Clements’ 65 Brings Record, Two-Shot Lead

Lennie Clements, who has not won in more than 15 seasons on the PGA Tour, shot a seven-under-par 65 on Torrey Pines’ North Course on Friday at La Jolla and took the lead of the Buick Invitational with a tournament-record two-round total of 129, 15 under par.

“You just feel very fortunate to have hung around this long and not won and basically be playing the best golf of my life,” said Clements, 39. His best finish on the PGA Tour was a tie for second in the 1994 Bob Hope tournament.

Clements had a two-stroke lead over John Wilson, who shot a 66 for a two-day total of 131. Tied at 133 were Fred Couples, Duffy Waldorf, Kirk Triplett and Tom Lehman. Couples matched Clements for the best round by shooting a 65 on the longer South Course.

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Australian Bruce Crampton shot a six-under-par 66 to tie Jim Dent for the lead after one round of the Greater Naples IntelliNet Challenge senior tournament in Florida.

Olympics

A top Olympic official ruled out the possibility of Taiwanese government leaders attending this summer’s Atlanta Games, an issue linked to a Chinese boycott threat.

China’s top sports official, Wu Shaozu, had hinted that his country might stay away from Atlanta if high-ranking government officials from Taiwan were invited to the Games. But Dick Pound, an influential executive board member of the International Olympic Committee, said there was no chance of that happening.

Pro Football

Three trucks loaded with Seattle Seahawk equipment arrived at Rams Park in Anaheim, but problems in closing out the Rams’ old lease could prevent the team from moving in.

The Magnolia Elementary School District contends that the Rams are obligated to pay more than $1 million in renovation costs to transform the facility back into an elementary school. District Supt. Paul Mercier said district officials thought they had reached an agreement, but the Rams “have changed their position over the last two days and the issue is now back up in the air.”

Ram officials could not be reached for comment.

The Dallas Cowboys released cornerback Clayton Holmes and overweight center Derek Kennard. Holmes started six games last fall after Kevin Smith was injured and before Deion Sanders arrived. Holmes later was suspended for a year by the NFL for repeated abuse of its drug policy. Kennard reported late to training camp, then retired after one workout. He was talked into returning a few weeks later.

Buffalo Bill defensive end Bruce Smith underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee but is expected to recover before the team opens training camp.

Baseball

The Dodgers signed left-handed reliever John Cummings to a one-year contract worth $170,000 if he makes the major league team and signed reliever Antonio Osuna to a one-year deal. Osuna is expected to be Todd Worrell’s set-up man. Cummings, a left-hander who was 3-1 with a 3.00 earned-run average in 35 games last season, will compete for a relief job.

Pitcher Mark Holzemer has agreed to contract terms with the Angels. Holzemer, 26, was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 12 relief appearances last season.

Reliever Mark Wohlers avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves that is believed to be worth $1.4 million. The Braves also announced a one-year agreement with Jason Schmidt, who is expected to replace Kent Mercker as the fifth starter.

The Chicago Cubs signed former Toronto Blue Jay closer Duane Ward to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Ward, 31, missed most of the last two seasons because of an injured right shoulder.

Miscellany

Jeremy McGrath of Murietta will seek his fifth victory of the AMA Pro Racing Supercross motocross series tonight at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium. He is also seeking his fourth consecutive series championship. His victory last Saturday at Seattle was the 33rd of his career. . . . Russian Vladimir Drachev overcame a shooting mistake and won the gold medal in the men’s 10-kilometer sprint event in the biathlon World Championships at Ruhpolding, Germany. . . . Jockey Club steward Clinton Pitts resigned his job at the New York Racing Assn.’s tracks after having been accused of using an ethnic slur. The allegation was made by jockey agent Tony Stabile. Pitts has denied the charge. . . . Jon Drummond, the top-ranked 100-meter runner in the United States last year, according to Track & Field News, has agreed to run the 50-meter dash at the Los Angeles Invitational indoor meet Feb. 24 at the Sports Arena. . . . Maryann Baribault of La Canada was the leader after the first run at the world junior luge championships at Calgary, Canada.