LPGA JAPAN
Wakimoto two shots clear
Rank outsider Hana Wakimoto stayed two shots clear at the halfway stage of the LPGA Japan Classic yesterday as Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn moved up to tied second on the leaderboard. Japan’s world number 236 Wakimoto carded a four-under-par 68 for 13-under overall at Seta Golf Course.
The 27-year-old, who equaled the 18-hole tournament scoring record with a 63 on the opening day, had one bogey and five birdies in her second round. Wakimoto is making her tournament debut and has never won on the LPGA Tour. She has had two top-10 finishes this year on the Japanese tour, which she joined in 2018. Jutanugarn, a two-time major winner, was 11-under after two rounds along with American Yealimi Noh. Jutanugarn shot a six-under 66 in a bogey-free round that featured six birdies. South Korea’s Ko Jin-young shot 70, leaving her in tied fifth at nine-under-par. The former world No. 1 and two-time major winner made three birdies, but blotted her copybook with a bogey on the 17th hole. Reigning US Open champion Yuka Saso improved to eight-under-par after carding 67. Saso was tied with Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who won the Evian Championship in July for her first major, and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran. Australia’s Minjee Lee tumbled down the leaderboard to a share of 52nd after a 75. Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling carded a three-under 71 leaving her in tied 43rd, while Chien Pei-yun shot a two-over 75 leaving her in 76th.
NBA
LeBron endorses Harris
LeBron James, the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer, endorsed US Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for president on Thursday, making him the latest celebrity to back her against Republican candidate and former US president Donald Trump. “What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS,” James said on social media.
HORSE RACING
O’Brien looks to City of Troy
Aidan O’Brien is taking aim once again at the Breeders’ Cup Classic and this time he believes three-year-old City of Troy has the speed and heart to deliver the Irish trainer the elusive championship. O’Brien has saddled 17 horses in the race and despite two runner-up finishes, has never walked away with the top prize in the US$7 million Classic.
FORMULA ONE
Verstappen hits back
F1 leader Max Verstappen hit back at critics of his driving on Thursday, saying he was a triple world champion who knew what he was doing. Red Bull’s Verstappen was twice penalized for forcing his McLaren title rival Lando Norris wide and going off and gaining an advantage when they clashed in last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, told a Sky Sports podcast that Verstappen had used his car as a weapon and accused him of “Dick Dastardly stuff” — a reference to the 1960s Wacky Races cartoon villain. Asked at Brazil’s Interlagos circuit about Hill’s remarks, Verstappen said: “I don’t listen to those individuals, I just do my thing… I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing.”
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
The Golden State Warriors on Wednesday withstood Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point outburst to beat the Western Conference leading Thunder 116-109. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half as Golden State erased a double-digit deficit and pulled away late for the victory. “We just stayed solid,” said Curry, who entered the contest mired in a shooting slump and had just four points on one basket in the first half. “Just all-around effort.” The Thunder, fueled by 31 first-half points from Gilgeous-Alexander, led by as many as 14 in the
Ousmane Dembele on Wednesday scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 4-1 win at VfB Stuttgart and qualified for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. PSG were at risk of elimination after a disappointing league stage, with three losses and a draw, but were utterly dominant against an outclassed Stuttgart side as they confirmed their place in the playoffs. With six minutes gone, Bradley Barcola headed PSG in front after Desire Doue stood a cross up at the back post following a corner. Stuttgart probed for an equalizer, but PSG hit on the counterattack, Dembele tapping a Barcola pass into an
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