st Page 36 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Maniacal Masters? Players bracing for Augusta National at its crustiest
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- With no rain in the forecast and sunny, warm conditions forecast through the weekend, the players in the 2026 Masters said they are at the mercy of the tournament officials setting up Augusta National for the final 54 holes.,"I think this could be the toughest Masters we've played in...

Rory McIlroy taps into Masters champion confidence to spark rally
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Rory McIlroy admitted he hasn't felt the same at "certain" golf tournaments since completing the career grand slam 12 months ago, but all the same old feelings came rushing back on the first tee at Augusta National on Thursday.,And that's a good thing, in his estimation.,"It's the Ma...

After February brawl, Hornets and Pistons set for late-season rematch
The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets face each other Friday for the first time in more than two months in a game that will likely draw the attention of both teams.,It will mark the first time the teams meet since a brawl that resulted in four player ejections and a later ejection of Charlotte c...

Bryson DeChambeau humbled by misadventures, opening 76 at Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Bryson DeChambeau knows the feeling of something between proud accomplishment and elation, walking off the 18th green after the first round with the lead at the Masters. And he got reacquainted with the opposite emotion on Thursday. ,DeChambeau blasted a patron with his tee shot on N...

Rory McIlroy tied for lead to begin Masters defense
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Rory McIlroy began the defense of his first Masters title with a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the afternoon lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National on Thursday. ,It is only the third time in 18 Masters starts that McIlroy has broken 70 in the first round, and the second-lo...

Michigan adds former Tennessee F J.P. Estrella
Tennessee transfer forward J.P. Estrella told multiple media outlets on Thursday that he has committed to national champion Michigan.,Listed at 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Estrella averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 33 games (13 starts) with the Volunteers this past season. Tennessee's season ca...

Jannik Sinner sees record set streak snapped, advances in Monte Carlo
No. 2 Jannik Sinner saw his record streak of consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events snapped at 37, but the Italian still managed to beat Czech competitor Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday.,Sinner, whose streak was 13 sets l...

NBA clears Kings, says coach made mistake vs. Warriors
The NBA announced Thursday that Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie made an honest mistake in his team's loss to the Golden State Warriors.,The league was investigating Christie after he instructed forward Doug McDermott to intentionally foul Warriors guard Seth Curry with his team leading by ...

Sam Burns torches par 5s to grab early Masters lead
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Sam Burns took advantage of Augusta National's longest holes in posting a 5-under-par round of 67 to take the early first-round in the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament on Thursday.,Burns got his round rolling by sinking an 11-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second hole. After drop...

Argentina to play World Cup tune-ups at Texas A&M, Auburn
Defending champion Argentina will conclude its preparations for this summer's World Cup with a pair of friendlies at iconic college football stadiums in early June.,Argentina, led by eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, will face Honduras on June 6 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, and...

Rockets fight to keep win streak going, face inconsistent 76ers
In the blink of an eye, all the Houston Rockets gained during their six-game winning streak entering Tuesday seemed lost when the Phoenix Suns assertively seized momentum early with a 24-0 surge.,The Rockets had climbed to within range of the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and carved out a dec...

Report: Justice Department opens investigation into NFL
The federal Justice Department is investigating whether the NFL's media package has led the league to harm consumers financially by anticompetitive actions, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.,The investigation launched after the Justice Department heard recent concerns by media companies, me...

Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to join McLaren
Red Bull head of racing Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving the team at the expiration of his contract to join Formula 1 rival McLaren.,Lambiase, 45, currently serves as the race engineer for four-time world champion Max Verstappen.,McLaren announced Thursday that Lambiase will become its chief racing off...
Why None of These NBA Play-In Teams Are True Contenders
The NBA Play-In Tournament features star power and fun matchups, but none of these teams are real contenders for a deep playoff run....
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Struggles Are Becoming a Problem for the Cubs
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s early struggles are raising concerns for the Cubs as their offense regresses during a rocky 2026 start....
The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National
Masters 2026 betting picks featuring Cameron Young, Ludvig Aberg, and Tommy Fleetwood as top value plays at Augusta National....

Tom Watson: PGA Tour reneged on promise with Brooks Koepka's return
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tom Watson didn't mince words when asked his thoughts on the special conditions the PGA Tour created in order for Brooks Koepka to make an immediate return to the tour this year after leaving LIV Golf.,"The Tour made a decision to renege on what they promised when the players left fo...

Jack Nicklaus hopes to continue role as honorary Masters starter
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament officially began with the honorary starting threesome of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson at 7:25 a.m. ET on Thursday.,Shortly after sunrise at Augusta National Golf Club, the trio of golfing legends emerged from the iconic clubhous...

Masters ejects Mark Calcavecchia for using phone
The Masters enforced its policy banning phone use at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday even with a big-name golfer involved.,Former major champion Mark Calcavecchia was escorted off the grounds by security after using his phone, Golfweek reported.,Calcavecchia, 65, was in attendance as an "hon...

90th Masters primed to be major challenge at firm, fast Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Patrick Reed said this week that there are "10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.",It doesn't take math major to determine that would eliminate more than 85% of this week's 91-player field from winning the 90th edition of the Masters Tourname...