Woods inconsistent in PGA return as Cantlay leads at Riviera

Tiger Woods hits from the sand on the 10th hole during the first round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports)
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Updated 16 February 2024
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Woods inconsistent in PGA return as Cantlay leads at Riviera

  • Tiger Woods: I was either making birdies or bogeys and just never really got anything consistent going today
  • World No. 7 Cantlay piled up eight birdies in his 7-under 64, which gave him a one-stroke lead over Australians Cam Davis and Jason Day and American Luke List

LOS ANGELES: Tiger Woods got off to an erratic start in his first US PGA Tour event in more than 10 months, firing a one-over par 72 that left him eight shots behind first-round leader Patrick Cantlay at the Genesis Invitational.

Woods, playing his first tour-sanctioned tournament since ankle surgery in April — two weeks after he withdrew from the third round of the Masters with foot pain — had five birdies and six bogeys at The Riviera Country Club, where his miscues included a surprising shank of his second shot from the fairway at 18.

“Oh, definitely, I shanked it,” said Woods, adding that back spasms that he’s subject to since spinal fusion surgery contributed.

He recovered by punching an eight-iron through a pair of trees to salvage a bogey, and said his long layoff — with two “soft” tuneup events in December — had left him lacking “sharpness.”

“A lot of good and a lot of indifferent,” Woods said. “It was one or the other ... I was either making birdies or bogeys and just never really got anything consistent going today.”

World No. 7 Cantlay, meanwhile, piled up eight birdies in his 7-under 64, which gave him a one-stroke lead over Australians Cam Davis and Jason Day and American Luke List.

Davis shook off an early bogey to post seven birdies while List and Day both had six birdies in their 6-under 65s.

Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge shared fifth on 5-under 66.

“I thought it was good,” said Cantlay, an eight-time PGA Tour winner who is seeking his first title since 2022.

“Obviously got off to a great start,” added the American, who birdied the first and second and added birdies at the fourth, sixth and eighth to make the turn at 5-under.

Birdies at 11, 13 and 14 pushed him to 8-under — and a two-shot lead — but he gave a stroke back with an unlikely bogey at the par-three 16th — where his tee shot hit a tree and dropped 58 yards short of the green and his second found a greenside bunker.

“I got up and down for bogey, it was a good up-and-down,” he said. “Obviously a spot I’ve never been.”

The miscue was only a blip as Cantlay enjoyed a strong day on the greens — including birdie putts of 26 feet and 28 feet at the eighth and 14th respectively.

“I putted really, really well,” Cantlay said. “Made every putt I should have and a couple of longer ones.”

Cantlay played in the group ahead of Woods and said the 48-year-old superstar’s influence can be seen not only in the crowds he continues to draw but in the attacking style of today’s young pros.

“The Tiger effects, you see it this week, you’ve seen it for the last 15 years,” Cantlay said. “Young kids are growing up with better information, more drive and they’ve been emulating him for over a decade now. So I think that has led to a generation of golfers that as a whole are better.”

The tournament, hosted by Woods for the benefit of his charitable foundation, is the third of the tour’s eight signature events this year, designed to draw the top players and carrying a winner’s prize of $4 million.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened his campaign with a 3-under par 68 that left him tied for 10th.

Second-ranked Rory McIlroy — who came into the week with a chance to supplant Scheffler atop the rankings with a victory — carded a 3-over 74 that featured a double bogey at the 15th and a triple bogey six at the par-3 16th.

The Northern Ireland star responded with his fourth birdie of the day at the par-5 17th, but he missed the fairway at 18 and closed with a bogey.


Saudi Polo Federation names six participants for Desert Polo Championship in AlUla

Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi Polo Federation names six participants for Desert Polo Championship in AlUla

  • The teams are AlUla, Richard Mille, Dadan, Budget, Bentley, and Ikmah
  • Pierro Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, will attend the event

RIYADH: The Saudi Polo Federation on Saturday announced the six teams to participate in the 2025 Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship, which will take place on Jan. 17-18 in AlUla.

The teams are AlUla, Richard Mille, Dadan, Budget, Bentley, and Ikmah. They will compete in the fourth edition of the championship, which is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.

A media statement said Pierro Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, will attend the competition.

