Pair leads Canadian Open by one stroke
Golf: Michael Putnam and Tim Petrovic shared the first-round lead in the Canadian Open on Thursday, both shooting 6-under 64 in sunny conditions at rain-softened Royal Montreal.
Canadian amateur Taylor Pendrith and Kyle Stanley were a stroke back, and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, Nick Watney and Robert Allenby topped the group at 66.
Two-time champion Jim Furyk and Canadian David Hearn shot 67, and defending champion Brandt Snedeker had a 69.
Dustin Johnson struggled to a 74, and John Daly had a 76.
• Langer leads British Senior Open by two: Bernhard Langer opened with a 6-under-par 65 to take a two-stroke lead over American Bob Tway in the British Senior Open at a sweltering Royal Porthcawl in Beidgend, Wales.
Langer, who threw away a two-stroke lead on the final hole at Royal Birkdale last year and then was beaten for the title in a playoff, was out in a best-of-the-day 31.
Chris Williams of England was alone in third on a bogey-free 68.
Langer is trying to add a second British Senior title to the one he won at Carnoustie in 2010.
• Taiwan sweeps U.S. in first day of International Crown: Yani Tseng made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to give Taiwan a sweep of the top-seeded United States team in the opening round of the International Crown at Owings Mills, Maryland.
Tseng and Phoebe Yao never trailed in a 1-up win over Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson. Earlier, Candie Kung and Teresa Lu beat Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr 4 and 3.
The inaugural International Crown features 32 players from eight countries.
Each team receives two points for a win and one for a tie. The U.S. was the only team that failed to secure a point on the first day.
Mavericks sign point guard Jameer Nelson
NBA: The Dallas Mavericks have signed former All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson as a free agent. Terms of the deal weren’t released, but it is reportedly a one-year contract for the team’s salary cap exception of $2.7 million.
He joins a crowded list at point guard alongside Devin Harris and Raymond Felton.
Nelson spent his first 10 seasons with Orlando. The 32-year-old has career averages of 12.6 points and 5.4 assists.
• Griffin withdraws from U.S. national team: Blake Griffin has withdrawn from playing for the U.S. national basketball team this summer. The L.A. Clippers star was one of 19 players selected to the roster from which the World Cup team will be chosen.
Griffin said he wants to dedicate all his energy on improving and preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
Texas football players charged with crime
Miscellany: University of Texas wide receivers Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander have been charged with felony sexual assault and their arrests are pending, according to a police spokesperson in Austin.
Sanders also faces a charge of improper photography. Further details were not immediately available. It was not clear if either player has an attorney.
Sanders, a junior, has played in 23 career games. Meander is a redshirt freshman who did not play last season.
• Mayweather granted promoter’s license in Nevada: The Nevada Athletic Commission voted in favor of granting Floyd Mayweather Jr. a promoter’s license, allowing the undefeated welterweight champion to market fights in Nevada all on his own.
Mayweather is also a licensed promoter in Washington and New York.
• Australia women break freestyle relay world record: Australia’s women set a world record in the 4x100-meter freestyle swimming relay on the first day of competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell, along with Emma McKeon and Melanie Schlanger clocked 3 minutes, 30.98 seconds to surpass the 3:31.72 recorded five years ago by the Netherlands.
• Habs agree to deal with Eller: The Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with center Lars Eller, agreeing to a four-year contract with the 25-year-old. Details were not made immediately available. Eller was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing today. He reportedly asked for $3.1 million for next season while the team offered $1.65 million.
• OSU marching band chief fired after probe: Ohio State University fired Jonathan Waters, the director of its celebrated marching band after determining he ignored a “sexualized” culture of rituals including students being pressured to march in their underwear and participate in sexually themed stunts.