London: Tiger Woods has played down expectations he will break his 10-year Major duck with victory at the US Masters on Sunday.
The big beast has confounded all expectations by not only turning up at Augusta, but also appearing as one of the favorites.
Last year Woods underwent a fourth surgery on his back and was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence when he was discovered asleep at the wheel of his car — he was found to have five prescription drugs in his system and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
After his police mugshot was seen around the world, it was feared Woods would never be a force again.
Just four months into his comeback, however, the American has recorded consecutive top-five finishes and is viewed as a firm favorite to claim a fifth Green Jacket, a feat Woods sought to play down.
“I don’t think there is one clear-cut favorite,” the 42-year-old said.
“I think there are so many guys playing well at the same time. That’s what is making this year’s Masters so exciting. There are guys from the early 20s to Phil at 47 who have all played well.
“We know we’re going to have to play well in order to win, and it’s going to be quite a challenge. It’s going to be fun.”
One of the biggest surprises about Woods’ comeback has been his swing speed. Just months after the back-fusion operation, he is swinging the club quicker than most of his rivals. With that has come a return of the old swagger that thrilled fans and scared opponents, an aura not seen since his last Major victory back in 2008.
“For some reason, I don’t have any pain,” he said. “Yes, I’m much tighter and I have to work on strength in different ways, but I’m hitting speeds I hit in my prime.
“The reason I said I’m a walking miracle is because I don’t know anyone who has had a lower back fusion that can swing the club as fast as I can. Some of the guys have said: ‘I need to fuse my back so I can hit it harder.”
While Woods was keen dampen expectations he might win, his rivals were less so. One favorite who is not ruling out a Woods renaissance at Augusta is Rory McIlroy, who said: “He has a great chance. Look at how he has played the ast few weeks. He has had four wins here. Any time Woods is healthy and in this sort of form, he is dangerous at any tournament. But given his history here, I think even more so.”
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson is confident he can get over his missed Masters last year. The American was hot favorite to win 12 months ago, but a back injury sustained in a fall the day before the first round stopped him making the first tee.
“I am going to take it really easy. (The accident) was kind of a freak thing and it happened, there is nothing I can do about it except I’m here this year,” he said. “Hopefully, I can tee it up on Thursday, and I will definitely be looking forward to that.”
‘Walking miracle’ Tiger Woods talks down his Masters hopes as Augusta hype grows
‘Walking miracle’ Tiger Woods talks down his Masters hopes as Augusta hype grows
- Tiger Woods can break a 10-year Major drought with Masters victory
- Woods has undergone four back surgeries since DUI arrest
Australian doubles player Purcell accepts 18-month doping ban
- Max Purcell has admitted receiving intravenous vitamin infusions of more than 500ml on December 16 and 20, 2023
- The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code is 100ml in a 12-hour period
The 27-year-old in December took a voluntary suspension, describing himself at the time as “devastated” and saying he had not intended to break anti-doping rules.
Purcell has admitted receiving intravenous vitamin infusions of more than 500ml on December 16 and 20, 2023. The limit under the World Anti-Doping Code is 100ml in a 12-hour period.
His ban will end on June 11, 2026, taking into account time served out of the sport.
He will also forfeit results and prize money for the period between December 16, 2023 and February 3, 2024.
Purcell’s co-operation and information sharing with the ITIA allowed for a 25 percent reduction in sanction, it said.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said: “This case does not involve a player testing positive for a prohibited substance but demonstrates that the anti-doping rules are broader than that.”
Writing on Instagram, Purcell said: “I have accepted the mistake I made and will make sure I’m even more diligent with everything regarding the integrity of the sport.”
Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the US Open crown in 2024 with Jordan Thompson.
In his social media post, Purcell said he had been unable to sleep and eat properly because of his worries over the case.
“I’m so glad this is finally over for me and I can move on with my life,” he added.
It is the latest doping controversy in tennis.
Former women’s number one Iga Swiatek is back in action after last year accepting a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
Men’s number one Jannik Sinner has been out of action since accepting a three-month doping ban in February after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March last year.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is due to return before the Rome Open, which runs from May 7-18.
