All about Woods' confidence in PGA Tour, Victor Cruz's retirement, Jimmy Smith's suspension

Dustin Johnson is defending champion at the Northern Trust tournament, but all eyes will be on Tiger Woods when the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs begin in New Jersey on Thursday.

Woods confident of getting the 'job done' soon on PGA Tour

Dustin Johnson is defending champion at the Northern Trust tournament, but all eyes will be on Tiger Woods when the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs begin in New Jersey on Thursday. Woods is in the playoffs for the first time since 2013, when he was crowned champion of the season-long points race.

"Hi. My name is Dustin Johnson, I'm defending this week, at home they call me D.J. and I hit dingers." pic.twitter.com/dboaKACYP6

— Skratch (@Skratch) August 21, 2018

WR Cruz retires, to join ESPN

Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday and is set to join ESPN as an NFL analyst. Cruz announced his intentions in a video posted on UNINTERRUPTED. He will make his ESPN debut on Wednesday.

Tennis: Edmund and Sock round out Laver Cup teams

The final team members for the second Laver Cup tennis tournament were announced on Tuesday, with Briton Kyle Edmund joining Team Europe and Jack Sock of the United States named in Team World. The three-day men's tournament, which will take place from Sept. 21-23 in Chicago's United Center, pits two elite six-man squads in three singles matches and one doubles each day.

NFL notebook: NFL suspends Ravens CB Smith four games

The NFL announced a four-game suspension for Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith on Tuesday for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. The Ravens released a statement saying they "fully support the NFL's decision," adding the league "found evidence of threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct. Our player's behavior was inappropriate and wrong. ..."

Germany looks set to stay on 2019 F1 calendar

The German Grand Prix looks likely to be back on the Formula One calendar next year amid growing optimism about the race's future. Formula One's managing director Sean Bratches said on Tuesday he suspected there would again be 21 races, the same number as this season, on the 2019 calendar but provided no details.

Niemann takes a move to pro ranks in his stride

Chilean teenager Joaquin Niemann is hoping for a tournament victory and a spot on the Presidents Cup International team when he begins his first full season as a professional on the 2018-19 PGA Tour in October. Niemann was not eligible to qualify for the PGA Tour playoffs that start this week but can still reflect on a smooth transition to the professional ranks as he enjoys a well-earned break before gearing up for a busy campaign.

Konta out of final U.S. Open tune-up with a viral illness

British number one Johanna Konta withdrew from the final U.S. Open tune-up event in Connecticut with a viral illness, tournament organizers said on Tuesday. Konta, who beat German Laura Siegmund in the first round of the Connecticut Open, was due to face Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro on Tuesday in New Haven.

Serena tops Forbes list of highest paid female athletes

Serena Williams was the highest paid female athlete for a third consecutive year in 2018, according to an annual list published by Forbes on Tuesday that was dominated by tennis players. Williams, who returned to competition in March after giving birth last September, earned $62,000 in winnings over the past year but received $18.1 million from an endorsement portfolio unmatched among women in sports, Forbes said.

"I'M BACK" 🗽#USOpen pic.twitter.com/X5BSnPcBEg

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) August 21, 2018

MLB notebook: Nats deal 2B Murphy to Cubs, 1B Adams to Cards

The Washington Nationals on Tuesday began the sell-off that they opted not to do ahead of the trade deadline, sending the second baseman Daniel Murphy to the Chicago Cubs and first baseman Matt Adams to the St. Louis Cardinals in separate waiver deals. The Nationals received infielder Andruw Monasterio and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Cubs for Murphy. Adams was sent to the Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations.

For Rod Laver, it's gone big or goes home

Ask Rod Laver how the sport of tennis has changed since he won his last U.S. Open title in 1969 and the former world number one does not hesitate: The guys today are big -- really big. "Yes, the tennis rackets (there's a) different technology there," Laver, 80, said on Tuesday. "But how the big, tall guys came into play -- I'm not sure where that came from."

(With inputs from Reuters)