THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ricky Barnes putts on the 18th green during the first round of theJohn Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis Ill.

Matteson shoots 61 for lead at Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. — Troy Matteson scored 10 birdies Thursday en route to a bogey-free round of 10-under 61 for a three-stroke stroke lead after one round of the John Deere Classic.

Ricky Barnes putts on the 18th green during the first round of theJohn Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis Ill.
Tom Kite hits his second shot on the 17th hole during the first round at the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament at the Indianwood Golf and Country Club in Lake Orion

Kite flies high after setting record at U.S. Senior Open

LAKE ORION, Mich. — Tom Kite set a U.S. Senior Open record with a 28 on the front nine at Indianwood and finished a 5-under 65 on Thursday.

Tom Kite hits his second shot on the 17th hole during the first round at the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament at the Indianwood Golf and Country Club in Lake Orion

Miami Heat add three-point threats Allen and Lewis

MIAMI — Ray Allen’s role in Miami is yet to be totally determined. And that clearly doesn’t bother the NBA’s leading 3-point shooter.

  • Jul 12, 2012

Trio to join U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

NEWARK, N.J. — Eddie Olczyk remembers the series as if it was yesterday. It was the spring of 1994, and his New York Rangers outlasted the New Jersey Devils in a thrilling, seven-game series to secure the Eastern Conference title.

  • Jul 12, 2012

Young stars ready to suit up for All-Star Game

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bryce Harper remembered back to Oct. 27, when just 414 fans were at Scottsdale Stadium to watch his Scorpions play the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.

  • Jul 10, 2012
New Minnesota Wild NHL hockey players Ryan Suter

Signing hope to put Minnesota on the map

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota has never been “flyover country” to Zach Parise. The star forward grew up here, honed his hockey skills here and built a house here to make sure his roots remain in Minnesota for the long term.

  • Jul 10, 2012
New Minnesota Wild NHL hockey players Ryan Suter
American League's Prince Fielder

Fielder wins Derby for second time

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prince Fielder made a splash at the All-Star Home Run Derby. Eight of them.

  • Jul 10, 2012
American League's Prince Fielder

Choi perseveres to win U.S. Women’s Open

KOHLER, Wis. — Na Yeon Choi was cruising to victory in the U.S. Women’s Open when her trademark consistency suddenly deserted her.

Potter wins first event in playoff

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Ted Potter Jr.’s first PGA Tour victory means a lot more than a big paycheque. The 28-year-old rookie can take a trip to August National off his wish list.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final against Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon

Federer wins record tying seventh Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — Once the Centre Court roof was closed, nothing could stop Roger Federer from winning his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title.

  • Jul 9, 2012
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final against Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon

Jays pound four homers in win

CHICAGO — The Toronto Blue Jays got the ball up in the air and then they got out of town with a good feeling in the last game before the All-Star break.

  • Jul 9, 2012

Williams wins fifth Wimbledon title

WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams is back, and she looks almost as good as ever. The 30-year-old American won her fifth Wimbledon title Saturday on Centre Court, beating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to claim her 14th major championship.

  • Jul 8, 2012
Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis

Floyd comes out on top in pitching duel

CHICAGO — Ricky Romero closed out a shaky first half with a positive outing. It just wasn’t enough to get a victory.

  • Jul 8, 2012
Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis

Smart play put Webb on top at Greenbrier

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Webb Simpson likes the way he’s avoiding bogeys and figures he’ll need to play smart again at the Greenbrier Classic to get his second win in three tournaments.

Byrd flies to top of leaderboard at Greenbrier

One week after he won for the third time this season, Tiger Woods gets a rare weekend off.

Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham

Peavy puts down weary Blue Jays

CHICAGO — The Toronto Blue Jays are trudging into the All-Star break a weary team. They’re in great need of some time off and some reinforcements.

  • Jul 7, 2012
Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham

Wie makes big move at U.S. Women’s Open

KOHLER, Wis. — Even as she climbed into the lead in the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Friday, Suzann Pettersen took some time to admire Michelle Wie’s big move into contention.

Teen Thompson survives heat with share of Women’s U.S. Open lead

KOHLER, Wis. — Seventeen-year-old Lexi Thompson has a share of the clubhouse lead during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open.

Vijay Singh

Veterans rule day at Greenbrier Classic

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Vijay Singh and Jeff Maggert sent reminders that they’re still able to compete with the younger crowd.

Vijay Singh
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev

Spain first to win back-to-back European Championships

KIEV, Ukraine — Spain swept to a majestic 4-0 victory over Italy in the European Championship final on Sunday, retaining its title and extending its reign as the best team in world football.

  • Jul 2, 2012
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev