Humongous Web Sports Blog

Ernie Els no longer is eligible for the award of logging the most miles before getting to Doral. He crossed an ocean this year, but that was to get to Hawaii for the Sony Open. Since then, the travel for this generation’s most global player has been strictly in the United States — San Diego and Los Angeles, Arizona and Florida, where he now lives most of the year.

Four-time champion Karrie Webb shot a bogey-free 3-under 70 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead in the Women’s Australian Open. Webb, the Australian star coming off her seventh Australian Ladies Masters title, had a 6-under 213 total on the Commonwealth Golf Club course. “It was really solid today, no bogeys,” Webb said “I hung tough when I needed to and made a couple of good…

By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Auto Racing Writer

Former champion Mario Andretti believes Formula One can still succeed in the United States despite going without a race for three years and an American team’s recent withdrawal from the championship.

Glued to Carl Edwards’ bumper as they raced for the lead around Talladega Superspeedway, young Brad Keselowski showed no signs of letting off the gas pedal. He peeked high, and Edwards cut him off, then ducked low to try to pass.

The Nashville Predators are the NHL’s most disciplined team when it comes to staying out of the penalty box. The Anaheim Ducks are one of the most penalized clubs, and that disparity is reflected in the Western Conference standings. Pekka Rinne made 31 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, Shea Weber scored during a 5-on-3 power-play, and the Predators strengthened their hold on a playoff…

Jonathan Bernier lost all five shootouts he was involved in this season for the Manchester Monarchs in the American Hockey League. The rookie goalie ended that personal drought on a much bigger stage. Bernier was perfect in the shootout, Jarret Stoll scored in the sixth round, and the Los Angeles Kings claimed a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night.

Josh Harding didn’t have to wait long for a second chance. A day after giving up five goals in a loss at Detroit, Harding made 43 saves to give the Minnesota Wild a rare road victory, 3-2 over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Playing for the second straight night for the injured Niklas Backstrom, Harding fell one stop short of his career-best 44 saves set in February 2009 at Chicago.

Henrik Lundqvist called it “do or die” hockey between two struggling teams in danger of losing all hope in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik gave New York the lead with goals 41 seconds apart in the first period and the Rangers beat Atlanta 5-2 on Friday night for the Thrashers’ fifth straight loss.

Ilya Kovalchuk never got frustrated about his lack of scoring production since joining the New Jersey Devils. “To me, it’s all about winning,” said Kovalchuk, who had a goal and two assists Friday night to help the Devils beat Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh 3-1. “It’s nice to score a goal and help others to score, but it’s more important to win.