Three tied for individual lead, Majesticks top team leaderboard at LIV Golf Adelaide

Three tied for individual lead, Majesticks top team leaderboard at LIV Golf Adelaide
Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC is tied for the lead following the second round of LIV Golf Adelaide. (LIV Golf)
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Updated 16 February 2025
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Three tied for individual lead, Majesticks top team leaderboard at LIV Golf Adelaide

Three tied for individual lead, Majesticks top team leaderboard at LIV Golf Adelaide
  • Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz, Fireballs GC’s Abraham Ancer and Majesticks GC’s Sam Horsfield eye last round glory in Australia

ADELAIDE: Sam Horsfield was not sure of the last time his Majesticks GC produced a top-three finish. Told that it was LIV Golf Boston in 2022, he replied: “Yeah, my memory doesn’t go back that far.”

Since then, 33 LIV Golf tournaments have been played, but now the Majesticks are one round away from ending their record drought — and possibly sweeping both trophies.

They enter the final round of LIV Golf Adelaide with a one-shot advantage on the team leaderboard, while Horsfield has a share of the individual lead with Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz and Fireballs GC’s Abraham Ancer. That trio is three strokes ahead of the rest of the field, while Torque captain Joaquin Niemann and Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm lurk in solo fourth and fifth, respectively.

Sunday could be the biggest day in Majesticks history, with both Horsfield and Henrik Stenson (tied for sixth) in contention. Stenson, a team co-captain along with fellow European stars Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, has the team’s only trophy of any kind, winning individual honors in his LIV Golf debut in 2022 at Bedminster.

“I call them crafty veterans,” said Horsfield, the team’s youngest player. “They’ve been around the block a few times, and they know how to get it done. I think they’re really, really excited. I can feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket, so I’m sure it’s them in a group chat.”

They will have to conquer The Grange course that has proved quite formidable this week, especially with swirling winds that created plenty of challenges. The stroke average for the field on Saturday was more than half a stroke over par (72.611) and played almost a stroke higher than the opening round.

The Majesticks were the only team in which all four players shot rounds under par on Saturday, with Horsfield shooting a three-under 69, Poulter and Westwood shooting two-under 70s, and Stenson contributing a one-under 71. Their cumulative eight- under total was four strokes better than any other team, and left them one stroke ahead of Rahm’s Legion XIII, the winners last week in Riyadh, and Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC.

The UK-centric lineup believes the new LIV Golf format in which all scores count for every round benefits them. Playing in tricky conditions should also favor a team with three veteran players who possess more than 80 career professional wins.

“Looking back at some of the previous years, I think we’ve been one of the more consistent teams, but we haven’t really had those low rounds getting in there,” Stenson said. “Especially with the conditions being as they are, being tough, then if we can just keep on grinding away and playing solid tee to green, then we should give ourselves some good chances.”

Horsfield, 28, is seeking his first LIV Golf individual win and the fourth since turning pro in 2017. The solo leader after an opening 66, he bogeyed his first hole on Saturday and was one over for his round at the turn but steadied the ship on the back nine and finished with two birdies to grab a share of the lead at nine under.

“It was a real tough test,” Horsfield said. “I was really proud of the way that I hung in there and fought.”

His playing partners for the final round experienced LIV Golf success last season, with Ancer winning in Hong Kong and Ortiz in Houston. Ancer also knows what it’s like to win in Australia, having claimed the Australian Open in 2018. His five-under 67 was the lowest score on Saturday.

“I love this kind of golf,” Ancer said. “I’ve always loved playing in Australia. Seeing the conditions like this is exciting. It’s tough, but it’s really good for me.”

Ortiz had three birdies in a four-hole stretch midway through his round en route to shooting 68. He picked his battles in the tricky conditions and also escaped trouble better than anybody else. On Saturday, he was a perfect seven for seven in scrambling.

“You really have to be respectful of the golf course, almost play a little bit defensive, and I think I’ve done a good job of that,” Ortiz said. “I feel like I’ve taken my medicine when I’ve been out of play. I’ve honestly played quite conservative off the tee and into the greens, and I think that’s paid off.”

Team scores

LIV Golf’s new scoring format now counts all four scores in every round in the team competition. Here are the results and scores for each team after Saturday’s Round 2 of LIV Golf Adelaide.

