■ Golf
USGA approves driver test
The US Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club have approved a portable test to measure the trampoline effect in drivers. The test requires only a low-speed strike to the clubface by a small weight on a pendulum, which measures the contact time of the collision. The PGA Tour plans to make the test available to players who want to check the coefficient of restitution (COR) and to rules official in case there is a need to test a driver, but commissioner Tim Finchem said last month there will not be mandatory testing. "This is a game of honor and integrity. It will continue to be that way," Finchem said. "When you're dealing with your ability to stay eligible to play in a golf tournament, you're not going to fool around with whether your driver is above or below a COR limit. You're going to test your drive. "There's no doubt in my mind that every player is going to get their driver tested," he said.
■ baseball
World Series win pays
The Florida Marlins' World Series victory was worth an extra US$306,150 for players receiving full shares, the first increase in the payments after four years of declines. The full share was up from the US$272,147 the Anaheim Angels received in 2002, the commissioner's office said Tuesday. The record of US$312,042 was set by the 1998 New York Yankees. A winning share was worth US$307,809 for the 1999 Yankees, US$294,783 for the 2000 Yankees and US$279,260 for Arizona in 2001. The players' pool was US$41.3 million, up from US$35.3 million last year, but down from US$42.1 million in 2001 and US$43 million 2000. The player pool includes 60 percent of the ticket money from the first three games of each division series, the first four games of each league championship series, and the first four games of the World Series. Florida players split their money into 37 full shares, 29 partial shares and 11 cash awards.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and