Burmester, Stringers take lead on tough first day at LIV Golf Andalucia

Burmester, Stringers take lead on tough first day at LIV Golf Andalucia
Dean Burmester of Stinger GC smiles during a press conference after the first round of LIV Golf Andalucía at Real Club Valderrama on Friday. (Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf)
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Updated 13 July 2024
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Burmester, Stringers take lead on tough first day at LIV Golf Andalucia

Burmester, Stringers take lead on tough first day at LIV Golf Andalucia
  • South African shot a 5-under 66 for a one-shot advantage while leading Stinger GC to the top of the team leaderboard

SOTOGRANDE: Real Club Valderrama bared its teeth in Friday’s first round of LIV Golf Andalucia, making it the toughest scoring day in the league’s young history.

Dean Burmester shot a 5-under 66 for a one-shot advantage while leading Stinger GC to the top of the team leaderboard, but even the South African was not sure how he managed the low score.

“Valderrama is some place,” said Burmester, the individual winner earlier this season in Miami on another difficult course, Doral’s Blue Monster. “… I don’t know how I shot 5-under, to be honest with you.”

Only seven of the 54 players in the field were under par, the fewest amount in a single round of any LIV Golf regular-season tournament. The field stroke average of 3.519 over par, with five players shooting 80 or higher, is the highest for any of LIV Golf’s 88 regular-season rounds. Collectively, the field was 190 over, and just one hole played under par, the par-5 11th.

Gusting winds reaching nearly 20 mph from a direction that was different from the practice days required players to throw their game plans out the window. The winds also dried the greens, creating firm putting surfaces.

Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia, who has more experience at Spain’s most celebrated golf course than any other LIV Golf player, told fellow Spaniard and playing partner Jon Rahm early in their round that Valderrama was “showing some teeth today. Probably not the whole mouth but definitely the teeth.”

The Legion XIII captain replied: “Some teeth? I think it’s more than that.”

Rahm, making his first start in his home country since joining LIV Golf in the offseason, shot a 2-over 73 on a day in which he said he made just one mistake, misjudging his putt on the 13th hole, leading to a three-putt bogey. 

“I feel like I played really good,” said Rahm, in an eight-way tie for 16th. “The scores on this golf course a lot of times are worse than it feels like.”

Garcia was one of those seven players under par, shooting a 2-under 69 to share fourth place with Crushers GC’s Anirban Lahiri. Fireballs teammate Eugenio Chacarra of Spain was one stroke better, shooting a 68 as his game continues to trend up after a tie for third at last week’s International Series Morocco.

“My goal for today was to play smart golf,” Chacarra said. “I know my game is there.”

The Fireballs, with three Spanish players on their roster, are at 2-under and in second place on the team leaderboard, two shots behind the Stingers.

The closest pursuer to Burmester on the individual leaderboard is Iron Heads GC’s Danny Lee, who shot a 4-under 67. It is his fourth-best round relative to par this season as he has struggled for results. He entered this week ranked 45th in points. 

“Definitely a sign that I’m moving into the right direction,” said Lee, whose goal is to finish the regular season inside the top 24 to lock up playing privileges for 2025.

For Burmester, the key to survival on Friday was his putter. He needed just 21 putts, which tied for fewest in the field with wild card player Anthony Kim, who shot a 73.

“It was probably one of the best putting rounds I’ve ever had as a professional,” Burmester said. “Just every time I stood over a putt, I just felt like could I make it. You don’t get days like that too often.”

LIV Golf players have never seen a day like this, and they are hoping for a bit of relief this weekend in the final two rounds.

“Can it be more difficult? Yes, everything can be more difficult,” Rahm said. “… But not a lot harder, obviously. Today was a pretty hard day.”

 

TEAM COUNTING SCORES

Standings and counting scores for Friday’s opening round of the team competition at LIV Golf Andalucia. The three best scores from each team count in the first two rounds while all four scores count in the final round. The team with the lowest cumulative score after three rounds wins the team title. 

