Sports News Round-up: Gronk's chances, Tempers flare, Koepka to become

Koepka posted a final round of 64 at the Nine Bridges Golf Club on Jeju island on Sunday, finishing with a flourish by eagling the last hole for a combined 21-under 267 at the $9.5 million tournaments.

 

Comic Amy Schumer backs Kaepernick, says she won't do Super Bowl ads

U.S. comedian and actress Amy Schumer has said she will not appear in any commercials during the 2019 Super Bowl in support of National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protests against racial injustice. "I personally told my reps I wouldn't do a Super Bowl commercial this year," Schumer wrote in an Instagram post on Friday. "Hitting the NFL with the advertisers is the only way to really hurt them."

NFL notebook: Gronk's chances of playing Sunday look grim

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, the team announced Saturday evening. ESPN reported earlier in the day that Gronkowski did not travel with his teammates to Chicago and was "highly unlikely" to play.

NBA roundup: Tempers flare as Rockets down Lakers

James Harden scored 36 points, and Chris Paul added 28 points with 10 assists as the Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron James' home opener with the Los Angeles Lakers by earning a high-intensity 124-115 victory Saturday night. Three players were ejected with 4:13 remaining after an on-court altercation that started after the Lakers' Brandon Ingram committed a hard foul on Harden. After the whistle, Paul and the Lakers' Rajon Rondo threw punches at each other, with Ingram also joining the fray. Paul, Rondo and Ingram all were ejected.

MLB notebook: Sale blames belly ring for illness

If you believe Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale, he already has a ring. A bellybutton ring. Sale raised eyebrows and prompted more than a few sceptics Saturday when he blamed his recent stomach illness on a rash caused by his bellybutton ring. The eccentric southpaw has a history of teasing reporters, and the veracity of his latest explanation remained up for debate.

NHL roundup: Skinner's hat trick leads Sabres in a rout

Jeff Skinner earned a hat trick, and goaltender Linus Ullmark made 19 saves as the visiting Buffalo Sabres cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon. Skinner scored his first goal at 3:31 of the second period. He tallied again at 15:52 of the period before his final goal came on an empty net with less than a minute to play in the third.

Golf: Koepka to become new world No. 1 after CJ Cup win

Brooks Koepka will become world number one for the first time on Monday after the American fended off a game Gary Woodland to earn a four-stroke victory at the PGA Tour's CJ Cup in South Korea. Koepka posted a final round of 64 at the Nine Bridges Golf Club on Jeju island on Sunday, finishing with a flourish by eagling the last hole for a combined 21-under 267 at the $9.5 million tournaments.

NASCAR notebook: Ford leaving Toyota in dust so far at Kansas

Playoff driver Joey Logano bucked conventional wisdom with his pole-winning run in Friday's knockout qualifying session for Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford was fourth fastest in the first round and third in the second round. In the final round, however, with the Busch Pole Award on the line, Logano ran the fastest lap of the day (191.646 mph) on tires that had already completed two hot laps.

Motorcycling: Marquez clinches fifth MotoGP title with victory in Japan

Spain's Marc Marquez wrapped up his third straight MotoGP championship with a victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday after title rival Andrea Dovizioso fell on the penultimate lap while trying to find a way past the Honda rider. The 25-year-old is now tied with Australian Mick Doohan on five premier class world titles, with only Italian's Valentino Rossi (seven) and Giacomo Agostini (eight) having won more.

Top 25 roundup: Purdue pummels No. 2 Ohio State

David Blough threw for two touchdowns in the first half, and D.J. Knox ran for three in the second as Purdue upset No. 2 Ohio State 49-20 at West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue (4-3, 3-1 Big Ten) led 14-3 at the half and extended the lead to 28-6 in the fourth quarter before Dwayne Haskins drew the Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) within 28-13 with 9:36 left on a 32-yard pass to Johnnie Dixon.

Dodgers power past Brewers to return to World Series

MILWAUKEE -- Los Angeles Dodgers centre fielder Cody Bellinger acknowledged feeling "ice cold" late Saturday night. He was referring to the champagne that had doused his uniform, not the struggles that threatened to sink his National League Championship Series.

(With inputs from agencies.)