The matches will be held at the Village of Knights, featuring top international players, led by Adolfo Cambiaso, widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of polo.

Saudi rider Prince Sultan bin Khaled Al-Faisal, alongside Prince Abbas bin Ali and Prince Hamza bin Abbas from Jordan will participate in the tournament.

The contenders will be divided into two groups; AlUla, Dadan and Ikmah in Group 1, while Group 2 comprises Bentley, Budget and Richard Mille.

Chairman of the Saudi Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, confirmed the readiness of the Village of Knights to host the event, promising strong competition and highlighting the continued development and growing popularity of the sport in Saudi Arabia.

“This fourth edition of the championship has witnessed significant improvements, alongside accompanying events and entertainment activities for spectators,” Zidan said.


EA Team of the Year celebrates top football players 

Updated 12 January 2025
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EA Team of the Year celebrates top football players 

RIYADH: To celebrate the best football players of the year, EA Sports has launched Team of the Year, allowing fans to create and vote for their dream team.

Saudi Arabia’s football talent is Salem Al-Dawsari, midfielder for Al-Hilal, who has earned his place as one of TOTY’s nominees, showcasing the region’s growing impact in the world of football.

Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has also been nominated for TOTY.

Following the Italian and Spanish Super Cup matches, which were held in Riyadh and Jeddah, this year’s TOTY card lineup includes players from Italian teams AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus, and Spanish teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

TOTY has cards for each position — goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers — allowing fans to create the ultimate fantasy men’s or women’s football team.

The EA FC 25 TOTY vote will be closed on Jan. 12, 2025. 

For more information on Team of the Year, visit www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-25/toty 


Arab tennis hero Ons Jabeur plans to bounce back in 2025

Updated 12 January 2025
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Arab tennis hero Ons Jabeur plans to bounce back in 2025

  • After a year beset by injuries, the Tunisian star tells Arab News she is confident of hitting the heights again

DUBAI: Last year was not one that Tunisian tennis superstar Ons Jabeur will remember with great fondness.

Having enthralled fans with her unique brand of tennis in the two previous years, reaching two Wimbledon finals and hitting the world No.2 ranking, 2024 was beset by injuries and disruptions.

As Jabeur prepares to launch her Australian Open campaign against Anhelina Kalinina of the Ukraine, she is determined to get back to the form that her army of supporters had come to expect of her.

“I’m feeling much better, happy to be back,” she told Arab News. “I feel like I’m playing good, I’m getting back into the game. I feel very motivated and definitely very positive. I can continue playing even better and the good news is there are a lot of great things to improve.”

Since landing in Australia at the start of the year, Jabeur has taken part in the Brisbane International, where she reached the quarterfinals, as well as the Adelaide International. Improving her form, and not her current WTA world ranking of 39, is the priority.

“I feel like ranking maybe would be a bit irrelevant in this case because if I focus a lot on it, I might kind of not see the level that I was in (before). I was in the top 10 for a good time and I think I need to always remember that I have that level to be one of the great players in the world.

“I always say the most important thing is that I should have the level and the ranking will follow up no matter how much time it will take.

“It is very important for me to get back to my game, and definitely improve a lot of points in my game. That would help me be a better player, especially, playing against these unbelievable players, they’re improving all the time and tennis is improving all the time. And I think it is really important for me to keep up with that game.”

Despite a tough year, Jabeur is now looking forward to mixing it with the next generation of players, for whom she has plenty of praise.

“It’s very impressive. A lot of things are growing very fast, (there are) a lot of unbelievable players,” she said.  “You can see the level is super close between different players and it’s definitely an honor for me to be part of this generation, they are younger than me, but playing at the same time, it’s great to see that.

“It’s definitely motivating to get back on to the court and try to impose my game, because I know my game is a bit different than any other player and the challenge is kind of exciting.”

The Arab tennis hero is confident that she can return to the form she showed in 2022 and 2023.

“Definitely, yes. I think it’s a matter of time, a matter of motivation, and how mentally I feel about it because I always say if you’re mentally ready, and if in your head you’re ready, you can achieve anything. I think your body will follow and everything will follow.

“Now I think I have more experience than in 2022, which is a bonus I could use. But I’m definitely ready to get back into the game, to fight hard and leave everything on the court.”

