*GOLF: Na Yeon Choi of South Korea shot a career best 9-under 63 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over compatriot Jiyai Shin in the Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Choi was at 15-under 201, tying the tournament’s three-round record set by Annika Sorenstam when the Swede won in 2002 and 2005. … Jay Haas and Nick Price shared the Greater Hickory Classic lead at 11-under 131, but 31 players were within six strokes of the leaders going into the final round of the Champions Tour event in Conover, N.C. … Benn Barham shot a 4-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead over Soren Hansen after three rounds of the Austrian Open.
*SOCCER: Arsenal bounced back from two straight defeats in the Premier League, routing Wigan 4-0 behind Thomas Vermaelen’s two goals, and title rival Liverpool struggled to put away West Ham 3-2. … Lionel Messi scored twice to help leader Barcelona defeat Atletico Madrid 5-2 and continue its perfect start to the defense of its Spanish league title. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita also had goals in the victory at Camp Nou. Barcelona has a maximum nine points.
*BASKETBALL : Michael Henderson, a referee who was previously fired by the NBA, is among the group of replacements who have agreed to participate in training camp next week. … World champion Spain defeated Greece 82-64 to advance to the European basketball championship final against Serbia. Lakers center Pau Gasol led Spain with 18 points.
*ALSO: Regal Ransom made a triumphant return to the races with a wire-to-wire victory in the $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. … Alejandro Valverde is closing in on the Spanish Vuleta title with one stage to go. The Spanish rider cemented his overall lead with a seventh-place finish in a time trial won by Britain’s David Millar. … USA Swimming voted to ban high-tech suits three months before the sport’s world governing body is expected to do the same.
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EDITED BY BOB FOLTMAN FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
