Sports News Roundup: CIMB Classic lead, NLCS Game 1, Pliskova sets up Tianjin final

Golf: Leishman and Woodland joined by Sharma in CIMB Classic lead

Australian Marc Leishman and American Gary Woodland retained their position atop the CIMB Classic leaderboard at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and were joined by Indian youngster Shubhankar Sharma in a three-way share of the lead. Leishman made a blistering start as he gained six shots in his opening seven holes, including an eagle at the third, before finishing with a five-under-par 67 to sit on 19-under overall.

Brewers rough up Kershaw, hold off Dodgers in NLCS Game 1

Brandon Woodruff threw two perfect innings and ignited an 11-hit attack with the first home run ever recorded by a left-handed-hitting pitcher against a lefty pitcher in postseason history Friday night, leading the host Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. The win was the Brewers' 12th straight dating back to the end of the regular season.

Tennis: Pliskova sets up Tianjin final with Garcia

Top seed Karolina Pliskova produced a ruthless display as she raced past Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-1 to reach the Tianjin Open final on Saturday. Pliskova, who won the Pan Pacific Open title last month, dropped just eight points on serve and broke Bacsinszky four times to reach Sunday's final against France's Caroline Garcia.

Playoffs the goal in LeBron's first season: Lakers' Buss

Success for the Los Angeles Lakers' first season with LeBron James will be measured by whether the team can make the playoffs after a five-year absence, owner Jeanie Buss has told Reuters. James made the move to the Lakers from the Cleveland Cavaliers official in July when the three-time NBA champion signed a four-year $154 million contract.

Tennis: Coric stuns Federer in Shanghai, faces Djokovic in final

Croatia's Borna Coric produced a masterful display of power-hitting to stun holder Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters on Saturday and will face Novak Djokovic in the final. Coric was quick out of the blocks at the Qi Zhong Stadium as he broke in the opening game against the top seed and only lost five points on serve to clinch the first set in 34 minutes.

Doping agency denies trying to bully athletes' representative

The World Anti-Doping Agency denied on Friday that it had disrespected or attempted to bully athletes' representative Beckie Scott during a debate in which tensions were "running high" over a decision to reinstate Russia's anti-doping organization. Scott, chair of the WADA Athlete Committee, said in an interview with the BBC that she was "treated with disrespect" and faced "inappropriate" comments and gestures from the WADA executive committee for her opposition to Russia's reinstatement during a September meeting.

Cowboys' Lawrence says he has torn the labrum

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence told reporters Friday he has been playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder the past two seasons. Lawrence is questionable for Dallas' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday as a result of the injury. He aggravated the shoulder hitting Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson early in the Cowboys' 19-16 loss last week.

NFL notebook: 'We believe in Eli,' Giants coach says

New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters Friday that the team is not considering benching quarterback Eli Manning. "No," Shurmur said firmly when asked if a change at quarterback is on the table. "We believe in Eli."

Kenya's ex-sports minister to be charged over Rio Olympics graft

Kenya's former sports minister will be charged in court in relation to the syphoning of funds meant for athletes who competed in the Olympics in Brazil two years ago, the chief prosecutor said on Saturday. The East African nation enjoyed its most successful Olympics in Rio, winning six gold medals, six silvers and one bronze, all in track and field, but the performance was blighted by claims of corruption among senior government officials and team bosses.

Reports: Heat, Winslow agree to the three-year extension

The Miami Heat and forward Justise Winslow have reached agreement on a three-year, $39 million extension, according to multiple reports Friday. The extension will begin in 2019-20 and run through the 2021-22 season. The third year of the deal will reportedly be a team option.

(With inputs from Reuters)