Reuters Sports News Summary


Reuters | Updated: 03-01-2019 13:29 IST | Created: 03-01-2019 13:28 IST

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Golf: New rules to be tournament tested in Hawaii

A new year kicks off on the PGA Tour in Hawaii on Thursday at a tournament where the rules might get as much attention as the leaderboard. A raft of changes came into effect on Jan. 1 in the biggest rewrite of the regulations in decades and will get their first professional test at the Kapalua Plantation course on the island of Maui.

NBA roundup: Celtics' Hayward explodes for 35

Boston's Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 35 points, and Terry Rozier got the start for an injured Kyrie Irving and scored 16 points on Wednesday to lead the Celtics to a 115-102 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Irving sustained a right eye injury in a loss to San Antonio on New Year's Eve, and his status remains day-to-day. Minnesota also was short-handed without Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Robert Covington dressing, all due to ankle injuries.

ATP roundup: Djokovic earns quarterfinal spot in Qatar

World No. 1 and two-time champion Novak Djokovic earned his 12th straight win Wednesday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, beating Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in Doha. It took Djokovic two hours to dispatch the Hungarian and book his place in the quarterfinals, where he'll face Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. The fifth-seeded Basilashvili earned his spot in the quarters by beating Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 6-4.

Tomlin, Steelers nearing point of no return with WR Brown

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Wednesday that a time could be near when All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown is more of a distraction than he's worth in Pittsburgh. After walking out of Wednesday's practice ahead of the 2018 regular-season finale, Brown was inactive -- with knee discomfort -- against the Bengals on Sunday. Tomlin did not deny that the perception could be reality, that Brown "quit" on the Steelers when the team needed a win (and Ravens loss) to continue their season.

NHL roundup: Canucks drop Senators in OT

Elias Pettersson scored three goals, including the overtime winner, as the visiting Vancouver Canucks edged the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on Wednesday night. Pettersson completed his first career hat trick at 1:38 of the extra session as he converted a pass from Brock Boeser. A 20-year-old Swedish rookie, Pettersson now has 11 multi-point games.

Chinese drivers take baby steps towards F1 dream

The tires of the Aston Martin Racing team car screech and the engine roars as it leaves the pits on its way back into the race at the Shanghai international circuit, one of China's premier motor racing venues. This sound is something of a metaphor for the growth of the sport in China, where young and old drivers alike are increasingly itching to make an impression on the track.

Pulisic joins Chelsea as most expensive American player

Chelsea confirmed the signing of U.S. international winger Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, making the 20-year-old the most expensive American soccer player in history. Chelsea did not provide financial details but Dortmund said the London side had paid 64 million euros ($73.2 million) for the versatile attacker, who British media reported was also sought by Premier League leaders Liverpool.

U.S. pro wrestling announcer, 'Mean Gene' Okerlund, dies at 76

Professional wrestling announcer Gene Okerlund, nicknamed "Mean Gene" for his verbal sparring with the gimmicky sport's muscled gladiators including Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage, died on Wednesday, World Wrestling Entertainment said. He was 76. Okerlund launched his interviewing career at the American Wrestling Association in the 1970s and went on to work for the World Wrestling Federation, later renamed the WWE and World Championship Wrestling.

Ex-USC assistant Bland pleads guilty in corruption scandal

Former Southern California assistant coach Tony Bland pleaded guilty Wednesday in Manhattan federal court to conspiracy to commit bribery, the latest development in the corruption scandal that rocked college basketball. Bland admitted he accepted $4,100 in cash to steer USC basketball players toward certain financial advisers and business managers.

Giants GM Gettleman not committed to Manning in '19

The New York Giants stuck with quarterback Eli Manning through the 2018 season, but will he still be the starter next season? General manager Dave Gettleman declined to offer any such assurance on Wednesday, two days after having what he termed an "extensive, no-holds barred" conversation with Manning.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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