Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas

Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas
Cameron Young of the US reacts on the 18th green during the first round of the Hero World Challenge 2024 at Albany Golf Course on Dec. 5, 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas. (AFP)
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Updated 06 December 2024
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Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas

Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas
  • Scheffler: I’m always looking for ways to improve
  • Young led by two shots over Justin Thomas in his first competition since his daughter was born a few weeks ago

NASSAU, Bahamas: Scottie Scheffler brought a new putting grip to the Hero World Challenge and felt enough improvement to be satisfied with the result, a 5-under 67 that left him three shots behind Cameron Young on Thursday.

Young was playing for the first time since the BMW Championship more than three months ago and found great success on and around the greens of Albany Golf Club, chipping beautifully and holing four birdie putts from 15 feet or longer for his 64.

He led by two shots over Justin Thomas in his first competition since his daughter was born a few weeks ago. Thomas ran off four straight birdies late in his round and was a fraction of an inch away with a fifth.

The big surprise was Scheffler, the No. 1 player in golf who looked as good as he has all year in compiling eight victories, including an Olympic gold medal. His iron play has no equal. His putting at times has kept him from winning more or winning bigger. He decided to try to a “saw” putting grip from about 20 feet or closer — the putter rests between his right thumb and his fingers, with his left index finger pointed down the shaft.

“I’m always looking for ways to improve,” Scheffler said.

Scheffler last year began working with renowned putting instructor Phil Kenyon, and he says Kenyon mentioned the alternative putting grip back then.

“But it was really our first time working together and it’s something that’s different than what I’ve done in the past,” Scheffler said. “This year I had thought about it from time to time, and it was something that we had just said let’s table that for the end of the season, take a look at it.

“Figured this is a good week to try stuff.”

He opened with a wedge to 2 feet and he missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 third. But he holed a birdie from about the same distance at the next par 5, No. 6, and holed a sliding 6-footer on the ninth to save par.

His longest putt was his last hole, from 12 feet for a closing birdie.

“I really enjoyed the way it felt,” he said. “I felt like I’m seeing some improvements in my stroke.”

Young, regarded as the best active player without a PGA Tour victory, is treating this holiday tournament as the start of a new season. He worked on getting stronger and got back to the basics in his powerful golf swing.

And on this day, he was dialed in with his short game. He only struggled to save par twice and kept piling up birdies in his bogey-free round on an ideal day in the Bahamas.

“The wind wasn’t blowing much so it was relatively stress-free,” Young said.

Patrick Cantlay, along with Scheffler playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup, also was at 67 with Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala.

Thomas also took this occasion to do a little experimenting against a 20-man field. He has been using a 46-inch driver at home — a little more than an inch longer than his regular driver — in a bid to gain more speed. On a day with little wind, on a golf course with some room off the tee, he decided to put it in play.

“Just with it being a little bit longer, I just kind of have to get the club out in front of me and get on top of it a little bit more,” Thomas said. “I drove the hell out of it on the back, so that was nice to try something different and have it go a little bit better on the back.”

Thomas said the longer driver gives him 2 or 3 mph in ball speed and 10 extra yards in the air.

“It’s very specific for courses, but gave it a try,” he said.

Conditions were easy enough that only four players in field failed to break par, with Jason Day bringing up the rear with a 75.


Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters

Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters
Updated 20 January 2025
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Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters

Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters
  • All the Pole’s wins in Melbourne have come in straight sets and she has dropped only 11 games

MELBOURNE: Iga Swiatek said Monday she was stepping into the unknown against Emma Navarro after the pair had wildly contrasting runs to their Australian Open quarterfinal clash. 

Swiatek showed no mercy to end “lucky loser” Eva Lys’s historic run, marching into the last eight 6-0, 6-1 in an hour. 

All the Pole’s wins in Melbourne have come in straight sets and she has dropped only 11 games. 

By contrast, Navarro spent 2hr 40min on court, blowing three second-set match points before beating Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 as she was taken the distance for a fourth match in a row. 

“I don’t know what I’m expecting,” said five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek of the American Navarro. 

“We played in 2018, but I’m not going to count this. 

“I have to treat Emma as someone that I never played. We both made huge progress since that time. It’s a bit different when you don’t know the opponent that well.” 

The world No. 2 has spent less than five hours on court at the first Grand Slam of the year, while eighth seed Navarro has been extended to more than double that playing time. 

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic got the mea culpas he wanted from a local broadcaster and its employee who insulted him on the air and so, according to tournament organizers, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is ready to concentrate on his quarterfinal showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

“Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested," read a statement issued Monday by Tennis Australia, "and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.” 

Also on Monday, Jannik Sinner battled dizzy spells to reach an Australian Open quarterfinal against Alex de Minaur, admitting a long interruption when he accidentally broke the net was “big, big luck.” 

The world No. 1 and defending champion dropped a set before coming home 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Danish 13th seed Holger Rune on Rod Laver Arena. 

Sinner struggled in the hot Melbourne conditions, his hand visibly shaking and his heart rate taken in the third set before he left court for a medical timeout. 

There was then a bizarre 20-minute delay when Sinner demolished the metal brace that secures the net to the floor with a thunderous serve early in set four. 

“I was not feeling really well. You know, I think we saw that today I was struggling physically,” said Sinner, 23, who is bidding to become the first Italian man to win three Grand Slam crowns. 

He refused to say exactly what was wrong with him, only that he was “not there health-wise” and had been “a bit dizzy at times.” 

“I don’t want to go into details. I think it was, you know, then also with the pressure and everything, it was not easy.” 

He admitted that the time off court in air-conditioning while officials repaired the net helped him refresh. 

