Fast Break

Golf

Woods puts damper on Cup

The PGA Tour has touted its new FedEx Cup competition by making references to the Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees. But when golf’s version of the playoffs begin next week in New York, it won’t include Tiger Woods.

Golf’s star attraction said Friday he will sit out the first playoff event at The Barclays, saying he was worn out from back-to-back victories at Firestone and Southern Hills.

“My body is spent and I need a break,” said Woods.

The announcement was a setback for the PGA Tour, which had promoted the FedEx Cup as a “new era in golf” and instead was left with an old problem of convincing fans that golf was still relevant after the majors were over.

The FedEx Cup is a season-long points race that culminates with the playoffs, when the points are reset for four tournaments through the Tour Championship.

Basketball

Baynes finishes with a bang

Washington State men’s basketball student-athletes Aron Baynes and Thomas Abercrombie both played well in leading their teams at the World University Games, Thursday.

Baynes, a center for the Cougars and a native of Cairns, Australia, scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds as Australia defeated the Czech Republic 63-54 to finish 17th.

Auckland, New Zealand native and WSU guard Abercrombie scored nine points and added four rebounds to help his team route China 117-88 and finish in 15th place.

Baynes averaged 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds, both second best in the tournament, during seven games.

Courts

Man convicted in Francis’ death

A man convicted Friday of killing Southern California basketball player Ryan Francis faces an automatic life prison sentence without parole.

D’Anthony Ford, 20, was found guilty by a Louisiana district court jury of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.

Francis, an 18-year-old point guard from Baton Rouge, was shot to death on May 13, 2006, at an intersection in Baton Rouge.

Ford faces formal sentencing on Sept. 17.