Majesticks GC -10 (Horsfield 69, Poulter 70, Westwood 70, Stenson 71; Rd. 2 score: -8)

T2. Fireballs GC -9 (Ancer 67, Puig 70, Garcia 74, Masaveu 74; Rd. 2 score: -3)

T2. Legion XIII -9 (Hatton 72, McKibbin 71, Rahm 69, Surratt 73; Rd. 2 score: -3)

Crushers GC -5 (Lahiri 70, Casey 71, DeChambeau 73, Howell III 74; Rd. 2 score: E)

Torque GC -3 (Ortiz 68, Niemann 71, Munoz 74, Pereira 79; Rd. 2 score: +5)

Stinger GC -2 (Burmester 71, Grace 72, Schwartzel 73, Oosthuizen 75; Rd. 2 score: +3)

Ripper GC -1 (Herbert 70, Leishman 70, Jones 71, Smith 73; Rd. 2 score: -4)

4Aces GC E (Varner III 71, Pieters 72, Reed 73, Johnson 78; Rd. 2 score: +6)

Hyflyers GC +2 (Steele 70, Tringale 71, Mickelson 74, Ogletree 75; Rd. 2 score: +2)

Iron Heads GC +4 (Ormsby 71, Jang 72, Na 72, Lee 74; Rd. 2 score: +1)

Smash GC +8 (Koepka 71, Kokrak 73, Gooch 74, McDowell 75; Rd. 2 score: +5)

Rangegoats GC +11 (Campbell 70, Uihlein 72, Watson 72, Wolff 80; Rd. 2 score: +6)

Cleeks GC +18 (Bland 73, Meronk 75, Kjettrup 75, Kaymer 79; Rd. 2 score: +14)

 Wildcards: Lee 76, Kim 77


UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid

UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid
Updated 11 sec ago
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UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid

UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid
  • ‘Palestinian Pele’ killed by Israeli gunfire while awaiting aid in Gaza
  • Child refugees carry banner onto pitch before UEFA Super Cup clash 

DUBAI: UEFA unfurled a banner with the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the pitch on Wednesday ahead of the UEFA Super Cup showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, Italy.

The message came as a tribute following the death of Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” who was killed by Israeli gunfire while awaiting aid in Gaza earlier this month.

Nine child refugees from Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iraq carried the banner onto the pitch before the game.

The international football community failed to publicly condemn Al-Obeid’s killing at first, but UEFA later posted a tribute without mentioning or explaining the circumstances surrounding his death. 

In a brief post on X, UEFA said the former national team member was “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” 

Egyptian and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah criticized the tribute, saying: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”


Sinner, Sabalenka sail into Cincinnati quarterfinals

Sinner, Sabalenka sail into Cincinnati quarterfinals
Updated 14 August 2025
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Sinner, Sabalenka sail into Cincinnati quarterfinals

Sinner, Sabalenka sail into Cincinnati quarterfinals
  • Sabalenka had to work after surrendering a second-set break, but she broke Bouzas Maneiro in the final game to seal the victory
  • World No. 1 Sinner, playing his first tournament since lifting the trophy at Wimbledon, notched his 24th consecutive hardcourt match win to gain his fifth quarterfinal of the season
  • Former champion Alexander Zverev polished off a weather-hit third-round victory, winning the final four points of a 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Nakashima

CINCINNATI: Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka booked quarterfinal berths at the rain-hit ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Wednesday with straight-set wins.

Sinner shrugged off a mid-match rain interruption lasting nearly three hours as he advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Adrian Mannarino.

He next faces Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-4, 6-3.

Sabalenka, taken to three sets in her previous match with Emma Raducanu, defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 7-5, winning a season-leading 50th match of 2025 and reaching her 29th career last-eight at the elite 1000 level.

Sabalenka had to work after surrendering a second-set break, but she broke Bouzas Maneiro in the final game to seal the victory.

“The key was to focus and put as much pressure as possible on her serve,” Sabalenka said. “I was up a break, made a couple of mistakes and she broke me back.

“I’m glad to win in straight sets — I didn’t want to stay for three hours.”

World No. 1 Sinner, playing his first tournament since lifting the trophy at Wimbledon, notched his 24th consecutive hardcourt match win to gain his fifth quarterfinal of the season.

