Sports News Roundup: McIlroy supports R&A proposals to limit ball distance; Alex Ovechkin hits 40 goals for record 13th time and more

Several players including world number two Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas have criticised the Model Local Rule (MLR) proposal outlined last week by golf's rules makers the R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA). Spring training roundup: A's yield inside-the-park HR, rally past Angels Tyler Wade knocked a go-ahead RBI double to left in the top of the ninth, and the Oakland Athletics hung on to beat the host Los Angeles Angels 6-5 in a spring training game on Tuesday in Tempe, Ariz.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL roundup: Alex Ovechkin hits 40 goals for record 13th time

On a night he was honored for passing one NHL legend, Washington's Alex Ovechkin made history by eclipsing another. However, the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets stole the show with a stunning 7-6 overtime win over the Capitals on Tuesday night. Jack Roslovic took advantage of a T.J. Oshie turnover and scored his second goal of the night 2:43 into overtime, giving the Blue Jackets (22-41-7, 51 points) the win on a night when they trailed 3-0 and 5-3.

Soccer-PSG are a success as Qatar's political tool but bland on the pitch-Lahm

Paris St Germain's billion-euro investment may have paid dividends on the political stage for owners Qatar but the team is disappointing and bland despite superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, former Germany captain Philipp Lahm said on Wednesday. Lahm, a 2014 World Cup winner who now is Euro 2024 tournament director, was vitriolic in his criticism following PSG's 3-0 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 earlier this month.

Baseball-Japan's Ohtani strikes out Trout to seal World Baseball Classic win

Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in a showdown between two of the game's best players to seal Japan's 3-2 victory over the United States in a riveting World Baseball Classic (WBC) final at Miami's LoanDepot Park on Tuesday. Baseball is the United States' national pastime but Japan's win over the defending WBC champions means they have won three of five editions of the global showcase.

Golf-McIlroy supports R&A proposals to limit ball distance

Proposals to limit the distance golf balls travel when struck by elite players have received the surprise backing of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy. Several players including world number two Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas have criticised the Model Local Rule (MLR) proposal outlined last week by golf's rules makers the R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA).

Spring training roundup: A's yield inside-the-park HR, rally past Angels

Tyler Wade knocked a go-ahead RBI double to left in the top of the ninth, and the Oakland Athletics hung on to beat the host Los Angeles Angels 6-5 in a spring training game on Tuesday in Tempe, Ariz. Cristian Pache started the rally earlier in the ninth when his double-play grounder scored the tying run and put Jose Escorche on third. Then Wade came to the plate and collected his second hit of the day.

NBA roundup: Paul George gets hurt in Clippers' loss

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points against his former team and Jalen Williams added 20 as the Oklahoma City Thunder continued to solidify their playoff standing Tuesday with a 101-100 victory over the host Los Angeles Clippers. Josh Giddey scored 13 points and Isaiah Joe added 12 as the Thunder won for the eighth time in their past 10 games.

Ice hockey-Russia, Belarus teams out of 2023-24 season -IIHF

The ice hockey teams of Russia and Belarus will be barred from taking part in international competitions in the 2023-2024 season, the sport's governing body said on Wednesday, citing safety concerns. "The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) council determined that it is not yet safe to reincorporate the Russian and Belarusian teams back into IIHF competitions, and that it will not be safe for the upcoming 2023/2024 IIHF Championship season," it said in a statement.

'Napoli fan' prosecutor steps aside from legal case against Juventus

One of three prosecutors accusing Italian soccer club Juventus of financial misconduct has left the case after the emergence of derogatory comments he made about the team, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. In a video shot at a legal conference in Milan in 2019, a year before the inquiry into top-flight Serie A club Juventus opened, Turin prosecutor Ciro Santoriello said: "I am a huge fan of Napoli (soccer team), I hate Juventus".

Tennis-Defending champion Swiatek pulls out of Miami Open

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Miami Open due to a rib injury, the world number one and defending champion said on Wednesday. Top seed Swiatek was due to begin her campaign against American Claire Liu in the second round on Thursday after being given a bye in the first round.

Soccer-Ex-Germany midfielder Ozil announces end of playing career

Germany's World Cup-winning midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from football at the age of 34 on Wednesday. The former Real Madrid and Arsenal player was a key member of Germany's World Cup-winning side in Brazil in 2014.

(With inputs from agencies.)