Japan’s Wakimoto shoots 9-under 63 to lead at LPGA’s Toto Classic

SHIGA, Japan>> Hana Wakimoto of Japan shot a bogey-free 9-under 63 on Thursday to lead by two shots after the first round of the LPGA’s Toto Classic.

Jin Young Ko of South Korea was two off the pace after a 65 at Seta Golf Course. Four players carded 66s: Linn Grant, Ayake Furue, Hyo Joo Kim, and Jenny Shin.

Wakimoto’s score tied the Seta course record and was the best round of her career.

“Recently my ball striking has been very good, so I have been confident and I could attack the pins today,” said Wakimoto.

Matthew Sluka, who left UNLV over NIL dispute, enters transfer portal

LAS VEGAS >> Quarterback Matthew Sluka, who left UNLV three games into the season over a name, image and likeness dispute, has entered the transfer portal, agent Marcus Cromartie said Thursday.

Sluka’s decision to leave the Rebels after leading them to a 3-0 record ignited a nationwide debate about what kind of precedent this could set. By leaving before playing a fifth game, Sluka was able to use a redshirt season and preserve his final year of eligibility.

Cromartie and Bob Sluka, the quarterback’s father, have said Sluka was promised $100,000 in NIL money to transfer from Holy Cross, but no payments were ever made.

Helmet communications flaw resolved, Big 12 says; no games were impacted

IRVING, Texas>> Big 12 football teams have received an encryption update that protects communication from coaches to players through their helmets.

The conference released a statement Thursday saying none of its games were compromised by the flaw, which was first detected in an SEC game in September. All the Power 4 conferences use the same communications system.

Earlier this year, the NCAA approved coach-to-player communication through the helmet, the likes of which have been in play in NFL games for several years.

Verstappen unfazed by criticism after aggressive battle with Norris in Mexico

SAO PAULO >> Three-time defending Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he doesn’t care about criticism of his racing tactics at the Mexico City Grand Prix last weekend.

The Red Bull driver saw his championship lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris decrease to 47 points after a race in which he received two 10-second time penalties — one for forcing Norris off the track, and a short time later for gaining position when he left the track.

Verstappen spoke ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

“It is my 10th year in F1. I know what I am doing,” Verstappen said. “I like to win. I don’t like to lose.”

Humbert beats Alcaraz to join Zverev and Tsitsipas in Paris Masters quarterfinals

PARIS >> Frenchman Ugo Humbert harnessed the energy of the home crowd and produced one of his best career performances in beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters.

Eighth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5) to have an outside chance of reaching the ATP Finals.

Earlier, Alexander Zverev silenced the raucous home crowd, beating French prospect Arthur Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. He next plays 10th-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas.