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MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 SergioS Perez wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix NormallyN Baku is pretty crazy. I have to say sorry to Max, it would haveh been incredible to get that one-two for the team. But at the eend, it was a fantastic day for us. We were close to retiring the car bbut luckily we managed to finish the race.

Sergio Perez Sport | 19

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: England 1-0 Romania, Netherlands 3-0 Georgia, Luxembourg 0-1 Scotland, Moldova 1-0 Azerbaijan Qatar look to seal top spot with win over Oman FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Qatar just need a draw against Oman Oman have undergone changes and today to top Group E, but the reigning they are a strong side. We must be at Asian champions will look to collect our best in the match. It is going to be maximum points in their final game of the stage at the Joint Asian Qualifiers a different game as compared to the for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and previous games and our players are AFC Asian Cup China 2023. motivated and ready for the Al Annabi sit on top of the group challenge. We will do our best to win with 19 points after an unbeaten cam- the match: Felix Sanchez paign from seven matches, and if they avoid a defeat today at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, they will seal their place as group leaders. “The team is supporting him and Oman – challenging the home side we hope him to recover as soon as pos- in a battle for top spot – have 12 points sible and become available for the from five games and need a victory forthcoming matches,” said Sanchez. against Qatar to keep their chances of Today’s other Group E match at the topping the group alive. The match will same venue will pit India and Bang- kick off at 8pm. ladesh, who are competing for auto- The Asian champions – coached matic places in the third round of qual- by Felix Sanchez are heading into the ifying for the AFC Asian Cup. The match Qatar players during a training session yesterday. game after their 1-0 victory against will start at 5pm. India on Thursday, while Oman have India – placed fourth in the group clinched wins over Thailand (1-0) and last group match crucial,” Sanchez told 2019, Qatar will go into the match with as compared to the previous games and – have three points from six matches Indonesia (3-1) in friendlies ahead of a pre-match press conference a psychological advantage. Sanchez, our players are motivated and ready while bottom-placed Bangladesh have the important match. yesterday. however, said players must show a for the challenge. We will do our best earned only two points from as many Qatar’s head coach Sanchez was “We will put our best effort to strong performance against Oman. to win the match,” Sanchez said matches. hoping his side to continue with the achieve good results in the match and “Oman have undergone changes yesterday. The local organising committee of good form they have maintained so far conclude our group campaign on a high and they are a strong side. We must be According to the Qatar Football the event, which is being held under in the qualifying campaign. note,” the coach added. at our best in the match,” the head Association yesterday, team midfielder strict COVID-19 protocols, has allowed “Oman is our main challenger in a Having defeated Oman 2-1 in the coach said. Salem Al Hajri will miss this summer’s 30 percent crowd attendance for the contest to win group, which makes our first leg at the Al Janoub Stadium in “It is going to be a different game CONCACAF Gold Cup due to injury. matches. Aidan O’Brien lands first win at QREC-sponsored French Derby St Mark’s Basilica storms to victory

THE PENINSULA – CHANTILLY

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) sponsored the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, for the first time in 2021. This Classic race reunites the best European 3-year-old colts and is also known as a stallion making race, with the likes of Lope de Vega, Shamardal, Dalakhani and Montjeu all former winners. H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambas- sador of Qatar to France, and Edouard de Rot- shchild, President of France Galop, presented the trophies to the winners at the Chantilly Racecourse. The Irish trained St Mark’s Basilica, who started favourite, was the clear winner of this year’s exceptional edition, which reunited the cream of the 3-year-old crop,, three weeks after his triumph in the Group 1 Emirates Poule H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and