McIlroy maintains 2-shot lead at Honda
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Rory McIlroy did just enough to stay ahead Saturday in the Honda Classic with a 1-under 69, giving him a two-shot lead and a chance to win on the PGA Tour for the first time in 18 months.
McIlroy was at 12-under 198, two shots ahead of Russell Henley, who shot a 68. Russell Knox of Scotland had a 68 and was another shot behind.
Tiger Woods moved up 49 spots on the leader board after a 65. Woods wound up in a tie for 17th, though he was still seven shots behind.
A victory Sunday would be a remarkable turnaround for McIlroy, who has committed to play in next month’s Shell Houston Open. In other golf news: 1Australian Karrie Webb broke out of a slump with three key birdies on the back nine to hold on to a one-stroke lead after the third round of the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.
The 2011 champion will play against another former champion in the lead group Sunday — 2012 winner Angela Stanford, who shot a 69 to grab second place.
TENNIS Federer claims 6th Dubai title
Roger Federer won a record sixth Dubai Championships — and 78th career title — by beating Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Federer’s win extends his record of winning at least one title a year to 14 consecutive years. In other news: 1Top- seeded Tommy Haas retired with a shoulder injury while losing 6-3, 3-2 to Paolo Lorenzi of Italy in the Brazil Open semifinals in Sao Paulo. Lorenzi will play in his first ATP final against Federico Delbonis of Argentina, who beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.
PRO FOOTBALL Incognito getting professional help
Embattled former Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito is receiving treatment in the wake of the team’s bullying scandal, a person familiar with the situation said.
On Thursday, police in Scottsdale, Ariz., said Incognito told an officer he put several dents in the hood of his Ferrari in an apparent tantrum. In other news: 1John Benton has been promoted to offensive line coach by the Dolphins, replacing Jim Turner, who was fired in the aftermath of the team’s bullying scandal.
Jack Bicknell Jr. was hired as assistant offensive line coach.
HOCKEY Jagr latest to join 700-goal club
Jaromir Jagr became the seventh player to score 700 NHL goals as the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Islanders 6-1 in Uniondale, N.Y. In other news: 1The Buffalo Sabres announced Pat LaFontaine has resigned as the team’s president of hockey operations. The team said LaFontaine is returning to his previous role working with the NHL.
MOTOR SPORTS Busch wins race at Phoenix track
Kyle Busch became the first driver to win three straight Nationwide races at Phoenix International Raceway, dominating a rain-shortened race that was called with 32 laps left in Avondale, Ariz. Kevin Harvick finished second, and pole sitter Brad Keselowski was third.
COLLEGES UT women win indoor track title
Powered by six individual victories, including wins by senior Marielle Hall in the mile and 3,000 meters, the University of Texas women cruised to the 2014 Big 12 indoor track and field title in Ames, Iowa. The Texas men finished second be- hind Oklahoma State.
Shanay Briscoe, a Cypress Christian product, won the women’s high jump title. In other news: 1Rice’s Scott Filip won the men’s heptathlon title at the Conference USA indoor track and field meet in Birmingham, Ala. Rice’s Belle MacFarlane won the women’s high jump, and Claire Uke claimed the women’s shot put crown.
GYMNASTICS Americans tops at American Cup
American gymnasts Elizabeth Price and Sam Mikulak won the all-around titles at the American Cup in Greensboro, N.C.
Price, who has struggled with injuries the past 18 months, dominated at the only World Cup international gymnastics event held in the U.S
Price earned her fourth career World Cup title, and Mikulak, the defending national and NCAA men’s champion, had scores of 15 points or better in three of six events.
From Web and wire reports