LPGA to name its new boss sportswire
Advertiser News Services
Two golf magazines have reported that Michael Whan has been selected new LPGA Tour commissioner and will be introduced this morning in New York.
Golfweek magazine obtained a memo from acting commissioner Marty Evans informing players that Whan has "extensive brand management and marketing experience, including two stints in the golf industry with TaylorMade and Wilson."
Golf Digest also reported on its Web site that Whan, most recently president and CEO of Mission Itech Hockey, was offered the job on Friday and accepted it Monday.
He will replace Carolyn Bivens, who was ousted by the players this summer.
The LPGA Tour said that an announcement would be today at Madison Square Garden. Golfweek reported that Evans, a retired rear admiral, would stay on the rest of the year and Whan would start in January.
TENNIS
SERENA WINS, VENUS FALLS AS WTA OPENS
Serena Williams overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova, 7-6 (6), 7-5, in the group stage of the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday, improving her chance of ending the year as No. 1.
The win gives her a share of the lead in the Maroon Group with Elena Dementieva, who rallied to beat defending champion Venus Williams, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The tournament features the top eight players in the world. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals.
ELSEWHERE
America's Cup site change: A New York judge has ruled that Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, cannot host the America's Cup based on the 19th-century document that governs sailing's marquee regatta.
Justice Shirley Kornreich said her decision was based on the stipulation in the Deed of Gift that the America's Cup cannot be sailed in the Northern Hemisphere between Nov. 1 and May 1, not on concerns by the Americans that RAK was unsafe due to its proximity to Iran.
Astros name Mills manager: Brad Mills is finally getting his chance to run a big-league team.
The 52-year-old Mills was hired by Houston yesterday after six seasons as Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston. He'll manage in the majors for the first time, though he's managed a total of 11 seasons in the minors.
