BASEBALL
Suzuki sets batting record
Ichiro Suzuki on Thursday notched another milestone in his long career when he became the most prolific foreign-born hitter in the history of Major League Baseball. The 43-year-old Japanese right fielder reached the mark when he had two hits for the Miami Marlins against the Cardinals in St Louis, Missouri. With 3,054 career hits, Suzuki passed the previous record of 3,053 held by Panama-born Rod Carew. Suzuki is now 23rd on the all-time list, Elias Sports Bureau data showed. Suzuki is in his 17th season in the major leagues with his third team after spells with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. He has played 2,572 regular-season games, and has had nearly 10,000 at-bats, for a career batting average of .312.
GOLF
Kim shares lead with rookie
Belgian rookie Laura Gonzalez Escallon on Thursday birdied three of the final four holes for a seven-under 65 and a share of the lead with Kim Sei-young in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. Gonzalez Escallon, the 26-year-old former Purdue player who won twice last season on the Symetra Tour, also started fast in the first-year event, making birdies on three of the first four holes. Kim had eight birdies and a bogey at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Tour rookies Madeleine Sheils and Kim Min-g shot 66. Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung of the US carded a four-under 68 for a share of 22nd. Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was tied for 36th on three-under 69, while Hsu Wei-ling and Chien Pei-yun were in a group at 88th on even-par. Min Lee carded a one-over 73 for a share of 104th, while Cheng Ssu-chia was tied for 137th on four-over 76.
GOLF
Love chases leader Munoz
Davis Love III on Thursday shot a seven-under 63 in the Greenbrier Classic, leaving the 53-year-old star two strokes behind leader Sebastian Munoz. In his best round of the season, Love birdied four of his first five holes on the Old White TPC, which was reconstructed after deadly floods forced the cancellation of last year’s tournament. Love is to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame in September. His last win came at the 2015 Wyndham Championship, which made him the third-oldest winner in PGA Tour history. Munoz, a 24-year-old Colombian, was boosted by five birdies on the back nine for a 61. Defending champion Danny Lee was at 64 along with David Lingmerth, Ben Martin, rookie Xander Schauffele, Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor. Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung carded a five-under 65 for a share of ninth.
GOLF
Rahm steals McIlroy’s show
Rising Spanish star Jon Rahm on Thursday upstaged tournament host Rory McIlroy at the Irish Open by shooting a seven-under 65 to move one stroke off the first-round lead. Rahm, ranked No. 11, showed impressive form on the links two weeks out from the Open Championship, rolling in six birdies and an eagle. He was tied for third place with Englishmen Matthew Southgate and Oliver Fisher. Daniel Im of the US, ranked No. 542, and Benjamin Hebert of France, ranked No. 254, held the lead after shooting bogey-free 64s. McIlroy, the defending champion, parred his final 11 holes and was even-par at a tournament that benefits his foundation.
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