Golf
Reigning champ won’t defend the Claret Jug
Rory McIlroy won’t defend his title in the British Open.
The world’s No. 1 player announced Wednesday that a ruptured ligament in his left ankle will keep him from St. Andrews to play in the British Open. McIlroy said he injured his ankle while playing soccer with friends in Northern Ireland over the weekend.
He will be the first player to not defend his Open title since Ben Hogan in 1954.
McIlroy says his recovery is going well, but he wants to take a cautious approach. He says he only wants to compete when he is fully healthy.
Park focusing on run at 3rd U.S. Women’s Open
LANCASTER, Pa. – Inbee Park’s focus sharpens during major championship weeks, and the South Korean is dialing in for the U.S. Women’s Open.
Park is back atop the rankings for the third time in her career and leads the LPGA Tour with three wins this season. But the majors have been where she has flourished, with six major titles including five of the last 12.
Park has tried to move past her dreadful putting that week and says she favors the atmosphere of majors. She says previous good results boost her confidence in premier events.
Park will face stiff competition in the 156-player field. Her opponents include nine previous Women’s Open winners, including defending champion Michelle Wie.
NBA
Who’s courting who? L.A. Clippers try to keep Jordan
DALLAS – Two people with knowledge of the situation say the Los Angeles Clippers are making a last-ditch push to keep free agent center DeAndre Jordan from joining the Dallas Mavericks.
Jordan and the Mavericks agreed to terms on a four-year, $80 million contract last Friday. The Clippers can offer a five-year deal worth even more once contracts can be signed starting Thursday.
The Clippers sent a contingent to Houston to make a personal pitch to Jordan, a group that includes Blake Griffin and Paul Pierce.
A second person tells AP that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is in Houston to work with Jordan.
NFL
Judge cancels Redskins trademark registration
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal judge ordered the Patent and Trademark Office to cancel registration of the Washington Redskins’ trademark, ruling that the team name may be disparaging to Native Americans.
The ruling Wednesday by Judge Gerald Bruce Lee affirms an earlier finding by an administrative appeal board.
In his 70-page ruling, Lee emphasized that the organization is still free to use the name if it wishes – the team would lose some legal protections that go along with federal registration of a trademark.
The team had sued to overturn a ruling against it by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The team argued that cancellation of its trademark infringed on its free-speech rights because it required the government to judge whether the name is offensive.
League reaches 10-year deal with Totttenham
LONDON – The NFL it will play at least two games per year at Premier League club Tottenham’s new stadium over a 10-year period.
Tottenham’s new stadium is expected to open in the summer of 2018 and will feature a retractable grass field with an artificial surface underneath that would be used for NFL games.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says: “We have an opportunity now to deliver one of the most unique sporting and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL and NFL for the first time.”
Associated Press
