Ax-3 Domaines, France ? Lance Armstrong dismissed as “nonsense” a reported claim by Greg LeMond that the seven-time Tour de France champion tried to pay someone $300,000 to say LeMond used a banned drug.

LeMond, a three-time Tour de France champion, told the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung’s weekend issue that Armstrong tried to implicate him “by all means” in a scandal involving EPO, a performance enhancer.

LeMond refused to reveal the identity of the person who was allegedly offered money by Armstrong, saying he still works in cycling.

Armstrong dismissed the accusation after Sunday’s 14th stage of the Tour.

“That’s absolutely nonsense — $300,000?” Armstrong said, when asked by the Associated Press about the allegations. “Come on. I know (about the report). But he says a lot.”

Golf

Bettencourt takes first tour victory

Reno, Nev. — Matt Bettencourt chipped in for an eagle on the 11th hole, then held off Bob Heintz by a stroke to win for the first time on the PGA Tour.

Bettencourt capped his 4-under 68 with a bogey on No. 18 after a birdie on 17, finishing the Reno-Tahoe Open at 11-under 277 Sunday.

Gainey tops at Chiquita Classic

Cincinnati — Tommy Gainey shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to become the Nationwide Tour’s first two-time winner this season, holding on for a three-stroke victory in the Chiquita Classic.

Gainey, who matched the course record at TPC River Bend with a 62 in the third round, earned $99,000 and moved to No. 1 on the Nationwide Tour money list with $306,307. The top 25 on the money list at the end of the year get PGA Tour cards for 2011.

Tolliver claims third celebrity title

Stateline, Nev. — Billy Joe Tolliver won his third title at the American Century Championship, setting a record with 84 points in the modified Stableford system at the celebrity tournament.

The former NFL quarterback eagled the last hole at Edgewood Tahoe and had two birdies in his final round.

Tennis

Kanepi prevails at Palermo Open

Palermo, Italy — Fifth-seeded Kaia Kanepi defeated defending champion Flavia Pennetta, 6-4, 6-3, in the final of the Palermo Open.

Pennetta made a strong start by breaking Kanepi in the first game Sunday, but the Estonian broke back in the sixth game to draw level at 3-3.

Montanes captures Mercedes Cup

Stuttgart, Germany — Albert Montanes of Spain collected his second ATP title of the season Sunday after Gael Monfils retired from the Mercedes Cup final due to an ankle injury.

Szavay triumphs at Prague Open

Prague — Seventh-seeded Agnes Szavay won her fifth career WTA title Sunday, beating Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, in the Prague Open final.

Almagro silences Soderling

Bastad, Sweden — Fourth-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain beat defending champion Robin Soderling, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, to win the clay-court Swedish Open final and claim his first title of the year Sunday.

Auto Racing

Will Power kisses his car in front of his teammates after winning the IndyCar Series’ Honda Indy Toronto race on Sunday in Toronto.

Power powers past Toronto field

Toronto — Will Power knew when to be aggressive and when to play it safe Sunday in the wreck-filled Honda Indy Toronto.

After patiently avoiding early trouble, the IndyCar leader boldly passed Justin Wilson on the outside off a restart with 14 laps left, then held off Dario Franchitti for his second straight victory and fourth of the season.

Capps ends winless drought

Sonoma, Calif. — Popular Funny Car driver Ron Capps ended a one-year winless streak Sunday with his victory at the 23rd annual NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

College football

Marshall DB kicked off team

Huntington, W.Va. — Marshall University defensive back DeQuan Bembry was kicked off the school’s football team Sunday, three months after his arrest outside a West Virginia bar.

Boxing

Mayweather mum on Pacquiao talks

Miami — Floyd Mayweather Jr. allowed a deadline for striking a deal on a superfight with Manny Pacquiao to pass without saying anything.

A day later, Mayweather indicated that his stance wouldn’t be changing anytime soon.

“I’m not interested in rushing to do anything,” Mayweather told the Associated Press on Sunday.

Mayweather’s camp did not respond to a deadline early Saturday put in place by Pacquiao promoter Top Rank for exclusive negotiations, which has put what could be the richest fight in boxing history in doubt.