WOMEN’S OPEN
Wie sets a standard in Women’s Open at Pinehurst
PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson each shot 68 and are the only players still under par going into the weekend at the U.S. Women’s Open.
For all the interest in the men and women playing Pinehurst No. 2 in consecutive weeks, this major is starting to look more like the first one on the LPGA Tour. Thompson soundly beat Wie in the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
For now, Wie has the upper hand. She made only one bogey and finished with two birdies to get to 4-under 136. That gave her a three-shot lead over Thompson, who used her strength to get out of the sandy areas and had three straight birdies late in her round.
But there’s still a long way to go. Stacy Lewis, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, had a 73 and was among those at even par.
PANTHERS-BENJAMIN
Panthers see potential star in WR Benjamin
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers selected wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the first round hoping he could developing into the team’s No. 1 receiver down the road.
So far, so good.
Benjamin’s performance at this week’s three-day minicamp did nothing to dissuade Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman from believing that’s still a very real possibility.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound receiver was the star of the camp, catching everything in sight including two amazing grabs on back-to-back days.
Gettleman says “What goes through your mind are the possibilities.”
Benjamin, who helped Florida State win a national championship earlier this year, is expected to battle with Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood for a starting job as a rookie. He’s been mostly running with the first team when the Panthers go to three receiver sets.
HURRICANES-PETERS
Peters embraces challenge of turning Canes around
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes hope they now have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around.
Bill Peters was introduced Friday as the Hurricanes coach, the first big hire made by new Carolina general manager Ron Francis. Now it’s up to Peters to prove it was a shrewd move.
Peters says the Hurricanes are “excited about the challenges” and that there are “a lot of pieces here.”
He replaces Kirk Muller, who was fired last month — a week into Francis’ tenure as GM.
Instead of an established head coach or a popular ex-player, Francis went with Peters — a 48-year-old Detroit Red Wings assistant who has never been an NHL head coach.
Francis says he interviewed 10 candidates before deciding on Peters and awarding him a three-year contract.
NORTH CAROLINA-ACADEMIC PROBE
Lawyer hired in UNC athletics probe gives briefing
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A former federal prosecutor hired to investigate academic irregularities involving athletes at North Carolina says he will follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Ken Wainstein spoke Friday to the UNC Board of Governors. He was hired in February to determine the facts around the creation of “paper classes” in the African and Afro-American Studies department and the extent of their use by student athletes.
Wainstein’s appearance comes two weeks after former Tar Heel basketball star Rashad McCants claimed he played on the school’s 2005 national championship team despite not performing any academic work or attending classes. McCants’ allegations are the latest in a scandal that began as an offshoot of a 2010 NCAA investigation into the university’s football program.
Wainstein said he hopes to complete his report by the fall.
WOODS RETURNS
Tiger Woods to return to competition next week
Tiger Woods says he is rusty but ready to return to competition.
Woods announced Friday on his Facebook page that he will play next week at Congressional in the Quicken Loans National. This is the first year for a new title sponsor at the PGA Tour event that donates the charity money to the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Woods last played on March 9 at Doral, where he played with pain in his lower back and closed with a 78 to tie for 25th. He had back surgery on March 31, causing him to miss the Masters for the first time. He also missed the U.S. Open.
He says he is just starting to hit full shots and wants to play his way into competitive shape.
