Briefs | Fred Couples, Greg Norman are Presidents Cup captains

Golf

Both captains have played in event: Fred Couples of Seattle was named captain of the U.S. team for the 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco, and Greg Norman put aside differences with the PGA Tour and agreed to be captain of the International team.

They are the first captains who have previously played in the event, which started in 1994.

Couples clinched victory for the Americans in the inaugural year with a spectacular 9-iron from the bunker to 2 feet, and two years later, his 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole in the last match secured another win for the United States.

The surprise was Norman, who has been battling with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem for more than a decade over the World Golf Championships and, more recently, the Tour's finances.

"I think what's happened in the past is in the past," Norman said.

Jack Nicklaus (U.S. team) and Gary Player (International) were captains at the last three competitions. The U.S. team leads the series 5-1-1.

PGA Tour amends cut policy: The PGA Tour amended its cut policy, giving players on the cut line one more day of competition to separate themselves from the bottom of the pack.

Starting this week at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the Tour will return to a traditional 36-hole cut for the top 70 players and ties. If more than 78 players make the cut, there will be another cut to the top 70 and ties after the third round.

Earlier this year, when the cut was more than 78 players, the nearest number to 70 advanced to the weekend and the others received last-place money.

Boxing

De La Hoya reveals plans: Oscar De La Hoya, 35, plans to fight three times this year and retire.

He will fight against Steve Forbes on May 3 in Carson, Calif., and wants to meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a September rematch of their May 2007 bout that Mayweather won by split decision. A third fight for De La Hoya (38-5) would be determined afterward.

College football

LSU's Perrilloux isn't expected for start of spring practice: Louisiana State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who was suspended indefinitely last week by coach Les Miles for allegedly violating team rules, is not expected to be on the field when the Tigers open spring practice Friday.

This is at least the third time Perrilloux, 21, has been suspended by Miles.

Kentucky suspends cornerback: Kentucky cornerback Paul Warford was suspended indefinitely by coach Rich Brooks for an alleged violation of team rules.

Tennis

Venus Williams is ousted: Top-seeded Venus Williams, the defending champion, lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to qualifier Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the opening round of the Cellular South Cup in Memphis, Tenn.

Sharapova withdraws: Fifth-ranked Maria Sharapova of Russia pulled out of this week's Dubai Championships because of a viral infection.

Auto racing

Fisher to own IRL team: Sarah Fisher, 27, the first woman to finish as high as second in an IndyCar Series event, will announce today that she will field a one-car, part-time team this season — becoming the first woman to own an IRL team since the series launched in 1996.

Soccer

Gig Harbor's Hall is invited: Goalkeeper Tally Hall of Gig Harbor, who plays for Esbjerg in Denmark, was among 24 players selected for the U.S. under-23 team's last training camp before Olympic qualifying next month.

Beckham needs to be fitter: Icon David Beckham admitted he isn't in good-enough shape to make his 100th international appearance for England.

"I would love to reach the hundred caps, but I have to be physically ready to be part of the team," he said.

College baseball

Investigation at Arizona State: Arizona State has started an internal investigation into allegations of academic fraud and recruiting violations in its top-ranked program.

Mikel Moreno, a former Sun Devils standout and last season's graduate manager, made the allegations to university officials, who started the investigation.

Coach Pat Murphy said he told Moreno in December that he could no longer be part of the program.

Seattle Times news services