National sports

On Golf: Rose win at U.S. Open gives England the missing piece

The most recent golden era of golf in England had everything but the one prize that brings credibility. A major championship.

Spurs on the verge of NBA title

The Miami Heat weren't supposed to be in this situation. Not now, anyway.

Go inside Chipper Jones' 23,000 square-foot house (video)

Former Atlanta Braves player, Chipper Jones, has put his 23,000 square-foot house on the market for $3.19 million.

Heat back on shaky ground in NBA Finals

LeBron James has been here before, with dire results.

NBA Finals: Ginobili awakens, propels Spurs past Heat in Game 5

Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Englishman Justin Rose grabs 1st major title at U.S. Open; Mickelson falters

A steady hand gave Justin Rose the U.S. Open Trophy. A wild ride gave Phil Mickelson yet another second place.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Oregon State bounces Louisville from CWS with 11-4 win

Oregon State used a seven-run fourth inning to break open the game against mistake-prone Louisville, and the Beavers stayed alive in the College World Series with an 11-4 victory on Monday.

• Jun. 17, 2013

Steve Gleason segment puts Atlanta radio show in hot water

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason continues to do amazing things in his battle with ALS. The 36-year-old was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in January 2011 and has now lost most of his motor skills, forcing him to communicate solely with a computerized device that lets him write and speak using only his eyes

• Jun. 17, 2013

Allen Iverson abducts own children from hotel: Report

Allen Iverson, retired NBA star, has reportedly abducted his five children at a Sheraton Hotel in Georgia, according to reports from TMZ and NESN.

• Jun. 17, 2013

Ex-NFL star Chad Johnson released from jail a week after butt slap

A contrite Chad Johnson apologized Monday for disrespecting a judge when the former NFL star slapped his attorney on the backside in court last week and was released from jail after only a week instead of 30 days.

• Jun. 17, 2013

Republican Arizona governor signs Medicaid expansion law

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a law expanding the state's Medicaid program following her victory over conservatives in her own party opposed to embracing a key part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

• Jun. 17, 2013

Notebook: McIlroy takes out U.S. Open frustration on club in final round

Rory McIlroy started the U.S. Open with a run up the Rocky steps.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Biffle holds off Harvick for Sprint Cup win at Michigan

Greg Biffle gave Ford a milestone victory — right down the road from company headquarters.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Tipping point: Tied 2-2, Game 5 win crucial for Spurs, Heat in NBA Finals

Tony Parker's hamstring, not Dwyane Wade's knee, is the current chief injury concern.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Rodon leads NC State past Tar Heels, 8-1 CWS win

North Carolina State's Carlos Rodon pitched eight shutout innings to continue his mastery of North Carolina, and the Wolfpack knocked out ACC pitcher of the year Kent Emanuel early in an 8-1 victory at the College World Series on Sunday.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Shawn Stefani hole-in-one makes US Open history (video)

Ben Hogan used a 1-iron for a historic shot that helped him win the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club. Under far different circumstances, PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani had a memorable moment with his 4-iron Sunday.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Florida linebacker arrested on battery charge

Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison, who played a major role as a backup as a true freshman last year and is expected to be a key defensive starter this fall, was arrested for allegedly punching a Gainesville nightclub bouncer late Saturday night.

• Jun. 16, 2013

Mickelson leads after 3rd round of U.S. Open

Phil Mickelson began his week with a flight back-and-forth across the country. Even longer might be the 18 holes that now stand between him and that U.S. Open title he has been chasing his entire career.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Sprint Cup drivers know that track in Michigan can be 'terrifying'

Life moves slower in the Irish Hills, the bucolic region that's home to Michigan International Speedway and the vestiges of summer vacations coated in formaldehyde since the 1960s.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Merion makes for close race

Phil Mickelson made his first birdie on his last putt. Billy Horschel never missed a green. It was all they could do to barely break par against Merion, which is turning out to be the real star of this U.S. Open.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Phil Mickelson tops U.S. Open leaderboard; Tiger and McIlroy stumble in 3rd Round

Phil Mickelson sits atop the U.S. Open leaderboard, not long after he began his week with a flight back-and-forth across the country. Even longer might be the 18 holes that now stand between him and the major title he has been chasing his entire career.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Wade says next game in NBA Finals likely best

At their best in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat have forced turnover after turnover, finding a gear the San Antonio Spurs just can't reach.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Football patriarchs: Manning, Harbaugh learn from sons, too

The patriarchs of the NFL's first families of quarterbacks and coaches are anything but interfering dads. In fact, Archie Manning and Jack Harbaugh are just as influenced by their successful sons as their boys are by them.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Mickelson, Colsaerts only golfers under par after Round 1 of U.S. Open

One by one, red numbers disappeared from the leaderboard at the U.S. Open, leaving Phil Mickelson alone at the top, waiting to take his turn.

