SPORT Tuesday 25 September 2018 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 Joshua still fighting Federer, Zverev lead for his place in the way as Europe boxing history retain Laver Cup Woods ends title drought

AFP Championship.” The victory erased any last lingering doubts about Woods’ of the United States ATLANTA: Tiger Woods scored his first ability to compete at the highest level, celebrates his win in the Tour victory in more than five years on something he had served notice of with Championship at East Lake Golf Club Sunday, completing a two-shot win at top 10 finishes at the British Open and in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday. the Tour Championship to crown a fairy US PGA Championships. tale comeback after a near two-year Woods, who returned in January absence. after missing almost the entire previous The 42-year-old, 14-time major two years with a debilitating back injury, winner carded a one-over- 71 at held a three-shot advantage heading Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Course to claim into the final round. the 80th PGA Tour title of his glittering A birdie on his opening hole career. Woods, who finished with an extended Woods’ lead to four shots to 11-under-par aggregate 269, raised his give the former world number one a arms in delight after the victory, with dream start. several thousand fans ringing the green With the remainder of the 30-man roaring their appreciation. field struggling to make any inroads, Woods admitted he had nearly been Woods then played solid if unspec- overcome with emotion as he walked tacular golf to keep a stranglehold on up the 18th fairway. the lead. “I was having a hard time not crying A bogey on the 10th was a mere coming up the last hole,” Woods said, blip, with Woods re-establishing a five- whose most recent win before Sunday shot cushion at 13 under after rolling in had come 1,876 days ago at the 2013 a 13-foot birdie putt on the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. par-four 13th. Billy Horschel “I kept saying ‘Hey, I could still play closed the gap to four this out of bounds.’ But once I got the shots after after a four- ball on the green I gave (caddie) Joey under-par final round (LaCava) a high five because I knew 66, but Woods it was done.” It was an emotional finale looked to to a year which saw Woods return to the highest level after he had once be in feared he may never play golf again. control. “It was just a grind out there,” Woods, Woods said of his final round. “I loved however, gave every bit of it. The fight, the grind, the his army of fans tough conditions. roaring him on a scare “To win it’s certainly up there with though when back-to-back obviously all the major championships bogeys on the 15th and 16th I’ve won, Players, World Golf Champi- holes cut his lead to two with two to onships but then this is under different play. But he steadied the ship with a circumstances. dogged par on the 17th and then closed “I just didn’t know whether this out the win with a par on 18. would ever happen again. If I could “Billy put a bit of pressure on me at somehow piece together a golf swing the end. The up and down at 17 was this year, I felt like I could do it... huge,” added Woods, who was flying MOST CAREER WINS WOODS FACTFILE somehow I’ve been able to do that, and to Paris later Sunday with the US team List of players with most career win on TIGER WOODS (USA) here we are.” Woods later revealed he for week’s Ryder Cup. Born: December 30, 1975 had also fought back tears on the final “We’re flying tonight with the guys, the PGA Tour following Tiger Woods’ Birthplace: Cypress, California, USA green as he prepared for the par putt it’s going to be fun,” said Woods. “I think victory at the Tour Championship on Height: 6-feet-1 (1.85m) to complete the win. we’re all going to sleep well.” Mean- Turned Professional: 1996 “I realised all of sudden I was going while ’s Olympic champion Sunday: Career US PGA Tour wins: 80 to win the tournament,” he said. Justin Rose ensured he walks off with - ‘It’s been tough’ - “My eyes started the FedEx Cup playoff title after fin- Major titles - 14 tearing up a little bit. I just can’t believe ishing on six under for a share of fourth. 82 - Sam Snead (Masters: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005; US I pulled this off after I’ve gone through. Woods was made to sweat however Open 2000, 2002, 2008; British Open “It’s been tough. I’ve had a not-so- after a shaky three-over-par 73 on his 80 - Tiger Woods 2000, 2005, 2006; PGA Championship easy last couple of years. I’ve worked final round. “It felt like a slow death out 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007) my way back. I couldn’t have done it there for me today,” Rose said before 73 - Jack Nicklaus PGA Tour Player of the Year: 11 (1997, without the help of all the people saluting Woods, who stood nearby. 1999-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2013) around me. “I’d like to congratulate Tiger right 64 - Ben Hogan PGA Tour Money Leader: 10 (1997, “Some of the other players knew now. I think the world of golf is really 1999-2002, 2005-2007, 2009, 2013) what I was struggling with. It was really proud of you and is super excited about 62 - Arnold Palmer Highest World Ranking: 1

special to see them at the green on 18. your game and the way the game of (record 683 weeks) It’s just hard to believe I won the Tour golf is going.”

