Verizon tourney seems Taylor-made
With a nerve-racking and disappointing Masters debut behind him, Vaughn Taylor relaxed and played his best round of the year.
Taylor, who grew up in Augusta, Ga., shot an 8-under-par 63 Thursday to take the lead after the first round of the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
A week ago, Taylor couldn’t make a move around his hometown without someone he knew ready with a comment, question or request.
The attention proved too much for Taylor to handle. He shot a 75-74 at Augusta National and missed the cut.
Taylor stands a stroke ahead of Jim Furyk and two in front of Tom Pernice Jr., Billy Mayfair and Duffy Waldorf.
“At Las Vegas, Lorena Ochoa started the Takefuji Classic much the same way she ended it last year, shooting an opening 9-under 63 to take a two-shot lead over Shi Hyun Ahn.
Defending champion Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., was in a group tied for third at 67.
Football
Seahawks sign free agent Rasmussen
The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent defensive end Kemp Rasmussen, a four-year veteran of the Carolina Panthers.
Rasmussen will compete for a backup role to starters Bryce Fisher and Grant Wistrom. He will also likely play on Seattle’s special teams, which was one of the weaker areas for the 2005 NFC champions.
“Connecticut basketball player Ed Nelson has decided to pursue a career in the NFL, playing a sport he hasn’t competed in since freshman year of high school. The 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior power forward plans to work out for NFL teams April 21.
Lacrosse
Police described woman as drunk
A woman who claims she was raped by members of Duke University’s team was described as “just passed-out drunk” by one of the first police officers to see her, according to a recording of radio traffic obtained by The Associated Press.
The conversation between the officer and a police dispatcher took place about 1:30 a.m. March 14, about five minutes after a grocery store security guard called 911 to report a woman in the parking lot who would not get out of someone else’s car.
The officer gave the dispatcher the police code for an intoxicated person and said the woman was unconscious. When asked whether she needed medical help, the officer said: “She’s breathing and appears to be fine. She’s not in distress. She’s just passed-out drunk.”
Miscellany
Alden apologizes for treatment
Missouri athletic director Mike Alden said he’s sorry for the way he handled Quin Snyder’s resignation as men’s basketball coach in February.
Alden and the university came under criticism over his decision to send Tigers broadcaster Gary Link, who also is Alden’s assistant, to deliver what essentially was a midseason ultimatum to Snyder: Quit now or be fired later.
“Lance Armstrong’s defamation trial in Latina, Italy, ended after charges were withdrawn by Italian cyclist Filippo Simeoni.
“Trainer Roger Mayweather had his license revoked and was fined $200,000 for stepping into the ring and triggering a brawl during last weekend’s IBF welterweight title fight at Las Vegas between his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Zab Judah.
“NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was ticketed for reckless driving in a Richmond, Va., suburb.
“Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray got new crew chiefs in a Roush Racing shakeup designed to jump-start their struggling NASCAR teams.
“Men’s basketball teams at Arizona State and Texas A&M, and football teams at Arizona, San Jose State, San Diego State and Northern Arizona could face the loss of scholarships next fall because of poor academic results, the NCAA announced.