Sports in brief

GOLF

Webb, Alex share lead at Women's Open

Veteran Karrie Webb and second-year LPGA Tour player Marina Alex each shot a 4-under 66 yesterday to share the early lead on a wet and windblown first day at the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. Webb, 40, reeled off four birdies on her second nine holes. Alex birdied three of her last five before the first round was suspended because of an early-evening storm packing strong winds, lightning and heavy rain. The stoppage came with 55 golfers still on the course. Stacey Lewis, who finished second last year, shot a 69. Lydia Ko opened with a 70 and defending champion Michelle Wie, slowed by injury and illness this season, shot a 2-over 72.

Thomas, Thompson lead Deere; Spieth far back

Justin Thomas and Nicholas Thompson were tied for the lead at 8 under par in the opening round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, while Jordan Spieth languished far behind. Thomas and Thompson each shot a 63 at the TPC Deere Run, finishing eight strokes ahead of Masters and U.S. Open champion Spieth. They were a shot ahead of Charles Howell III and Luke Guthrie. Three-time tournament winner Steve Stricker led the list of golfers at 6 under.

Olesen on top at Scottish Open

Thorbjorn Olesen, injured much of last season, returned to form with a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Scottish Open in Gullane. American Jimmy Walker shot 65, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar were at 66 and Phil Mickelson shot 69.

TOUR DE FRANCE

Crash, broken collarbone puts leader Martin out

The yellow jersey seems to be an unlucky charm at this Tour de France. German rider Tony Martin started yesterday's sixth stage in the lead and ended it in the hospital after breaking his collarbone in a crash that he caused near the finish line. He became the second race leader to pull out of the race after Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara fractured two vertebrae in his lower back on Monday. The crash also dragged down defending champion Vincenzo Nibali and Tour contender Nairo Quintana, but they escaped with cuts and bruises. Czech rider Zdenek Stybar rode away amid the chaos to clinch his first Tour stage win at Le Havre.

WNBA

Charles leads Liberty past Washington

Tina Charles had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Epiphanny Prince scored 12 points in her debut as the visiting Liberty defeated the Washington Mystics, 79-76, in overtime. The Liberty (7-4) scored the last six points in overtime. Prince, acquired from Chicago for Cappie Pondexter in an offseason trade of WNBA All-Star guards from Rutgers, started the surge with two free throws with 1:24 left. Charles scored to put the Liberty up 77-76.

SOCCERArgentina men ranked No. 1; U.S. falls to 34th

Argentina passed World Cup champion Germany to take the top spot in the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years and the United States dropped to 34th -- its lowest since 2012. Argentina, which lost the World Cup final to Germany, moved up despite losing the Copa America final to Chile. The United States fell seven spots to its lowest level since it was 36th in July and August 2012. The Americans should move up next month with points accumulated in this month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. -- AP