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Apparently, the faux law firm of Snedeker, Buckle, Quinney and Howell wasn’t enough to intimidate Tiger Woods, who closed with a 6-under 66 to win the Buick Invitational. The victory, worth $936,000, was Woods’ seventh straight on the PGA Tour, the second longest in history after Byron Nelson’s magical 11 in a row in 1945.

The Buick win was Tiger’s third straight and fifth – in 10 tries – in the event, played at the North and South courses at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif. The final round is played on the much tougher South course, recently redesigned by Rees Jones, and Woods’ 66 was the best round of the week there. He finished the tournament at 15-under 273, two shots ahead of Charles Howell III. The win was the 55th of his career.

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KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year’s Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country.

“We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,” co-owner Roy Jackson said. “It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.”

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Phoenix Suns realize right now they might be too good for their own good.

Raja Bell scored 27 points to lead all five Phoenix starters in double figures, and the Suns set a franchise record with their 16th straight victory by beating the scrappy Milwaukee Bucks 98-90 on Friday night.

Shawn Marion grabbed 23 rebounds and Steve Nash had 16 assists for the seemingly unstoppable Suns, who have won 32 of 34 overall. They had a 15-game winning streak earlier this season, a run that ended with a 144-139 overtime loss to Washington on Dec. 22.

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There was once a time when no one wanted to hire Willie Randolph. He was interviewed 12 times for managerial openings, and 12 times he was turned down. One team, however, took a calculated chance, and now the Mets will not let Randolph go.

The Mets rewarded Randolph for guiding the team to its first division title since 1988 by extending his contract through 2009 with an option for 2010. Randolph agreed to the deal in principle last night and an announcement was made Thursday.

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The Associated Press
Thursday, January 25, 2007; 7:15 AM
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Snoop Dogg pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of possessing a deadly weapon, a collapsible police baton found in his luggage at an airport.

The rapper did not attend as his lawyer entered the plea in Orange County Superior Court and he remains free on $150,000 bail.

If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

Snoop Dogg (real name: Calvin Broadus) was charged with the felony count after a security screener at John Wayne Airport noticed the baton in his computer bag on Sept. 27.

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Fans of rock star Jimi Hendrix are unhappy at plans to market an energy drink bearing the guitarist’s likeness. California-based Beverage Concepts is due to release the non-alcoholic Liquid Experience drink in April.

“To see his image and the beautiful feelings it has created in me cheapened by advertising is very disappointing,” said Red Hot Chili Peppers star Flea.

Hendrix’s image has also been licensed for products including baby clothing, an air freshener and a lava lamp.

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — It was just like old times for Martina Hingis. The former retiree easily moved past an opponent lacking the power that dominates tennis today, getting plenty of opportunities Saturday to hone her game as she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open.

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SANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) — Fishermen fought foul weather to rescue an American sailor adrift 500 miles off the tip of South America early Friday, and he was found in good condition, Chilean navy officials said.

California native Ken Barnes, 47, had been adrift at sea since Tuesday after a storm damaged his boat and interrupted his attempted solo sailing trip around the world two months after he set off.

The Chilean Navy had picked up distress signals from Barnes’ beacon Tuesday, and on Wednesday a navy plane spotted the yacht.

At the request of the navy, crew on the Polar Pesca 1, a private Chilean fishing vessel, rescued Barnes at 1:48 a.m. (4:48 a.m. ET) Friday.

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Broncos’ cornerback shot in 2 a.m. drive-by

DENVER (AP) — Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting early Monday, his limousine sprayed with bullets in downtown Denver.

Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene and told him three people had been shot, and the 24-year-old Williams, a former Oklahoma State star, had been killed. His death came hours after the Denver Broncos were eliminated from the playoff race.

A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was fired on from a vehicle that pulled up along its side, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. As many as a dozen bullet holes were visible on the driver’s side of the vehicle. One window was blown out and four others had bullet holes.

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POSTED: 4:10 a.m. EST, January 1, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 1 million revelers in Times Square greeted 2007 with cheers, kisses and a whopping 3.5 tons of confetti at the city’s massive New Year’s Eve party.

The famously flashy New Year’s Eve ball dropped down a flagpole to a countdown chorus led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. servicemen and women. Longtime television host Dick Clark ticked off the final 20 seconds from a television studio.
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