IRB Junior World Championship. Canada finished sixth at the Ju

ROGERS, Ark. -- Mika Miyazato changed putters following a missed cut at a tournament in Texas in April, hoping to put a quick end to what had been a disappointing season so far. Miyazatos move has paid off in the form of her top three finishes of the year -- including her best round of the year on Friday. The Japanese golfer birdied six of 10 holes in the middle of her round to shoot a 6-under 65 and earn the first-round lead at the LPGA Tours NW Arkansas Championship. The round was only Miyazatos second in the 60s this year, topping the 69 she opened her year with in Thailand in February. Miyazato finished in a tie for second at the event last year, missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish a stroke back of winner Ai Miyazato. The Japanese golfer hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation on Friday to finish a shot ahead of So Yeon Ryu and Angela Stanford at 5 under. "Well, I was disappointed last year, but I was very good friends with Ai, like (an) older sister (to) Ai," Mika Miyazato said. "It was a good experience last year." Ten golfers are two shots back of Miyazato at 4 under, including local favourite Stacy Lewis, who played collegiately at the nearby University of Arkansas. World No. 1 Inbee Park is four shots off the lead, as is Charlottetowns Lorie Kane, after shooting a 2-under 69. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., also shot a 69. Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que., and Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont., shot 71s. Torontos Rebecca Lee-Bentham carded a 73. It was Miyazato, however, who bested the rest of the star-packed field on Friday -- a group that included 97 of the top 100 on the money list heading into next weeks U.S. Open. She did so despite a disappointing year so far, one that had her enter this week 46th on the money list and 77th in scoring average. Still 15th in the world rankings, Miyazato had struggled mightily with her putting -- ranking 133rd on the tour. She looked comfortable from tee to green on Friday, hitting 16 greens in regulation and making several key putts. That included a 10-footer to save par on No. 16, on that followed her final birdie of the day on the par-3 15th. Miyazato was heartbroken after last years close call at the tournament, which would have been her first victory on the tour. She went on to win her first LPGA event later last year at the Safeway Classic, and shed like nothing better than to add to that total this weekend. "I think (the) second win is more difficult than the first win," Miyazato said. While Miyazato posted the lowest score of the day during her morning round, Lewis enjoyed the largest gallery during the afternoon in front of her Arkansas fans -- who serenaded her with a call of "Woo Pig Sooie" after she hit the green on No. 17. The Texas native missed her birdie putt on the hole, but she closed out her round with an up-and-down birdie out of the greenside bunker on the par-5 18th. The world No. 2 earned an unofficial win at the rain-shortened event as an amateur in 2007, but she hasnt finished higher than eighth since. She had no such problems on Friday, hitting 13 of 13 fairways and closing with four birdies on the back nine. "I got off to a little bit of a slow start, just wasnt really making any putts on the front and then kind of relaxed there on the back, made a few putts," Lewis said. "... I was feeling good. Even when I was even par, I was feeling good about my game." The course at Pinnacle Country Club played slow and soft earlier this week following heaving rains in recent months. However, hot and humid conditions throughout the week began to speed things up on Friday -- which was just to the liking of many of the golfers. Miyazatos took the early lead with her morning birdie binge, and her 65 held off a group of 12 golfers who are within two shots of the lead. Ryu posted her 66 while playing with Miyazato in the morning, while Stanfords 5 under came in the afternoon in Lewis group. The group at 4 under includes Lewis, Chie Arimura, Danielle Kang, Azahara Munoz, Beatriz Recari, Lisa McCloskey, Mina Harigae, Suzann Pettersen, Christel Boeljon and Sarah Kemp.Custom Sabres Jerseys . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Cheap Custom Sabres Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.customsabresjersey.com/ . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Cheap Sabres Jerseys . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Wholesale Custom Sabres Shirts . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide.TEMUCO, Chile -- Canada looks to regain its spot alongside the big boys of world under-20 rugby when it takes on Italy in Sundays final of the IRB Junior World Trophy. The winner of the eight-team second-tier tournament earns promotion to the elite 12-team IRB Junior World Championship. Canada finished sixth at the Junior World Trophy in 2012, fourth in 2011 and fifth in 2010. Italy was relegated from the top-tier tournament after losing 19-17 to Fiji in a match for 12th place last year. Both Canada and Italy come into Sundays final with perfect 3-0 records.ddddddddddddThe Italians have kept the scoreboard ticking, putting up 33 against Namibia, 50 against Chile and 59 against Portugal. Canada, coached by Mike Shelley, defeated Tonga 24-6, Japan 39-15 and Uruguay 36-15. Winning promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship has been painful so far for the United States. Last years winner of the second-tier competition, they were thumped 97-0 by defending champion South Africa in their return to the top level. ' ' '