GOLF
Rumford takes lead in Perth
Brett Rumford yesterday shot a seven-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the World Super 6 Perth at Lake Karrinyup Country Club. Rumford had a two-round total of 13-under 131 in the European Tour event, which is also being sanctioned by the Australian and Asian tours. David Bransdon (64) was in second place, with Steven Jeffress (66) in third, another stroke behind. Taiwan’s Chan Shih-chang and Hung Chien-yao missed the cut. The tournament featured a regular cut after the second round, reducing the field to the top 65 professionals and ties. There is to be a further cut to 24 players after the third round, with the top eight receiving a bye into the first of a series of match play events tomorrow.
GOLF
Johnson chases Saunders
Dustin Johnson made a strong start in his bid to claim the world No. 1 ranking this week by firing a five-under 66 that left him two shots off leader Sam Saunders on the opening day of the weather-interrupted Genesis Open. A 75-minute fog delay led to play being halted due to failing light with 48 players still on the course. Reigning US Open champion Johnson, who can claim the top ranking with a win should Jason Day tie for third or worse, made six birdies and one bogey to tie for second behind Saunders. Saunders made seven birdies in a bogey-free 64 as he seeks his maiden PGA Tour win in his 79th start. Australia’s Day was tied for 74th on even par after 16 holes, two strokes better than defending champion Bubba Watson, who had played 17.
BASKETBALL
Wizards annihilate Pacers
The Washington Wizards on Thursday showed their scoring depth in a 111-98 rout of struggling Indiana. Otto Porter Jr had 25 points and eight rebounds, Markieff Morris added 21 points and seven rebounds and All-Star John Wall contributed 20 points and 12 assists, while Bradley Beal had 19 points as the Wizards improved to 34-21. Myles Turner and Paul George each had 17 points to lead the Pacers — now 29-28 and sixth in the East — one game ahead of the Chicago Bulls, who edged visiting Boston 104-103 in Thursday’s only other game. The Bulls made all 22 of their free-throw attempts, with Jimmy Butler sinking a pair with nine-tenths of a second remaining to lift Chicago (28-29) to victory. The Celtics, 37-20 and second overall in the East, were led by Isaiah Thomas with 29 points, including the Celtics’ final 11 points.
FOOTBALL
Bouchard goes on bet date
Tennis star Genie Bouchard kept her side of a bet for a date after the Atlanta Falcons lost the Super Bowl. The Canadian player, now also a swimsuit model, on Wednesday night sat courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game with a University of Missouri student who won a bet with her on Twitter. During the Super Bowl, Bouchard said on Twitter that she knew the Falcons would win. John Goehrke responded to her by writing: “if patriots win we go on a date?” and she responded: “Sure.” The Falcons then blew a 25-point lead as the New England Patriots rallied to win in overtime. Bouchard kept her word. In New York for ceremonies tied to the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, in which she appeared, she met with Goehrke earlier on Wednesday. They sat together for the game and went on the court to throw souvenir balls into the stands.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
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