AP - Nursing an injured right wrist, Padraig Harrington woke up Thursday wondering whether it might be too painful to swing a golf club, let alone make a strong defense of his British Open title.
AFP - Bayern Munich's international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger on Friday said he was determined to sign a new deal with the German first division champions.
AP - The Minnesota Vikings declined Thursday to talk about allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre. Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan issued a two-sentence statement on Thursday. It said the Vikings "are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league."
AP - A prosecutor says preliminary doping-related charges have been filed against ousted Tour de France rider Riccardo Ricco (REE'-koh). -- read full article
AP - British sprinter Dwain Chambers failed Friday in his bid to overturn a lifetime Olympic ban because of doping, and will not be able to compete at the Beijing Games.
AP - Greg Norman turned back the clock. So did David Duval. And K.J. Choi found himself in a familiar position — playing in the final group of the British Open heading to the weekend.
AP - Richard S. Johnson aced the 14th hole on his way to shooting a 63 that gave him a one stroke lead over the Pappas brothers after the first round of the U.S. Bank Championship on Thursday. -- read full article
AFP - Swiss veteran Patty Schnyder continued her impressive march through the early rounds here, eliminating Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 in the second round of the WTA Bank of the West Classic.
AP - Steve Spurrier laughed off questions about speculation that he's grown frustrated with trying to build South Carolina into a championship contender and could walk away from the Gamecocks before his contract runs out. -- read full article
AFP - Thousands of fans turned up late Thursday as AC Milan unveiled Brazilian new signing Ronaldinho after the 2004 and 2005 World Player of the Year officially began life with the Serie A club, an AFP photographer said.
AP - The crowd began chanting "Papi!" and David Ortiz responded, slamming a 1-2 pitch into the visitors' bullpen in his rehab debut in Pawtucket on Thursday night as he tries to work his way back from a wrist injury that has kept him out of the lineup since May 31.
AP - The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Tyronn Lue and forward Malik Allen, giving new coach Scott Skiles two more veterans to work with. -- read full article
AP - Troy Glaus hit two homers and Rick Ankiel and Joe Mather added one each — all off San Diego's Jake Peavy — and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Padres 4-3 on Thursday night.
AP - The Minnesota Vikings declined Thursday to talk about allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre. Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan issued a two-sentence statement on Thursday. It said the Vikings "are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league."
AP - The Oakland Athletics traded away their second starting pitcher this month, dealing burly right-hander Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies for three minor leaguers on Thursday. -- read full article
