Sports Briefs

OLYMPICS

Federal judge sides with USOC in Gatlin doping case

Banned sprinter Justin Gatlin got support but no relief Tuesday from a federal judge who rescinded his order allowing the defending 100-meter champion to compete in this weekend's Olympic track and field trials.

Judge Lacey Collier said that while he believed Gatlin ”is being wronged,“ he lacked jurisdiction over the U.S. Olympic Committee to determine who is eligible for the trials.

The former world 100- and 200-meter champion's next recourse will be with an appellate court in Atlanta. Gatlin's attorney, Joe Zarzaur, told The Associated Press that he will file an appeal Wednesday morning along with a motion asking the 11th Circuit court to reinstate the injunction during the appeals process, which would allow Gatlin to run in the trials.

Zarzaur said the appeal will focus on the jurisdiction aspect, something he felt he lacked in Pensacola., Fla.

Golf

Grace wins State Am opener

Jessica Grace began her defense of the Women's State Amateur tournament with an easy victory Tuesday in the first round of match play. Grace, who received the automatic No. 1 seed because of her victory in 2007, beat April Butler 7 and 6 at Elizabethtown Country Club. Grace will play Jessica Smith, the 2006 runner-up, on Wednesday. Five-time champion Joan Rizer needed 19 holes to beat Lexington's Marsha Bordas. Rizer will take on Megan McKinney on Wednesday.

Woods undergoes surgery

Tiger Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Utah to repair a torn ligament, and doctors said it was ”highly unlikely“ there would be any long-term effects.

”There were no surprises during the procedure, and as we have said, with the proper rehabilitation and training, it is highly unlikely that Mr. Woods will have any long-term effects as it relates to his career,“ Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg said in a statement.

Villegas, Watson win charity event

Camilo Villegas made two birdie putts in a three-hole playoff and along with his partner Bubba Watson won the rain-delayed CVS Caremark Charity Classic on Tuesday in Barrington, R.I. Villegas-Watson finished with a three-hole total of 3-under par in the best-ball tournament

hockey

Ducks owner suspended

Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL. The decision by commissioner Gary Bettman comes a day after Samueli pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission. His sentencing is Aug. 18. The NHL will then review Samueli's status and set the length of his suspension. Michael Schulman will be responsible for day-to-day operations during Samueli's suspension.

Lightning hire Melrose

When the Tampa Bay Lightning called, Barry Melrose was eager to listen. Out of coaching for 13 years, Melrose missed the passion and competition of the NHL. Countless hours of watching games as a television analyst intensified his desire to return to the bench. ”They approached me. I couldn't wait to say yes,“ the former Los Angeles Kings coach said Tuesday after he was hired to replace John Tortorella.

NFL

Man arrested in Walker case

One man was arrested and a second was sought Tuesday in a robbery and beating that left Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker unconscious on a side street after a long night of partying at Las Vegas nightclubs. Police said Arfat Fadel, of Las Vegas, was accused of multiple felonies, including kidnapping, robbery, battery and conspiracy in a June 16 robbery. Lt. Clinton Nichols said Walker lost about $3,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of jewelry.

Woodson signs with Giants

Former University of Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, a sixth-round pick, was one of three players signed by the New York Giants on Tuesday, leaving the Super Bowl champions with only three draft picks to sign before the opening of training camp next month.

The last word

Martha Nause is the oldest player in the U.S. Women's Open field, at 53. When she learned she'd be teeing off with a 13-year-old, Nause called her friend, Ellen Thompson, mother of a pre-teen.

”I said, "Ellen, I need your help. She said, "What?! What can I do?' I said, "What do you talk to a 13-year-old about?' “