Mickelson, Singh not lonely at the top in BMW Championship

The BMW Championship turned into golf’s version of an All-Star game Saturday with Phil Mickelson making 10 birdies to share the lead with Vijay Singh, and a host of other proven players lined up behind them Saturday at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind.

Mickelson shrugged when asked about all the stars on the leaderboard, only because he figured his name wasn’t at the top and there was still work to be done. That was before Singh had his only three-putt of the tournament from about 45 feet on the last hole that made him settle for a 69.

They were at 16-under 200 going into a final round loaded with possibilities.

Rory McIlroy, going for his second straight FedEx Cup playoff win and his PGA Tour-leading fourth of the year, birdied the 18th to salvage an ordinary day with a 69. He was one shot behind with Lee Westwood, a former world No. 1 who made all five of his birdies on the back nine for a 68.

Dustin Johnson, who has finished no worse than fourth in the other two playoff events, had a 67 and was in the group two shots behind that included Adam Scott and Robert Garrigus, who is trying to play his way into the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake in two weeks.

Not to be forgotten is Tiger Woods, who turned his sloppy play around by chipping in from 25 feet on the ninth hole that began a run of four birdies in a five-hole stretch. He had to settle for a 71, ending his streak of six straight rounds in the 60s.

Woods was only three shots behind.

Paula Creamer moved into position to end a two-year victory drought, shooting a six-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Kingsmill Championship at Williamsburg, Va.

The nine-time LPGA Tour winner had a 16-under 197 total, the lowest 54-hole score in the history of the event.

Second-round leader Jiyai Shin was second after a 69.

Dewi Claire Schreefel and Danielle Kang were 12 under. Schreefel had a 69, and Kang shot 70.

ETC.

Saints activate Will Smith

The New Orleans Saints placed starting defensive end Will Smith on the 53-man active roster for Sunday’s season-opener against the Washington Redskins.

New Orleans also terminated the contract of receiver Adrian Arrington, who has struggled with a right knee injury.

Smith was one of four players reinstated by the NFL Friday after their suspensions in New Orleans’ pay-for-pain bounty scandal were vacated by a three-member appeals panel. Another reinstated player, linebacker Jonathan Vilma was placed on “Exempt - Commissioner Permission” list.

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St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, one of key pieces in Coach Jeff Fisher’s rebuilding plan, has signed a five-year contract extension.

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Baltimore Ravens fans lined up by the hundreds Saturday morning to pay respects to Art Modell, the man who moved the Cleveland Browns to their city.

The American-flag draped casket was at the 50-yard line of M&T; Bank Stadium. Fans, almost all wearing Ravens jerseys, were greeted by Modell’s sons, David and John, as they slowly walked down the stadium steps and into a white tent.

The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, canceled plans to pay tribute to Modell at the team’s season opener Sunday after Modell’s family asked that the team not acknowledge his death. Any tribute for Modell before Sunday’s game against Philadelphia could have triggered an ugly backlash by Browns fans.

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Dish Network has agreed to a multiyear deal to carry Pac-12 Networks programming.

The deal announced Saturday makes Dish Network the only satellite provider to offer the Pac-12 Networks programming, which includes conference football and basketball games.

Pac-12 Networks, which opened its football coverage Aug. 30, is televising 15 nonconference games and 20 Pac-12 football games this season.

Dish Network is offering Pac-12 Networks as a free preview for a limited time to Dish customers. Game broadcasts on Dish Network began Saturday.

Pac-12 Networks had previously reached agreements with cable companies including Time Warner Cable, Bright House and Comcast.

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Oscar Pistorius completed his groundbreaking dual-games trip to London by finally winning an individual gold, defending his Paralympic 400 meters title in the last competition in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

The original “Blade Runner” lost his 100 and 200 Paralympic titles last week, but eased to victory in his preferred event, the 400, in 46.68 seconds, more than 3 seconds ahead of Blake Leeper of the United States.

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Vitaly Klitschko stopped Manuel Charr in the fourth round to retain his WBC world heavyweight title in Moscow.

The 41-year-old Klitschko won by a technical knockout when the bout was stopped by the doctor with 56 seconds left in the round because of Charr’s bleeding eyebrow.

The Ukrainian improved to 45-2 with his 41st knockout. The 27-year-old Charr, a German born in Beirut, dropped to 21-1.