 
1. STINGER GC -4 (Burmester 66, Oosthuizen 70, Schwartzel 73)

 
2. FIREBALLS GC -2 (Chacarra 68, Garcia 69, Ancer 74)

 
3. IRON HEADS GC -1 (Lee 67, Vincent 72, Na 73)

 
T4. CRUSHERS GC +4 (Lahiri 69, Casey 74, DeChambeau 74)

 
T4. MAJESTICKS GC +4 (Horsfield 70, Westwood 71, Poulter 76)

 
T6. CLEEKS GC +6 (Bland 71, Kaymer 72, Meronk 76)

 
T6. TORQUE GC +6 (Ortiz 72, Pereira 73, Muñoz 74)

 
8. 4ACES GC +8 (Reed 72, Johnson 73, Perez 76)

 
9. LEGION XIII +9 (Hatton 72, Rahm 73, Vincent 77)

 
10. RIPPER GC +10 (Smith 72, Herbert 75, Leishman 76)

 
T11. SMASH GC +13 (Koepka 75, McDowell 75, Gooch 76)

 
T11. HYFLYERS GC +13 (Mickelson 73, Tringale 76, Steele 77)

 
13. RANGEGOATS GC +18 (Wolff 73, Pieters 79, Watson 79)


Saudi skiing pioneer Fayik Abdi carries Kingdom’s hopes at 2025 Asian Winter Games

Saudi skiing pioneer Fayik Abdi carries Kingdom’s hopes at 2025 Asian Winter Games
Updated 3 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi skiing pioneer Fayik Abdi carries Kingdom’s hopes at 2025 Asian Winter Games

Saudi skiing pioneer Fayik Abdi carries Kingdom’s hopes at 2025 Asian Winter Games
  • At the age of 24, Abdi became the first ever athlete from the Kingdom to take part in the Winter Olympics

LONDON: It was three years ago that Fayik Abdi’s life changed forever. At the age of 24, Abdi became the first ever athlete from Saudi Arabia to compete in the Winter Olympics, taking part in the men’s giant slalom event at the Beijing 2022 Games. Just a couple of years earlier, he had been working as a ski technician in the resorts of Utah.

Abdi finished in 44th place out of 46 in China — a huge achievement given that a further 43 athletes, almost half of the entire giant slalom field, did not complete the race. Unsurprisingly, it is a memory that still feels fresh in the mind of the Saudi skier.

“It was surreal,” Abdi told Arab News. “Walking into the Olympic Village, wearing the Saudi flag and knowing I was making history was overwhelming.

“Being the first Saudi athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics was an incredible honor, and it’s something I will always be proud of. There was a lot of pressure, but at the same time, I felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility.

“It wasn’t about me — it was about inspiring others in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world to dream big and believe that anything is possible.”

The impact of Abdi competing was almost immediate. The Saudi Snow Sports Federation was established as an independent entity in 2022 and athletes interested in representing the Kingdom internationally began to approach the organization.

Fast-forward three years and Abdi is now leading the first ever Saudi delegation at the Asian Winter Olympics, which launched with its opening ceremony on Friday.

Returning to China, this time to the resort of Harbin, the 27-year-old is no longer alone. Alongside Abdi are two female skiers — Joud Farhoud and Sharifa Al-Sudairi — and a male curling team.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Abdi said from the athletes’ village in Harbin. “Just a few years ago, we had very little representation in winter sports, and now we have a growing delegation. It’s a testament to how much the sport is developing in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m honored to be part of this journey and to help pave the way for future generations of Saudi winter athletes.”

What began with a few ski lessons on family holidays as a child has morphed into a sporting opportunity that few in the world are able to experience.

“The more I skied, the more I wanted to push myself and improve,” he recalled. “Over time, I fell in love with the feeling of speed, the precision of carving turns and the challenge of racing against the clock.”

Abdi’s Winter Olympics debut attracted global headlines; understandably, people did not expect an elite skier to emerge from a nation that is better known for its vast desert.

It captured people’s attention in a similar fashion to the story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team’s participation at the 1988 Games, which was later immortalized in the film “Cool Runnings.”

Abdi said: “Most people are surprised at first as they don’t expect a skier to come from Saudi Arabia, given our climate. But once they learn more, they realize how dedicated I am to the sport and how much winter sports are growing in the region.

