In brief: Weekley, Slocum, hold top spot at World Cup

Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum held their lead at the World Cup of Golf on Saturday in Shenzhen, China, showing that the United States doesn’t need Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to contend for the title.

They shot a 6-under 66 for a one-stroke lead over France (62) and Scotland (66) entering today’s final round at Mission Hills Golf Club. The Americans are at 20-under 196 and have led by one stroke after all three rounds.

“After bouncing his drive off a spectator’s bag and into the fairway and hitting his second shot into a bunker behind the green, Fred Couples knocked his 35-yard shot out of the sand and into the hole to win $75,000 in the LG Skins Game at Indian Wells, Calif.

Stephen Ames was the only other player to win a skin ($25,000) over the first nine holes of the two-day event.

Figure Skating

Weir rebounds for gold

Johnny Weir of the United States won the gold medal at the Cup of Russia in Moscow, with a program less adventurous but more successful than the one by two-time world champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland.

Kim Yu-na of South Korea won her second Grand Prix of the season, and Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China took the gold medal in pairs.

Skiing

Hudec starts comeback

Canada’s Jan Hudec won the first downhill of the World Cup season, making a big comeback from three knee operations before a home crowd in Lake Louise, Alberta.

“Italy’s Denise Karbon won her second consecutive World Cup giant slalom to open the season in Panorama, British Columbia.

She had a two-run time of 2 minutes, 42.71 seconds.

Horse Racing

Daaher pulls upset

Four weeks after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Midnight Lute was upset by Daaher in the $300,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in New York.

Midnight Lute appeared in perfect position to take on Daaher as the two turned for home. But the 4-year-old colt was unable to close ground and was beaten by 2 1/2 lengths.

Daaher, owned by Shadwell Stable, covered the mile in 1:33.79, and returned $6.70 and $2.80. Midnight Lute, the 1-2 favorite, paid $2.10. Naughty New Yorker was third, followed by Xchanger and Sir Greeley. There was no show wagering.

Miscellany

Kennedy tests pending

Medical tests to determine the cause of death of left-handed pitcher Joe Kennedy are expected to take about six to eight weeks.

Results of Kennedy’s autopsy are pending the completion of the tests, said forensic investigator Amanda Whidden in Tampa, Fla.

“Firat Arslan took away Virgil Hill’s WBA cruiserweight title with a unanimous decision in Dresden, Germany.

“Two women’s college basketball games to be played at Pepperdine were canceled because of wildfires in the Malibu, Calif., area.

Wisconsin and Texas-Arlington were set to meet in the championship game of the Timeout 4 HIV/AIDS tournament at Firestone Fieldhouse. Pepperdine would have played Mississippi in the third-place game.