Sports in brief: Woods grabs two-shot advantage in Dubai

Tiger Woods shot a 7-under-par 65 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Abu Dhabi Golf Championship winner Martin Kaymer were in a large group at 67, and Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and defending champion Henrik Stenson were three strokes back after 68s. Jimenez had a hole-in-one on the seventh.

Colin Montgomerie, paired with Woods, shot a 72.

“Charles Warren and Kevin Sutherland shared a one-stroke lead in front of a record opening-round crowd of 83,657 at FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Phil Mickelson overcame a pair of early bogeys on par-5 holes and was in a group of 12 three shots back at 3-under 68 on the 7,216-yard desert layout.

Baseball

Gonzalez deal reached

Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez and the Florida Marlins reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract.

Gonzalez must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the agreement.

The contract includes $1 million in performance bonuses.

Florida also agreed to a one-year contract with infielder Dallas McPherson.

“Johnny Estrada and the Nationals agreed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract, giving Washington an experienced catcher to back up Paul Lo Duca, who is recovering from knee surgery.

“Free-agent third baseman Pedro Feliz and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized an $8.5 million, two-year contract.

With the option and performance bonuses, the contract could be worth up to $15 million over three years.

Basketball

O’Brien cleared

Jim O’Brien, fired by Ohio State and essentially banned from coaching by the NCAA for paying a recruit, can return to the college sidelines after an appeal changed his punishment.

An NCAA ruling on March 10, 2006, all but prevented any colleges from hiring O’Brien until May 2009.

But in a decision released Thursday, an appeals committee changed the start date of the sanctions against the coach, making him free to return to coaching effective March 10.

“Kansas State assistant coach Dalonte Hill was arrested in Manhattan, Kan., on suspicion of driving under the influence, hours after the team upset No. 2 Kansas.

Football

Irish hire Tenuta

Jon Tenuta, defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech the past six seasons, joined Notre Dame’s staff as assistant head coach for defense.

Tenuta, who replaces Bill Lewis, will work with defensive coordinator Corwin Brown to try to improve a unit that finished 39th in the nation in total defense, giving up 357 yards a game as the Fighting Irish finished 3-9. It was the best performance by the Irish defense since 2003.

“Former B.C. Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson signed with the Calgary Stampeders for the 2008 CFL season, the team announced.

The former Montana Grizzlies’ standout started his CFL career with the Stampeders in 1996 and was named the CFL’s outstanding player in 2000.

Dickenson was the offensive MVP of the 2006 Grey Cup, which the B.C. Lions won, but he was released by the team after missing much of the 2007 season recovering from his third concussion in less than two years.