By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

Ja'Juan Story, the former Brooksville Nature Coast standout WR is transferring from the Florida Gators football program, coach Will Muschamp announced today.

"Ja'Juan came me to Thursday afternoon and indicated that he wanted to transfer," Muschamp said. "He just felt like this wasn't a good fit for him and he needed a fresh start. Ja'Juan is a good student and was a good teammate, and we wish him the best of luck."

Story did not see action last season. He redshirted and played only with the scout team. At 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, Story was a four-star rated WR, and considered the No. 6 WR by ESPN.com. He played both quarterback and WR in high school - passing for 427 yards and three touchdowns, and catching seven passes for 123 yards in his senior season.

"I met with Coach Muschamp Thursday afternoon and told him I wanted to transfer," Story said in s statement released by UF. "I had a great experience here and met a bunch of great people. It is a great football program with great players and coaches. It just wasn't the right fit for me."

Story chose UF over Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and USF.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MAKING NEWS

Ominous tone to bettman's lockout talk

Commissioner Gary Bettman's declaration Thursday that the NHL will lock out its players on Sept. 15 without a new collective bargaining agreement is "something you don't want to hear," Lightning right wing B.J. Crombeen said. Even so, he added, "We're confident there's still a lot of time left to get a deal done." The Players Association was unhappy with the owners' initial proposal to cut the players' share of league revenues from 57 to 43-46 percent and roll back salaries 22 percent. But union executive director Donald Fehr has said the players are willing to start the season under the current CBA if negotiations are ongoing. "But with Gary's comments, (the owners) feel strong enough they don't want to continue under this agreement and want further concessions from the players," said Crombeen, a member of the union's negotiating committee. "We're trying to make sense of what they need and what they want." The players are expected to make a counter­proposal Tuesday.

Damian Cristodero, Times staff writer

Rays

Tonight

at Twins, 8:10, Target Field, Minneapolis TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Associated Press
Friday, August 10, 2012

If athletes from the University of Florida comprised their own country in the Olympics, they'd give many nations a run for their money.

Gator athletes had another big day Thursday, when triple jumpers Christian Taylor and Will Claye won gold and silver, soccer players Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts were part of the U.S. women's gold medal winning squad and Melanie Booth of Canada got bronze on her national team's effort.

The triple jumpers, Wambach and swimmers Ryan Lochte and Conor Dwyer reveled in the Gator success on Friday and posed for pictures together doing the trademark Gator chomp.

"Gator nation is the best," says Lochte, winner of five swimming medals in London. "We've worked hard. I've personally seen most of the athletes working out. We push our bodies to the limit and that's why we did so well."

He continued: "And you know what? We're like a big family so we always help each other out. No matter what sport it is, we come together and work toward the goal."

By Tim Whitfield, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 10, 2012

Bait up first: The flats are loaded with pinfish and whitebait. The pinfish are the right size for redfish, and the whitebait are a mixed bag, anything from fry-sized to tarpon-sized. The small to medium baits tend to work best. Do not overload the well, the water is hot.

What's hot: Early morning or late-evening hours on high water have produced a consistent redfish bite this week. Cut bait (pinfish, whitebait, ladyfish) has been the top producer. Fishing the mullet schools provides solid action, so it's a waiting game, but the reward is awesome. The tighter the mullet school, the better the odds there are redfish present.

Nighttime: Some days I have a morning trip for reds and a night trip for snook. The bite has been good to excellent with lots of trout and redfish in the mix. Try whitebait, pinfish and, if the trout are thick, shrimp.

Pro tip: The underwater green lights tend to hold trout in great numbers, and if you're looking for snook, find one of the old-style lights near good moving water.

Tim Whitfield can be reached at (813) 714-0889 or tim@swiftfishcharters.com.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Reds 10, Cubs 8

CHICAGO — Rookie Todd Frazier doubled twice and drove in four runs, Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer and the Reds ended their season-high losing streak at five games with the help of five Cubs errors.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 10, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Poker continues to be the bull in Florida. Wagering on greyhounds and thoroughbreds remains the bear.

For the seventh consecutive year, card-room gross receipts rose while parimutuel handle fell, according to statistics available from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Parimutuel Wagering.

Poker receipts reached an all-time high of $130,461,309 in fiscal year 2011-12 (July 1 through June 30), an increase of 4.3 percent from the previous season. Wagering on dogs, horses and jai-alai was $875,297,298, a minimal loss of 0.1 percent. That continues a nearly decadelong wagering trend within the state. In the past seven years, poker is up 194 percent, while parimutuel wagering is down 42.2 percent.

