Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Experience produces Masters magic for Couples
Playing in his 32nd U.S. Masters, evergreen Fred Couples knows all the tricks and spots where bits of golf magic can be conjured up at Augusta National and on Friday pulled another great round out of his hat. Experience matters at Augusta National and Couples, who won his Masters Green Jacket 25 years ago, before 2015 winner Jordan Spieth was even born, put his knowledge to good use carding a two-under 70 to feature on the midway leaderboard just three strokes off pacesetters Sergio Garcia, Charley Hoffman, Thomas Pieters and Rickie Fowler.
Golf: McIlroy rues cruel ricochet that leaves him five back
A shockingly unlucky break cost Rory McIlroy probably two strokes at the final hole on Friday, leaving him five strokes from the halfway lead at the U.S. Masters. If there was any justice, McIlroy would only be three strokes off the pace at Augusta National after he almost literally knocked down the pin at the par-four 18th.
Tennis: CAS upholds Mexican player's appeal against match-fixing ban
Mexican player Daniel Garza has successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a six-month ban and $5,000 fine for match-fixing, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) said on Friday. The 31-year-old, ranked 2,054 in singles, was suspended on Oct. 18 last year after a TIU investigation ruled that he had attempted to influence the outcome of a match at an ITF Futures tournament in Calabasas, California, in March 2015.
Motor racing: Mercedes galvanized after Ferrari defeat, says Hamilton
Mercedes are seeing red after losing out to Ferrari in the season-opener in Australia but the challenge from their resurgent rivals has had a galvanizing effect on the champions according to Lewis Hamilton. The championship battle over the last three seasons has been contested exclusively by Hamilton and retired champion Nico Rosberg, with Mercedes sweeping to 51 wins from 59 races and a hat-trick of drivers' and constructors' titles.
Kyrgios and Djokovic on form in Davis Cup
Nick Kyrgios put Australia in a commanding position against the United States and Novak Djokovic made a winning return to action for Serbia on quarter-finals day in the Davis Cup on Friday. In a clash of the two most successful nations in the competition, Kyrgios beat American John Isner in straight sets as Australia posted a 2-0 lead in Brisbane.
Garcia grabs share of Masters lead, Couples three back
Sergio Garcia charged into a four-way share of the second-round U.S. Masters lead on Friday at Augusta National where a number of major champions were in striking distance ready to pounce. Garcia, one of the best current players without a major win, shot a three-under-par 69 to reach four under for the tournament along with overnight leader Charley Hoffman (75), Rickie Fowler (67) and Masters rookie Thomas Pieters (68) of Belgium.
NBA: Charlotte eligible for 2019 All-Star game, says commissioner
The National Basketball Association said on Friday it will consider Charlotte, North Carolina, as the host for its 2019 All-Star game after the state replaced a law viewed by the league as discriminatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement the league's board decided on Thursday that Charlotte is eligible for the 2019 midseason game.
Golf: Rose looking forward to faster course on Day Three of Masters
Justin Rose said a couple of key mistakes kept him from having a run at the lead in Friday's second round at the U.S. Masters and expected calm weather and faster greens to play to his strengths this weekend. The 36-year-old Olympic gold medallist from England was lurking just three strokes behind the tournament leaders after shooting an even-par 72 in gusting winds for a one-under-par 143 total heading into Saturday's third round.
The Masters Golf Tournament up close
Golfers from around the world teed up for the 81st U.S. Masters tournament this week, after six-time winner Jack Nicklaus took the opening ceremonial tee shot on Thursday. Personalities, many of a political ilk, count themselves among the members of the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, including former Senator Sam Nunn, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell. And some show up for the tournament.
Athletics: Sumgong doping case delays naming of marathon series champion
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) will hold back on naming a women's champion until after the conclusion of the doping case involving series leader Jemima Sumgong. Sumgong, who last year became the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic gold in the marathon, tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO (erythropoietin) in an out-of-competition test carried out by the sport's governing body.
