National Sports - The Morning Sun

The Master flag waves to the breeze on the second hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods, others back on the course at the Masters to begin long day chasing Bryson DeChambeau

Tiger Woods has an early start and faces a long day in the Masters. Woods is among 27 players who had to return Friday morning to finish the weather-delayed first round. He was 1-under par and had … more

4/12/24

FILE -Morocco's Abderrazak Hamdallah in action during the World Cup group F soccer match between Morocco and Croatia, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. A fan at the Saudi Super Cup final lashed an Al-Ittihad player with a whip during a confrontation moments after the match Thursday night. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

Player whipped by fan during confrontation after Saudi Super Cup final

A fan at the Saudi Super Cup final lashed an Al-Ittihad player with a whip during a confrontation moments after the match Thursday night. The incident occurred following Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 loss to … more

4/12/24

FILE - BYU coach Mark Pope speaks during the Big 12 men's college basketball media day Oct. 18, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Pope was negotiating with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, multiple outlets reported Thursday night, April 11. Pope, who played for Kentucky's 1996 national championship team, was close to finalizing a deal, CBS Sports reported, citing anonymous sources. ESPN, also citing anonymous sources, also reported that an an agreement with Pope was expected. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

BYU coach Mark Pope in talks with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, reports say

BYU basketball coach Mark Pope is negotiating with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, according to multiple reports. Pope was a member of Kentucky's 1996 NCAA championship team. CBS and ESPN both … more

4/12/24

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his shot from the pine straw on the second hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Grand Slam quest: Rory McIlroy staying positive, in contention at Masters after first-round 71

Rory McIlroy caught a break when his tee shot hit a tree on the ninth hole at Augusta National and kicked out into the middle of fairway, giving him a workable second shot. McIlroy saved par and used … more

By STEVE REED | 4/11/24

Atalanta's Isak Hien, front, and Matteo Ruggeri celebrate after beating 3-0 Liverpool during the Europa League quarter final first leg soccer match at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Atalanta stuns Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield, Leverkusen beats West Ham 2-0 in the Europa League

Gianluca Scamacca struck twice as visiting Atalanta upset Liverpool 3-0 in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals. The loss damages Liverpool’s hopes of a treble of trophies in manager … more

By KAREL JANICEK | 4/11/24

Tiger Woods waves after making a putt on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Tiger Woods tees off in the Masters in pursuit of a record 24th made cut, perhaps more by Sunday

Tiger Woods began pursuit of a record 24th consecutive made cut at the Masters with a birdie on Thursday. The five-time champion is tied with Gary Player and Fred Couples for the longest streak in … more

4/11/24

FILE - Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) eludes a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. The Cleveland Browns have restructured star running back Nick Chubb's contract as he continues to rehab after a season-ending knee injury in 2023, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Browns restructure RB Nick Chubb's contract as he rehabs from season-ending injury, AP source says

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Cleveland Browns have restructured star running back Nick Chubb’s contract as he continues to rehab after a season-ending … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/11/24

Tiger Woods catches a golf ball on the driving range during a practice round in preparation for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Monday, April 8, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Masters: When it starts, how to watch, betting odds for golf's first major of 2024

The 88th Masters got underway following a 2 1/2-hour weather delay and ceremonial tee shots from Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player down Tea Olive, the first hole at Augusta National. Erik van … more

By The Associated Press | 4/11/24

Patrons arrive for the first round during the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Masters gets underway with Nicklaus, Player and Watson hitting ceremonial first shots

The Masters got underway Thursday after a 2 1/2-hour weather delay on Thursday when Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit the ceremonial first shots. Most of the heavy rain expected at … more

4/11/24

Peter Malnati and his wife Alicia react as their son Hatcher hits on on the fifth hole during the par-3 contest at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Golf has a ratings problem, and the Masters could shine a light on why viewers are tuning out

