LA QUINTA, Calif. - Matt Kuchar stumbled late in the third round of the Humana Challenge, handing the lead to Erik Compton, Bill Haas, Justin Thomas and Michael Putnam
Two strokes ahead after a birdie on the par-5 14th, Kuchar bogeyed three of the final four holes Saturday for a 1-under 71 on PGA West's Arnold Palmer Private Course.
Two-time heart transplant recipient Compton shot a 67 on the Jack Nicklaus Private Course to join Haas, Thomas and Putnam at 17-under 199. Haas, the 2010 winner, had a 69 on the Nicklaus layout. Thomas shot 68 on the Palmer course, and Putnam had a 69 at La Quinta Country Club.
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Kuchar was a stroke back along with Ryan Palmer, Scott Pinckney and Steve Wheatcroft
Defending champion Patrick Reed, of Spring, was tied for ninth at 14 under after a 67.
In other golf news:
Dustin Johnson is returning to the PGA Tour from a six-month break in which he said Friday "it was time to grow up." Johnson has not competed since he missed the cut at the Canadian Open on July 25. His first tournament back will be the Farmers Insurance Open on Feb. 5-8.
Miguel Angel Jimenez shot an 8-under 64 for a share of the lead with Rocco Mediate in the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
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South Africa's Branden Grace made a decisive eagle on the 16th to win the Qatar Masters by one stroke over Scotland's Marc Warren in Doha, Qatar, and clinch his sixth European Tour title.
Winter Sports
Gut wins race;Vonn falls flat
Lara Gut of Switzerland won a World Cup downhill, while Lindsey Vonn missed a chance to extend her wins record as she almost skied out and finished well behind in T. Moritz, Switzerland.
Vonn was fastest through the top sections but hit trouble at a tight left-hand turn. She went into soft snow beside the course and was almost turned around. She recovered to finish 23rd, more than two seconds back.
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Hockey
Johansen, Weber show off skills
Ryan Johansen of the hometown Columbus Blue Jackets pulled a kid out of the stands and guided him to a goal to win the breakaway challenge, and Nashville's Shea Weber fired the hardest shot with a 108.5-mph blast at the NHL All-Stars skills competition.
The team captained by Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno defeated one led by Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, 25-19.
Team Foligno will meet Team Toews on Sunday in the 60th All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio.
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In other news:
The World Cup of Hockey will make its return in 2016. The tournament will feature eight teams with the games played in Toronto before NHL training camps open in September.
The league also announced the Bruins and Canadiens will play in the Winter Classic next year on Jan. 1 at Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots.
College Football
Houston adds4 commitments
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The University of Houston and new football coach Tom Herman reeled in four high school commitments, including Cedar Hill's Jarrid Williams, a 6-5, 283-pound offensive lineman, and Kobe Idumwonyi, a 6-1, 220-pound tight end.
UH also received commitments from Michael Eke, a 6-2, 190-pound free safety from Cypress Falls, and Darius Gilbert, a 6-2, 190-pound safety/cornerback from North Webster (La.).
In other news:
Rice picked up a commitment from Denton Guyer defensive tackle Carl Thompson
Lane Kiffin said he is coming back to Alabama for a second season as offensive coordinator.
Boxing
Esparza defeats Fuchs to win title
Marlen Esparza defeated fellow Houston-area boxer Ginny Fuchs in a unanimous decision to claim the championship in the women's 112-pound flyweight division at the USA Boxing Elite National Championships in Spokane, Wash.
In other news:
Brandon Rios defeated Mike Alvarado in a third-round knockout in their welterweight bout in Broomfield, Colo.
Miscellaneous
Upstart wins Holy Bull race
Upstart pulled away in the stretch and easily won the $400,000 Grade 2 Holy Bull in Hallandale Beach, Fla., one of the early races that will determine the field for the Kentucky Derby.
In other news:
Mischief Clem outdueled Pulmarack by a head to win the $250,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds in a photo finish at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Anthony Johnson upset Sweden's Alexander Gustafsson with a first-round knockout in their heavyweight bout at UFC Stockholm, setting up a future date between Johnson and defending champion Jon Jones
From staff and wire reports