India greats welcome ‘rise of a phenom’ in teen sensation Suryavanshi
- Suryavanshi had shown glimpses of his ability with a first-ball six on his IPL debut earlier this month
BENGALURU: India batting great Sachin Tendulkar led the plaudits for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi after the Rajasthan Royals batter became the youngest centurion in men’s Twenty20 cricket with a knock for the ages in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Suryavanshi had shown glimpses of his ability with a first-ball six on his IPL debut earlier this month, and on Monday his explosive talent was on full display as he tore apart Gujarat Titans with a 38-ball 101 in the Royals’ eight-wicket win.
Rajasthan coach Rahul Dravid forgot about his leg injury and leapt from his wheelchair when Suryavanshi completed his ton in only 35 balls — the fastest by an Indian player in the league and second only to Chris Gayle’s 30-ball century in 2013.
“Vaibhav’s fearless approach, bat speed, picking the length early and transferring the energy behind the ball was the recipe behind a fabulous innings,” Tendulkar posted on social media.
“End result: 101 runs off 38 balls. Well played!!“
Suryavanshi blasted 11 sixes and seven boundaries as he took established international bowlers to the cleaners before walking off to a standing ovation.
“What were you doing at 14?!!” wrote former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. “This kid is taking on the best bowlers in the world without blinking an eyelid ... Playing with a fearless attitude. Proud to see the next generation shine.”
Former India skipper Krishnamachari Srikkanth, renowned as a big hitter during his era, said the nation had found its newest superstar.
“At 14, most kids dream and eat ice cream,” he wrote.
“Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivers a fabulous 100 against one of the contenders for the IPL. Composure, class, and courage beyond his years. We’re witnessing the rise of a phenom.”
Commentator Harsha Bhogle agreed with the 1983 World Cup winner’s assessment.
“He (Suryavanshi) is only a child, but how would you ever know once he puts that helmet on,” he added.
“This is a staggering performance and a grand announcement.”
AFC Champions League Elite trophy tours NEOM ahead of final in Jeddah
- NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development
JEDDAH: The official AFC Champions League Elite trophy made a special journey across NEOM this week, as excitement builds for the tournament’s final in Jeddah on Saturday.
As a tournament partner for the last eight matches of this year’s competition, including the final, NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development.
The tour took in some of NEOM’s most striking destinations, from the snow-covered slopes of Trojena to the shores of the Adventure Sports Hub and through the NEOM Nature Region.
Accompanied by Mohammed Al-Burayk, NEOM Sports Club ambassador, the tour shone a light on the wide range of sports that are becoming central to NEOM’s vision for the future, from football and skiing to kitesurfing and beyond.
Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, said: “Hosting the trophy at NEOM is about much more than the game. It’s a moment that connects our people and our regions to one of Asia’s top sporting stages, reflecting how sport is an integral part of the fabric of NEOM.”
NEOM’s partnership with the Asian Football Confederation has also supported several grassroots initiatives, including the Shuhub Community Youth Football Program, which has engaged around 10,000 young people across Saudi Arabia so far.
Through the collaboration, local boys and girls from football community groups have enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including participating in AFC matches as player mascots, center circle children and the first-ever trophy handover by children at the AFC Champions League 2023/24 final.
IPL’s 14-year-old Suryavanshi youngest to hit T20 ton as Rajasthan rule
- Suryavanshi went past the previous record, set by Vijay Zol of Maharashtra at 18 years and 118 days
JAIPUR: Indian batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi on Monday became the youngest to hit a senior T20 century at 14 years and 32 days as he powered Rajasthan Royals’ successful chase against Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
Suryavanshi, a left-hand batsman who became the youngest IPL debutant on April 19, smashed 100 off 35 balls to pummel the opposition attack with seven fours and 11 sixes at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Suryavanshi went past the previous record, set by Vijay Zol of Maharashtra at 18 years and 118 days against Mumbai in an Indian domestic match in 2013.
