Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Augusta National opens doors to women - at least for one day

When the fight for gender equality in golf is chronicled Augusta National will not be the key battle but it will be remembered as a provocative flashpoint and the site of another small victory this week when the club hosts a women's tournament. When the golfers tee it up for the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Saturday they will take a shot at one of sport's symbols of gender segregation, playing on a course that seven years ago did not even allow female members. Retired WR Nelson would consider return to Packers

Recently retired receiver Jordy Nelson says he would consider playing in 2019 -- if Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers asks him to. "It would probably be hard to say no," Nelson said during a guest appearance Wednesday morning on "The Dan Patrick Show." Prosecutors dismiss case against DE Bennett

Prosecutors in Houston announced Wednesday they are dismissing their case against defensive end Michael Bennett, who had been accused of shoving an elderly, wheelchair-bound NRG Stadium worker during Super Bowl LI. "We dismissed this case in the interest of justice," said Vivian King, chief of staff of the Harris County District Attorney's Office. "After looking at all the evidence, this was the right thing to do." McCarthy on Green Bay firing: 'It stunned me'

Former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy was surprised to be fired before the end of the 2018 season. McCarthy addressed the situation in his first sit-down interview since the Packers fired him Dec. 2 FanDuel to pay out some AAF football bets despite league stoppage

The Alliance of American Football league is suspending operations before it can crown its first champions, but that is not stopping FanDuel's sportsbook from declaring a winner. FanDuel Group, a unit of Irish bookmaker Paddy Power Betfair PLC, on Wednesday said the Orlando Apollos should have been the AAF champs and that it would pay out all straight futures wagers as winners. Lakers' Ball sues Big Baller Brand co-founder

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has sued the co-founder of the family's Big Baller Brand, contending in court documents that the man embezzled more than $2 million from him. Ball filed the suit late Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Alan Foster, an ex-con who became friends with family patriarch LaVar Ball shortly after his release from prison. Report: Murray State G Morant to enter NBA draft

All-American sophomore and projected lottery pick Ja Morant is leaving Murray State to enter the 2019 NBA Draft, The Athletic reported Wednesday. Morant averaged 24.5 points and led the nation with 10.0 assists per game this season, highlighted by a triple-double against Marquette in a first-round win in the NCAA Tournament. Tennis: Men's Olympic final to be best-of-three sets

The men's tennis final at next year's Tokyo Olympics will change format to a best-of-three tiebreak sets instead of five, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Wednesday. The decision brings the men's gold medal match into line with other Olympic singles matches which are all played as best-of-three sets. Pele hospitalized in Paris with urinary infection - friend

Brazilian soccer great Pele was hospitalized in Paris with a strong fever but his condition is not life-threatening and he should be released "within a couple of days," one of his long-time friends said on Wednesday. The 78-year-old was suffering from a urinary infection and being treated with antibiotics, his friend and spokesman Pepito Fornos, who was with Pele at the hospital, said. Draft notebook: Murray State's Morant to make jump

All-American sophomore and projected lottery pick Ja Morant is leaving Murray State to enter the 2019 NBA Draft, The Athletic reported Wednesday. Morant averaged 24.5 points and led the nation with 10.0 assists per game this season, highlighted by a triple-double against Marquette -- 17 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds -- in a first-round win in the NCAA Tournament.