A Qatari player in action in the Asian 6Reds Championship at the Qatar Qatari cueists qualify Billiards and Snooker Federation hall in Doha yesterday. for knockout stage THE PENINSULA Cheung Ka Wai. Exhibiting excellent The Qatari trio are set for a tough game, Cheung and Saif, both finished competition in the next stage. Among DOHA: Three players Ahmed Saif, all their league stage matches at the the qualified players include three Ali Alobaidli and Mohsen Bukshaisha cost of one frame only. A total of 22 from India, Kamal Chawla, Varun representing hosts Qatar made it to players qualified for the knockout Madan and Ishpreet Singh Chadha. the knockout stage of the Asian stage after completion of league The top three from the knock out 6Reds Championship 2018 here round on day two stage will get a chance to play in the yesterday. Qatar had six players competing newly introduced Asian Ranking At the Qatar Billiards and in the preliminary rounds with half Tour 2018 whose first leg is starting Snooker Federation hall, Ahmed rep- of them making it to the knock out in Doha from September 26 and will resenting the host nation emerged stage. Apart from Ahmed, the other end on September 29. as one of the two top seeds from the two players from Qatar who qual- The Asian 6Reds championship preliminary rounds of the champi- ified are Al Obaidli and former World will be followed by the Asian 10 Reds onship along with Hong Kong’s 6Reds No.4 Bukshaisha. Snooker championship. 26 SPORT TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2018

Thiem jumps The members of Team Europe pose with the trophy Gavrilova after winning the Laver Cup against Team World at the one place in United Center in , United States, on Sunday. advances at ATP rankings Wuhan Open

AFP REUTERS

PARIS: Victory in St WUHAN: ’s Daria Petersburg lifted Dominic Gavrilova produced an Thiem one place in the ATP inspired performance to rankings, which Rafael Nadal defeat 10th seed Jelena still leads comfortably. Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in the The Austrian climbed to opening round of the Wuhan seventh yesterday, Open, yesterday. exchanging places with the Gavrilova withstood a Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, in flurry of early winners from the only change in the top 20. the 2017 French Open Lower down, the Slo- champion but then broke vakian Martin Klizan- Ostapenko’s serve five times squeaked into the top 50 for to prevail in one hour and 26 the first time since July 2017., minutes. at number 49. World number 33 Gavrilova next faces Czech ATP RANKINGS (TOP 10) Barbora Strycova, who beat 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8760 pts Alize Cornet 6-3, 6-2. 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 6900 Spaniard Garbine 3. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6445 Muguruza, seeded 14, beat her Wimbledon conqueror Alison 4. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5980 Van Uytvanck 6-4, 6-0 to set 5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4890 up a second-round clash with 6. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4715 Swiss qualifier Viktorija 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3825 (+1) Golubic. 8. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3755 (-1) “I remember the match

9. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3595 from Wimbledon, like a very 10. John Isner (USA) 3470 tough match for me... It’s Federer, Zverev lead the way always good to play again the same person that beat you... feeling good you did some- thing much better than the Pliskova previous match,” Muguruza as Europe retain Laver Cup said. swaps places Briton Johanna Konta’s REUTERS patchy form continued as she with Osaka their first lead of the tour- fell 7-5 6-4 to last year’s nament at 8-7 after the finalist Ashleigh Barty. CHICAGO: Roger Federer and Roger Federer celebrates opening doubles when Sock American Coco AFP Alexander Zverev won clutch after defeating John Isner and Isner slipped past Federer Vandeweghe was forced to singles matches as Team on Sunday. and Zverev 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9. retire from her match with PARIS: Karolina Pliskova Europe beat Team World 13-8 Federer needed to save Donna Vekic after injuring jumped one spot in the to retain the Laver Cup on the three match points to disarm her right ankle while trailing women’s tennis rankings third and final day of action in Isner’s big serve and take the 6-4, 3-6, 2-1. Croatia’s Vekic yesterday, swapping places the international tournament day’s opening singles contest, faces Anett Kontaveit next. with the woman she beat the in Chicago on Sunday. which like all of Sunday’s World number one day before in the Tokyo final, Federer’s hardfought matches was worth three Simona Halep, scheduled play Naomi Osaka. 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 10-7 victory points. Dominika Cibulkova on Romanian Simona Halep over American John Isner put The World Team needed Tuesday, faces a struggle to still heads the top 20, a long the Europeans just three to win one of the first two be fit after suffering a back way ahead of the Dane points from their victory singles matches to take the problem while training on Caroline Wozniacki. target and Zverev got them tournament down to the final Monday. The German Julia there with a 6-7(3), 7-5, 10-7 singles clash between “I don’t know why it hap- Goerges climbed one place win over Kevin Anderson. Djokovic and Australian Nick pened. It’s been a difficult 24 and into the top ten, just German Zverev needed to Federer’s thing.” It was fitting that Kyrgios but Zverev’s victory hours, but I hope to be ready above Dutchwoman Kiki be at his sharpest to get past hardfought 6-7(5), 21-year-old Zverev punc- ensured it was not required. tomorrow,” Halep said. Bertens. the South African stalwart but 7-6(8), 10-7 victory tuated the triumph for Europe Grigor Dimitrov, David won the final five points of the over American John by conquering Anderson, one Goffin and Kyle Edmund were WTA RANKINGS (TOP 10) third set tie-break to ensure Isner put the Europeans of the most formidable players the other members of the tri- 1. Simona Halep (ROU) 8061 pts Europe would keep the trophy just three points from of the tournament. umphant team led by Swedish 2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 5506 they won at the inaugural Anderson had teamed up great Bjorn Borg. event in Prague last year. their victory target with American Jack Sock to “It’s been an unbelievable 3. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5295 “It was such a close match and Zverev got them knock off Federer and Novak week,” said Borg. 4. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 4725 all around, not only this one but there with a 6-7(3), 7-5, Djokovic in doubles on day “I’m very proud of my 5. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4585 all weekend, a few points here 10-7 win over Kevin one, then defeated Djokovic team, we knew it’s going to be 6. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 455 and there and it could have Anderson. in a singles contest on very difficult to beat Team 7. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4475 (+1) been different,” said Zverev. Saturday. World with John as the 8. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4390 (-1) “I’m just happy to get the On Sunday, John McEn- captain. He has a great team,

9. Sloane Stephens (USA) 3912 win and we defended the title, that’s the most important roe’s Team World had taken they’re very professional.” 10. Julia Goerges (GER) 3730 (+1) Daria Gavrilova

Chandimal Dinesh Chandimal to lead all SL Galfar and Warriors set sides after Asia up QCA Twenty20 final

