Five things to know from what happened in the world of sport last week. September 15-21, 2020.
- Overpowering. Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open by overpowering everyone with his long drive, although he missed several fairways on the way – he leads among US Open winners in longest drive and lowest fairways hit (PGA). He would then correct and putt it in. He won by six over Matthew Wolf (USA) and was the only player under par. In LPGA; Georgia Hall (ENG) won the Cambia Portland Classic, her second LPGA win. DeChambeau’s coach said if his game is tamed, he will find ways to win anyway (BBC)
- Gazoo. Toyota Gazoo Racing won the World Rally Championship Rally of Turkey with Elfyn Evans (WAL). Hyundai’s Sébastien Löeb finished third and became the oldest driver to lead a World Rally, aged 46. Toyota Gazoo Racing also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for a third consecutive time with the “8” car, driven the three times by Sébastien Buemi (SUI) and Kazuki Nakajima (JAP), and for the first time by former winner Brendon Hartley (NZL). Yet again the “7” car of López (ARG), Kobayashi (JAP) and Conway (ENG) was the fastest car but hit problems; they were third this time, behind the Rebellion Racing. The LMP2 race was defined in the last five minutes, when the pursuing Jota driven by Davidson (ENG), Da Costa (POR) and González (MEX) had to pit, allowing the United Autosports driven by Albuquerque (POR), Hanson (ENG) and Di Resta (SCO) to win. GTE Pro was won by the Aston Martin driven by Lynn (ENG), Martin (BEL) and Tincknell (BEL) over the AF Corse Ferrari on the same lap. GTE Am saw four cars on the winning lap, the first across the line being another Aston Martin, the TF Sport driven by Jonathan Adam (SCO), Charlie Eastwood (IRL) and Salih Yoluç (TUR). FIA World Rallycross went to Latvia and saw a Swedish 1-2-3-4 in both races. For something very different, you can watch the Red Bull Shay’ iMoto on the South African motor sport of spinning, won by King Katra (RSA).
- The number one returned. Novak Djokovic (SRB) came back from his U.S. Open ejection to win the Rome Masters 1000, his record 35th Masters 1000 win. He defeated Diego Schwartzman (ARG) and ha extended his “weeks as #1 status” total to second in history (287), ahead of Peter Sampras (USA, 286) and behind Roger Federer (SUI, 310) (Marca). Simona Halep (ROM) won the women’s division with a 6-2, 2-0 walkover to injured Champion Karolína Plíšková (CZE). They will be the favorites for Roland Garros, which is under fire as several positive covid cases have emerged – players have cited mismanagement (Essentially Sports).
- Another joint win. GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) had to share a chess title for a second week on a row, this time being declared Co-Champion with GM Wesley So (USA). They had the same points in the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament, a Round Robin. Carlsen defeated So when they faced each other. Chess.com tells how Carlsen lost to Nakamura (USA) as he arrived late to a game and was seen buttoning his shirt down while entering screen.
- Yet another winner. Yamaha’s Maverick Viñales (ESP) became the sixth rider to win in the last six MotoGP races, over a very consistent Joan Mir (ESP) in Misano, Italy. World Superbike raced in Catalunya and Jonathan Rea (NIR), Michael van der Mark (NET) and Chaz Davies (WAL) took each win. Andrea Locatelli (ITA) secured the Supersport World Championship by taking the second race, although he had finished 4th in the rain-stopped first race won by Andy Verdoïa (FRA), who stopped his 9-race win streak. In Speedway GP, Bartosz Zmarzlik (POL) took both Czech wins. World Supersport 300 had a thriller second race won by Yuta Okaya (JAP); over five riders fought for the win on the last lap – Watch (RTVE)
