■ GOLF
Seve denies suicide rumors
Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros has spoken publicly for the first time to deny a claim that he had attempted suicide. A report aired on Spanish television claimed that the 50-year-old had taken an overdose in despair following the death in a car crash of a close female friend. Ballesteros told BBC Radio Five: "I am perfect -- doing great. I know that a lot of rumors have been out all over the world, all as a consequence of one of the TV channels in Spain. They said things that were not even close to reality and that's why I have to make a statement later in the day to deny the things. I feel great -- as good as ever and I want to say that I really appreciate all the people for the phone calls and letters and everything. They were really worried about my health."
■ VOLLEYBALL
Brazil win World League
Reigning world and Olympic champion Brazil won another World League crown on Sunday, defeating Russia 18-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-22 to take the title for a seventh time. It was the fifth straight World League title for Brazil and sixth in seven years. Brazil also have won the last two world championship titles. The match in the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, marked the third time the two nations have faced off in the final for the World League gold. Brazil won in 1993 while Russia claimed the 2002 crown -- both on Brazilian soil. Earlier on Sunday, the US defeated host Poland 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 to win the bronze.
■ GOLF
Byrd earns third US tour win
Jonathan Byrd birdied three of the final five holes and shot a 5-under 66 on Sunday to win the John Deere Classic. It was the third US tour victory for Byrd, who finished the tournament at 18-under 266 -- one stroke ahead of Tim Clark (68). Third-round leader Nathan Green (71) finished in a tie for third with Troy Matteson (66) three strokes back. Byrd moved into a tie with Clark with a birdie on 17. Clark found a bunker on 17 and sent a 6-foot putt for par wide left for a bogey that put him at 17 under and in second place. Byrd finished with a par on 18, meaning Clark needed a birdie to force a playoff. That didn't happen. Instead, Byrd watched as Clark's approach on the par-4 hole settled on the left edge of the green -- just under 71 feet from the cup. His putt for birdie rolled wide left, giving Byrd the victory.
■ BASKETBALL
Union may appeal bans
The NBA players association is considering an appeal of the seven-game suspensions given to Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson for legal issues. Both players were suspended by the league on Saturday without pay and are scheduled to miss the first seven games of next season. "Based on prior precedent, we think the suspensions are excessive," union director Billy Hunter said on Sunday in a statement. Artest pleaded no contest in May to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge stemming from a March 5 dispute with his wife. Jackson pleaded guilty last month to a felony count of criminal recklessness for firing a gun outside a strip club last fall. The seven-game bans topped the five games Ruben Patterson was hit with in 2001 after he entered a modified guilty plea in Washington state to third-degree attempted rape for allegedly forcing his children's nanny to perform a sex act on him.
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