12/03/2008 - Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shiho Oyama, ranked 42nd in the Rolex Rankings, fired an eight-under 64 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead of the 90-hole LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.
Amateur Mika Miyazato shot a six-under 66 and is alone in second.
Mollie Fankhauser and Amy Yang are knotted in third place at minus-five, while Jeehae Lee is alone in fourth place at four-under 68.
Michelle Wie's attempt to get back on to the LPGA Tour began Wednesday and she availed herself nicely. She shot a three-under 69 in the first round and is tied for sixth place.
The first 72 holes are played on both the Legends and Champions courses at LPGA International, while players play only the Champions course during the final round. The cut will reduce the field to the low-70 players and ties after 72 holes.
Oyama started on the 10th tee at the Champions Course and tallied only one bogey and that came at her second hole, the 11th. She rattled off nine birdies, including four in her last six holes.
"My iron play was terrific today," said Oyama, who has recorded 12 top-10 finishes in 25 events on the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) circuit, including a win at the Masters GC Ladies. "I had a good time with Paul, my caddie, out there. He helped me out a lot reading the greens, so we got a decent start and I feel pretty good.
"This is the strongest tour in the world and I wanted to get up to the next stage and compete on the highest level."
Wie was joined in sixth by Stacy Lewis, who picked up an unofficial LPGA Tour victory in 2007 at the NW Arkansas LPGA Championship, and Audra Burks.
Maru Martinez, Chella Choi, Onnarin Sattayabanphot, Carolina Llano, Eunjung Yi, Ashleigh Simon, Lean Wigger, Young-A Yang and Anna Grzebien share ninth place at two-under 70.
The low-20 scores and ties will earn LPGA Tour cards for 2009.
<< Rice accepts bid for Texas Bowl
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rice University accepted a bid to the Texas
Bowl on Wednesday.
The Owls finished the 2008 season with a 9-3 mark, including a 7-1 record in
Conference USA.
It is the second bowl selection for the s
<< Raptors fire coach Mitchell; Triano to take over
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors fired head coach Sam
Mitchell on Wednesday, as announced by team president and general manager
Bryan Colangelo.
"This is a difficult but necessary step the franchise must
<< Colts LB Brackett sidelined with leg injury
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts linebacker and
defensive captain Gary Brackett will miss at least a couple of weeks with a
fibula injury to his right leg, head coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday.
Brackett, wh
<< Udinese through to next round with win over Zagreb
Udine, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Udinese remained perfect in Group D play in
the UEFA Cup as the Italian side booked a spot in the next round with a 2-1
win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadio Friuli on Wednesday.
Fabio Quagliarella put
Vikings sign DT Kennedy >>
Eden Prairie, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after defensive tackles Pat
Williams and Kevin Williams were among six players suspended four games for a
violation of the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances,
the Min
Clemson accepts invite to Gator Bowl >>
Clemson, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Clemson accepted an invitation to the Gator
Bowl on Wednesday, having parlayed a strong end of the season into a New
Year's Day appearance.
The Tigers went 4-1 over the final five games of the season,
Rays P Percival undergoes back surgery >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Rays closer Troy Percival
underwent back surgery this week and is expected to be ready by opening day
for the American League champions.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Watkin
Southern Miss accepts bid to New Orleans Bowl >>
Hattiesburg, MS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Southern Mississippi
accepted a bid to the New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday.
The Golden Eagles, who finished the season with a 6-6 record, will face the
Sun Belt champion -- either
Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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