Suryavanshi’s ton is the second fastest in the popular T20 tournament after Chris Gayle’s century in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.
The teenage sensation finally fell bowled to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna for 101 off 38 balls and walked off to a standing ovation from the home crowd and the team dugout.
His 166-run opening stand with fellow left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal launched his team’s chase of 210. They reached the target with 25 balls and eight wickets to spare.
Jaiswal hit an unbeaten 70 and put on an unbeaten stand of 41 with stand-in-skipper Riyan Parag who hit the winning six in his 15-ball 32.
But Suryavanshi’s masterclass took the limelight from everything including opposition knocks from Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill, who hit 84, and Jos Buttler, who struck an unbeaten 50.
Gujarat posted 209-4 but the total did not survive Suryavanshi’s blitz. He hit Afghanistan quick Karim Janat for three fours and three sixes in one 30-run over.
Gujarat are third on the 10-team table with six wins form nine matches.
Rajasthan’s chances of moving into the final four still hang by a thread as they are seventh with three wins and seven defeats.
IPL’s new bat testing rule draws mixed reactions from players
- Umpires are using triangle-shaped plastic gauge to inspect bats on the field
LONDON: The Indian Premier League’s new rule requiring bat checks before batsmen take guard has sparked mixed reactions among players.
While aggressive batting is influenced not just by customized bats, but also by technique and strength, the new protocol has led to animated discussions between players and umpires — and to some players reluctantly parting with their preferred match bats.
Previously, officials conducted bat inspections on the eve of matches. However, concerns arose when players occasionally appeared with a different bat on match day.
Now, umpires are using a triangle-shaped plastic gauge to inspect bats on the field.
The gauge ensures that the bat dimensions comply with regulations: A maximum depth of 2.68 inches, width of 4.33 inches and edge thickness of 1.61 inches. The curve on the lower non-hitting side must not exceed 0.20 inches.
Several players have already encountered issues under the new system.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje both failed the bat gauge test, while umpires took additional time to approve the bats of Andre Russell and Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag.
The question now is whether the rule change will help strike a better balance between bat and ball in the high-scoring era of T20 cricket.
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who plays for Gujarat Titans, had previously voiced concern about the oversized bats used in the IPL, claiming they made it possible for batters to even dispatch yorkers for sixes.
“It’s not just about the bats, it’s the power, too,” he said.
Swapnil Asnodkar, a former Rajasthan Royals player who witnessed the power-hitting prowess of legends like Shane Watson, Matthew Hayden, Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, believes that bats alone are not responsible for the surge in six-hitting.
“The game has gone to a different level with range and power-hitting. The rule must have been framed after considering certain things. It’s always fair to maintain a balance between the bat and the ball,” he told Sportsboom.com.
“It is also up to individuals. You cannot rule out the special ability of a batter. Some can time it, while some can muscle it. It depends on their bodies also. We have seen how Sourav Ganguly used to hit sixes. With players like Russell, it is all about power,” added Asnodkar, who was part of Rajasthan Royals’ title-winning side in the inaugural IPL season.
Now a certified under-19 coach at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s National Cricket Academy, Asnodkar pointed to a shift in training methods over the years.
“Correct practice matters a lot. Earlier, we were taught not to hit in the air, but the trend has changed. As players develop, they naturally acquire the habit of hitting sixes. Practicing correctly enhances their skills,” he said, recalling Hayden’s famous Mongoose bat and Gayle’s characteristically “heavy” willow.
Amandeep Singh Kohar, managing director of Hound Cricket Gears, said that manufacturers continued to follow International Cricket Council guidelines and that no new directive has been issued specifically for the IPL.
“We follow ICC guidelines. I have written down all the points needed to fulfill the manufacturing mark. There are too many points, and we are trying to follow all of them,” he said.
Former T20 stars like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have used bats manufactured by Hound. The company also produces special edition willows named after Bravo, Narine and Akeal Hosein.
Sportsboom.com also contacted Jatin Sareen, managing director of Sareen Sports, the bat brand used by Narine and Parag, but he declined to comment.
