MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013 SPORTS ‘Tiger Dads’ in search of China’s Tiger Woods

GUANGZHOU: China is mobilising the the age of 14. The rise of golfers like Ye dren play golf and they are all conscien- affluent province, although the family are world’s largest golf club with 12 sprawl- state behind golf, but 13-year-old Ye and Guan outside China’s sporting infra- tious and hard working. They train hard considering moving to the US to focus on ing courses. Ye won an under-18 tourna- Wocheng, the youngest player to com- structure throws up potential challenges and also the parents are very strict. his golf. His father, a wealthy interior ment there in June, carding a two round pete on the European Tour, says officials for Beijing, which presents individual tal- “Sometimes, if the kids don’t play golf designer, has spent hundreds of thou- two-under-par total of 142 on its World should turn instead to the country’s ents as state-moulded patriotic champi- well, the parents will hurl abuse at them sands of dollars on Ye’s training, and has Cup course, designed by golf legend Jack “tiger” parents to find the next Tiger ons, rather than self-motivated sports or even hit them,” he added, with a seri- recruited British former professional Nicklaus. Woods. stars. China has now introduced golf into ous stare belying his age. David Watson, who coached Lee Its Mission Hills Golf Series Junior Tour Golf was once banned in Communist its Soviet-like sports school system for the Strict parenting is common in China, Westwood and Justin Rose when they is open to children as young as nine, and China as a bourgeois indulgence, but its first time, and its ultra-modern training particularly with regards to education, were amateurs. Ye trains at Lion Lake competitor Chen Geyi, 14, was born return to the Olympics has seen Beijing centre in Shandong province is expected and sometimes sport. The tough Country Club near Guangzhou, a lavish Beijing, 2,000 kilometres to the north, but build a high-tech $80 million training to be a production line for future champi- approach became a media phenomenon dual-course complex containing China’s said he moved to Shenzhen when he was complex and enlist its rigid education sys- ons, with an eye on the Tokyo 2020 in 2011, when Chinese-American profes- largest inland yacht club and a “southern a toddler because “you cannot play golf tem in a search for new stars. Olympics. sor Amy Chua’s book “Battle Hymn of the California-style” clubhouse. Guan also in the winter in Beijing”. While officials are looking to satisfy the But Ye-who still wears teeth braces- Tiger Mother” detailed how she insisted trains there, and his image is everywhere, His father Chen Daxin says the family national urge for medals, a wave of child believes China’s future as a golfing super- on top marks from her kids. with his trophies on show in the restau- relocated to warmer climes for “work rea- prodigies is already emerging, tutored by power will be down to individual hard The best golfer of recent years, Tiger rant. “We have an exclusive putting green sons”, but admits he has spent a fortune foreign coaches and ingrained with an work, along with a dose of firm parenting. Woods, a child prodigy who was on tele- just for Guan,” said club president Zheng on developing his son’s golf. “Parents basi- insatiable desire to succeed by their “There will be lots of great (Chinese) play- vision aged two, has often praised his ex- Jingfen. “And we don’t charge him to use cally don’t bother too much about cost wealthy, highly-disciplined parents. ers in the future,” he told AFP, predicting military father and Thai mother for help- the course, as youngsters need an envi- when it comes to children’s interests,” said Ye made history earlier this year when half the world’s top 100 will come from ing develop his competitive edge, and ronment to develop their skills.” Club offi- the 43-year-old, brushing off suggestions he played at the Volvo China Open aged China in 20 years, a huge improvement said in 2007 he would be a “disciplinarian” cials say several families have moved into he was a strict parent. just 12 years and 242 days. The schoolboy for a country which currently has only six with his own children. the local area purely to develop their chil- Some “give up their career and life to smashed the record set by compatriot in the PGA’s top 1,000, with its top player Ye lives with his parents-who he says dren’s golf. throw everything into their children’s Guan Tianlang, who astonished the world at 107. are “not strict”-in the southern city of A few hours away is the enormous future” Chen added, before taking his in April when he made the Masters cut at “This is because in China a lot of chil- Dongguan in Guangdong, China’s most Mission Hills complex in Dongguan, the son’s clubs on his shoulder. —AFP Bruins top Penguins 3-2 with late goal

