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Established 1961 25 Sports Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Tiger Woods defends ‘great kid’ Reed after rule-breaking row No sympathy for anyone that cheats: Cameron Smith MELBOURNE: US captain Tiger Woods defended of the day, if you do something unintentionally that Presidents Cup teammate Patrick Reed as “a great kid” breaks the rules, it’s not considered cheating and at the yesterday after he was penalised for breaking the rules end of the day that’s what it is.” Despite the prospect of in the Bahamas, while attempting to draw a line under a volatile reception in Melbourne, Woods insisted Reed the controversy. would be “fine” when the tournament begins tomorrow. Former US Masters champion Reed was given a “Pat is a great kid. He’s handled a tough upbringing two-shot penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker well, and I just think that he’s one of our best team during the third round of the Hero World Challenge on players and is one of the reasons why all of the guys Friday. His actions were blasted by two of the wanted him on the team,” he said. International side preparing to face the Woods-led International team captain Ernie Els said he had no United States in the team matchplay showdown at problem with Smith and Leishman being outspoken on Royal Melbourne this week, potentially opening the Reed, keen to take any edge they can into the tourna- door for some barracking by Australian fans. ment. “Well, I think it’s only natural. These guys are Cameron Smith told reporters at the weekend he had competitors. Obviously they didn’t like what they saw,” “no sympathy for anyone that cheats” while Marc he said. But Els added: “Like Tiger, we’re moving on; Leishman called his behaviour “pretty ordinary”. we’ve got a Cup to play for. “It’s got nothing to do with Woods was keen to move on from the row when us. It’s basically what’s happened, and I think Tiger’s pressed in Melbourne, admitting the two discussed the dealing with it and Patrick’s dealing with that. matter on the long plane trip to Australia from the “We’re getting ready to play the Presidents Cup. Bahamas but it was now over. There’s nothing more to be said.” The International “It was not a lengthy conversation. Pat and I are very team will need to use everything in their arsenal to good friends. We kept it short and brief, to the point,” unsettle Woods’ star-studded team, who are the heavy said Woods, who is the first playing captain at the favourites to win. Presidents Cup since American Hale Irwin in 1994. They have clinched all but one edition of the MELBOURNE: US player Patrick Reed tees off during a practice round ahead of the Presidents Cup golf tournament “The rules official gave him two shots. He finished at Presidents Cup in its 25-year history. The exception in Melbourne yesterday. — AFP 16-under, two back of Henrik (Stenson), and now we’re was at Royal Melbourne in 1998, where a young Woods on to this week.” Reed acknowledged that he moved played. He admitted the team then was not properly sand with both practice swings and therefore violated prepared, in contrast to now. “I think our strength is guys play last week,” said Woods. “So it was nice for stretch our legs a bit,” he added. “Getting in yesterday the rules, but denied yesterday he was a cheat. that we are a very deep team. The guys have played them to shake off some rust. Get a feel for things. after a 26-hour ride in a luxurious tin can, it’s nice to “It’s not the right word to use,” he said. “At the end well this entire year, and you know, we had 11 out of 12 “Today is an important day for us to just walk and to actually get out there and feel some fresh air.” — AFP Kuwait ready for 20th Junior Water Polo Championship Heartbreak, then joy for Presidents Cup rookie An MELBOURNE: It has been a roller- coaster ride for An Byeong-hun, and the Presidents Cup hasn’t even started. The South Korean received a heart- breaking call from International team skipper Ernie Els in November to tell him he had missed the cut as a cap- tain’s pick. Then Australian Jason Day was forced out by a back injury and the phone rang again. “I got a phone call By Abdellatif Sharaa Team captain Abdallah Murad said players are together official decisions. twice, unfortunately and fortunately,” since May, and are enthusiastic towards showing an out- Among the important items on the agenda is to make a said An yesterday as he prepared to KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Junior Water Polo team continues its standing performance during the championship. new plan to develop water games and swimming, also to make his Presidents Cup debut at training for the 20th FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Meanwhile, player Abdallah Al-Hammad said all players prepare a schedule for the upcoming championships, that Royal Melbourne against the Tiger Championship, hosted by Kuwait starting tomorrow and exerted their utmost during the preparation period under in addition to having standards for the game during the Woods-led Americans. will continue until Dec 20 at Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad the watchful eye of their Greek coach Marcos and his Tokyo 2020 Olympics and approve those who qualify. “First one was saying I’m not in. It Olympic swimming pools complex under the patronage of assistance Al-Shawaf. The bureau is made of nine members including FINA was a tough call. Obviously I was dis- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. Meanwhile, FINA bureau will hold a meeting today at president Dr Julio C Maglione from Uruguay, first Vice- appointed. “I never thought I would get Assistant coach Khalid Al-Shawaf said players began Crowne Plaza hotel, on the sidelines of the 20th FINA president Husain Al-Musalla from Kuwait, second Vice- a second call, and last week, they said their training early due to the strong teams participating. World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championship, which will president Sam Ramsamy, Vice-president Paolo Barelli — ‘well, you can tell me to get lost but He said the national team held a training camp in Hungary, start tomorrow at Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Olympic from Italy, Vice-president Matthew Dun from Australia, we need you on the team’. for a month, then continued its training here in Kuwait. swimming pools complex of Al-Nasr sports club. Vice-president Date Neuburger, Pipat Paniangvait, “I was like, I’ll go down and play. Al-Shawaf said the championship represents on oppor- This meeting proceeds a meeting of FINA board, Treasurer from Thailand, member Tamas Gyarfas from I’m here and I’m looking forward to tunity for the current players to gain experience through and it will make recommendations and proposals for Hungary and Executive Director Cornel Marculescu from my first Presidents Cup.” A former competing with distinguished players of high standards. the 25 member board, which has the authority to make Switzerland. US Amateur Championship winner, An earned his spot on the team fol- were granted the chance to enter a draw and win the pop- lowing three top-10s in his last six Renault Al Babtain ular models. PGA Tour starts. “Keeping in line with organization’s brand signature mot- He is one of seven rookies in the 12- McIlroy turns to ‘Passion for Life’, an embodiment of the unique Renault man team — the youngest ever assem- awards winners of spirit, Renault Al Babtain will remain a keen supporter of bled by the Internationals with an aver- down spot in maintaining a wholesome lifestyle. We are proud to be part age age of just under 29. He is confident 25th Annual NBK of a national movement that reflects our values and willpow- that fellow debutants Li Haotong, CT er to succeed. As a homegrown automotive brand, we will Pan, Abraham Ancer, Cameron Smith, Saudi tourney continue to play a vital role in inspiring more people to Joaquin Niemann and compatriot Im Walkathon event adopt healthier habits through strategic collaborations with Sung-jae will rise to the occasion. likeminded entities in Kuwait.” said Laurent Pernet, General “I was very surprised, I’m like the LOS ANGELES: Rory McIlroy confirmed Manager Automotive at Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain seventh-oldest guy on the team,” said Monday he had turned down the chance to play in KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co., the the 28-year-old. “Ernie has been great. next month’s European Tour event in Saudi Arabia during the event. authorized agent of Renault in the State of Kuwait recently Demonstrating the values by which the group lives by - The team, I think everyone has their despite reportedly being offered a multi-million- awarded Victoriano G. R. Moraldi and Lulu Alfarsi with a own partners. We know who we’re dollar appearance fee. passion, integrity and commitment, the participants were Renault Duster and Renault Megane RS respectively upon rewarded by Laurent Pernet, who recognized the winners playing with. We were all excited, so McIlroy told the Golf Channel in an interview their participation at the annual NBK walkathon. we’re very looking forward to he had no interest in playing the Saudi for their perseverance. The 11KM walk from Green Island on The annual event which took place on 7th December the Gulf Road to the Shuwaikh Beach Park witnessed the Thursday, Friday, going into the week- International tournament in late January.