THE PENINSULA Cup failure and as many fours to get 27 off 19 balls. Among the other top- REUTERS DOHA: Khurram Shahzad order batsmen, only Faisal (pictured) and Noman lifted applied and got 25 with two COLOMBO: Batsman Dinesh Galfar Al Misnad into the final fours. Chandimal has been installed as of the QCA Twenty20 Cricket During the chase, Tusker Sri Lanka captain across all Tournament, steering their team Club had lots of early problems three formats after Angelo to a 66-run triumph against as they were reeling three down Mathews lost his role as skipper Tusker Club. for nine. They could never get of the country’s limited-overs In a semi-final of the any breather and slumped even- teams following their exit from Dinesh Chandimal as the ODI blame is solely put on me,” Division A at the West Bay tually to 86 all out in 17 overs. the Asia Cup in the United Arab captain to lead the team in the Mathews wrote. grounds, Galfar Al Misnad were Awais, with three for 17 and Emirates. upcoming England series,” Sri “If the selectors and coach four down for 83 in 15 overs. But Noman, who had two for 9, The 31-year-old Mathews Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a are of the view that I am unfit to some lusty long-handle batting bowled superbly. Himanshu and was renamed as Sri Lanka’s lim- statement. play ODI and T20 cricket and by Shahzad and Noman took Shaheen also picked two each ited-overs skipper in January, “Accordingly, they have thus not entitled for my place in them to an impressive 152 for Shahzad fired four sixes and to keep pressure on the rivals. six months after the all-rounder requested Angelo Mathews to the team, I would also consider four through an unbroken 69 two fours in his 21-ball 44, while Tamoor and Murad split six relinquished the captaincy for relinquish his duties as the retiring from the ODI and T20 runs partnership. Noman also smashed two sixes scalps and led Warriors Club to both red and white-ball formats National ODI & T20I captain, formats as I never want to be a a facile five-wickets triumph following a home series defeat with immediate effect.” burden to the team.” QCA TWENTY20: DIVISION A SEMI-FINALS against United Challengers. to Zimbabwe. The decision has upset Sri Lanka have been grap- Their rich haul shot United Chal- Mathews, however, was Mathews, who felt he had been pling with a leadership crisis Galfar Al Misnad beat Tusker Club by 66 runs lengers out for just 69. Warriors unable to revive the team’s for- made a “scapegoat” and offered over the last 18 months, during Galfar Al Misnad: 152 for four in 20 overs (Khurram Shahzad 44 not out, Noman 27 not out, Faisal Club raced to the win in 10.5 tunes in his latest stint, which to retire from limited-overs which Upul Tharanga, Lasith 25; Siraj 2/24, Muddasir 1/23) overs with Asad Bohram came to an unceremonious end cricket, according to ESPN- Malinga, Chamara Kapugedera Tusker Club: 86 all out in 17 overs (Sanu 22; Awais 3/17, Noman 2/9, Shaheen 2/20, Himansu 2/16) cracking four boundaries in his after Sri Lanka crashed out of Cricinfo, which published the and Thisara Perera have also Man of the match: Khurram Shahzad (Galfar Al Misnad) 33 not out. the ongoing six-nation Asia Cup all-rounder’s letter to SLC chief been tried as ODI captains. Warriors Club beat United Challengers by five wickets In the Division B, Selex and following first round defeats by executive Ashley de Silva. From October 10, Sri Lanka United Challengers: 69 all out in nine overs (Rehan 20; Tamoor 3/12, Murad 3/14) Qatar Super Kings advanced to

Bangladesh and Afghanistan. “I’m willing to take part of will host England for five Warriors Club: 70 for five in 10.5 overs (Asad Bohram 33 not out, Farhan 2/28) the final, while Hadico and “ Selectors on the blame but, at the same time, one-day internationals, a Man of the match: Asad Bohram (Warriors Club) Gladiators will clash for the Sunday decided to appoint feel betrayed and let down if the one-off T20 and three Tests. Division C title. TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 27