BOSTON: Zdeno Chara scored with Prust each had a goal and an assist gave the Florida Panthers a 2-1 scoring the game-winner just 1:04 13 seconds left in regulation after to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a come-from-behind win over the into overtime as the Winnipeg Jets David Krejci tied it late, lifting the 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Alex Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2- Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over Galchenyuk also scored and Travis Arena. Jimmy Hayes also scored for 1. Scheifele’s third goal of the season Pittsburgh on Saturday in a game Moen had a pair assists for Montreal Florida (9-16-5), who won their sec- came less than 20 seconds after the that was overshadowed by (19-9-3), who have won five straight ond consecutive game after three Lightning’s Alex Killorn appeared to Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik and nine of their last 10. Tyler Ennis straight losses. Shawn Matthias had beat Jets goaltender Al Montoya on getting taken off the ice on a and Zemgus Girgensons scored for two assists and goaltender Tim a breakaway, but hit the left post stretcher. the Sabres (6-22-2), who have just Thomas stopped 22 shots. Daniel with his shot. With the win, Reilly Smith also scored for the two wins in 10 games under interim Cleary scored for Detroit (15-9-7). Winnipeg climbed above the .500 Bruins, who haven’t lost in regulation coach Ted Nolan. mark to 14-13-4. Tampa Bay, mean- at home since late October (10-0-2). Capitals 5, Predators 2 while, fell to 17-10-2. Midway into the opening period, Devils 4, Rangers 3 (overtime) Captain Alex Ovechkin extended Shawn Thronton was given a match Defenseman Eric Gelinas’ power- his lead in the NHL’s goal-scoring Stars 5, Flyers 1 HONG KONG: Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, holding the trophy, poses for Tyler Seguin had not scored since photos after winning the golf tournament in Hong Kong, his four goals in a 7-3 win at Calgary yesterday. —AP on Nov. 14 but the Dallas Stars cen- ter ended that six-game drought in Jimenez wins record-equalling dramatic fashion, delivering his third career hat-trick in a 5-1 win over the fourth Hong Kong Open Philadelphia Flyers. All of Seguin’s HONG KONG: Defending champion Miguel Two eagles and two birdies put the Thai goals came in the second period. Angel Jimenez won the $1.3 million Hong golfer in the lead on his own at the co-sanc- Stars backup goaltender Dan Ellis Kong Open in a three-way playoff yester- tioned European Tour and event stopped 27 of 28 shots to earn his day, clinching the title for a record- before a disappointing bogey at the 14th. equalling fourth time and securing his 20th When the Spaniard bogeyed the 15th, third win of the season. European Tour victory. the title looked to be heading Prom’s way The 49-year-old Spaniard birdied the first until Jimenez bounced back with a birdie at Maple Leafs 4, Senators 3 extra hole at the Hong Kong Golf Club to 17 after missing a good opportunity to pull (shootout) defeat Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and level on 16. Shootout goals by Mason of Wales and collect a win- Jimenez and Prom appeared to be set for Raymond and James van Riemsdyk ner’s cheque of $216,660. a head-to-head in the playoff until Manley proved to be the difference as the Jimenez raised his arm to the air as a fif- dramatically chipped in at the last for birdie Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the teen-foot-plus putt dropped into the hole and the three headed back down the eigh- on the eighteenth green-much to the teenth. Ottawa Senators 4-3. The win ended delight of an adoring crowd in the southern There, Manley hit a wayward iron which a Leafs’ road skid at seven games Chinese city. The victory saw the popular struck the roof of the hospitality tent, while without victory and extended the Jimenez match the Taiwanese Hsieh Yung- Prom came up short of the green. Both Senators’ home losing streak to five