“The reactions have gone from surprise to excitement, especially now that more Saudi athletes are taking part in winter sports.”

While sending an inaugural delegation to this month’s Asian Winter Games is a big step for Saudi Arabia, there is a giant leap to come in four years’ time.

The Kingdom has never shied away from hosting major sporting events and in 2029, the Asian Winter Games is coming to Trojena — NEOM’s mountain tourism destination.

“It’s a huge milestone for winter sports in Saudi Arabia,” Abdi said. “Hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena shows the commitment to developing winter sports infrastructure in the region.

“It will introduce more people to the sport and create opportunities for young athletes. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together and hopefully competing there as well.”

Abdi has skied all over the world — picking out Snowbird, Utah as his most “unforgettable” experience — and believes that the SSSF and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee will do everything possible to ensure Trojena 2029 is a memorable event for athletes and fans.

On a personal level, Abdi is striving to improve and become more competitive. The Saudi skier says he finds inspiration from international athletes and those closer to home, too.

“I have a lot of respect for Wayne Rooney, Rafael Nadal and Max Verstappen because of their hard work, dominance and consistency in their sports,” Abdi said.

“From Saudi Arabia, I admire my brother Faris Abdi and Tarek Hamdi (2020 Olympic karate silver medalist) for their work ethic, grit and winning mentality.”

Hamdi in particular offers a blueprint for sporting success on the biggest stage of all. And before Trojena 2029, Abdi has his sights firmly set on making it to a second successive Winter Olympics when the quadrennial event takes place in Milan-Cortina next year.

“My goal is absolutely to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics and I’m training hard to make that happen,” Abdi said. “I want to continue pushing myself, improving my performance and representing Saudi Arabia on the world stage.”


Bencic stuns Rybakina to set up Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final against Krueger

Bencic stuns Rybakina to set up Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final against Krueger
Updated 08 February 2025
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Bencic stuns Rybakina to set up Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final against Krueger

Bencic stuns Rybakina to set up Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final against Krueger
  • Swiss star overturns one-set deficit to progress to a second final in the UAE capital

ABU DHABI: Belinda Bencic is through to another Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final after coming from behind to eliminate reigning champion Elena Rybakina in a pulsating contest.

The Swiss player will now meet Ashlyn Krueger, who beat Linda Noskova in straight sets to reach Sunday’s showpiece.

Winner of the inaugural Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in 2023, Bencic went into the semi-final against the current champion as the underdog. Rybakina, who came out on top in a three-set thriller against Ons Jabeur in the last eight, started the match in ominous fashion, quickly taking control and claiming the first set 6-3.

Bencic, having only returned to action at the tail end of last year after taking a maternity break, had grown in stature throughout the tournament and secured her passage to the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Marketa Vondrousova.

The disappointment of falling behind, if anything, galvanized the 27-year-old, who responded brilliantly in the second set, racing into a 3-0 lead. Rybakina, in true champion style, hit back, but Bencic held on to force a decider.

Bencic looked the more dangerous of the two players and, after breaking Rybakina for a third time, found herself serving for the match.

Rybakina saved two match points before breaking her opponent’s serve to close the deficit to a single game, with the score 5-4 in favor of Bencic, who was left serving for the match once more.

This time around, she was not to be denied, seeing out the match to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and book her place in the final for the second time.

Krueger’s impressive form in the tournament continued after standout wins against Daria Kasatkina and Leylah Fernandez, as she edged an entertaining clash with Noskova to reach the final.

It was a clash of the rising stars with the two players, both 20, having impressed on their way to the last four, with Noskova beating Paula Badosa and Magda Linette in straight sets.

It was the first meeting between the two players and Noskova, who won her maiden title at the Monterrey Open last August, appeared to be on course to take the first set as she led 4-2.

Krueger, however, had other ideas and fought back strongly as both women attempted to seize the initiative. It was no surprise to see the set eventually settled via a tie-break, which Krueger claimed 7-2 to take the lead.

After that Krueger grew in confidence and broke Noskova twice to take control of the second.