United’s Pogba Germany lacked ‘passion and greed’ takes aim at Mourinho’s to defend World Cup title, says Loew negative tactics AFP AP difficult to stay focused to stay at the top level.” LONDON: Paul Pogba LONDON: More than two A task for Deschamps is launched a blistering critique months after Germany’s embar- keeping his players grounded. France coach of Manchester United’s rassingly brief World Cup title “Sometimes you see players Didier Deschamps defensive-minded tactics in defense, Joachim Loew offered run into difficulties because (third right) Saturday’s draw with Wolver- a reason for the failure to his maybe success goes to their celebrates after hampton Wanderers, which coaching compatriots: The squad heads,” Deschamps said. winning the World is likely to infuriate manager lacked motivation. “It’s not as easy to stay Cup with his family Jose Mourinho. “After such a long time at the focused and do everything with in Moscow in this The 25-year-old French top,” Loew said, “we were the same intensity.” July 15, 2018 file World Cup winning mid- missing the last percent, the fire, As captain of France, Des- photo. fielder said there were no the passion, and this greed to win champs won the World Cup on excuses for not attacking in a title no matter what.” home soil in 1998 and the home games. Loew had been summoned European Championship in The draw -- played out in from the floor to address FIFA’s 2000. But after Deschamps’ front of legendary former World Cup coaches’ debrief by international career ended, manager Alex Ferguson who Cameroon coach Clarence France finished bottom of its made his first appearance at a Seedorf. He was asked to explain group at the 2002 World Cup match since undergoing emer- what had been done to try to with only one point and was gency brain surgery in May -- “maintain the proper spirit” in a eliminated. left United in 7th, eight points squad featuring nine champions Deschamps has used his own behind leaders Liverpool. from Brazil in 2014. experiences to guide a young “We are at home and we A couple of hours later, group of France players. should play much better under the chandeliers of a “YouYou are no longer the same against Wolves. We are here London hotelotel ballroom,ballroom, the players,” Deschamps to attack,” Pogba told the tables weree turneturned.d. In a session recallsrecalls tetellinglling hhisis media after the match. dedicated too France’s triutriumphmph in squadsquad on tthehe “When we play like (that) Russia, coachch DidierDidier DeschampsDeschamps eve ofof France it’s easier for us.” reflected onn the challengechallenge of beatingb eating Asked what is stopping preventing hhisis newnewlyly crownedcrowned CroatiaCroatia in United attacking more, Pogba championss bbecomingecoming com-com- thethe fifinalnal in whosewhose charactercharacte has not changed is Sometimes you job and I think you learn to take said: “I can’t tell you because placent in QQataratar in 20222022.. July,July, “peop“peoplele playmakerplaymaker PaulPau Pogba, who Des- see players run into that on board as you get more I’m a player. It’s not me.” The questionestion came ffromrom St. around youyou champschamps believesbelieve is misunderstood. experienced. That’s what’s hap- Pogba’s criticism comes Kitts and NNevisevis coach JacJacquesques will change.” “I“I think ttheh rest of the world, difficulties because maybe pened with him and I think he’s shortly after it appeared that Passy who wonderedwondered howhow Des-Des- OneO ne andand certaincertainlyly in France, has an success goes to their gained some respect. He joined he and Mourinho were champs wouldould ensure France playerplayer imageimage ooff PauPaull Pogba that doesn’t heads. It’s not as easy us ready to become a world mending their rift, with the “do not falll into thethe trap” as reallyreally reflectreflect who he is,” Des- to stay focused and do champion and he took the whole Portuguese manager saying Germany did.d. Deschamps champschamps said. everything with the same squad with him.” on Friday that success at the did suggestt “Joachim“Joachim “He’s“He’s beenbee in the national intensity: France coach Germany is the perfect case World Cup had sparked would be bbetteretter at team sincesince 2013 and he’s study. Loew’s side won only one Pogba into performing well. answering” beforebefore alwaysalways tthoughtho about the col- Didier Deschamps game in Russia - against “I think teams are scared divulging hhisis lective.lective. TThere’sh this idea that - and lost the other two in the when they see Manchester concerns. he’she’s a bbitit individualistic and We had some players group stage. United attacking and “A certainertain onlyonly thinksthin about himself who were with us a long “In the first game against attacking. That was our doubt perhapshaps butbut that’stha not the case at time who weren’t in good Mexico we were caught on many mistake,” said Pogba. creeps in some-me- all.”all.” form, and we did some counterattacks,” Loew said. Pogba laughed when it times but nnotot DeschampsD admires things wrong: Germany “We had some players who was put to him were United the same wayway Joachim Loew how PPogba has taken on were with us a long time who lacking pace and mobility. it used to,”o,” thethe mantle of lead- coach Joachim Loew weren’t in good form, and we did “I’m not the manager, I Deschampsps ershipersh and hopes the some things wrong.” cannot say that,” he said. said throughgh publicpub perceptions It is why Loew sees the ben- “Obviously we should ann improve.impr Deschamps said. efits of refreshing the squad. show more options but I interpreter. “I’ve“I’v spoken to him “That’s why there has been “We have to see how we can cannot say that because I’m “They thinkhink about his relationshipre with the this aggressive vibe and he’s had integrate some new players in a player. That’s my way of maybe it’s easy to ddoo it mediamedia anandd I think he’s been this strained relationship. the next years,” Loew said, “get thinking - we should move again and it’st’s very,very, veryvery unfairlyunfairly criticizedcritic in the past,” “But criticism is part of the some fresh blood into the team.” better, yeah.”

