One of the "towering figures of European golf," CHRISTY O'CONNOR, died aged 91. From the '50s to the '80s, when "he was still challenging for big titles in his 50s, the farmer's son from Knocknacarra in County Galway earned global renown." Irish PM ENDA KENNY "led the tributes" (REUTERS, 5/14). ... Former National Rugby League and NFL San Francisco 49ers player JARRYD HAYNE announced on Sunday that he retired from the NFL. Hayne: "I am retiring from the NFL because the Fiji Rugby Sevens team reached out to me about the opportunity to join the team for the upcoming Olympics, and I simply could not pass that chance up." Hayne originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in March '15. He appeared in eight games (one start) (49ers). ... MARIA SHARAPOVA, "provisionally banned since March for failing a drugs test at the Australian Open," will have her appeal heard in London on Wednesday, but a verdict "will not be handed down until June, possibly in time for Wimbledon" (London GUARDIAN, 5/14). ... Argentinian footballer RODRIGO ESPINDOLA was "shot dead while defending his wife and son during a botched robbery at his home." He was killed after being shot in the stomach while defending his home in Monte Grande, Buenos Aires. Dramatic video footage "captured the moment the footballer, who was a central defender for Neuva Chicago, was shot dead outside his home" (London DAILY MIRROR, 5/14). ... Leicester City's JAMIE VARDY was named Premier League Player of the Season "after his pivotal role in the club's remarkable title-winning campaign." Vardy "is also in the race for the golden boot awarded to the league's top scorer," having netted 24 goals so far, one behind his int'l teammate HARRY KANE of Tottenham Hotspur (REUTERS, 5/14).
