By wire sources
LPGA returns to Hawaii with new event
HONOLULU — The LPGA is returning to Hawaii.
The tour announced Thursday that the Lotte Championship Presented by J Golf will be played on Oahu starting in mid-April, ending a two-year absence for the LPGA in Michelle Wie’s home state.
The LPGA and Asia-based Lotte announced a three-year agreement to hold the $1.7 million, full-field event. LPGA says the host course will be announced in the coming weeks.
Hawaii, which hosts two PGA Tour events, hosted as many as three LPGA events in 2008 but that fell to none by 2010 because of the loss of corporate sponsorships amid the recession.
The Lotte Championship is one of three new tournaments on the schedule this year. It joins the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic and the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic.
Report: Pats OC O’Brien to coach Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has agreed to replace Joe Paterno as Penn State’s head coach, according to multiple reports.
ESPN, citing unnammed sources, first reported Thursday night that an official announcement would be made Saturday, and that O’Brien would continue on as an assistant with the Patriots the rest of the postseason.
Penn State coaches contacted by The Associated Press said they had not received any word late Thursday night about O’Brien or anything else related to the two-month long search to replace Paterno. He was fired Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Fisher interviewing for Rams opening
ST. LOUIS — Jeff Fisher is interviewing for the St. Louis Rams coaching job after previously meeting with the Dolphins.
The team said Thursday that initial interviews are taking place in Denver, with owner Stan Kroenke an active participant. Kroenke’s family also owns the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
Unlike Steve Spagnuolo, who was fired Monday after going 10-38 over three seasons, Fisher offers the Rams plenty of head coaching experience. He has a career record of 142-120.
Oklahoma QB to return for his senior year
NORMAN, Okla. — Quarterback Landry Jones has decided to come back for his senior year at Oklahoma, saying “there is still a lot more to do.”
Jones said Thursday that it would be a great honor to play in the NFL, but with most of the offensive line, several receivers and defensive players returning, the team hopes to get another shot at a national championship.
Jones is the Sooners’ all-time leading passer with 12,389 yards.
Wisconsin RB Ball will stay for senior year
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is coming back for his senior season.
Ball told reporters that NFL evaluators informed him he would likely be a third-round draft pick and he thinks he can improve his stock. He acknowledged he’s taking a huge gamble that he will make it through his senior season without a serious injury or a drop-off in his statistics.
Federer, Tsonga to play in Qatar Open semifinal
DOHA, Qatar — Defending champion Roger Federer was tested for the first time Thursday at the Qatar Open before defeating Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.
The third-ranked Federer set up a rematch of last year’s semifinal against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, after the Frenchman cruised past unseeded Albert Ramos of Spain 6-2, 6-1.
Rafael Nadal also reached the semifinals, playing some of his best tennis this week in dispatching of Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-4. He will face Gael Monfils, who won the last four games in each set to beat Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-2, 6-3 and ensure that the top four seeds reached the semifinals for the second straight year.
By wire sources