In fiscal year 2011-12, Derby Lane, the greyhound track in St. Petersburg, had increases in both categories. On-track and intertrack wagering was up 1.9 percent at $28,401,502, and poker gained 1.2 percent at $8,672,403. Of the 20 greyhound associations in the state, Derby Lane ranked second in wagering behind Palm Beach ($47,650,747) and fourth in poker, also behind leader Palm Beach ($12,613,059).

"We continue to do the best we can to operate our business under the current economic conditions," Derby Lane president and chairman of the board Vey Weaver said recently.

Tampa Greyhound Track, which runs its six-month meet at Derby Lane, had a 2.6 percent decline in parimutuel wagering at $24,069,810, still the third-best total at dog tracks. Tampa's card room receipts of $2,308,224 represented a 1.6 percent gain.

Tampa Bay Downs, the thorough­bred track in Oldsmar, reported total parimutuel handle of $89,026,087, a drop of 5 percent. The total ranked third among the four thoroughbred associations in the state. Calder in Miami Gardens led the way at $207,306,587. The Downs poker room was first at horse facilities at $5,188,930, an increase of 3.5 percent.

Statewide, greyhound wagering was flat at $264,164,760, while thoroughbred wagering was $530,745,740, a slight loss of 0.1 percent. Poker-room receipts at dog tracks were up 3.4 percent at $90,930,962. But card rooms at horse sites were off 2.1 percent at $14,176,614.

MORE DOGS: Hi Noon Renegade, an All-America first-team selection in 2011 for Nova kennel, was retired from racing this week. He will begin a stud career on the farm of Kenneth and Darlene Biehle in Thorndale, Texas. Owned by Charles Haliburton III and trained by Rosa Gibbs, Hi Noon Renegade was a two-time stakes winner, capturing the $64,000 Sprint Classic and $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile in 2011 for kennel owner Hans Limmer. He won 56 races from 100 career starts, all at Derby Lane. Hi Noon Renegade earned $68,292, and cashed in the money 87 percent of the time with top-four finishes.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Dwight Howard held some of the championship trophies in the Lakers' facility Friday, the first act of the next phase of his career.

"Making some wishes," Howard said.

One of his has finally come true. At long last, he's out of Orlando.

It took four teams, 11 other players, five draft picks and countless rounds of talks over many months, but the Magic decided the time was right to start over without the NBA's best center.

Howard is off to play alongside Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles after a megadeal involving the Lakers, Magic, Philadelphia and Denver was completed Friday.

"It was just a very tough situation for everybody to let go," Howard, 26, said. "I'm finally glad that it's over with. Myself and the Magic organization, we can all start over and begin a new career."

As far as the other headliners involved, center Andrew Bynum leaves the Lakers for Philadelphia, and guard/forward Andre Iguodala is heading to Denver.

"Are we taking a step back? Absolutely, we are," Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said. "But we're taking a step back with a vision."

Even while otherwise busy at the Olympics, Bryant quickly proclaimed the Lakers are "locked and loaded to bring back the title." He spoke with Howard on Friday morning to talk about how the Lakers look very much like a major contender for another NBA title.

"I'll probably play two or three more years. Then the team is his," Bryant said. "I'm excited for the franchise because now they have a player that can carry the franchise well after I'm gone. This should be his, and he should want to accept that challenge."

Howard, who may not be ready for the start of the season while recovering from back surgery, plans to become a free agent in July.

"You talk about all the great centers this team has had," Bryant said. "Now he's the next in line."

After an offseason in which the Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith, it is beginning anew. In 1996 the Magic watched Shaquille O'Neal sign as a free agent with the Lakers. At least this time when they lost someone with the "Superman" nickname, they got something back.

"Next season, and really subsequent seasons, are going to be about getting better every day," Hennigan said.

"The pressure that (Howard) has been feeling in Orlando has just multiplied by three now," O'Neal said. "If he thinks the Orlando Sentinel was on his case when he didn't perform, guys like (Los Angeles Times columnist) Bill Plaschke, they don't play."

Orlando got guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington from Denver, forward Moe Harkless and center Nikola Vucevic from Philadelphia, and forward Josh McRoberts and guard Christian Eyenga from the Lakers. The Lakers acquired Howard, guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark from Orlando. The Magic also traded guard Jason Richardson to Philadelphia.

Orlando also gets five draft picks over five years.

"It makes the NBA that much more exciting," Knicks forward and U.S. Olympian Carmelo Anthony said.

Not everyone shared that sentiment. "I really don't care," Thunder star Kevin Durant said.

The starting lineup for the Lakers, who traded for point guard Steve Nash last month, now includes five former All-Stars with three MVP awards and four defensive player of the year awards.

"Unreal!" Bryant said.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

LONDON — Sweden appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday to award Lisa Norden a gold medal in the women's triathlon after she finished second in a photo finish with Nicola Spirig of Switzerland.

