Luke Donald fired a nine-under-par second-round 63 to surge into a two-shot lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Friday, avoiding a close encounter with a baboon in the process.
The 36-year-old former world No. 1 from England carded nine birdies and just missed out on setting a new course record at the Sun City venue when he failed to birdie the final hole.
Donald’s only threat appeared to come from a baboon that charged across the 13th fairway.
“We were walking up 13, saw one hiding in the tree, and got to my ball and suddenly [playing partner] Shane [Lowry] said: ‘Watch out,’” Donald said. “I turned around and the thing is galloping towards me. I jumped out of the way. My facial expression I’m sure was caught on camera and probably on the Internet already by now. It gave me a little bit of a fright as he strolled right by me.”
Overnight leader Ross Fisher slipped off the pace with a second-round 70 to follow his opening 66 and stands in second place, two shots off the lead.
France’s Alexander Levy is two shots adrift of Fisher and four off the lead and headed into the weekend in third place.
A year to the day since former South African president Nelson Mandela passed away, a minute’s silence was observed at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City in memory of the former leader.
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
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
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