DORAL, Fla. – Tiger Woods intends to remain out of golf at least until the Masters, two people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Woods has been practicing at Isleworth near his Orlando home the past two weeks, and swing coach Hank Haney flew there last weekend to work with him. That led to speculation Thursday he was close to playing again.
The two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because only Woods is supposed to release such information, say he is likely to play first at Augusta National in April.
Woods has not played since Nov. 15, when he won the Australian Masters in Melbourne for his 82nd career victory. Twelve days later, he crashed his SUV into a tree near his Florida home, setting off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife.
BASKETBALL
NBA roundup
Vince Carter scored 23 points to help the Orlando Magic pull away early at home and cruise past the injured Chicago Bulls 111-82 for a season-high seventh straight win. All-Star point guard Derrick Rose sprained his left wrist in a collision with Dwight Howard in the first quarter and didn’t return for the Bulls, losers of six in a row. … Jamal Crawford scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks avoided a three-game losing streak by beating the Washington Wizards 105-99 in the makeup of a game that was postponed Feb. 6 because of a blizzard that left two feet of snow in the Washington area.
NBA news
Cavaliers star LeBron James, who missed two games after twisting his right ankle last Friday against Detroit, is likely to play at Philadelphia tonight. … Miami Beach police say Heat forward Dorell Wright has been charged with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. Wright was stopped about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, then booked. Bond was set at $1,000, according to Miami-Dade County corrections officials.
Ex-players join suit against NCAA
Former college players spanning many eras have joined a lawsuit filed by ex-UCLA star Ed O’Bannon against the NCAA for profiting from the use of their images without permission. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleges video-game maker Electronic Arts Inc., the NCAA and Collegiate Licensing Co. unlawfully profit from images while paying the players nothing. NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said the allegations are false and that the NCAA does not license athlete likenesses or keep ex-players from trying to do so.
College news
Toledo’s Gene Cross has resigned as men’s coach after the Rockets (4-28) posted their worst season in school history. … Gonzaga forward Mangisto Arop had successful surgery to fix a broken left foot and will miss the postseason.
SKIING
Vonn crashes, still world champ
Lindsey Vonn crashed in the giant slalom at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, then got some good news after the race. The International Skiing Federation confirmed Vonn as the super-combined World Cup champion. She already had secured the downhill and super-G titles.
SOCCER
MLS players set strike date
Major League Soccer players voted to strike if a new labor contract isn’t agreed to before the first season opener March 25.
VOLLEYBALL
IPFW to play 7 straight on road
IPFW begins a seven-match road portion of its schedule tonight when the Mastodons (7-8) play at Puerto Rico Rio-Piedras. The two teams will meet again Saturday. IPFW will return for five more road matches before it plays Penn State at home April 2.
