Woods, Jordan Paired for First Time in Official Competition

Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, the two most influential endorsers in the world of sports, will play together for the first time in official competition at this week's Wachovia Championship Pro-Am golf tournament.

Woods, the world's top-ranked golfer, and Jordan, part-owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, will tee off at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow as part of a threesome at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, the event's organizers said in a news release.

Woods, 31, and Jordan, 44, are close friends and have played recreational rounds together in the past. In 2004, Jordan spoke to the U.S. Ryder Cup team before its defeat to the Europeans.

· SOCCER: The visiting Colorado Rapids spoiled Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz's MLS debut with a 2-0 victory. Forward Roberto Brown opened the scoring in the 71st minute, beating his defender and then Seitz from 12 yards out. It was Brown's second goal of the year.

Real Salt Lake (0-2-2) switched to Seitz (Maryland), the No. 1 pick in the MLS Super Draft, after starter Nick Ri mando allowed four goals in a 4-0 loss to Chivas on April 21. . . .

The United States and several other countries are capable of hosting the 2010 World Cup if South Africa isn't ready, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said.

England, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Australia also all would be ready to step in, Blatter said in the BBC's "Inside Sport" program that was to be broadcast last night.

Blatter said he is confident South Africa will host the 2010 tournament, but that FIFA has contingency plans in place in case of organizational delays. . . .

England striker Michael Owen played for the first time since injuring his knee at the World Cup, appearing for Newcastle in a 1-0 loss to Reading in a Premier League game. Owen played the entire game after being sidelined for 10 months. He ruptured a ligament in his right knee while facing Sweden on June 20.

· COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Henry Sims, a 6-foot-11 center who is considered one of the top high school players in the Baltimore area, has committed to play for Georgetown, his high school coach said yesterday evening.

Mount St. Joseph Coach Pat Clatchey said that Sims, a junior, chose a scholarship offer from the Hoyas over offers from Maryland and Virginia. Sims averaged 11.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks this past season.

· CYCLING: Italian Ivan Basso quit the Discovery Channel team after Italian authorities reopened an investigation into his role in a Spanish doping scandal.

· COURTS: A former doctor will plead guilty to illegally prescribing anabolic steroids and human growth hormone to patients she never met or examined, her lawyer said.

Ana Maria Santi reached an agreement with prosecutors and plans to plead guilty June 1 to 29 counts of health care fraud, conspiracy and illegal drug distribution in federal court in Providence, R.I., said her attorney, Edward C. Roy.

-- From News Services and Staff Reports