Sports in brief

GOLF

Woods signs with Rolex

Tiger Woods has his first major endorsement since his downfall two years ago, announcing a deal yesterday with Rolex to be one of its ambassadors. Woods had lost five major endorsements in the two years since he was exposed for serial adultery and eventually divorced. He previously had a watch deal with Tag Heuer, which dropped him two months ago. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although it is believed to be longer than five years. Woods earlier this year announced a deal in Japan to endorse a heat rub product for Kowa Company Ltd., although that was geared exclusively for Japanese markets. His agent, Mark Steinberg, promised more deals to come.

Woods, who is returning to the tour this week at the Frys.com Open in San Martin, Calif., says he is done making the major overhaul to his swing. He hasn't played since missing the cut at the PGA Championship in August.

COURTS

LIer Cater sentenced for burglary

Former Syracuse University linebacker Malcolm Cater, who played for Riverhead High School, has been sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for a burglary spree on campus at the end of the regular season last year.

Cater pleaded guilty last month to three counts of third-degree burglary involving three separate break-ins last December. He apologized to the university "and everyone that believed in me." The 20-year-old was expected to be a starting middle linebacker for the Orange this season. He was dropped from the team after being arrested.

WNBA

Minn. tops Atlanta, leads series 2-0

Seimone Augustus scored 36 points to lead host Minnesota's second-half surge, and the Lynx moved within one win of their first WNBA title by beating the Atlanta Dream, 101-95, in Game 2 of the league championship series. Jessica Adair added 13 points in 18 minutes in a reserve role for the Lynx, who took a commanding 2-0 lead by overcoming 38 points by the Dream's Angel McCoughtry. Game 3 in the best-of-five matchup is set for tomorrow night in Atlanta.

-- AP