■ Rugby Union
Lomu in talks with Titans
Former All Blacks wing sensation Jonah Lomu is negotiating with new Australian National Rugby League club Gold Coast Titans, reports said yesterday. The 31-year-old Lomu has been unable to command a Super 14 club contract for next season following a kidney transplant in 2004, which ended his dream of a return for the All Blacks. The Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper said yesterday that Lomu would meet the Titans management on today to discuss a possible switch to rugby league. The giant Lomu, who made 73 appearances for the All Blacks, has played in two previous World Cups and was renowned for his blockbusting style, which saw him swat aside defending players or simply run over them. If Lomu passes a medical assessment and accepts a Titans contract, he will be the second high-profile rugby signing for the new NRL franchise following Wallaby Mat Rogers' decision to join the club from 2008.
■ Golf
Matteson wins Frys.com
Consistently hitting his approach shots close and remaining cool and collected on the tense final holes, rookie Troy Matteson shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to win the Frys.com Open in Las Vegas for his first US PGA Tour victory. Matteson, who had to complete the last six holes of the rain-delayed third round early in the morning before beginning the final round, held off Ben Crane and Daniel Chopra by one shot. Coming into his own the past three weeks, Matteson finished at 22-under 265. Crane, a two-time winner on the tour, shot a 65, and Chopra, left looking for his first victory, had a 66. The 26-year-old Matteson won twice last year on the Nationwide Tour and broke the developmental tour's money record with US$495,009. His initial tour win wrapped up a three-week stretch when he was edging toward the top, with a tie for eighth in Mississippi earlier this month, and a tie for sixth last week in Greensboro.
■ Golf
Ochoa edges Sorenstam
Lorena Ochoa took a huge step toward dethroning Annika Sorenstam as the US LPGA Tour player of the year, overwhelming her on Sunday with a 7-under 65 that turned a three-shot deficit into a two-shot victory in the Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert, California. Ochoa was relentless at the start, a little lucky in the middle and solid down the stretch to win for the second straight week and fifth time this year, tops on the US women's golf circuit and almost enough to wrap up the points-based award that Sorenstam has captured the last five seasons. Trailing by two shots at the turn, Ochoa sunk a 60-foot putt on the 10th hole that banged into the back of the cup, hopped out briefly and then dropped back in the hole for a birdie that turned into a two-shot swing when Sorenstam made bogey from a bunker.
■ NHL
Dallas remain unbeaten
Sergei Zubov and Antti Miettinen scored power-play goals, Zubov and Jussi Jokinen connected on both of Dallas' shots in the shootout, and the Dallas Stars remained unbeaten with a 4-3 victory on Sunday night over the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, California. Todd Marchant, Scott Niedermayer and Andy McDonald scored for the Ducks, who were coming off a six-round shootout loss to the New York Islanders last Wednesday. Niklas Hagman also scored for Dallas, which has won its first five games. The best start in franchise history was 6-0 in 1996-1997, and the defending Pacific Division champions could equal that record tonight at San Jose.
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