Associated Press
SILVIS, Ill. ó Kenny Perry takes pride in his ability to absorb shots and bury them. And he’s been doing plenty of both lately.
While others wonder why he’s skipping majors, Perry’s enjoying one of his best runs in more than two decades on the PGA Tour. That trend continued Thursday, when he fired a 6-under 65 in the first round of the John Deere Classic, and it won’t stop if he keeps playing this way.
“That’s OK,” Perry said.
– LUSS, Scotland ó Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els failed to break par in the first round of the Scottish Open, while Alexander Noren and Thongchai Jaidee shared the lead with 7-under 64s.
Angel Cabrera, the 2007 U.S. Open champion, was third with a 65 in this tuneup before the British Open at Royal Birkdale, which begins July 17.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
GREENVILLE ó East Carolina coach Skip Holtz has suspended freshman linebacker Max Joyner for breaking a team rule.
Holtz would not specify what Joyner did in announcing the suspension Thursday, saying only that it was indefinite and would be re-evaluated later.
Joyner signed with the Pirates in February.
NFL
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ó Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Brian Williams has been found not guilty of drunk driving after a night of partying.
Officers say Williams swerved his Jaguar in front of a patrol car and had watery and bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol when he was arrested in September 2006. They said Williams was verbally abusive.
– FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. ó Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones faces a felony drug charge in his former college town after police say he was inside a car cutting up cocaine with a credit card.
The 25-year-old Jones and two others were arrested early Thursday. A police report said officers approached the car and an officer drew his handgun after Jones did not immediately show his hands.
Police said they searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag filled with a white substance that tested positive for cocaine and a jar with possible marijuana residue.
– CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers have released quarterback Taylor Tharp and punter Dan Zeidman. The moves on Thursday trim the Panthers’ roster to 79 players. Carolina must make room on the 80-man roster before they sign their nine draft picks.
General manager Marty Hurney said this week they’re close to a deal with sixth-round choice Nick Hayden. Talks with first-round picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah have yet to heat up.
– TEMPE, Ariz. ó The Arizona Cardinals have signed linebacker Chris Harrington to a three-year deal.
DUKE OBIT
DURHAMó Former PGA Tour professional and Duke Sports Hall of Fame member Mike Souchak has died.
The school said the 81-year-old died Thursday in Belleair, Fla. Souchak won 15 events on the PGA Tour from 1955-66 and had 11 top-10 finishes in major championships.
NHL
VANCOUVER ó The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Pavol Demitra to an $8-million, two-year contract Thursday.