James Nitties shot a 9-under 63 yesterday at PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament Course to take a one-stroke lead over Robert Garrigus and Harrison Frazar after the second round of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament at La Quinta, Calif.

Nitties, the 26-year-old Australian who appeared on the Golf Channel's "Big Break" series, had a 12-under 132 total. He birdied the final two holes, his eighth and ninth birdies in the bogey-free round.

Garrigus and Frazar shot 64s on the TPC Stadium Course. The 108-hole event will end Monday with the top 25 and ties earning cards.

BASKETBALL

LOTTERY, DISPERSAL DRAFT FOR WNBA

A WNBA lottery and dispersal draft for Houston Comets players will be held Monday, a week after the league announced the franchise will shut down.

Atlanta, Washington and Chicago have the best chance of receiving the No. 1 pick for unrestricted free agents Tina Thompson, Mwadi Mabika, Michelle Snow, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba and Latasha Byears.

The lottery involves the five teams that did not qualify for the playoffs.

A dispersal draft will be held for Matee Ajavon, Lucienne Berthieu, Renae Camino, Tamecka Dixon, Roneeka Hodges, Sequoia Holmes, Shannon Johnson, Sancho Lyttle, Polina Tzekova, Erica White and Mistie Williams.

HOCKEY

STARS' AVERY AWAITS LENGTH OF SUSPENSION

Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery surged past camera crews and reporters yesterday, choosing to save his comments this time for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a three-hour disciplinary hearing in New York.

Avery was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday just hours after he used a crude expression to describe former girlfriends now dating others while speaking to reporters.

Now it's up to Bettman to determine just how long Avery will be kept off the ice.

The NHL said the decision will be made today.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Henrik Stenson tied the course record yesterday at the Gary Player Country Club by shooting a 9-under 63 for a five-stroke lead over Rory Sabbatini after the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, South Africa. ... Japan's Kaname Yokoo shot a 7-under 63 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead over four players after the first round of the 26-player Nippon Series Cup at the Yomiuri Country Club in Tokyo.