In brief: Woods, Singh tied atop Wachovia leaderboard

Tiger Woods finally had the lead to himself on a chilly Friday at the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, N.C., as he walked toward the eighth green, two holes left in his second round and his ball 6 feet below the cup for another birdie.

Padraig Harrington was one shot behind and warming up on the range. Vijay Singh was four shots back in the group behind.

Things sure can change in a hurry at Quail Hollow.

Within a half-hour, Woods and Singh were tied for the lead to set up a weekend showdown between the top two players on the PGA Tour this year.

Woods missed his short birdie putt, then took his only bogey of the round when he drove into the trees on No. 9 and had to settle for a 4-under-par 68. Singh played the final three holes in 3 under to salvage a 71 and join Woods at 6-under 138.

Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett (74-148) missed the cut.

■Nicole Castrale, seeking her first LPGA win, shot a 4-under 67 in muddy conditions to take the first-round lead in the SemGroup Championship at Broken Arrow, Okla.

Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, shot a 75.

“Leonard Thompson shot a tournament-record 8-under 64 to take two-stroke lead in the FedEx Kinko’s Classic in Lakeway, Texas, making the 60-year-old player the Champions Tour’s year’s oldest first-round leader.

Miscellany

Pletcher horse wins Kentucky Oaks

Todd Pletcher-trained filly Rags to Riches roared past the field in the stretch to win the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

The win was Pletcher’s second Oaks victory. He trained Ashado when she won in 2004.

“Canadian captain Shane Doan scored three goals in the second period in a 6-3 win over Belarus at the hockey world championships in Moscow.

In Group E, Russia posted a 3-0 victory over Italy.

“Wacey Rabbit’s first-period goal stood up as Vancouver posted a 1-0 win at Medicine Hat to open the Western Hockey League championship series. Game 2 is tonight at Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Vancouver goaltender Tyson Sexsmith stopped 23 shots. Tigers goalie Matt Keetley made 32 saves.

“Former heavyweight champion Greg Page has agreed to settle a lawsuit that he filed against Kentucky boxing officials for $1.2 million after he had career-ending injuries in a 2001 fight in northern Kentucky.

“Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday in New York to appeal his season-long suspension.

“Guard Joe Andruzzi’s contract was officially terminated by the Cleveland Browns, who no longer had a spot for him after an off-season spent reshaping their offensive line.

“The New Orleans Saints signed former Pro Bowl punter Chris Hanson to a one-year contract.

“Charges in Pennsylvania were dropped against four of six Penn State football players involved in an off-campus fracas, but the judge ruled there was enough evidence against two players to order them to stand trial.

“Alabama State trustees removed the interim tag off former NFL receiver Reggie Barlow to become the head football coach.

“South Carolina State hired Tim Carter as its men’s basketball coach.