Wednesday 7th December, 2011 15

BY DOUG FERGUSON to a break. He will not compete again for nearly two weeks until starting his 2012 Training camp THOUSAND OAKS, California (AP) — season in Abu Dhabi against a world-class Earl Woods could blow smoke with the field, with Martin Kaymer as the defend- for junior best of them, yet it was always entertain- ing champion. ing. “This tournament would be a good win wheelchair Such was the case years ago when he for him,” Stricker said as Woods was was raving about how Tiger Woods thor- locked in a duel with Johnson on the back tennis players oughly enjoyed the biggest stage in golf, nine. “It’s not against a full field or any- because his son knew he could perform thing like that, but there are good players A junior wheelchair tennis under pressure. But if it that were true, here. This would be a great stepping stone camp which is open for the pub- then how did Woods butcher the final for him.” lic is now held at the Sri Lanka round of the Quad City Classic when he Even when it was considered part of Tennis Association in Colombo had a chance to win in his third start as a the silly season, this tournament has a his- ending today, Wednesday, Dec. 7. pro? tory of leading to better things for the win- The programme is funded “It took me awhile to figure out why he ner. by Cryuff Foundation and the didn’t win,” Earl Woods said in a 2003 Tom Lehman won in 1999, and then International Tennis captured the Phoenix Open the next year interview. “Then it dawned on me and I Federation. The training pro- to end a four-year winless stretch on the told my wife, ‘Tiger is going to win in Las gramme was open for all differ- PGA Tour. Davis Love III won in 2000 and Vegas.’ Because in his subconscious mind, ently-abled children who are he did not want to win his first tourna- two months later won at Pebble Beach for interested in playing wheel- ment in some ... place like Quad Cities.” his first tour victory in nearly three years. chair tennis. Woods ended the longest drought of his as strong as it has in years, and that much ‘Wow, this guy is back,’” Steve Stricker Luke Donald won in 2005, and the next (RSS) career — 26 tournaments without a win should be believed. “If the man is healthy, said. “But you could tell this time around, year won the Honda Classic for his first over 749 days — at the Chevron World that’s paramount,” Johnson said. he’s got even more confidence and more tour win in four years. It even worked for Challenge, and whether that was the ideal Woods said he has been working hard game. He feels even better about the direc- Woods at the end of 2004, which at the time place for him to finally pose with a trophy on his new swing over the last tion he’s headed.” was his worst year on tour. The following Butterfly and again depends on the perspective. three months, and that We’ll have to wait a few season, he won two majors. In one respect, he came full circle at much was evident months to see exactly where In the most recent example, and the Sherwood Country Club. based on the quali- it’s headed. one Woods cited on the 18th green, Jim Friendship Sports This was the first tournament that ty of shots he hit Woods said he worked Furyk won at Sherwood in 2009. The fol- Woods skipped in the immediate aftermath at the so hard after missing lowing year, Furyk had a Clubs shine at of Thanksgiving night 2009, when his per- Australian the cut in the PGA career-high three wins on sonal life imploded. And it was at this Open, at the Championship tour and captured the veterans’ TT tournament last year when he blew a four- Presidents that despite win- FedEx Cup. Butterfly Sports Club won shot lead and lost to Graeme McDowell in Cup and at the ning so late in the Men’s ‘A’ Division event at a playoff, a sign that something wasn’t Chevron World the year, he the Veteran’s Inter-club table quite right with his game. Challenge. was look- Tiger Woods holds tennis tournament which was On Sunday, he looked like the Woods of What he ing for- his trophy after win- held at the S. Thomas’ College, needs is confi- ward old by making clutch birdie putts on the ning the Chevron Mount Lavinia gymnasium last last two holes to beat Zach Johnson, who dence, and World Challenge golf Sunday. played bogey-free on the back nine. making two The winning team com- Then again, Johnson was one of only key putts with tournament at prised Lalith Priyantha, 17 players Woods had to beat at Sherwood. a tournament Sherwood Country Even though the Chevron World on the line is Club, Sunday, Dec. 4, Dietmar Doering, Laxman Challenge had 11 of the top 25 players in only going to 