IN BRIEF

A-Rod, Yankees finalize $275 million contract

Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees finalized the third baseman’s record $275 million, 10-year contract Thursday.

A-Rod’s deal, which allows him to make as much as $305 million, broke the previous baseball record — set by his $252 million, 10-year contract with the Texas Rangers in December 2000. Rodriguez, traded to the Yankees in 2004, opted out of that deal Oct. 28, during the final game of the World Series.

Also: Shortstop David Eckstein agreed to terms with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Shortstop Adam Everett agreed to a $2.8 million, one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.

GOLF

Furyk leads Tiger, three others by one stroke

Jim Furyk shot a 4-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Target World Challenge at Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Tiger Woods pulled his approach into the hazard on the 18th hole to finish with a double bogey for a 69. Zach Johnson, Rory Sabbatini and Henrik Stenson also shot 69.

Also: England’s Robert Rock shot a first-round 2-under 70 in windy conditions to take a one-stroke lead over Charl Schwartzel, Alex Haindl and Ulrich van den Berg in the South African Open in Paarl.

Louise Stahle shot a course-record 8-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Henderson resident Natalie Gulbis struggled to a 77.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oklahoma football aide to get Houston position

Oklahoma assistant football coach Kevin Sumlin will be hired today as Houston’s head coach, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Also: Jerry Kill was named coach at Northern Illinois, less than a week after he took Southern Illinois to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals.

Atlanta Hawks rookie forward Al Horford was suspended for one game by the NBA for a flagrant foul against Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford in Tuesday’s game.

The Los Angeles Clippers waived forward Ruben Patterson, who made five starts in 20 games, averaging 5.1 points and 3.2 assists.

Lisa Leslie will return to the Los Angeles Sparks in May for the start of the WNBA season after sitting out last summer to give birth to a baby girl.

Stanford and Penn State advanced to the NCAA volleyball final at Sacramento, Calif. Stanford defeated Southern California 23-30, 30-20, 30-25, 20-30, 16-14, and Penn State beat California, 30-28, 30-25, 30-16.