IN BRIEF

GOLF

UNLV's Ernst fires opening 65
to take U.S. Public Links lead

UNLV's Derek Ernst shot 6-under 65 for a one-shot lead over John-Tyler Griffin of Georgia Tech after the first round of the U.S. Amateur Public Links on Monday in Greensboro, N.C.

Ernst, preparing for his junior year with the Rebels, made nine birdies, including five during an eight-hole stretch on the back nine.

He had bogeys on the first two holes and another on No. 18 but was superb in between.

"A nice little Oreo cookie in there," Ernst said. "Sweet in the middle, not good on the outside."

The field of 156 players will be cut to 64 after today's second round. Match play begins Wednesday.

COLLEGES

NCAA considers tightening
recruiting rules on youngsters

The NCAA is looking at whether to ban scholarship offers to recruits before July 1 in the summer between their junior and senior years in high school.

The rule would apply to all sports if passed later this year or next. Some coaches are hopeful it could slow an arms-race mentality that has led to earlier and earlier commitments by unproven prospects.

Two years ago, the National Association of Basketball Coaches said it opposed accepting commitments from students who had not yet completed their sophomore seasons in high school. Jim Haney, the group's executive director, said he understands the reasoning behind the new proposal.

The proposal also would require coaches to receive a high school transcript documenting at least five semesters or seven quarters of academic work for a recruit before offering a scholarship.

Also: Royce White, the talented forward who left Minnesota under a cloud, has decided to play basketball at Iowa State.

White, a 6-foot-8-inch, 250-pound forward from Minneapolis, was Minnesota's Mr. Basketball in 2009. He signed with Minnesota but never played a game for the Golden Gophers.

White was suspended last fall after an incident at the Mall of America. He later pleaded guilty to theft and disorderly conduct.

White left Minnesota in February after being charged with trespassing connected to an alleged theft of a laptop computer from a university dorm.

White has four years of eligibility left and is in the process of applying for a waiver from the NCAA to become eligible next season. Iowa State said it expects to learn the results of that waiver request later this summer.

MISCELLANEOUS

NHRA driver died of severe
head, neck, torso injuries

The King County, Wash., medical examiner said an NHRA driver who crashed after crossing the finish line died of severe injuries to his head, neck and torso.

Mark Niver, 60, of Phoenix, died Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Kent, Wash. He was competing in the Top Alcohol dragster class in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing series. The parachutes on his car ripped away after they were deployed, and Niver couldn't stop his dragster before it slammed into the protective netting at the end of the runway.

According to the medical examiner's report, Niver suffered severe injuries to his spinal cord, aorta, esophagus, trachea and ribs. His death was ruled an accident.

Also: Reigning Wimbledon champion Serena Williams will miss the entire World TeamTennis season after cutting her foot.

The WTT said Williams was to have played four matches for the Washington Kastles, but she hurt the bottom of her foot late last week and needed stitches.

It was not clear how she was injured. A message left with her publicist was not immediately returned.

Usain Bolt won't compete at next month's Crystal Palace Diamond League meeting because of British tax rules.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Friday's Areva meet at the Stade de France in Paris, the Olympic and world champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes said he decided to skip the event after his agent informed him he would lose money by competing in London.

The Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost seven players since winning the Stanley Cup a month ago, said they plan to keep 23-year-old restricted free agent defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.

Calling Hjalmarsson one of his team's "core" players, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said Chicago will match the four-year, $14 million offer sheet the defenseman signed with the San Jose Sharks last week.

An audit shows the New York Racing Association facing financial insolvency next year unless the thoroughbred track operator cuts more spending and begins getting revenue from a casino at Aqueduct that doesn't yet exist.

The NYRA operates the Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct tracks. It went into bankruptcy, was bailed out by the state and still operates in the red.