Bolt blazes to a world record in the 100

Usain Bolt is now the world’s fastest man.

The Jamaican sprinter, who doesn’t even consider the 100 meters his best race, set the world record Saturday night with a time of 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, .02 seconds faster than the old record held by his countryman, Asafa Powell.

Bolt was using the 100 for “speed work” and to avoid having to run the more grueling 400, when, suddenly, he ran the world’s second-fastest time a few weeks ago at 9.76.

Springing from the starting block and unfurling his lanky frame -- listed at 6-foot-4, but probably more like 6-5 and, either way, considered too tall for this kind of speed work -- he created a big-time gap between himself and Tyson Gay at about the halfway point, then routed him to the finish line.

Gay, the best sprinter in America, finished in 9.85.

“I wasn’t really looking for a world record, but it was there for the taking,” Bolt said.

GOLF

Goggin has three-shot lead at the Memorial

Mathew Goggin shot a one-under par 71 that was good enough to build a three-shot lead at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio.

Goggin was at eight-under 208. Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, Jerry Kelly, Mike Weir and Kenny Perry were second at 211.

Sophie Gustafson shot a 67 to push past a faltering Karrie Webb and take a six-stroke lead into the final round of the Ginn Tribute at Mount Pleasant, S.C. Annika Sorenstam continued to struggle with a 75.

Nick Price shot a five-under 66 and took a one-shot lead after the second round of the Principal Charity Classic at West Des Moines, Iowa.

Michelle Wie shot a two-under 70 in the third round of the Ladies German Open at Munich and fell seven strokes behind leader Amy Wang.

MOTOR SPORTS

Hamlin cruises to win in Nationwide event

Denny Hamlin made it nine victories for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series this season, leading all but 69 laps to win at Dover International Speedway in Delaware.

Carl Edwards, who started on the pole, was second. David Stremme was third and David Reutimann fourth.

Larry Dixon, Tony Bartone, and Dave Connolly had their first-day times stand up at the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, Kan., and will head into the elimination rounds as the top qualifiers in their categories.

Travis Thirkettle of Newhall held off the challenge of Nick Joanides during the final 17 laps to win the NASCAR ACDelco Super Late Model division 50-lap feature race at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale.

SOFTBALL

UCLA is eliminated by Florida, 2-0

Christina Enea had a run-scoring single, Kim Waleszonia scored on a first-inning error by pitcher Anjelica Selden and Florida eliminated second-seeded UCLA with a 2-0 victory in the women’s College World Series at Oklahoma City.

Two-time defending champion Arizona, Louisiana Lafayette and World Series newcomer Virginia Tech were also eliminated.

The Bruins finished 51-9.

MISCELLANY

Trainer says Big Brown should be ready to go

Big Brown has new sutures in his hoof, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. says his unbeaten colt “knows it’s time to get ready” for a shot at the Triple Crown.

There was concern when Big Brown missed three days of training this week with a slight crack on the inside of the left front hoof. Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay inserted steel sutures Monday to pull the crack together and changed them Saturday .

“The little crack looks like it’s in pretty good shape,” Dutrow said.

Jill Kintner finished sixth at the BMX world championships in Taiyuan, China, earning the 26 year old from Seattle enough points to edge Arielle Martin in USA Cycling’s yearlong battle for the lone automatic women’s BMX berth into this summer’s Beijing Olympics.

In the men’s race, Steven Cisar of Altadena came through with a silver medal -- the lone podium finish for the Americans at the world championships. Cisar will compete in the BMX trials in Chula Vista on June 14, knowing a victory is the only surefire way he’ll make the three-man American team for Beijing.

Kevin White was hired as Duke’s athletic director, leaving Notre Dame for a school with an elite basketball team and a football team that has had 13 consecutive losing seasons and has not been to a bowl since 1994.

David Beckham will captain England for the first time since the 2006 World Cup, in today’s friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Detroit Pistons assistant Terry Porter is expected to be interviewed for a second time by the Phoenix Suns later this week.

Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs of the U.S. won the Barcelona Open beach volleyball tournament, beating Brazilian pair Talita Antunes and Renata Ribeiro, 21-18, 21-14.

The Los Angeles Riptide defeated the San Francisco Dragons, 17-13, in a Major League Lacrosse match at Spartan Stadium in San Jose.