Holmes Takes Lead at FBR Open

Tour rookie J.B. Holmes shot a six-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead in the FBR Open at Scottsdale, Ariz., while a raucous record crowd of 168,337 partied around him Saturday.

The 23-year-old from Kentucky was at 16-under 197 through 54 holes. Second-round leader J.J. Henry (70) and Ryan Palmer (64) were one behind at 15 under.

“I’ve got the putter working,” Holmes said, “and if you get the putter working, you can make some birdies.”

Justin Leonard shot a 65 and David Toms had a 66 to reach 13 under, and Colombian Camilo Villegas (66), a hit with the crowd in neon green-yellow pants, was another stroke back along with Dean Wilson (66).

Holmes, who finished first in the 2005 PGA Tour qualifying tournament, had seven tee shots that traveled at least 338 yards on fairways hardened by a record 108 days without rain.

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Tiger Woods moved into position for his second straight victory, birdieing the 18th hole for a five-under 67 and a share of the third-round lead in the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates.

Anders Hansen had a 69 to match Woods at 16-under 200.

Retief Goosen shot a 70 to fall one stroke behind. Three more players were two shots back -- Miguel Angel Jimenez (66), defending champion Ernie Els (68) and Australian left-hander Richard Green (69).

SOCCER

Shearer and Henry Reach Milestone Goals

Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry scored milestone goals in the English Premier League.

Shearer became Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer with his 201st goal in a 2-0 win over Portsmouth. Henry scored his 200th goal for Arsenal, helping it win at Birmingham, 2-0.

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Brazilian forward Ronaldo, who had been out since Jan. 8 because of an injured calf, returned from injury and scored in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Espanyol in the Spanish league.

BASEBALL

Moreno Leads Group as It Buys Radio Station

Angel owner Arte Moreno added a radio station to his portfolio, leading an investment partnership that announced the purchase of KXME (830), a station with one of the strongest signals in Southern California.

The price was $42 million, two sources said. Although the Angels could have bought a top free agent at that price, spokesman Tim Mead said the team has not stayed out of the free-agent market to afford the station.

“If there had been another Paul Konerko out there, we would have pursued it,” Mead said.

Moreno will add the Angels’ Spanish broadcasts to a station that airs USC football, NASCAR and the Galaxy in Spanish. In a statement, Angel President Dennis Kuhl said the station will use a “bilingual format.”

At 50,000 watts, the station has the strongest signal of any Spanish outlet in the U.S.

-- Bill Shaikin

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The Boston Globe is reporting in today’s editions that Red Sox owner John Henry called Angel owner Arte Moreno last weekend in an effort to rekindle talks about a trade for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. Another round of negotiations failed to net a deal, with the Angels deeming Boston’s asking price too high.

There is growing speculation in Boston that Henry wants to be able to tell Ramirez, who asked to be traded after last season, and his agent, Greg Genske, that the Red Sox have exhausted all avenues for a deal.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

TENNIS

Dementieva Beats Hingis, Wins Pan Pacific

Russia’s Elena Dementieva ended Martina Hingis’ bid for a first singles title since returning to tennis with a 6-2, 6-0 victory in the Pan Pacific Open final at Tokyo.

Tommy Haas moved into his first final of the year with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Vince Spadea in the International Tennis Championships at Delray Beach, Fla.

He will play defending champion Xavier Malisse in the championship match. Malisse beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

WINTER SPORTS

Rienda and Paerson Tie in Giant Slalom

Maria Jose Rienda of Spain and Anja Paerson of Sweden finished in a tie at Ofterschwang, Germany, to edge American Julia Mancuso in the final women’s World Cup giant slalom before the Olympics.

Rienda and Paerson finished in 2 minutes 22.18 seconds; Mancuso trailed by 0.09.

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The next-to-last men’s World Cup downhill of the season was canceled because of heavy fog at Chamonix, France. The International Ski Federation said the event would not be rescheduled.

MISCELLANY

Bergqvist Breaks High Jump Record

Sweden’s Kajsa Bergqvist broke the world indoor record in the women’s high jump by clearing 6 feet, 9 3/4 inches in a meet at Arnstadt, Germany.

The previous mark of 6-9 1/2 was set by Heike Henkel of Germany on Feb. 8, 1992.

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Michael Phelps, winner of six gold medals in the 2004 Olympics, continued his domination of the FINA World Cup at East Meadow, N.Y.

Phelps, 20, lowered his American record in the 200-meter freestyle to 1 minute 42.78 seconds, then earned his fourth victory of the meet by holding off Thiego Pereira of Brazil in 1:55.28 in the 200 individual medley.

Tara Kirk dominated the women’s races. She completed a sweep of the three events in her specialty of breaststroke by taking the 50 in 30.58 and the 200 in 2:20.84. She won the 100 Friday.

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Vin Scully heads the list of nominees at the Southern California Sports Broadcasters annual awards luncheon Monday at Lakeside Golf Course in Toluca Lake. Scully is nominated as both a television and radio play-by-play announcer.