GOLF
Ciganda leads shootout
Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda fired six birdies in a five-under 66 on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead after three rounds of the inaugural North Texas LPGA Shootout. Ciganda, last season’s Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour, had a 54-hole total of 11-under 202. World No. 1 Inbee Park of South Korea carded a 67 to claim a share of second place on 204. She was tied with German LPGA rookie Caroline Masson, who led after both of the first two rounds. Masson shook off a double-bogey at the first to post a 69. South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon carded a 66 to stand alone in fourth on 205. Taiwan’s former world No. 1 Yani Tseng shot a 71 to be tied for 12th place on four-under 209, seven shots off the lead.
GOLF
Glover leads in New Orleans
Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, fired a two-under 70 on Saturday to stretch his lead to two strokes after the third round of the PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Glover stood atop an all-American leaderboard on 14-under 202 after 54 holes, with Kyle Stanley, Jimmy Walker, Billy Horschel and D.A. Points on 204, and Kevin Stadler another stroke off the pace. Early starters fired low scores before afternoon winds began swirling, with Stanley shooting 65, and Walker and Horschel firing 66s, while Glover played a roller-coaster round that included five birdies and three bogeys. Chinese teen Guan Tianlang, who became the youngest starter in Masters history earlier this month at 14, struggled to a 77 on Saturday to stand on 218, last among the 71 who made the cut.
CYCLING
Froome extends his lead
Slovenia’s Simon Spilak won the fourth stage of the Tour de Romandie on Saturday as Chris Froome extended his overall lead. Britain’s Froome tightened his grip on the yellow jersey as he finished just behind Spilak after 188.5km from Marly to Les Diablerets, Switzerland. In dismal weather conditions the lead pair finished more than a minute ahead of Rui Alberto Da Costa, leaving Froome with a 47-second advantage over Spilak ahead of the final stage. Sky’s Froome had led Andrew Talansky of the US by just six seconds since winning Tuesday’s prologue, but his breakaway with Spilak on the day’s final climb ensured he should secure overall victory in yesterday’s individual time trial.
BOXING
Martinez retains his title
Sergio Martinez retained his World Boxing Council middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Martin Murray on Saturday, despite being sent to the canvas several times by the Englishman. The three judges all scored the fight 115-112 in favor of the defending champion, a decision sure to be controversial, but pleasing to the fans in Martinez’s native Buenos Aires. It was his first fight in his hometown in 11 years, after fighting mostly in Europe. Martinez improved to 53 victories in 55 fights. It was Murray’s first loss in 27 fights.
BOXING
Wilder knocks out Harrison
American heavyweight Deontay Wilder remained unbeaten after knocking out former Olympic champion Audley Harrison in the first round in Sheffield, England, on Saturday. Harrison fell in a neutral corner from the first meaningful punch of the bout. Wilder kept flailing at him, before referee Terry O’Connor belatedly stepped in and called it off after 1 minute, 10 seconds.
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