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Wie nears LPGA Tour exemption

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Michelle Wie stood in third place Friday in the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in Florida, moving one round closer to finally earning a spot on the circuit.

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Wie, 19, a one-time amateur superstar whose career appeared to be dwindling before it could really get going, has never been exempt on the LPGA Tour. She will earn the exemption, however, if she finishes among the top 20 players in the five-round qualifying event.

Mollie Frankhauser took the lead after three rounds, firing a 6-under 66 at the LPGA International course for a 54-hole total of 12-under 204.

That put her one shot in front of Shiho Oyama and two in front of Wie and Stacy Lewis. Wie shot a 72, one day after a 65 that was her lowest score in more than three years.

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Report: Greg Maddux to retire

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Right-hander Greg Maddux will end his 23-year major league baseball career, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The newspaper said the 42-year-old Maddux will announce his retirement Monday in Las Vegas, his hometown, on the first day of baseball's winter meetings.

The likely first-ballot hall of fame selection accumulated 355 victories -- eighth-most in major league history. He is a four-time Cy Young Award winner and an eight-time all-star selection.

He finishes 10th all-time in strikeouts with 3,371, despite striking out 200 or more in a season only once (1998). He ranks fourth in games started (740) and 13th in innings pitched (5,008 1/3). He compiled 17 straight seasons (1988-2004) with at least 15 wins and had back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1992-93.

Maddux ended 2008 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In November, agent Scott Boras told reporters Maddux was "doubtful" for 2009.

"As it stands now, he is not going to play," Boras said.


Kansas going to Insight Bowl

LAWRENCE, Kan., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The Kansas Jayhawks announced Friday the school has accepted an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl.

It will be the second consecutive bowl appearance for Kansas, which finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. The Jayhawks upset Missouri last Saturday 40-37.

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The bowl game will be played New Year's Eve in Tempe, Ariz. The Jayhawks' opponent has yet to be named.

"Our players are really excited," Coach Mark Mangino said. "They deserve this opportunity for post-season play. They've earned it.

"We're going to have fun, but our players will be the first to tell you the most fun of going to a bowl game is winning it. That's what the trip is all about."

Kansas took an 11-0 record into its closing game with Missouri last year but a loss to the Tigers ended the Jayhawks' hopes of playing for the national championship. They went on to defeat Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.


Charges filed against Jets lineman

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis faces drug and other charges after he was stopped last weekend in Hanover, N.J., en route to the Jets training facility.

Ellis, the Jets' defensive co-captain and their longest-tenured player, was charged with possession of marijuana, driving without insurance and speeding.

The Morristown, N.J., Daily Record said Ellis pulled even with a police car, briefly slowed down, and then passed it.

A police report said Ellis was "uncooperative" and refused to give his paperwork to the officer, but played in last Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, the newspaper said.

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"I apologize to my family, the fans and the organization," Ellis said in a statement. "As a captain, I set a poor example for my teammates as well as all NFL players. Although this is a pending legal matter, I understand that I have to be responsible for my actions."

Ellis' status for Sunday's Jets game at San Francisco was not announced.

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