GOLF
Two lead in Tamsui
Miguel Tabuena and Ajeetesh Sandhu were joint leaders after the third round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in New Taipei City yesterday. Tabuena shot a third-round 68 and Sandhu a 70 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club in Tamsui to put them on 209 overall, one shot clear of Suradit Yongcharoenchai. Lin Wen-tang in eighth was the leading Taiwanese at the tournament. He was five shots off the lead after rounds of 71, 71 and 70 for 212 overall. The other Taiwanese in the top 20 were Wang Wei-lun, Lu Wei-chih, Chan Shih-chang and Chiu Han-ting.
GOLF
Trio head LPGA event
Alena Sharp shot a six-under 65 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Brittany Altomare and Cheyenne Knight at the LPGA Tour’s Volunteers of America Classic. Sharp closed with a bogey on the 18th to drop into the tie for the lead at nine-under 133 at the Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas. Altomare had a 66 and Knight shot 67. Of the two Taiwanese at the event, Hsu Wei-ling was shot her second 68 to take a share of seventh, three shots off the pace, while Chien Pei-yun was in a share of 37th after rounds of 68 and 73.
MOTORSPORT
HK loses Formula E
Hong Kong has been dropped from the 2019-2020 Formula E season amid pro-democracy protests in the territory that show no sign of abating. Organizers released next season’s calendar on Friday, with Hong Kong missing out for the first time since 2016. The release made no mention of why Hong Kong had been dropped, but the South China Morning Post reported that organizers feared they could not risk putting on the event given the major protests now coursing through the city. “The recent social unrest put a big question mark on the possibility of starting the event in March,” Hong Kong Automobile Association governor Edward Yu was quoted as saying.
CRICKET
India set S Africa 395
India’s Rohit Sharma on the fourth day yesterday struck his second century of the first Test to help India set South Africa a daunting victory target of 395. South Africa were 11-1 when bad light ended play for the day, with Dean Elgar (2) out LBW after the home team declared on 323-4, with Sharma getting 127. Earlier, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ended with 7-145 as South Africa added 46 runs to their overnight score to finish on 431 all out.
EUROPEAN SOCCER
Spurs lose Lloris
Tottenham Hotspur lost goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to injury as they lost 3-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion. Lloris was stretchered from the field with an apparently painful elbow injury after an awkward fall as he conceding an early goal. He dropped a simple cross into the box before falling backward as Neal Maupay headed into an empty net. In Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille are without a win in four matches after losing 3-1 against Amiens on Friday, while Hertha BSC ended a long wait to beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-1 in Bundesliga action. Hertha claimed their first Bundesliga victory over Dusseldorf since 1979, although they beat them in 2011 in Germany’s second division. In La Liga, Real Betis Balompie and SD Eibar drew 1-1.
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