Two match 67s in Masters tuneup

Kevin Stadler and Cameron Percy shot 5-under 67s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Houston Open.

Vaughn Taylor and James Driscoll -- Stadler's playing partners in a morning threesome -- were a stroke back along with fellow morning starter Kevin Sutherland and Anthony Kim, who played in the afternoon when the wind picked up and gusted to 30 miles per hour.

Ernie Els, coming off consecutive victories at Doral and Bay Hill, opened with 70. Fred Couples, who has won three starts in a row on the Champions Tour, shot a 71.

Defending champion Paul Casey withdrew Thursday morning because of a left shoulder injury. The 32-year-old Englishman called it "just a one-week thing" and won't keep him out of next week's Masters. Vijay Singh withdrew because of a back injury after playing nine holes, the third time in three weeks that he has pulled out of a tournament.

Pettersen leads Ochoa by stroke in first major

Suzann Pettersen shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 in the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to take a one-stroke lead over former champion Lorena Ochoa, who missed birdie putts on her final two holes.

Ochoa, who teed off three hours after Petter-sen in the opening round of the season's first major, had chances to tie the Norwegian star but rolled a long putt just right of the hole on No. 17 and then missed a 10-footer on 18.

The New York Jets quarterback is limited to only walking on his surgically repaired left knee six weeks after the procedure to repair the patella ligament.

"We're just working on strengthening, getting the range of motion back and it's feeling really good," Sanchez said. "I'm walking around without a hiccup or anything. So they are really excited about the progress."

Browns' Rogers arrested for loaded gun

Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers was arrested at Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland for carrying a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage. No charges have been filed at this time, police said; under Ohio law, a third-degree felony carries a penalty of probation to five years in prison.

Jets punter gets erratic heartbeat fixed

Giants re-sign 44-year-old punter Feagles

The NFL's oldest punter has signed on for another season. Jeff Feagles, 44, agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants. The team also signed free agent safety Deon Grant, who played the past three seasons with Seattle.

Bears release Brown

Chicago has released eight-year veteran defensive end Alex Brown. The Bears had tried to trade Brown, 31, after signing Julius Peppers.

Tennis: Venus Williams reached the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla., by winning her 15th consecutive match, beating Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-4. Kim Clijsters joined Williams in the final by defeating fellow Belgian Justine Henin 6-2, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (6).