Briefs | Golf: Tiger Woods says recovery right on schedule

Golf

Woods says leg will be stronger than ever: Tiger Woods wore sneakers instead of spikes. He sat next to a bottle of Gatorade Tiger, not the silver U.S. Open trophy. One thing that didn't change at his first news conference in 184 days were questions about his left knee.

But after speaking for half an hour Wednesday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., covering everything from his rehab to his caddie to his improbable victory at Torrey Pines, the most powerful statement about his health and future required no words at all.

Does he have any doubts he will be better than before?

Woods turned up the bottom of his lip, shook his head three times and mumbled, "Uh-uh," as if that had never entered his mind.

Six months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee to repair a ruptured ligament — his third surgery in six years — Woods said he was right on schedule to return, already hitting short irons and excited about playing on a leg that has never been more stable.

"I've just been training and trying to get healthy enough to compete next year," Woods said. "Everything has been right on schedule. I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Tennis

Davenport expecting second baby: Lindsay Davenport is pulling out of the Australian Open because she is pregnant with her second child.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1 gave birth to a son, Jagger, in June 2007. Davenport, 32, then returned to the tour, though she hasn't played since the U.S. Open in August.

"Of course this unexpected but exciting surprise now means I will be putting tennis on hold for the foreseeable future," Davenport said in a statement.

USTA picks Birmingham, Ala., to host Davis Cup: Birmingham, Ala., will host the 2009 first-round Davis Cup matches between the United States and Roger Federer-led Switzerland on March 6-8.

Nadal, Jankovic honored: Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic were honored as the International Tennis Federation's world champions of 2008.

Volleyball

Penn State seeks perfection, NCAA title: Penn State hasn't lost a match this season. Not even a set.

But for all the Nittany Lions have accomplished, they know it won't mean much if they don't finish the most dominating run in women's college volleyball with an NCAA championship.

The top-seeded defending champions (36-0) need two more wins, starting with tonight's national semifinal at No. 4 Nebraska (31-2) in Omaha. The other semifinal features No. 2 Stanford (30-3), the 2007 national runner-up, against No. 3 Texas (29-3).

Soccer

U.S. women beat China: Heather O'Reilly scored off a rebound in the 34th minute, helping the Americans beat China 1-0 at Ford Field in Detroit. The victory gave the U.S. a mark of 33-1-2 for 2008, extending its record for wins in a calendar year.

Goalkeepers Hope Solo, a former Washington Husky, and Nicole Barnhart combined for the shutout.

Three more advance in UEFA Cup: Deportivo La Coruna, Lech Poznan and FC Copenhagen all won their final group matches 1-0 to clinch places in the next round of the UEFA Cup.

NHL

Canucks top Edmonton: Daniel Sedin scored a pair of goals and assisted on an empty-net goal in the final minute as host Vancouver topped Edmonton 4-2. The Oilers scored twice in the third period to cut the gap to 3-2.

Fleury to end monthlong layoff: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will start tonight in Atlanta, the first time he has played since injuring his groin Nov. 15.

Wild's Gaborik returns: Minnesota right wing Marian Gaborik (lower-body injury) will play against Calgary after coming off injured reserve.

Hurricanes activate Kaberle, send down Conboy: The Carolina Hurricanes activated Frantisek Kaberle (leg) from injured reserve and sent fellow defenseman Tim Conboy back to their AHL affiliate in Albany.

Colleges

Coastal Carolina slammed with two-year probation: The NCAA put Coastal Carolina on two years' probation for financial infractions by a former women's golf coach.

Horse racing

Breeders' Cup reverses decision: The Breeders' Cup has reversed its decision to cut financial support for certain stakes races at about 40 North American tracks after getting a barrage of complaints from the industry.

Olympics

CBS, Turner may make bid: CBS and Time Warner executives have discussed joining forces to bid on rights to televise the Olympics in 2014 and 2016, turning that competition into an even greater clash of media titans.

TV empires headed by incumbent NBC, Fox and ABC-ESPN have all said they expect to bid on the U.S. rights to the Games. Because of the economy, the International Olympic Committee has said it is prepared to postpone its bid selection until after the host city is named next October for the 2016 Summer Games.

Auto racing

Gillett Evernham scales back Nationwide program: Gillett Evernham Motorsports will lay off about 65 employees in several departments as part of scaling back its Nationwide Series program next season.

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