Sport Briefs: Internationals get top golfers

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Finally, the Presidents Cup will be a true test of strength between the United States and those countries not eligible for the Ryder Cup.

When the idea first popped up in 1994, it seemed like it would be a close contest and that the International team might be the stronger of the two.

They had the hottest player in the world, Nick Price; the best player in the world, Greg Norman, and the best young player in the world, Ernie Els.

But the haste with which the event was thrown together as the PGA Tour sought to usurp the idea before the super agency International Management Group stole it, produced a jumbled event that fell short of its promise.

Els and the Japanese star Jumbo Ozaki had scheduling conflicts and could not compete. Norman was ill and had to withdraw. And Price was burned out after a grueling year in which he won seven tournaments, including the British Open and the PGA Championship. The result was a relatively easy 20-12 victory by the United States.

It won't be that easy when play starts Friday in Gainesville, Va. Gone from the International team are Bradley Hughes, Fulton Allem and Tsukasa Watanabe. Replacing them are Norman, Els and Ozaki.

Also on the International team are David Frost, Mark McNulty, Robert Allenby, Craig Parry, Peter Senior and Frank Nobilo. The U.S. team has Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Davis Love III, Tom Lehman, David Duval, Justin Leonard, Steve Stricker, Mark Brooks, Scott Hoch, Kenny Perry and Mark O'Meara.

Scheduling conflict resolved

The San Diego State athletic department and the San Diego Padres resolved a scheduling conflict that had the Aztecs football team and the baseball team playing early afternoon games Saturday, Sept. 21 at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Padres will play as scheduled at 1:05 p.m., per the request of Fox Television and Major League Baseball. The Aztecs agreed to move their game against Oklahoma to 8:05 p.m. In exchange, the Padres, who have exclusive use of the stadium for a potential playoff game on Oct. 5, will work with the Aztecs to accommodate their home game that weekend against Air Force.

Former Clark star honored

Southern Utah State University defensive end Jeff Galyean of Las Vegas has been named NCAA Football Division 1-AA co-national defensive player of the week for his performance Saturday in SUU's 35-7 win over Rocky Mountain College. Galyean, a 6-1, 250-pound senior from Clark High School, was instrumental in the Thunderbirds' victory, tallying a school-record six solo sacks to go with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up.

King picks Fed Cup team

Billie Jean King was a no-nonsense player. She is proving to be a no-nonsense Fed Cup captain. Although King refused to comment at length about her problems with doubles specialist Gigi Fernandez, King left Fernandez off the four-woman team that will meet Spain in the Fed Cup finals this month in Atlantic City, N.J. Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, Mary Joe Fernandez and Linda Wild will face Spain on Sept. 28-29.

Cedeno back in Houston

The Houston Astros re-acquired infielder Andujar Cedeno from the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named. Cedeno, 27, played for the Astros from 1990-94. He began this year with San Diego before being traded to Detroit. In 101 games in both leagues, he hit .213 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs.

Kansas loses Vaughn

Kansas basketball guard Jacque Vaughn will require surgery for his injured right wrist and is expected to be out 12-16 weeks. Last season's Big Eight player of the year, who decided to return to the Jayhawks for his senior season rather than enter the NBA draft, tore ligaments in his shooting wrist Tuesday night in a pickup game with teammates. Vaughn was injured as he drove to the basket, collided with Billy Thomas, fell and landed on his wrist. In pain, he ran off the court and went for X-rays.

Lakers sign forward

Rookie free-agent forward Juaquin Hawkins signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Hawkins, 23, played four years at Long Beach State. He started all 27 games last season, averaging 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. In his college career, he played in 88 games, averaging 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds.