Four months after his epic U.S. Open victory, Tiger Woods returned to Torrey Pines yesterday without a limp. He didn't have golf clubs, either.

Hopping from a cart, Woods walked up to John Abel, 59, doffed his cap and extended his right hand. "Hey, I hear you're looking for a caddie. I'm Tiger Woods -- pleased to meet you."

Out of action since beating Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff for his 14th career major, Woods came back to Torrey Pines to deliver on his end of the "Tee Off with Tiger" online sweepstakes sponsored by Buick.

Showing no signs of his season-ending knee surgery a week after the U.S. Open, Woods wore a green caddie's bib inscribed with Abel's name as he guided him around the back nine of the South Course, where he has won six times in the Buick Invitational and once in a U.S. Open.

Playing with torn ligaments in his left knee and a double stress fracture in his leg, Woods made a 12-foot birdie on the final hole to force an 18-hole playoff, made a 4-foot birdie on the 18th in the playoff to stay alive and finally won with a par.

Fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo and Juan Carlos Ferrero won in straight sets yesterday to reach the second round of the Lyon Grand Prix in Lyon, France. Robredo defeated Michael Llodra, 6-4, 6-3. Llodra said he was worn out and might miss the rest of the season because of pain behind his right knee. Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, beat big-serving Sam Querrey, 6-3, 7-5. Wild-card Josselin Ouanna rallied past Ivan Ljubicic, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-4 for his first win on the ATP tour; wild-card Steve Darcis upset Radek Stepanek, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; and Julien Benneteau downed Arnaud Clement, 6-3, 6-2.

• Fifth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka was upset by qualifier Benjamin Becker 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) in the first round of the Swiss Indoors. Eighth-seeded Mardy Fish also advanced, beating Agustin Calleri, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Jazz point guard Deron Williams will miss at least two weeks with a sprained left ankle. Williams had an MRI, two days after he was injured in a preseason game at Chicago. Williams rolled his ankle when he landed on Chicago rookie Derrick Rose's foot on a 3-pointer in the first quarter and was carried off the floor. The MRI results showed no damage to the bone and tendons around the ankle.

• The Celtics have waived forward Darius Miles, who missed the past two seasons with knee injuries and who was suspended without pay for 10 games this season for violating the NBA's anti-drug program. Boston signed Miles as a free agent Aug. 22.

• Sasha Vujacic went through his first practice with the Lakers since spraining his left ankle on the first day of training camp. Vujacic, who signed a three-year, $15 million contract July 28, has said he hopes to play in one of the Lakers' three remaining exhibition games this week and be ready when the season begins.

• Baron Davis learned his injured finger does not need surgery, and the Clippers guard might be ready to play in the season opener. Davis has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left ring finger, but is expected to resume basketball activities in a week.

Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees. Jerry Jones and George Steinbrenner. Two of the most recognizable franchises in all of sports -- and two of the highest-profile owners -- are forming a company together. Legends Hospitality Management will handle concession and merchandise sales at the clubs' new stadiums, with the goal of eventually doing the same for other pro teams and college programs. Each franchise moves into a new stadium next year. Goldman Sachs and CIC Partners LP will help provide financing for the company.

D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno is retiring from international soccer and will play his last game for Bolivia this week. Moreno's final appearance for his country will be tomorrow in an exhibition against El Salvador at RFK Stadium, where United plays its MLS home games. Moreno is the leading scorer in MLS history with 122 goals. He also has 99 assists.