Ricciardo, Day and Campbell fly the flag
An Australian win in the Belgian Grand Prix, a close second in the Barclays PGA golf and our swimmers look to more success in the Rio Olympics in 2016 – it’s been a big weekend.
Dan’s the man
Daniel Ricciardo has risen above the ballyhoo around him to enjoy the celebrations after he delivered the Red Bull team’s 50th victory in Formula One at the Belgian Grand Prix.
It also made him the first Australian winner of the race since Jack Brabham in 1960.
The win on Sunday was his third in six races and moved him to within reach of mounting a title challenge in the final races of the year.
His victory came after the two McLaren drivers – championship leader Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton – crashed into each other on the second lap.
“There was a bit of pressure, though it probably looked a bit easier because I had the lead early on and I just kept it,” Ricciardo said.
“We couldn’t really rest though because I knew Nico Rosberg would be quick at the end, but we held on and it was nice to taste the champagne again.”
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Birdie blitz hits Day
Jason Day was overrun by a birdie blitz from US golfer Hunter Mahan in The Barclays PGA event in New Jersey.
Day shared the lead at the start of the back nine today before Mahan fired birdies at 11, 13, 15, 16 and 17.
Mahan finished at 15 under, three shots clear of Australia’s Stuart Aoppleby and Jason Day along with US golfer Cameron Tringale.
Appleby, who is fighting for his survival in the playoffs, showed his best form since shooting 59 in the final round to win the 2010 Greenbrier Classic.
Adam Scott, the defending Barclay’s champion who came from six shots back to win last year, started his round five back and was quickly within two before cooling off.
His three-under 68 left him at seven-under and tied 15th in his defence.
Steven Bowditch who briefly held the lead on the opening day, shot 69 to finish at five under, good enough to secure his place in the next two weeks of playoffs.
John Senden finished his tournament in fine fashion with a five-under 66 to be five-under for the week, ensuring minimal damage, if any, will be done to his season long FedEx Cup standing.
Looking to maintain a position inside the top 30 over the next three weeks to qualify for the Tour Championship Senden is currently projected to be 28th.
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Cate Campbell’s shoulder secret
Moments after confirming she is the world’s fastest woman in water Australia’s Cate Campbell revealed she is willing to risk losing that title in 2015 if it means overcoming a shoulder complaint by the Rio Olympics.
Campbell already had rivals shaking in their boots after capping a stunning Pan Pacific championships on the Gold Coast by clinching 50m freestyle gold on Sunday night in the fastest time in a textile suit (23.96 seconds).
But her foes no doubt were left shaking their heads in astonishment after Campbell revealed she had achieved her remarkable success while nursing a chronic shoulder injury.
Campbell said she would soon go under the knife to remove a bone spur that was pinching a nerve on her right shoulder, ensuring she would miss the rest of the year – and perhaps beyond.
Campbell said she was prepared to miss the chance to defend her 100m freestyle title at the 2015 world titles in Kazan, Russia, starting in late July if it meant she was fully fit by Rio.
Campbell’s resume boasts world, Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games 100m titles.
Now the lanky 22-year-old wants to complete her collection with Olympic gold in Brazil – no matter what it takes.
“I’m actually getting shoulder surgery next week,” said Campbell after collecting 50m gold before sealing Australia’s stunning 4x100m medley gold win over Olympic champions the United States on Sunday night.
“If the Olympics were next year I’d hold off definitely, but I can’t struggle through another two years with a bad shoulder.
“If I’m not back to full capacity by next year it’s not a major drama – Rio is really the end goal.”
Australia ended the championships with an impressive final medal tally of 10 gold, eight silver and eight bronze.
They trailed only a 60-strong world No.1 United States (14 gold, 12 silver, 14 bronze) boasting Olympic great Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky.
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