Sports

LIV Golf to get world ranking points for the first time. Only the top 10 players get them

LIV Golf is finally getting world ranking points. The Official World Golf Ranking board has approved the Saudi-backed league to start getting points for the first time since it launched in 2022. The unanimous decision means LIV players will get points starting this week with the season opener in Saudi Arabia. But the decision comes with some conditions. Only the top 10 players and ties at each event will get points. That’s different from other tours where everyone gets points in full fields and only the bottom finishers get left out in short fields. LIV has 57 players.

Lindsey Vonn is ‘confident’ she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite the left knee injury she sustained in a crash four days ago. Vonn says she “completely ruptured” her ACL, has bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.” She’s had three days of physical therapy and consultations with doctors. Vonn has been skiing with a brace on her knee. She says, “It feels stable, it feels strong.” She is “confident” to race. Vonn crashed in a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday and ended up in the safety nets.

Speedskater Erin Jackson, bobsledder Frank Del Duca picked as US flagbearers for Winter Olympics

Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca have been chosen as the U.S. flagbearers for the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. Jackson is the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Del Duca, a sergeant in the Army, is the first bobsledder in 70 years to carry the flag. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the names on Tuesday. Del Duca, with deep Italian roots, finds the opportunity especially meaningful as the games are in Italy. The opening ceremony will be unique, with events spread across several Italian cities.

Unheralded players who could make a big impact in the Super Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Super Bowl often highlights star players, but lesser-known athletes can make a big impact. Milton Williams helped the Eagles win last year, leading to a contract with New England. Kansas City relied on unsung heroes in previous victories. This Sunday, New England’s Mack Hollins and Seattle’s Drake Thomas could shine. Hollins has been a reliable receiver, while Thomas is a key defensive player. New England’s Craig Woodson and Seattle’s Michael Dickson also have potential to influence the game. New England’s Khyiris Tonga and Seattle’s George Holani might play crucial roles as well.

As the trade deadline nears, a history-based look at how this NBA season may end

The NBA season is heating up with the trade deadline on Thursday and the All-Star Game on February 15. No playoff spots are locked, but teams like Oklahoma City, Detroit, San Antonio, Denver, New York, and Boston seem secure. Meanwhile, Utah, Brooklyn, and others face challenges. Historically, teams with certain characteristics at the 50-game mark often win championships. They must be over .500, have over 30 wins, outscore opponents by five points per game, and have a strong rebound differential. And all respect to OKC, those rules narrow the contenders to Detroit, New York, Houston, and San Antonio. History suggests these teams have a realistic shot.

Brooks Koepka gets a warm reception in PGA Tour return. It might have been about more than him

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brooks Koepka was grateful and relieved to get such a warm reception in his return to the PGA Tour after four years chasing Saudi riches on LIV Golf. Strange about that vibe at Torrey Pines is that Koepka was never this beloved even before he left for LIV. He was more admired for his five majors than he was adored. Perhaps it was summed up by a voice in the stands during the opening round. The spectator welcomed him back and said the PGA Tour was better with him. More than a major champion, Koepka perhaps was viewed as a symbol of moving past the disruption.

Minions music leads to nightmare for Olympic skater while putting a spotlight on a yearslong problem

Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate faces a major challenge just days before the Milano Cortina Olympics. He revealed on social media that he can’t use his short program music, a medley from the Minions film, due to copyright issues. Sabate said Monday that he will now have to revert to an older program. This situation highlights ongoing struggles with music rights in figure skating. The International Skating Union relaxed rules in 2014 to allow lyrics, but modern music often isn’t public domain. Skaters must navigate a complex process to clear music, leading to confusion and frustration.

Denny Hamlin’s rollercoaster offseason: Lawsuit win, father’s death, and a return to racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is gearing up for the upcoming NASCAR season, which unofficially begins with The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina. Hamlin’s offseason has been tumultuous. He lost the Cup Series championship in November and faced a federal antitrust trial in December. The trial involved his team, 23XI Racing, and resulted in a settlement with NASCAR. Tragically, Hamlin’s father passed away in a house fire in late December. Despite these challenges, Hamlin, the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, is committed to racing. The season officially starts with the Daytona 500 on February 15.

Red Gerard’s family returns to Winter Olympics with double the support

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Red Gerad’s family will return to the Winter Olympics to cheer him on. This year doubling the size of those that traveled to support him at PyeongChang. Having missed the 2022 Winter Olympics due to COVID restrictions, Gerard’s family is coming to this year’s game in full force with over 40 friends and family members coming to cheer him on as he vies for gold.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says expanding the regular season to 18 games is ‘not a given’

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been no discussions with the union about adding an 18th game to the season and said lengthening the season again was not inevitable. The NFL added a 17th game in 2021 and Goodell has expressed interest in the past about adding an 18th game in place of one of the three exhibition games each team plays every season. Goodell said a number of issues would have to be discussed with the union before an 18th game was added, including whether a second bye week was needed and the size of rosters.