Despite failing to take advantage of a match point, with Noskova breaking her opponent and winning the next game on serve to bring it back to 5-4, Krueger, serving for the match, successfully sealed a 7-6, 6-4 victory and secure her first appearance in a WTA 500 final.

Jelena Ostapenko/Ellen Perez are through to the final of the doubles event after an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory against Marketa Vondrousova/Liudmila Samsonova in the day’s opening match on Stadium Court.

They will meet Kristina Mladenovic/Shuai Zhang in tomorrow’s final after the duo defeated Olivia Nicholls/Olivia Gadecki 6-1, 6-4 in the second semi-final.

The doubles final, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., gets tomorrow’s action underway as the two pairings aim to claim the title which was won last year by Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin.

That match will be followed by the Krueger-Bencic singles final.


NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories

NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories
Updated 08 February 2025
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NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories

NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories
  • A wild ending in Charlotte saw the Hornets hang on for a dramatic 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs
  • In Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a 21-point lead early in the third quarter to lose 115-110 against the Hawks

LOS ANGELES: The pace-setting Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to victories to maintain their grip on the NBA conference standings on Friday.

Oklahoma City extended their lead at the top of the Western Conference table, improving to 41-9 for the season after blowing past the Toronto Raptors 121-109.

The Thunder welcomed back center Chet Holmgren from injury following a 39-game absence after suffering a pelvic fracture in November. Holmgren made four blocks in a 22-minute display.

Jalen Williams led the Thunder scoring with 27 points, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 25 despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

In Washington, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley combined for 60 points to give Cleveland their sixth win in seven games against a Washington Wizards lineup who threatened an upset after an inspired performance from Jordan Poole.

Wizards ace Poole finished with 45 points but it was not enough to stop the Cavaliers pulling away to complete a 134-124 victory.

Mitchell led Cleveland’s scoring with 33 points while Mobley added 27. Darius Garland made five three-pointers on his way to a 23-point performance.

The Cavaliers improved to 42-10 to maintain their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference ahead of the Boston Celtics, who trail by six games with a 36-16 record.

A wild ending in Charlotte saw the Hornets hang on for a dramatic 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs after Miles Bridges drained a three-pointer with 1.4secs remaining.

San Antonio thought they had snatched a sensational win however when new De’Aaron Fox nailed a buzzer-beating basket as time ran out.

The score was initially given but replay footage showed Fox just failed to release the ball before the buzzer sounded to give Charlotte a win that sees them improve to 13-36.

Bridges led the Charlotte scoring with 25 points while LaMelo Ball added 24 with 10 assists. Stephon Castle led the Spurs scoring with 33 points, with Fox adding 22.

In Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a 21-point lead early in the third quarter to lose 115-110 against the Hawks.

Trae Young led the Atlanta scoring with 24 points on a night when seven Hawks players cracked double figures.

The game swung in Atlanta’s favor after a dominant third quarter which saw the hosts outscore Milwaukee 37-17 to erase their double-digit deficit.

The Brooklyn Nets, meanwhile, grabbed only their 18th win of the season with a 102-86 victory over the Miami Heat.

Miami looked poised for victory after leading for most of the first three quarters. But the Nets turned the contest on his head by outscoring the visitors 31-9 in the fourth quarter to complete victory.


Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh

Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh
Updated 08 February 2025
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Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh

Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh
  • Meronk followed his opening 10-under 62 with a 6-under 66 to grab a two-shot lead over Torque GC’s Sebastian Muñoz
  • Legion XIII’s 18 under total moves them to 42 under for the first two rounds, giving the foursome an 11-stroke advantage over Torque GC

RIYADH: Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII teammates each enter Saturday’s final round at LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Ma’aden with an outside chance to capture the individual title. 

In terms of the team competition, though, Legion XIII already has one collective foot atop the podium. 

Legion XIII extended their team lead to a commanding 11 strokes in Friday night’s second round at Riyadh Golf Club, shooting the field’s best team score for the second consecutive night.

Their 18 under total moves them to 42 under for the first two rounds, giving the foursome an 11-stroke advantage over Torque GC. 