AFE vetoes Juventus’ Portuguese forward La Liga game Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during Ronaldo recovers from red the Italian Serie A match against in Miami Frosinone in Frosinone on Sunday. AFP card misery to help Juve win

MADRID: The Spanish AP players union (AFE) while to get off the mark for his ricocheted into Ronaldo’s path yesterday rejected plans new club following his move and he swept it home. by La Liga to stage a MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. Ronaldo also sparked the regular-season game in shrugged off the disappointment Ronaldo had been sent off in counterattack which led to the United States, of his midweek sending off to Juventus’ 2-0 win at Valencia in Juventus’ second goal, which was following a similar score a late goal as Juventus the Champions League on finished off by Federico refusal by the Spanish preserved its perfect Serie A start Wednesday. Bernardeschi. football federation on Sunday. He came close to scoring Meanwhile, Napoli seems to (RFEF). Ronaldo pounced nine early on at Frosinone but was be finding its feet under new An AFE statement minutes from time to set denied by a goal-line clearance coach Carlo Ancelotti and said La Liga had not Juventus on its way to a 2-0 win from Marco Capuano. Lorenzo Insigne is reveling in his responded to questions at newly promoted Frosinone, Juventus struggled to break more central role. about the planned game which has still to score a goal this Frosinone down but, just as it Insigne scored twice to help between Girona and Bar- season. It was Ronaldo’s third looked as though its 100 percent Napoli win 3-1 at Torino in a celona in Miami. It said goal in two Italian league games record this season was set to end, dominant performance from last that “faced with a lack of after the Portugal star took a Miralem Pjanic’s scuffed shot season’s runner-up. information” it opposed the game taking place. On Friday, the RFEF expressed its formal opposition to moving the game from Girona to the Pique rescues 10-man Barca to draw with Girona United States. FIFA President REUTERS Gianni Infantino has also doubling the lead after dancing when Messi sent a free kick Barcelona’s Gerard Pique expressed doubts about through a maze of defenders but crashing against the crossbar. celebrates after scoring their the move. BARCELONA: Barcelona’s 100 saw his shot saved. Gerard Pique headed in the second goal against Girona The sharp refusal by percent winning start to the Barcelona’s strong start in the leveller in the 63rd minute by in Barcelona on Sunday. the AFE, which had season came to a halt on match was derailed when defender climbing above two defenders already indicated Sunday when they were held Clement Lenglet was sent off 35 to meet a scrappy, deflected concern over the health to a 2-2 La Liga draw by Girona minutes into his first league start cross from Luis Suarez after risks to players of such a on Sunday, having been for the club after elbowing Pere coach Ernesto Valverde had trip, is a new blow for La reduced to playing the final 55 Pons, and Girona took advantage thrown on Ivan Rakitic and Liga, which argues that minutes with 10 men. right before the interval when Philippe Coutinho for the the initiative will expand The result meant they lost Cristhian Stuani levelled. underperforming Vidal and its international their two-point advantage over Uruguayan striker Stuani Arthur. audience. Real Madrid at the top of the struck again in the 51st to give Girona coped admirably Real Madrid Pres- table, with both teams on 13 Girona, only playing their with Barca’s onslaught for the ident Florentino Perez points after five games. second season in Spain’s top remainder of the game, keeping said on Sunday his club Lionel Messi gave the cham- flight, an unlikely lead. their heads under the pressure would refuse to play a pions the lead in the 19th minute The Catalans continued to and forcing the champions to Spanish League game in with a first-time shot after a lay dominate proceedings despite resort to long range shots which the United States. off from Chile international their numerical disadvantage, failed to trouble impressive vis- Arturo Vidal and came close to and they almost equalised iting goalkeeper Bono. TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 25

