HONOLULU — Ryan Palmer closed with two birdies for a 4-under-par 66 that gave him a one-shot lead Friday at the Sony Open.
Palmer was at 9-under 131, and among a group one shot behind was Chad Campbell, his neighbor from the Dallas suburbs who had a 64.
Also at 8-under 132 were defending champion Zach Johnson and Robert Allenby.
Steve Stricker, who has gone 24 holes without a bogey, had a 67 and was joined in a group at 7-under 133 by John Merrick (68) and Jeff Quinney (67). Another shot back was Davis Love III, who birdied his last hole for a 69, Masters champion Angel Cabera (68), Troy Matteson (67) and Denver native Shane Bertsch (68).
Bernotas ends U.S. drought
ST. MORTIZ, Switzerland — Eric Bernotas became the first American in nearly two years to win a World Cup skeleton race.
Bernotas, of Avondale, Pa., won in 1 minute, 9.15 seconds in an event that was shortened to one run because of conditions at the start of the track. Kristan Bromley of Britain was 0.07 seconds back and World Cup leader Martins Dukurs of Latvia was third.
In the women’s event, Shelley Rudman of Britain finished two runs in 2:20.42. Mellisa Hollingsworth of Canada was second in 2:20.46 and Kerstin Szymkowiak of Germany was third.
Katie Uhlaender of Breckenridge was the top U.S. woman, finishing sixth, two spots ahead of Noelle Pikus-Pace of Utah.
Padres to trade Kouzmanoff
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres agreed to trade third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, a former star at Evergreen High School, and a minor-leaguer to the Oakland Athletics for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. The trade was pending physicals.
Also, Padres closer Heath Bell agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.
• Outfielder Matt Kemp and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $10.95 million, two-year contract.
The Dodgers also avoided arbitration with right-hander Chad Billingsley, who agreed to a $3.85 million, one-year deal.
• Reliever Brandon Medders and the San Francisco Giants avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $820,000.
• New York Mets pitcher John Maine agreed to a $3.3 million, one-year contract that includes the chance to make $225,000 in performance bonuses based on starts.
NASCAR to change spoiler
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR informed teams it has scheduled an open test at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway as part of an upcoming transition from a wing to a rear spoiler. The change had been discussed individually with teams, but nothing had been formally announced before the memo to crew chiefs from Sprint Cup Series director John Darby.
No race has been selected for the debut of the aluminum spoiler.
• Hospital officials in Chile say Italian motorcyclist Luca Manca is breathing on his own and speaking with family members. Manca is recovering from life-threatening head injuries suffered last week in the Dakar Rally.