A court panel was expected to hear the case challenging how the International Triathlon Union judged the photo finish. Norden and Spirig were both timed in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 48 seconds Saturday. An initial Swedish appeal to triathlon's governing body was rejected.

Cyclist stripped of medal: American cyclist Tyler Hamilton, who admitted to doping in an interview on 60 Minutes last year, was stripped of the gold medal he won in the 2004 road race time trial by the International Olympic Committee. The gold will be awarded to Russia's Viatcheslav Ekimov. The IOC had a deadline of eight years from the day the medal was won to make the move. It said the delay was because it wanted to ensure Ekimov was not implicated in any doping cases because Hamilton and Ekimov had been teammates of Lance Armstrong, who has been accused of doping.

Runner to carry u.s. flag: Bryshon Nellum was selected to carry the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony Sunday in a vote of U.S. team members. Nellum, who was part of the silver medal-winning 1,600-meter relay team and missed by .03 seconds a place in the 400 final, was told by doctors in 2008 he would never run again at a world-class level after being shot in the leg in a drive-by shooting. "I'm humbled by this incredible privilege," Nellum said in a statement.

ratings: The Games have passed 210 million total viewers, surpassing the 1996 Games in Atlanta (209 million) for the second-most-watched event in U.S. TV history, NBC said.

Times staff, wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Decathlon as standardized test

Legend has it that King Gustav V of Sweden told Jim Thorpe, when awarding him the decathlon gold medal 100 years ago, "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world." Ever since, the Olympic champion has earned that unofficial distinction. Yet the debate at these Games over who is the best athlete in the world, who is the greatest Olympian ever, has gone on with only rare mentions of the decathletes. American Ashton Eaton won this year's gold, but he had the misfortune Thursday of finishing the decathlon's final event, the 1,500 meters, not long after Usain Bolt upped the debate ante with his win in the 200. A day later, Eaton related what he was once told by 1976 decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner (better known to some of you as Mr. Kardashian): "Bruce said that the SAT is the standardized test for academics to go to a university, and the decathlon is really the only standardized test to determine who is the best all-around athlete. You have the running. You have the jumping. You have the throws. If you look at all the events and what they encompass, I'd say it's a pretty good standardized test."

A day in the life of Usain Bolt:

• Win 200 meters at Olympics. Include in-track celebration taking camera from trackside media photographer — Jimmy Wixtröm of Aftonbladet, Scandinavia's largest newspaper — and snap a couple pictures (see the photos at aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/os2012/article15239832.ab).

• Rip Carl Lewis, the only other two-time 100 gold medalist, at postrace news conference: "I'm going to say something controversial right now. Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him. The things he says about the track athletes is really downgrading for another athlete to say something like that. I think he's just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him." (Lewis has raised questions in recent years about Jamaican drug-testing procedures.)

• Have ESPN float the question of whether he slows at the end of races sometimes so he can spread out winning bonus money sponsors offer for breaking records. Bolt said he was going for a record in the 200 but slowed at the end when he felt back pain. Said his agent, Ricky Simms: "You can't just decide when and where you are going to break (a record)."

Readers ask us

With the recent news about tax payment for Olympic prize money, I was curious. When did the offering of prize money by the U.S. Olympic Committee for medals begin and why?

In the 1980s, the Olympic movement began changing its stance that athletes had to be amateurs to compete when it could no longer turn a blind eye to countries such as the Soviet Union and East Germany giving their athletes government and other funding to the point the athletes essentially were professionals. In 1988 the U.S. Olympic Committee began paying $2,000 to any athlete who finished in the top eight at an Olympics, world championships or other major event as a performance incentive and to help defray the athletes' expenses. At the 1994 Winter Olympics, it began giving bonus money to medal winners.

You said it

Last Sunday, NBC decided that we Americans would rather enjoy watching the equestrian event in London while the rest of the world watched the live broadcast of the men's 100-meter final. They thought we would prefer a repackaged version of the Olympics during prime time later that evening over the experience of live coverage. I'm sure their ratings are way up! Unfortunately, I fear they will pay a dear price for their arrogance and predict their ratings will drop to an all-time low as soon as the Games are over. For those who dislike big government telling you what to do, how do you like a big corporation telling you what to enjoy and when to enjoy it? I will no longer watch NBC and invite you to do the same.

Julian Atchia, Tarpon Springs

Compiled by Times staff writer Sharon Fink, from the Associated Press, NBC, USA Today

Drink it in

Some nightspots in London that hoped to do big business during the Olympics haven't, but the Chinawhite nightclub, long a favorite of partying British royalty, has drawn athletes in droves by offering gold medalists a free Golden Cocktail: a concoction of champagne, cognac and real gold flakes that would cost the rest of us $3,150.

