Britain and Ireland widen Vivendi lead
PARIS, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The Britain and Ireland team won three-of-five matches Friday, widening its lead over Continental Europe to 6-4 at The Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros.
The matches were in the four-ball format, in which a team's best individual score on each hole counts.
The British-Irish team of Simon Dyson and Oliver Wilson carded a 2 and 1 victory over world No. 5 Henrik Stenson and Alvaro Quiros.
Nick Dougherty and Ross Fisher followed with a 3 and 2 win over the Continental European team of Peter Hanson and Soren Hansen.
In the third match, Continental European's Anders Hansen and Francesco Molinari were 3 and 1 winners over Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.
The fourth match was the first to reach the 18th hole at Saint-Nom-la Breteche Golf Club in Paris. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano knocked his tee shot within 10 feet of the pin and two-putted for par and he and Robert Karlsson earned a 1-up win for the Continental Europe side over Robert Rock and Steve Webster.
In the final match, the British-Irish team of Anthony Wall and Chris Wood defeated Miguel Angel Jimenez and Soren Kjeldsen 3 and 2.
There will be four greensome matches (modified alternate shot) Saturday morning and four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the afternoon before 10 singles matches Sunday.
The winning side needs 14 1/2 points. Britain and Ireland has won the event four straight times.
Rockets extend GM Morey's contract
HOUSTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey has been re-signed to an undisclosed contract.
Morey is starting his fourth season with the NBA club and third leading its basketball operations. He was with the Boston Celtics previously.
"Daryl has displayed great leadership during his three years overseeing our basketball operations," said Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. "In his short time here, Daryl has already established himself as an innovator in the field of talent evaluation and player acquisition. My focus is to bring another world championship to the fans of Houston and I believe Daryl will be instrumental in achieving that goal."
The Rockets have gone 108-56 over the past two seasons. They produced a 53-29 record during the 2008-2009 regular season and made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
Morey thanked Alexander for supporting him and the team's basketball staff, saying he has provided the resources be competitive on a consistent basis.
"Mr. Alexander has always made it clear that his ultimate goal is a successful return to the NBA Finals and I look forward to continue working with him to meet that challenge," Morey said.
Patrick stays with Andretti Green Racing
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Danica Patrick has signed a three-year contract extension to stay with Andretti Green Racing in the IndyCar racing series, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Season-long rumors had the 27-year-old Patrick, the first woman to win an IRL race at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 in Montegi, Japan, joining NASCAR next season.
Neither Patrick nor Andretti Green Racing has commented on Friday's report, but at last week's Sprint Cup Sylvania 300 at Loudon, N.H., Tony Stewart attempted to quell reports, saying he has "not made an offer" to Patrick.
With 381 points, she is fifth behind leader Scott Dixon (570) in the IndyCar points race in her third season in the series.
Dario Franchitti (565), Ryan Briscoe (562) and Helio Castroneves (403) hold spots 2-4 with only the Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead, Fla., left in the 2009 season.
Cowboys say they'll improve crowd-control
DALLAS, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- An official in Arlington, Texas, says the Dallas Cowboys vowed to improve crowd-control methods following a bottle-throwing incident at their new stadium
Arlington Assistant Fire Chief Don Crowson said Cowboys representatives met with public safety officials this week to discuss ways to better control crowds, The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday.
During the Cowboys' 33-31 loss to the New York Giants Sunday people in the NFL-record crowd of 105,121 began throwing plastic bottles. It was not reported if any individuals were hit by the bottles.
Fire officials said the conflict arose due to fan confusion over new Party Passes, or standing-room-only tickets, being offered by the Cowboys this season. Officials said some fans were upset after learning they could not sit in certain sections if they had reached capacity.
"Really, nothing has changed from where we were earlier in the week," Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels said. "We agreed to work with the city to manage the capacity, depending upon each game and how we manage the Party Pass tickets."
