SPORTS R
American Scottie Scheffler is still No. 1 in the world by a ory McIlroy already has everything he ever wanted large margin and remains the betting from golf. favorite. He has as many wins His dream was to be the best player in the game, as McIlroy (3) and as many which he fulfilled long ago by reaching No. 1 in majors (PGA Championship) the world nine times. The final mountain took 11 years to this year. He hasn’t finished out climb, and this was truly rarefied air. He won the Masters of the top 10 in four months. in April to complete the career Grand Slam, a moment so The defending champion is joyous McIlroy figured anything else in his career would be Xander Schauffele, who has yet a bonus. to win this year after missing “That very well could be the highlight of my career,” he two months with a rib injury. said of his Masters green jacket and all that came with it. Another one could be lurking on his home soil. A SCORE TO SETTLE Page 8 FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025 The British Open returns to Royal Portrush in Northern McIlroy turned Irish heads Ireland, and there might not be a better way for McIlroy to when he set the record at Royal conclude a most unforgettable season. Portrush with a 61 when he Irish eyes will be on the Emerald Isle’s favorite son, just was only 16. When the British like they were in 2019 when McIlroy hit his first shot outOpen returned in 2019 for the of-bounds and missed the cut. He has a score to settle, yes. first time in 68 years, McIlroy And there is pressure to perform. But a big burden already began with a quadruplehas been lifted. bogey 8 on the first hole and shot 79. He wound up missing “There’s no doubt he knows what is hoped for him,” Australian golfer Adam Scott said. “Having won the career the cut. He also squandered a chance to win last year at Royal slam earlier this year, I think he goes in – even with all that County Down in the Irish Open, expectation – with some freedom and probably calmness. Rory I imagine he’ll have a much more sense of calmness and be losing a late lead to Rasmus Hojgaard. McIlroy
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Rutherford making her presence felt GOLFERS TO WATCH
Scottie Scheffler
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
S
he comes from a well-known sporting family that includes legendary triple jumper Frank Rutherford, quarter-miler Dennis Darling and twin football players Devard and Devaughn Darling. But ask Camille Rutherford, the daughter of Chad and Demetria Rutherford, and she would quickly tell you that she’s looking forward to developing her own legacy. The 22-year-old sprinter has been holding her own, running a lifetime best of
ENGLAND DEFEATS SWEDEN ON PENALTIES TO REACH EURO 2025 SEMIS – PAGE 5
World ranking: 1. Worldwide wins: 19. Majors: Masters (2022, 2024), PGA Championship (2025).
10.96 seconds on July 22 at the Bob Vigars Classic at the Alumni Stadium in London, Canada. Her time has been registered as the seventh fastest time by a Bahamian, following national record holder Chandra Sturrup with 10.84, Anthaya Charlton (10.87), Sevatheda Fynes and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (10.91), Anthonique Strachan (10.92) and Eldece Clarke (10.96) and ahead of Pauline Davis-Thompson and Shaunae MillerUibo, who both dipped under the 11-second barrier with 10.97 and 10.98 respectively. In the process, Rutherford’s time is listed as the second fastest by a Bahamian this year, trailing Charlton, who both surpassed the qualifying standards for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September. Rutherford, now training at Rice University under the guidance of coach Jeffrey Artis-Gray, said she’s really happy and grateful with the progress she has made this year, “and I’m locked in on continuing to grow throughout the season.” Looking back at her season so far, Rutherford said the Johnny Loaring Classic in Canada really tipped the scale as she joined the lofty group of international competitors, placing her 24th overall in
LEGACY - See Page E3
for seventh at Royal Troon in 2024. Backspin: He has nine consecutive top 10s, including three victories, going into the Scottish Open. Scheffler is the only player with top 10s in all the majors this year.
Rory McIlroy
NORTHERN IRELAND
World ranking: 2. Worldwide wins: 40. Majors: Masters (2025), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), U.S. Open (2011), British Open (2014). British Open appearances: 15. Best result: Won in 2014 at Royal Liverpool. Backspin: He has not been the same since his career highlight of winning the Masters, with two top 10s in his last six starts. McIlroy has a
‘PEACE ON DA STREET’ CLASSIC: CLERGY VS POLITICIANS Tommy Fleetwood SHOWDOWN ENGLAND
UNITED STATES
World ranking: 13. Worldwide wins: By BRENT STUBBS World ranking: 3. Worldwide wins: 12. Majors: None. Chief Sports Editor Majors: PGA Championship (2024), British Open British Open appearances: 10. Best bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Looks to develop her own legacy British Open appearances: 4. Best result: Tie
British Open,
score to settle at Royal Portrush, where he missed away and Rahm had a rough finish. the cut in 2019.
Xander Schauffele
UNITED STATES
Th ear go au pla for for
(2024).
British Open appearances: 7.
Runner-up in 2019 at Royal Portrush.
