■Golf
Woods blames his caddie
Tiger Woods blamed his caddie for persuading him to use a driver on the third hole of the final round of the Masters, where a double bogey derailed his chances of winning. That doesn't mean Steve Williams is out of a job. "Contrary to some reports, Stevie and I are getting along fine," Woods said Wednesday in his monthly online newsletter. "Stevie and I disagree about club selection all the time, but it's part of the business. Ultimately, it's my responsibility to pull the trigger. In that case, I just hit a bad shot." Woods was three strokes off the lead in the final round. He usually hits a 3-iron on the 350-yard hole, but Williams wanted him to be aggressive and hit a driver. The ball wound up in the bushes, and Woods had to play a left-handed shot back to the fairway. He wound up with a 75, his worst final round in a major. "Stevie has done a wonderful job and we have a great relationship," Woods said.
■ Snowboard
Otterstrom gets a break
Snowboarder Chad Otterstrom's lifetime suspension for using a banned stimulant was reduced to two years by the US Anti-Doping Agency on Wednesday because he was using a prescribed medication. Otterstrom, 26, tested positive for methylpheniate after he finished first in the US Snowboard Grand Prix superpipe in Breckenridge, Colorado in January. His first-place finish remains voided under the shorter suspension, which will be carried out by the US Ski and Snowboard Association. Otterstrom received a three-month suspension in January 2000 for using the substance, the agency said. The US Anti-Doping Agency, an independent agency funded by the federal government, oversees drug-testing of American athletes.
Agencies
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely