Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Ronaldo to leave Manchester United after criticism of club; Golf-Woods wins Player Impact Program, collects $15 million bonus and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Soccer-Ronaldo to leave Manchester United after criticism of club Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with immediate effect, the Premier League team said on Tuesday, marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain's second spell at Old Trafford after he said he felt betrayed by the club.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Ronaldo to leave Manchester United after criticism of club

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with immediate effect, the Premier League team said on Tuesday, marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain's second spell at Old Trafford after he said he felt betrayed by the club. An explosive interview with TalkTV this month -- in which Ronaldo also said he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag -- had put him on shaky ground at the club he rejoined in August 2021 after winning eight major trophies with them from 2003-2009.

Golf-Woods wins Player Impact Program, collects $15 million bonus

Tiger Woods has won the PGA Tour's Player Impact Program (PIP) for a second consecutive year and with it the $15 million bonus given to the winner, according to results obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. Woods has played only nine rounds of golf across three majors in 2022 but remains the game's top draw as defined by the PIP, which measures a player's popularity based on five criteria like media mentions and broadcast exposure.

Soccer-France beat Australia 4-1 in opener as Giroud equals scoring record

France started their World Cup title defense in style with a 4-1 comeback win against Australia on Tuesday, with Olivier Giroud scoring two goals to become Les Bleus' joint all-time top scorer. Giroud netted before and after the break to take his tally to 51 goals, matching Thierry Henry's mark. He scored either side of a Kylian Mbappe goal after Adrien Rabiot had leveled for France following Craig Goodwin's shock early opener.

NCAA not liable in widow's $55 million concussion liability suit, jury says

The National Collegiate Athletic Association on Tuesday beat a $55 million lawsuit brought by the widow of a former University Southern California linebacker who said the organization failed to adequately protect her husband from concussions. A jury in California state court ruled against Alana Gee on her claims that the NCAA failed to take reasonable precautions around concussions and educate players on the dangers of repeated head collisions. Her husband, Matthew Gee, played at USC from 1988 to 1992 and died in 2018 after allegedly suffering from the brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Soccer-Manchester United owners consider selling club

Manchester United said on Tuesday it was commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives, including a new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the American Glazer family bought the English Premier League soccer club. The Glazer family is working with financial advisers on the process, which could lead to a partial sale of the Old Trafford club or investments including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, the club said in a statement.

Tennis-Thompson, De Minaur send Australia into Davis Cup semi-finals

Alex de Minaur secured Australia's semi-final place at the Davis Cup Finals on Tuesday, overcoming Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands 5-7 6-3 6-4 after Jordan Thompson beat Tallon Griekspoor 4-6 7-5 6-3 in Malaga. The 28-times champions will face either six-times winners Spain or Croatia for a place in Sunday's final.

Soccer-Lewandowski misses penalty as Poland draw 0-0 with Mexico at World Cup

Poland and Mexico played out an entertaining 0-0 draw in their opening Word Cup Group C game on Tuesday, with Polish skipper Robert Lewandowski failing to break his tournament duck when his second-half penalty was saved at Stadium 974. Lewandowski earned the penalty after a VAR check 11 minutes into the second half when Hector Moreno tugged at his shirt. However, the striker, who has never scored at the World Cup, saw his shot saved by Guillermo Ochoa.

Motor racing-Formula One wraps up 2022 with Ferrari 1-2-3 in final test

Ferrari filled the top three places on the timing screens in Formula One's post-season test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as the sport looked to the future with grand prix veterans and newcomers alike starting work with new employers. Carlos Sainz was quickest for Ferrari ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with both race regulars taking turns in the one F1-75 car and focusing on Pirelli's 2023 tyres.

Cricket-Wright appointed England men's selector

Former England and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright was appointed England men's selector on Tuesday after announcing the end of his playing career. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Wright, currently coaching Auckland Cricket in New Zealand, would take up the role at the end of March 2023 ahead of the English season.

Soccer-Ronaldo's exit from Man Utd best for both parties - Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand said the departure of his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United could have been handled better by both club and player but that the decision was "best for both parties". The Portugal international was on shaky ground at the club due to an explosive interview with TalkTV this month in which he said he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag.

(With inputs from agencies.)