GOLF
Woods unsure about Masters
Tiger Woods says it is “a little too soon” to know whether his ailing back will be well enough for him to enter the Masters. Speaking at a news conference on Monday to announce that Quicken Loans is the new title sponsor of his golf tournament, Woods said he’s been trying to get ready for the Masters from April 10 to 13 at Augusta National. It is the only major tournament he has never missed. Woods is off to the worst start of his 18 years on tour, and last week he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of persistent back pain. Asked whether he will play the Masters, Woods replied: “For Augusta, it’s actually still a little too soon, to be honest with you. That’s kind of the frustrating thing about this.” He first showed signs of back pain at Bethpage Black at The Barclays in 2012, which he attributed to a soft bed at his hotel. He felt twinges during the final round of the PGA Championship last year, and when his back bothered him in the final round of The Barclays two weeks later, he said it was unrelated.
FOOTBALL
Native American fund started
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder says it is time for his team to start supporting Native Americans. Often criticized for defending a team name that many consider to be offensive, Snyder is announcing the formation of the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation. In a letter to Redskins fans, Snyder on Monday said that the foundation will “provide meaningful and measurable resources that provide genuine opportunities” for Native Americans. The announcement gave no financial details. Snyder again gave no indication that he plans to change the team’s name. He said he believes “even more firmly” that the name “captures the best of who we are and who we can be, by staying true to our history and honoring the deep and enduring values our name represents.”
BASKETBALL
I’m not dead yet: Ross
Former NBA basketball player Quinton Ross had to ease the fears of friends and family members after he was wrongly reported dead. Ross said that on Monday, he woke to a cellphone loaded with messages from people concerned about his well-being. He went online and found the New York Post had run a story identifying him as a man found dead and buried on a beach. The newspaper later corrected the story. The 32-year-old Ross says he called loved ones and posted on Facebook to “let everybody know I was OK.” He said: “I mean, it was a tough day, man. Mostly for my family and friends.” Ross played seven NBA seasons with five teams.
FOOTBALL
NFL, union to talk bullying
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL will meet on April 8 with the players union to discuss improving the workplace environment. In the wake of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal, league representatives have met with about 40 players in the past three months, as well as with the Dolphins and outside organizations, Goodell said on Monday at the NFL owners meetings. The league is trying to get “as much input as possible. It’s more about people understanding the importance of a proper workplace.” Goodell adds that the focus is on medical evaluations of the players involved, including tackle Jonathan Martin, who left the Dolphins in the middle of last season, saying he was harassed by guard Richie Incognito. Martin was traded to the 49ers earlier this month.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and