The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Tigers Woods recaptures world No. 1 spot
- Thai Kiradech and Malaysia’s Gavin steal limelight in KLGCC
- Emirates happy to be part of Open for eighth straight year
| Tigers Woods recaptures world No. 1 spot Posted: 25 Mar 2013 04:45 PM PDT ORLANDO, Florida: Tiger Woods reclaimed the world number one spot on Monday for the first time since he was brought low by scandal, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. With his eighth Bay Hill course triumph, 37-year-old Woods replaced Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy atop the rankings and set the seal on an extraordinary comeback after a spectacular fall from personal and professional grace. "I play well here," said Woods, who earned $1.08 million in prize money after a closing round of two-under 70. "That is about as simple as it gets. It is a by-product of hard work and patience." It took an extra day, but Woods out-dueled fellow American Rickie Fowler down the stretch, winning the $6.2 million event by two strokes. Woods has won 14 majors in his career and had previously spent a record 623 weeks on top of the world. But he has not led the rankings for nearly three years, after injuries and an infamous scandal saw him stumble. Woods fell to his lowest rank on November 11, 2011 when he dropped to 58th in the world. His woes began in 2009 when a US tabloid aired claims he had had an affair with a nightclub manageress. Two days later, amid speculation about his marriage, he was slightly injured when he crashed his car near his home. In December of that year, Woods issued two statements admitting to serial marital infidelity and announced he would take a break from golf. He later said that he had undergone therapy to help him change his behavior. He returned to golf at the 2010 Masters in April, but his marriage was over and his divorce with former model Elin Nordegren was granted in August. His game had clearly suffered during the turmoil and his return to the top took three years. Last week, Woods announced that he was dating US ski star Lindsey Vonn, and this weekend's tournament seems to have confirmed his return to form. "The first step in the process was getting healthy. Once I got there, then my game turned," Woods said. "I've won six times on the tour the last couple years. That's not bad." Woods also claimed his 77th PGA Tour victory - his 99th professional victory - in his final tune-up event for next month's Masters. The Monday finish followed a severe thunder storm on Sunday that postponed the fourth round. The storm swept across the Bay Hill Club & Lodge course with gusting winds toppling trees and television towers. Woods and playing partner Fowler began on the third hole Monday and Woods quickly set the tone with birdies on a pair of par-fives. He finished on 18 with a bogey but it was enough to reach 13-under 275, giving him the win and propelling him the Number One spot for the first time since October 2010. "I am getting back to winning golf tournaments," Woods said. "I won some golf tournaments the last couple years so consequently I moved up." Runner-up Justin Rose fired a two-under 70 to finish at 11-under while Fowler stumbled down the stretch, closing with a one-over 73 as he plummeted to a four-way tie for third at eight-under 280. Fowler finished alongside Mark Wilson (71), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (72) and Keegan Bradley (71). Woods, who has won six times in his last 20 tournaments, attributes his recent success to learning how to juggle his family life with golf. "It was a lot easier to work on the game and make all those changes when I was younger," he said Monday. "Having family responsibilities changes things. Trying to find the time to do it tests your time-management skills. "I had to work differently. It was going to have to be done in short bursts. But I wouldn't trade it. My two little ones are the most important thing in my life." Woods has now won 51 times in 55 tries when holding the lead entering the final round and is five wins shy of matching Sam Snead's all-time record on the PGA Tour. He and Snead are also the only players to win the same tournament eight times with Snead doing it at the Greater Greensboro Open. -AFP |
| Thai Kiradech and Malaysia’s Gavin steal limelight in KLGCC Posted: 25 Mar 2013 06:20 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Malaysia's budding amateur Gavin Kyle Green provided the cheers in the rain-hit Maybank Malaysian Open at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club last weekend. Kiradech, Thailand's 24-year-old rising star, led from Day One to win the US$2.75mil event and seal his place in history as the youngest winner on the European Tour this year. It was his second career win but one which will see him smiling all the way to the bank with a US$458,330 cheque. The 19-year-old Gavin, on the other hand, was one of the three Malaysians to make the cut for the final round in the tournament which was shortened to 54 holes. The other two were Danny Chia and S. Murthy. Gavin's performance has given hopes of a Malaysian lifting the Seagram Trophy in the future. Quite a number of golfers who saw Gavin in action had good things to say of him and felt that he could be a champion in the making. Of course the question is whether the youngster can go on to fulfil his potential and in the process provide a local winner of the trophy long envisaged by the golfing fraternity in Malaysia. Gavin was awarded the best Malaysian-finisher trophy at the prize giving ceremony and was praised by the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who also predicted a bright future for him. "I think he is a good player and is the next big hope for Malaysian golf. He might very well be our future Malaysian Open winner and the next Tiger Woods," said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Gavin will return to the United States on Monday with a wealth of experience as he continues to represent his college team. However, big hitting Kiradech was the story of the day as he battled the weather and illness to beat a star-studded field. Despite having to battle the elements and a thyroid problem, the 23-year-old showed he can measure up to the best in the competition as he outduelled Major winners such as South Africa's Charl Schwartzel and Ireland's Padraig Harrington as well as Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari of Italy. The win propelled Kiradech to the top of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit – a position he is determined to be in when the season comes to a close at the end of the year. "It's the Tour (Asian Tour) where I was born. I'm going to be 24 this year and I've got another 20 years to play. "I'll try to win as many tournaments as I can. I've three Tours to play on now (Asian Tour, Japan Tour, European Tour) but my focus will be to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit," said Kiradech "I'll try to win a Major event. I cannot say when but I'll try my best. I just play for fun. I don't have any routine. I will train hard and as usual aim to win whatever tournaments I take part in," he added Dubbed Asia's John Daly due to his physique and style of play the Thai does not mind the comparison. "I'm happy with the name, John Daly of Asia. He won a Major event and I'm proud someone has called me that. It will good if I actually win a Major as that is my main aim now." The Thai will also be making his maiden appearance at the US Open after he won a place from the Asian International Final Qualifying round earlier in Thailand this month. Kiradech's quick rise since his amateur days where he was crowned World Junior Champion on two occasions can be credited to the unity and close bond he shares with his compatriots. "The Thai pro golfers stay together like a family. Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prom Meesawat and Thongchai Jaidee all provide valuable advice to the younger golfers in Thailand," said Kiradech. India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, meanwhile, slipped to second place on the Order of Merit after missing the cut in Malaysia while China's Liang Wen-chong is in third place after his season's haul of US$175,909. The Asian Tour will travel to Thailand for the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT which will be held at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai from March 28-31. |
| Emirates happy to be part of Open for eighth straight year Posted: 25 Mar 2013 03:28 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Emirates, the official airline of the Maybank Malaysian Open for the eighth consecutive year, was proud to host the Emirates Junior Golf Clinic last weekend to reiterate its commitment and support for golf in Malaysia right down to the grassroots level. Fifteen lucky children comprising young golfers from Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam and Royal Selangor Golf Club were treated to a coaching session with American professional golfer Jason Knutzon. Apart from sharing the fundamental basics in golf like putting, chipping and bunker shot – Knutzon shared tips on how to become a successful golfer. He also taught them techniques of gripping a club properly, ensuring good alignment and posture and playing with a positive attitude. A nine-year-old junior golfer, Grace Chin Jun Li, was ecstatic to be part of the junior golf clinic, as it is the first one with a professional golfer: "It was truly exciting to meet Jason Knutzon and play golf with a great sportsman. I've learned so much in just one hour." |
| 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