Tiger says he’ll play next month
Tiger Woods said yesterday he is playing his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas the first week of December, which would be his first competition in more than 15 months if he follows through with it.
Woods left himself open to doubt by entering the Safeway Open last month, only to pull out three days later when he said his game was not ready.
“I am excited to make my return at the Hero World Challenge at Albany and play in this terrific tournament,” he said in a news release that announced the 18man field for the unofficial tournament that awards world ranking points but is not part of any tour.
Woods, now at No. 831 in the world ranking, last played in the Wyndham Championship in August 2015 when he tied for 10th. He had two back surgeries during the next few months and has said he would not return until fully healthy.
Mets’ Familia faces charges
A New York Mets pitcher featured in a new anti-domestic violence ad campaign is now facing a domestic violence charge in New Jersey.
A complaint filed by authorities in Fort Lee municipal court alleges that Jeurys Familia caused “bodily injury to another” and that they observed a scratch to the victim’s chest and a bruise to the victim’s right cheek. It says the 27-year-old closer — who is identified in the complaint as Jeurys F. Mojica — was arrested early Monday and charged with simple assault. Major League Baseball confirmed Familia’s extended last name is Mojica.
Four advance in Champions
Four teams, including five-time winner Bayern Munich, sealed early places in the Champions League knockout rounds. Barcelona, shockingly, was not among them despite Lionel Messi’s goal taking a first-half lead at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s team turned a memorable game on its head to win 3-1, and end the English side’s run of being outclassed by its coach’s former club in recent years.
Bayern and Atletico Madrid both advanced from Group D, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain booked their tickets from Group A to the round of 16.
Arsenal took an adventurous route in Bulgaria, trailing Ludogorets Razgrad by two early goals before Mesut Ozil’s sublime solo goal in the 88th minute clinched a 3-2 win. . . .
Inter Milan fired coach Frank de Boer after winning only four of the team’s opening 11 matches, leaving the club in 12th place.
Rousey hints at retirement
Ronda Rousey says her bantamweight title shot against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 will be one of her final mixed martial arts bouts. Rousey spoke about her fight during an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show. . . .
Juan Pablo Montoya has accepted an offer to race the Indianapolis 500 for Team Penske and will not drive full-time in IndyCar next season. . . .
Two Notre Dame football players arrested on marijuana charges may avoid jail time and criminal records after reaching plea bargains with Fulton County prosecutors.
Running back Dexter Williams and defensive back Ashton White each pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. The two sophomores were among five players arrested after an Aug. 19 traffic stop along U.S. 31. . . .
A report by the Georgia Tech campus police says LSU freshman offensive lineman Donavaughn Campbell and Georgia Tech sophomore defensive back Jalen Johnson are facing criminal charges after allegedly getting in a fight outside a fraternity house. . . .
Minnesota dismissed wide receiver Brian Smith from the program for violating team rules. . . .
Purdue men’s basketball coach Matt Painter has suspended sophomore guard Ryan Cline for the first three games of the season for violating team rules.