Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Masters patrons a rare breed in wild world of sport

Augusta National patrons have proven for decades to be a different breed from fans at any other sporting event, providing a sort of golfing oasis for the world's best players each year during the Masters. At Augusta National, where the Masters began on Thursday after three heavily-attended practice days, one might have better luck booking a tee time at the exclusive course than finding anyone doing things like shouting out of line or using a cell phone. Texas freshman Hayes declares for NBA draft

Texas Longhorns freshman Jaxson Hayes has declared for the NBA draft and will hire an agent, the school announced Thursday. "I have always dreamed about playing in the NBA. Now that I have the chance to realize that dream, I would like to pursue that opportunity," Hayes said in a statement. Report: GM Divac, Kings agree on contract extension

General manager Vlade Divac and the Sacramento Kings agreed to a four-year contract through the 2022-23 season, according to The Athletic. Financial terms were not announced. NHL playoff roundup: Jackets rally, stun Lightning

Seth Jones' power-play goal late in the third period capped a thrilling rally as the Columbus Blue Jackets erased a three-goal deficit and stunned the host Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Wednesday in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Jones scored his second career playoff goal with 5:55 to play. He took a slick pass from Artemi Panarin and roofed the power-play goal to complete a spree of four unanswered goals, three of which came in the third period. Russia moves to impose fines on drug cheats

Russia's parliament on Thursday approved draft legislation that would impose fines of up to 50,000 rubles ($775) on athletes found to have used banned performance-enhancing drugs. Russia has been rocked by several sporting bans in recent years after international investigations found evidence of widespread, state-sponsored doping in athletics and a string of other sports. Steelers G Foster: Social media criticism must stop

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster is asking his ex-teammates to stop the criticism of current Steelers players. The Steelers went through a tumultuous 2018 season with the holdout of running back Le'Veon Bell and growing tensions between quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown. NBA roundup: Pistons nail down final East playoff spot

Luke Kennard scored 27 points off the bench and the postseason-bound Detroit Pistons closed out their regular season finale by walloping the host New York Knicks 115-89 on Wednesday. The Pistons (41-41) qualified for the Eastern Conference playoffs for just the second time since the 2009-10 season. They were swept by Cleveland in the opening round of the 2015-16 playoffs. Report: Former NFL receiver Stewart arrested for gun possession

Former Alabama wide receiver and New York Jets draft pick ArDarius Stewart was arrested in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Thursday for carrying a pistol without a permit, AL.com reported. Stewart was being held on $500 bond, according to the report. Tiger starts strong, one back of early Masters co-leaders

Tiger Woods made a solid start in his pursuit of a fifth Masters title with a quick birdie that left him one shot back of the early first-round leaders at Augusta National on Thursday. Woods, who has not broken par in the opening round of the Masters since 2013, looked comfortable early on and was accurate off the tee at sunny Augusta National where an adoring crowd cheered his every step. Nicklaus thinks Augusta National will eventually allow smartphones

Six-times Masters champion Jack Nicklaus once said he did not carry a mobile phone because people never called to offer him something, but only if they wanted something. Times have changed since he made those remarks some two decades ago and these days Nicklaus is as wedded to his smartphone as billions of other people around the world.