Professional Sports

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- A year ago, Jeff Gordon crossed Phoenix International Raceway off the ever-dwindling list of tracks where the four-time champion has yet to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

WASHINGTON -- Mike Hampton, the injury-plagued Atlanta Braves left-handed starter, took what he hopes is a first step toward returning to the rotation on Friday.

ATLANTA -- A three-day minicamp next week will provide new Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff a pre-draft look at their veteran players in practice situations.

NEW YORK -- Baseball players and owners have agreed to amend their drug agreement, a decision that allows for more frequent testing and eliminates 15-day suspensions.

AUGUSTA -- The strokes that counted had all been accounted for by the time Tiger Woods stuck two tees into the practice green just off the first tee and began absent-mindedly stroking four-footers.

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Winning poles never gets old for Ryan Newman, NASCAR's Rocketman. The Daytona 500 winner will start Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 from the front, a solid chance to get back to Victory Lane.

AUGUSTA -- Standing on the sixth tee as he contemplated his next move, Tiger Woods' concentration was broken by a crescendo of cheers. He looked over to see Ian Poulter's tee shot tumble into the cup for a hole-in-one on the neighboring 16th, one of several spectacular shots Thursday at the Masters.

Gwinnett leads series 2-0

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- NASCAR's stars are serious about fighting drug use in the sport -- even if it means regular, random testing.

DENVER -- Tim Hudson didn't mind waiting an extra day for his third start of the season. The Atlanta Braves pitcher was scheduled to start Thursday's finale of a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies, but the game was postponed until June 16 because of snow.