Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:
– CHASKA, Minn. – Dustin Johnson says it’s best to have a short memory at the Ryder Cup. The U.S. meltdown at Medinah four years ago has not been discussed, nor has the two decades of futility against Europe.
– CHASKA, Minn. – Lee Westwood played his first Ryder Cup before some of his European teammates put a golf club in their hands. The Englishman has taken rookies under his wing at the last four Ryder Cups, usually with success.
– MIAMI – A private funeral is held for Jose Fernandez a day after the hearse carrying the body of the star pitcher rode away from Marlins Park with many in the crowd of about 1,000 chanting ”Jose! Jose!”
– The four chief contenders for the two AL wild-card spots – Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers, Mariners – play Thursday. In the NL, the wild card-leading Mets are off, giving the Cardinals and Giants a chance to gain ground.
– CINCINNATI – With linebacker Vontaze Burfict having completed his NFL suspension, the Bengals (1-2) will have a strengthened defense when they play the Miami Dolphins (1-2). Game starts 8:25 p.m.
– WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court will hear a First Amendment challenge over the government’s refusal to register offensive trademarks in a case that could affect the Washington Redskins.
– DALLAS – Ray Rice doesn’t begrudge Greg Hardy for getting a second chance to play in the NFL. The former Baltimore running back, however, wishes Hardy did more with his platform to speak out against domestic violence.
– ORLANDO, Fla. – The ACC is moving its 2016 football championship to Orlando. The game had been scheduled for Charlotte, but the league joined other conferences in pulling out of North Carolina because of the state’s bathroom law.
– HOUSTON – In the lone college football game involving a ranked team, No. 6 Houston hosts UConn and tries to improve to 5-0. Last season, the Huskies handed the Cougars their only loss. Game starts 8 p.m.
– SEATTLE – No. 7 Stanford plays at No. 10 Washington on Friday night, with the Huskies intent on establishing themselves as the Pac-12 favorite.
– TORONTO – Canada can win the World Cup of Hockey in Game 2 while Team Europe tries to force a deciding game this weekend in the best-of-three finals. The Canadians took the opener 3-1. Game starts 8 p.m.
– WASHINGTON – Eighty years after Jesse Owens and 17 other black Olympians from 1936 weren’t given the same White House welcome as their white counterparts, relatives are honored by President Obama. News conference 12:05 p.m.
– TOKYO – The price tag of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could exceed $30 billion unless there is drastic cost cutting and several key venues are relocated, a panel says in the latest blow to Japanese organizers.
