The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- McDowell back chasing title at Tiger's event
- Report: Ferrari may appeal Vettel title
- Pandelela is first Universiti Malaya Olympian fund recipient
| McDowell back chasing title at Tiger's event Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:50 PM PST THOUSAND OAKS, California: Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell says he's happy to be back at the World Challenge invitational hosted by Tiger Woods, a tournament that has been key in his career. McDowell won the tournament in 2010, following up his US Open triumph earlier that year up the Pacific coast at Pebble Beach. But he still believes it was his runner-up finish in 2009, when he received a last-minute invitation, that set the stage for his 2010 breakthrough. "There's no doubt, I always look back fondly not only at 2010 when I won here but I look fondly at 2009, as well, as certainly something that kick-started a bit of a chain reaction of amazing events that would be a very defining year for me in my career so far." McDowell said geography played into his decision not to defend his title at Sherwood Country Club, in rolling countryside west of Los Angeles, last year. Instead he played in the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City in South Africa. "I decided to go to Sun City before the Race to Dubai Championship because I figured it would be an easier journey from South Africa to Dubai," he said. "So it's great to be able to come back here this year. It's a good golf course and there are good memories for me here." Two notable absentees this year are world number one Rory McIlroy and number two Luke Donald. Woods, ranked third in the world, ended a two-year global victory drought here last year and he also carried the momentum forward. He won three US PGA Tour titles this season, although he was unable to add to his total of 14 major championships. "I'm very excited because last year at this point in time I was still not quite where I wanted to be physically," Woods said. "I've played a full schedule for the first time in a very long time, and just very pleased with what I've done overall with my game. But obviously there's always things we need to work on." - AFP |
| Report: Ferrari may appeal Vettel title Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:49 PM PST LONDON: Ferrari are considering an appeal against an over-taking manoeuvre by Sebastian Vettel at Sunday's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix which could see the German stripped of his title, it was reported Wednesday. The Daily Mail claimed that YouTube footage appeared to show Vettel, the youngest triple world champion in Formula One history, overtaking Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne under yellow flags in the early laps of the rain-affected race at Interlagos. Overtaking under caution is outlawed and is usually punished with a drive-through penalty. However, in cases where the infringement is not spotted, the newspaper claimed, the sanction is a 20-second penalty handed out retrospectively. Vettel was sixth in Sunday's season-ending race while double world champion Fernando Alonso was second in his Ferrari behind winner, McLaren's Jenson Button. The result allowed Vettel to beat Alonso in the title race by just three points. The aftermath of Sunday's thrilling race in Sao Paulo was overshadowed by Ferrari insisting that Alonso should have been crowned champion, pointing to controversial races in Belgium and Japan to support their argument. Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said that Alonso paid a heavy price for first lap exits in Belgium and Japan where he was shunted out of contention by Lotus duo Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen respectively. The Italian giants had been further aggrieved when Vettel, accused of blocking Alonso in qualifying in Japan before going on to win the race, escaped with just a reprimand. "We are proud of Fernando," said Domenicali. "But we are very disappointed because the one who deserved this championship was really him. "It is a shame because, after such a long season that we really fight in all conditions, we raced 18 races and not 20 - and being second by three points is not a lot. "Watch the facts. Zero points in two races (Belgium and Japan) so we have done what we have done with 18 races. The others had 20 - and the points were over 20 races. These are facts, not words." Alonso also insisted his campaign had been undermined at Spa and Suzuka. "The championship was not lost here," said the two-time champion. "The championship was lost when (Romain) Grosjean flew over my head (at Spa) or when Vettel surprisingly only got a reprimand after qualifying in Japan." Vettel refused to get involved in a war of words although he did allude to his rivals' controversial decision last weekend in Texas to change the gearbox on Felipe Massa's Ferrari in order to allow Alonso to enjoy a starting advantage on the grid. "A lot of people tried to play dirty tricks but we did not get distracted by that and kept going our way and all the guys gave a big push right to the end," Vettel said. - AFP |
| Pandelela is first Universiti Malaya Olympian fund recipient Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:16 PM PST PETALING JAYA: Teenagers from humble background who aspire to make it in life should look no further than national diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg for inspiration. The 19-year-old Bidayuh girl, whose father worked as a contract labourer to raise the family, was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Universiti Malaya Olympian Fund, which entitles her to full scholarship, at their annual sports recognition ceremony yesterday. Pandelela made the country proud when she became the first female Olympic medallist in the 10m platform competition in London in July. She enrolled for a Sports Science course at UM recently. Pandelela will enjoy fee exemption from tuition and accommodation as well as earn subsistence and training allowances worth RM30,000 a year. The funding is from September this year until her graduation in February 2015. Pandelela divides her time between lectures at the Sports Science faculty and daily training at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil. The UM Olympian Fund was initiated to provide encouragement to athletes who excel in sports and have good potential for further academic studies at the university. The scholarship will be made available to all athletes who win a medal in Olympic competition and intend to pursue further studies at UM. "I'm so happy and proud to be named the initial recipient of the Olympian fund. "I've always dreamt of becoming a scholarship recipient. I may not be a scholar but it gives me equal joy to receive it as an athlete," said Pandelela. Also launched last night was the Pandelela Olympian UM Fund, which is aimed at taking care of the welfare of undergraduates who are Olympians and help the country produce highly-educated athletes. Deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Bulgiba Awang Mahmud said it was their hope that the two new initiatives would help the country produce athletes who excel in both sports and studies. "We want to attract more national athletes to further their education at UM," he said. Awards were also presented to UM sports staff and students in the development of sports and recreational activities. |
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