Sports briefs for February 18, 2005

Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 | 10:38 a.m.

Moore on watch list for 2005 Hogan Award

Ryan Moore highlights the 2005 Ben Hogan Award watch list, which was announced Thursday by Bank of America, in cooperation with Colonial Country Club, the Friends of Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America.

The most prestigious award in men's college golf, the Hogan is presented annually to the top men's NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or junior college golfer, taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the past 12 months.

Moore, the NCAA, U.S. Amateur and Public Links Champion, heads the list of top candidates, which also includes U.S. Open Championship low amateur Spencer Levin of New Mexico as well as 2004 first-team PING All-America selections Matt Every of Florida, John Holmes of Kentucky and Shane Prante of St. Martin's.

Brit leads after Day 1 of Nissan Open

The shifting wind and gloomy rain gave the Nissan Open a distinctively British feel Thursday in Los Angeles.

So did the leader board.

Two months after finally earning his PGA tour card by winning Q-school, Brian Davis of England opened with an eagle and finished with eight consecutive pars on his way to a 6-under 65 for the first-round lead at dreary Riviera Country Club.

Luke Donald of England and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland were among those one shot behind. Clarke had one of many highlights at Riviera with his 7-iron that skirted the edge of the bunker in the middle of the par-3 sixth green, then rolled down the slope and into the cup for an ace.

Australia's Jarrod Moseley, Italy's Emanuele Canonica of Italy and Swedes Pelle Edberg and Niclas Fasth, last week's New Zealand Open champion, shot 67s.

Things looking up for Patriots' Bruschi

Pro Bowl linebacker Tedy Bruschi might be released from a Boston hospital as early as today afternoon after suffering a mild stroke Wednesday.

Bruschi, 31, was hospitalized Thursday after experiencing headaches, blurred vision and numbness while at his home.

He's listed in good condition and is now walking and talking normally, the team said in a statement. The Patriots didn't say whether the stroke would affect Bruschi's career.

Tuberville gets new seven-year contract

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has signed a new seven-year contract that will pay him $2 million this year and increase by $200,000 each successive year.

The contract will pay Tuberville a base salary of $210,000, with the remainder coming from endorsements and radio and television deals. Tuberville's previous package was worth $1.5 million.

Fresno sees stars

The ECHL announced that the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game has been awarded to the Fresno Falcons. The game will be Jan. 25 at Save Mart Center, a 13,800-seat arena on the Fresno State University campus.

Winless coach gone

Savannah State, which became only the second Division I team in 50 years to complete a winless season, fired coach Ed Daniels.