Byrum, Hoch get reprieve for tour

Tom Byrum is among 20 players who have been granted various levels of medical extensions for the PGA Tour in 2007. He had knee surgery last summer, causing him to sit out the final four months of the season. Byrum will get 17 starts to make $559,804, which would give him the equivalent of No. 125 on the money list and allow him to finish out the year.

Byrum and Scott Hoch were among a dozen players who sought and were granted extensions through the major medical category. Others on that list and the number of starts they get include Chris Perry (18), Scott McCarron (13), J.L. Lewis (14), Kevin Na (21), Hank Kuehne (21) and Carl Paulson (15).

David Duval and Bob Tway are the only players using a one-time exemption from career earnings to keep their PGA Tour cards for next year.

Duval’s five-year exemption from winning the British Open ran out this year. His exemption is from the top 25 on the career money list (Duval is No. 24), and because he is more than $4 million clear of 50th place, he should be able to use a top-50 exemption next year if he needs one.

Tway is 29th in career earnings, and will use his one-time exemption from the top 50.

SOCCER

Khosroshahin hired to coach USC women

Ali Khosroshahin, who led Cal State Fullerton to three NCAA tournament appearances, has been selected as head coach of the USC women’s team.

Khosroshahin, 36, had winning seasons in each of his six years with Fullerton after taking over its fledgling program. Khosroshahin replaces Jim Millinder, whose contract was not renewed last month after 11 years as the women’s head coach.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals Tuesday to help Manchester United beat Wigan, 3-1, and extend its Premier League lead to four points ahead of Chelsea, which tied Reading, 2-2.

MISCELLANY

Ochoa named female athlete of the year

Golfer Lorena Ochoa, who ended Annika Sorenstam’s five-year reign as the best player on the LPGA Tour, was the landslide winner for the Associated Press’ female athlete of the year.

She received 220 points in voting from sports editors around the country, double the point total of French tennis player Amelie Mauresmo.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Greg Page was released from a rehabilitation center at Louisville, Ky., a month after he was hospitalized because of pneumonia and other health problems.

A federal judge in Baltimore ordered Canadian Olympic gold medalist Myriam Bedard to temporarily remain in the custody of U.S. marshals on a charge that she violated a child custody order by bringing her 12-year-old daughter to the United States.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James K. Bredar scheduled a hearing for Friday to address whether the U.S. government has the authority to detain the former biathlon champion pending extradition to Canada.

The United States lost to Germany, 2-1, at the World Junior Hockey Championship at Leksand, Sweden. Marcel Muller’s goal 1:51 into overtime was the difference.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has agreed to be the main speaker at the fourth annual Professional Scouts Foundation dinner and memorabilia auction Jan. 6 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The event has raised nearly $1 million on behalf of scouts in need.

Among those also featured on the program are Cal Ripken Jr., Tom Lasorda, Willie Mays presenting an award to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro leagues, and Bob Boone, who will present an award to baseball’s Brett family.

Larry King is master of ceremonies, and Tom Arnold and Macy Gray are among the entertainers. Ticket information is available at (310) 858-1935.

-- Ross Newhan