“Extremely proud,” Rahm said of his team’s dominant start in the season opener. “I don’t know what else to add to that. Obviously yesterday was a fantastic start and it didn’t take very long today, either, for the whole team to get going.” 

Individually, Legion XIII players make up 50 percent of the top eight players on the leaderboard. Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt each shot 5-under 67s on Friday and are tied for fourth at 11 under. Rahm also shot 67 and newcomer Tom McKibbin shot 69, as each finished at 10 under and in a three-way tie for 6th. 

Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk backed up his opening 10-under 62 with a 6-under 66 to grab a two-shot lead over Torque GC’s Sebastian Muñoz.

Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert is in solo third at 12 under after his 64 on Friday, the low round of the day. 

Catching Meronk seems like a tall ask, giving his form the first two days. But Legion XIII will have plenty of chances with four players in contention in the first tournament since a format change to all scores counting on each round.

No team has swept the podium since Stinger GC pulled off the feat in the 2022 inaugural LIV Golf event in London. 

“I think if we all focus on trying to win individually and give it the best shot we can to do that, I think we can put a strong enough performance where we’d be hard to catch,” Rahm said of his team’s large lead. “But we still have to go out there tomorrow and take care of it. Nothing is guaranteed until the last putt drops.”

Although Meronk didn’t match his flawless performance in the opening round when he hit all 18 greens, the 31-year-old from Poland relied on his putting, needing just 26 putts. 

With Muñoz nipping at his heels, Meronk never surrendered the lead. At the par-3 17th, he extended it to two shots with a 15-foot birdie putt while Muñoz followed by missing a 5-footer for birdie. 

“I played quite solid,” said Meronk, whose only bogey this week came at the par-4 11th. “I had a couple of bad swings, but overall, I’m very happy with the result and excited for tomorrow.” 

Muñoz matched Meronk’s 66 and has the field’s hottest putter, needing just 51 putts through the first two rounds. “I’m just going to try to shoot as low as possible, make as many birdies as possible like I’ve been doing the last two days and see what happens on the 18th green,” Muñoz said. “There’s no other strategy than that.” 

Meronk and Muñoz have each celebrated LIV Golf wins as members of winning teams but not as individuals. That could change on Saturday for one of them. 

“It would be special for sure, especially the first of the year,” Meronk said. “But I don’t want to focus on that. My only focus tomorrow will be just one shot at a time and playing my best golf as possible, and we’ll see what happens.” 
 


Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match
Updated 08 February 2025
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Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match
  • The result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season

MANCHESTER, England: Harry Maguire scored a controversial injury time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 and move into the last 16 of the FA Cup on Friday.
United went behind to a Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal four minutes before halftime. Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute and Maguire grabbed the late winner.
There was a heated debate over whether the England center half was in an offside position but there is no VAR in the FA Cup and the goal stood.
“This (loss) wasn’t necessary,” an unhappy Leicester coach Ruud van Nistelrooy told broadcaster ITV.
“This was half a meter (offside). Then extra time, stay in the game, you never know what happens. We deserved to go into extra time and maybe penalties. Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow.”
The result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season. United beat Leicester 5-2 in the League Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
The result was a boost for new coach Ruben Amorim and a bitter letdown for Van Nistelrooy, who was the interim manager at United before being moved on and taking charge at Leicester.
Leicester, a one-time FA Cup champion, was 1-0 up at the break. Manuel Ugarte was dispossessed near the touchline and Bilai El Khannouss’ low cross was hit goal-bound by Wilfred Ndidi but deflected in off De Cordova-Reid.
The introduction of substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee lifted United in the second half and Zirkzee got the equalizer with the simplest of finishes after good work from the Argentine player down the left flank.
Then, just as the game looked like going into extra time, Bruno Fernandes threw a long ball into the box for Maguire to head the winner.
“(It was a) great finish to the game,” Maguire said. “The second half we played a lot better. The first half was nowhere near good enough, we played at a slow tempo and we didn’t really get going.
“He (Garnacho) made a big impact. He always does that when he comes off the bench, so credit to him, he’s ready, he’s focused.”