Sports briefs

Salt Lake to host mixed-martial arts event

The Rail Event Center in Salt Lake City will become home to the WCFC "Proving Ground" Saturday night. The night of mixed-martial arts bouts features a compelling lineup of local athletes in an event that will donate a portion of ticket sales to two local charities — The Road Home and Fight for What's Right.

The night begins at 7 and features local talent, as well as a bout between two promising female fighters.

The main event features Jordan "Mata Ele" Smith taking on Brandon "The Murder" Melendez.

The rest of the fights promise to be just as compelling with Robert "The Wrecker" Densley vs. Brian "The Cannibal" Thomas in the 155 pound fight. "Mad" Mike Arrant will take on Koffi "Lil Rampage" Adzitso in the 170 pound welterweight.

In the same weight class Sean Walen will fight Eduardo Rivera. At 130 pound featherweight Lindsey Barnes and Brittany Howard will fight in a rare bout between two women.

At 155 pound lightweight, Lucas Montoya will square off against Dayne Aristizabal.

There will also be a heavyweight bout between Nick Pendleton and Tony Strader, both of whom are bouncers at competing nightclubs.

Youngster Fowler leads at Memorial

DUBLIN, Ohio — Rickie Fowler, the new kid in golf, gave himself a chance Friday to be the next kid to win on the PGA Tour.

The 21-year-old Fowler ran off three straight birdies late in his round for a 6-under 66 to tie the 36-hole record at the Memorial Tournament and take a three-shot lead over Justin Rose into the weekend at soggy Muirfield Village.

Fowler was at 13-under 131, matching the record set by Scott Hoch in 1987.

Youth has been all the rage on the PGA Tour over the last month, with Rory McIlroy winning at Quail Hollow two days before his 21st birthday, and Jason Day winning the Byron Nelson Championship two weeks ago at age 22.

Defending champion Tiger Woods was just inside the projected cut line when he started, and with his lackluster play on a course that can penalize errant shots, there was some question whether he would be around for all four rounds in his final event before the U.S. Open. Those questions didn't last long. He birdied three of the opening five holes, then ran off three straight birdies on his front nine to offset the few mistakes for a 69. He was at 3-under 141, 10 shots behind, but still playing.