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Golf
Norman struggles at Senior Open

TROON, Scotland - Four days after nearly making history at the British Open, Greg Norman laboured to a 4-over-par 75 Thursday in the opening round of the Seniors British Open to finish the day seven shots behind co-leaders Bruce Vaughan and Eduardo Romero. In sunny conditions at Troon, Norman bogeyed six of the first 10 holes and was 6 over before he finally birdied the par-4 13th. He birdied the final hole after a pitch to three feet. While Norman struggled, playing partner Tom Watson made every green and missed only one fairway in a bogey-free 70.

Lawsuit

Duke sued by disgruntled golfer

RALEIGH, N.C. - The son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is suing Duke University, claiming his golf coach manufactured accusations against him to justify kicking him off the team to whittle the squad. Andrew Giuliani, a 22-year-old who will be a senior this fall, contends he had dreams of becoming a professional golfer and was dismissed without cause from the golf team in February without a chance to defend himself. Duke spokesman Michael J. Schoenfeld said the university would "vigorously defend this lawsuit" and insisted on fairness for all participants in its sports programs. Giuliani was dismissed because coach O.D. Vincent III wanted to cut the team from 13 players to about half its size, the lawsuit said.

Baseball

Yankees discuss signing Bonds

TAMPA, Fla. - Barry Bonds in pinstripes? If nothing else, the New York Yankees plan to talk about it. Yankees officials gathered for high-level meetings at their spring training complex Thursday, a day off for the team before it begins an important three-game series at Boston. Missing injured sluggers Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada, the Yankees plan to consider ways to improve the team for the stretch run before next Thursday's trade deadline. They've already added first baseman Richie Sexson, who was released by the Seattle Mariners. "I'll mention it. We'll cover everything," co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said.

Justice

Two jailed in NBA betting scandal

NEW YORK - Two former high school classmates of disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy were both sentenced to more than a year in prison Thursday for their roles in a betting scandal that embarrassed the league. A federal judge in Brooklyn gave James Battista, a professional gambler and admitted drug addict, 15 months in prison for making bets based on inside tips. Thomas Martino, the scheme's middleman, was sentenced to a year and one day for paying the referee thousands of dollars for the tips. Donaghy, 41, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges he took the cash payoffs from gamblers for picks on games. He faces up to 33 months in prison at sentencing Tuesday.

NFL

New England inks top draft choice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots signed first-round draft pick Jerod Mayo on Thursday, bringing their last unsigned selection into the fold as the defending AFC champions opened training camp and began their quest to put last season's imperfect season behind them. Mayo's deal was wrapped up in the morning as his teammates embarked on their first practice.

Suspensions

WNBA throws coach 'under the bus'

NEW YORK - It was a WNBA smackdown Thursday when the league suspended Detroit Shock assistant Rick Mahorn and 10 players for their roles in a skirmish with the L.A. Sparks earlier this week. Shock forward Plenette Pierson was suspended for four games, the harshest penalty, for initiating and escalating the altercation. Mahorn was suspended for two games as were Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page of the Sparks for the incident at The Palace of Auburn Hills. "As a team, we're incensed that Rick Mahorn was suspended," Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer said. "He was trying to be a peacemaker and now he's being thrown under the bus." Players suspended for one game included: Detroit's Kara Braxton, Tasha Humphrey, Elaine Powell and Sheri Sam along with Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones.