Perry leads, youth gives way at Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP)—Kenny Perry went to the PGA Tour’s weekly Bible study in the home of Fred Funk, and if the message was about storing up treasures in heaven, the 47-year-old Perry found inspiration from a more tangible prize.

Three years ago, Funk won The Players Championship at 48, making him the oldest winner of this prestigious event. Perry snooped around the house and found the crystal trophy, rubbing his hands on it.

“I got a good look at his trophy,” Perry said Friday. “That guy inspired me.”

In demanding conditions on the scary Stadium Course—wind that gusted to 35 mph and temperatures that pushed 90—Perry kept his wits and his patience on his way to a 2-under 70 to build a one-shot lead.

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Lilly leads Cubs past Diamondbacks 3-1

CHICAGO (AP)—Instead of his glove and his temper, Ted Lilly got attention for his pitching and his bat.

After giving up a first-inning homer to Chris Young, Lilly regrouped and helped the Chicago Cubs beat Arizona 3-1 Friday in the teams’ first meeting since the Diamondbacks’ first-round playoff sweep seven months ago.

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Packers release WR Koren Robinson

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—The Green Bay Packers released Koren Robinson on Friday, the latest setback for the veteran wide receiver trying to resurrect his career after serving an NFL suspension and jail time.

Not long after Green Bay signed the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Robinson in 2006, the league suspended him for a year for alcohol-related problems.

He sought treatment that included attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and taking a drug that would make him sick if he drank alcohol again.

When he was reinstated to the league he appeared to have put his troubles behind him. Teammates said they were impressed by his work ethic and his obvious efforts to stay clean.

The 28-year-old Robinson also won the support of Brett Favre, who has acknowledged his own history of substance abuse. In a public plea to league officials on behalf of Robinson in 2007, Favre suggested Robinson’s comeback could help the league move past the negative publicity from other players’ legal problems.