Associated Press
IRVING, Texas ó Jesper Parnevik has been so inconsistent that heís willing to take advice from a golfing buddy he refers to as a icomplete hack monster.î
Something worked Thursday, with Parnevik overcoming gusty wind and a redesigned course to shoot a 2-under 68 in the first round of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
That left him only one shot behind Ryan Moore, Mathew Goggin and Eric Axley, whose 67s made them the highest-scoring first-round leaders at the Nelson since 1984.
So what was that tip Parnevik received during a phone call Wednesday night from his friend in Colorado?
iIt was really a stupid thing,î Parnevik said. iIt was the way he had his left big toe at impact. … It should be kind of pointed a little bit upwards.î
Only 24 of the 156 players in the field broke par. Masters champion Trevor Immelman, playing for the first time since winning the green jacket, finished with a 78, better than only three other players.
LPGA
AVENTURA, Fla. ó Paula Creamer shot a 3-under 68 for a share of the first-round lead in the inaugural Stanford International Pro-Am on a day that turned into a test of endurance more than anything else at windy Turnberry Isle.
Momeko Ueda and Young Kim also shot 68s. Only 21 of 111 pros broke par, on a course that was far from easy for the tour players ó and downright diabolical for amateurs.
TENNIS
MONTE CARLO, Monaco ó Roger Federer beat Gael Monfils of France 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
The top-ranked Federer will play sixth-seeded David Nalbandian, who routed No. 12 Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-0.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
CORAOPOLIS, Pa. ó Dan Radakovich, the assistant head coach at Robert Morris and an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelersí first two Super Bowl-winning teams, is retiring after 48 years as an NFL or college coach.
n BOSTON ó Boston College defensive end Brady Smith has been kicked off the team after he was charged in an on-campus rape.
NBA
PHILADELPHIA ó Larry Brown wants one more stop on his nomadic coaching career.
Brown resigned as Philadelphiaís executive vice president Thursday with the intent to pursue a coaching job at the NBA or college level.
Brown has been a winner at almost every team from the ABA to the NBA to the college ranks, yet hasnít coached since a bitter split with the Knicks after one dismal season in 2005-06.