National Sports - The Morning Sun

Si Woo Kim, of South Korea,, Fred Couples and Tiger Woods from left walk on the 13th fairway during a practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Monday, April 3, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

LIV's Cam Smith happy to get hugs and handshakes at Augusta

British Open champion Cameron Smith refers to Augusta National as his happy place. He arrived with a little trepidation now that he's with LIV Golf. Smith says he found it was business as usual. He … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/3/23

Jordan Spieth, left, works out on the range during a practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Monday, April 3, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Spieth returns to Augusta in search of another green jacket

Jordan Spieth is back at Augusta National, eight years after he first slipped on the green jacket as a 21-year-old champion with boundless potential. He's gone on to win the U.S. Open and British … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 4/3/23

FILE - Former Indiana basketball head coach Bobby Knight makes an appearance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., Feb. 8, 2020. Former Indiana Hoosiers coach Bob Knight was hospitalized over the weekend with an undisclosed illness but was not listed as a patient on Monday, April 3, 2023, at two hospitals in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

Former Hoosiers coach Knight battling undisclosed illness

Former Indiana Hoosiers coach Bob Knight was hospitalized over the weekend with an undisclosed illness but was not listed as a patient on Monday at two hospitals in Bloomington, Indiana, where he … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 4/3/23

FILE - Colton Herta talks with his father Bryan Herta during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 21, 2021. The directive to send Bryan Herta to Kyle Kirkwood's team came from above and both Colton and Bryan Herta were adamant they did not ask for a split.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Column: Colton Herta split with father difficult but needed

Andretti Autosport decided to make a change for star IndyCar driver Colton Herta and remove his father as his race strategist. The directive to send Bryan Herta to Kyle Kirkwood's team came from … more

By JENNA FRYER | 4/3/23

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp waits for the start of the Champions League, round of 16 second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

'Last man standing': Klopp sad to see so many managers fired

Premier League managers are losing their jobs at a quicker rate than ever. Sunday marked the departures of Brendan Rodgers from Leicester and Graham Potter from Chelsea. It means there have been 13 … more

4/3/23

Houston Astros' Chas McCormick flies under Chicago White Sox second baseman Elvis Andrus (1) for a stolen base as umpire Rob Drake looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

MLB game times cut 30 minutes, steals double under new rules

Major League Baseball’s average game time dropped by 30 minutes during the first four days this season, stolen bases doubled and batting average increased by 16 percentage points from last year’s … more

By RONALD BLUM | 4/3/23

Kyle Larson (5) leads on the final lap during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

Hendrick gets big win off track, emotional victory on track

What a week for Hendrick Motorsports, which scored its first victory in NASCAR’s version of a courtroom and its second win on the track at Richmond Raceway. NASCAR’s winningest team had received … more

By JENNA FRYER | 4/3/23

FILE - United States defender Tierna Davidson (12) plays during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. While the women's national team fought for and won its landmark equal pay contract with U.S. Soccer last spring, defender Tierna Davidson believes there is so much more to be done. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Davidson relishes new role with the US players union

While the women’s national team fought for and won its landmark equal pay contract with U.S. Soccer last spring, new players’ association officer Tierna Davidson believes there is so much more to … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 4/3/23

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

It's Embiid vs. Doncic for scoring title in NBA's final week

The NBA will have an international player as its scoring champion for the second time. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was born in Cameroon. He is on the cusp of becoming a back-to-back scoring … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/3/23

FILE - Basketballs sit in a rack during practice for the WNBA All-Star basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, July 9, 2022. Even the handful of players selected in the upcoming WNBA draft will find it difficult to continue their pro careers. There are only potentially 144 WNBA roster spots available and most of those are filled with returning players. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

After March Madness, women's pro basketball options are slim

March Madness may be the last time for fans to see many of the talented college women players compete. Even the handful of players selected in the upcoming WNBA draft will find it difficult to … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 4/3/23

Baltimore Orioles' Cedric Mullins (31) and Jorge Mateo (3) celebrate after scoring on a single by Adley Rutschman during the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Orioles run wild in first 2 games with pitch clock rules

The Baltimore Orioles were off and running in the first two games of the pitch clock era. The Orioles stole five bases in their opener at Boston and then five more in the series’ second game. They … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 4/3/23

Iowa's Caitlin Clark looks for a call during the second half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against LSU Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Clark tech, foul count put focus on officials in title game

A technical foul against Iowa star Caitlin Clark and a high foul count have put the focus on the officials in the NCAA women's championship game. Clark's technical also was her fourth personal foul. … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 4/2/23

LSU's Angel Reese reacts in front of Iowa's Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Dallas. LSU won 102-85 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

LSU's Reese unapologetic over gestures to Iowa star Clark

LSU's Angel Reese isn't apologizing over gestures toward Iowa star Caitlin Clark late in the Tigers' 102-85 victory in the NCAA championship game. Reese waved her hand in front of her face, then … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 4/2/23

Iowa's Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano react during an officials time out during the second half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against LSU Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Caitlin Clark's dazzling season ends short of title for Iowa

Caitlin Clark accomplished so much that had never been seen in any NCAA Tournament before, by any woman or man. It wasn't enough to get Iowa a victory in its first national championship game. The … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 4/2/23

Corey Conners tees off on the 18th hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament, Friday, March 31, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez )

Rodgers moves into 3-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Patrick Rodgers took a step toward his first PGA Tour victory — and his first Masters appearance — on Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead midway through the second round of … more

By TIM PRICE | 3/31/23

Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo practices for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. Connecticut and Miami play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

UConn players navigate Ramadan fast during Final Four

For UConn players Adama Sanogo, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra a traditional pregame meal before Saturday night’s national semifinal against Miami won’t be possible. The three are Muslims who … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 3/31/23

Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks paces in front of his bench in the fourth quarter of a Sweet 16 college basketball game of the NCAA Tournament against Tennessee in Seattle, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Caean Couto)

All female officials in women's Final Four for 1st time ever

The NCAA has an entirely female crew working the national semifinals and championship game at the women's Final Four this weekend. It’s the first time that’s ever happened according to the … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/31/23

San Diego State guard Adam Seiko, left, and guard Triston Broughton talk during practice for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. San Diego State and Florida Atlantic play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

Looking for a Final Four edge? Think offensive efficiency

The saying goes that defense wins championships. But it's largely been top-tier offenses winning the NCAA championship in March Madness. This weekend's Final Four in Houston features two highly rated … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/31/23

FILE - Gianna Clemente drives from the fifth tee during the second round of the LPGA Tour Kroger Queen City Championship golf tournament in Cincinnati, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The 15-year-old from Ohio has reached the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at the home of the Masters. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, FiIe)

Gianna Clemente making name for herself in return to Augusta

Gianna Clemente (cluh-MENT) is back at Augusta National. But it's under different circumstances. She was a 9-year-old finalist in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship in 2017. Six years later, she … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/31/23

Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley watches practice for their Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 31, 2023, in Houston. Connecticut and Miami play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

At Final Four, UConn in familiar territory as it faces Miami

All this buzz about how a wildly unpredictable March Madness led to a Final Four nobody could’ve possibly seen coming overlooked one small detail. That detail is UConn. When Connecticut tips off … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/31/23