Golf: World no.16 Graeme McDowell has withdrawn from next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth because he wants to spend time with his wife Kristen who is expecting their first child. The 2010 US Open champion will miss the European Tour’s flagship event for the first time in 12 years. McDowell is the only member of the triumphant Ryder Cup team who will be absent next week.

Basket, NBA: San Antonio shrugged off the loss of Tony Parker to beat Portland Trail Blazers 104-82 and win their Western Conference semi-final series 4-1. Parker left with a tight left hamstring early in the second quarter but the Spurs got timely contributions from Kawhi Leo-nard and Danny Green, who each scored 22 points. Elsewhere, Miami Heat fought back from eight points down in the final three minutes to beat Brooklyn Nets 96-94 and secure a place in the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth straight year. Champions Miami claimed the series 4-1.

Cycling: Canadian Will Routley out-sprinted five breakaway companions to win Stage Four of the Tour of California in Cambria as Briton Bradley Wiggins retained his overall race lead for a third day. Routley finished the 103-mile stage from Monterey in three hours, 48 minutes and 37 seconds to take line honours ahead of American Gregory Daniel and Kevin De Mesmaeker of Belgium.

Horse Racing: The chances of California Chrome extending his Triple Crown run received a boost when the Kentucky Derby champion was given the no.3 post for this weekend’s Preakness Stakes. Oddsmakers made the Art Sherman-trained colt, winner of all four of his races this year, an overwhelming 3-5 favourite in the 10-horse field at Pimlico Race Course.