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Lee Westwood takes two-shot lead in Dubai

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Staff And Wire Reports

Lee Westwood shot a three-under-par 69 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Dubai World Championship, strengthening his chances of winning the European money title.

The English golfer could pick up two big prizes on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates. If he wins the last tournament of the European Tour season, he will receive $1.25 million in prize money -- plus a $1.5-million bonus for winning the Race to Dubai money prize.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, the leader of the money race going into the tournament, also shot a 69. He was one of six players tied for second place at seven under, two shots behind Westwood.

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The others are Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, England’s Ross McGowan, Australia’s Robert Allenby, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas.

Sophie Gustafson moved to within two shots of leader Lorena Ochoa at the LPGA Tour Championship at Richmond, Texas, before second-round play was suspended because of bad weather. Ochoa didn’t play Friday after shooting a six-under 66 early Thursday. She will start her second round at daybreak today.

MOTOR RACING

Johnson wins his fourth pole

Jimmie Johnson turned a lap of 173.919 mph to top qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a big boost for the Hendrick Motorsports star as he tries to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships.

Johnson won his fourth pole of the season in the No. 48 Chevrolet hours after it was announced he signed a contract extension to drive for Hendrick Motorsports through the 2015 season.

Kevin Harvick made a late pass to cap a dominating show and win the season-ending Trucks Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and wife Delana clinched the owners’ championship when Ron Hornaday Jr. -- who had already wrapped up his fourth Trucks title -- finished eighth.

SOCCER

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No replay for France-Ireland

Ireland’s hopes for a replay of its World Cup qualifier against France ended after FIFA and the French Football Federation rejected requests for another game.

FIFA said it could not interfere despite a hand ball by France captain Thierry Henry that led to the decisive score Wednesday that put France in next year’s World Cup.

“The result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed,” FIFA said in a statement.

Dea Cook scored on a header in the fourth minute and Sydney Leroux scored two more goals to bring her season total to 23, leading the UCLA women’s soccer team (20-2-1) to a 3-0 win over visiting Virginia (10-6-6) in the third round of the NCAA tournament. UCLA will play Portland, a 4-1 winner over Virginia Tech, in the quarterfinals.

JURISPRUDENCE

Man posts bond in Andrews case

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An Illinois insurance executive accused of secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews posted $100,000 bond -- a much larger amount than previously imposed.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Turchin increased bond for Michael Barrett during a hearing in Los Angeles after Andrews’ attorney said the executive posed a threat to the public. Barrett already was free on $4,500 bond.

Barrett, 48, faces one count of interstate stalking and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

ETC.

Murphy resigns at Arizona State

Pat Murphy has resigned after 15 seasons as baseball coach at Arizona State. No reason was given for the surprise move, which was announced by the university in a brief news release.

The Sacramento Monarchs folded, a shocking and disappointing development for the WNBA and one of its original eight franchises. The decision was largely based on the Maloof family’s desire to focus its energy on the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. . . . U.S. skier Resi Stiegler is out for the season after breaking two bones in her left leg in a crash during giant slalom training.

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PASSINGS

Harrick, 70, wife of UCLA coach

Sally Lee Harrick, the wife of former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick, has died. She was 70. UCLA said Harrick died Friday from complications of scleroderma at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

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