With today’s equipment and Jack Nicklaus 2.30PM 10:00PM the way the guys take care of winner of 18 Cricket FOOTBALL themselves, I think they could major championships India vs Atlético Madrid vs play well into their 50s Afghanistan Huesca ACTION TODAY’S

Tiger can still match my 18 McCarthy wins Web.com Tour majors, says AP and final card from the four- event money list with $41,931, Nicklaus FLORIDA: Denny McCarthy won Denny McCarthy poses edging Justin Lower by $500. REUTERS the season-ending Web.com with the winners’ trophy at Knous made a 5-foot par save Tour Championship on Sunday Atlantic Beach Country Club on the final hole for a 71 that left to earn fully exempt PGA Tour on Sunday. him tied for 57th. Lower missed PARIS: Jack Nicklaus believes status and a spot in the Players an 8-footer for birdie, settling for Tiger Woods still has a real- Championship. a 69 and a tie for 21st. istic chance of matching his McCarthy closed with a “It was a brutal day emo- record tally of 18 major 6-under 65 for a four-stroke tionally,” Knous said. championships, the man victory over at “I wasn’t quite sure how known as the Golden Bear Atlantic Beach Country Club. The much my performance would said on Sunday. 25-year-old former Virginia affect the overall outcome. It Speaking after Woods player earned $180,000 to top kind of just depended on what ended a five-year victory the 25 PGA Tour card-earners everybody else did. That’s pretty drought at the Tour Champi- with $255,793 in the four-event terrifying. So I really just kind of onship, Nicklaus said he Web.com Tour Finals. did my best to stay calm and thought the 42-year-old “It’s been quite a journey this inside I was really freaking out would be able to compete at year,” McCarthy said. and just super psyched that at the highest level for another “The PGA Tour was tough to the end of the day finished right decade or so. start out the year. I stuck through there on No. 25.” Woods looked destined to it and got my game. I raised my The top-25 finishers on the surpass Nicklaus when he level and have been playing Web.com regular-season money clinched his 14th major at the some really good golf. Just feels list competed against each other 2008 US Open before his incredible to finish off these for tour priority, with regular- career hit the rails after a sex Finals. So much work behind the Glover, the 2009 US Open top 75 players from the Web.com non-members with enough season earnings counting in their scandal and then a debili- scenes that nobody really sees.” champion, closed with a 69. He regular-season money list, Nos. money to have placed in the top totals. Sungjae Im topped the list tating back injury. Nobody McCarthy finished at 23-under made $108,000 to finish seventh 126-200 in the PGA Tour’s FedEx 200. to earn the No. 1 priority spot of has ever previously won more 261. with $125,212 in the series for the Cup standings, and Jim Knous earned the 25th the 50 total cards. than one major after turning 43, as Woods will in December, but Nicklaus thinks times are changing. “With today’s equipment Stricker clinches Sanford and the way the guys take care of themselves, I think they could play well into their 50s,” he told the Golf Channel. International in Sioux Falls “Maybe Tiger’s got another 40 majors to play. AP “I came out feeling really Out of 40 majors can he win good, really comfortable,” five of them, I don’t know? SIOUX FALLS: Stricker said. “He’s playing well enough. It won the inaugural Sanford “Hit two really good shots depends how much he wants International on Sunday for his and really played the first five, to work at it, how interested third PGA Tour Champions title six, seven holes really solidly. he is, and long he wants to of the year, closing with a Then once you get that lead, it’s make a commitment to do 3-under 67 for a four-stroke like a different mentality sets in. that.” Nicklaus won his 16th victory. You’re trying not to make a and 17th majors at the age of Stricker led wire-to-wire at mistake. It gets a little bit harder 40, but then endured a six- Minnehaha Country Club after to play. I did my best. I was just year drought before claiming rain limited him to only seven trying to make pars and keep the 1986 Masters in what pre-tournament holes. moving along, so it was good to proved a fitting climax to his “I’ve never felt so unpre- hang on.” career. pared in my life playing a golf Stricker also won in Arizona Many had already written tournament,” Stricker said. and Mississippi in consecutive Nicklaus off by then, but he “You usually get around it starts in May for his first senior did not really care, shrugging a couple times at least. But victories. Next week in France, off the negativism as noise to there’s something to be said Steve Stricker celebrates he will be one of US Ryder Cup be ignored. about that, too, where you can winning the Sanford captain Jim Furyk’s assistants. “What people say doesn’t just kind of plod your way International at Minnehaha Stricker finished at 13-under mean anything,” he said. “It’s around, kind of learn as you go Country Club in Sioux Falls, 197, and match Paul Broadhurst what you think. around and take each shot South Dakota on Sunday. for the tour victory lead. “What’s important is what really one shot at a time and Tim Petrovic (65) and Jerry Tiger was thinking. I’m proud keep plugging away. That’s The 51-year-old Stricker Smith (70) tied for second. of him. He’s worked very hard kind of what my mentality was birdied three of the first four Brandt Jobe, tied for the to get his golf game back. this week. I didn’t know some holes and offset bogeys on 13 second-round lead, had a 72 to “He even worked really of the spots to miss it. I wasn’t and 18 with birdies on 15 and 16. drop into a tie for fourth with hard to get the five inches very familiar with it, but all in He shared the lead after each of Kevin Sutherland (67) at 8 US golfer Tiger Woods arrives at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in between his head thinking the all, it worked out.” the first two rounds. under. Roissy yesterday ahead of the 42nd Ryder Cup. right way again.” Joshua still fighting for his place in boxing history