The victory required patience, with the Italian who turns 24 on Saturday passing some of the afternoon weather pause by playing cards with his team.

Sinner had won the first set and they were on serve in the second when they returned, but Frenchman’s tricky game took a toll as Sinner was broken while trying to serve out the match.

The second set instead went to a tiebreak, with the Italian firing his 11th and 12th aces to clinch victory.

“He’s a very difficult opponent, different from the other players,” Sinner said. “He can read the opponent well.

“It was a struggle to close it out, but I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals.”

Earlier former champion Alexander Zverev polished off a weather-hit third-round victory, winning the final four points of a 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Nakashima.

The entire one-game exercise, with 2021 Cincy winner Zverev leading 6-4, 5-4 when play resumed, took less than two minutes, with the third seed set for a later fourth-round encounter against Toronto finalist Karen Khachanov.

Fifth seed Ben Shelton, last week’s Toronto winner, reached the fourth round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in a match rescheduled from Tuesday.

Women’s third seed Iga Swiatek and men’s seventh seed Holger Rune both booked quarterfinal berths before afternoon showers struck.

Wimbledon champion Swiatek beat Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3, overcoming 33 unforced errors in a 95-minute victory.

“I wanted to be more solid than in my last match,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy with the level of my focus and the consistency.”

Rune advanced as 2024 finalist Frances Tiafoe retired with lower back pain with Denmark’s Rune up 6-4, 3-1.

The match was a re-run of a quarterfinal here a year ago, won by the American who went on to fall to Sinner in the final.

Tiafoe received treatment on his back but it didn’t seem to help as Rune gained control.

The American walked dejectedly off court, carrying only a pair of shoes while an official carted away his massive tennis bag.

Rune, bothered this season by his own injury worries, secured his 100th career hard-court win and his first defeat of a top 20 opponent since he beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona final in April.

In another match interrupted on Tuesday, Magda Linette reached the fourth round at Cincinnati for the first time with a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 upset of fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.


PSG beat Tottenham on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup after late comeback

PSG beat Tottenham on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup after late comeback
Updated 14 August 2025
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PSG beat Tottenham on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup after late comeback

PSG beat Tottenham on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup after late comeback
  • It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, have lifted the Super Cup, as they take their tally of trophies won in 2025 to five
  • It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique’s team, who had a shortened off-season break having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea

UDINE, Italy: European champions Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware on Wednesday as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2.

Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 just after halftime at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.

Micky van de Ven gave last season’s Europa League winners the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got their second goal three minutes into the second half.

However, PSG were rescued by two substitutes as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equalizer four minutes into injury time.

That meant a penalty shootout, although it started badly for PSG when Vitinha put their first kick wide.

New Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier then saved from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG.

Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up.

It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, have lifted the Super Cup, as they take their tally of trophies won in 2025 to five.

“I am proud. We have hadn’t much preparation but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect — it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics,” PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.

“They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that.”

It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique’s team, who had a shortened off-season break having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago.

They only began pre-season training a week ago and played no friendly matches before this game.

PSG now begin the new Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday away to Nantes, while Spurs will turn their attentions to the start of the Premier League season as they take on Burnley at home on Saturday.

“I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world — maybe the best in this moment in time,” Frank told TNT Sports.

“I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal. Then of course that shifted a little bit the momentum, but there was so much positive.

“I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shootout.”

As well as Frank making his debut on the bench, new signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha both started for Spurs.

Chevalier made his debut in goal for PSG following his arrival from Lille, a move which has sidelined Italy ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Luis Enrique’s team.

The 23-year-old was called into action to tip over a Richarlison shot midway through the first half but he could not prevent Van de Ven giving the Premier League side the lead as the interval approached.

Chevalier did tip a Palhinha shot onto the bar after Spurs sent a ball into the Paris area, but there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop Dutch defender Van de Ven scoring the follow-up.

The new signing was then culpable as Tottenham scored again just after the break, with Chevalier too easily beaten by a header from the unmarked Romero.

It looked like it would not be PSG’s night as Bradley Barcola had an effort disallowed for an offside midway through the second half, but they saved the day with a remarkable late show.

