MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017 SPORTS

GOLF Mickelson to miss US Open for daughter’s graduation

DUBLIN: Phil Mickelson says he will even if he were leading. Mickelson lost for months there could be a conflict. who had done his course preparation at Mickelson said Amanda has always miss the US Open for the first time in 24 on a 15-foot par putt at the last hole to And there appears to be no way out. Merion in advance that year, was in been supportive of his quest to win the years to attend his oldest daughter’s Payne Stewart. Amanda was born the One reason not to withdraw immediate- California for the graduation on U.S. Open, but “it’s one of those things high school graduation in California. next day. ly is the slim chance of a weather delay Wednesday, flew overnight and arrived that you just show up. You just need to Mickelson hasn’t officially withdrawn And now she’s graduating high for the opening round, though that’s a in Philadelphia about 4 a.m. for his be there. It wasn’t really something that from the US Open, which starts June 15 school. “It’s a tournament that I want to long shot. Thursday morning tee time, and nearly we discussed because it really wasn’t at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. But that’s the win the most,” Mickelson said after his Corey Pavin in 2005 left the US Open won the US Open. much of a decision.” same day as Amanda Mickelson’s gradu- third round at the Memorial. “The only after his Thursday morning round, flew He turns 47 this month and believes The decision explains why Mickelson ation from Pacific Ridge School, and he way to win is if you play and have a to California for his son’s graduation he’ll have more chances. “I’ll be able to played Colonial last week for the first doesn’t see any way he’ll make a tee chance. But this is one of those that night and flew overnight back to play the next two years solidly before time since 2010, which would have time. The US Open is the only major moments where you look back on life Pinehurst No. 2 for his Friday afternoon Sofia gets to graduate,” Mickelson said meant four straight tournaments Mickelson has not won. He has not and you just don’t want to miss it. I’ll be round. “If there was even a two- or of his second-oldest daughter. through the US Open. He also said last missed it since his first full year as a pro really glad that I was there and present.” three-hour delay, I could very well make “Hopefully, that one won’t conflict.” week he had no plans to go to Erin Hills, in 1993. He said Amanda is the school presi- it,” Mickelson said. “I’m always holding Mickelson shared his plans Saturday a course he had never seen, ahead of This is the same daughter who nearly dent and the valedictorian. She is going out hope. Again, as you look back on to give the USGA ample time to prepare the US Open to prepare. caused Mickelson to miss the 1999 U.S. to Brown in the fall. The New York Times life, there are certain things you need to when it announces the tee times later Now, he’ll mostly likely be watching Open at Pinehurst No. 2, where he car- first reported that Mickelson did not be there for.” next week, and to let the first alternate on television. “I’ll actually really enjoy ried a beeper with him and pledged to plan on playing. The commencement is That included Amanda’s eighth- know he’ll most likely have a spot in the watching them get punished out there,” leave in the middle of the tournament 10 a.m. PDT, and Mickelson has known grade graduation in 2013. Mickelson, U.S. Open. Mickelson said. — AP

Bale ends season on good note, celebrates title at home

CARDIFF: Gareth Bale’s season ended on a Millennium Stadium, getting a standing good note. Bale didn’t get to start in ovation from the crowd. Saturday’s Champions League final, but Bale said he wasn’t upset about not went on as a late substitute and got to cel- being in the starting lineup at kick off. “It’s ebrate the title in his hometown as Real been a difficult season, so I understood the Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff. circumstances,” he said. “I was happy I got “To win at home is a dream come true,” on to play.” he said. “It’s been a hard season and I’ve Madrid was already in control when Bale worked hard. At one point it didn’t seem went on, but he nearly scored after a ball like I was going to make it to the final but was crossed toward him inside the area. I’ve worked tirelessly at home and this is Madrid won its 12th Champions League the reward you get for all the hard work title, and third in four years, with two goals you’ve put in.” by Cristiano Ronaldo, one by and Bale struggled all season after enduring another by Marco Asensio. Juventus, which a series of injuries. The most significant lost the 2015 final to Real Madrid’s archrival injury was an ankle problem that forced Barcelona, scored with Mario Mandzukic. him to undergo surgery in November. He “We’ve made more history,” Bale said. was sidelined for nearly three months after “I’m a very happy man to win the 12th and that and struggled to regain his form. we’ll enjoy this moment now.” Bale scored Bale said ahead of the final that he was one of Madrid’s goals in the 2014 final, fully fit, but Real Madrid coach Zinedine when it defeated Atletico Madrid 4-1 in Zidane opted to start with Francisco “” extra time. He scored only nine goals for Alarcon in his place. Madrid this season, with his last com- But the hometown favorite finally ing in a Spanish league game against entered the game in the 77th minute at the Villarreal in February. —AP back CARDIFF: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus among the immortals and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on Saturday. — AFP

