Russ Cochran has four-stroke lead at SAS Championship

Russ Cochran shot a five-under 67 in the SAS Championship on Saturday to increase his lead to four strokes, the largest 36-hole margin the history of the Champions Tour event.

“I don’t have any experience with a four-shot lead so I don’t know what to expect,” Cochran said. “I’m sure I’ll have to be on my toes.”

Cochran, the 51-year-old left-hander coming off his first victory on the 50-and-over tour two weeks ago in South Korea, birdied the final two holes at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, N.C., to finish at 13 under.

Ted Schulz (68) was second, and defending champion Tom Pernice Jr. (71) was eight under along with John Cook (64) and Nick Price (69).

Cook played the back nine in a tournament-record eight-under 27, eagling the par-four 14th and par-five 17th.

After his record-setting nine holes, Cook, who started on No. 10, played even par on Prestonwood’s front nine.

Keith Fergus had a double-eagle two on the 17th, holing a three-iron shot from 210 yards. He finished with a 64, leaving him eight strokes back at five under. Schwab Cup points leaders Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples also were five under after 68s.

Kyle Busch gets another Nationwide victory

Kyle Busch has set a single-season record for wins in the Nationwide Series, taking the checkered flag for the 11th time in only 23 races on Saturday at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del.

Busch was tied with Sam Ard for the previous record with 10 wins. Busch also won 10 races in 2008, matching the record Ard set in NASCAR’s second-tier series in 1983.

Busch is closing in on Mark Martin’s career Nationwide mark of 48 wins. Busch is in second at 41.

He led 192 of 200 laps, received a big ovation after the race and waved his index finger out the window.

Joey Logano was second and Carl Edwards third.

Danica Patrick ran into the wall early in the race and was forced into the garage. She returned in the No. 7 Chevrolet and finished 94 laps down in 35th place.

Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin in shouting match after bumping

Kevin Harvick showed he had his teammate’s back by damaging Denny Hamlin’s rear.

Hamlin and Harvick tangled on the track that led to the two top NASCAR Spring Cup points leaders getting involved in a heated and profane exchange in the garage, sparking some life into their practice run at Dover International Speedway.

The dustup came a day after Hamlin blasted Clint Bowyer, saying Harvick’s RCR teammate was making excuses for why his winning car at New Hampshire failed a follow-up inspection.

Harvick appeared to stick up for Bowyer not with words, but with force.

Hamlin and Harvick made contact during the opening laps of practice, with Harvick bumping Hamlin’s No. 11 car and damaging its right rear. Once the drivers returned to the garage, they got into each other’s faces before they were separated. Tempers quickly flared again and they went back to yelling at each other before they were broken up for good.

Hamlin is in first place and holds a 45-point lead over Harvick in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship points standings. Their stalls and haulers are next to each other in the garage, causing some uncomfortable moments for the crew.

Marcus McNeill ends holdout with San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill ended his holdout Saturday when he signed his one-year contract tender as a restricted free agent.

However, he must sit out the next three games because he and wide receiver Vincent Jackson were placed on the roster exempt list by general manager A.J. Smith on Aug. 20. McNeill will be eligible to play Oct. 17 at St. Louis.

U.S. women beat France in basketball world championship

With the offense struggling early on, the U.S. team at the women’s basketball world championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic, turned to its defense.

That kept the Americans in the game and gave Diana Taurasi time to get the offense going. She finished with 15 points to help the United States beat France 81-60 and finish first in Group B. Both teams advanced to the second round, which begins Monday.

Candice Dupree and Tina Charles each added 10 points for the Americans (3-0), who came into the game averaging 103.5 points. Dupree is shooting a sizzling 84% from the field over the first three games.

The U.S. will open the second round Monday against either Canada or Belarus.

Kwame Brown sprains ankle

Charlotte Bobcats center Kwame Brown will be sidelined four to six weeks after severely spraining his left ankle, the team said.