MAKING A MAJOR SPLASH
Rickie Fowler hits out of a bunker on No. 8 at the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club Thursday in St. Louis. He shot a 5-under 65, one back of first-round leader Gary Woodland.
Record start for Rivard at Pan Pacific meet
Canadian swimming star Aurelie Rivard broke her own world record in the women’s S10 400-metre freestyle Thursday at the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships. The 22-year-old from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., won the first final of the competition in four minutes, 29.27 seconds, lowering her previous world standard of 4:29.96 set at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Angela Marina of Cambridge, Ont., won gold in the S14 200 freestyle in a Canadian-record time of 2:16.70 to add to Canada’s openingday medal haul of five gold and two silvers. Justine Morrier of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (SB14), Katarina Roxon of Kippens, N.L., (SB8) and Tess Routliffe of Caledon, Ont. (SB7) won gold in their categories in the women’s 100 breaststroke. Canada’s other medals came in the men’s 400 freestyle with Philippe Vachon of Blainville, Que., (S8) and Alec Elliot of Kitchener, Ont., (S10) capturing silver in their categories.
Ruck tops U.S. star Ledecky for 200m gold
Taylor Ruck almost psyched herself out before the race even started. Knowing she was swimming against five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky in the 200-metre freestyle Thursday at the Pan Pacific Championships, the Canadian had to calm herself down as she readied to dive into the pool. “It’s the name, I guess, because she is the fastest woman on the planet in a lot of races,” Ruck said of the American great. “My coach kind of saw that, so he told me to focus on my lane and my race.” Ruck, from Kelowna, B.C., won the 200 in one minute, 54.44 seconds, just ahead of Japanese rival Rikako Ikee. Ledecky was third in 1:55.15.
Canada’s Nurse to play hoops in Australia
Canadian women’s basketball star Kia Nurse has signed a oneyear deal with the University of Canberra Capitals of Australia’s WNBL. The 22-year-old guard from Hamilton is playing her first season with the New York Liberty of the WNBA. She scored 20 points Monday in her first career start. Earlier this season, the six-foot guard scored 34 points off the bench in a game against Indiana, setting franchise records for most points in a game by a rookie and most points by a reserve.
Canadian Beckie joins Man City women’s side
Canadian international striker Janine Beckie has joined the Manchester City women’s team in a transfer from New Jerseybased Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Beckie, who turns 24 on Aug. 20, signed with the English team after a whirlwind week of negotiation. “I’m still a bit on Cloud 9,” Beckie said. “This really is a very great dream come true.” Beckie, whose parents came from Saskatchewan, grew up in Colorado and holds Canadian and U.S. citizenship. She has strong ties with most of her relatives in Saskatchewan. Beckie has 22 goals in 43 appearances for Canada and become the team’s most potent offensive threat.
A’s bolster bullpen by acquiring Rodney
The Oakland Athletics have acquired closer Fernando Rodney from the Minnesota Twins. The A’s sent minor-league right-hander Dakota Chalmers to Minnesota on Thursday to complete the deal that adds more depth to Oakland’s stellar bullpen. The 41-year-old Rodney is 3-2 with 25 saves and a 3.09 ERA in 46 relief appearances this season. The right-handed Rodney has 325 career saves, 17th most in baseball history. Oakland acquired former Mets closer Jeurys Familia last month to go along with Blake Treinen and Lou Trivino. The 21-year-old Chalmers pitched five scoreless innings in two games for single-A Beloit this season. He is 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in four minor-league seasons with Oakland.