Montreal – About 30 percent of Canadian golfers play left-handed. In Quebec, the figure is about 40 percent. Today in a Presidents Cup match, it will be an even 50 percent when Phil Mickelson and Canadian star Mike Weir tee it up.
International captain Gary Player wasn’t thinking about that Wednesday when he placed Weir – like Mickelson a natural right-hander who swings left-handed – and Vijay Singh opposite Mickelson and Woody Austin in the second foursomes match.
“Never even thought of it. Never even came across my mind,” Player said. “The little golf ball doesn’t know whether you’re a lefty or a righty.”
The matchup had everything to do with Weir’s record against Mickelson in Presidents Cup play and the International team’s desire to put the Canadian in an early match.
“We want Mike to be in a position to be an inspiration,” International assistant captain Ian Baker-Finch said. “It’s better to have Mike Weir out there early. Mike Weir feels like he has Phil’s number.”
Weir is 4-1 against Mickelson, including a 4-and-3 singles victory in 2000.
Tiger Woods will open with Charles Howell III against K.J. Choi and Nick O’Hern in the final group of the day.
Jim Furyk ended up with David Toms in the fourth match against Ernie Els and U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera.
BASKETBALL
Parker-led U.S. tops Cuba
Candace Parker scored 21 points and Katie Smith added two late 3-pointers to help the United States hold off Cuba 85-79 in its opening game at the FIBA Americas tournament in Valdivia, Chile.
With the score tied at 71 midway through the fourth quarter, Smith hit consecutive 3-pointers.
“I’m glad I could do my part,” said Smith, who finished with 13 points. “It gave us a little energy when it was needed, but I got some good picks from my teammates in that zone.”
Cuba answered with a basket to close within four, but Parker made one of two free throws, Seimone Augustus added a layup and Parker knocked down a jumper to put the game away.
Diana Taurasi added 16 points for the U.S. (1-0). Yakelyn Plutin led Cuba (0-1) with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Five years after he enrolled for his memorable year at Syracuse University, Carmelo Anthony helped break ground on a new $19 million dollar basketball practice facility that will bear his name (Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center).
“I just can’t thank the Syracuse community enough for bringing me here,” said Anthony, who as a freshman led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA national championship and then left school to sign with the NBA’s Nuggets. “I don’t think anybody realizes how much this is going to do for the men’s and women’s teams.”
Anthony donated $3 million to start the fundraising.
Former Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley is suing the team and the NBA, claiming they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to reinstate him to the league.
Tarpley, who was permanently banned from the NBA in 1995, says in his lawsuit the NBA and the Mavericks discriminated against him on the basis of his disability as a recovering drug and alcohol abuser.
In May, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sided with Tarpley, ruling the NBA violated the disabilities act by failing to reinstate Tarpley, 42, who has passed all drug tests he has taken in the past four years.
Tennessee forward Duke Crews, who started 18 games as a freshman last season, has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.
FOOTNOTES
Ivanovic advances at Fortis
Ana Ivanovic defeated Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 7-5, 6-4 in the second-round at the Fortis Championships in Luxembourg.
The second-seeded Ivanovic reached the final of the French Open. Vera Zvonareva rallied to defeat Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Victoria Azarenka defeated Nadia Petrova 6-2, 6-1, and Tatiana Golovin cruised past Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1. Patty Schnyder defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 6-1, 6-3.
The International Cycling Union was forced to allow Spain’s Alejandro Valverde and Australian Allan Davis to compete at the world championships despite the federation’s doping suspicions.
Additionally, the city of Stuttgart, Germany threatened to sue the UCI for $1.41 million for possible financial losses from sponsors and broadcast rights if Italian riders Paolo Bettini and Danilo Di Luca compete.
