National Sports - The Morning Sun

Patrons move away from two trees that blew over on the 17th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

AP PHOTOS: Masters crews make quick work of fallen pines

Augusta National crews made quick work disposing of the three towering pine trees that fell near the 17th tee late Friday during the second round of Masters, forcing the postponement of play. All … more

4/8/23

Fred Couples walks on the 15th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Masters Live Updates | At 63, Couples likely to make cut

It appears that Fred Couples will be playing the rest of the weekend at the Masters. The 1992 champion finished his second round with a bogey Saturday, leaving him at 1 over for the championship and … more

4/8/23

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, looks to make his move against Miami Heat's Kyle Lowry, right, and Haywood Highsmith, center, during the second half an NBA basketball game, Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

East play-in field set, Embiid poised to win scoring title

The Eastern Conference play-in tournament matchups are set. The NBA's scoring race seems over as well. Brooklyn will be seeded sixth in the East and gets the chance to face Philadelphia in Round 1. … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/7/23

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) is congratulated by forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) after making a 3-point basket during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Dallas, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Mavs to sit Irving, 4 others in game with draft implications

Dallas is sitting Kyrie Irving and four other regulars against Chicago in a game with draft implications and with the Mavericks facing postseason elimination if they lose. Irving is out Friday night … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 4/7/23

Tiger Woods prepares to leave the course after stop during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Column: How much longer will Tiger making cut be worth it?

For Tiger Woods, it’s come to this. He’s no longer a factor at the top of the leaderboard. Instead, the golfer who provided some of the game’s most electrifying moments can be found plodding … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/7/23

Sam Bennett walks off the 18th green during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

U.S. Amateur champ Sam Bennett in contention at Masters

U.S. Amateur champion Sam Bennett is in contention at the Masters. The two-time All-American from Texas A&M followed his opening 68 with another round of 68 on Friday. He spent much of the day in … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 4/7/23

FILE - The Netherland's head coach Vera Pauw looks on prior to their first-round Women's Euro soccer match against Denmark in Lahti, Finland, Aug. 29, 2009. Current Ireland women's national team coach Pauw called allegations of weight shaming during her time as a coach in the National Women's Soccer League “absolutely ridiculous and false.” (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Ireland coach Pauw denies allegations in NWSL report

The coach of Ireland's women’s national soccer team called allegations of weight shaming during her time as a coach in the National Women’s Soccer League false and ridiculous. Coach Vera Pauw … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 4/7/23

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Chiefs' Kelce throws wild first pitch before Guards' opener

Travis Kelce showed why he’s best known for catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, not throwing them. Kansas City’s star tight end threw a wild ceremonial first pitch before the Guardians’ … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/7/23

FILE - AFC defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, of the Tennessee Titans, stands for the national anthem before the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl, Feb. 5, 2023, in Las Vegas. A person familiar with the deal says the Titans agreed Friday, April 7, 2023, to a four-year contract extension with Simmons. The person confirmed the extension on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the Titans had not announced the deal. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

AP source: Titans reach 4-year deal with Pro Bowler Simmons

A person familiar with the deal says the Tennessee Titans agreed Friday to a four-year contract extension with two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. The Titans picked up the two-time … more

By TERESA M. WALKER | 4/7/23

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his shot on the first hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

McIlroy grand slam on hold, likely to miss Masters cut

Rory McIlroy’s bid to complete a career grand slam will have to wait yet another year as the world’s No. 2 player is almost certain to miss the cut at the Masters for the second time in three … more

BY STEVE REED | 4/7/23

United States forward Hayley Scamurra (16) skates up ice against Switzerland defender Nadine Hofstetter (4) during the second period of a game at the women's world hockey championships in Brampton, Ontario, on Friday, April 7, 2023. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

US sets record for fastest goal, beats Switzerland 9-1

Caroline Harvey scored twice, Abby Roque had a goal and three assists, and the United States beat Switzerland 9-1 at the world women’s hockey championship. Abbey Murphy set the record for the … more

4/7/23

FILE - Kyle Larson (5) Chase Elliott (9) and Austin Cindric (2) drive out of Turn 4 during a practice session Friday, April 15, 2022, for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. You might think it would help being a NASCAR driver who grew up dirt racing when it comes to Bristol Motor Speedway's relatively new dirt layout this Sunday night, April 9, 2023. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)

NASCAR's Larson, Briscoe don't see edge on Bristol's dirt

Dirt guys like Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe figure to have a huge edge this weekend when the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Bristol's dirt layout. They're not so sure. Both wonder if there's any … more

By PETE IACOBELLI | 4/7/23

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem stands and watches his team play against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)

Udonis Haslem, Heat reflect on rare 20-year NBA career

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem is toward the end of what has been a 20-year NBA career. He spent it all with his hometown team. Haslem was undrafted in 2002 and didn't get NBA work right away. So … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/7/23

FILE - Auburn NCAA college football head coach Hugh Freeze talks after being introduced at a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 29 2022, in Auburn, Ala. Freeze's to-do list includes picking, or perhaps bringing in, a quarterback who can revive one of the nation's worst passing offenses and closing the talent gap with Auburn's rivals in the Southeastern Conference. (Todd Van Emst via AP, File)

Freeze seeking top QB, tempers Auburn fans' expectations

Hugh Freeze’s to-do list at Auburn includes picking or bringing in a quarterback who can revive one of the nation’s worst passing offenses and closing the talent gap its Southeastern Conference … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 4/7/23

The flag waves on the 17th hole during the first round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Masters Live Updates | 2nd round begins, rainy weather looms

The second round of the Masters is underway, with tee times shifted up a half-hour because of an approaching storm front. The potential for heavy rainfall and much colder temperatures is a big topic … more

4/7/23

Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle, third from left, celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Vince Dunn (29), Jared McCann and Jamie Oleksiak (24) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Kraken clinch first playoff berth, beat Coyotes 4-2

The Seattle Kraken clinched the first playoff berth in franchise history and set an NHL record for victories in an expansion team’s second season by beating the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. Jared McCann, … more

By SHANE LANTZ | 4/7/23

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Golden State guard Stephen Curry during their game Tuesday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder rebuild after stars exodus

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed like a nice pickup for Oklahoma City Thunder, a secondary piece in the trade that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers four … more

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer | 4/7/23

Phil Mickelson tips his cap on the 18th hole during the first round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

New world order: LIV looks to make its mark at Masters

Phil Mickelson is still a popular figure at Augusta National, even if the crowds that followed him during the first round of the Masters were smaller than previous years. Lefty opened with a 1-under … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/6/23

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., left, talks with manager Bob Melvin in the dugout prior to a spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minor league pitcher calls Tatis 'cheater' after monster HR

A San Francisco Giants minor leaguer called Fernando Tatis Jr. a “cheater” on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres superstar hit a mammoth homer in a Triple-A game while on a rehab … more

By BERNIE WILSON | 4/6/23

Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods' painful Masters walk results in opening 74

Tiger Woods had three birdies and five bogeys during an opening round of 74 at the Masters on Thursday, leaving him in contention to play the weekend but hardly to win the tournament. He had two … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 4/6/23