Lee controlled a Vitinha pass before firing low into the far corner from the edge of the box, and Ramos then equalized in the 94th minute by heading in a driven ball across the face of goal by Dembele, setting PSG up for penalties.


Undefeated Australia and Iran set up FIBA Asia Cup semi-final showdown

Undefeated Australia and Iran set up FIBA Asia Cup semi-final showdown
Updated 14 August 2025
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Undefeated Australia and Iran set up FIBA Asia Cup semi-final showdown

Undefeated Australia and Iran set up FIBA Asia Cup semi-final showdown
  • The Aussies comfortably defeat the Philippines 84-60 but the Iranians have to battle back from 21 points down to edge Chinese Taipei 78-75
  • China take on Korea and New Zealand face Lebanon on Thursday as the continental basketball competition continues in Jeddah

JEDDAH: Australia and Iran booked their places in the semi-finals of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 with big wins over the Philippines and Chinese Taipei, as the men’s continental basketball competition continued on Wednesday night in Jeddah.

Reigning two-time champions Australia defeated the Philippines 84-60 and remain unbeaten in the competition since entering it for the first time in 2017.

The Boomers dominated from the start, sinking seven 3-pointers in the first quarter on the way to building a 29-12 lead. Jaylin Galloway led the early charge, while Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay contributed impressive performances on the offensive and defensive fronts.

“I'm just really proud of how we rebounded and defended,” said coach Adam Caporn. “We just rallied on the defensive end and on the boards. I’m very happy.

Disappointed Philippines coach Tim Cone said: “We really liked our time together. I like the way we play, I like the togetherness, they are all easy to coach, but I didn’t like our performance tonight.”

Philippines center Justin Brownlee, whose 3-pointer forced overtime on Monday in the play-off victory over Saudi Arabia, was held in check this time by the Australian defense and finished with 10 points on 3-of-7 field goal shooting.

In the day’s other quarter-final, Iran completed one of the most dramatic comebacks ever seen at Asia Cup, reversing a 21-point deficit to edge Chinese Taipei 78-75 at King Abdullah Sports City.

The turnaround was about more than simply advancing to the semi-finals for the Iranians, it was about reaffirming their status as genuine title contenders.

“At halftime, we had a long talk and we changed the approach,” said coach Sotirios Manolopoulos. “We had to start from defense to play aggressively, possession by possession. We knew we will get our shots, and this time we will make our shots. For the second half, we played to our maximum.”

For Chinese Taipei, the defeat marked a heartbreaking end to the competition.

“We shot better but we still lost the game; this is basketball,” said coach Gianluca Tuccil.

Australia and Iran, both of whom are unbeaten in this year’s competition, will face off on Saturday at King Abdullah Sports City for a spot in the final.

China will take on South Korea and then New Zealand face Lebanon in the remaining two quarter-finals, which take place on Thursday.


NBA approves $6.1bn sale of Boston Celtics

NBA approves $6.1bn sale of Boston Celtics
Updated 14 August 2025
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NBA approves $6.1bn sale of Boston Celtics

NBA approves $6.1bn sale of Boston Celtics

NEW YORK: The NBA on Wednesday approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to an investment group led by Bill Chisholm, five months after the deal worth a then-record $6.1 billion was agreed.

“The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the controlling interests in the Boston Celtics to an investor group led by Bill Chisholm,” the league said in a brief statement.

“The transaction is expected to close shortly.”

Chisholm is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group. When he and his co-investors agreed to purchase the storied Celtics franchise “at an initial valuation of $6.1 billion,” that was the highest ever offered for a North American sports team.

It has since been surpassed by the $10 billion sale, in June, of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Buss family to billionaire Mark Walter.

When the Celtics sale was announced, it was stated that Wyc Grousbeck would continue in his roles of chief executive officer and governor, overseeing team operations through the 2027-28 season.

The Grousbeck family and Steve Pagliuca purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002.

But US media reported this week that Chisholm — a Massachusetts native who calls himself a “die-hard Celtics fan” — will assume the role of governor because under the terms of the deal, Grousbeck will no longer have the required 15 percent ownership stake the league requires to hold that role.

Nevertheless, ESPN reported that Chisholm and Grousbeck “plan to run the team together as originally planned.”

The Celtics are one of the most storied in the NBA’s history, with a record 18 championships, the most recent in 2024.