Els heads field in Johnnie Walker Classic
BANGKOK, Thailand, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Defending champion Ernie Els leads the field in the Johnnie Walker Classic opening Thursday at Bangkok's Alpine Country Club.
Other prominent players in the 138-man field include Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Britain's Colin Montgomery and PGA champion Shaun Micheel.
Tiger Woods, who shot 25 under par and won the tournament on the same course in 2000, is not entered.
"I think you are going to find some pretty high scores this week," Micheel said. "You will not see 25-under winning. The fairways are extremely narrow, much narrower than I've played in a long time. It's very
difficult."
Els won the tournament by 10 strokes last year in Perth, Australia.
"Whatever happened last year is history," said Els, who won the Sony Open in Hawaii less than two weeks ago.
Hasek nearing return to ice for Red Wings
DETROIT, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The Detroit Red Wings announced Wednesday that goaltender Dominik Hasek is getting close to returning to the lineup, possibly in a week.
Hasek has been recovering from a groin injury. He last played against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 8.
A team official said Hasek, known as "The Dominator," has shown improvement in his recovery and could return to the ice in a week to 10 days.
The goalie, who turns 39 on Thursday, has an 8-3-2 record and a 2.2 goals-against average this season.
Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch dies at 80
MADISON, Wis., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, a Hall of Fame receiver who went on to become a longtime athletic director at the University of Wisconsin, died Wednesday. He was 80.
A report from the university said Hirsch died of natural causes.
"There has never been a more loved and admired ambassador for Badger sports than Elroy Hirsch," said Pat Richter, Wisconsin athletic director, the job Hirsch held for 21 years until 1987.
Hirsch, a native of Wasau, Wis., who got his nickname for his unorthodox, elusive running style, starred for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1950s.
He caught 60 touchdown passes during his pro career.
Hirsch was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Laura Davies to play in men's tournament
CHESHIRE, England, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Long-hitting English pro Laura Davies is the latest woman entered in an international men's tournament.
Davies, who has won 66 titles worldwide, will play in the ANZ Championship next month in Port Stephens, Australia.
"This is a new challenge for me and something I think I will absolutely enjoy," said Davies, who is the defending ladies ANZ tournament champion.
"I have no doubt that Laura will be competitive," tournament chairman Steve Frazer said. "She hits the ball a mile, knows the course extremely well and will be very well-suited to the format."
Other women playing in men's events in the past year include teenager Michelle Wie, who nearly made the cut two weeks ago at the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii, and Annika Sorenstam, who played in The Colonial in 2003.
