Perez holds lead after record start at Hope Classic
Pat Perez shot a 9-under-par 63 Thursday to become the first player in PGA Tour history to play a 36-hole stretch in a tournament in 20 under, keeping him two strokes in front in the Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta, Calif.
After opening with a 61, Perez had nine birdies during a bogey-free second round and was at 124 through the first two days of the 90-hole tournament. Along with setting a PGA Tour low against par for consecutive rounds, his 36-hole total was the lowest to begin a tournament.
On another mild, still day in the desert, Perez’s sizzling scoring still wasn’t enough to give him a pad – six players were within four shots.
Tennis
Safina finds next round
Olympic silver medalist Dinara Safina reached the fourth round for the first time in seven trips to the Australian Open, beating Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 6-2 today in Melbourne, Australia.
In the biggest upset so far at the season’s first major, sixth-seeded Venus Williams lost 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday night in the second round to Carla Suarez Navarro, a 20-year-old Spaniard ranked No. 46.
Meanwhile for the men, defending champion Novak Djokovic survived a tough encounter with Bosnian-born American Amer Delic to reach the fourth round.
Third-seeded Djokovic lost a set for the first time in the tournament and had to fend off two set points in the fourth before beating Delic 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
NBA
Celtics reveal Magic
Paul Pierce had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Glen Davis added a season-high 16 points and Boston disrupted everything Orlando wanted on offense, beating the Magic 90-80 in Orlando, Fla.
Kevin Garnett scored 16 points to help the Celtics extend their winning streak to seven games.
•Fans reward Howard: Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard – who leads the NBA in rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles – got a record 3,150,181 votes from fans to lead this season’s All-Star team. List of starters on page B6.
• Memphis fires coach: The Memphis Grizzlies have fired coach Marc Iavaroni after a lackluster 11-30 start.
College Basketball
Mountaineers top Hoyas
Da’Sean Butler scored 27 points, a relentless defense forced 19 turnovers and the West Virginia Mountaineers (14-4, 3-2 Big East) earned a 75-58 win over No. 12 Georgetown (12-5, 3-3) at Washington.
Georgetown went 2 for 16 from 3-point range for the game also having trouble on the boards, allowing 16 second-chance points on West Virginia’s 14 offensive rebounds.
Baseball
McGwire brother speaks
Mark McGwire’s youngest brother says in a book proposal that he injected the former baseball star with steroids, according to Deadspin.com.
Jay McGwire is circulating a manuscript titled “The McGwire Family Secret: The Truth about Steroids, a slugger and Ultimate Redemption,” the Web site reported Wednesday. Jay McGwire, a body builder, said his brother started using steroids in 1994 and that he injected Mark with Deca-Durabolin.
•Cubs pick winning bidder: The billionaire Ricketts family has been selected by Tribune Co. as the winning bidder for the hard-luck Chicago Cubs, according to several reports.
The bid is worth about $900 million, according to the Web site of the Chicago Tribune, which also is owned by Tribune Co. The sale would include Wrigley Field and a 25 percent interest in a regional sports network, the Chicago Tribune reported.
• Brewers, Fielder agree: First baseman Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a preliminary agreement on an $18 million, two-year contract.
•Seattle expects Bedard: Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard is fully recovered from shoulder surgery and is ready for the start of spring training of Feb. 13.
Bedard had surgery in late September to remove a cyst from his shoulder and have tissue cut from his labrum.
•Cora, Mets finalize deal: Alex Cora and the New York Mets finalized a $2 million, one-year contract, giving the team a backup infielder who also could displace Luis Castillo at second base.
In another move, the Mets agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Freddy Garcia.
NFL
Mangini adds to staff
New Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini hired defensive line coach Bryan Cox, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, defensive quality control coach Andy Dickerson, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle.
•Rams hire coordinators: Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo began the task of filling out his coaching staff by hiring Pat Shurmur as St. Louis’ offensive coordinator and Ken Flajole as defensive coordinator.
Miscellany
Skier put into coma
Swiss skier Daniel Albrecht was put in an induced coma after crashing in downhill training on the Streif course in Kitzbuehel, Austria, one of the most dangerous on the World Cup circuit.
Albrecht lost control and flew through the air for about 40 yards, landed on his back and came to a stop near the finish line. He lost consciousness and received medical attention for about 20 minutes before being taken by helicopter to a hospital in nearby St. Johann.
•Crosby out of All-Star game: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will miss the NHL All-Star game because of a left knee injury.
Tampa Bay scoring leader Martin St. Louis will replace Crosby on the Eastern Conference roster.
•Armstrong in middle of pack: Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was 39th overall after a 32nd-place finish of the third stage at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia.