The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- New Zealand confirms Mike Tyson visa ban
- Ainil and Aretha Malaysia’s best finishers after first round
- Aussie legend turns back the clock to share lead with Na-yeon
| New Zealand confirms Mike Tyson visa ban Posted: 11 Oct 2012 06:43 PM PDT WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government on Friday blocked former heavyweight boxing champion and convicted rapist Mike Tyson from entering the country for a second time in as many weeks. A visa allowing Tyson to attend a charity event in November was cancelled earlier this month after the show's sponsor, the Life Education Trust, withdrew its support for the ex-fighter's visit. Another charitable group, the Manukau Urban Maori Authority, then backed Tyson and lodged a second visa application. But Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson said Friday that the bid had been unsuccessful. "This new application was not enough to get the application over the line and, as such, I have declined to grant Mr Tyson a new visa," she said in a statement. Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison in 1992 for raping an 18-year-old woman. Under New Zealand law anyone sentenced to more than five years in jail is denied a visa, although this can be waived in certain circumstances. Anti-sexual violence group Stop Demand hailed the decision. "New Zealand might be a small country but today it has spoken with a loud voice, in standing against sexual violence and denigration of women," founder Denise Ritchie said. Australia this week granted Tyson a visa but warned him he must behave while in the country on a speaking tour. - AFP |
| Ainil and Aretha Malaysia’s best finishers after first round Posted: 11 Oct 2012 06:58 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Local professional Ainil Johani and amateur Aretha Pan scored identical two-over 73s to be tied in 54th place with three others in the opening round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia yesterday. They are the best Malaysian finishers as the other two – Jean Chua and Sarfina Vinotha – are in joint 62nd and 70th positions respectively. The Malaysians were among the lucky ones who managed to finish their game before rain halted play at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) in the afternoon. Ainil and Aretha are tied with England's Jodi Ewart, South Korea's Meena Lee and Australia's Angela Stanford. A double bogey on the par-four second hole, followed by another bogey at the next one saw Ainil fall three behind early in the front nine. But birdies on the sixth and seventh helped steady her game. The back nine saw her carding a birdie on the 8th hole before two more bogeys – at the 11th and 14th – resulted in her finishing at two-over 73. Aretha, who hopes to join the professional ranks soon, also had a mixed day, with two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey at the 14th hole. "It was a bad shot at the 14th ... I shot to the left and the ball landed in the water. That earned me a double bogey. My putting was all right ... I have to hit the fairways more," said Aretha. "Overall, my game was good and I need to improve on some aspects tomorrow." Jean, meanwhile, was disappointed with her game. "It was a reasonable front nine as I had birdies on the fourth and eighth. That sort of cancelled out the bogeys on the second and sixth holes," said Jean, who is tied with American Michelle Wie and Taiwan's Cheng Ssu-chia. "Then I double bogeyed at the ninth and fell back two strokes. The back nine was okay with just two bogeys at the 16th and 17th. "I was nervous at the start and felt a bit of the pressure. I will continue to play my game." For 16-year old Sarfina, tied with Mariajo Uribe of Colombia, the chance to play with the best more than makes up for finishing at the bottom of the pile. "I'm very happy to play here. It's a chance to learn from the top stars. My game was not that good as I had trouble with the fairways and putting," she said. Sarfina signed off the day with an 81 – with 10 bogeys and no birdies. "Phew, there was no double bogey for me. "That's a relief," she said. Related Stories: |
| Aussie legend turns back the clock to share lead with Na-yeon Posted: 11 Oct 2012 06:57 PM PDT Australian legend Karrie Webb (pic, above) turned back the clock to share the lead with defending champion Choi Na-yeon as world No. 1 Tseng Yani made a disastrous start in a weather-disrupted first round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia yesterday. Karrie, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, maintained her composure to stay bogey-free for a six-under 65 despite enduring a three-hour wait after rain halted play in the afternoon at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. The 37-year-old Karrie returned to finish the three remaining holes when play resumed at 4.30pm at the par-71 course and had another birdie on the 17th to move to the top before Na-yeon joined her. World No. 4 Na-yeon, who won the US$1.9mil event last year, had a chance to be the outright leader but failed to convert a birdie chance on the final hole. Na-yeon, who won the US Open this year, could only save par instead to share the lead with Webb. Na-yeon was already five-under through 12 holes before the interruption. Karrie and Na-yeon enjoy a one-stroke lead over Taiwanese amateur Min Lee, Mika Miyazato of Japan and Sun Young-yoo of South Korea, who are tied for second on 66. Two other South Koreans – Han Hee-won and Park Hee-young – were one stroke back on four-under 67. Webb won consecutive events early last year in Singapore and Phoenix for the last of her 38 LPGA Tour victories – more than anyone else. "I played here but I was a bit tired last year and did not have a good attitude in my mindset. "I'm in a different frame of mind this time and feeling refeshed after a two-and-half week break where I spent time to celebrate my mum's 60th birthday. "Six birdies and no bogeys, I'm pleased with that," said Webb, who was happy to stay calm despite the long wait. "It's always hard to stay focused after you have to sit it out for more than three hours. "Instead of wanting to finish it off quickly without making mistakes, I was trying to hit some quality shots and that made the difference." Na-yeon, who has six LPGA Tour career wins, was happy with her putting and pleased to have stayed bogey-free as well. "I know this course very well that it makes you obligated to play well. My strategy was to hit the fairway well first, if I do it well, I know I will have a good chance for birdies," she said. On the pressure of being the defending champion, she said: "I put extra pressure on myself too as a lot of people expect me to win here. But I like it ... it makes you more nervous and encourage you to play better." Yani had three uncharacteristic double bogeys on the 11th, 12th and 15th to eventually slump to the bottom of the field with a seven-over 78. It was certainly a far cry from the player who has been perched at the top of the world rankings since early 2011 and finished second in the tournament last year, a stroke behind Na-yeon. American world No. 2 Stacy Lewis, who together with Yani are the only players to have won three times on the Tour this year, opened with a 70. Fellow American Michelle Wie, who turned 23 yesterday, had a 74. She had an eagle and three birdies, but lost eight shots with a triple bogey, a double bogey and three bogeys. There is no half-way cut in the tournament. Related Stories: |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan