GOLF
Woods hires new caddie
Tiger Woods has hired Joe LaCava to replace long-time Kiwi caddie Steve Williams, whom he had a falling out with earlier this year. The 14-time major winner Woods took two months to find a replacement after splitting with Williams in July. “Joe LaCava is an outstanding caddie and I have known him since I was an amateur, really looking forward to having him on my bag,” Woods wrote on Twitter on Sunday. LaCava worked for 20 years as a caddie for this year’s US Presidents Cup team captain Fred Couples. Most recently, he has been carrying the golf bag for rising PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson. Woods, who was the best man at Williams’ wedding, sacked his former caddie after 13 years of working together.
GOLF
Ferrie wins Austrian Open
Kenneth Ferrie beat fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield in a playoff to lift the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg on Sunday. Both men carded five-under-par 67s for 276, one shot ahead of Dutchman Joost Luiten who bogeyed the 18th. It was a third European Tour title for 32-year-old Ferrie, but his first since 2005. He sealed victory at the first playoff hole after Wakefield’s overhit second shot ended in rough at the back of the green. Overnight leader Thomas Norret of Denmark could only manage a 72 for 279, undone by an unhappy seven on the par five 13th.
GYMNASTICS
Coach accused of assault
Two women have told the Orange County Register newspaper that they were sexually abused in the 1980s by the man who coached the US’ 1984 Olympic gymnastics team. USA Gymnastics is aware of the allegations against Don Peters and is looking into them, president Steve Penny said on Sunday. Should the federation find merit to the allegations, the 62-year-old Peters could be subject to a lifetime ban. “Athlete safety is a top priority for USA Gymnastics, and sexual misconduct against minors is unacceptable and against USA Gymnastics policy,” Penny said. “USA Gymnastics takes seriously any written grievance regarding its professional members, especially those that could involve young athletes.” Peters was head coach of the US team for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where the US won eight medals in 1984, including Mary Lou Retton’s gold in the all-around.
SOCCER
Helsingborg seal title
Helsingborg clinched their seventh Swedish title, and their first since 1999, with three rounds of the season left to play after a 3-1 win away to GAIS on Sunday. Helsingborg have an unassailable 61 points, 10 more than AIK Stockholm, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Malmo. Elfsborg, the only other club able to catch the leaders, suffered a surprise defeat at Mjallby on Saturday. Helsingborg went ahead against GAIS in Gothenburg through Erlend Hanstveit’s first-half goal, but the hosts leveled from the penalty spot shortly after the break. Striker Erik Sundin fired the leaders ahead again against the run of play and Rachid Bouaouzan netted a late penalty to seal victory.
RUGBY UNION
Hooker to face hearing
Russian hooker Valery Tsnobiladze is to face a disciplinary hearing over an alleged head-butt during the 62-12 defeat to Ireland, World Cup officials said yesterday. Tsnobiladze was cited for allegedly “striking an opponent with the head” during Sunday’s game and will go before an independent judicial officer in Auckland, a statement said.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a
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