CARDIFF: Feted as one of the finest talents Madrid were revitalised in the second half, SOCCER of his generation, Zinedine Zidane has scoring three times to seal the famous ‘cup made the transition to management so with the big ears’. As he stood on the pitch smoothly that he has already eclipsed amid the confetti and fireworks at full-time, Ronaldo silences Madrid critics some of the game’s most hallowed names a bashful smile across his face, Zidane just 17 months into his spell as Real Madrid could have been forgiven for letting his boss. When Zidane’s majestic strike flashed mind drift back to his childhood. with third CL title in 4 years into the net to give Madrid victory in the Born among Marseille’s toughest streets, 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Zidane said this week: “If you said I was Leverkusen, the French star must have going to live all of this when I was a child CARDIFF: After another potent demonstration Modric and . picked up ing his head and scowling after seeing an equal- believed he would never surpass that gold- quite frankly I would never have believed, of Cristiano Ronaldo’s enduring scoring prowess, possession and passed to Ronaldo. The world izer of individual brilliance. Leonardo Bonucci’s en moment in Europe’s top-tier tourna- but here I am living it.” surely no Real Madrid fan can contemplate criti- player of the year knocked the ball across to Dani deep ball was brought down by Alex Sandro, ment. Yet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium Throughout an incredible playing career cizing him now. Carvajal on the right flank before drifting into the who cut it back to Higuain in the penalty area. on Saturday, he joined the managerial that brought him fame and fortune, Zidane Particularly after the world player of the year penalty area to receive it back and beat Buffon. With his back to goal, Mandzukic received the immortals as Madrid’s 4-1 rout of Juventus remained a reluctant hero, even when he ensured Madrid pulled off one of soccer’s hard- chipped pass from Higuain and used his chest to made him the first coach to win successive became the idol of a nation by starring in est feats, becoming the first team to successfully INDIVIDUAL BRILLIANCE control the ball before hooking it over his shoul- European Cups since the great Arrigo France’s 1998 World Cup triumph. defend their Champions League title. The fans But within seven minutes, Ronaldo was shak- der into the far top corner.—AP Sacchi of AC Milan in 1989 and 1990. But it was that calm demeanour that who irritated Ronaldo so much ahead of Not even Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho appealed to Madrid chief Florentino Perez Saturday’s final due to their whistling were or Pep Guardiola has achieved that epic when he made the surprise decision to silenced in emphatic style with two goals in a 4- Buffon hails Madrid class feat. “All the coaches you mentioned, appoint Zidane as boss in January 2016. 1 victory over Juventus that gave Madrid a they’re great coaches. I don’t want to say With only brief spells as Madrid’s assistant record-extending 12th European crown. I’m very good because before I was scan- coach and ‘B’ team boss on his CV, critics “People don’t have words to criticize,” after final heartbreak Ronaldo said, “because the numbers don’t lie.” dalously bad and now I’m supposed to be wondered how he would cope with a CARDIFF: Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon League successes and Allegri said they could the best,” Zidane said modestly. squad of fragile egos at a club rife with They certainly don’t after another incredible sea- son, even at the age of 32. “My age is just a num- magnanimously conceded Real Madrid’s supe- still reflect on their season with pride. “I have the chance to be with this great political power struggles. rior ability had made the difference after his “Let me congratulate my boys for what squad. In the long run, everyone’s been Those doubters underestimated ber,” Ronaldo said. “I feel like a young boy.” At the end of the 25th season of the side crashed to a 4-1 defeat in Saturday’s they’ve done this season,” said Allegri, whose very important. For me that’s the success.” Zidane’s inner resolve and the huge respect Champions League final in Cardiff. side were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 Madrid’s impressive win rightly sparked he was held in by Madrid’s players. Here Champions League, Ronaldo is the first player to score in three of the competition’s finals. And Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid final in Berlin. “It’s been an extraordinary sea- praise for Cristiano Ronaldo’s predatory was a manager who could match them overwhelmed Juventus at the Principality son. We won Serie A and the Coppa Italia and brace. But it was Zidane who provided the medal for medal and they quickly respond- having lifted the European Cup once with Manchester United, Ronaldo has done it three Stadium to become the first team to retain the reached the Champions League final. I have to inspiration for Madrid’s first and ed to his leadership. European Cup since AC Milan in 1990. thank them. It’s important to reach finals. Champions League double since 1958. A Champions League final victory over times in four seasons with Madrid. It’s the latest piece of silverware in an incredi- Italy great Buffon, 39, has now lost in three Unluckily, we didn’t win it.” After taking the lead through Ronaldo, Atletico Madrid last season might have Champions League finals, after previous disap- Allegri also spared a thought for the Madrid were rocked back on their heels by been seen in some quarters as beginner’s ble 12 months for the forward. It began with Ronaldo winning his first title