Louisville, Ky ? Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino told police he had sex and paid for an abortion for the woman accused of trying to extort him for $10 million, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on its Web site that Pitino told police he had been drinking in a Louisville restaurant and had sex with Karen Sypher in August 2003. The police report said he denied allegations by Sypher that he raped her after the restaurant closed and at another time somewhere else. He said later he gave her $3,000 for an abortion.

Sypher went to police to report the rape allegations last month. A Kentucky prosecutor said the complaint she filed with a police sex-offense unit wouldn’t be prosecuted because it lacked supporting evidence. Sypher has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of trying to extort money up to $10 million from Pitino, who is married, and lying to the FBI.

GOLF

Woods says he wasn’t fined

Chaska, Minn. — Tiger Woods has said he was not fined by the PGA Tour for his critical remarks about a rules official putting the last group on the clock at Firestone.

A PGA Tour official told The Associated Press on Monday that the world’s No. 1 player would be fined for his comment. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the tour does not publicize fines.

A section of the PGA Tour handbook says “it is an obligation of membership to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage tournaments, sponsors, fellow members, players or PGA Tour.”

“I’ve heard from the tour, and there’s no fine,” Woods said. “That was an erroneous report.”

Woods was annoyed after his four-shot victory Sunday because he and Padraig Harrington were put on the clock after walking off the tee at the par-5 16th.

He said that caused Harrington to rush three difficult shots, leading to triple bogey that effectively ended the tournament.

European Tour chief referee John Paramor told Woods and Harrington they were being timed.

Immelman withdraws

Chaska, Minn. — Trevor Immelman has withdrawn from the PGA Championship, the third straight major he’s missed because of a wrist injury. The former Masters champion from South Africa is being replaced by Bob Estes. The PGA Championship starts Thursday at Hazeltine National.

NBA

T’wolves introduce Rambis

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Timberwolves have introduced Kurt Rambis as the ninth head coach in franchise history. They say he is the man to lead them in the next phase of their rebuilding project.

Rambis left his job as the top assistant and heir apparent to Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers. He says he wasn’t sure how much longer Jackson would coach the Lakers and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take over in Minnesota.

Owner Glen Taylor said Tuesday that Rambis’ interest in the job despite his high standing with the defending champions helped push him ahead of the other two finalists — television analyst Mark Jackson and Houston assistant Elston Turner.

Lakers’ Gasol has surgery

Madrid — Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol had surgery on his left index finger after an injury during practice with Spain’s national team. He will be sidelined at least three weeks.

Hall to honor Mourning

Miami — Retired Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning has been announced as one of three recipients of this year’s “Mannie Jackson Basketball’s Human Spirit Award” by the National Basketball Hall of Fame. The award honors those who use basketball to help create changes in their communities. This year’s other honorees are NBA observer of officials Ken Hudson and eight-time NBA All-Star Bob Lanier.

Wizards sign Oberto

Washington — The Washington Wizards say they have signed forward-center Fabricio Oberto.

BASEBALL

K.C. adds Texas’ Bannister

Cleveland — The Kansas City Royals have acquired right-hander John Bannister from the Texas Rangers on a waiver claim. The Royals got the 25-year-old pitcher Tuesday. He will be optioned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas today and added to their 40-man roster.

Bannister had been pitching at Double-A Frisco. He was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Aug. 4 when Texas purchased the contract of infielder Esteban German from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Bannister pitched at Oklahoma City and Frisco this season, going 3-3 overall with a 5.96 earned-run average in 38 relief appearances.

Grimsley, prosecutors meet

Washington — Former pitcher Jason Grimsley, a key figure in the federal investigation of steroids in baseball, met with prosecutors Tuesday at the courthouse where a grand jury is looking into whether Roger Clemens lied to Congress.

A former Houston-area gym owner also was at the federal courthouse, giving testimony in the probe into whether Clemens misled a congressional committee last year when the seven-time Cy Young Award winner denied under oath using steroids or human growth hormone.

D’backs release Gordon

Phoenix — The Arizona Diamondbacks released right-hander Tom Gordon, one of four pitchers in major-league history with 135 victories and 155 saves. Gordon, 41, is 138-126 with 158 saves and a 3.96 ERA in 890 games in 21 seasons.

Dennis Eckersley, Hoyt Wilhelm and Lindy McDaniel also have at least 135 victories and 150 saves.

Braves activate Infante

Atlanta — The Braves have activated infielder Omar Infante from the disabled list and put him in the starting lineup for the opener of a two-game series against the Washington Nationals. Infante had been out since May 20 because of a broken left hand, the result of being hit by a pitch. He had a similar injury in 2008.

Infante was hitting .349 with one homer and 11 RBIs when he was hurt. To make room for Infante, Atlanta optioned infielder Diory Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Nats farmhand suspended

New York — Washington Nationals minor-league pitcher Stephen Englund has been suspended for 50 games under baseball’s minor-league drug program after testing positive for an amphetamine. His suspension began Tuesday. There have been 50 suspensions this year under the minor-league drug program and four under the major-league program.

NFL

Owens misses practice

Pittsford, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens missed practice Tuesday and is day to day because of a sprained toe. Bills coach Dick Jauron said it was too early to determine whether Owens would play in Buffalo’s preseason home opener against Chicago on Saturday.

AUTO RACING

Gordon’s back ailing

Charlotte, N.C. — Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has a stiff back a day after a spectacular accident at Watkins Glen.

Gordon has been bothered by an aching back for more than a year, and the hard impact from Monday’s accident increased his discomfort. But he says he’ll be ready to race this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Schumacher halts return

Berlin — Michael Schumacher called off a much-anticipated Formula One comeback as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. Schumacher said he informed top Ferrari officials that “unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe” Massa, whom he was set to replace temporarily.

Roush seeks dismissal

Charlotte, N.C. — Roush Fenway Racing has asked a federal court to dismiss a wrongful termination charge made by a former crew member for Carl Edwards. The motion filed in U.S. District Court does not address Jason Myers’ claim that Roush officials violated the Family Medical Leave Act.

TENNIS

Federer wins in Montreal

Montreal — Roger Federer, playing for the first time since winning Wimbledon, returned to the court with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Canada’s Frederic Niemeyer at the Rogers Cup on Tuesday night.

Safina rallies at Cincinnati

Mason, Ohio — Top-ranked Dinara Safina rallied past unseeded Roberta Vinci, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, on Tuesday to advance to the third round of the Cincinnati Open. Earlier, qualifier Yanina Wickmayer upset Francesca Schiavone, 6-3, 6-4.