Friday, March 29TRUSTED FEARLESS INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS PORTAL

Tag: Golf

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Golfer Anirban Lahiri targets Olympic spot: ‘I can’t cry about it, it’s upto me’

Anirban Lahiri, a former World No. 33 and one of India’s top golfers, has had many reasons to be content with his move away from the professional tours to the Saudi-backed upstart LIV Golf tour. Financial security, fixed schedule, and ‘work-life balance’ are some.However, the move is now coming in the way of his next goal – to represent India at the Olympics again. Since playing on the LIV tour does not grant world ranking points, Lahiri, who moved away from competing on the PGA Tour in the US to LIV in 2022, only has an outside chance to be on the flight to Paris in the summer. Only 60 players will make it to the Olympics golf event decided by the Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) based on world rankings. The top 15 players (maximum of four per country) receive automatic entry, and outside th...
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Aditi Ashok clinches Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana title in stellar fashion | Golf News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian sensation Aditi Ashok secured her second victory of the Ladies European Tour (LET) season, triumphing with a two-shot win at the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana. The tournament, held at Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, witnessed Ashok's exceptional performance, marked by rounds of 69-68-68 and a stunning bogey-free final-round 66, culminating in a total of 17-under-par."It was a great battle. Anne [Van Dam], when she's playing good, she can blow the field away and win by five to 10 shots. I knew I had to not stop making birdies and to keep trying," emphasised Ashok in the aftermath of her hard-fought victory.The 25-year-old golfer showcased her resilience and skill, facing stiff competition from Dutch star Anne Van Dam, who concluded the tournament in second place ...
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Still base, arm swing, golf: Experts decode Glenn Maxwell’s power hitting | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Glenn Maxwell took Australia to the ICC World Cup semi-finals literally on one leg, as the six he whipped to signal his double century as well as Australia's victory exemplified how he maneuvered his injured state to produce one of the most sensational knocks in ODI cricket, especially in a run-chase. Maxwell was cramping up badly during his innings at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, after he was joined by skipper Pat Cummins, with the Australian innings on the ropes at 91/7 while chasing 292 to win against Afghanistan. But the Australian all-rounder scripted an unthinkable comeback from that precarious situation to hit a 128-ball 201 not out as the Aussies not just chased down the target for a three-wicket win and a place in the semi-finals, but did it with 3.1 overs to spare.It ...
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Phil Mickelson’s billion dollar wagers: Explosive allegations include $100 million in lost bets | Golf News – Times of India

Phil Mickelson can’t catch a break. The veteran golfer, who’s got a lot of backlash over the past year finds himself in the eye of yet another storm. Unlike the last few times when Mickelson has been criticised for disparaging both—the PGA and LIV Golf Tours—and subsequently signing up for the latter, this time, the damage has been done by revelations from an upcoming book penned by former associate and golfing buddy Billy Walters.77-year-old Walters, who is a well-known figure in professional betting circles, was convicted of insider trading and has spent five years in prison. In his book, ‘Gambling: Secrets from a life of risk,’ Walter alleges that Mickelson has lost over $100 million in bad debts and wagered close to one billion dollars in his betting career.Mickelson’s gambling prob...
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Brian Harman clinches British Open title with dominant six-shot victory | Golf News – Times of India

American golfer Brian Harman emerged victorious in a commanding fashion at the British Open, claiming his first major title on a rain-soaked Hoylake course. Holding a five-shot lead going into the final round, Harman showcased nerves of steel as he sealed a memorable victory with a six-shot margin over the chasing pack.The final round proved to be a test of character for the world number 26, as he encountered a shaky start on the Royal Liverpool course. A bogey on the second hole, resulting from a wayward approach shot, was followed by another dropped shot on the par-five fifth after a wild tee-shot.Despite these early hiccups, Harman's composure and stellar putting skills came to the forefront. A crucial response came in the form of back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh holes, ...
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Environmental activists briefly disrupt British Open by dumping orange powder beside 17th green

Environmental activists briefly interrupted play at the British Open on Friday by throwing orange powder beside the 17th green at Royal Liverpool, prompting American player Billy Horschel to intervene. Police and security guards quickly took action to keep the Just Stop Oil protesters from causing a bigger disruption during the second round. Play resumed not long after the protesters were removed. Horschel was playing the hole at the time and helped a greenside marshal lead one of the protesters away. The other players at the 17th were Corey Conners and Alex Noren. They were marking their balls and getting ready to hit their second shots when the disruption started. All three players made par on the hole. The affected area was cleaned up before the next group hit their tee shots. “They ...
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Travis Smyth: WATCH: Australian Travis Smyth sinks hole-in-one at Open | Golf News – Times of India

