Fast Break

GOLF

Woods catches Palmer at No. 4

If this really was a preview of the U.S. Open, then Tiger Woods posted an important bulletin at Torrey Pines, one that contained a simple but emphatic message: Watch Out.

After winning the Buick Invitational for the sixth time on Sunday at the site of this year’s U.S. Open, Woods said he’s playing better than ever, and not only that, he’s still improving.

“I’m hitting shots that I never hit before, even in 2000,” Woods said. “I’m actually hitting the ball better now than I did during that stretch.”

Of course, Tiger’s 2000 was one of the greatest years in golf. He won nine times, including the U.S. Open by 15 shots, the British Open by eight and the PGA Championship in a playoff.

Woods didn’t need to do much Sunday except just close it out, which he did with a 1-under-par 71 and 19-under total of 269 (See story, C2).

BASKETBALL

Low, Weaver deserve a watch

Washington State men’s basketball players Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver remain listed as players to watch for prestigious national player of the year honors.

Low, the Cougars’ leading scorer at 14.1 ppg (15.7 ppg in Pac-10 play), is one of the 30 midseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award.

Weaver, who is third on the team with 11.1 ppg, second in assists at 4.4 and second in steals at 4.7, is one of the 30 remaining candidates for the Naismith Award.

Football

Is it Belichick, Brady or both?

“Without (quarterback Tom) Brady, Bill Belichick … isn’t the Hall of Fame coach he’s expected to become,” wrote Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s just another valued coordinator who keeps floating from team to team.

“If you include his stint as head coach in Cleveland, his record without Brady is 42-58, and 5-13 with the Patriots.

“That’s opposed to the 99-26 record, the three Super Bowl trophies Belichick has enjoyed with Brady.”