GOLF
Kirk leads by 1
Chris Kirk holed an 18-foot putt for eagle on his final hole for a 9-under 63 and a one-shot lead Thursday in the RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, Ga. Kirk played the par 5s on the Plantation Course at Sea Island Golf Club in 5 under. Joel Dahmen had a 64. Sea Island resident Hudson Swafford was at 65 with Jason Kokrak and Brian Gay. Swafford played alongside fellow former Georgia players Bubba Watson (71) and Brian Harman (69). Nick Watney and Brice Garnett each had a 5-under 65 on the Seaside Course, which will be used for the final two rounds. Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Arkansas Razorbacks) was tied for sixth at 6 under. Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) was 4 under. Andrew Landry (Razorbacks) and David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) were each 2 under. Matt Atkins (Razorbacks) and Ethan Tracy (Razorbacks) were both 1 under.
Pair out front
LPGA rookie Sung Hyun Park took a big first step toward sweeping all the season awards with a 5-under 67 to finish one shot behind after the opening round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Fla. Peiyun Chien of Taiwan and Sarah Jane Smith both shot 66 on a breezy day at Tiburon Golf Club. Neither has a chance at the $1 million bonus this week. Of the leading five players for the CME Race to the Globe, Park got off to the best start. She saved par after two poor shots on the par-5 14th with a short iron, and then added a pair of birdies late in her round. Shanshan Feng, in her debut at No. 1 in the world, had a 70. Lexi Thompson, who leads the CME Race to the Globe, hit her opening tee shot into a hazard and her day never got much better. She opened with a 71. Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) was even after a 72. Gaby Lopez (Razorbacks) was 7 over after a 79.
Rose shoots 66
Justin Rose made the best start of the three players looking to become Europe's top player for 2017 at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai with a 6-under 66 Thursday. An eagle from the greenside bunker on the 14th hole and a stunning approach shot to two feet for birdie on the 18th handed the Englishman the early initiative in his attempt to win the European Tour's Race to Dubai crown. The other two players in contention for the crown -- Tommy Fleetwood and reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia -- opened with rounds of 73 and 70, respectively. Patrick Reed of the United States was the first-round leader after shooting 7-under 65. Australia's Scott Hend (66) shares second place with Rose, while defending champion Matthew Fitzpatrick of England started with a 5-under 67. Sweden's Henrik Stenson -- the reigning Race to Dubai champion -- is out with a rib injury.
TENNIS
Sock, Federer advance
In his ATP Finals debut, Jack Sock joined Roger Federer in the semifinals. Sock, the first American to reach the final weekend at the season-ending tournament since Andy Roddick in 2007, beat Alexander Zverev 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to advance from his round-robin group on Thursday. It was a pair of errors from Zverev in the final game that gave Sock the match. Trailing 5-4 and at 30-all, Zverev double-faulted for the eighth time to hand Sock a match point. The 20-year-old German then put a forehand wide to end it. Sock finished the group stage with a 2-1 record and will next face Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals on Saturday. His only loss came against Federer in his opening match. Federer ended up 3-0 and won the group. He will face Dominic Thiem or David Goffin on Saturday. In a rematch of the Wimbledon final against Marin Cilic earlier, Federer came out on top again. The second-ranked Swiss lost the first set but still won 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1.
Venus' home burglarized
Burglars hit tennis star Venus Williams' Florida home, stealing $400,000 worth of goods while she was at the U.S. Open, police said Thursday. The burglary occurred between Sept. 1 and 5 at Williams' 10,000-square-foot home, which is in a well-to-do gated community, Palm Beach Gardens police said in a statement. Police blacked out from their report what was stolen. No arrests have been made. Palm Beach County property records show Williams and her sister Serena bought the home new in 2000. It is now valued at $2.3 million. Venus Williams' agent, Carlos Fleming, did not respond to an email seeking comment. The burglary was first reported by WPEC-TV.
BASEBALL
9 turn down offers
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Lorenzo Cain were among nine free agents who turned down $17.4 million qualifying offers from their teams Thursday. Chicago Cubs pitchers Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis also said no to the offers, as did Tampa Bay pitcher Alex Cobb, Colorado closer Greg Holland, St. Louis pitcher Lance Lynn and Cleveland first baseman Carlos Santana. If they sign with new teams, their old clubs would get an extra draft pick as compensation -- possibly a much lower selection than in the past under the rules in baseball's new labor contract. A club signing one of the players who didn't accept would lose a draft selection -- no longer a first-round pick -- and possibly part of its international bonus pool allocation for 2018-19.
BOXING
Ferdie Pacheco dies
Ferdie Pacheco, famously known as "The Fight Doctor" for his role in guiding Muhammad Ali as his ringside physician, died in his sleep Thursday morning at his Baypoint, Miami, home, his daughter Tina Louise Pacheco said. The Ybor City native started a medical practice in Little Havana after earning his medical degree from the University of Miami. Later, he joined boxing trainer Angelo Dundee's corner at the famous 5th Street Gym. There, he became intrinsically linked with Ali. In his later years, Pacheco traded the world of boxing gloves, sweat and gyms for literary adventures. He became a noted painter and the author of numerous books, including his memoirs, Ybor City Chronicles. On canvas, he immortalized everyone from Ali to President Barack Obama.
HOCKEY
NHL in Houston?
The owner of the NBA's Rockets has expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise to Houston. Tilman Fertitta, who bought the Rockets in September, posted on his verified Twitter account Thursday that he would be open to the possibility of acquiring an NHL team. He stressed it must be a deal that works for all parties concerned. Fertitta's post came a day after reports said Fertitta and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman have met to discuss the viability of Houston as an NHL city. Houston has never had an NHL team, but it does have a hockey legacy. The World Hockey Association's Aeros called Houston home from 1972-1978. Gordie Howe played four seasons for the Aeros alongside sons Mark and Marty. Quebec City and Seattle also have expressed interest in acquiring an NHL team through expansion or relocation.
Sports on 11/17/2017