Get the lightning to sign hope solo

Great news for national unity and women's soccer, not so much for the NHL and its rocky relationship with TV deals: The gold-medal game between the United States and Japan on Thursday afternoon was seen by 4.35 million people on the NBC Sports Network, making the game the most-watched event in the history of the network formerly known as Versus. That history includes a few years of NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup finals, including this year's.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Even a wardrobe malfunction couldn't hold back Chella Choi.

The soon-to-be 22-year-old South Korean split a side seam on her shorts but shot 4-under 67 Friday to take the second-round lead in the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic.

Choi shrugged off two bogeys to start the back nine, birdieing three holes down the stretch for a one-shot lead over Inbee Park, Mika Miyazato and Hee Kyung Seo.

About the only thing that didn't go Choi's way was when she jammed her divot-repair tool into her right front pocket at the ninth green, tearing a hole in the fabric.

"I played really well, same as yesterday," said Choi, who was at 9-under 133.

Tampa resident Kristy McPherson and Cindy LaCrosse of Tampa were at 1-under 141. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was at 142.

U.S. Women's Amateur: Thailand's Lydia Ko, 16, and Ariya Jutanugarn, 15, the South Korean-born New Zealander who tops the world amateur rankings, set up a semifinal matchup today in Cleveland, each winning their quarterfinal matches. Canada's Nicole Zhang, 20, faces Jaye Marie Green, 18, of Boca Raton in the other semifinal.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

LONDON — Eyeing the trackside clock as she approached the finish line, Carmelita Jeter pointed the baton in her left hand at the bright orange numbers.

She wanted to make sure everyone saw what she saw: The United States was breaking the world record in the women's 400-meter relay, and it wasn't even close.

Allyson Felix, Tianna Madison and Bianca Knight built a big lead Friday, and Jeter anchored the United States to its first gold medal in the relay since 1996 with a time of 40.82 seconds, more than a half-second better than a record that had stood since 1985.

"As I'm running, I'm looking at the clock and seeing this time that's like 37, 38, 39. In my heart, I said, 'We just did it!' " Jeter said. "When I crossed the finish line, I had so many emotions because we haven't been able to get the gold medal back to the U.S."

Felix collected her second gold of the Games, to go with the one she won in the 200 meters. Jeter completed a set, adding to her silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200.

The Americans erased the mark of 41.37 set by East Germany in October 1985. Jamaica got the silver in a national-record 41.41 with a team that included 100 champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and 100 bronze medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown. Ukraine got bronze in 42.04.

In the men's 1,600 relay, Ramon Miller of the Bahamas overtook Angelo Taylor of the United States to win the gold. The United States had won that event at every Olympics since 1984. It was missing three injured runners, including Manteo Mitchell, who finished his heat lap Thursday on a broken leg and watched Friday leaning on crutches.

"Without him, this wouldn't be possible," said Gators runner Tony McQuay, who ran the third leg. "He held it down for the USA. Sorry we couldn't give him the gold."

South Africa was last, falling way behind before double-amputee Oscar Pistorius got his hands on the baton for the anchor leg.

In the men's 400 relay semifinals, former Gator Jeff Demps ran the lead leg and 100 bronze medalist Justin Gatlin the anchor as the Americans broke a 20-year-old U.S. record with 37.38 seconds. The old mark was 37.40.

Jamaica ran 37.39 in the other semi, and that was without Usain Bolt, who rested a day after adding 200 gold to his 100 gold. He is expected to run the anchor in today's final.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La. — Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was kicked off LSU's football team Friday for breaking an athletic department rule, a blow to the Tigers' national championship hopes three weeks before their season opener.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune and ESPN.com reported that Mathieu failed a drug test. Several high-ranking LSU administrators said they either did not know which rule Mathieu had violated or refused to discuss it.

The junior defensive back and electric returner — nicknamed Honey Badger for his tenacity, small stature (5 feet 9, 175 pounds) and blonde streak of hair — rose from obscurity to become one of college football's biggest stars in 2011.

He was a sleeper Heisman candidate as the Tigers won the SEC and reached the BCS title game. But almost as quickly as Mathieu rose to fame and became the face of LSU football, the Honey Badger phenomenon ended in Death Valley.

"We'll miss the guy," coach Les Miles said at a news conference. "The football team's got to go on. We'll have to fill the void."

Mathieu was suspended for a game in 2011, reportedly after failing a drug test.

Miles declined to specify which rule Mathieu broke. At one point, he exhaled, then said: "We extended ourselves to the full length of the policy."

Athletic Director Joe Alleva said the violation did not involve law enforcement and that the school had tried to help Mathieu work through some unspecified issues.

There were multiple reports that Mathieu will transfer to Division I-AA McNeese State in Louisiana. McNeese did not confirm the reports.

The Tigers are No. 1 in the coaches' preseason poll. The Associated Press poll will be released Aug. 18.

Mathieu, 20, won the Bednarik Award as national defensive player of the year after scoring four touchdowns — two on punt returns and two on fumble returns — intercepting two passes and causing six fumbles.

ALABAMA: Coach Nick Saban said cornerback Travell Dixon is leaving the team for personal reasons.

AUBURN: Freshman running back Jovon Robinson is being held out of practice as the NCAA investigates allegations that his high school transcript was falsified. Memphis City Schools said in a statement that NCAA officials contacted the school district regarding allegations involving a former Wooddale High athlete. The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the allegations Friday.

LOUISVILLE: Wide receiver Michaelee Harris will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Defensive tackle Christian Littlehead has a warrant out for his arrest on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and battery, the Tulsa World reported.

UCLA: Coach Jim Mora named redshirt freshman Brett Hundley the starting quarterback. He was competing with incumbent Kevin Prince, Richard Brehaut and Jerry Neuheisel.

Times staff


Friday, August 10, 2012

Country G S B T

United States41262794

China37251981

Russia 15 21 27 63

Britain25151757

Germany10181442

Japan5141635

Australia7141031

France991230

South Korea 13 7 7 27

Italy76821

4 a.m. – 6 p.m. NBCSN

• Soccer (M) – Final, Brazil-Mexico (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Track and field – Men's 50K walk (LIVE, 4 a.m.); women's 20K walk (LIVE, noon)

• Handball (W) – Final, Norway-Montenegro (LIVE, 3:30 p.m.); bronze, South Korea-Spain

• Taekwondo – Finals

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Soccer (M) – Final, Brazil-Mexico (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic final

• Track and field – Finals

• Volleyball (W) – Bronze, Japan-South Korea

• Boxing – Final

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. MSNBC

• Basketball (W) – Bronze, Australia-Russia (LIVE, noon)

• Field hockey (M) – Final, Germany-Netherlands (LIVE, 3 p.m.); bronze, Australia-Great Britain (LIVE, 10:30 a.m.)

• Modern pentathlon – Men

•Taekwondo – Qualifying

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ch. 8

• Basketball (W) – Final, United States-France (LIVE, 4 p.m.)

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic final

• Cycling (W) – Mountain bike final

• Volleyball (W) – Bronze, Japan-South Korea

• Wrestling – Freestyle semifinals

• Canoeing – Sprint final

3:30 – 6 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Finals (LIVE)

8 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Track and field – Finals: Men, 400M relay, 5,000M, javelin; women's 1,600M relay, 800M, high jump

• Diving (M) – Platform final

• Volleyball (W) – Final, United States-Brazil

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Track and field – Finals

• Diving (M) – Platform final

• Volleyball (W) – Final, United States-Brazil

12:30 – 1:30 a.m. Ch. 8

• Wrestling – Freestyle finals

(M) – men's event; (W) – women's

All events streamed live at NBCOlympics.com.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — The major known as "Glory's Last Shot" turned into one last chance for Tiger Woods.

On the toughest scoring day in PGA Championship history, Woods made putts from one end of Kiawah Island to the other Friday for 1-under 71 that gave him a share of the lead with Vijay Singh and Carl Pettersson going into the weekend.

"It was tough out there — wow," Woods said.

Wow, indeed.

In relentless wind that began at sunrise and whipped up the Atlantic waters with 30 mph gusts, par never looked better in this championship. There were more rounds in the 90s — two of them by club pros — than in the 60s. There were 41 players who failed to break 80, a list that included Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan.

Singh, a three-time major champion who hasn't won in nearly four years, scratched out five birdies in a remarkable round of 3-under 69. Only three other players managed to break par in the second round — Michael Hoey at 70, and Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter at 71.

It's the second time this year Woods has had a share of the lead in a major going into the weekend. He missed one chance at Olympic Club in the U.S. Open, when he stumbled to 75-73 to tie for 21st. He was in the penultimate group at the British Open until triple bogey on the sixth hole of the final round took him out of the mix.

One last major, one last shot.

"I've been in this position many times over my career," he said. "Again, we're just at the halfway point. We have a long way to go."

Six players were atop the leader­board on this day of survival. Singh was the first to post at 4-under 140, and it didn't look as though anyone would be able to even match that as the wind never let up on the Ocean Course.

Pettersson stayed in the lead until a few errant tee shots at the end of his round and settled for 74. Woods, playing on the opposite side of the course, showed early on that he figured out something with his putter.

