In brief: Phelps sets world mark in 100 butterfly

Swimming: Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis Thursday, just two months after returning from a suspension that was part of the longest layoff of his career.

The 14-time Olympic gold medalist swam the two-lap final in 50.22 seconds at the Indiana University Natatorium. He lowered Ian Crocker’s mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships in Montreal.

Wearing his usual Speedo LZR suit, Phelps led at 50 meters with a split of 23.83, just three-tenths off world-record pace. Known for his strong finishes, he pulled clear down the stretch to beat Tyler McGill, who touched in 51.06. Aaron Peirsol was third in 51.30.

“Crock had a ton more first 50 speed than I did. That’s something I’ve really been working on,” Phelps said. “I’ve always been able to come home pretty strong. I finally got the front half a little bit faster. If I can get that even faster, I’ll be in better shape.”

Phelps holds individual world records in the 100 and 200 flys, 200 and 400 individual medleys, and the 200 free.

His success comes after a rocky post-Olympic period in which the 24-year-old superstar took a six-month break and was photographed using a marijuana pipe, resulting in a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. That ended in early May.

Armstrong remains right behind

Cycling: Lance Armstrong remained a split second behind leader Fabian Cancellara after a day of treacherous riding in the rain and the mountains looming at the Tour de France.

Thor Hushovd of Norway led a mass sprint finish to capture the sixth stage along wet roads south of the French border in Spain.

Cancellara of Switzerland stayed just ahead of the seven-time champion following the 113-mile ride from Gerona to Barcelona.

Hushovd, of the Cervelo team, collected his seventh Tour stage win by edging two Spaniards in the final sprint – three-time world champion Oscar Freire, the runner-up, followed by Jose Joaquin Rojas.

They finished in 4 hours, 21 minutes, 33 seconds, the same time as 40 other riders, including Armstrong and Cancellara in the main pack.

The three-week race enters its first big mountain challenge today with a ride into the Pyrenees. The 140-mile trip from Barcelona to Andorra features an uphill finish in one of cycling’s toughest climbs. The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.

Janzen, Stiles share Deere lead

Golf: Lee Janzen stirred some memories and was tied with Darron Stiles for the lead after firing a 7-under-par 64 in the first round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.

Janzen has not won on the PGA Tour since he captured his second U.S. Open in 1998, yet he’s in position after an impressive start at TPC Deere Run.

J.J. Henry, Matt Bettencourt and Dean Wilson were all one stroke off the lead at 65. Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett shot 67.

•Choi leads U.S. Women’s Open: Na Yeon Choi of South Korea birdied her first three holes, and four of her first five, for a 3-under 68 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open in Bethlehem, Pa.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, 2007 champion Cristie Kerr and qualifier Jean Reynolds opened with 2-under 69s, and Hee Young Park was another stroke back after a 70.

The biggest week in women’s golf is being overshadowed by reports that LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens could be leaving her post as soon as next week.

Just as Choi was completing her round, Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazine, citing sources, reported on their Web sites that Bivens’ four-year tenure with the tour is coming to an end. The move comes after calls for her resignation by key players.

Turkoglu part of complex deal

Basketball: The Toronto Raptors got their top offseason target finalizing the acquisition of 6-foot-10 forward Hedo Turkoglu. His five-year deal is reportedly worth about $53 million.

Technically, Turkoglu re-signed with the Orlando Magic and was traded to Toronto as part of an eight-player, four-team deal. The Raptors also sent Shawn Marion, forward Kris Humphries and center Nathan Jawai to Dallas, and they received swingmen Antoine Wright and Devean George. In addition, Toronto gave Memphis a second-round pick and cash, plus the Raptors gave cash to Orlando.

The Grizzlies also got Jerry Stackhouse from Dallas and sent guard Greg Buckner to the Mavericks.

•Cavaliers reach deal with Varejao: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao have agreed on a multiyear contract to keep the 6-11 center/forward from Brazil.

•Kuester new Pistons coach: In his decade running the Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars hasn’t been known for showing patience with head coaches. He insists that is about to change.

Moments after introducing Cavaliers assistant John Kuester as Detroit’s sixth coach in 10 years, Dumars said that Kuester “might have the most job security of anyone in the NBA.”

“Bless you, Joe,” said Kuester with a laugh.

Kuester replaces Michael Curry, who was fired on June 30 after going 39-43 in his first season.

Detroit had reached the Eastern Conference finals in the previous six seasons under Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and Flip Saunders.

•Clippers sign Griffin: The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Terms were not announced.