Tiger leads for only the 2nd time this year
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Tiger Woods has opened with a 7-under 65 to take the lead in the Chevron World Challenge, only the second time all year his name has been atop the leader board.
Woods nearly made it through an entire round without a mistake. But he popped up his tee shot on the 18th hole, had to pitch out from the trees and two-putt from 50 feet for a bogey.
He was one shot clear of U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. Thursday's 65 matched the best score Woods has shot all year, including at The Barclays, where he was tied for the first-round lead.
'Blind Side' coach nabs Arkansas St. job
JONESBORO, Ark. — Hugh Freeze, the high school coach portrayed in the blockbuster movie "The Blind Side," has been elevated to top job at Arkansas State.
Freeze replaces Steve Roberts, who announced his resignation on Monday. Freeze served as Arkansas State's offensive coordinator for one season before becoming the head coach.
A longtime preps coach in Memphis, Tenn., Freeze gained notoriety when the book and movie "The Blind Side" came out, chronicling Michael Oher's rise from poverty to first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens. Freeze coached the offensive tackle in high school.
Former Ute Long signs with Utah Blaze
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Blaze have signed UFL — and former Utah — defensive lineman Gabe Long (6-foot-3, 290 pounds) and WR Ernie Pierce (6-4, 209, Kansas State) to the 2011 roster.
"We are extremely pleased to have Gabe Long in a Blaze uniform for 2011," said Head Coach Ron James. "He is a proven professional and brings a wealth of experience to this league and the Blaze."
Long spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL, earning two championship rings in their victories over the Florida Tuskers in 2009 and 2010. Long is the fifth former Ute to be added to the Blaze roster for the 2011 season.
Utah Flash help with Project Teddy Bear
AMERICAN FORK — The Utah Flash will provide free admission to Tuesday's game at the UVU Events Center in Orem against the Erie BayHawks when a new teddy bear is presented at the door.
The stuffed animals are being collected as part of Bank of American Fork's 11th annual Project Teddy Bear, which provides stuffed animals to thousands of at-risk children.
Sundance will open ahead of schedule
SUNDANCE — Sundance Resort is set to open for ski and snowboard season Saturday. Formerly, the resort was set to open on Dec. 10, but recent snowfall and cold temperatures have prompted resort officials to move up the targeted date.
—Deseret news staff and wire reports