■ST JUDE CLASSIC
Westwood takes title
Britain’s Lee Westwood completed a perfect tune-up for this week’s US Open at Pebble Beach by winning his first PGA Tour title in 12 years at the St Jude Classic on Sunday. The world No. 3 three made the most of a final-hole meltdown in regulation by American Robert Garrigus, who blew a three-shot lead, to triumph in a three-way playoff. “I like being competitive before a major championship, to be competitive in a tournament and boost my confidence,” Westwood told reporters after a steaming hot day at the TPC Southwind. “This week was a little bit draining with the temperature it gets to here, but because I’ve been to Pebble Beach and done most of my preparation I can take it easy for the next three days.” Westwood was delighted to clinch his second title on the PGA Tour, ending a barren run on the US circuit dating back to the 1998 New Orleans Classic. “It’s definitely nice to win again,” the 37-year-old said after rolling in a five-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole to edge out Swede Robert Karlsson. Garrigus was eliminated at the first extra hole.
■PORTUGAL OPEN
Bjorn back to winning ways
Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn returned to winning ways on Sunday with a five shot victory in the Portugal Open. Bjorn, who has not won a tournament for four years, saw off a challenge from Australian Richard Green with a closing 68 for a 23 under par aggregate total of 265. Green closed with a 70 to finish 18 under, with Dane Mark Haastrup third on 16 under following a 67. The victory signals a remarkable return to form for Bjorn who had missed the cut six times before last week’s Wales Open at Celtic Manor. “It was certainly nice to win again,” Bjorn said. “Today had its ups and downs, but I pulled it off when I needed to and closed out the tournament quite well in the end. I had a lot of chances to keep the chasing pack behind me, but I was probably a little bit more nervous than I might’ve been in the past.”
■CURTIS CUP
US ease to victory
The US eased to a comfortable 12.5-7.5 victory over Great Britain and Ireland on Sunday to win the women’s Curtis Cup for amateurs. The Americans needed only two out of eight points in the singles to retain the cup after winning all six fourball and foursome matches on Saturday to take a commanding 8.5-3.5 lead. “It was a wonderful victory, obviously. We are very pleased and proud,” said US captain Noreen Mohler. “I think today’s play was just a continuation of yesterday’s play. We went out with momentum and we just made a couple of more putts than they did.” Alexis Thompson and Jennifer Johnson both built early leads in their singles matches. Thompson beat Sally Watson 6 and 5, and Johnson defeated Rachel Jennings 5 and 4 to clinch it for the US.
■STATE FARM CLASSIC
Weather delays final round
More weather delays on Sunday forced LPGA State Farm Classic officials to push completion of the final round to yesterday. Cristie Kerr of the US and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist were atop the leaderboard on 20-under, Kerr through eight holes and Nordqvist through nine. Officials debated awarding the title to Kerr, who was the leader after the third-round was completed on Sunday morning, but LPGA official Jim Haley said they would try to finish 72 holes yesterday. “Because so many players finished their 72 holes, we decided to make every effort to give everyone the same chance. We got more holes in than we thought we would today and it just wouldn’t be fair to everyone.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care