GOLF
Noren, Simpson lead Classic
Alex Noren and Webb Simpson each shot a 4-under 66 to lead the Honda Classic on a day so tough for scoring that Tiger Woods had his best day in his return and didn't break par. Woods had only one bad hole, a double bogey on the par-5 third round, and was four shots behind. Only 20 players managed to break par at PGA National at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. PGA champion Justin Thomas and Louis Oosthuizen were among those at 67. Rory McIlroy played Thursday afternoon and after salvaging a par on the 16th hole when he thought his ball was in the water, he wasn't so lucky on the 18th hole. He hit into the water and made double bogey for a 72. Andrew Landry (Arkansas Razorbacks) had a 1-over 71. David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) shot a 5-over 75.
Quartet tied at 6 under
Three-time tour winner Minjee Lee of Australia finished with a superb eagle putt to be among the four leaders after day one of the LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club in Chonburi on Thursday. Lee sank a 45-foot putt on the 18th hole to card a 6-under-par 66 for a one-shot lead with 2016 champion Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and local hope Moriya Jutanugarn. Thompson, who won this event in 2016 by six shots with a 20-under total and tied for fourth last year, started her latest round in style with an eagle followed by a birdie only to bogey the third hole. She shot four more birdies. Korda had a rollercoaster round which featured eagles on the first and 17th holes, five birdies, a double bogey on the sixth and two bogeys. Moriya was the only player among the four to end the day without a bogey. Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) withdrew because of strained ribs and will also miss next week's HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
Three set pace at Qatar
Eddie Pepperell, Gregory Havret and Aaron Rai made the most of calm early morning conditions at Doha Golf Club to set the pace in the opening round of the Qatar Masters with a 7-under 65 on Thursday. Havret went bogey free, Pepperell made one bogey and eight birdies, while fellow English golfer Rai eagled his last hole to add to five birdies. One shot behind the leaders were four players, including former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari of Italy and former champion Alvaro Quiros of Spain. Defending champion Wang Jeunghun of South Korea started with a 68, and Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma of India shot a 69 despite a double bogey on the 15th hole. Pep Angles (Central Arkansas) shot a 1-over 73.
BASKETBALL
Staley sues Missouri AD
South Carolina women's basketball Coach Dawn Staley filed a lawsuit against Missouri Athletic Director Jim Sterk on Thursday claiming defamation and negligence and seeking up to $75,000 in damages. Later Thursday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a public reprimand and a fine of $25,000 to Sterk, while also announcing a mandated review of Colonial Life Arena's game management and visiting team security. After the Missouri-South Carolina matchup in Colonial Life Arena on Jan. 28, Sterk accused South Carolina fans of spitting on Missouri players and using racial epithets, echoing complaints on social media that Missouri Coach Robin Pingeton alluded to in a news conference. Furthermore, Sterk said Staley promoted the atmosphere that fostered the alleged behavior. Staley called the accusations "serious and false" and backed South Carolina's fans. The suit was filed in Richland County and describes Sterk's comments as "false, defamatory, reckless and made with actual malice." In the suit, Staley's lawyer also claims that "Coach Staley has no choice" but to bring the suit after Sterk refused to publicly retract his comments or apologize. Sterk did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.
FOOTBALL
Saban announces promotions, hires
Alabama Coach Nick Saban has promoted Mike Locksley to offensive coordinator and Josh Tupoi to defensive coordinator and hired two new assistants. Saban announced the promotions Thursday along with the hiring of Dan Enos as quarterbacks coach and Craig Kuligowski as defensive line coach. Both will also be associate head coaches. Locksley and Tupoi had both been co-coordinators for the defending national champions. Enos is a former Arkansas offensive coordinator who had been hired by Michigan in January. Kuligowski spent the past two seasons as the Miami Hurricanes' defensive line coach and assistant head coach. Longtime running backs coach Burton Burns will become assistant athletic director for football.
Sports on 02/23/2018