GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Ted Ligety produced a clean second run under declining conditions and gave the United States its first gold medal of the world championships Friday when he won the giant slalom title.
Ligety jumped from fourth to first, making virtually no mistakes on a course softened by mild weather.
“It was nerve-wracking for sure,” Ligety said. “This slope is difficult, especially in these conditions. I thought I’d lost it. I feel so lucky to come back and win it.”
Ligety (2:10.56) moved up from seventh after the first run. France’s Cyprien Richard (2:10.64) was second and Austria’s Philipp Schoerghofer (2:10.99) was third. American Bode Miller finished 12th.
Couples leads Northern Trust
LOS ANGELES — Despite a bad back that hurts to stoop, Fred Couples navigated around his favorite tour course (Riviera) without a bogey for a 5-under-par 66 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Northern Trust Open.
“I feel like I can play this course blindfolded,” Couples said.
J.B. Holmes was tied for the lead until a double bogey on the last hole gave him a 69. He was at 6-under 136, along with John Senden (69).
• South Korea’s In-kyung Kim shot a 1-over 73 and held on to the lead by a stroke over Michelle Wie and Yani Tseng at the LPGA Thailand in Pattaya.
• Russ Cochran and Bernhard Langer shot 8-under 64s to share the lead after the first round of the Champions Tour ACE Group Classic in Naples, Fla.
• Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello held a one-stroke lead at the Avantha Masters after shooting a 3-under 69 in New Delhi.
Former Bear Duerson found dead
CHICAGO — Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who played on Super Bowl winners with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, has died. He was 50.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Robert Williams says the body of Duerson was found late Thursday in his Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., home.
• The contentious NFL labor negotiations went in front of a federal mediator in Washington, two weeks before owners could impose a lockout on players and threaten the 2011 season.
• The Houston Texans waived safety Eugene Wilson, receiver Andre Davis, linebackers Darnell Bing and Isaiah Greenhouse and lineman DeMario Pressley.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers placed the franchise tag on linebacker LaMarr Woodley.
• The Indianapolis Colts released safety Bob Sanders.
Footnotes.
Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins had 33 points, Washington’s John Wall racked up 22 assists, and the rookies rallied to beat the sophomores 148-140 in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rookie Challenge in Los Angeles.
• Teenage singer Justin Bieber was named the NBA all-star celebrity game MVP after scoring eight points for the West team that lost 54-49 to the East.
• Karen Cunagin Sypher who was convicted of extortion of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino was sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