Edouard de Rotshchild, d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp. He was ridden once again by Ioritz Mendizabal, President of France Galop, with the representatives of St Mark’s Basilica and other officials. who gave his mount a dream ride on the rail. By leading French stallion Siyouni (based for trainer Frédéric Rossi. Milleboscwas a close St Mark’s Basilica is trained by Irishman at the Normandy stud of His Highness the Aga third: he runs in the colours of Gérard Aidan O’Brien, one of the most successful Khan), St Mark’s Basilica, gave his rivals the Augustin-Normand and was ridden by Grégory trainers in Europe (he has won the Epsom slip 300 metres from the post. Benoist. He is trained in Deauville by the young Derby eight times), although success in the Sealiway, representing the Haras de la StéphanieNigge, who was having her first Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club had eluded him Gousserie and Guy Pariente, came in second runners in this Classic race. until now. : Rybakina stuns Williams as Federer withdraws

AP – PARIS pulled out, citing a need for a mental FRENCH OPEN RESULTS health break. Men's Singles: Fourth Round Serena Williams turns 40 in Williams has won the French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas (5), Greece, def. Pablo Carreno September. Roger Federer hits that three times. But the American hasn’t Busta (12), Spain, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. milestone the month before. No one been past the fourth round in Paris Daniil Medvedev (2), Russia, def. Cristian Garin knows how many more French Open since she was the runner-up in 2016. (22), Chile, 6-2, 6-1, 7-5. appearances each will make, and this Rybakina is a 21-year-old from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, def. Federico year's tournament ended for both Kazakhstan who is ranked 22nd. This Delbonis, Argentina, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. yesterday. was just the seventh Grand Slam Women's Singles: Fourth Round Williams fell way behind and appearance for Rybakina - and the Tamara Zidansek, Slovenia, def. Sorana Cirstea, could not put together a comeback first time she ever made it so much as Romania, 7-6 (4), 6-1. against a much younger and less- past the second round. (31), Russia, def. experienced opponent in the fourth Against Williams, whose right Victoria Azarenka (15), Belarus, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. round at Roland Garros, losing 6-3, thigh carried a heavy tape job, 7-5 to Elena Rybakina - who wasn't Rybakina hit big, flat serves. She dealt Paula Badosa, Spain, def. Marketa Vondrousova even born when the American made with, but managed to steady, her (20), Czech Republic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Serena Williams shakes hands with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina after losing her tournament debut in 1998. nerves. She even produced the occa- Elena Rybakina (21), Kazakhstan, def. Serena her fourth round match. That defeat came hours after sional return winner off Williams’ Williams (7), United States, 6-3, 7-5. Federer withdrew, saying he needed speedy and spectacularly gifted , to let his body recover ahead of Wim- breaking her five times, including in the way of a shot from Rybakina that side of the women’s draw is going to by eliminating 12th-seeded Pablo bledon after a long third-round victory the next-to-last game. was flying long. Williams smiled rue- be Paula Badosa against Tamara Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. that ended at nearly 1 a.m. on Sunday. "I am so happy with my match fully and leaned over, resting and Zidansek. Neither has been this far at Tsitsipas next faces No. 2 Daniil Williams has won 23 Grand Slam today. It was amazing," Rybakina said. propping herself up with her racket. a major tournament, either. Medvedev, who has won six of their titles and Federer has won 20. They Williams was down 4-3 in the Rybakina now will meet Anastasia One of those four players will previous seven meetings. are two of the sport's greatest and second set but pulled even again when Pavlyuchenkova with a semifinal become a first-time Grand Slam Medvedev is a two-time Grand most popular players, so it was quite Rybakina sailed a well wide berth on the line. Pavlyuchenkova finalist next weekend. Slam finalist - at the 2019 US Open and a blow to the tournament, its TV to get broken. advanced with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory Stefanos Tsitsipas is still looking this year’s - but was partners and fans to see both In the next game, Williams gave over two-time Australian Open for his first major final, too, and he 0-4 for his career in Paris until now. gone from the field one after the other away the opening point when, near champion Victoria Azarenka. reached the quarterfinals at Roland He advanced Sunday by eliminating - and a week after the baseline, she failed to get out of The other quarter-final on that Garros for the second year in a row No. 22 Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 7-5. MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 SPORT 19

