Tough sledding over for Olympic champ
Bobsleigh Canada grants Humphries release to join U.S.
Double Olympic gold-medallist Kaillie Humphries received her release from Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, the governing body announced on Saturday, freeing her to compete for the United States.
Humphries, who last year filed a harassment complaint against Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and stepped away from competition, had most recently been denied release by a judge after filing a lawsuit. But the organization opted to let the 34-year-old Canadian slide to the U.S. side.
“This was not an easy decision, nor was it one we took lightly,” Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton said in a statement. “Ultimately, we firmly believe that supporting our current athletes and the positive culture they have developed as a team will foster the environment we need to successfully grow our sport and slide onto the international podium both now, and in the future.”
HADWIN FINISHES SECOND
Californian Cameron Champ survived a late scare before sinking a four-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win at the Safeway Open Sunday in northern California.
Champ almost blew it on the home stretch before carding a closing 3-under-par 69.
He finished at 17-under 271 for his second PGA Tour victory, one shot ahead of Canadian Adam Hadwin.
Hadwin almost spoiled the script, erasing a three-shot deficit in the final two holes. He rolled in a 15-foot birdie at the 17th and then a four-footer for another birdie at the par-five 18th for a 67.
Champ, who bogeyed the parfour 17th, found himself standing on the 18th fairway tied for the lead.
Along with Hadwin, three other Canadians finished in the top 13. Nick Taylor, of Abbotsford, B.C., tied for 10th with an overall score of 11 under. Corey Conners, from Listowel, Ont., had a terrific final round, during which he was 7 under par to finish 10 under for the tournament and tied for 13th. Roger Sloan, from Calgary, also finished tied for 13th.
HUR TOPS LPGA FIELD
Hur Mi-jung recorded her second victory in less than two months, a four-stroke romp at the Indy Women in Tech Championship Sunday in Indianapolis.
Playing on the Brickyard Crossing course on the grounds of the famous motor speedway, Hur all but lapped the competition, leading wire to wire.
Starting the final round with a two-shot lead, she closed the deal emphatically with a bogey-free 4-under-par 68, while Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen shot 67 to claim second place.
Hur finished on 21-under 267, continuing the dominance of South Koreans on the LPGA Tour.
Korean players have captured 13 of 26 tournaments this year, headed by world No. 1 Ko Jin-young, who has won four times.
Hur, Park Sung-hyun and Kim Sei-young have won twice each, while Lee Jeong-eun, Amy Yang and Ji Eun-hi have single victories.
“I’m just trying to enjoy my golf for a whole year,” said Hur as she rubbed champagne from her eyes.
“Wire to wire, I really wanted to do it and I did it, so I’m happy.”
Hur, 29, also won the Ladies Scottish Open last month.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson finished tied for 20th at 7 under, while Alena Sharp finished at 5 under, tied for 31st.
MANAGERS ON THE OUTS
Joe Maddon’s tenure as manager of the Chicago Cubs is over, three years after he helped end the franchise’s 108-year-old World Series title drought.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and Maddon agreed to part ways Sunday at the conclusion of the 65-year-old skipper’s five-year contract.
There will likely be many teams interested in hiring Maddon, who has said he wants to manage until he is at least 70.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates parted ways Sunday with manager Clint Hurdle after nine seasons.
Hurdle, 62, ranks fourth all-time in wins (735) in franchise history, trailing Fred Clarke (1,422), Danny Murtaugh (1,115) and Jim Leyland (851).
The Pirates made three consecutive post-season appearances from 2013-15, but finished under .500 in three of the last four seasons. Reuters