AUGUSTA: Fallen hero, crippled star, and now a Masters champion again.
Tiger Woods rallied to win the Masters for the fifth time Sunday, a comeback that goes well beyond the two-shot deficit he erased before a delirious audience at Augusta National that watched memories turn into reality.
Woods had gone nearly 11 years since he won his last major, 14 years since that green jacket was slipped over his Sunday red shirt. He made it worth the wait, closing with a 2-under 70 for a one-shot victory, and setting off a scene of raw emotion.
He scooped up 10-year-old Charlie, born a year after Woods won his 14th major at Torrey Pines in the 2008 USOpen. He hugged his mother and then his 11-year-old daughter Sam, and everyone else in his camp that stood by him through a public divorce, an embarrassing DUI arrest from a concoction of painkillers and surgeries.
Woods screamed with joy as he headed for the scoring room with chants of “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!” echoing as loud as any of the roars on the back nine at Augusta National.
Woods lost his impeccable image to a sex scandal. He lost his health to four back surgeries that left him unable to get out of bed, much less swing a club, and he went two years without even playing a major. It was two years ago at the Masters when Woods said he needed a nerve block just to walk to the Champions Dinner. At that time, he thought his career is over. Now the comeback is truly complete.
Woods won his 15th major, leaving three short of the standard set by Jack Nicklaus. It was his 81st victory on the PGA Tour, one title away from the career record held by Sam Snead.
“A big ‘well done’ from me to Tiger,” Nicklaus tweeted. “I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic!”
It was the first time Woods won a major when trailing going into the final round, and he needed some help from Francesco Molinari, the 54-hole leader who still was up two shots heading into the heart of Amen Corner.
And that’s when all hell broke loose at Augusta.
Molinari’s tee shot on the par-3 12th never had a chance, hitting the bank and tumbling into Rae’s Creek for double bogey. Until then, Molinari had never trailed in a round that began early in threesomes to finish ahead of storms.
And then it seemed as though practically everyone had a chance.
Six players had a share of the lead at some point on the back. With the final group still in the 15th fairway, there was a five-way tie for the lead. And that’s when Woods seized control, again with plenty of help.
Molinari’s third shot clipped a tree and plopped straight down in the water for another double bogey. Woods hit onto the green, setting up a two-putt birdie for his first lead of the final round. Woods followed with a tee shot on the par-3 16th that rode down the slope next to the cup and settled two feet away for his final birdie.
That gave him a two-shot cushion, and no one was going to catch him.
Tiger Woods wins fifth Masters Green Jacket, 15th and most improbable Major
Tiger Woods wins fifth Masters Green Jacket, 15th and most improbable Major
- Woods had gone nearly 11 years since he won his last major
- It was the first time Woods won a major when trailing going into the final round
Saudi Sport Ministry signs deals for new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah
- The project will include 2 world-class hotels offering integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors
- Development will also feature a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, restaurants, shops, areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport on Tuesday signed agreements with local and international companies to develop, build, manage and operate two new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
The ministry said the hotels will be world-class establishments built to the highest engineering standards, and offer integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors.
The ministry’s acting director general of investment, Badr Al-Juraissi, attended signing ceremonies for the agreements with Kushan Real Estate Development Company, represented by its CEO, Marwan Al-Qaidi; Zuhair Fayez Partnership, which will provide design and engineering consultancy services and was represented by its chairperson, Zuhair Fayez; and IHG Hotels and Resorts, which will provide hotel services and was represented by Haitham Mattar, its regional managing director.
The hotels, expected to provide a total of 585 rooms, will be built on a 16,000-square-meter site at the sports city, the ministry said, and will help support the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to attract major sporting events.
The development will also include a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail stores, dedicated areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces.
The ministry said the initiative forms part of its ongoing efforts to achieve its strategic goals, including engagement with the private sector in the development of the nation’s sports industry. It will also support environmental improvements through infrastructure development, and in doing so directly contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, officials said.
Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown
- Fighting in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in Bin Moammar’s career
- Saudi fighter says his connection to combat sports began long before joining PFL
RIAYDH: Saudi fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar continues his preparations for his second bout in the Professional Fighters League – Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for July 4 in Riyadh.
The event is part of a major promotion organized by the PFL, featuring a strong lineup of top regional fighters — a large crowd is expected.
Bin Moammar said returning to fight in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in his career: “Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another match — it’s a responsibility. This is my city, where I grew up. My real fans are here. Fighting in front of them gives me a different kind of energy. There’s no room for complacency or backing down.”
He said that his connection to combat sports began long before joining the PFL, but his debut with the organization significantly expanded his visibility and fan base.
“I had a decent following before joining, but after my first fight in Jeddah, I felt a real surge in engagement. People started to recognize me more, follow me, and anticipate my next fights,” the Saudi fighter said.
The fight in Jeddah was an important first step for Bon Moammar who said: “It gave me confidence, and winning lit a fire inside me to keep going. But now in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger, and expectations are higher.”
Discussing his current training, the fighter revealed that he is in the middle of an intense local training camp in Riyadh, dedicating nearly all his time to preparation.
“Full focus on training has kept me away from my family, but I believe every moment of sacrifice now will pay off later. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting, but I’m determined to bring the best version of myself into the cage,” he said.
He further promised his fans “to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport.”
Bin Moammar knows the road is long and that professionalism is not easy but said: “I’m ready to walk it to the end. Your support is my greatest weapon.”
San Francisco 49ers host first community event in UAE
- Event features flag football coaching session in Dubai
- 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE
DUBAI: The San Francisco 49ers have made history by becoming the first NFL franchise to host an event in the UAE. It followed the announcement that the league had granted the 49ers marketing, fan engagement, and commercial rights in the market.
The event — which featured a flag football coaching session and youth flag football clinic in Dubai — highlights the club’s continued investment in youth athletics and the growth of flag football worldwide in the lead-up to the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
The initiative builds on the team’s success in other global markets, including the UK and Mexico in which the 49ers’ local fan base has grown by at least 50 percent. The 49ers have hosted more than 50 community events in the UK and Mexico since 2021, leaving a lasting impact on local youngsters.
Tuesday’s event was held at GEMS World Academy Senior School, which is part of the largest network of schools in the UAE, serving 125,000 students.
The day began with staff from the 49ers training more than two dozen physical education teachers in the fundamentals of coaching flag football. Then around 30 students, aged 10-11, participated in a flag football clinic, enjoying different NFL-themed practice drills and an introduction to flag tag. Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the 49ers, also made a special appearance to engage with students and interact with fans.
Stephanie Rogers, executive vice president of marketing for the 49ers, said the occasion marked “an exciting milestone in the 49ers’ global fandom journey.”
She added: “We’re thrilled to see so much local enthusiasm for the San Francisco 49ers and flag football. We have been warmly welcomed by the community and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with future fans and partners here.
“Our commitment is not just about flag participation but about creating a journey for youth development. Across a combination of in-person events, digital activations and community initiatives, we aspire to share the storied history of the 49ers with the UAE.”
Elevate recently announced its role as the 49ers’ agency of record for global marketing efforts, after acquiring Rise Group, the Middle East’s sports and entertainment agency. The partnership will strengthen the team’s ability to make a meaningful impact in the UAE.
Dave McCann, partner at Rise Group, said: “The 49ers are synonymous with innovation and community engagement, and we look forward to unlocking more opportunities for both the team and MENA (Middle East and North Africa region) partners as we continue to grow in the region.
“We’re excited to help shape the future for both the 49ers and flag football in the UAE.”
The 49ers are also announcing the launch of their Arabic social media channels — on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook — during their visit to further engage with local communities.
Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico
- The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage
- Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city
SAN DIEGO: The Saudi Arabian national football team touched down in San Diego on Tuesday morning as they prepare for their high-stakes CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown against Mexico on Saturday.
The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage in a debut Gold Cup campaign that has seen them reach the knockout rounds at the first time of asking.
Herve Renard’s side finished second in Group D behind hosts the US, having secured crucial results including a pivotal draw against Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend.
The upcoming clash with Group A winners Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is expected to draw a large crowd.
Upon arrival in San Diego, Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city.
The team is scheduled to reconvene at their training base later on Tuesday evening.
Preparations for the quarterfinal will intensify on Wednesday, with a closed training session planned for 6:00 p.m. local time.
Saudi Arabia, invited as a guest nation for this edition of the Gold Cup, now seek to upset nine-time champions Mexico in their pursuit of an unprecedented semifinal berth.
Club World Cup prize money does not mean more pressure: Chelsea boss Maresca
- If Chelsea, as one of the 12 European representatives, go on to win the trophy on July 13, they can take home around $125m as a cash reward.
- “The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” Maresca told reporters
PHILADELPHIA: Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that the club’s owners are not putting extra pressure on him to win the Club World Cup as a result of the enormous financial incentives on offer at FIFA’s new tournament.
World football’s governing body has dangled the carrot of a total $1 billion in prize money to the 32 competing teams in the United States.
If Chelsea, as one of the 12 European representatives, go on to win the trophy on July 13, they can take home around $125 million (£92.4m) as a cash reward.
That could give the Stamford Bridge side a considerable advantage over many of their English and European rivals going forward into next season.
However, Maresca claims money has not come up in discussions with the club’s hierarchy around the ongoing competition.
“The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” the Italian told reporters in Philadelphia ahead of Tuesday’s match against Esperance of Tunis.
“They never put pressure on me or the players in terms of we need to win this tournament because of the money.”
Chelsea must avoid defeat against the Tunisian four-time African champions in order to qualify for the last 16 from Group D.
That is after they were beaten 3-1 by Brazilian giants Flamengo in their last game, when Maresca appeared to prioritize tactical experiments over the need for results.
Playing Cole Palmer on the right of a front three was not a success, as the England international struggled to make a big impact on the game.
“Off the ball Cole was defending a little more wide, but the position on the ball was exactly the same position as during the season,” Maresca explained.
“If it is a good moment or not to try new things, I don’t know. But we also are here to think about the future, and to try different systems.
“Last year we played three or four different systems during the season. The idea is to continue to evolve and improve, and to try different things.”
Philadelphia is sweating under a fierce heatwave at the moment, and while the 9:00 p.m. local time kick-off on Wednesday should mean that is not a huge factor for the game itself, it has made preparations tricky.
“It is almost impossible to train because of the weather. Now we are just trying to save energy for the game,” said Maresca, who is likely to rotate his squad and make numerous changes to the starting line-up.
Striker Nicolas Jackson is suspended after being sent off against Flamengo having come on as a substitute only a few minutes earlier.
Chelsea won their opening match at the tournament, defeating Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, before the reverse at the hands of Flamengo.
Esperance bounced back from a defeat to the Brazilians as they beat LAFC 1-0 in Nashville in their last outing — that is the only victory so far in six matches at this Club World Cup for a North African team.
If Chelsea go through they will head to Charlotte for a last-16 tie on Saturday against the winners of Group C, which could be Bayern Munich.
“If we go through we can talk about Bayern,” said Maresca. “In this moment it has to be about tomorrow. Football is full of surprises.”
Maher Kanzari, the coach of the Tunisian champions, said his team were ready for a ‘historical’ battle against the Blues.
“We are prepared and we have to fulfil the expectations of our technical team, of our fans, of the Tunisian public. It will be a historical game,” he said.
“We will be well prepared, especially mentally. Everyone is waiting for this game and we are really proud of what we have achieved so far.
“Hopefully we will do what it takes.”
