Michigan hires Rich Rodriguez
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- West Virginia Unversity's Rich Rodriguez is the new football coach at the University of Michigan.
UM Athletic Director Bill Martin made the announcement Sunday, saying Rodriguez, 44, will be introduced at a news conference Monday morning.
The Sunday Gazette-Mail in Charleston, W.Va., reported Rodriguez informed his players at West Virginia in a meeting Sunday afternoon, and the players filed out of the meeting room, somber-faced with little comment.
Rodriguez compiled a 60-26 record at Morgantown, including three straight 10-win seasons and two BCS bowl trips.
A report by the Detroit Free Press Friday said Rodriguez was in Toledo, Ohio, meeting with Martin and Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman to discuss the Wolverines' vacancy.
Rodriguez succeeds Lloyd Carr, who retired Nov. 19 in the wake of criticism following a fourth straight loss to archrival Ohio State.
Nothing has been said about whether Rodriguez will coach the Mountaineers in their Jan. 2 contest against Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl.
Woods wins Target World Challenge
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods recorded a seven-stroke victory over Zach Johnson Sunday at the Target World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
The tournament host and world's top-ranked men's player began the day with a six-shot lead over his closest competitor, and used a solid back nine to shoot 4-under-par 68.
Johnson (68) birdied two of the last three holes, and Jim Furyk (71) closed within two of Woods on the front nine.
"The whole week has been incredible," Woods said, "(but) today was a little scrappy. I didn't really feel comfortable with my game."
Woods finished the defense of his 2006 title with a record-equaling total of 22-under 266.
His victory was worth $1.35 million, which he said he will donate to his foundation.
Johnson, the reigning Masters champion, had a runner-up total of 15-under 273. Furyk, who made a costly double-bogey early, finished third at 13-under 275.
South African Rory Sabbatini, who shot 76 Saturday, withdrew.
Sorenstam wins Dubai Ladies Masters
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam defended her title Sunday at the Dubai Ladies Masters in the United Arab Emirates by two strokes over Iben Tinning and Laura Davies.
The win was her first since last year's inaugural event.
The Swede battled neck and back injuries much of the 2007 season and eventually lost her No. 1 world ranking to Mexico's Lorena Ochoa.
After Tinning, the overnight leader, faltered, Sorenstam needed a 2-under-par 70 to finish with a winning 72-hole total of 10- under 278.
"Winning this tournament means a lot to me," Sorenstam said. "It's been kind of a tough year for me, and to come here and defend a title and to play so consistent, it's just a wonderful feeling. I've missed coming down the stretch and having a chance to win."
Tinning (73) and Davies (72) played themselves out of contention with poor closing rounds.
The pair finished at 8-under 280.
Kingston wins S, African Airways Open
PAARL, South Africa, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- James Kingston shot 1-under-par 71 Sunday, good enough to win the rain-delayed Southern African Airways Open at Paarl by one stroke over Oliver Wilson.
The native South African won the European Tour tournament after a near four-hour rain delay. Kingston's 72-hole total was 4-under 284.
Following a poor start (bogeys at one, six and nine), Wilson, the overnight leader, moved within one shot of Kingston's lead at the 10th, but Kingston steadied himself long enough to capture his first victory on the European Tour.
"That was the toughest day I have ever had," Kingston said. "I have had chances before and not made the most of them, but today, for once, I clinched it."
Wilson (73) finished 3-under 285.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke (68) joined Kyron Sullivan (71) of Wales and South Africans Garth Mulroy (73) and Louis Oosthuizen (71) in third at 1-under 287.