2011, in Thousand Ranatunge and M. Nazar. the world ranking — the most of any tour- help. Oaks, Calif. (AP Veterans ‘A’ team comprising G. N. Lucas, M. M. M. Laffeer, nament in the world last week — some of Steve Photo/Danny Stricker Rajiva Wijetunge and Sarath the easiest events to win have the smallest Moloshok) fields. And the field shrinks even more played with Wijesuriya finished as runners- when free money is being offered ($140,000 Woods in the up. for last place). It also could be argued that opening round The Men’s ‘B’ division tour- some players had one eye on the holiday at Sherwood a nament was won by Astron season. For 12 of the 18 players at year ago when Sports Club while NSB Sports Sherwood, that was their last tournament Woods opened Club finished as the runners-up. of the year. with a 65. He The trio comprising Namal Some will never be satisfied, though. was with him Gunasekara, Ira Woods could win his first tournament for the first Ruwanpathirana and Champa of 2012 in Abu Dhabi, and skeptics won’t round this De Silva (representing think it matters until he wins on the PGA year when Friendship Table Tennis Club) Tour (Europe has more top players, though Woods shot 69 won the women’s division while the depth is lacking). He could win at in gusting con- Sim Cap Sports Club compris- Pebble Beach, and some will say the only ditions. ing Nilmini Wijetunga, Amara measure is the majors. “Last year Here’s how to gauge Sunday: It was a I played with Chandrathilaka and Daya Pieris significant win because it was significant him here in emerged as the runners-up. to Woods. the first round (RN) He said in August that his left leg feels and I thought,

Baggio, Platini inducted into Italy’s Hall of Fame Windies beat by 16 runs to keep series alive FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — dent Adriano Galliani and , India (AP) — He smashed 10 fours and a six dismissed Virender down the leg side in a doubtful Former Golden Ball winner retired referee Pierluigi Collina. West Indies ended India’s 11-game in 100 balls to keep the match in Sehwag and for decision with replays suggesting Roberto Baggio and Juventus Categories included Italian winning streak at home with a 16- the balance until he was the sec- ducks with the first two balls of the ball had touched the thigh pad. great Michel Platini, who is now player (Baggio), foreign player run victory in the third one-day ond last man out in the 44th over. the second over of the innings. Rampaul also dismissed UEFA president, are among the (Platini), veteran player (Riva), international on Monday to keep Sharma, who struck 72 and 90 Sehwag was caught behind Abhimanyu Mithun in another inaugural inductees into the coach (Sacchi and Lippi), referee the series alive after fast bowler in the previous two games, dangling his bat outside off stump spell to seal victory. Italian football federation’s Hall (Collina) and executive Ravi Rampaul’s four- haul. put on a 91-run stand with while Gautam Gambhir was Earlier, Sammy and allrounder of Fame. (Galliani). Rampaul took 4-57 to help bowl (31) before trapped lbw shouldering arms to a Andre Russell put together a rol- Also inducted Monday were The Hall of Fame — named out India for 244 in 46.5 overs in being by a direct throw ball that moved in sharply for licking 79-run unbroken stand to former Italy coaches Arrigo in English — is located inside a reply to West Indies’ total of 260-5 from West Indies captain Darren India to slip to 8-2. propel the visitors after a slow Sacchi and Marcello Lippi, museum at Italy’s training cen- at Sardar Patel Stadium. It was Sammy. After spinners Marlon start. Sammy clobbered 41 off 17 Italy’s all-time leading scorer ter in the Florentine hamlet of the hosts’ first ODI loss at home “It was a good fight back from Samuels and Narine had taken a balls and Russell smashed 40 off Luigi Riva, AC Milan vice presi- Coverciano. since going down to South Africa the boys especially the spell from wicket each, Rampaul dismissed 18 to boost the total after Samuels in the group stage of the World Rampaul and debutant (Sunil) (2) caught behind had made 58. Cup in March. Narine,” said Sammy, who had Sammy and Russell were India, which won the opening earlier dropped Sharma and SCOREBOARD helped by some wayward Pathan replaces Yadav in India two matches, was led by Rohit Ashwin. “Sharma tried to take the West Indies Innings as Mithun went for 23 Sharma’s fluent knock of 95 as he game away but we stuck at it.” L. Simmons c Patel b 1 runs in the 49th over and squad for two ODIs resurrected the innings from 105-6 India was on the back foot D. Hyatt c Patel