Thousand Oaks, Calif. — Tiger Woods’ peers went from talking about him to playing in his $5.75 million golf tournament.

He previously pulled out of the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, an 18-player event that pays $1.35 million to the winner. Participants spent most of the week taking questions on their sport’s biggest star, most offering support and curious about details and some of the allegations.

After the first round, Ian Poulter and Zach Johnson are tied for the lead in the tournament at 4-under 68 after the first round.

Meanwhile, a potentially explosive news conference with an alleged mistress was canceled Thursday and more details trickled out about the car accident that started all the trouble for Woods.

The news conference in Los Angeles for Rachel Uchitel, the woman who denied a tabloid report about an affair with Woods, was canceled about an hour before it was to begin.

High-profile attorney Gloria Allred, who was to make a statement about Uchitel’s relationship with golf’s No. 1 player, said it was called off because of “unforeseen circumstances.” Allred said she would have no further comment.

For the first time since last Friday, when Woods ran his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his Florida home, there were no news conferences involving police nor any statements from Woods on his Web site.

His last one was Wednesday, when he issued a statement conceding that he had “let my family down.” That followed a report in Us Weekly magazine of a cocktail waitress claiming to have had a 31-month affair with Woods.

The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of an interview the Florida Highway Patrol conducted with Woods’ neighbors after the accident. Troopers interviewed Jarius Adam, who called 911, and his sister, Kimberly Harris.

Harris told troopers that Woods’ mother, Kultida, and mother-in-law, Barbro Holmberg, were at the scene, but the AP could not confirm that.

A voice that strongly resembles Woods’ mother is heard in the background during the 911 call saying loudly, “What happened?”

NFL

Vikings RB ticketed

Minneapolis — Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson could lose his driver’s license after police clocked him driving at 109 mph — nearly twice the posted speed limit — on a suburban Minneapolis highway last weekend.

Peterson told the Associated Press on Thursday that he “got a little speeding ticket. I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again.”

GM out in Seattle

Renton, Wash. — Tim Ruskell has been pushed out as president and general manager of the Seahawks, leaving the door open for Mike Holmgren’s possible return to Seattle.

Ruskell announced his resignation Thursday, weeks before his five-year contract with the team ends. He asked the team if he was going to be retained so he could begin planning for offseason moves. Owner Paul Allen, the ailing Microsoft Corp. tycoon, and Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke told Ruskell no, so he left.

Workers hurt in Dallas

Dallas — Two workers doing maintenance on the roof of towering Cowboys Stadium slipped and tumbled at least 50 feet Thursday morning before coming to a stop atop a rain gutter that rings the structure, authorities said. Both suffered injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

College basketball

Mountain St. player shot

Beckley, W.Va. — A Mountain State University basketball player was shot multiple times outside the school’s athletics dorm following an altercation with another man.

Beckley, W.Va., police Detective Sgt. David Allard said the 22-year-old player was being treated at a hospital after the shooting early Thursday.

Mountain State basketball coach Bob Bolen identified the player as Alvin Mitchell, a 6-foot-5 junior guard from Miami.

KSU, Patterson agree

Manhattan — Women’s basketball coach Deb Patterson, the all-time winningest coach in Kansas State history, has agreed to a new five-year contract.

The deal will run through the 2014 season. She is 267-150 in 14 seasons, has won two Big 12 championships and made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Haskell women No. 18

Haskell Indian Nations University is ranked No. 18 in the first NAIA Div. II women’s basketball poll voted on by a panel of head coaches and released this week.

It’s the highest ranking ever for the Fightin’ Indians, who are off to a 12-2 start. HINU was ranked No. 25 in the preseason poll.

MLB

Polanco, Phillies agree

Philadelphia — Placido Polanco is putting aside his Gold Glove and switching positions to have a chance at winning a championship.

Polanco returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, agreeing to an $18 million, three-year contract.

The 34-year-old free agent won Gold Gloves at second base for the Detroit Tigers in 2007 and this year, but will shift to third base, which hasn’t been his primary position since 2002.

A’s boost infield

Oakland, Calif.– The Oakland Athletics acquired third baseman Jake Fox, second baseman Aaron Miles and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for three players.

The Cubs got right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray, minor league outfielder Matt Spencer and minor league righty Ronny Morla.

Braves add to bullpen

Atlanta — The Braves made another move to strengthen their pitching staff Thursday, agreeing to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with right-handed reliever Takashi Saito.

College football

Hofstra ends program

Hempstead, N.Y. — With costs growing and few students even bothering to go to the games, Hofstra shut down its football team.

The decision came in a unanimous vote by the board of trustees Wednesday night, jolting the players and marking the end of a sport at the school that had been around since the university’s founding in 1937.