GOLF

Donald leads McIlroy by one stroke in season-ending tournament in Dubai

Luke Donald shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to lead Rory McIlroy and two others by one stroke after the opening round of the season-ending Dubai World Championship at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Donald saved par on Nos. 1 and 4 with precise putting, and some accurate up-and-down play helped him make four birdies in a stretch of six holes.

McIlroy, who has already clinched the European and PGA tour money titles, surged into contention with a string of three birdies on the back nine. The PGA Championship winner could have matched Donald, but his tee shot on the 18th went into a creek.

SOCCER

FAN VIOLENCE: Rome police say dozens of fans of Italian team Lazio wielding cobblestones, knives and metal rods attacked Tottenham supporters out drinking before their Europa League match.

At least one person was stabbed and seven were hospitalized. The brawl took on anti-Semitic overtones, witnesses reported.

ON THE VERGE: The San Diego Sockers indoor team will set a U.S. professional team record if they win their 41st straight game Friday night. The Sockers will face the Toros de Mexico at the former San Diego Sports Arena.

The Sockers beat the Arizona Storm last weekend to tie the record of 40 straight victories set by the Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football from 2005-08.

SKIING

WORLD CUP: Swiss skier Daniel Albrecht seriously injured his left knee in a crash in training for a World Cup downhill race at Lake Louise, Alberta.

Albrecht, 29, has rarely raced in speed events in nearly four years since spending 16 days in an induced coma to recover from brain and lung injuries after he crashed in downhill training in Kitzbuehel, Austria.

The Swiss ski federation said Albrecht sustained a “complex injury” to the knee.

— From news service reports

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