Sabbatini shoots 64, ties for lead FINALIZING HER SPOT

Rory Sabbatini followed an unconventional par with four consecutive birdies on the way to a season-best six-under-par 64 and a share of the second-round lead Friday with John Mallinger at the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.

Mallinger eagled both par fives at the TPC Four Seasons and made a 15-foot birdie putt on his final hole for a 65 to match Sabbatini at eight-under 132.

First-round co-leader James Nitties (68) overcame a double bogey after hitting his first tee shot of the day out of bounds. He was seven under along with Brian Davis (65), Briny Baird (64), James Driscoll and Dustin Johnson (65).

Ross Drummond shot a four-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Senior PGA Championship in Beachwood, Ohio. The 66 tied the low competitive score at Canterbury Golf Club.

Karine Icher shot a six-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead over Hee-Won Han in the final LPGA Corning Classic in Corning, N.Y.

Purdue’s Maria Hernandez shot a one-under 71 for a one-stroke victory in the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship in Owings Mills, Md., and Arizona State beat UCLA by eight shots for its seventh team title.

Arizona State won the national title for the first time since 1998, shooting a three-over 291 to finish at 30 over. UCLA was second at 38 over, followed by USC (39 over).

TENNIS

Hantuchova is upset in Warsaw semifinal

Qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru upset sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-1, to advance to the final of the Warsaw Open in Poland. Dulgheru will face eighth-seeded Alona Bondarenko in today’s final. Bondarenko defeated Anne Keothavong, 6-2, 7-5.

Germany will face Serbia in the World Team Cup final today after beating defending champion Sweden, 2-1, in Duesseldorf, Germany. Serbia advanced after defeating Italy, 2-1.

BASKETBALL

Bobcats’ owner may sell -- to Jordan?

After losing tens of millions of dollars, Bob Johnson, the first black majority owner of a major professional sports team, is exploring selling the Charlotte Bobcats. The decision could pave the way for minority investor Michael Jordan to take control of the team -- if he’s willing to meet Johnson’s price. Jordan said in February that he’d be interested in someday getting majority control of the team.

Chris Ford, a pro scout with the Philadelphia 76ers who was interim coach five years ago, has interviewed for the team’s head coaching job.

A person with knowledge of the interview said that Ford was one of two candidates team President Ed Stefanski did not announce publicly. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Ford’s interview was not disclosed. Stefanski also did not say he had talked to Villanova Coach Jay Wright, who acknowledged the interview but withdrew from consideration Friday.

JURISPRUDENCE

Tennis pro Dokic’s father faces charges

Tennis player Jelena Dokic’s father was charged with threatening the Australian ambassador in Belgrade, Serbia. Police found rifles and hand grenades during the search of his house. Damir Dokic could face up to eight years in prison for “endangering security” of the ambassador and unlawful possession of weapons, his attorney said.

Former major league pitcher Jerry Koosman pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and could face up to one year in prison. Koosman, an All-Star who helped the New York Mets win the 1969 World Series, failed to pay federal income taxes for 2002, 2003 and 2004, defrauding the government out of as much as $90,000, Assistant U.S. Atty. John Vaudreuil said. He also faces $25,000 in fines.

ETC.

Torres lowers her U.S. record

Dara Torres beat her own American record in the 50-meter butterfly at the Texas Senior Circuit No. 2 meet at Texas A&M.; The 42-year-old Torres, who won three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics last summer, touched in 25.72 seconds in the final, improving on her record time of 25.84 seconds from the morning preliminaries.

Mark Cavendish won the 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia in Florence, Italy. Denis Menchov kept the overall leader’s pink jersey. Levi Leipheimer of the United States is third, 40 seconds behind. Lance Armstrong remained 12th overall, 6 minutes 34 seconds behind.