Armstrong settles lawsuit with U.S. government
AUSTIN, TEXAS » Lance Armstrong reached a $5 million settlement with the federal government in a whistleblower lawsuit that could have sought $100 million in damages from the cyclist who was stripped of his record seven Tour de France victories after admitting he used performance-enhancing drugs throughout much of his career.
The deal announced Thursday came as the two sides prepared for a trial that was scheduled to start May 7 in Washington. Armstrong’s former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis filed the original lawsuit in 2010 and is eligible for up to 25 percent of the settlement along with attorney fees paid by Armstrong.
Seeking millions it spent sponsoring Armstrong’s powerhouse teams, the government joined the lawsuit against Armstrong in 2013 after his televised confession to Oprah Winfrey to using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs and methods. Armstrong had already retired, but the confession shattered the legacy of one of the most popular sports figures in the world.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Armstrong said he’s happy to have “made peace with the Postal Service.”
Nadal advances, Djokovic out
MONACO » Rafael Nadal remains on course to retain his Monte Carlo Masters title and won’t have Novak Djokovic standing in his way.
The top-ranked Nadal beat big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals, clinching victory with a clinical smash at the net. The 10-time champ next faces fifth-seeded Dominic Thiem, who won 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-3 against Djokovic.
Murray leads Texas Open
SAN ANTONIO » Grayson Murray fixed a flaw in his swing and hit the ball well enough that blustery conditions didn’t matter at the Valero Texas Open. He made seven birdies in his round of 5-under 67 for a one-shot lead.
Of the five players at 68, only Chesson Hadley played in the morning side of the draw Thursday. LOS ANGELES » Inbee Park shot a 5-under 66 for a one-shot lead in the opening round of the HUGEL-JTBC LA Open in the LPGA Tour’s return to Los Angeles after a 13-year absence. RIDGEDALE, MO. » Jeff Maggert and Jesper Parnevik shot an 8-under 63 in better-ball play to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ chilly Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf.