Geoff Ogilvy opened the PGA Tour season Thursday without making bogey on his way to a six-under-par 67 and a one-shot lead in the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua, Hawaii. In his eight previous rounds on the Plantation course at Kapalua, Ogilvy had never shot better than 72.
However, the former U.S. Open champion is coming off a victory in the Australian PGA Championship and a tie for sixth in the Australian Open last month, and he was just as sharp in taking the first-round lead over Ernie Els, Kenny Perry and Johnson Wagner.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Wells to leave for NFL
Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is giving up his final year of eligibility to make himself available for the NFL draft.
Wells fought nagging injuries much of his career at Ohio State. He was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate before sitting out three full games this season because of a right foot injury; he still managed to run for 1,197 yards.
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Matt Capurro has been hired as USC's director of football operations. Capurro, 27, worked the last six years as the assistant to the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
-- Gary Klein
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Wisconsin junior running back P.J. Hill will make himself available for the NFL draft.
BASEBALL
Smoltz headed to Red Sox
Pitcher John Smoltz reached preliminary agreement on a $5.5-million, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox after failing to work out a deal to return for his 22nd season with the Atlanta Braves. The Red Sox also agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who played with Tampa Bay last season.
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Closer Brian Fuentes, who last week signed a two-year, $17.5-million deal with the Angels, has accepted an invitation to pitch for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic, joining Angels ace John Lackey, who committed to play in the WBC in December.
-- Mike DiGiovanna
ETC.
'Rampage' avoids jail time
Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts contender Quinton "Rampage" Jackson avoided jail time by striking a plea bargain that will allow a felony charge against him to be dropped next year if he complies with stipulations including routine visits to mental health physicians.