yo’s four wins at Fanling in the 1960s and were heading for fours when Jimenez rolled games. It also increased Toronto’s 1970s and break the record he set last year his putt in. lead over Ottawa to eight points in as the oldest European Tour winner. “It’s always hard to win a tournament,” the race for a wild-card spot in the “It’s very nice to win a fourth title and for Jimenez told reporters. “All the players are two years in a row,” a delighted Jimenez good and you have to respect all of them. EDMONTON: Andrew Ference No 21 of the Edmonton Oilers checks Lance Bouma No 17 of the Eastern Conference. said. “It’s a very sweet victory.” Jimenez “The main thing was I never stopped telling Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Rexall Place on Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. played the extra hole perfectly, hitting his myself to stay calm, live the moment and let The Flames defeated the Oilers 2-1 in overtime. —AFP Ducks 5, Blues 2 tee shot past his opponents and into a everything happen,” he said, adding that he Ryan Getzlaf scored a goal and prime position far down the fairway. would be back in Hong Kong next year to penalty for grabbing Orpik from play goal 1:15 into overtime pow- race (22) and rookie defenseman added an assist in a three-goal out- “In the playoff I know I needed to make try for a fifth win. behind, pulling him to the ice and ered the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 Nate Schmidt scored his first NHL burst in the first period that carried something,” he said afterwards, enjoying his Manley, whose tie for second position punching him when he was down. win over the New York Rangers at goal to lead the Washington Capitals the Anaheim Ducks to a 5-2 win over trademark cigar and glass of red wine. “I was his highest in a European Tour event, thought I needed to make a birdie. I hit a said: “It was pretty special for me to even Orpik appeared to be dazed by a Madison Square Garden. With New to a 5-2 win over the Nashville the St. Louis Blues. Goaltender beautiful drive down the middle of the fair- get into the play-off so I can take a lot from punch, but may have also hit his Jersey on a four-minute power play, Predators. Troy Brouwer, Karl Alzner Frederik Anderson, a 24-year-old way then hit a wedge. that.” Prom, who was two shots ahead at head on the ice. Gelinas one-timed Patrik Elias’ feed and Eric Fehr also scored for the native of Denmark who was the “To win in that style makes it even more one stage on Sunday, said: “It’s been an Orpik was taken to the hospital over Rangers goalkeeper Henrik Capitals (15-12-2), who have won Ducks’ third-round pick in the 2012 sweet.” Jimenez started the day two shots amazing week for me so I don’t feel disap- but was expected to travel home Lundqvist for the game-winning three of their last four to move back draft, won his eighth game of the behind overnight leader Manley but soon pointed. with the team. Chris Kunitz and goal. Cam Janssen, Travis Zajac and into second place in the season, which leads NHL rookie closed the gap with birdies at 3, 11, 13 and “It’s my best finish in this event and I am James Neal scored power-play goals Michael Ryder also scored for New Metropolitan Division. Roman Josi goaltenders. He lost his bid for his 14 as the Welshmen traded bogeys with pretty happy with the way I am playing birdies in an inconsistent round. right now.” Jimenez, who will turn 50 next for the Penguins, who had their sea- Jersey, who snapped a three-game and Eric Nystrom scored for the first career shutout when Blues left As the Spaniard ticked along nicely month, won the Hong Kong Open in 2004, son-high, five-game winning streak losing streak. Predators (13-14-3), who lost for the winger Jaden Schwartz scored 1:18 Prom-playing in the group ahead of 2007 and 2012 when at 48 years and 318 halted. fifth straight time. into the third period. Jimenez-was tearing up the course to pro- days he became the oldest winner on the Panthers 2, Red Wings 1 pel himself up the leaderboard. European Tour. —AFP Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 Jonathan Huberdeau’s goal early Jets 2, Lightning 1 (overtime) Flames 2, Oilers 1 (overtime) Tomas Plekanec and Brandon in the third period broke a tie and Mark Scheifele wasted little time, The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames waged a bland and boring chess match worthy of the Woods maintains two-shot NHL results/standings last and second-to-last teams in the Western Conference. In the end, the World Challenge lead Dallas 5, Philadelphia 1; Boston 3, Pittsburgh 2; Montreal 3, Buffalo 2; Toronto 4, Ottawa 3 (So); Florida 2, Detroit Flames scored late in the first period and then early in overtime to post a THOUSAND OAKS: Tiger Woods’s even-par 72 Watson’s was one of just four rounds under par 1; Winnipeg 2, Tampa Bay 1 (OT); Washington 5, Nashville 2; New Jersey 4, NY Rangers 3 (OT); Anaheim 5, St. was enough to give the tournament host the produced by the elite field of 18. Louis 2; Calgary 2, Edmonton 1 (OT); Los Angeles 3, NY Islanders 0. 