Woods second
SAN DIEGO, California - Brandt Snedeker and K.J. Choi forged their way to a one-shot lead but six-time event champion Tiger Woods lurks after the first round of the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines. Defending champion Snedeker fired a seven-under-par 65 on the North course while Choi managed the same feat on the more difficult South course. The pair lead by one shot over North course players Adam Hadwin, Luke List, Ross Fisher, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III, Scott Stallings and Mike Weir plus Josh Teater, who scored his 66 on the South. The 14-strong Australian tilt failed to really fire with John Senden (69 on South) and Stuart Appleby (69 on North) the pick of the bunch in a tie for 36th.
Discharged
LONDON - West Ham defender Daniel Potts was discharged from hospital on Thursday after being knocked unconscious during his side's 5-1 defeat at Arsenal. Potts, who went on as a second half substitute, suffered the concussion in a heavy fall after an accidental clash of heads with Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. The 18-year-old was stretchered off with his neck in a brace and spent Wednesday night in hospital after failing to correctly answer questions from West Ham's doctor immediately after the injury. Potts underwent further scans and tests on Thursday
Fraser joins lead
DOHA - Australian golfer Marcus Fraser had a second round of 67 to join a four-way tie for the lead at the halfway mark of the European Tour's Qatar Masters on Thursday. Also at nine-under par 135 were Spaniard Sergio Garcia (67), German Martin Kaymer (67) and Portugal's overnight leader Ricardo Santos (70). A bunch of six, including New Zealand's former US Open champion Michael Campbell, were in joint second spot on 136. Fraser, a two-time winner on the European Tour, had a brilliant if unusual round.
Name change
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - The NBA's New Orleans Hornets will become the Pelicans beginning in the 2013-14 season, team owner Tom Benson announced on Thursday. Benson said the new name - unveiled complete with a logo of a stylised bird with a fierce glare - is a nod to the pelican's long association with the state of Louisiana, nicknamed "The Pelican State". The pelican has been the state bird of Louisiana for more than a century and can be found on the state flag and seal. Benson also noted that the species was nearly wiped out in Louisiana, but has come back and was removed from the endangered species list in 2009.
Kubica back
STUTTGART, Germany - Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica got back on a racing circuit for the first time since an accident put his career on hold nearly two years ago, completing 114 test laps in a German Touring Car series Mercedes on Thursday at the Ricardo Tormo track in Valencia. Kubica says he had a "lot of fun" and a "good feeling" for the car but had to get used to its high downforce. The Polish driver says he had no health problems. The test was interrupted by rain. Kubica had his right hand partially severed and fractured his elbow, shoulder and leg in the accident on the Ronde di Andora rally in February, 2011.