FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, a Washington Redskins helmet sits on the field as players warm-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. A recent national poll, conducted by the Washington Post, finds that nine of 10 Native Americans aren't offended by the Washington Redskins name. A federal judge ordered the cancellation of the Redskins' trademark registration in July, ruling that their name may be disparaging to Native Americans. The club is appealing. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, a Washington Redskins helmet sits on the field as players warm-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. A recent national poll, conducted by the Washington Post, finds that nine of 10 Native Americans aren't offended by the Washington Redskins name. A federal judge ordered the cancellation of the Redskins' trademark registration in July, ruling that their name may be disparaging to Native Americans. The club is appealing. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Credit: Matt Rourke

Paris — Roger Federer pulled out of the French Open on Thursday, ending his record of appearing in 65 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments dating back to 2000.

The 17-time major champion, who had a knee operation this year but returned to play at the Monte Carlo Masters in early April, has been dealing with a back problem that has limited his schedule in recent weeks.

“I regret to announce that I have made the decision not to play in this year’s French Open,” Federer said in a statement on his website. “I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100 percent and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready.”

Last week, Federer played at the Italian Open and lost to Dominic Thiem in the third round. He withdrew from the Madrid Open the previous week because of back pain.

The last major Federer missed was the 1999 U.S. Open.

The third-ranked Federer, who has 88 career titles, won the French Open in 2009 — the only time he has won the tournament at Roland Garros.

Golf Spieth Shoots 64 in Texas

Irving, Texas — Jordan Spieth finished off a 6-under 64 just before dark Thursday and was within a stroke of the lead when the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson was suspended.

Sergio Garcia, Danny Lee and Johnson Wagner all shot 63. Lee and Wagner, like Spieth, were just able to complete the round that started 2½ hours late after early morning rain.

Dallas native Spieth, who just missed a long eagle chance on the par-5 16th that would have matched the lead, is playing only his second tournament since squandering a five-stroke lead on the back nine at the Masters. The world’s No. 2-ranked player missed the cut last week at The Players Championship.

Dustin Johnson and Freddie Jacobson also had 64s. Tom Hoge, one of 30 players unable to finish, was 6 under through 14 holes.

At Birmingham, Ala., Kenny Perry birdied the final hole for an 8-under 64 and a two-stroke lead in the Regions Tradition, the first of five PGA Tour Champions majors.

Bernhard Langer bogeyed No. 18 for a 66 to fall into a second-place tie with Gene Sauers at Greystone Golf and Country Club, hosting its first Champions event since the Bruno’s Memorial Classic in 2005.

Billy Andrade was three strokes back at 67, and defending champion Jeff Maggert shot 68.

At Williamsburg, Va., Mika Miyazato had five birdies in a six-hole stretch and finished with a 6-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the Kingsmill Championship.

Muirfield Votes ‘No’ To Female Members

Gullane, Scotland — Muirfield will no longer be used as a host venue of the British Open golf tournament after the Scottish club voted against admitting women as members.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns Muirfield, announced its decision to retain the club’s male-only policy Thursday following a postal vote of its 750 members. A two-thirds majority was required for a change to take place, but 36 percent of members voted against allowing women.

The Royal and Ancient, which run the British Open, reacted to the decision by saying Muirfield would no longer be considered for hosting the championship.

Muirfield is one of 10 courses on the British Open rotation. Royal Troon, which hosts this year’s British Open, is the only other club on the rotation to still exclude women.

Muirfield has hosted the British Open 16 times.

NFL Football Poll: Native Americans Not Offended by Redskins Name

New York — A recent national poll found that nine of 10 Native Americans aren’t offended by the Washington Redskins name.

The poll conducted by the Washington Post indicated more than eight in 10 said they wouldn’t be offended if someone who was not a Native American called them that name.

A federal judge ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins’ trademark registration in July, ruling that their name may be disparaging to Native Americans. The club is appealing.

Ninety percent of the random national sample of 504 Native Americans said the name doesn’t bother them; 9 percent said it was offensive. Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the U.S. population.

Interviews were conducted from December through April on landline and cellphones, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.

Auto Racing Harvick Signs Extension With Stewart-Haas

Charlotte, n.c. — Stewart-Haas Racing has signed Kevin Harvick to a long-term contract extension, ending speculation that the 2014 Sprint Cup champion wanted to leave.

The team announced the signing on Thursday, two days after Harvick sniped on social media at the consistent gossip that he was planning to exit the team. The speculation began when SHR said earlier this season it will move to Fords next year. Harvick has a long relationship with Chevrolet.

Harvick joined SHR in 2014 and immediately won his first championship.

Hockey It’s U.S., Canada in Semis

Moscow — The United States upended the odds and downed the Czech Republic 2-1 in a shootout to reach the semifinals of the ice hockey world championship on Thursday.

That sets up a semifinal on Saturday against Canada, which pounded Sweden 6-0.

Russia and Finland contest the other semifinal.

Auston Matthews, still only 18, scored in the second period to tie the game and later scored the only goal in the shootout, sliding the puck between Czech goaltender Dominik Furch’s legs.

Matthews is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in next month’s NHL draft.