2-1 victory and remain one spot third-round lead on a blustery Saturday at the One of those belonged to former world ahead of Edmonton in the confer- Western Conference Eastern Conference $3.5 million World Challenge. A day after the number one Rory McIlroy, whose four-under ence cellar. Jiri Hudler broke the tie 14-time major champion hit every green in 68 was an impressive low round of the day but Pacific Division Atlantic Division Montreal 19 9 3 85 65 41 at 2:14 of overtime on an Oilers give- regulation en route to a majestic 10-under par still left him 13 shots off the lead after his W L OTL GF GA PTS 62 that equaled his own Sherwood Country struggles in the first two rounds. Boston 19 8 2 79 59 40 away after Edmonton left winger Anaheim 20 7 5 101 84 45 Club course record, Woods found the going While Woods said the tricky conditions had Detroit 15 9 7 85 82 37 Taylor Hall tied it with 10.1 seconds tougher on a day that started in cold rain and a lot to do with the difference in his score, he San Jose 19 5 5 100 72 43 Tampa Bay 17 10 2 80 70 36 left in regulation. Los Angeles 19 7 4 79 62 42 ended with the sun shining and a chilly, said he made a few mistakes that cost him Toronto 16 11 3 84 82 35 unpredictable wind whipping. shots. That included three-putt bogeys at the Phoenix 16 8 5 94 93 37 Ottawa 11 14 5 86 99 27 Kings 3, Islanders 0 Woods notched the last of his four birdies 13th and 15th. “I’m pleased at having the lead, Vancouver 16 10 5 83 80 37 Florida 9 16 5 68 98 23 Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and at the par-four 18th, balancing four bogeys as I’m not real pleased with the way I putted Calgary 11 14 4 78 98 26 Buffalo 6 22 2 51 91 14 Tyler Toffoli scored goals as the Los he built a 54-hole total of 11-under par 205 today,” Woods said. “Obviously 13, three- Edmonton 10 18 3 84 105 23 Angeles Kings shut out the New York and maintained his two-stroke cushion over putting there from six, seven feet, and three- Metropolitan Division Islanders 3-0. Rookie goaltender 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson. putting 15 as well-I left a few out there today.” Pittsburgh 20 10 1 96 70 41 Martin Jones stopped 16 New York Johnson briefly took a one-stroke lead The bogey at 15 didn’t hurt Woods as Central Division Washington 15 12 2 88 84 32 after a birdie at the ninth, but two-double much as it might have, since Johnson ended shots for his second consecutive vic- Chicago 20 6 5 110 87 45 NY Rangers 15 14 1 68 76 31 bogeys-at the par-three 12th and 15th-kept up with a double-bogey after hitting into the tory. The Kings’ record improved to St. Louis 19 6 3 98 66 41 Carolina 13 12 5 71 84 31 him from applying more pressure. He, too, water hazard. In fact, eight found the water at 19-7-4 and extended a club record Colorado 20 7 0 81 62 40 New Jersey 12 13 6 69 77 30 birdied 18 to cap an even-par 72 for 207. the 15th, and three of them found it twice. by allowing two or less goals in 15 “It was a tough day,” Woods said. “The wind “I thought Zach hit it perfect,” Woods said Minnesota 17 9 5 74 74 39 Philadelphia 13 14 2 64 73 28 Columbus 12 14 3 72 80 27 straight contests. Goaltender Kevin was all over the place. It was really tough to of his playing partner’s tee shot at 15. “He hit a Dallas 14 9 5 81 80 33 NY Islanders 8 17 5 75 104 21 Poulin stopped 21 shots for the pull clubs, and even though the greens were little cut five-iron and it was right on the flag. “I Winnipeg 14 13 4 82 88 32 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Islanders, who lost their ninth softer, they were still pretty quick.” Bubba thought it was the perfect flight to get there. Watson was alone in third after a 69 for 209. Ended up just shy, obviously.” —AFP Nashville 13 14 3 67 88 29 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). straight game (8-17-5). —Agencies