Sports in brief

GOLFDonald off to solid start

Luke Donald got off to a strong start in his pursuit of Webb Simpson and the top spot on the PGA money list, shooting a 6-under 66 Thursday in the opening round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic to share the lead with six other players. Donald, the world No. 1, is trying to become the first player to finish the season No. 1 on both the European and PGA Tour money lists. The Englishman was paired with Simpson, who was two strokes back after a 68 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Donald has made $5,837,214, Simpson $6,200,243.

Tseng, Miyazato tied in Taiwan

Yani Tseng began her home event with a 4-under 68 to join Ai Miyazato of Japan with a one-shot lead after the first round of the Taiwan Championship in Yang Mei. Tseng caught up to Miyazato after she started with four birdies over the front nine. Americans Jennifer Song and Morgan Pressel shot 69.

COURTSLandis on trial in computer hacking

American cyclist Floyd Landis and one of his former coaches went on trial in absentia in Paris over allegations they spearheaded a plot to hack into an anti-doping laboratory's computers. French court officials say Landis -- who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for doping -- and former manager Arnie Baker never replied to a summons for the Paris trial. SOCCERRed Bulls clinch playoff berth

The host Red Bulls took advantage of an own goal in the eighth minute to beat the Philadelphia Union, 1-0, Thursday night and clinch an MLS playoff spot.

The Red Bulls (10-8-16) won their most important game of the season -- without leading scorer Thierry Henry (red card last Saturday) -- to pull into a tie with Houston for the ninth seed of 10 spots.

Depending on what the Dynamo does against Los Angeles Sunday, the Red Bulls will have a single-elimination wild- card play-in game on the road either Wednesday or Thursday against the seventh or eighth seed.-- AP