GOLDEN ROSE BACKS RYDER ROOKIE PIETERS
Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose gave Ryder Cup rookie Thomas Pieters a ringing endorsement Wednesday after the big-hitting Belgian was picked for the biennial match against the US next month. “The really difficult decision was choosing Thomas Pieters over Russell Knox, two guys who are in form, two guys who deserve their place in the team,” Rose told a news teleconference, as he confirmed he would defend his Hong Kong Open title in December. Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke announced England’s Lee Westwood, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Pieters as his three wildcards on Tuesday.
CONTADOR CONCEDES VUELTA DEFEAT
Three time former champion Alberto Contador has given up on winning this year’s Tour of Spain saying Tuesday ( Wednesday in Manila) he has fallen too far behind overall leader Colombia’s Nairo Quintana. “The chances of winning are very slim now” said the Spanish pre-race favorite during a news conference. After Quintana’s victory in the 10th stage Contador is fifth nearly three minutes behind the leader and two minutes behind Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Chris Froome (SKY), who are in second and third. Contador won the Vuelta in 2008, 20012 and 2014 but a fall and severe grazing down one side of his body have hampered his form in this year’s edition.
MOROZOV BREAKS HIS OWN SHORT- COURSE MEDLEY RECORD
nila) in Berlin. The Russian clocked 50.30 seconds in Germany’s capital, lowering the record of 50.60 secs he set only last Friday in Paris on the World Cup tour. Morozov, 24, also went on to claim victory in the 100m freestyle. Hungary’s ‘Iron Lady’ Katinka Hosszu, who won three golds at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, romped to three victories on the first day of the two- day meet. Hosszu took the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley finals, also picking up a 50m backstroke silver and a 100m butterfly bronze medal.
VIKINGS QUARTERBACK BRIDGEWATER FACES SEASON KO AFTER KNEE INJURY
LOS ANGELES: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a torn cruciate ligament on Tuesday ( Wednesday in Manila) expected to rule the star signal- caller out of the upcoming NFL season. Bridgewater, 23, suffered a complete tear of an anterior cruciate ligament in a non- contact play during practice. Bridgewater completed 292- of-447 pass attempts for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns last season to help the Vikings to the NFC North title. The injury leaves backup Shaun Hill as the Vikings likely starting quarterback. The 36-year- old is 16-18 as a starter.
ISRAELI OLYMPIAN RAISES $52,000 FOR CHARITY IN AUCTION
JERUSALEM: An Israeli Olympic bronze medalist has raised more than $50,000 for children with cancer by auctioning her Rio Games identification badge on eBay. Judoka Yarden Gerbi’s badge was sold on Monday for $52,200 (46,700 euros) after a weeklong bidding process. The proceeds will be donated to the children’s oncology department of Ichilov Hospital at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, the eBay page said. Gerbi -- Israel’s 2013 judo world champion—was feted at home after she clinched the Olympic under 63kg bronze medal in Rio. Fellow Israeli judoka Or Sasson also won a bronze medal in the over 100kg category.