Along with birdie putts of 15 feet and 40 feet on the opening two holes, there was a collection of big par saves — from 20 feet on the third hole, a pair of 8-foot par putts a few holes later. There were even two short par putts that swirled 360 degrees around the cup and dropped.

The only disappointment was the way it ended. After hooking a tee shot that rattled around the corporate tents and allowed him a shot into the 18th, he ran his birdie putt about 6 feet by the hole and three-putted for bogey.

It cost him his first outright lead in a major in three years, but this was not a day to complain.

"It was fun, but it also was tough," Woods said. "You were getting blown all over the place. It was just a very difficult day."

The course played so difficult that the afternoon groups were delayed 20 minutes, and one player failed to finish — Joost Luiten, who was 1 over for the tournament and will return this morning to complete his round.

There were 44 players under par after the opening day. Going into the weekend, there were 10.

"I thought 2 over (Friday) was like shooting 2 under yesterday," Pettersson said. "I hit some squirrelly shots, which is typical when it's blowing 30 mph. But I hit some really good ones, too."

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 10, 2012

With a little less than two months to go in the regular season and eight games remaining, the Rowdies have all but secured a place among the top six in the NASL standings to qualify for the postseason.

Should Tampa Bay win its next two matches, starting tonight against the Atlanta Silverbacks at Al Lang Field, and both Edmonton and Atlanta lose or tie their next two matches, the Rowdies could clinch a playoff berth Aug. 19 after their game at league-leading San Antonio.

Wins shouldn't be hard to come by. The Rowdies have collected seven in their past nine games. So with a playoff spot virtually a foregone conclusion, the Rowdies' focus has shifted toward loftier goals.

One is finishing in the top two in the regular season, thus earning a bye into the semifinal round of the playoffs and skipping the single-game quarterfinal round.

Last year Tampa Bay entered the playoffs as the third seed, but its playoff run lasted one game, a 1-0 loss to eventual champion Minnesota.

A bye would guarantee at least two playoff games for the Rowdies. The semifinals and final are two-game, home-and-away series.

"Last year I was in the playoffs with Minnesota, and we only just snuck into the playoffs," said Rowdies forward Luke Mulholland, who scored the goal for Minnesota that knocked Tampa Bay out of the postseason.

"We snuck in (as) a No. 6 seed by one point in front of Montreal, and we took that momentum and won five games in a row and automatically were then playoff champions."

Since the re-emergence of Tampa Bay's franchise in 2010, the final team to qualify for the playoffs in the Rowdies' league has won the championship each season.

Before Minnesota did it in the NASL a year ago, Puerto Rico entered the 2010 USSF Division 2 playoffs as the eighth seed, 17 points behind league leader Rochester, but knocked off the Rhinos in the opening round en route to the title.

Mulholland said he would have rather played for Carolina's regular-season championship squad last season than his Minnesota team, citing superiority over a 28-game stretch as a bigger achievement than superiority over a five-game playoff run.

"It's bittersweet, though, when you win the regular season and then lose in the playoffs," Mulholland said. "But I'll say this, if (the Rowdies) do win the regular season, I'm going to celebrate it like we won the World Cup. That's my mentality."

And that's the Rowdies' ultimate goal. With eight games to go and only two points separating them from league-leading San Antonio, the Rowdies believe the regular-season championship is well within its reach.

"That's the way I've been brought up: It's about the course of the season," said Rowdies coach Ricky Hill, who will serve a one-game suspension tonight following his second-half ejection Aug. 4 at Carolina. He stepped onto the field to argue the location of a Carolina throw-in that resulted in the RailHawks' third goal in 3-3 draw.

"I want us to be the best team in the league over the course of the season through our efforts and through our work and through our victories. That's what we aim for every week."

. Tonight

Rowdies vs. Atlanta

When/where: 7:30; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg

Records: Rowdies 10-6-4 (34 points); Atlanta 4-11-5 (17)

Standings: The Rowdies are tied for second with Puerto Rico. If the playoffs began today, the Islanders would be the No. 2 seed on the first tiebreaker, goal differential. The Rowdies are plus-5; Puerto Rico is plus-7. …Atlanta is in last (eighth) place.

Notable: The Rowdies signed forward Carl Cort on Friday to try to offset the loss of Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, who was transferred to Yokohama FC Hong Kong last week. Cort, from London, played five seasons (2000-04) for Newcastle of the English Premier League and most recently for League One side Brentford (2009-11). The 6-foot-4, 172 pound Cort is on the Guyanese national team with Rowdies defender J.P. Rodrigues.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MIAMI — The Bucs' most intriguing position battle of the preseason got off to a scintillating start.

