National Sports - The Morning Sun

Scottie Scheffler chips to the green on the second hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Scottie Scheffler arrives at PGA as understated world No. 1

Scottie Scheffler has every reason to be arrogant as he prepares for the PGA Championship. He has four victories this year, including the Masters, and is No. 1 in the world. Yet Scheffler is modest … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 5/17/22

Jimmie Johnson stands on pit lane during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Jimmie Johnson feels 'at home' in Indy 500 preparations

Jimmie Johnson felt at home making his way around Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the opening day of preparations for the Indianapolis 500. The seven-time NASCAR champion will make his Indy 500 debut … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/17/22

Sonny Leon celebrates after riding Rich Strike to victory in the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Rich Strike skipping Preakness reignites Triple Crown debate

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike's absence from the Preakness has reignited the debate over whether the spacing of the three Triple Crown races should be changed. The current schedule of two weeks … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/17/22

Carolina Hurricanes' Max Domi, center, celebrates his second goal of the period with teammates Vincent Trocheck (16), Teuvo Teravainen (86) and Ian Cole (28) during the second period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Hurricanes look to keep rolling at home vs. New York Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers open their second-round playoff series on Wednesday night. The Hurricanes have home-ice advantage after outlasting the Rangers in the regular season to … more

By AARON BEARD | 5/17/22

Tiger Woods smiles on the driving range before a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Tiger Woods says he's all about majors, a Mickelson rebuke

Tiger Woods says he cares about majors and legacies. He made that point at the PGA Championship while delivering a sharp rebuke of Phil Mickelson. Mickelson is not defending his PGA title at Southern … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/17/22

Bengals' Burrow wasted no time getting over Super Bowl loss

Joe Burrow said he didn’t spend any time second-guessing himself or pondering what might have been after the Bengals’ Super Bowl loss. The 25-year-old quarterback says he watched video of the … more

By MITCH STACY | 5/17/22

Glasgow Rangers supporters cheer outside a bar in downtown Seville, Spain, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Eintracht Frankfurt will play Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League final Wednesday evening in Seville. (AP Photo/Angel Fernandez)

Seville on alert: 150,000 expected for Europa League final

More than 5,000 police officers and security personnel are on high alert in Seville as the Spanish city braces for the throngs of Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt fans arriving for the Europa League … more

By TALES AZZONI | 5/17/22

Rory McIlroy, of North Ireland, watches his tee shot during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

McIlroy chasing elusive 5th major title at PGA 8 years later

Rory McIlroy was 25 years old when he hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy over his head and looked primed for a run at the PGA record books. He’d just won the 2014 PGA Championship for his fourth major … more

By JIM VERTUNO | 5/17/22

New York Mets' Starling Marte slides to third base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in New York. After review, Marte was called safe at third for a triple. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Mets' Marte loses grandmother 2 years after wife's death

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte has been placed on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother, which came nearly two years to the day after his wife died of a heart attack. … more

5/17/22

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a 3-point shot over Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) during the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal in San Francisco, Friday, May 13, 2022. The Warriors won 110-96 and advanced to the conference finals. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Mavericks-Warriors Western Conference finals preview capsule

The Golden State Warriors are back in the Western Conference finals for the sixth time in eight years. They will face an unexpected opponent. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks ousted Phoenix, which had … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/17/22

FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Keeping schools out of NIL dealings opened door for boosters

The NCAA seems to have inadvertently opened the door for boosters when it comes to college athletes cashing in on their fame. The NCAA is hoping to rein in booster-fueled organizations known as … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 5/17/22

Houston Astros' Jake Odorizzi (17) is wheeled off the field after being tended to on the mound after the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Monday, May 16, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Houston RHP Odorizzi stretchered off field in Boston

Houston Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi collapsed running to cover first base in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox and was taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher. Odorizzi, who … more

5/17/22

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers (48) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

LEADING OFF: Detmers tries to match Vander Meer, 3 twinbills

Reid Detmers has a chance to match Johnny Vander Meer’s feat of consecutive no-hitters when he starts for the Los Angeles Angels at the Texas Rangers. The 22-year-old left-hander pitched his gem in … more

By The Associated Press | 5/17/22

Kentucky Derby entrant Epicenter works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Epicenter is 6-5 favorite for Preakness without Rich Strike

Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter has been set as the morning line favorite for the Preakness. Derby winner Rich Strike is not in the field of nine for the second jewel of horse racing's Triple … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) throws against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Robbie Ray doesn't travel with Mariners to Toronto series

Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray isn’t joining Seattle for a series in Toronto this week, missing a chance to celebrate the Cy Young Award he won with the Blue Jays last season amid border … more

By IAN HARRISON | 5/16/22

Tiger Woods hits a chip shot on the 11th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club on Monday, May 16, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP)

PGA shaping up as much different from previous 4 in Tulsa

Southern Hills proudly displays the slogan for this PGA Championship as “First to Five.” No course has hosted the PGA as many times. And it's surely going to be different from the other four. … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/16/22

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, center, talks with players as officials review a play during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finals

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport. Both grew up in Portland and … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/16/22

FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. NFL officials will meet this week with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as the league continues to investigate whether he violated its personal-conduct policy, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

AP source: Browns Watson to meet with NFL officials in Texas

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will meet with NFL officials in Texas. Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits from … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/16/22

FILE - Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) reacts after making a 3-pointer against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. Houston, Detroit and Orlando share the best odds to win the draft lottery on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. All three are already loaded with young players, even before the possibility of adding someone like Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero or Jabari Smith. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Before NBA draft lottery, Lakers already made Pelicans lucky

The New Orleans Pelicans are the lone playoff team among the clubs who can get a boost from lotto luck when the NBA draft lottery is conducted Tuesday night in Chicago. Houston, Orlando and Detroit … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/16/22

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) shakes hands with Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) after Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. The Avalanche won 5-3 to sweep the series 4-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Second thoughts: Speedy Avs get rematch with rugged Blues

The Colorado Avalanche will try to avoid being ousted in the second round of the NHL playoffs for a fourth year in a row. Standing in the way is a nasty, experienced St. Louis Blues team familiar … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 5/16/22