BASEBALL
Padres sign Taiwanese teen
The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with Taiwanese right-hander Sung Wen-hua, the team’s first deal with an Asian amateur. The 19-year-old pitches for Taiwan’s under-23 team and is attending National Taiwan Sports University. Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Sung’s first real action will be next spring training, although he will also participate in the instructional league in September.
GOLF
Johnson triumphs in Ohio
Dustin Johnson followed up his US Open victory in style, taking advantage of a late stumble by Jason Day to secure a one-stroke victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, on Sunday. Suddenly the hottest player in the game, Johnson stormed home with a 66 on the demanding Firestone course to finish at six-under 274, while fellow American Scott Piercy (70) birdied the last to claim second place on five-under. World No. 1 Day struggled with his swing for much of the week and it finally caught up with him at the par-five 16th, where he ran up a double-bogey. Australian Day (72) finished three shots behind Johnson, equal third with Americans Jordan Spieth (67), Matt Kuchar (66) and Kevin Chappell (67).
GOLF
Chalmers snaps streak
Greg Chalmers snapped the longest winless drought of any active player on the PGA Tour by making an eagle on his closing hole on Sunday to capture the Barracuda Championship. The 42-year-old Australian had gone 385 previous starts without a win and as a bonus he earns a spot in The Open Championship later this month in Scotland. An emotional Chalmers was relieved to get his first PGA Tour win in Reno, Nevada. “In golf you always have to think that something good is around the corner,” the teary-eyed Chalmers said.
GOLF
Thongchai wins in France
Thongchai Jaidee produced an impressive display of front-running to win the French Open by four strokes, as Rory McIlroy failed to deliver a final-round surge on Sunday. Starting the day with a two-stroke lead over McIlroy, the 46-year-old Thai birdied two of his first six holes and shot a three-under 68 to finish on 11-under 273 at Le Golf National outside Paris, where the 2018 Ryder Cup is to be staged. He described his fourth victory over the age of 40 as his “biggest win ever.” Francesco Molinari finished in second place after shooting 66, the lowest round of the final day.
GOLF
Henderson wins in Oregon
Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson captured her second consecutive LPGA Portland Classic title on Sunday, firing a one-under 71 to win by four strokes and complete a wire-to-wire triumph. The 18-year-old world No. 2, who claimed her first major title at last month’s Women’s PGA Championship, finished on 14-under 274 at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon. American Stacy Lewis was second on 278 after a final-round 69, with Norway’s Suzann Pettersen third on 279. Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung (70) was tied for 25th on three-under, Min Lee (73) was four shots further back tied for 51st, fellow Taiwanese Hsu Wei-ling (76) was another shot back tied for 54th and former world No. 1 Yani Tseng (70) was tied for 62nd on three-over.
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