Sports briefs for December 2, 2004

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004 | 10:50 a.m.

PGA Tour qualifying begins at La Quinta

Scott Gump shot a 6-under-par 66 Wednesday to take a one-stroke leader after one round of the PGA tour qualifying tournament, but with five rounds still to play there was ample opportunity for the field to reshuffle at the Nicklaus Tournament Course in La Quinta, Calif.

The top 30 players after Monday's final round will earn PGA tour exemptions. The next 50 finishers will get full exemptions to the PGA Nationwide circuit.

Among those in the field were several local golfers. The best round in that group was turned in by Dean Wilson, who was in a group of 13 players two strokes off Gump's pace at 68. Other local scores included Jeremy Anderson and Billy Harvey at 71, former UNLV golfer Warren Schutte at 72, Charley Hoffman at 73 and Craig Barlow at 80.

Meanwhile at the LPGA qualifying event at the Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., former UNLV golfer Sunny Oh was at 2-over-par 74, seven strokes behind co-leaders Naree Song and Emily Bastel after one round. The top 35 finishers in the five-round event win exempt status.

Fratello takes job

Mike Fratello was introduced today as the new coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, replacing 71-year-old Hubie Brown, who retired Nov. 25.

Yankees owe city

The New York Yankees owe New York City almost $3.6 million because the team underreported its revenue and overstated its allowable deductions in 2001 and 2002, according to an audit released by city comptroller William Thompson.

Gorman LB named

Bishop Gorman senior linebacker Ryan Reynolds was announced today as the Gatorade state football player of the year for 2004 in Nevada. He is a finalist for the national player of the year award.