Simpson has 11-under start

Former Wake Forest All-American and Raleigh native Webb Simpson fired a remarkable 11-under-par 61 to grab a two-shot lead at the Nationwide Tour's Chattanooga Classic.

Simpson started his day with a birdie on the par-4 10th. He then went on to make a birdie at No. 12, and after a par at No. 13, he ripped off a string of five birdies to end the back nine with a 7-under 29 at the Black Creek Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.

After three pars to start the front nine, Simpson went on another birdie run, making four straight on holes 4-7. He was then 11 under par, needing birdies on his final two holes for the magical 59. Simpson ended up with two more pars and a two-shot lead. For the day, Simpson made 11 birdies and seven pars.

Another former Wake standout, Kyle Reifers, is also in the field this week. He posted a 1-under 71 in the opening round.

Tied for second, at 9-under 63, were Skip Kendall, Kris Blanks and Matt Weibring.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN: Coming off an unexpected victory last week in the Texas Open, Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion shot a 10-under 62 on Thursday for a share of the first-round lead with Marc Turnesa at Las Vegas.

Michael Allen, Nick Watney, Matt Kuchar and Ken Duke opened with 63s, and Canadian Open winner Chez Reavie, Kevin Na, John Mallinger and Nick Flanagan shot 64s. U.S. Ryder Cup players Hunter Mahan and Chad Campbell, a former UNLV star, topped a group at 65.

KAPALUA LPGA CLASSIC: Suzann Pettersen birdied the final two holes for a 4-under 68 to take the early first-round lead Thursday at Kapalua, Hawaii.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, seeking her eighth victory of the season, was even through seven holes. She was in an afternoon group with No. 2 Annika Sorenstam, who was 3 over after a double bogey on No. 4.

Brittany Lang birdied her final hole to open with a 69, and Australian Anna Rawson, Kristy McPherson and South Korea's Ji Young Oh were tied at 70.

PORTUGAL MASTERS: Stuart Manley shot a 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round at Vilamoura, Portugal on Thursday.

Jyoti Randhawa was tied for second with Alvaro Quiros and Mark Foster, all one stroke behind Manley. Seven players were another stroke back, including Martin Erlandsson, Andrew McLardy, Soren Kjeldsen and Graeme McDowell.

BALLESTEROS HAS COMPLICATION AFTER SURGERY: Seve Ballesteros developed a complication following brain tumor surgery, requiring doctors to remove a piece of the golf star's skull to relieve pressure.

The 51-year-old Spaniard was stable but still in intensive care, La Paz Hospital said Thursday.

A sizable part of the tumor was taken out Tuesday, although it was not yet known if it was malignant. The hospital said Ballesteros had presented a "decreased level of consciousness by brain swelling."

Ballesteros briefly lost consciousness and on Oct. 6 was admitted to the hospital, where the tumor was discovered.

TIMBERWOLVES 90, RAPTORS 86: Ryan Gomes scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Blake Ahearn added 15 points to help Minnesota beat host Toronto in an exhibition game.

WIZARDS' HAYWOOD OUT UP TO SIX MONTHS: The Washington Wizards say starting center Brendan Haywood could miss up to six months while recovering from surgery on his right wrist.

Haywood had the operation to repair a torn ligament Thursday in New York. He will spend 2 1/2 months in a cast before starting rehabilitation.

He was hurt Oct. 2 during training camp.

THUNDER PICKS UP OPTIONS ON DURANT AND GREEN: The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised its team options to keep reigning rookie of the year Kevin Durant and fellow first-round pick Jeff Green with the team through next season.