issues have triggered as much debate as the proposal to outlaw the anchoring of putters. In a genteel sport where an inadvertent cough on a downswing can create controversy, the announcement by

Zach Johnson always feels good at Colonial

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Zach Johnson always feels good when he gets to Colonial.

San Francisco's Crabtree has surgery on torn Achilles

(Reuters) - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree has had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon but is not expected to miss the entire 2013-14 season, the National Football League (NFL) team said on Wednesday. Crabtree, San Francisco's leading receiver last season when they reached the Super Bowl before being beaten 34-31 by the Baltimore Ravens, injured his right Achilles during

Inaugural tournament cut to 54 holes

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Stacy Lewis brings more value to the LPGA Tour that just her golf.

Signs point to Krzyzewski staying as Olympic coach

(Reuters) - USA Basketball is set to name its men's coach for the next Olympic cycle and all signs point to Mike Krzyzewski, who has already led Team USA to a pair of Summer Games golds, retaining the job. A news conference hosted by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to announce the selection has been called for Thursday at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where Krzyzewski presid

Clark future uncertain if tour follows anchor ban

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tim Clark considers his future in golf uncertain now that the game's two governing bodies have outlawed the anchored putting stroke.

Johnson banks on Colonial comfort factor

(Reuters) - Zach Johnson has finished no better than joint 18th on the 2013 PGA Tour but hopes he can regain top form on his title defense at this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas where he is a twice former champion. A medium-length hitter who is renowned for his accuracy, tenacity and a superb short game, the 37-year-old American has always loved playing at Colonial Country

Clark future uncertain if PGA follows anchor ban

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tim Clark considers his future in golf uncertain now that the game's two governing bodies have outlawed the anchored putting stroke.

Garcia sorry after 'stupid' Woods fried chicken jibe

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia said "sorry" 11 times and used the word "apology" on five occasions as he spoke of his regret at causing a furor by making a "fried chicken" jibe at world number one Tiger Woods. Spaniard Garcia told reporters on Wednesday that his comment, made at the European Tour Player of the Year awards the night before, was "stupid and out o

Bears linebacker Urlacher retires after 13 seasons

(Reuters) - Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending a brilliant 13-year career with the National Football League team with a statement on Twitter. "After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire," wrote the eight-times Pro Bowl linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 who will turn 3

McIlroy tight-lipped on management split

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy refused on Wednesday to confirm reports he had parted company with his management group, Horizon Sports. Close friend and fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell suggested at last week's World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria that McIlroy had split with Horizon. "Look, I'm here to talk about golf and I cannot r

Twins' Plouffe has concussion, on 7-day DL

ATLANTA (AP) — The Minnesota Twins placed third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion Wednesday after he was struck in the head by Dan Uggla's shin while breaking up an attempted double play.

Bears LB Urlacher announces retirement

CHICAGO (AP) — Star linebacker Brian Urlacher says he's retiring after spending 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.

I wouldn't have won 2012 Open with short putter, says Els

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Ernie Els would not have won last year's British Open without the aid of a belly putter, the South African four-times major champions said on Wednesday. Golf's governing bodies announced on Tuesday a ban on the anchoring of putters from 2016 and Els believes he would have had little chance of lifting the Claret Jug if he been forced to use a mo