Running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin put on a show early in Tampa Bay's preseason opener Friday against the Dolphins, with Blount chewing up yardage and defenders after getting the start. Meanwhile, Martin displayed his own dazzling style.

Blount, No. 1 on the depth chart this week, showed more burst than last season, darting up the middle on his second carry for 7 yards. After a 14-yard completion to TE Luke Stocker, Blount put the defense on its heels again, rumbling 16 yards on a sweep. He looked lively on the play, showing speed and decisiveness.

Blount reached the end zone when the Bucs converted a fourth and goal from the 1.

He finished with 30 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Not to be outdone, Martin was inserted as the primary running back on the next possession and — after a couple of meager gains — ripped off a 10-yard, highlight-worthy run. The rookie showed great leverage, keeping his balance despite being nearly perpendicular to the ground by using his free hand to hold himself up. It was a vintage Martin play, an athletic but tough run.

Martin later scored from the 2, finishing with 21 yards rushing on seven carries.

After one game, the running back battle is far from settled. After Martin's performances in training camp it seemed he had taken the lead. But Blount more than evened the score Friday.

HURRY-UP D: Not many teams utilize the no-huddle offensive approach as much as the Dolphins did, but when the Bucs defense sees it again, it will be better equipped to deal with it.

The Dolphins have made the no-huddle a major part of their scheme this season. Though it resulted in some winded linemen, the Bucs didn't appear rattled, at least when the first-team defense was on the field. LB Mason Foster coolly communicated the defensive calls to teammates.

In the first quarter, when the Dolphins deployed their starting offense, the Bucs defense allowed 7 total yards on the six no-huddle plays. Three of those snaps resulted in negative runs.

LOOSE BALL: Undrafted WR Preston Parker has carved out a niche for himself as a slot receiver, but he is endangering his spot on special teams with his predisposition for fumbling on punts and kick returns.

Parker fumbled a punt in the second quarter, something that wouldn't have been so detrimental in and of itself. But consider the context: Parker fumbled eight times in 2011, losing three. Most of those came in the return game. Another factor is coach Greg Schiano's stance that fumbles will not be tolerated. Tampa Bay tied the Broncos in 2011 for the most fumbles in the league with 30.

Parker's fumble, with 2:08 remaining in the first half, was recovered by the Dolphins at the Bucs 48.

Among those competing with Parker is rookie RB Michael Smith. He ripped off a 74-yard punt return in the third quarter.

LINEUP SHUFFLED: The Bucs were without three starters. On offense, TE Dallas Clark never entered the game. No reason was given.

On defense, CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and SS Mark Barron (toe) did not play. Talib has not practiced since straining his hamstring a week ago. Barron, however, was making progress and returned to practice late in the week.

Talib was replaced by Myron Lewis, opposite Eric Wright. Barron was replaced by Cody Grimm, who has been relegated to the third team during camp. Ahmad Black and Larry Asante had been running with the second team, but neither was called upon to fill in for Barron, the first of the team's two 2012 first-round picks.

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Cycling

Judge delays armstrong ruling

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge had tough questions for U.S. antidoping officials about the fairness of their effort to prove seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong cheated, grilling them at length in a hearing Friday.

But U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks also asked attorneys for the cyclist why the federal court should step into an arbitration process set up to handle doping cases in sports.

In a 2½-hour session, Sparks criticized the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency about the vagueness of its charges. He also questioned USADA officials about why they don't turn over their evidence to the International Cycling Union.

Sparks did not consider the evidence against Armstrong, 40, and made no ruling. The judge gave the lawyers another week to file more legal briefs and suggested he will rule before the Aug. 23 deadline USADA imposed on Armstrong to take the case to arbitration or accept sanctions.

Autos

Hamlin crashes, then struggles in backup

Denny Hamlin crashed in Sprint Cup practice at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. His No. 11 Toyota slammed into a guard rail seconds after Patrick Long's Toyota blew an engine. Jeff Burton then hit the back of Hamlin. Hamlin had to go to a backup car but had to go back to the garage when that car began leaking oil. Burton also had to go to a backup and was 29th fastest. Hamlin, eighth in the points standings, was 23rd.

Et cetera

NHL: One day after commissioner Gary Bettman promised the league would lock out its players if a new collective bargaining agreement was not in place by Sept. 15, representatives from both the NHL and the Players Association exuded an air of optimism that the season could start on time. The league and the NHLPA met for nearly three hours. "We thought it was a good session," said Winnipeg defenseman Ron Hainsey, speaking for the NHLPA. "Constructive. We reflected on the whole process."

Tennis: Top seed Novak Djokovic advanced to the Rogers Cup quarterfinals in Toronto, beating Sam Querrey. Tampa resident John Isner also advanced. On the women's side, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka withdrew because of a knee injury. Lucie Safarova upset Tampa resident Sam Stosur 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-5) to reach the quarters. … Maria Sharapova dropped out of next week's Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati because of a stomach virus.