• Jun. 14, 2013

NBA Finals: Big 3 help Heat even series, take back home court

LeBron James scored 33 points while playing with the aggression and ferocity that everyone expects of the four-time MVP, leading the Miami Heat to a 109-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night that evened the NBA Finals at two games apiece

• Jun. 13, 2013

Notebook: Wade wants complete game

There have been times in these NBA Finals that Dwyane Wade has looked like the Dwyane Wade of old, attacking the rim, dropping the unblockable floater in the lane and jumpstarting the Miami Heat offense.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Once a U.S. Open fixture, Merion hosting tournament for first time in 32 years

The affection was genuine. Even better was beating Jack Nicklaus in a playoff. So when Lee Trevino got his hands on that U.S. Open trophy in 1971, the guy who never lacked for one-liners gushed, '

• Jun. 12, 2013

Jason Kidd introduced as Nets head coach

After playing in the NBA for 19 years, Jason Kidd is nervous about being a rookie coach.

• Jun. 13, 2013

NASCAR driver Jason Leffler killed in NJ dirt car race

NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died after an accident Wednesday night in a heat race at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway.

• Jun. 12, 2013

Masters champ Scott feels the difference

Adam Scott still will be the other guy when he plays in a threesome with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on Thursday and Friday at the U.S. Open. But after winning his first major title at the Masters in April, Scott comes in with a different mindset.

• Jun. 10, 2013

5 things to watch in the Stanley Cup finals

Hockey fans who endured another lockout are in for a treat that'll cap a sprint of a season.

• Jun. 11, 2013

Miller's treys sure-fire boost as Heat seek repeat

Moments after getting his championship ring on the night this NBA season opened last October, Mike Miller walked to midcourt, grabbed a microphone and addressed the delirious crowd.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Homer or bust: Uggla's 2 bombs power Braves past Dodgers

Dan Uggla's batting average is the last thing on his mind. The slugging second baseman prefers to concentrate on home runs, RBIs and the Atlanta Braves' comfortable lead atop the NL East.

• Jun. 9, 2013

Mookie Blaylock out of hospital, in jail on vehicular homicide charge

Former NBA All-Star Daron "Mookie" Blaylock is out of the hospital and in jail, charged with vehicular homicide in a car crash south of Atlanta.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Lionel Hollins out as Memphis Grizzlies head coach

Lionel Hollins led the Memphis Grizzlies to the best season in franchise history this season, but the team parted ways with the head coach, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Drew Brees sues ex-teammate over bogus tax credits

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sued a former teammate Monday for allegedly advising him to invest $160,000 in tax credits that turned out to be bogus.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Tim Tebow, New England Patriots agree to contract: Report

Tim Tebow has been signed by the New England Patriots and is expected to be in minicamp Tuesday morning according to an ESPN report.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Florida basketball player Wilbekin suspended

University of Florida basketball player Scottie Wilbekin has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

• Jun. 10, 2013

AP Source: Kidd to discuss Nets' coaching job

Jason Kidd is interested in the Brooklyn Nets' coaching position and plans to talk to the team this week, a person familiar with the situation said Sunday.

• Jun. 10, 2013

Johnson dominates at Pocono

Jimmie Johnson walked into the media center holding his daughter's hand, his pregnant wife right behind them. Their second child is due in September, right around the time of the final race before the Chase field is set.

• Jun. 9, 2013

NBA Finals: Heat beat Spurs in Game 2 to even series

The Miami Heat got a blowout victory over the San Antonio Spurs to level the NBA Finals at a game apiece — and they didn't have to rely on LeBron James to do more.

• Jun. 9, 2013

Nadal pummels Ferrer for record 8th title

If Rafael Nadal truly was going to be challenged, if his bid for an unprecedented eighth French Open championship would be slowed even a bit, this might have been the moment.

• Jun. 9, 2013

Serena romps Sharapova for 16th Slam

Serena Williams won her 16th Grand Slam title and her first French Open championship since 2002 on Saturday, relentlessly chasing down one shot after another to defeat familiar foil Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4.

• Jun. 8, 2013

Rafael Nadal wins 8th French Open by beating David Ferrer

Rafael Nadal's final shot at the French Open was a typically ferocious fallaway forehand, and when it landed for a winner, his momentum and emotions sent him splaying backward onto the clay he loves.

• Jun. 9, 2013

Stewart hopes to build off 1st victory, at Pocono

Tony Stewart ducked through a tarp-covered tent in the garage and was off to the No. 14.

• Jun. 8, 2013

NBA Finals: Down 1-0 to Spurs, Heat hunting some fun

The NBA Finals. Just being here can be memorable — and miserable. And surprise, it's those supposedly stoic Spurs who are having more fun, while the South Beach bunch is a little grumpy and grouchy.

• Jun. 8, 2013