Dolphins hit .500 mark...Johnson extended again...Westwood the leader in Dubai

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) After getting off to an 0-and-3 start, the Miami Dolphins are 5-and-5 after holding off the Carolina Panthers 24-17. Ricky Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns for the winners.

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) Jimmie Johnson has signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2015. The veteran driver goes into Sunday's season finale at Homestead with a 108-point lead over teammate Mark Martin in the Cup championship standings and needs only to finish 25th or better to win an unprecedented fourth-straight series title.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Lee Westwood fired a 3-under-par 69 to grab a two-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the Dubai World Championship. If the Englishman goes on to win the season-ending event on the European Tour, not only will he collect $1.25 million in prize money, he'll receive a $1.5 million bonus for winning the Race to Dubai money prize. Rory McIlroy was the leader going into the tournament and is one of six players tied for second.

RICHMOND, Texas (AP) Lorena Ochoa (lohr-AY'-nuh oh-CHOH'-uh) started the day with a one-shot lead over Reilley Rankin at the LPGA Tour Championship. Michelle Wie (wee) withdrew with a sprained ankle after carding an even-par 72.

ZURICH (AP) The United States falls three places to 14th in the FIFA (FEE'-fuh) rankings while European champion Spain regains the No. 1 spot from Brazil. The Netherlands and Italy remain third and fourth. The biggest mover in the top 10 was Portugal, which rose five places to fifth by twice beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-20-09 0852CST | save this article / add to your favorites list