Figure skating: Olympic champion Evan Lysacek is returning to competitive skating. Lysacek announced he is entered at Skate America, his first competition since winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Boxing: The International Boxing Federation will allow Lamont Peterson to keep his junior welterweight title despite a failed drug test and has ordered him to fight Zab Judah in a mandatory title defense.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Red Sox 3, Indians 2

CLEVELAND — Clay Buchholz pitched a two-hitter, Cody Ross hit a two-run homer, and the Red Sox ended a three-game losing streak. Buchholz gave up one earned run in his second complete game of the season and fifth of his career. He is 8-2 in 17 starts following a loss the past two years. Ross broke a 1-1 tie with a 420-foot shot to center off Chris Seddon in the sixth. Asdrubal Cabrera had both Indians hits.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MIAMI — It's only the first step in a marathon, and he is running behind more established teams in the NFC South.

But it's hard to imagine Greg Schiano getting off to a faster start as the Bucs coach after Friday night's 20-7 preseason victory over the Dolphins.

Schiano, the former Rutgers coach making his NFL debut, has preached effort and execution since being hired in February.

He got plenty of both from the Bucs, who dominated.

More important, they did it in the bare knuckles, physical style Schiano wants the team to be known for — running the ball behind a mammoth offensive line seven times inside the 10-yard line and coming away with touchdown leaps by running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin to cap their first two drives of the new era.

"It was good that on fourth down, LeGarrette found a way to get it in there," Schiano said. "That was important. Then I think the second drive was really good. You're backed up … and then you go down the field, a good solid drive, and then Doug Martin found a way to get it in. … That's good stuff."

Quarterback Josh Freeman, who was 4-of-5 for 41 yards, made good decisions and was accurate in the opening series. The defensive line got pressure on the passer and trampled the run. And rookies shined under the lights at Sun Life Stadium, perhaps none brighter than linebacker Lavonte David, who had two tackles and an interception.

Blount, who entered as the No. 1 running back on the depth chart, did nothing to hurt that status. He rushed seven times for 30 yards, including a 16-yard burst off left tackle, and caught a pass for 3 yards. On first and goal from the Miami 6, the Bucs ran Blount four straight times as he hurdled across the goal line on fourth down for a 1-yard touchdown.

Martin, a first-round pick from Boise State, was both slippery and strong. He flipped out of a tackle for a 10-yard run and finally scored on his third try inside the Dolphins 3.

Schiano admitted he could've ordered a play-action pass in the red zone, but he wanted to set the tone by running the ball.

"Both Doug and LeGarrette had a good nose for the end zone," said backup quarterback Dan Orlov­sky, who was 8-for-8 for 91 yards.

Orlovsky drove 92 yards in nine plays, thanks to big completions to receiver Tiquan Underwood, who finished with three catches for 76 yards. His 44-yard reception between two defenders set up Martin's touchdown run.

"He had a productive night," Schiano said of Underwood, who played for him at Rutgers. "I thought that one was intercepted and it looked like he just took it away from (the defender)."

Rookie running back Michael Smith answered a Dolphins touchdown by returning a kickoff 74 yards. That set up the first of Kai Forbath's two field goals.

Of course, there was plenty of teaching moments for Schiano, who came unglued when receiver Preston Parker fumbled away a punt in the rain in the second quarter. Parker also committed a dead ball personal foul penalty on the Bucs' first touchdown drive.

"We don't do that," Schiano said. "That's not Buccaneers football. We had a quick talk, Preston and I, and he understands, you've got to put your own personal preferences behind for the good of the team. Did a guy shove his hand up into his face? Sure he did. But that's part of the game, you've got to walk away, and Preston knows that."

There was no celebrating in the locker room. Like Schiano, players were all business. Adhering to the new dress code, they wore jackets and dress pants, no jeans or tennis shoes.

As for Schiano, well, he wasn't slapping himself on the back.

"It was fun," he said of his NFL debut. "It's a new step, a new start in your career in doing something different. But I was impressed with some of our veteran guys. Ronde Barber in the fourth quarter was helping with some of the substitutions and yelling things out. That, to me, is what it's about. Unselfish play and helping each other, and that's what we need to build on. When you suffer together in camp and you help each other, that's how you grow as a team."

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Dodgers 5, Marlins 2

MIAMI — New Dodger Hanley Ramirez drove in two runs playing for the first time against the team that traded him last month. He broke a tie in the sixth with an RBI single and added a 40-foot single with the bases loaded in the seventh. Mark Buehrle failed for the fifth time in a row to reach the 10-win milestone.