■ Golf
The future is upon us
He might be little remem-bered as a sportsman, but 19th century Scottish golfer Jack McCullogh is causing a stir with a novel that appears to eerily predict the modern era, a report said yesterday. A previously unknown 1892 novel by McCullogh, Golf in the Year 2000, or What We Are Coming To, which tells the tale of a man who sleeps until 2000, depicts such things as digital watches, bullet trains, televisions and women's equality, the Times newspaper said. The book is among books being sold at an auction in Edinburgh later this week. "The book is a cross between Nostrada-mus and the tale of Rip van Winkle, because the main character goes to sleep," said Philip Gregory from auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull. Among McCullogh's predictions -- many of them golf-related -- were driverless golf carts, professional players and a golf competition between Britain and the US, much like the Ryder Cup which began in 1927. Other ideas were the digital watch, high-speed bullet trains, working women who dressed like men and a large glass screen that plays images, much like a television.
■ Cricket
Kiwis to build village
New Zealand Cricket hopes to donate more than US$698,000 dollars to tsunami relief from the World XI series starting in Christchurch tomorrow as Sri Lanka's stars appealed for more assistance for their stricken country. The aim is to fund the building of a new village, New Zealand Cricket Players Association executive manager Heath Mills said. Four of Sri Lanka's highest profile players -- Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara -- already arrived for the three-match series.
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