Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Phelps to compete next week in Arizona as ban ends
Michael Phelps will return to competition next week in Arizona after serving a six-month suspension following a drunken-driving conviction, USA Swimming said on Tuesday. Phelps will be joined by Olympic gold medalists and world-record holders Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte at the April 15-18 Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa.
Mickelson excited to leave 'terrible' form behind him
Phil Mickelson acknowledges that his game has been "terrible" the past 18 months, but a recent improvement and a return to his favorite tournament have filled him with hope heading into the Masters starting on Thursday. Mickelson says he is driving the ball better than in decades, if not his entire career, and his moribund short game showed signs of life the past two weeks as he prepared for the first major of the year.
Former kicker sues NFL's Buccaneers over MRSA infection
Former Super Bowl-winning kicker Lawrence Tynes is suing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $20 million after contracting a MRSA infection in a toe on his kicking foot that prematurely ended his career, his lawyer said Tuesday. Lawyer Stephen Rosenthal said Tynes contracted the infection in 2013 at the Buccaneers' training facility.
One at a time for McIlroy, in line for career grand slam
Rory McIlroy is targeting the Augusta National par-fives at the Masters this week as a key to joining golf's elite club of career grand slam champions. McIlroy, 25, would not predict his chances of reaching Jack Nicklaus's record 18 majors, or of matching boyhood idol Tiger Woods's mark of 14, but knows what he needs to do to wear the green jacket.
McIlroy new face of game, but don't compare to Tiger
Major champion and former winning U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger says Rory McIlroy has a winning personality and is becoming the face of golf, but should not be compared to the game's latest king, Tiger Woods. "I don't think Rory can ever beat Tiger," Azinger told Reuters on Tuesday under Augusta National's massive oak tree in front of the clubhouse as players set off for Masters practice.
Bolt to compete in next month's World Relays
Usain Bolt will compete in next month's IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association said on Tuesday. The May 2-3 competition, which will be held in Nassau, is the newest addition to the IAAF's global events and will feature over 600 athletes in five relay disciplines and the distance medley relay for both men and women.
Family man Woods still in the business of winning
Now ranked 111th, Tiger Woods appeared far more concerned about becoming the world's number one dad on Tuesday than golf's top player. Surrounded by his two children and ski champion girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, an at ease Woods seemed oblivious to the thousands of spectators gathered around the Augusta National practice green and looked more prepared to head out on a family picnic than make a headline-grabbing comeback at this week's Masters.
Former 49er Kwame Harris arrested after trying to bite officer
Former professional football lineman Kwame Harris was arrested on charges including assault and driving under the influence after he tried to bite an officer who found him sleeping in a car in San Francisco, police said on Tuesday. Harris, 33, who played most his career for the San Francisco 49ers, was asleep in an Audi sedan parked in a driveway with the engine running when officers investigating a nearby hit-and-run found him on Sunday, said San Francisco police spokeswoman Grace Gatpandan.
In-form Spieth happy to play the sage to three rookies
Jordan Spieth was a baby-faced rookie when he tied for second at Augusta National last year but on Tuesday he oozed confidence like a veteran while dispensing advice to three Masters debutants. Spieth, who has been the game's hottest player over the past six months, was delighted to pass on a few tips about course strategy to his fellow Americans Morgan Hoffmann, Brooks Koepka and Byron Meth as they played a practice round together.
Witness or killer? Ex-NFL star's trial goes to jury
Jurors in the murder trial of former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez were asked by lawyers on both sides on Tuesday to decide whether the ex-athlete killed a man in 2013, or watched as one of his friends did it. Hernandez, 25, is charged with murder and firearms violations in the death of Odin Lloyd, a semiprofessional football player who was dating his fiancée's sister. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
