Jack Nicklaus expects Tiger Woods to play in the Masters

Jack Nicklaus said Wednesday that “it would surprise me” if Tiger Woods did not return to competitive golf in time for the Masters, a tournament the embattled world No. 1 has won four times in his career.

“I suspect he’ll play something before Augusta,” Nicklaus said behind the 18th green at PGA National, where the Honda Classic opens Thursday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.. “Your guess is as good as mine. I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play something before Augusta.”

Nicklaus has been reluctant to comment much about Woods since the saga involving revelations of infidelity began late last year, saying more than once that someone else’s private life isn’t any of his business. He reiterated that belief again Wednesday after finishing his Pro-Am round at the South Florida course he redesigned.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Woods’ caddie says he knew nothing about the golfer’s extramarital affairs and that’s he’s angry with Woods over the scandal. Steve Williams told New Zealand TV3’s “60 Minutes” program that he’s also bitter about the reaction toward him from the media and members of the public.

OLYMPICS

The head of the Russian Olympic Committee resigned Wednesday in the wake of the nation’s worst performance at the Winter Games, news agencies said, citing the committee’s spokesman.

When contacted by the Associated Press, however, the spokesman said only “that information is not confirmed,” before hanging up. He did not deny making the statements to the Russian media or say the information was incorrect.

Leonid Tyagachev, a former sports minister, took over as head of the Russian Olympic Committee in 2001. In the wake of the Vancouver Games, President Dmitry Medvedev has warned that sports officials would be fired if they failed to resign voluntarily.

FOOTBALL

The Indianapolis Colts said Peyton Manning had surgery in Chicago to fix a pinched nerve, a procedure that is not expected to interrupt the quarterback’s off-season workouts or his availability for

The Colts said Manning spent Tuesday night in the hospital and was released Wednesday.

Washington Redskins six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels will announce his retirement Thursday. The announcement has been expected. Samuels hasn’t played since banging heads with a defensive player Oct. 11 in a game against the Carolina Panthers.

TENNIS

Justine Henin, who made it to the finals of the Australian Open in her first major tournament back after a nearly two-year retirement, and former French Open champion Carlos Moya received wild card entries into the BNP Paribas Open, which begins with qualifying rounds Monday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Women’s main draw play begins March 10 and men’s main draw play begins March 12. The tournament runs through March 21.

Henin, who won the tournament in 2004, is returning for the first time since 2006. Moya became the first Spaniard to be ranked No. 1 in the world in 1999 after he reached the finals of the Indian Wells tournament. Argentina’s David Nalbandian, a former Wimbledon finalist, also received a spot in the main draw as did 20-year-old Alexa Glatch of Newport Beach. Glatch made it to the third round in Indian Wells last year.

-- Diane Pucin

ETC.

Justin Upton has signed a $51.25-million, six-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the second-largest deal in franchise history. General Manager Josh Byrnes calls the 22-year outfielder “the kind of guy you want to build around.”

The United States beat Germany, 3-2, to capture the women’s Algarve Cup in Portugal for the seventh time. Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer fumbled the ball in the 70th minute and Lauren Cheney tapped it in for the winner.

The sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning to Boston Red Sox minority owner Jeff Vinik is complete. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Boston financier reportedly paid about $110 million cash — substantially less than the $206 million a group paid for the franchise in June 2008.

Robert Hunter of Garmin-Transitions won the first stage of the Tour of Murcia in Spain, while Lance Armstrong finished 46th. Hunter won the 103-mile ride around the coastal town of San Pedro del Pinatar in 4 hours, 15 minutes, 40 seconds.

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will be out three weeks because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot that has been bothering him since mid-January.