Woods teams with Reed first
As the Ryder Cup kicks off today in France, Tiger Woods returns to the event by playing the anchor match of the opening session of fourballs with
Patrick Reed.
U.S. captain Jim Furyk has split up the partnership of Reed and Jordan Spieth, who have gone 4-1-2 in team play at their two Ryder Cups. Spieth instead will be partners with longtime friend Justin Thomas, a friendship that took root in France when they were 14.
Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau have the opening fourballs match against Justin Rose and
Jon Rahm. The second match features Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler against Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen. It’s the second straight time that McIlroy has taken a European rookie as a partner in the opening session.
Spieth and Thomas face Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton, while Woods and Reed take on Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.
NHL investigates Flyer
The NHL said it is investigating Philadelphia Flyers forward Jori Lehtera after a report he is being questioned in connection with a drug bust in his native Finland.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is investigating the situation. Lehtera’s lawyer, Ari Nieminen, said he expects police to release a statement clearing up some things that came out of the report.
Finnish news agency MTV reported Wednesday that Lehtera is connected with an investigation into a cocaine ring. Nieminen said no charges have been filed against Lehtera. …
The Carolina Hurricanes will wear green throwback Hartford Whalers uniforms when they play host to the Bruins on Dec. 23 and when they visit the Garden on March 5. …
St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended for the final two preseason games and the regularseason opener for an elbow to the head of Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny.
Russia appeals
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has received a Russian appeal against the country’s doping ban from international track and field.
After nearly three years under sanctions for widespread doping, the Russian track federation is trying to overturn the ban which forces its top athletes to compete as neutrals. …
Barcelona has estimated it will generate record revenue of 960 million euros ($1.1 billion) for the 2018-19 season . . . .
Germany will host soccer’s 2024 European Championship after beating Turkey in a UEFA vote. …
The U.S. Tennis Association announced that Jim Courier is “stepping down” as Davis Cup captain, less than two weeks after the Americans lost to host Croatia 3-2 in the Cup semifinals. …
HBO is getting out of the live boxing business after more than 1,000 fights over 45 years of telecasts.