Associated Press
GREENSBORO ó Three players share the lead during a delayed first round at the Wyndham Championship.
Chez Reavie, Ryan Moore and former winner Brandt Snedeker each shot a 64 Thursday at the PGA Tour’s final event before the playoffs.
But the big story at Sedgefield Country Club was the weather. Heavy rains and lightning forced a mid-afternoon delay of about four hours, and play was suspended shortly before 8 p.m. because of darkness.
PGA official Mark Russell says play will resume at 7:45 a.m. Friday with the second round to follow.
Justin Rose, Kevin Streelman and Colt Knost were one stroke back at 65, with Chris Riley also at 5 under through 14 holes. Fred Couples and John Daly were among those two strokes back.
– SUNRIVER, Ore. ó Brad Bryant matched a tournament record with a 10-under 62 in the first round of the Jeld-Wen Tradition at Crosswater Golf Club in central Oregon.
Bryant had 11 birdies and one bogey for a three-shot lead Thursday in the fourth of five majors this year on the Champions Tour.
NFL
NEW YORK ó Facing the prospect of spending at least 31/2 years behind bars, one-time Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress on Thursday accepted a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.
The former New York Giants wide receiver pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a lesser charge than he had faced. He will be sentenced Sept. 22, and lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he expects Burress to begin serving his sentence immediately after.
Burress got into a black SUV without speaking to reporters outside Manhattan state Supreme Court, but Brafman said, “After an agonizing period of discussion, Plaxico decided that he wanted to do this, to put this behind him as quickly as possible.”
Hours after his court appearance, the NFL announced commissioner Roger Goodell had suspended Burress and said he is ineligible to sign with any team until he completes his jail term. Goodell, who met with Burress and his representatives last week, said Burress will be reinstated upon completion of his sentence.
– LATROBE, Pa. ó Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has injured his right ankle.
Roethlisberger had an ice pack on the back of the ankle when he was carted off at the end of Thursday’s practice on Pittsburgh’s final day of training camp.
– FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ó Chad Ochocinco added another wrinkle to his colorful career by kicking an extra point Thursday night.
Cincinnati’s all-time leader in catches and yards receiving connected after the Bengals first-half touchdown as coach Marvin Lewis held out Shayne Graham as a precaution because of a groin injury. Ochocinco also kicked off to start the second half.
” ‘Esteban’ Ochocinco is back, the most interesting footballer in the world,” Ochocinco said. “Everyone has to remember, I’ve always said that soccer is my No. 1 sport. I think Ronaldinho would be proud of me right now.”
COLLEGE HOOPS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. ó Memphis will be forced to vacate the record 38 victories from its Final Four season of 2007-08, according to a report by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
The newspaper, citing a source close to the situation, said on its Web site that the NCAA will release findings of its investigation into violations committed by the program Thursday.
The NCAA investigated whether someone took the SAT exam for a player on that team. Memphis was notified of potential violations in January and met with the NCAA in June.
Memphis finished 38-2 in 2007-08, setting the NCAA record for wins in a season. The Tigers lost 75-68 to Kansas in overtime in the national championship game.
NHL
BUFFALO, N.Y. ó Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was indicted on misdemeanor assault and theft charges after he was accused of beating up a cab driver over a fare dispute.
GENDER ISSUES
BERLIN ó Facing questions about her gender, South African teenager Caster Semenya easily won the 800-meter gold medal at the world championships.
Her win came on the same day track and field’s ruling body said she was undergoing a gender test because of concerns she does not meet requirements to compete as a woman.
About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test. Semenya’s dramatic improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice sparked speculation about her gender. Her stunning rise from unknown teenage runner to the favorite in the 800 happened almost overnight. That meant the gender test ó which takes several weeks ó could not be completed in time.