Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Sports Digest

- GOLF

Woods not expected to make return to PGA Tour before next month's Masters

Tiger Woods intends to remain out of golf at least until the Masters, two people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because only Woods is supposed to release such information, say he is likely to make his return at Augusta National. The Masters starts on April 8.

Several reports said Woods was planning his return for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he is the defending champion and a six-time winner on a course that is a short drive from his home in Orlando, Fla. That tournament, which starts March 25, is the only regular PGA Tour event Woods has never missed since turning pro.

Tournament director Scott Wellington said he had not heard anything from Woods or his management team.

"At this point, we still don't know," he said. "He has until next Friday to commit. But it was a busy day, for sure. We had a lot of calls, a lot of interest and we sold some tickets. It was interesting."

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP: Charl Schwartzel played bogey-free despite vicious wind at the Blue Monster and pieced together a 5-under 67 for a one-shot lead at the CA Championship in Doral, Fla.

He might not have been in the lead by himself if not for so many mistakes on one of golf's most daunting closing holes.

Ernie Els hit into the water with his approach on No. 18 and made bogey for a 4-under 68. Vijay Singh found the water of the tee and made double bogey, taking him from the lead to a 68. Robert Allenby was 8 under through 12 holes until closing with four straight bogeys for a 68.

PGA TOUR: Heavy rain forced the suspension of first-round play at the Puerto Rico Open in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Only 18 players teed off before play was stopped.

HIGH SCHOOLS

GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Nicole Taylor of York High was selected as Maine's Gatorade player of the year. Taylor, a 6-foot junior center/forward, led York (22-0) to the Class B state championship. She averaged 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals.

SOCCER

MLS: Major League Soccer players voted to strike if a new labor contract isn't agreed to before the season opener on March 25.

Unhappy with the single-entity structure that has seen the league negotiate all contracts since play began in 1996, players want greater free-agent rights and a higher percentage of guaranteed deals.

Player income averaged $147,945 at the start of last season, according to the union. But the median for the 323 players was $88,000.

SKIING

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: Lindsey Vonn crashed and bruised her right knee during a giant slalom race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, but is expected to compete today in the super-G in an attempt to clinch her third straight overall title.

Tina Maze of Slovenia won the race, followed by Germany's Kathrin Hoelzl and Maria Riesch.

--From staff and news services