with Portugal at pointments in 2003 and 2015, while Juve have around 200 people who were injured when a Mario Mandzukic’s stunning overhead kick luck. But Zidane had all the right answers lost in their last five European Cup finals, tak- bomb scare triggered panic among Juve fans equaliser before the interval. this season. the European Championship. Then came the Club World Cup with Real Madrid and the end of ing their tally of runner-up finishes to seven. watching the game on a big screen in the cen- However, Zidane turned the tide in the Aware that Ronaldo had been below his “We are disappointed,” goalkeeper Buffon tre of Turin. space of a few words when he faced his best in two Champions League finals after a five-year Spanish title drought before new highs were reached in the Champions League. said in comments published on the website of “We feel for what happened to the fans in uncertain players in the dressing room. feeling overworked earlier in those cam- European governing body UEFA. “We played Turin,” he said. “We hope not too many people Imploring his stars to believe in them- paigns, he rested the forward nine times SUPREMACY very well in the first half. We thought we had were injured and we hope they get better selves as much as he did in them, Zidane this season and was rewarded with 16 enough to win the game. I cannot explain why soon.” — AFP struck the right tone and eased their fears goals in his last 10 appearances. His career goal tally in club and international soccer now stands at 600. Ronaldo’s first strike at we played like we did in the second half. that the trophy may slip from their grasp. Even the difficult decision of whether to “Real Madrid deserved to win in the second Ronaldo admitted it was in those recall Wales forward Gareth Bale for the Millennium Stadium was canceled out by Mario Mandzukic’s exquisite 27th-minute hook shot. It half. They showed their class and the attitude moments that the match was won. “Zidane final in his hometown was no problem for needed to play in this kind of game.” gave us a very positive half-time team talk Zidane, who kept faith with Isco and was the only high point for Juventus on a night when the Italian champion was outclassed in its Ronaldo’s 20th-minute opener was can- and told us he really believed in us,” he said. watched his playmaker pull the strings celled out by a stupendous Mario Mandzukic impressively. Blessed with the Midas touch, quest for a first European title in 21 years. Madrid’s supremacy was clear in the second goal, the Croatian chesting down Gonzalo RELUCTANT HERO Zidane’s success is no fluke and there’s no Higuain’s volleyed lay-off and arcing a sublime With Zidane’s words ringing in their ears, end in sight. —AFP half. After Casemiro put the Spanish champions back in front in the 61st, Ronaldo turned in the volley over Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas. third at the near post inside three minutes, and But Casemiro restored Madrid’s lead just Marco Asensio wrapped up the scoring in the beyond the hour and further strikes from 90th. Juventus conceded more goals on the Ronaldo and substitute Marco Asensio sealed night than it had on the journey to the final, hav- victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side, European ing let in only three in the previous 12 games. “In champions in three of the last four seasons. the second half Real Madrid pushed the acceler- ator,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said, TURIN THOUGHTS “and we remained too static and sat back too “In the first half we played beautifully. In long.” Madrid’s attacking brilliance proved too the second half we were too static,” beaten hard for Juventus to contain, giving Zinedine manager Massimiliano Allegri told his post- Zidane his second Champions League title in 18 match press conference. months of top-flight management. “We managed to defend for 15 minutes. As “Zidane believes in us a lot,” Ronaldo said. “He you know, football can be a nightmare. knows that we are a very good team and that is (Miralem) Pjanic’s shot was deflected wide, why we proved it in the second half.” Casemiro’s shot was deflected into the goal. Until now, no team since AC Milan in 1989 “We knew we were playing a really strong and 1990, when the cup was only a knockout team. In the run-up to the final, it sounded like competition, had won back-to-back titles. Juventus were favourites and were playing a Madrid had a lot to thank Keylor Navas for in team who’d reached the final by chance. the opening minutes. The goalkeeper blocked a “The truth is that Real Madrid have many header and strike from Gonzalo Higuain, and important players. If somebody wins the produced a one-handed save when Miralem Ballon d’Or and scores so many goals, obvious- CARDIFF: Juventus’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Pjanic picked a gap through a crowd of defend- ly it’s a big advantage. “The only criticism I Buffon leaves the pitch after the UEFA ers. One of the first things Navas’ counterpart, could make is that after conceding the second Champions League final football match Gianluigi Buffon, had to do was pick the ball out goal, we should have stayed in the game.” between Juventus and Real Madrid at The CARDIFF: Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane gestures on the touchline dur- of his net. It was the culmination of a counterat- Juve had been bidding to complete a Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south ing the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real tack of breathtaking speed launched by Luka Treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions Wales, on Saturday. — AFP Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on Saturday. — AFP