GOLF

Stricker’s ace helps build 3-shot lead at Memorial

Steve Stricker had a hole-in-one on his 17th hole Friday in the Memorial to break out of a big pack and build a three-shot lead going into the weekend in Dublin, Ohio.

Stricker hit a 6-iron from 188 yards on the eighth hole for the second ace of his career. He finished with a birdie for a 5-under 67 and was at 9-under 135.

He was three shots clear of Rory McIlroy, Rod Pampling, Ricky Barnes and Jonathan Byrd.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Mark Brooks shot a 6-under 65 for a two-stroke lead over Mark Calcavecchia and Peter Senior in the Principal Charity Classic in West Des Moines, Iowa.

LPGA: Jiyai Shin shot a 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over playing partner Sandra Gal after the opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway Township, N.J.

Catriona Matthew was two shots back, and Cristie Kerr, I.K. Kim, Karen Stupples, Vicky Hurst and Lindsey Wright opened with 69s. Michelle Wie had a 72.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Alexander Noren shot a 4-under 67 and led Graeme McDowell by one stroke after the second round of the Wales Open in Newport, Wales.

Noren made birdies on four of his last five holes to finish with an 8-under 134.

HOCKEY

NHL: The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Drew Stafford to a multiyear contract, keeping their second-leading goal scorer from becoming a free agent.

Buffalo’s 2004 first-round draft pick is coming off a season in which he had 31 goals and 55 points — both career highs — in 62 games.

TENNIS

DJOKOVIC WITHDRAWS: Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Queen’s Club tournament next week because of tendinitis in his knee.

Djokovic announced his withdrawal within minutes of his four-set defeat by Roger Federer in the French Open semifinals, which ended a 43-match winning streak.

HORSE RACING

UNCLE MO UPDATE: Uncle Mo has been diagnosed with an inflamed liver, although last year’s 2-year-old champion could resume training this summer. The colt’s diagnosis was announced after seven weeks of testing.

Uncle Mo was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection following his third-place finish in the Wood Memorial in April. He trained up to the Kentucky Derby, but trainer Todd Pletcher scratched him because of health concerns the day before the May 7 race.

Owner Mike Repole hopes Uncle Mo can return to Pletcher’s stable in New York before Aug. 1. He’s optimistic the colt can race again, but Uncle Mo’s progress during the next three months will be the deciding factor.

After a biopsy of the liver and lymph nodes, Uncle Mo was diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, a severe inflammation of the liver and bile ducts. A team of three internists said it does not know how Uncle Mo contracted the disease.

COLLEGES

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Penn State chose Boston University’s Patrick Chambers to take over its program, capping a whirlwind coaching search following the surprise departure of Ed DeChellis.

Chambers, a former Villanova assistant, led the Terriers to their first America East title and NCAA tournament appearance in nine seasons.