Gary Lemke looks back at a jam-packed sporting weekend where world number one Scottie Scheffler lifted the Maters, while Man City dramatically seized the lead of the Premier League.
BEAM UP SCOTTIE – HE’S ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL
They say that Augusta National is one of the two toughest walks that a pro golfer will encounter, but world No1 Scottie Scheffler reduced it to a Sunday stroll as he surged to a four-shot win at the famous Masters. This was a second green jacket in three years for the 27-year-old American, and his caddie was on the bag of a winner for the fourth time – also partnering with Bubba Watson in 2012 and 2014.
It was all about Scheffler though, who hasn’t produced a round over par since last August. Ultimately, he had the Masters won before the tournament traditionally “starts” on the closing nine holes of a Sunday, highlighting his dominance in the game right now.
On his way to victory at the 88th Masters Tournament, Scottie Scheffler put on a virtuoso performance. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ehon8vH8vM
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 15, 2024
CITY TAKE ADVANTAGE AS RIVALS SHOOT BLANKS
Someone had to blink first. We might not have expected it to be both Liverpool and Arsenal, hours apart. Both lost at home to loosen the knot around Manchester City’s neck with six EPL games to go. Now, City have a two-point lead at the top of the table. Truth be told, Liverpool and Arsenal have started to look tired and that fatigue was exacerbated during a European match week which would have taken something out of them.
Still, Liverpool attempted 21 shots and couldn’t score against Crystal Palace, while the Gunners drew a blank against Aston Villa from their 18 shots. City meanwhile, attempted 37 shots and scored five against Luton. The Fat Lady hasn’t started singing yet, but she is clearing her throat.
Straight back to it 🏃♂️😤 pic.twitter.com/9ugHcOU5Vc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 14, 2024
BRUTAL FINISHES ADD TO UFC APPEAL
So often in sport, the reality doesn’t meet the hype. That wasn’t the case with UFC 300, where the entire card could fit on a highlights reel. UFC, the showpiece of MMA, has made giant strides into cutting onto boxing’s appeal and even if the fighters themselves aren’t getting the money they deserve, they continue to deliver. Alex Pereira’s first-round left uppercut KO of Jamahal Hill saw him retain the light-heavyweight belt.
Max Holloway’s chilling knockout of Justin Gaethje with two seconds remaining in their lightweight fight is an all-time classic. Even women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang’s war with Xiaonan Yan delivered. IF UFC floats your boat as a sport, then UFC 300 had everything.
THE BADDEST MOTHERF****R 😮💨 @BlessedMMA | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/WHtaTOmniw
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
BULLS GAME WAS OVER BEFORE IT STARTED
Let’s be honest: the Bulls flew their white flag of surrender long before they stepped onto the field to take on Northampton in their European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final. Some even went as far as to say Jake White put out a “B” team to take on the English club and tales of botched travel arrangements were a theme of the week.
Our northern hemisphere critics saw it as an example that South African clubs don’t take Europe’s elite competition seriously enough to be included in it. The Bulls didn’t score a point in the second half as they lost 59-22, leaving the Saints to join Harlequins, Leinster and Toulouse in the semi-finals. For SA teams, it’s clear that the 16-team United Rugby Championship is where it’s at, and that competition resumes this weekend.
FULL TIME ⚡️🐂#BackTheBulls@ChampionsCup @Vodacom pic.twitter.com/NiF2q2DwEh
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 13, 2024
STEYN POWERS HER WAY TO RECORD WIN
Gerda Steyn is, quite simply, the best ultra-distance women’s runner in the world. Her fifth successive Two Oceans victory came in a race record time of 3hr 26min 54sec, while the men’s title returned to South African hands with Onalenna Khonkhobe winning in 3:03:30. Steyn is in the best form of her life, a mature 34-year-old who has become a darling of the public.
There will be many who feel she has a chance of winning a medal in the marathon (42km) at the Paris Olympics, but, strange as it sounds, the distance is too short for her. Her national marathon record stands at 2:24:03, which is three minutes quicker than the time that won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but Steyn finished 15th in that race run in searing heat. Still, the queen of the road is capable of a top six in Paris, given it’s a hilly course which will suit her.
What a feeling 🫶🏾🫶🏾
— Gerda Steyn (@gerdarun) April 14, 2024
So pleased to have had the race I dreamed about (and worked hard for). 5th Win and a new Course Record at @2OceansMarathon
Thank you for all the wonderful support and love
See you next year!! 🏃🏼♀️🩵 pic.twitter.com/cP25AiYCuC
BINDER FLIES FLAG FOR OTHER COUNTRIES
Maverick Vinales won the Circuit of Americas MotoGP from countryman Pedro Acosta, and in fact Spanish and Italian riders dominated with four Spaniards and four Italians occupying the first seven places over the finish line. South Africa’s Brad Binder was the first rider from another country to cross the line, some 15 seconds behind in ninth place.
The result saw Binder slide to sixth in the world championship standings, with Jorge Martin (a Spaniard) leading the table. The circuit now heads for Spain in a fortnight where the home spectators will be confident they will be celebrating again.
It's sink or swim out there in #MotoGP race starts! 👊
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 14, 2024
Get your elbows out and go for it! ⚔️#AmericasGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HtrOC7GANI
AROUND THE WATER COOLER…
Laura Wolvaardt scored her fifth ODI century (110no) as the women’s Proteas beat Sri Lanka in their second of three matches … The Sharks clinched a 36-20 win over Edinburgh to set up a home semi-final against Clermont in the European Challenge Cup … Sundowns, Stellenbosch, Pirates and Chippa United progressed to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
Sundowns and Pirates have been kept apart in the draw … As we head into match 40 of 74 in the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are the two form teams, both only losing once so far this season … Stephanos Tsitsipas signalled his clay court intentions when he beat Casper Ruud to win the Monte Carlos Masters in straight sets.
