Heavy rain a day earlier left Pinehurst's No. 2 and No. 4 golf courses playing a bit easier than usual on Monday, with approach shots landing softly and holding instead of skittering across the green. That was the case for Wesley Bryan, who posted a 3-under 67 on No. 2 to lead the morning groups as the 108th U.S. Amateur began.

Qualifying for the 312-player field is split between the two courses. The low 64 scores after the second round will advance to match play, and a 36-hole championship match is scheduled for Sunday.

Andrew Putnam later matched Bryan's score on No. 4. University of North Carolina player Barden Berry (No. 2) shot a 68 in the morning, as did Isaiah Telles (No. 4) and Matt Cook (No. 4). Sihwan Kim (No. 2), David McDaniel (No. 4) and Jeff Edelman (No. 4) tied that score in the afternoon.

Eighteen-year-old New Zealander Danny Lee, one of the favorites, opened with a 1-over 71 in the opening round of stroke play Monday in Pinehurst.

Kevin O'Connell, a UNC sophomore, carded a 72 on No. 4, freshman Jack Fields shot a 73 on No. 4, and Reed Darsie, who just completed his senior year, shot a 73 on No. 2.

Senior Michael Quagliano shot a 2-over 72 on No. 2 to post the top score among the four Duke players competing. Senior Clark Klaasen and junior Adam Long each shot a 74, and incoming freshman Spencer Anderson shot a 78.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND COLLEGE NEWS RELEASES

Night race planned at Atlanta

NASCAR will run under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2009, and the new night race is expected to be run on Labor Day weekend, The Associated Press reported Monday.

Atlanta Motor Speedway and NASCAR officials are planning to announce a schedule change today.

Atlanta's place on the calendar also could move. There has been speculation Atlanta will be part of a three-way trade of race dates for next year's Sprint Cup schedule that involves the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and Talladega Superspeedway.

Home runs highlight LLWS

Faced with elimination, the boys from Mill Creek, Wash., and Tampa, Fla., turned to the long ball to stay alive in the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa.

Four Washington players hit home runs -- two from left-handed slugger Alec Kisena -- in a 16-hit attack that overpowered Hagerstown, Md., 15-5.

Home runs were in vogue all day. Matamoros, Mexico, hit four in a 10-0 shutout of Yona, Guam; Keelen Obadoza's two-run homer in the fifth broke a tie to help Waipahu, Hawaii, beat Rapid City, S.D., 6-4; and Willemstad, Curacao, smacked four homers in a 14-1 win over Emilia, Italy.

Tampa, Fla., rallied late to beat Shelton, Conn., 8-2 in seven innings and advance to the U.S. semifinals.

Mexico and Hawaii have clinched berths in the next round. Maryland and Washington face must-win situations today to advance to the U.S. semis.

Galaxy hires Arena as coach

Bruce Arena has joined Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy as coach and general manager.

"As a coach, I look at this roster, we have Landon Donovan and David Beckham as a starting point. That's fabulous," Arena said after his first practice. "I think we have a good group of players to join in and make this a good team."

Arena will make his coaching debut with the Galaxy on Thursday night against the Chicago Fire without Beckham and probably without Donovan and Carlos Ruiz as well -- they with their national teams.

U.S. MIDFIELDER EDU JOINING RANGERS: U.S. midfielder Maurice Edu agreed to a five-year deal with Glasgow Rangers on Scotland's Premier League. The $5 million transfer from MLS's Toronto FC is subject to a work permit being granted, Rangers said.

Next page >

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.