■ Golf
Clarke bags title
Darren Clarke shot a closing three-under-par 67 at the Firestone Country Club South Course on Sunday to win his second World Golf Championship title by a comfortable four-stroke margin. The Northern Irishman led by a single shot overnight and got off to a good start as he cruised to a 12-under 268 total, well ahead of American Jonathan Kaye in second place. With the victory, the 35-year-old became just the second player after Tiger Woods to win multiple WGC tournaments after he picked up the Accenture Match Play championships in 2000.
■ Tennis
Srichaphan wins TD Cup
Top-seeded Paradorn Srichaphan beat James Blake 6-2, 6-4 to retain the TD Waterhouse Cup title on Sunday. Paradorn's second ATP title this year was the fourth of his career. The Thai star completed the week without conceding a set in five matches. Paradorn beat Blake for the first time in four meetings. In their previous matchup, the final at Washington last year, Blake won in three sets for his only victory in six years on the ATP tour.
■ Cricket
South Africa on course
South Africa were scenting victory in the fourth test against England on Sunday after totally outsmarting their hosts. Resuming the fourth day on 165 for five, they raced to 365 in their second innings to set England a massive 401 to win before reducing them to 165 for five by the close. Mark Butcher (57) and Andrew Flintoff (45) were at the crease, having put on a face-saving 70 after four of England's top six failed to reach double figures. The game had looked nicely poised in the morning but a South African success, and a 2-1 lead in the series, already looked assured by lunch.
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