 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Sports Shorts: Michelle Wie wins US Women's Open by two strokes
Michelle Wie finally lived up to the burden of expectation when she won her first major title with a clutch two-stroke victory at the US Women's Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Sunday.
More than a decade after becoming famous when she almost made the cut against the men in a PGA Tour event, the 24-year-old from Hawaii was emotionally moved after winning the biggest prize in women's golf.
"I'm just unbelievably happy," she told reporters after shooting even-par 70 to hold off fellow American Stacy Lewis (66) at Pinehurst No 2.
"I'm so honoured to have my name on the trophy, just so grateful for everything." Wie seemed poised to win in style until she double-bogeyed the 16th hole after almost losing her ball in a thick clump of wire grass after a poor second shot. It took almost two minutes to locate the ball and she subsequently chose to take a penalty stroke, eventually sinking a five-foot putt to avoid dropping three shots.
"I definitely gave myself a heart attack when I couldn't find that ball," she said.
"I was stressing out for sure. I also left myself a hefty double bogey putt. All you can do at that point is laugh. I joked with my caddie we really like to make things difficult for ourselves."
After parring the last to secure victory at two-under 278, she lifted her right hand to her mouth as if she could not believe what she had achieved, before breaking out in a huge smile. Wie, who previously had twice led into the final round at the Women's Open, collected $720,000, small change for a woman who has made millions in endorsements.
- Please click NEXT for more...
Sauber tell wrong car to stop in bungled race
Sauber branded their performance as "inexcusable" on Sunday after a bungled Austrian Grand Prix pitstop led to them telling the wrong car to stop, ruining the race for both their drivers.
The Swiss-based Formula One team, once a consistent midfield presence, are in a sorry state this season without a single point in eight races.
Their chances of scoring at the Red Bull Ring disappeared when Mexican Esteban Gutierrez was released from his first pitstop before a wheel nut had been secured - an error that brought him a 10-second stop and go penalty.
The order to stop was mistakenly sent to the team's other driver, Adrian Sutil, who was on track and obeyed. He continued once the error became apparent but by then the damage was done.
"What we delivered today is inexcusable," said head of track engineering Giampaolo Dall'Ara.
"The mistakes at the pit stop spoiled our race. Procedures were not adhered to. As a result we stopped the wrong car on the track. Adrian, who was out on the track, was stopped by a radio communication which was simply a huge mistake."
- Please click NEXT for more...
Phelps continues building on return with third in 200 IM
Michael Phelps continued his return to competitive swimming with third place in the 200 metres individual medley at the Arena Grand Prix at Santa Clara on Sunday.
Phelps, competing in the 200 medley for the first time since taking gold at the 2012 London Olympics, showed early flashes of that form before running out of steam.
The 22-time Olympic medalist led through the first three lengths but tailed off and finished with a time of one minute, 59.76 seconds, behind Conor Dwyer (1:59.49) and Chase Kalisz, who finished second in 1:59.53.
Phelps, known for his strong finishing kick, lacked one in his third meeting since he jolted the swimming world by coming out of retirement. He also tired badly in the final length in the 200 freestyle on Saturday.
His showing at the Santa Clara event, however, can be considered progress as he increased his work load and swam more events than he had at his previous two meetings.
Phelps added Sunday's third-place finish to a tie for first in the 100 butterfly and second in both the 100 and 200 freestyle.
He is expected to compete at the US Nationals and Pan Pacific Championships in August before possibly having another tilt at the Olympics in 2016 in Rio.
Olympic champion Missy Franklin captured the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:00.99, ahead of Amy Bilquist who finished in 1:01.44.
"I'm happy with the race but not the time," Franklin told reporters. "It's an indication of what I need to work on.
"A lot of stuff I'm still figuring out. I've been trying some new things and I'm excited to get back and work."
- Please click NEXT for more...
Nadal's uncle appointed Mallorca sporting director
Miguel Angel Nadal, a former Barcelona and Spain defender and uncle of world tennis No 1 Rafael Nadal, has been appointed sporting director of struggling Spanish second division side Real Mallorca.
"The ex-international has been charged by the board of directors with starting the planning and preparation of the squad for next season," the club said on their website on Sunday.
The Balearic Islands club have fallen on hard times in recent years and were relegated from La Liga in 2013 before barely avoiding the drop to the third tier this term.
Like many Spanish clubs they have been beset by financial problems, and infighting among directors and shareholders has done little to alleviate their woes.
Rafael and Miguel Angel, both Mallorca natives, sold their 10 percent shareholding in the club in 2011.
Miguel Angel once had a stint as then-coach Michael Laudrup's number two but when the Dane resigned Rafael openly criticised the board's handling of the matter.
Fresh from winning a record-extending ninth French Open crown, Rafael begins his Wimbledon campaign this week with a first-round match against World Tour Newcomer of the Year Martin Klizan.
Heavy rain can't deter Chennai Dream Runners
The Dream Runners' Half Marathon is just a couple of years old, but it seems to have sparked interest in hundreds of running enthusiasts across Chennai, reports S. Saraswathi.
Dream Runners was started by a bunch of motivated athletes in 2008 to inspire people to take up running for good physical and mental health.
Mumbai’s P Venkatraman, who ran 21km within a year of an open heart bypass surgery, led the team of pacers for the first time in the Chennai run.
"Good health has always been my goal and I have been running continuously for the last 10 years. I travel throughout the country to lead pacers during marathons, but this was the first time in Chennai," he said.
From just 500 participants at the first Half Marathon in 2012, the numbers swelled to over 5,000 this year.
Soji Mathew won the 21.1 km race for men, while Sudha Mani was the women's champion.
Anil Kumar and Rani won the 10km race.
The prize-winners were honored by Padma Shri awardee Dipika Pallikal and Dr Lakshmi Vijaykumar, founder SNEHA.