Back problems to keep Sorenstam out a month

Annika Sorenstam will be out at least a month because of a ruptured disk in her back, leaving the LPGA Tour without its top player.

Sorenstam withdrew Thursday from the Ginn Open in Reunion, Fla., putting her reign atop the world rankings in jeopardy.

“I’ve been playing with quite a bit of pain for the past several weeks,” Sorenstam said in a statement. “I couldn’t take it much more and decided it was time to see someone.”

Lorena Ochoa shot a six-under par 66 in the opening round and tying Laura Davies for the lead.

Jerry Kelly shot an eight-under 63 and Ernie Els was two shots behind with a 65 after the first round of the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Masters champion Zach Johnson shot a 70.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

New clock rules

are approved

The rules oversight panel of the NCAA approved two major timing changes that would revert the rules to what they were in 2005 -- stopping the clock on possession changes and not starting it on kickoffs until the receiving team touches the ball.

Some coaches complained the 2006 changes, which resulted in about 14 fewer plays a game in Division I-A, had altered the game too much. In February, the football rules committee recommended going back to the old system.

TENNIS

Williams easily advances

at Family Circle Cup

Venus Williams cruised into the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup at Charleston, S.C., with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Chan Yung-Jan.

Williams, unseeded and in her fourth tournament since recovering from a wrist injury earlier in the year, reached 125 mph with her serve and needed just over an hour to win.

James Blake advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Clay Court Championships by defeating Alex Kuznetsov, 7-6, 6-1, at Houston.

Alberto Martin upset second-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-4, 6-2, in the second round of the Valencia Open in Spain.

The United States and Sweden will play their Davis Cup semifinal match at Scandinavium Arena in Goteborg. The surface has not been selected for the Sept. 21-23 matches.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Oregon State’s Jones

declares for NBA draft

Oregon State forward Marcel Jones plans to make himself available for the NBA draft but will not hire an agent. The 6-foot-8 junior will probably return for his senior season. Jones led the Beavers in scoring last season by averaging 15.3 points.

Sophomore forward Wilson Chandler, who led DePaul in scoring and rebounding last season, made himself available for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 Chandler averaged 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds and had 47 blocks last season.

JURISPRUDENCE

Two Louisiana State

players are suspended

Two Louisiana State football players are accused of breaking into a campus apartment, stealing a backpack that held money and credit cards, and using a stolen credit card to buy more than $200 worth of items online.

Offensive lineman Zhamal Thomas and defensive back Troy Giddens were suspended from the team after their arrests.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson appeared in court in Mesa, Ariz., and learned he will go on trial Aug. 20 on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.

MISCELLANY

Wooden spends another night in the hospital

Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden will remain hospitalized at least until today, according to his daughter Nan Muehlhausen.

Wooden, 96, has been in the hospital since Sunday when he suffered from internal bleeding possibly due to a reaction to arthritis medication. Muehlhausen said Wooden ate solid food and felt fine.

“However, the doctors wanted to keep him another day while they determine why his heart rate was slightly elevated,” Muehlhausen said. “They adjusted his medication and he’s been normal all afternoon.”

-- Diane Pucin

+

Sri Lanka took over as the leading contender for cricket’s World Cup title by beating New Zealand by six wickets.

Despite a century by Scott Styris, New Zealand lumbered to only 219 for seven at Grenada and the Sri Lankans ambled to the target with almost five overs to spare.

Ana Guevara, the 2003 world champion in the 400 meters, is scheduled to run May 20 in the Adidas Track Classic at Carson.

French forward Laurent Merlin, who tried out for the Galaxy, has instead been signed by Chivas USA under a developmental contract. Merlin, 22, a native of Marseille, France, and former member of French Under-19 International, will join the team pending finalization of his work visa.

He could be eligible to play as early as Saturday against MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo.

Michigan edged Ohio State, 215.35-215.25, and joined Stanford and Illinois in the NCAA men’s gymnastics team championship finals at State College, Pa.

One Hot Wish broke the world record for 4 1/2 furlongs, winning a $50,000 race for 2-year-olds in 48.87 seconds at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

The Denver Broncos signed receiver David Terrell to a one-year contract.

The New Orleans Saints signed receiver David Patten to a one-year contract.