Golf has a ratings problem. The week-to-week grind of the PGA Tour has essentially become No Need To See TV, raising serious concerns about what it means for the future of the game. Now comes the … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/11/24

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots goes as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Monte Morris, front right, and forward Kyle Anderson defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jokic scores 41 points and leads Nuggets past Timberwolves 116-107 to take lead in West

Nikola Jokic scored 41 points and powered the Denver Nuggets past Minnesota and into sole possession of first place in the tight Western Conference playoff race with a 116-107 win over the … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/11/24

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, tries control the ball past Monterrey's Luis Romo during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter final second leg soccer match at the BBVA stadium in Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Monterrey defeats Messi and Inter Miami to advance to the CONCACAF semifinals

Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo scored goals and Monterrey beat Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-1 to secure a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. Vazquez opened the … more

4/11/24

Cleveland Guardians' Bo Naylor (23) celebrates his game winning RBI single off Chicago White Sox pitcher Bryan Shaw with Josh Naylor in a baseball game, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Bo and Josh Naylor deliver RBIs in 10th, brothers homer in same inning as Guards edge White Sox 7-6

Bo Naylor singled home pinch-runner Tyler Freeman from third base with one out in the 10th inning to give the Cleveland Guardians a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox. Josh Naylor tied it earlier in … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/10/24

Boston Celtics' Jrue Holiday gets past Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Jrue Holiday agrees to 4-year, $135 million extension with Celtics

Jrue Holiday agreed to terms on a four-year, $135 million contract extension with the Celtics, his agent Jason Glushon confirmed. As part of the deal, Holiday is declining his $37.5 million player … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 4/10/24

FILE - New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Aaron Rodgers acknowledged during a podcast interview this week he briefly thought his playing career could be over after he tore his left Achilles tendon in the New York Jets’ season opener. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Jets' Aaron Rodgers briefly thought playing career could be over after tearing his Achilles tendon

Aaron Rodgers acknowledged during a podcast appearance this week he briefly thought his playing career could be over after he tore his left Achilles tendon in the New York Jets’ season opener. The … more

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. | 4/10/24

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Soroka during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Oh, brother! Guardians' Josh and Bo Naylor hit home runs in same inning on National Siblings Day

The Naylor brothers turned National Siblings Day into quite a family affair. Josh Naylor and his younger brother, Bo, both hit home runs in the same inning on Wednesday night for the Cleveland … more

4/10/24

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark signs autographs during an Iowa women's basketball team celebration, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa lost to South Carolina in the Final Four college basketball championship game of the women's NCAA Tournament on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Caitlin Clark tells fans 'this place will always be home to me' as she bids farewell to Iowa

Caitlin Clark got a final chance to say goodbye to Iowa fans on Wednesday, and of course there was a big crowd waiting. Clark, who became major college basketball’s all-time leading scorer this … more

By JOHN BOHNENKAMP | 4/10/24

Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday takes a swing during batting practice prior to his first major league baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Boston. Holliday, the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, is schedule to play second base in Wednesday game. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jackson Holliday, baseball's top-rated prospect, makes MLB debut for Orioles at Fenway Park

After his rapid rise to the majors, Jackson Holliday was given a particularly meaningful number with the Baltimore Orioles. Baseball’s top-ranked prospect made his big league debut Wednesday night … more

4/10/24

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) brings the ball upcourt during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

'Pravi MVP': In any language, Mavs think Doncic is the NBA's best player

The Dallas Mavericks had a message on Wednesday night: “Pravi MVP.” Translated, that means Real MVP. And because it was coming from the Mavs, it was also pretty easy to figure out what the … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/10/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game. The Bucks won 104-91. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Antetokounmpo will miss Bucks' final 3 regular-season games. MRI confirms diagnosis of strained calf

Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the Milwaukee Bucks’ final three regular-season games after an MRI confirmed the initial diagnosis that the two-time MVP has a strained left calf. The Bucks finish … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/10/24