US sprinter Al Athba, Al Sharshani win gold for Qatar Bromell runs THE PENINSULA – CAIRO fastest 100m Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani yesterday clinched the gold medal in the mixed skeet competition, this year Qatar's fourth medal in the Arab REUTERS – FLORIDA shooting Championship, which is in progress in Cairo, Egypt. American Trayvon Bromell Al Athba said that winning gold was underlined his credentials as not easy, but he and Sharshani were the Tokyo Olympics 100 determined to win the event despite meters gold medal favorite on fierce competition and now they will Saturday by running the fastest return to Doha to prepare for the time this year of 9.77 seconds upcoming tournaments. at the New Life Invitational in Al Sharshani, who had won the indi- Miramar, Florida. vidual gold in the Skeet on Friday, said Bromell becomes the ninth that the presence Al Athba helped her man to dip under 9.80 compete with confidence to achieve her seconds, slashing nearly one- outstanding double. 10th of a second off his per- "I am always happy to be among the sonal best of 9.84. elite athletes on the podiums, God Marvin Bracey of the willing I will continue to do my best to United States was second in Qatar's Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani with other podium winners and officials after winning the gold medal in bring more honour to Qatar," Al Shar- 9.85 followed by Chris Royster the mixed skeet competition during the Arab Shooting Championship in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. shani said. in 10.08. Reigning Olympic double sprint champion Elaine CATALONIAN Red Bull’s Thompson-Herah won the MOTOGP Sergio Perez 100m and 200m events, and Mercedes’ clocking 10.87 and 22.54 RESULTS Lewis Hamilton seconds, respectively. in action during 1. (POR/KTM) the Formula 40min 21.749sec One Azerbaijan 2. (FRA/Ducati- Grand Prix at Mo Farah in Pramac) at 0.175 the Baku City 3. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) Circuit in Baku, danger of 1.990 Azerbaijan, 4. (FRA/ yesterday. Yamaha) 4.815 (penalised 3 missing seconds for cutting a corner) 5. (ESP/Suzuki) 5.325 6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ Olympics Yamaha) 6.281 7. (ITA/ REUTERS – LONDON Ducati) 8.175 8. (RSA/KTM) Britain’s four-time Olympic 8.378 Perez wins Azerbaijan GP champion Mo Farah is in 9. (ITA/ danger of missing out on the Yamaha-SRT) 15.652 Tokyo Games after falling 10. (ITA/Ducati- short of the 10,000 metres Avintia) 19.297 qualifying mark at a meet in after Verstappen crashes Birmingham on Saturday. Selected retirements: The 38-year-old finished Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda), eighth in the European (ITA/Yamaha- REUTERS – BAKU wrong -- his prospective points to get that one-twoe two for o the t e team. tea . Vettel’sVette s teateam mate ate Lance a ce Stroll St o 10,000m Cup with a time of SRT), Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ haul disappearing as he locked “But at thee end,end, it was a fan-fan- also crashingcrashing out at speedspeed onon lap 27 minutes and 50.54 ), (ITA/ Mexican Sergio Perez won a up and ran down the escape tastic day for us. WeWe wewerere ccloselose 31 wwhenhen hihiss cacar’sr’s llefteft rrearear susud-d- seconds, 22 seconds short KTM-), Pol Espargaro dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix road in the sprint to the first to retiring thehe cacarr bubutt denlydenly wentwent onon of the required time to make (ESP/Honda) for Red Bull yesterday after a corner. He finished 15th. luckily we mmanagedanaged thethe mamainin the Team Great Britain tyre blowout denied champi- “I’m so sorry, guys,” Ham- to finish thee race.”race.” straight.strar ighth . squad heading to Tokyo in MOTOGP STANDINGS onship-leading team mate Max ilton said over the radio. Perez, now tthirdhih rd iinn ThatTThat July. (AFTER SEVEN RACES) Verstappen certain victory and Second place dropped the standings,gs, waswas crcrashash aalsolso Farah, who won back-to- Lewis Hamilton failed to score. instead into the lap of four-times ordered to stopop ththee cacarr trtriggerediggeg red back 5,000m and 10,000m 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ The race was red-flagged world champion Sebastian moments afterer ththehe chcheq-heq- ththee sassafetyfety golds at the two previous Yamaha) 118 pts when Verstappen crashed five Vettel, a first podium finish for uered flag withth thtthee teteameamm car.cac r. Games, has until June 27 to 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati- laps from the end, the Dutch Aston Martin, with Frenchman concerned ababoutout an make the required time of Pramac) 101 driver clambering out of the Pierre Gasly taking third for Red hydraulics issue.sue. 27:28. 3. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) 90 wrecked car and kicking the rear Bull-owned AlphaTauri. Verstappena ppp p enn The Briton appeared to 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/ left tyre in fury with his hopes in The bonus point for fastest watched as hishis tteameae m turn his back on track racing Ducati) 88 tatters. lap was not awarded because mate took thehe tottopp to focus on marathon running 5. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 76 Baku’s street circuit then Verstappen, who set it, did not step of the podiumodid um after the 2016 Olympics in 6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ provided another crazy twist at finish. for the secondcond Rio. Yamaha) 74 the standing re-start when Mer- “Normally Baku is pretty time in his career.reer. However, he announced 7. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) 54 cedes’s seven-times world crazy,” said Perez, who had He won inin in late 2019 that he aimed to 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 44 champion Hamilton lined up two previous appearances on Bahrain last yyeareaar defend his 10,000m title in 9. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 43 second, with two laps remaining, the podium in Baku with with Racingaccing PointPoint Red Bull’s Sergio Perez kisses a the 2020 Tokyo Games that 10. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ and looked set to take back the now-defunct Force India. “I before the moveove too RRededd BBull.ull.l trophy as he celebrates on the were postponed to this year Yamaha-SRT) 40 overall lead. have to say sorry to Max, it The race put ttyreyre suppsupplierlier podium after winning the race. due to the COVID-19 Instead the Briton got it all would have been incredible Pirelli in thee spotlightspotlight withwith pandemic.

FORMULA ONE AZERBAIJAN Oliveira powers to victory in Barcelona thriller GRAND PRIX REUTERS – BARCELONA Oliveira said in a post-race Quartararo’s leathers burst open 1. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull- interview. “Everything was so and he lost his chest protector Honda) 2hr 13min 36.410sec KTM rider Miguel Oliveira hard -- the tyre management but he continued to battle for the 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston fended off Yamaha’s Fabio and Fabio was just putting final podium spot with Miller. Martin-Mercedes) at 1.385sec Quartararo in an intense battle pressure on me for so many laps. Oliveira was flawless in the 3. Pierre Gasly (FRA/ to claim his first win of the “But I kept it really cool and final stages to take his third AlphaTauri-Honda) 2.762 season at the Catalunya Grand it was a perfect race. I can’t victory in the premier class and 4. Charles Leclerc (MON/ Prix in Barcelona yesterday. thank KTM enough for giving me move up to seventh in the cham- Ferrari) 3.828 Pramac Ducati’s Johann an amazing machine today.” pionship standings. 5. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren- Zarco made a late charge to Miller used Ducati’s supreme Defending world champion Mercedes) 4.754 finish second as championship launch system to take the lead Joan Mir finished fifth on his 6. Fernando Alonso (ESP/ leader Quartararo dropped on the opening lap ahead of Suzuki, ahead of Yamaha’s Mav- Alpine-Renault) 6.382 Red Bull KTM down to fourth after being given Oliveira and Quartararo, who erick Vinales. 7. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/ Factory Racing’s AlphaTauri-Honda) 6.624 a three-second penalty for started on for a Miguel Oliveira Six-times MotoGP champion 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) exceeding track limits. fifth straight time. celebrates on Marc Marquez crashed out for a 7.709 Oliveira came under The Australian, however, the podium with third consecutive race, while 9. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/ increasing pressure from Zarco made a mistake at the Turn 4 the trophy after Honda team mate Pol Espargaro McLaren-Mercedes) 8.874 on the final stretch but held off right-hander on the third lap to winning the race. joined him on the sidelines. 10. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa the Frenchman by 0.175 seconds, let Oliveira slip into the lead, The late drama ensured Romeo-Ferrari) 9.576 while Jack Miller rounded out while Quartararo dropped to Quartararo’s championship lead 11. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa the podium on his factory fifth following an unsuccessful Oliveira at the halfway stage but to extend his advantage at the was trimmed to 17 points by Romeo-Ferrari) 10.254 Ducati. overtaking attempt on Miller. the Portuguese roared back to top before Quartararo ran off the Zarco, with Miller taking third 12. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/ “It was probably the best Quartararo steadily reclaim the lead two laps later. track with three laps remaining. place ahead of Ducati team mate Mercedes) 11.264 race of my career so far,” improved his lap timings to pass Oliveira preserved his tyres In a bizarre finale, Francesco Bagnaia. 13. Mick Schumacher (GER/ Haas-Ferrari) 14.241 14. Nikita Mazepin (RUS/Haas- Ferrari) 14.315 15. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/ Hassan beats 10,000m world record by more than 10 seconds Mercedes) 17.668 REUTERS – HENGELO a marker before next month’s Tokyo Games, blowing away the competition WORLD Dutch long-distance runner and sprinting solo across the line with CHAMPIONSHIP Sifan Hassan broke the her arms outstretched in STANDINGS women’s 10,000 metres world celebration. 1. Max Verstappen (NED) 105 record yesterday, clocking 29 minutes “Wow, to run this world record here pts 6.82 seconds in a Continental Tour today in Hengelo is something I could 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 101 meeting on home soil in Hengelo, only dream of,” the Ethiopian-born 3. Sergio Perez (MEX) 69 World Athletics said. Hassan said. 4. Lando Norris (GBR) 66 Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana held the “It’s the perfect confirmation of the 5. Charles Leclerc (MON) 52 previous record of 29:17.45, set at the hard work we’ve put in getting ready 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 47 2016 Rio Olympics, but Hassan shaved for Tokyo. I am so happy to share this 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 42 more than 10 seconds off that mark. record in front of my Dutch fans.” Hassan is the reigning world Hassan also holds the record for the 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 31 champion having won gold in Doha mile, one-hour event and five-kilo- 9. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 28 in 2019 and the 28-year-old set down metre road race. 10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 26 Sport MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 18

Porte cruises First Test: England settle for draw to victory at Criterium du against New Zealand at Lord’s Dauphine

PARIS REUTERS — LONDON at the crease focusing only on REUTERS — blunting the new-ball bowling England's Joe Root hits a England offered stiff resistance attack in a bid to save the Test shot on final day at Lord's. Australia’s Richie Porte in the final session to secure a match. avoided any hiccups on the tedious draw against New The pair showed incredible final stage to win the Zealand on day five of the first patience in adding 49 runs by Criterium du Dauphine Test at Lord’s yesterday. the 24th over before Burns (25) yesterday, while 2018 Tour Chasing 273 for a 1-0 lead was caught in the slip cordon de France champion Geraint in the two-match series, off Neil Wagner’s bowling. Thomas took third spot after England finished their second Zak Crawley (2) did not last overcoming a late crash. innings with 170-3 in 70 overs long at the crease as he dragged Riding for Ineos Gren- before both sides shook hands Tim Southee’s outswinging adiers, Porte went into the on a draw late in the evening. delivery straight to gully. final stage from La Having lost day three’s play Captain Joe Root (40) was Lechere-les-Bains to Les due to rain, New Zealand the only wicket to fall in the Gets in the overall lead, skipper Kane Williamson final session when he was and he finished 17 seconds declared their second innings trapped leg-before by Wagner. clear of nearest rival at 169-6 at lunch. Sibley continued to frustrate Alexey Lutsenko (Astana- England openers Rory the bowlers at the other end and Premier Tech). After two Burns and Dom Sibley arrived finished with 60 off 207 previous runner-up spots at the race, Porte was SCOREBOARD relieved. NEW ZEALAND, 1st Innings 378 (D. Conway 200) 1, O. Robinson 14-5-26-3, M. Wood 7-0-31-1, J. Root “This race, having been ENGLAND, 1st Innings 275 (R. Burns 132, Southee 6/43 4-0-16-1 second here twice and one NEW ZEALAND, 2nd Innings year losing second in the T. Latham not out ...... 