GOLF
McGrane leads in Morocco
Northern Ireland’s Damien McGrane began his campaign for a second European Tour title with a first-round seven-under to take a two-shot lead at the Trophee Hassan on Thursday. The 40-year-old, whose only European Tour victory came at the 2008 China Open, carded an eagle at his first hole and added eight birdies to offset three bogeys at the Golf du Palais Royal. Spain’s Alejandro Canizares is in second place, while Jorge Campillo, Robert-Jan Derksen, Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari, Phillip Price, Richie Ramsay, Kenneth Ferrie and Graeme Storm are all together on four-under, three off the pace. Italian 18-year-old Matteo Manassero, needing a win to qualify for the Masters, carded a three-under 69 to be four off the lead.
CYCLING
Uran sprints to stage win
Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky won the fourth stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Thursday after outsprinting Russian Denis Menchov and Sylvester Szmyd of Poland after 199km of racing from Tremp to Asco, Spain. Swiss Michael Albasini of GreenEdge, who won the first two stages, retained the race lead ahead of the hilly 207km fifth stage, held from Asco to Manresa. Uran won the stage in 5 hours, 13 minutes, 12 seconds. Albasini, who won the first two stages, has a 1 minute, 32 second lead at the top of the overall standings.
SOCCER
Maradona still mocking Pele
Diego Maradona kept up his attack on fellow World Cup winner Pele on Thursday by mocking the Brazilian legend’s suggestion that he was the Beethoven of soccer. “Beethoven. Never have I heard Beethoven on the pitch. The truth is they must have changed his medication,” Maradona was quoted as saying on the al-Wasl Web site, the Emirati club which he coaches. Pele had told the official FIFA Web site: “I was born for football, like Beethoven was born for music or Michelangelo was for painting.” However, Maradona hit back. “In that case, I am Ron Wood, Keith Richards and Bono rolled into one because I am the embodiment of passion in football,” Maradona said. Maradona also shrugged off comparisons with Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi. “It’s not for me to say who is the best or the worst. I have always said a thousand times to leave Messi in peace,” Maradona said. “Above everything else, the good thing when we talk about Messi and me is that there is a colored man at FIFA who isn’t happy that we are being discussed,” he added in another barb at Pele.
SOCCER
Rooney apologizes for injury
Wayne Rooney has apologized to a nine-year-old Manchester United supporter after the striker accidentally broke the boy’s wrist with a stray shot before his side’s 5-0 win against the Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Rooney was taking shots at goal during the pre-match warm-up and one wild effort from the United star flew into the crowd and struck Jamie Thomas on the wrist as he tried to block the ball. Thomas managed to watch the first half of the Premier League match, but was taken into the first aid tent after his arm “ballooned” at halftime. Medics then sent the youngster to hospital where he had a plaster cast put on his injured wrist. Rooney was not aware of the incident at the time, but he used his Twitter page to say sorry to the schoolboy and promised to send him a autographed shirt.
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