Australian golfer Travis Smyth achieved a remarkable feat by claiming the first hole-in-one at the challenging 17th hole at this year's Open on Friday.The Royal Liverpool's new par-three hole presented a difficult task with its upturned saucer green protected by deep bunkers, making it a tricky shot for many players.However, Smyth displayed exceptional skill and precision as he teed off and sent the ball on a beautiful trajectory. With a hop, the ball disappeared into the hole, eliciting tremendous cheers and applause from the enthusiastic crowd gathered at the course.While this exceptional shot brought a moment of glory for Smyth, who had double-bogeyed the same hole on Thursday, it couldn't significantly change his overall score, which was at eight over par.Unfortunately, despite his ...
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Cameron Smith sees bright future for golf in PGA Tour-LIV merger | Golf News – Times of India

British Open champion Cameron Smith remains optimistic about the future of golf, despite the uncertainties surrounding the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Smith, who was one of the notable players to join the PIF-backed breakaway LIV Golf tour, acknowledges the legal challenges that ensued from the move.Last month, a surprise announcement revealed a "framework agreement" for a merger between the PGA and DP World Tours and the PIF's golf-related commercial businesses, including LIV Golf. However, the specifics of the deal and how it will be implemented, particularly concerning the participation of LIV Golf players on the PGA Tour, are still unclear.Despite the ongoing uncertainties, Smith maintains a positive outlook on the sport's future, hig...
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Watch: NBA star Stephen Curry exults after making hole-in-one at celebrity golf event | Golf News – Times of India

In an impressive display of skill and enthusiasm, NBA superstar Stephen Curry achieved a hole-in-one during the second round of a celebrity golf tournament on Saturday. The Golden State Warriors guard Curry, renowned as a four-time NBA champion, is widely recognized for his passion for golf, having previously participated in a developmental tour event in 2017.During the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Tahoe South course in Stateline, Nevada, Curry accomplished his remarkable feat at the par-3 seventh hole. With a single bounce, his tee shot found its way into the hole, eliciting a joyous roar of approval from the crowd.Overwhelmed with excitement, Curry sprinted towards the green, removing his cap and triumphantly extending his index finger in a "No. 1" gesture to the sky....
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Diksha Dagar wins Czech Ladies Open, her second Ladies European Tour title | Golf News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The talented India golfer Diksha Dagar on Sunday clinched the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open, registering a commanding four-shot win at Czechia in Czech Republic. It was her second Ladies European Tour (LET) event title, and her first since 2019.The 22-year-old southpaw Diksha won her first LET title back in 2019 in her rookie year and in 2021 she was part of the winning team at the Aramco Team Series in London.Diksha is in terrific form this season, registering four Top-10 finishes. This was her 79th start on the LET and she now has two individual wins and nine Top-10 finishes.Starting the day with a five-shot lead, Diksha, who hails from Jhajjar in Haryana, duly delivered the win with no hiccups.Diksha's final round 69 included four birdies and just one bogey in a week. She dro...
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Wyndham Clark holds off Rory McIlroy to capture maiden major at US Open | Golf News – Times of India

LOS ANGELES: Wyndham Clark held his nerve to win the 123rd US Open on Sunday, capturing his first major title and denying four-time major winner Rory McIlroy his first in nine years.Clark, whose previous best finish in six prior major starts was a tie for 75th, shrugged off two late bogeys to close with a pair of confident pars for an even-par 70 to seal victory with a 10-under-par total of 270 at Los Angeles Country Club.That was good enough for a one-shot win over McIlroy, who also closed with a 70. World number one Scottie Scheffler carded an even-par final round to finish third on 273.Clark dedicated his Father's Day victory to his late mother, who died from breast cancer in 2013."I just felt like my mum was watching over me today. She can't be here. I miss you mum," said Clark, who...
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Lying third and one off the lead, Aditi Ashok eyes historic win on LPGA | Golf News – Times of India

CLIFTON (New Jersey): Aditi Ashok, taking advantage of the warmer weather, moved up to tied third and within one shot of the lead at the 2023 Cognizant Founders Cup as she bids to become the first Indian to win on the LPGA Tour.Following up on her first round 3-under 68, Aditi, playing her seventh year on the Tour, added 4-under 67 to get to 7-under 137 and one shot behind co-leaders, Australian Sara Kemp (65) and Korea's Jin Young Ko (68).Aditi is the winner of one Ladies European Tour event this season and runner-up at the JM Eagle LA Championship, where she lost in a play-off.Among those missing the cut are Rolex Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda, two-time 2023 LPGA Tour winner Lilia Vu and 2023 JM Eagle LA Championship winner Hannah Green.Aditi, who had six birdies against two bogeys, said...
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Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend alleges sexual harassment | Golf News – Times of India

Erica Herman, Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend who is suing the golf superstar for $30 million, alleges that Woods forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding their sexual relationship or risk losing her job at his restaurant.The non-disclosure agreement (NDA) was a previously known element of the lawsuit, but a state court filing on Friday in Florida spelled out Herman's position on the key piece of evidence.According to USA Today, Herman's attorney, Benjamin Hodas, wrote, "Mr. Woods was Ms. Herman's boss. On Mr. Woods's own portrayal of events, he imposed an NDA on her as a condition to keep her job when she began having a sexual relationship with him. A boss imposing different work conditions on his employee because of their sexual relationship is sexual harassment."Hodas' docu...
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Golfer Aditi Ashok charges to lead at LA Championship | Golf News – Times of India