Aside from her personal targets on court, Jabeur continues to be an inspiration for young Arab tennis talent, Both female and male.

“Of course, it’s one of my goals,” she said. “One of my dreams is to see our players playing on tour. I think we have the talent, I think we have so many motivated players to play on tour and I can say nothing is impossible.

“Just training from Tunisia, I discovered a lot of things and like I said, I’m happy to share my experience and … one day when I’m 100 percent focused, on maybe giving back more. That’s something I really want to do, and I think our region deserves to have more and more champions at international level.”

Saudi Arabia recently awarded citizenship to 15-year-old French tennis player Maysan Hussein, who is of Tunisian origin, and Jabeur believes such moves can help more players get a platform to realise their potential.

“I know Maysan, I met her and met her father, very nice people. Every player deserves the support, deserves to be there, deserves to not think about how much everything will cost. They just need to focus on their training and doing their best. And what Saudi and other countries are doing is really great and I hope they can help her and they can set a good program for her. I wish her well.”

 


Najmul to lead Bangladesh in Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy

Updated 12 January 2025
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Najmul to lead Bangladesh in Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy

  • Key players Liton Das and former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan not part of the squad
  • ODI Champions Trophy tournament takes place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19

DHAKA: Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai next month, the cricket board said Sunday, with key players including Liton Das missing the cut.

Former star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also missing from the 15-man squad for the one-day international tournament.

The Champions Trophy takes place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 with Bangladesh placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Bangladesh are ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.

They play their opener against India in Dubai on February 20.

Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.


Australian Open: Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen starts her bid for another final on a rainy Day 1

Updated 12 January 2025
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Australian Open: Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen starts her bid for another final on a rainy Day 1

  • They had just finished the pre-match formalities when play was delayed by a few minutes so that the roof could be closed
  • It was one of the matches that continued under cover when tournament organizers suspended play on all outside courts until later in the afternoon

MELBOURNE: Zheng Qinwen’s tennis resume is quite different from what it was when she showed up at the Australian Open a full year ago. No matter everything she accomplished in 2024 — a runner-up finish at Melbourne Park; an Olympic gold medal for China — she felt jitters before entering Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
After overcoming some hiccups late in the opening set of her first-round match on a stormy Day 1 at the season’s first major tennis tournament, Zheng came through with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory against Anca Todoni, a 20-year-old qualifier from Romania who has won one Grand Slam match in her career.
“Actually, I feel really nervous,” said Zheng, who is seeded No. 5. “I started to feel nervous already since yesterday, ‘cause I felt special emotion for the Australian Open. ... I really like it here.”
As well she should.
It was 12 months ago on Melbourne’s hard courts that Zheng made it all the way to the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. The two-time champion was due to begin her title defense as the No. 1 seed on Sunday night against 2017 US Open title winner Sloane Stephens, before Alexander Zverev, the men’s No. 2 seed, faced Lucas Pouille.
Before her run in Australia last January, Zheng had only played in eight major tournaments, making one quarterfinal. Her big-hitting breakthrough opened a season in which she wound up with a gold draped around her neck at the Paris Games in August.
The 22-year-old Zheng’s power-based game is best suited for hard courts, and playing indoors doesn’t hurt, either, so she eventually was quite comfortable against Todoni under a closed retractable roof, while thunder and lightning and a serious downpour suspended action on the courts that can’t be covered.
Still, Zheng frittered away set points while serving for the opener at 5-4, then was forced to save set points for Todoni later. Afterward, Zheng said that being nervous usually makes her focus better, but this time, it didn’t make “me play my best tennis out there.”
Maybe that’s because it was her first match of the season. Still, she was good enough on this day.
The second set was more one-sided, and Todoni took a medical timeout for treatment on her lower back after three games.
Zheng was among only a handful of players able to complete matches in the early going at what is now a 15-day tournament after a Sunday start was instituted last year. That extra time, which spreads out the first round across three days, could be particularly helpful this week, when Monday’s packed program already included matches for Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
Other winners Sunday afternoon included No. 14 Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old from Russia; No. 18 Donna Vekic and No. 20 Arthur Fils.
“To be able to play a match and to finish a match with a roof, it’s much more easy than ... to stop with the rain,” said Fils, who eliminated Otto Virtanen of Finland 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4. “So, yeah, it’s a nice treatment.”