“I was lucky today that ... 20 minutes off court, you know, trying to get back physically, putting some cold water in my head, it was very helpful. It was big, big luck to me today.” 

Sinner is bidding to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final last year. 

His win put him into a clash against home hope De Minaur, who brushed past American Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to make his maiden Australian Open quarterfinal. 

De Minaur wiped the floor with Michelsen in the opening set, but his serve then faltered and he was forced to a close tiebreak after the American staged a fightback. 

But De Minaur broke with a forehand winner in the sixth game of the third set and pulled away for the win. 

“It means the world,” said De Minaur. “There’s nothing I want to do more than play well here in Australia. So glad I finally made the quarterfinals ... But let’s go for bigger and better things.” 

As temperatures rose above 30 Celsius, Sinner assumed control against Rune by breaking to love.


McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Updated 20 January 2025
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McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
  • The tourists, led by Jos Buttler, will face India in the first of five T20 internationals in Kolkata on Wednesday
  • India series marks England’s first limited-overs tour under coach McCullum, previously in charge only of Test side

KOLKATA: England coach Brendon McCullum said Monday he hopes his side emerge from a host of limited overs matches against India in “good shape” for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The tourists, led by Jos Buttler, will face India in the first of five T20 internationals at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
The India series marks England’s first limited-overs tour under McCullum, previously in charge only of the Test side.
“I’m desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket,” McCullum told reporters. “With the talent we have, there’s no reason we can’t.”
The teams will play three one-day matches, before they move into the eight-team ODI Champions Trophy starting February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
“We’ll use the next few weeks to try and hit the ground running, I’m sure there will be some times where we don’t quite get it right,” he added.
“But, hopefully, we will chisel away at that over the next few weeks, and we’ll be in good shape come that Champions Trophy.”
The 43-year-old McCullum said Buttler, who will only play as a batsman and not keep wicket on the tour, will leave a lasting legacy as England’s white-ball leader.
“He’s in a really good space, he’s excited about the team we’ve got, and excited about the opportunity that sits in front of us,” the former New Zealand skipper said.
“I’m sure we’ll see Jos over the next couple of years really enjoy himself, and hopefully finish with a real strong enjoyment for the game at the back end of his career.”
But India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, remain the favorites on home turf — and have been boosted by the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami after he recovered from a foot injury.
Shami, 34, last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023 and recently participated in a few domestic matches to mark his return to competitive cricket.
“It’s a really good sign for us,” India’s T20 vice-captain Axar Patel said. “We hope he continues what he did in the World Cup.”


Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
Updated 20 January 2025
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Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
  • Princess Mashael is vice president of Saudi Yoga Committee
  • She has over 15 years of expertise in several yoga traditions

JEDDAH: The Asian Yogasana Sport Federation has announced the appointment of Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia, to the organization’s board.

Princess Mashael will also head the federation’s Women and Children’s Safeguarding Committee, the AYSF stated in a press release recently.

The appointment was approved unanimously at the AYSF’s sixth general assembly in Dubai recently.

Princess Mashael, the vice president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, has been instrumental in empowering women and youth, and ensuring athlete safety at various sporting events.

Her appointment represents a significant step toward increasing women’s participation in sports, promoting initiatives to protect women and children, and supporting the growth of Yogasana and traditional sports across Asia.

She has over 15 years of yoga expertise, including Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, the Himalayan tradition of meditation, and yoga therapy.

She trained with the AYSF in 2022, mastering yoga federation management and Yogasana systems.

In addition to her yoga accomplishments, the princess is a passionate advocate for women and youth in sports, the AYSF stated.

She owns and runs a sports nongovernmental organization and heads the women’s committee of the Arab Cycling Federation.


Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event
Updated 20 January 2025
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Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event
  • It will take place on Jan. 30 as part of Riyadh Season

RIYADH: Power Slap, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, is set to host its first event in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 at the anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The focal point of Power Slap 11 will see reigning super heavyweight champion Da Crazy Hawaiian (16-1-1, 12 KOs) and No. 1 ranked super heavyweight Dumpling (1-0-1, 1 KO) face off in a rematch after they drew at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Wolverine (14-5, 5 KOs) returns to defend his belt for the third time against rising contender Vern “The Mechanic” Cathey (5-2, 5 KOs).

Power Slap, founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship, has grown in recent years to reach huge audiences around the world.

In just two years, with only 10 live events, Power Slap has gained 22 million social media followers and its content has garnered over 11.5 billion lifetime views across its platforms. Events regularly draw global influencers with more than a billion followers collectively.

Additional matches on the card include: 

  • No. 2 ranked light heavyweight Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4-3, 3 KOs) and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin (5-2, 4 KOs) face off in a pivotal match.
  • 2 ranked super heavyweight Kalani “Toko” Vakameilalo (2-1, 2 KOs) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 3 ranked super heavyweight Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (5-2, 4 KOs).
  • The return of women’s featherweight star Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory (3-0, 2 KOs), in a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (1-2).

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 20 January 2025
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Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • First round of contest had Sharjah Self-Defense finish second and Al-Ain third

ABU DHABI: The first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club taking first place, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club in second, and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club third.

The last day of the competition had competitors between the ages of 4 and 8, and under-12, take to the mats. Athletes in the adult and youth categories participated over the previous days.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said he was delighted with the organization of the event, and the participation of a high number of clubs and academies.

“The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is an exemplary model for sports competitions, made possible by the vision and limitless support of the wise leadership,” he said.

“The championship successfully hosted 2,000 male and female athletes from various clubs and academies, along with their families and sports fans, making it a unique platform that merges competitive excellence with community engagement.”