Steve Stricker takes lead at John Deere Classic

Defending champion Steve Stricker broke the 36-hole record at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., giving him a one-stroke lead entering Saturday’s third round.

Stricker, playing in the morning, shot a five-under-par 66 on Friday for a two-round total of 126, which is 16 under at the TPC Deere Run course.

That was just good enough to hold off Paul Goydos, who shot only the fourth 59 in PGA Tour history in the opening round.

Goydos couldn’t maintain his deft putting touch and settled for a three-under 68, leaving him at 127.

A relentless string of thunderstorms that began with 100 of the 156 golfers still to begin or complete the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open caused play to be suspended at midafternoon in Oakmont, Pa.

Cristie Kerr, the world’s No. 1 player, and first-round leader Brittany Lang shared the not-very-crowded clubhouse lead at one-over 143.

Clippers sign free agent Cook

The Clippers signed their third free agent in the last two days, reaching a two-year agreement with former Lakers forward Brian Cook.

Cook, 29, had a limited role in Houston last season, playing in 15 games and averaging 1.4 points. He was a first-round draft pick by the Lakers in 2003, and left Los Angeles in 2007, going to Orlando in the Trevor Ariza deal.

—Lisa Dillman

Shoemate to leave USC

D.J. Shoemate, a junior running back, is reportedly transferring from USC to Connecticut in search of more playing time.

Shoemate, who told ESPN that the move was “a business decision,” is the fourth player to leave USC since the NCAA announced sanctions last month that included a two-year bowl ban.

Junior linebacker Jordan Campbell, junior defensive end Malik Jackson and redshirt freshman defensive back Byron Moore also have transferred. NCAA rules allow juniors and seniors to transfer without having to sit out a season.

Seantrel Henderson, an offensive lineman who this week was granted a release from his letter of intent with USC, told the New York Times he would attend Miami.

—Gary Klein

Kyle Busch pounced on Joey Logano on a restart in overtime, then pulled away to win the Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission declined to re-license former world welterweight boxing champion boxer Antonio Margarito, instructing him to gain approval first from California, where his license was revoked last year.

Margarito was suspended in February 2009, along with his then-trainer Javier Capetillo, after California authorities seized plaster-hardened inserts inside Margarito’s hand wraps before he was to defend his welterweight title in a January 2009 bout against Shane Mosley Jr. at Staples Center. Mosley won by ninth-round TKO.

—Lance Pugmire

The Ducks made a low-impact trade, sending defenseman Steve Eminger to the New York Rangers for left wings Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier. Voros, 29, had three goals and seven points in 41 games last season. Hillier, 22, was a third-round pick in the 2006 entry draft.

—Helene Elliott