AFP contests and saw Joshua retain allure of the one in the 1970s the International Boxing Feder- where fighters of the calibre of LONDON: World heavyweight ation, World Boxing Association, George Chuvalo and Earnie champion Anthony Joshua is World Boxing Organisation and Shavers contended for, but never unbeaten in 22 professional International Boxing Organi- won, the world title. fights and on Saturday he sation belts. But it seems Joshua’s stopped a man who had never It was arguably Joshua’s most harshest critics are unlikely to been stopped before. impressive performance since a be satisfied unless and until he And yet still the question courageous and skilled 11th- beats World Boxing Council lingers: Just how good is he? The round stoppage of former champion Deontay Wilder in a Briton’s rise through the boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko at much-anticipated heavyweight ranks is one of the few that Wembley last year. title unification fight. merits the label “meteoric”. And it was a reminder too of Talks between the Joshua Anthony Joshua celebrates his win against Alexander Povetkin at the Wembley Stadium in London, Having only taken up boxing Joshua’s remarkably rapid rise. and Wilder camps have stalled Britain on Saturday. a decade ago, the 28-year-old George Foreman, Mike but this appears to be the kind of Joshua, from Watford, north of Tyson, Lennox Lewis and jousting common between rival London, went on to win Olympic Klitschko were all well-regarded promoters ahead of a ‘mega- early rounds to defeat another staying there. “A lot has impressive knowledge of boxing super-heavyweight gold on heavyweight champions yet, fight’ that eventually gets made. Povetkin.“The appeal is who is been done in 10 years but there history -- said: “That fear of home soil at the 2012 Games unlike Joshua, none held the title Certainly there has been no going to beat me -- that’s what is a lot more to do.” Nor is Joshua losing is always there. before turning professional. after so few fights, never mind credible suggestion that Joshua people are interested in. So it’s a obsessed with remaining “Sugar Ray Robinson, the His brutal seventh-round with six defences behind them. is ‘ducking’ Wilder. tough old game. ‘Give Anthony unbeaten solely for the purpose best fighter of all time, can lose. stoppage of Russia’s Alexander No one, least of all Joshua “With my critics, I look at the toughest of the toughest, get of preserving a perfect record if Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Povetkin in front of an estimated himself, has yet elevated him to them like my friends as they look King Kong in there’ -- that’s the it means he misses out on major Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto, 80,000 crowd at London’s the status of ‘all-time great’ and at the smallest things for me to thing in boxing. fights. Duran, Muhammad Ali, Mike Wembley Stadium was his 21st nor can he be blamed if today’s be perfect,” said Joshua after He added: “They always say Prior to the Povetkin fight, Tyson, Evander Holyfield, (all knockout in 22 professional heavyweight division lacks the coming through some testing it’s one thing getting there and Joshua -- displaying an lost).”