LPGA leader makes push for first victory

Kristy McPherson's first LPGA Tour victory might just come in a major.

McPherson shot a 2-under 70 and took the lead in the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She had a total of 8-under 208.

Cristie Kerr (70) was one shot back.

The 27-year-old McPherson, with six career top-10 finishes but no victories, is playing in the Kraft Nabisco for the first time.

Van Pelt leads PGA tournament

Bo Van Pelt moved to 11 under par and took a one-shot lead through eight holes of his third round at the Shell Houston Open in Humble, Texas, just before play was suspended because of darkness. Fred Couples, Paul Casey, Colt Knost and Tommy Armour III were all at 10 under.

19-year-old tops Serena Williams A sore leg and erratic strokes were too much to overcome, and top-ranked Serena Williams was upset 6-3, 6-1 Saturday by 19-year-old Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla.

Favorites strong in Derby preps Favorites won Kentucky Derby prep races across the country Saturday.

Pioneerof the Nile took a 1-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby in Arcadia, Calif., sent off as the 4-5 favorite because main rival The Pamplemousse was scratched hours before because of a soft tissue injury in one of his legs. Pioneerof the Nile trainer Bob Baffert, three-time Derby winner, said he was thrilled to return to the race for the first time since 2006. "I'm glad to be back in the show," he said.

I Want Revenge, heavily favored at 1-2, fought his way to a 1 1/2-length victory in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York. And in the Illinois Derby in Cicero, Musket Man, bet down to 5-2, made a big stretch run and won by 2 lengths.

Broncos owner explains move Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said in an e-mail to season ticket holders that the organization had no choice but to trade Jay Cutler over his insubordination.

Bowlen preached a message of team unity in the e-mail.

U.S. routs Japan in worlds opener Julie Chu and Hilary Knight scored three goals each as the defending champion United States routed Japan 8-0 Saturday at the World Women's Hockey Championships in Hameenlinna, Finland. The Americans outshot Japan 74-8.

Jenny Potter of Edina had two assists in the first period, running her career total to 100 for the United States. Megan Van Beusekom of Loretto made eight saves and got her first international shutout. Natalie Darwitz of Eagan had three assists, and Gophers player Monique Lamoureux scored a goal.

College wrestling: Penn State wrestling coach Troy Sunderland has resigned after the team dropped to seventh place in the Big Ten this season. Sunderland coached 11 seasons at his alma mater, with four top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships.