GOLF
Walker eyes Texas Open title
Hometown hope Jimmy Walker on Saturday fired six birdies in a three-under 69 to stretch his lead in the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open to four strokes. Walker, who lives just a half-hour’s drive from TPC San Antonio, had a 54-hole total of nine-under 207 and a comfortable cushion over rising US star Jordan Spieth. Spieth, a 21-year-old who also hails from Texas, carded a one-under 71 for 211. He was two strokes in front of last season’s FedEx Cup playoff champion Billy Horschel, who birdied the last three holes in a 71 for 213. Walker, who captured his fourth PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii this year, started the day with a one-shot lead over Charley Hoffman and Aaron Baddeley. Spieth, who started the day two shots adrift, gained ground with four birdies in a five-hole span on the front nine and was tied for the lead through 13 holes. He played the final five holes in one-over with a bogey at 14 followed by a birdie at 15, double-bogey at the par-three 16th and birdie at 17 before he capped his round with a par at the last.
GOLF
Lead shared in Agadir
Scottish duo Richie Ramsey and Andrew McArthur along with Frenchman Romain Wattel shared the lead on seven-under following the third round of the Trophee Hassan II in Agadir on Saturday. Overnight leader Ramsey carried a one-shot advantage into the 18th hole before a wayward tee shot led to a bogey, as the Aberdeen native fell into a tie with McArthur and 24-year-old Wattel. Ramsey, who is looking for a third victory on the European Tour, but has struggled for form this year missing four cuts in five tournaments, limped home with a one-under 71 on the day, while McArthur carded a 67 that included an eagle and five birdies. Wattel also moved top of the leaderboard as the right-hander from Montpellier shot a superb round of five-under 67 with six birdies and an eagle. The Frenchman picked up four shots over the final four holes. Seven golfers were tied for second on six-under — Argentine Emiliano Grillo, 2011 winner David Horsey, fellow Englishman Richard Bland, as well as Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, Irishman Kevin Phelen, and South African pair George Coetzee and Jaco van Zyl.
CYCLING
King wins Corsica time trial
Ben King retained the overall lead at the Criterium International after Fabio Felline and Bob Jungels secured a 1-2 finish for the Trek Factory Racing team in a short time trial on Saturday. King won the opening stage in the morning around Porto-Vecchio, crossing the finish line five seconds ahead of breakaway rival Clement Saint-Martin. After crashing last weekend in the Milano-Sanremo, King was not scheduled to ride in Corsica and was added to his team’s lineup only at the last minute as a replacement for a sick teammate. “It’s a great feeling to win here,” King said. “We’ve had some back luck, but we haven’t lost our fighting spirit. So, I desperately wanted to get the win for my teammates. That was my motivation. I’m happy I was able to deliver.”
BASEBALL
Mariners pitcher dies
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez died on Saturday from head injuries he suffered in a boating accident last month, his Venezuelan team announced. The Caracas Lions issued a statement saying the 20-year-old player died after being in a coma 42 days. Sanchez was swimming on Feb. 14 when he was struck in the head by the propeller of a motorboat at a beach in the Venezuelan coastal town of Campano.
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