Kia Classic drops Yani Tseng from field

Defending champion and formerly top-ranked Yani Tseng was dropped from the Kia Classic field after missing her 9:10 a.m. pro-am tee time in Carlsbad on Wednesday.

“I’m embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t feeling well last night and accidentally overslept and missed my tee time for the pro-am this morning,” Tseng said in a statement. “I was extremely excited to compete this week to defend my title at the Kia Classic and to try to regain the No. 1 spot. This was an unfortunate mistake and I want to apologize to Kia, my sponsors and all of the fans.”

On Sunday, Stacy Lewis won the LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix to end Tseng’s 109-week run at No. 1.

Tseng is winless in 23 events since her Kia Classic victory last year. The 15-time LPGA Tour winner tied for 59th last week in Phoenix.

ETC.

Urlacher to leave Bears

The Chicago Bears are parting ways with linebacker Brian Urlacher after 13 years.

General Manager Phil Emery said that the team couldn’t reach a contract agreement with Urlacher, for years the heart and face of the franchise. He is now a free agent after sitting out the last four games last season because of a hamstring injury.

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Free-agent safety Ed Reed is on the verge of becoming a Houston Texan, according to reports.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday night that a deal was in place, and the NFL Network quoted Reed as saying he was headed to Houston “unless something changes.” Neither Reed nor his agent, David Dunn, immediately returned phone messages left by the Associated Press.

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Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Robert Griffin III is “ahead of schedule” in his return from knee surgery.

The standout rookie quarterback underwent surgery to repair right knee ligaments after he was injured in his team’s playoff loss to Seattle.

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The National Hockey League Players’ Assn. plans to canvass its membership on visors.

Mathieu Schneider, a special assistant to NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, said that nearly three-fourths of NHL players currently wear shields.

Schneider said the union might poll the players on the issue. The last time that was done, in 2009, players were “heavily” against grandfathering in visors, he said.

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The New York Yankees might not have Derek Jeter on opening day.

The star shortstop sat out his second straight exhibition because of inflammation in his surgically repaired left ankle. General Manager Brian Cashman said there was a chance Jeter could begin the season on the disabled list.

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The NBA hired former All-Star Kiki Vandeweghe as vice president of basketball operations.

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Chivas USA and its parent club, CD Guadalajara, tied, 3-3, in an exhibition at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

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Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore, 73, is stepping down because of health problems. He will become special assistant to the school’s president.

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After fighters Floyd Mayweather Jr., Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Amir Khan left for rival network Showtime, HBO announced this week it will stop broadcasting fights involving boxers promoted by Los Angeles’ Golden Boy Promotions.

—Lance Pugmire