SPORTSCENE

Published Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Buick Open hopes Woods will play

The Buick Open is optimistic Tiger Woods will play his first tournament as a father in Michigan.

A day after Woods’ wife gave birth to their first child, Buick golf marketing manager Larry Peck said that was good news.

"No. 1, we’re happy that the baby and Elin are healthy and that Tiger is spending time with them," Peck said yesterday. "From a tournament standpoint, the timing reduces the uncertainty of next week."

Peck added: "He has told us all along that he intends to play here. I have nothing but optimism that he’ll spend a great week at home with the baby and Elin, then he’ll come defend his title."

Woods said May 21 he intended to play at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Mich., but the birth of his child was a priority.

Less than 24 hours after Woods finished second at the U.S. Open on Father’s Day, he announced on his Web site that Sam Alexis Woods was born.

Orioles interview Girardi

Joe Girardi was interviewed yesterday by Baltimore Orioles executives, a day after the team fired Manager Sam Perlozzo.

The interview took place in Chicago, a baseball official familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no public statements were authorized.

Girardi was a first-time manager last season when he led Florida to a 78-84 record last year, keeping the youthful Marlins in contention until late September.

The former big-league catcher was fired at the end of the season after a rift with Owner Jeffrey Loria, then was voted National League manager of the year - the first to win the award with a losing record.

Nebraska basketball player transfers

Mike Smith will leave Nebraska and transfer to a junior college for the 2007-08 season, Coach Doc Sadler said yesterday.

Smith, a native of New York, played in 20 games last season, averaging 6.3 minutes and 1.4 points. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2005-06.

"After Mike and I discussed his college career, he felt it was in his best interest if he went to a junior college for the upcoming season and then looked at all his options for his remaining eligibility," Sadler said.

Federer, Henin top seeds at Wimbledon

Four-time defending champion Roger Federer and Justine Henin are the top seeds at next week’s Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal, last year’s runner-up, was seeded No. 2 ahead of Andy Roddick. Defending women’s champion Amelie Mauresmo was seeded No. 4 in line with her world ranking.

Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam tournament of the year, begins Monday. The draw will be held Friday.

In determining the seedings, Wimbledon took past performances on grass into account. The seedings at other Grand Slams mirror the rankings.

The top 18 women are seeded according to their WTA ranking, with French Open champion Henin No. 1.

Maria Sharapova, who won the 2004 title at age 17, is seeded No. 2, followed by Jelena Jankovic. Two-time winner and Australian Open champion Serena Williams is No. 7.