36 ENGLAND, 2nd Innings (Target: 273) deliveries, while Ollie Pope was nightwatchman Wagner edged Henry Nicholls (23) was last kilometre, to finally D. Conway b Robinson...... 23 R. Burns c Southee b Wagner ...... 25 K. Williamson lbw b Robinson ...... 1 D. Sibley not out ...... 60 unbeaten on 20. Earlier, New a bouncer through to wicket- caught trying to reverse-sweep win it I’m just over the N. Wagner c Bracey b Robinson ...... 10 Z. Crawley c Nicholls b Southee ...... 2 Zealand hoped to turn the result keeper James Bracey. Joe Root’s off-spin but not moon,” Porte said. R. Taylor c Bracey b Wood ...... 33 J. Root lbw b Wagner ...... 40 in their favour as they added to The tourists continued to before New Zealand had added Thomas suffered a H. Nicholls c Burns b Root ...... 23 O. Pope not out ...... 20 their overnight score of 62-2 look for boundaries to give their 97 crucial runs in the morning scare ahead of the Tour de B. J. Watling not out ...... 15 Extras (b 8, lb 10, nb 5) ...... 23 with the loss of another four bowlers a chance to fight for a session. France starting later this C. de Grandhomme not out ...... 9 TOTAL (70 Ov, 3 wkts) ...... 170 wickets before rain forced an win but lost wickets at regular Despite Burns’ determined month when he crashed on Extras (b 6, lb 12, nb 1) ...... 19 Did not bat: Dan Lawrence, James Bracey, Ollie Rob- TOTAL (52.3 Ov,6 wkts, declared) ...... 169 inson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson early lunch. intervals. 132, England were bowled out the descent on the final Did not bat: M. Santner, K. Jamieson, T. Southee Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-56, 3-136 England debutant Ollie Rob- Tom Latham was trapped for 275 on day four as New climb, but he recovered Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-57, 3-74, 4-105, 5-133, Bowling: T. Southee 17-1-37-1, K. Jamieson 15-6-28- inson was once again lethal in leg-before on 36 by Stuart Zealand secured a first-innings well to help team mate 6-159 0, C. de Grandhomme 7-3-12-0, M. Santner 13-3-38-0, his opening spell, picking off the Broad before a flying Bracey lead of 103, with pace bowler Porte make it safely to the Bowling: J. Anderson 15.3-3-44-0, S. Broad 12-1-34- N. Wagner16-7-27-2, K. Williamson 2-0-10-0 first wicket of the morning caught Ross Taylor (33) off Mark Southee taking six wickets for finish line. session as New Zealand Wood’s bowling. 43 runs. Rahm forced out of Memorial after positive COVID-19 test

REUTERS — NEW YORK “I’m very disappointed in having to The PGA Tour called it “an incredibly withdraw from Memorial Tournament,” unfortunate situation” and added that Jon Rahm hits from a bunker Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from Rahm, who is asymptomatic, said on throughout the 50 events it has held since on the 9th green during the the Memorial Tournament in Ohio that he Twitter. the end of last year’s pandemic-induced third round of the Memorial was leading by six strokes on Saturday “This is one of those things that happen shutdown, there have been only four pos- Tournament. after the Spaniard tested positive for in life, one of those moments where how itive tests within competition, including COVID-19, the PGA Tour said. we respond to a setback defines us as Rahm’s. Rahm, the tournament’s The 26-year-old’s most recent test, people. I’m very thankful that my family defending champion, was in the driver’s conducted after Friday’s rain-shortened and I are OK.” In accordance with CDC seat at the Muirfield Village Golf Club on second round, came back positive on Sat- guidelines, Rahm will need to remain in Saturday, where he was 18-under par and urday and it was confirmed again while isolation through June 15 and said he enjoyed a six-stroke advantage. he was on the course. planed to return to the golf course as soon If he had gone on to win on Sunday, PGA Tour officials informed Rahm of as possible. he would have earned $1.674m. the test result as he left the course and the “Thank you to all of the fans for their With Rahm out of the picture, Amer- stunned former world number one put support and I’m looking forward to icans Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay his hand over his face and bent over in watching the showdown tomorrow are now co-leaders at 12-under par agony and disbelief after getting the news. afternoon with you all,” he said. heading into the final 18 holes.