Backspin: He wasyear runner-up Shane EVERY the tofocus Best result: Won at Royal Troon in 2024. at Royal Portrush in 2019 and played of attention for the Hopein Center’s ‘Peace onin 2023. da group on Saturday at Hoylake Backspin: His year was slowed by a rib injury Street’ recently he lostBasketball a one-shot leadTouron the that kept him out for two months. Padraig nament has been the Travelers Championship. Harrington (2007-08), Tiger Woods (2005-06) and of the showdown between the Tom Watson (1982-83) are the only back-to-back Viktor Hovland Politicians and the Clergy. Open champions the last 50 years. As the 30th yearly edition NORWAY of ranking: the week-long tournaJon Rahm World 12. Worldwide wins: ment comes to a close on SPAIN Majors: None. Family on Sunday World ranking: 68. Worldwide wins: 22. British OpenNight appearances: 4. Best r night at the Kendal Isaacs for fourth in 2022 at St. Andrews. Majors: Masters (2023), U.S. Open (2021). Gymnasium, the spectators British Open appearances: 8. Backspin: For someone for can look for thatsearching renewed Best result: Runner-up in 2023 at Royal Liverpool. he already won once on as the PGA rivalryhas once again theyTo and was in contention at Oakm Backspin: He is winless this year but is showing yearalso cheer on theirlate respecthetive U.S. Open. He has finished among better form in the majors than he did in 2024. teams competing for t titles thein other 5 inthe at least one in major each of divithe las He was tied for the lead on the back nine at the sional match-ups. PGA Championship until Scottie Scheffler pulled years. They include the Tropical Gyro - 13-and-under; Myers Group - 16-and-under, Sun Oil - 20-and-under, We Buy You Sell - Church; Design Group - Open and Jamaica/ Bahamas Imports - Corporate divisions. There will also be the Mr Ship It 3-point shooting contest as well as the Joey’s Slam Dunk contest, featuring some of the top ballers in the country. According to tournament founder Dr Carlos Reid, there will be lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, weekend passes at Atlantis and flat screen televisions being offered. But the highlight is the politicians vs the clergy for bragging rights. For Shanendon Cartwright, the Member of Parliament for St Barnabas, he has grown with the tournament, having competed in the tournament before he got started in politics. “It’s just been such an honour and a pleasure to
CLASSIC - See Page E3
CAMILLE Rutherford with coach Jeffrey Artis-Gray.
REASONS Coach Geron Sands FIVE YOU ARE NOT reflects on historic LOSING WEIGHT All-Star appearance By Dr Kent L Bazard
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH he didn’t perform anywhere near what was anticipated, Bahamian mentor and coach Geron Sands said the experience of pitching for New York Yankees’ second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr will be a memory that he will cherish for the rest of his life. “The experience was amazing,” said Sands, the step-father of Chisholm Jr. “I felt like I belonged out there. All the guys were extremely friendly and welcoming. I felt very relaxed the entire time.” Chisholm Jr, the 27-yearold who produced 17 homers so far during the regular season for the Yankees before the break for the All-Star Classic in Atlanta, Georgia, only managed to hit three shots outside Truist Park. When asked, Sands said he didn’t know whether he or Chisholm Jr was more nervous going into the Home Run Derby. “I felt fine. I felt normal like I belonged out there everyday,” Sands said.
“We were disappointed we didn’t get more home runs. But that’s what it’s all about. It was about having fun.” Although they enjoyed the fun, interacting with some of the top players in the game of baseball, as well as the many celebrations in the stands with the general public, Sands said they accomplished their goal. “That’s about it. It was about having fun,” he stated. “It was a dream that came through for both of us. We have spoken about this for many years. Maybe about 15 years now.” As for the exposure gained, Sands said it was just a taste of what’s to come. “We will be back again,” he claimed. “We will run it back again for sure.” And even though many expected more from Chisholm Jr, Sands said “it’s baseball” and he took it in stride. “He was fine. He said we will get them next time,” Sands said. “It was nothing to be upset about. Jazz is a second time All-Star. That’s what’s important here.” While it was his debut in the Home Run Derby,
LET’s address the elephant in the room — quite literally. According to the most recent Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) report, The Bahamas now ranks number one in obesity in the Americas. That’s a heavy title, and not the kind we should be proud of. Despite increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles and the explosion of fitness content on social media, many Bahamians
still struggle to lose weight — even when they’re “doing everything right.” If you’re eating better and moving BAZARD more, but the scale isn’t moving with you, it’s time to explore the five common reasons you might be stuck.
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THE SPORTS CALENDAR
GERON SANDS, left, with Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. Chisholm Jr followed up on Tuesday by participating in his first All-Star Classic. He came off the bench in the sixth inning for the National League and played second base. The game ended in a 6-6
tie with the American League. In 2022 as a member of the Miami Marlins, Chisholm Jr was selected to his first All-Star Classic.
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BOXING FUNDRAISER THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for
July
a donation of $15. Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said.
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