Sorenstam set to make golf history
FORT WORTH, Texas, May 21 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam will become the first woman in 58 years to compete in a PGA Tour event Thursday.
Sorenstam, however, will have had a minimum of preparation time when she opens her first round at the rain-soaked Colonial Country Club course.
Her practice round was disrupted by rain Tuesday and she was able to complete only 10 holes of Wednesday's pro-am event when rains again forced a halt to the action.
By her estimation, Sorenstam played 10 holes in 1-over before the rains finally brought an end to the pro-am.
The highlight of Sorenstam's day was a 40-foot chip-in for birdie at the 246-yard, par-3 fourth hole. She hit a driver off the tee.
Colonial already was going to be the longest course Sorenstam has played, a par-70 measuring over 7,000 yards. Rain on Tuesday and Wednesday is making it seem some 300 yards longer.
"The only good news is that the greens are softer, so I can fire more at the flag," she said. "So I'll do my best. I'm going to hit a few longer clubs than I expected. But luckily I've got them in the bag, so we'll see what happens."
Despite Wednesday's weather, Sorenstam was followed by hordes of fans, more than she's ever seen at an LPGA Tour event, with the exception of a U.S. Women's Open.
"I can't imagine," she said. "This is tremendous. All the support and to show up on a day like today is incredible."
Twins rally past Athletics
OAKLAND, Calif., May 21 (UPI) -- Kenny Rogers and three relievers allowed one hit over the final five innings Wednesday as Minnesota rallied for a 4-3 victory over Oakland.
Rogers, who got through six innings, surrendered nine hits in the first four innings, but the Athletics did not take full advantage of their opportunities.
After taking a 3-2 lead on Rogers' wild pitch in the fourth, Oakland had just two runners in its final five at bats. The only hit for the Athletics after the fourth was Adam Piatt's two-out single in the ninth.
Barry Zito, who beat Minnesota in Game 3 of last year's Division Series, was in line for the victory, but the Twins rallied for two runs against Ricardo Rincon and Chad Bradford (2-3) in the eighth.
After giving up a leadoff single to Cristian Guzman, Rincon left after getting Corey Koskie to ground out. Bradford came on and surrendered an RBI single to Matt LeCroy.
After pinch-runner Luis Rivas moved up on Torii Hunter's groundout, the Athletics intentionally walked Bobby Kielty. The move backfired as Dustan Mohr slapped a go-ahead single into right field.
In the only other afternoon game on the schedule, Milwaukee crushed San Diego, 10-0.
Report: Georgia accuses Jim Harrick Jr.
ATLANTA, May 21 (UPI) -- The University of Georgia has laid blame for problems with its men's basketball program squarely at the feet of Jim Harrick Jr.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday that the school has told the NCAA that Harrick Jr., whose father, Jim Sr., was fired earlier this spring, was "solely responsible" for the academic fraud which has affected the program and ultimately led to his father's ouster.
According to the paper, Harrick Jr. lied about his teaching credentials and asked two players to lie about their participation in a course.
The paper said a letter from Compliance Director Amy Chisholm has been sent to the NCAA, outlining the allegations.
The paper said that in the letter, Chiseholm contended Harrick Jr. misled superiors about how a Physical Education course in 2001 would be taught, and asked players Chris Daniels and Rashad Wright to lie about their participation in the course.
The Journal-Constitution obtained a copy of the letter under Georgia's public records law.
O'Brien stays at Celtics coach
BOSTON, May 21 (UPI) -- Danny Ainge's plans for the Boston Celtics include keeping Jim O'Brien as coach.
O'Brien, whose team was swept in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the New Jersey Nets, was given a contract extension through the 2005-06 season by the Celtics Wednesday.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The extension is one of the first notable moves by Ainge, who was hired earlier this month as executive director of basketball operations.
"We are excited to have Jim be our head coach," Ainge said. "Coming in new, this was not a process that was a given. There was a lot of conversation, observation and analyzing of circumstances. Of all the guys out there, he is the guy that we want."
The Celtics are the NBA's most successful franchise with 16 titles, but last won the championship in 1986 when Ainge was the starting shooting guard on a team that featured Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson.
Last season, the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing to New Jersey, ending a six-year playoff drought.
Paris to bid on 2012 Olympics
PARIS, May 21 (UPI) -- Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe announced Wednesday the city would bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The city last hosted the Summer Games in 1924.
London, New York, Madrid, Spain and Leipzig, Germany already have formally thrown their hats into the ring. They will now be joined by Paris, which will host this summer's Track and Field World Championships.
France also successfully staged soccer's World Cup five years ago.
Paris was among the leading contenders to host the 2008 Olympic Games, but lost out to Beijing.
Moscow, the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paul and Vancouver also have been mentioned as possible cities to submit bids, which must be made by July 15.
The International Olympic Committee will choose a host in July 2005.