b Mithun 20 for 20 in the NEW DELHI (AP) — Melbourne on Dec. 26. They are in the 21st over. early in the chase when Rampaul M. Samuels b Ashwin 58 50th. Allrounder has , Sachin D. Bravo retired hurt 26 “When the two big-hitters, been called up to India’s 15-man Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, D. Ramdin c Patel b Yadav 38 squad for the remaining two , K. Pollard c Jadeja b Vinay Kumar 29 Russell and Sammy, were bat- one-day games against West and . A. Russell not out 40 ting it was difficult for us as Indies so Umesh Yadav can Selectors also announced they were connecting well,” acclimatize in Australia for an that Abhimanyu Mithun will D. Sammy not out 41 upcoming test series. replace injured swing bowler Extras: (2lb, 5w) 7 Sehwag said. “I told my boys The Indian board on the TOTAL: (for five ) 260 to bowl as many yorkers as made the announcement in a Australian tour. Overs: 50 they could, but they could not statement after West Indies won India ODI squad: Parthiv Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-42, 3-122, 4-177, 5-181 do it.” by 16 runs on Monday to trail 2-1 Patel, (cap- Did not bat: Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Sunil Sammy finished with two in the five-match series. tain), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Narine Pathan last represented Kohli, , Suresh sixes and five fours while Bowling: Kumar 8-1-39-2 (1w), Yadav 9-1-75-1, India during the Raina, , Russell struck two sixes and World Cup in England in June Ravichandran Ashwin, Vinay Mithun 7-0-47-1 (1w), Jadeja 10-1-37-0 (1w), 2009. Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Varun Ashwin 10-0-33-1 (2w), Raina 6-0-27-0 four fours during a fruitful Six other players will leave Aaron, , Manoj India Innings partnership that also included on Thursday for Australia for a Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, P. Patel b Samuels 39 some smart running by the four-test series that starts in Abhimanyu Mithun. V. Sehwag c Ramdin b Rampaul 0 pair. G. Gambhir lbw b Rampaul 0 The two built on the good V. Kohli lbw b Narine 20 work of Samuels, who stead- NZ Cricket appoints David R. Sharma run out 95 ied the innings with a 93-ball S. Raina c Ramdin b Rampaul 2 knock of 58 that included five R. Jadeja run out 11 White as chief executive R. Ashwin lbw b Narine 31 fours and a six. V. Kumar b Roach 3 Samuels, who smashed WELLINGTON: New Zealand New Zealand in 1990 during a A. Mithun lbw b Rampaul 23 two consecutive fours off Cricket on Tuesday named for- tour of Pakistan, both of which U. Yadav not out 11 Mithun and later belted Yadav mer Test batsman turned rugby were won by the host nation. Extras: (1b, 2lb, 3w, 3nb) 9 for a six and two fours in an union administrator David He then moved into rugby TOTAL: (all out) 244 White as its new chief execu- union administration and has over, was out after the power- Overs: 46.5 tive. been chief executive of New play in the 33rd over when he Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-8, 3-43, 4-79, 5-84, 6- White, 50, will lead NZC in Zealand Super Rugby clubs the tried to create space on the off 105, 7-196, 8-200, 9-216 side but was bowled by spin- the build-up to the 2015 Cricket Wellington Hurricanes and Bowling: Roach 10-0-54-1 (1w, 2nb), Rampaul World Cup, which will be co- Auckland Blues as well as 8.5-1-57-4 (1w, 1nb), Narine 10-0-34-2, Samuels ner Ashwin. hosted by New Zealand and Bristol Rugby in England. 10-0-50-1, Russell 4-0-25-0 (1w), Sammy 1-0-7- Denesh Ramdin (38) and Australia. “The board of NZC is 0, Simmons 2-0-10-0, Pollard 1-0-4-0 Kieron Pollard (29) were oth- He replaces Justin Vaughan, delighted to have secured the Result: West Indies won by 16 runs ers to contribute to the score. who stepped down at the end of services of such an experi- Series: India lead 2-1 Vinay Kumar was the pick last month, saying the demands enced sports administrator,” West Indies’ paceman Ravi Rampaul appeals succesfully for the dismissal of Toss: won by India of India’s bowlers with 2-39 of the job in the lead-up to the NZC chairman Chris Moller India’s Abhimanyu Mithun, thereby winning the third Umpires: Sudhir Asnani (Ind) and Tony Hill (NZ) showpiece tournament would be said. while Yadav was the most cricket match in Ahmadabad, India, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. West Indies won TV Umpire: Vineet Kulkarni (Ind) expensive, conceding 75 in too intense for his young family. White will start in his new Match Referee: David Boon (Aus) White played two Tests for role on February 1. by 16 runs. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) nine overs.