India's Aditi Ashok, who missed the cut in each of her previous three LPGA tournaments this year, holds a one-shot lead after the second round of the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship on Friday in Los Angeles.Ashok carded a 1-under-par 70 at Wilshire Country Club on Friday, leaving her at 6-under 136.Cheyenne Knight, Australia's Hannah Green and Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg are tied for second at 5 under. Knight and Green each shot 69 in the second round, and Lindberg shot 70.Alison Lee (second-round 71), Australia's Sarah Kemp (68) and Sweden's Linnea Strom (70) share fifth place at 4 under.First-round leader Linnea Johansson of Sweden stumbled to a 75 on Friday, leaving her tied for eighth place at 3 under. Also at 3 under are Japan's Ayaka Furue (second-round 70), Japan's Yuna Nishimu...
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Brooks Koepka extends Masters lead before round three suspended due to rain | Golf News – Times of India

AUGUSTA: LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka extended his Masters lead to four shots over Spaniard Jon Rahm before third-round play at windy and cold Augusta National Golf Club was suspended for the day due to intense rain that waterlogged the course.Koepka, who began the day two shots clear of Rahm with amateur Sam Bennett a further two strokes back, had one birdie through six holes and was staring at an 11-foot par putt at the seventh when play was suspended at 3:15 p.m. ET (1915 GMT) with no players having completed their rounds.It marked the second consecutive day that rain interrupted play at the year's first major as 39 golfers returned early on Saturday to complete their second round."Yeah, it's obviously super difficult," said Koepka. "Ball's not going anywhere. You've got rain to deal wit...
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Tiger Woods’ painful Augusta Masters walk results in opening 74

Tiger Woods split the fairway with his opening shot Thursday, confidently plucking his tee from the ground before his ball had even landed, and set off with grim-faced determination for a steamy trek around Augusta National.The rest of his day at the Masters was mostly just grim. There were two wicked lip-outs on the front side. A pitch shot dumped in a greenside bunker on the back. Some bad luck off the tee at 18, which left him with a painfully awkward stance. And on just about every hole, a pronounced limp — the evidence of the crash on a suburban Los Angeles road just over two years ago that crushed bones in his right leg and ankle. By the time Woods struggled through the finishing hole, failing to get up and down from another bunker, he had shot 74 — good enough to stay in contenti...
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Tiger Woods’ apparent ex-girlfriend Erica Herman approaches court to void NDA: US media reports

Tiger Woods and longtime girlfriend Erica Herman appear to have split up, and a legal battle could ensue. Us Weekly and TMZ reported on Wednesday that Herman wants a court to void a non-disclosure agreement that Woods required her to sign when they became a couple in 2017. In her court filing, a copy of which both outlets obtained, Herman said the Speak Out Act gives her the right to talk. Under the Speak Out Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in December, non-disclosure and non-disparagement documents are not enforceable when sexual assault and/or sexual harassment comes after such agreements are entered into. “Because of the aggressive use of the Woods NDA against her by the Defendant and the trust under his control, the Plaintiff is unsure whether she may disclose, among...
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Nico Echavarria wins PGA Puerto Rico Open | Golf News – Times of India

MIAMI: Colombia's Nico Echavarria held his nerve to seal a maiden professional victory at the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open on Sunday, carding a four-under-par 68 to win by two strokes.Echavarria, who had taken a two-shot lead after Saturday's third round, took the title after finishing with three birdies on the back nine at Rio Grande's Grand Reserve Golf Club to close on 21 under.Akshay Bhatia of the United States took second place after a final-round charge that threatened to eclipse Echavarria.Bhatia started with a bogey but then rattled in eight birdies for a seven-under-par 65, leaving him at 19 under.His round finished with four straight birdies but it was ultimately not enough to deny Echavarria his first title since turning professional six years ago.Nate Lashley and Carson Young...
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Aditi Ashok maintains brilliant run, leads world No. 1 Lydia Ko by two shots

India’s Aditi Ashok continued her brilliant run as she added a 6-under 66 in the second round to move to 13-under and a two-shot lead over world No. 1 Lydia Ko in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International here on Friday. Aditi, who in the last two weeks had won in Kenya and finished third in Morocco, is leading a star-studded field at the USD 5 million event on the Ladies European Tour. Starting on the tenth tee, Aditi was in excellent form as she found five birdies and an eagle on the back nine of the Royal Green Golf Club to score 7-under 29 on the stretch. Getting to the front nine, Aditi, who was bogey free on the first day, bogeyed the first and sixth and was on 12-under when she holed a final birdie to move to 13-under and two clear of Lydia, who had earlier finished the day at 3-unde...