JEDDAH: Brooks Koepka of Smash GC leads by three shots heading into Sunday at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN.
The American delivered an impressive bogey-free round of eight-under par (62) at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Saturday in a round that included eight birdies.
After a day that favored low scoring with the course’s average score at 67.4, Koepka will be joined in the final grouping on Sunday with Sergio Garcia from Fireballs GC, who shot a seven-under par (63), and Charles Howell III from Crushers GC, who followed his opening round of 67 with a second-round score of six-under par (64).
In the 2023 Individual Champion race, the season’s top three points leaders all made significant moves to try to secure the first-place podium finish this Sunday in Jeddah. Talor Gooch (RangeGoats GC) shot a second-round score of six-under par (64), placing him tied-ninth, six shots behind the leader Koepka.
Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC) also climbed the leaderboard after a seven-under par 63, finishing the day tied-fourth going into Sunday. Season points leader Cam Smith (Ripper GC) is currently tied for the 25th position at two-under par.
The projected standings for the 2023 individual championship are: Talor Gooch (172 points), Cam Smith (170 points), and Bryson DeChambeau (162 points).
In the team event in Jeddah, Crushers GC has built on their overnight lead, currently sitting at 22-under par heading into Sunday. They hold a three-shot advantage over Smash GC and Fireballs GC, who are both tied-second place at 19-under par.
In the overall team standings, which will conclude next week at the LIV Golf Team Championship in Miami, the projected standings show Crushers GC (210 points) leading, followed by 4Aces GC (188 points), Torque GC (183 points) and RangeGoats GC (163).
This sets the stage for an exciting finale to the 2023 LIV Golf season in which the top four teams automatically advance to the semifinals.
Brooks Koepka tops leaderboard after day 2 of LIV Golf Jeddah
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Brooks Koepka tops leaderboard after day 2 of LIV Golf Jeddah
- American leads by 3 shots after a 2nd round of 8-under-par (62) at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
- Crushers GC lead team standings by 3 shots as Gooch, Smith and DeChambeau battle for Individual Champion title
Genesis presents luxury cars to Al-Hilal football stars
- ‘Moving in Elegance’ campaign part of company’s official team sponsorship
- Handover ceremony embodies partnership between Genesis and Saudi Pro League champions
RIYADH: Luxury vehicle brand Genesis Riyadh has presented its latest top-of-the-range cars to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.
The handover to the club’s personnel, including players and management, was part of the company’s larger agreement as Al-Hilal’s official car sponsor.
The slogan “Moving in Elegance” reflects the stature of the football club and cements the start of the car company’s activities in Riyadh for 2025.
“This special ceremony between Genesis and Al-Hilal, the leading team in the region, reaffirms a long-term strategic partnership that we and the club cherish. The strong partnership is emphasized by the shared values that unite us, which are excellence and elegance,” said Ahmed Marshidi, chief operating officer at Genesis Al-Wallan.
Last season, Al-Hilal made football history by setting an unparalleled record of 34 consecutive victories across various competitions. This remarkable winning streak, which spanned September 2023 to April 2024, captured global headlines and cemented the club’s place in sporting history.
Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board
- 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
- 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).
Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games
- Meeting at Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Riyadh
RIYADH: Officials representing the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto discussed on Monday plans for the hosting of the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya city in 2026.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the SOPC’s CEO and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen attended the meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The officials discussed ways to facilitate the participation of Saudi Arabia’s sports delegation in the games.
Collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SOPC and the Japanese Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Set to begin in September, the theme of the 2026 Asian Games is “Imagine One Asia.”
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This story was originally posted on Arab News Japan
Inter Milan coach maintains optimism despite Italian Supercup loss
- Simone Inzaghi working to regain ‘focus’ as team look to the future
RIYADH: Inter Milan will focus on boosting morale for future games following defeat in the Italian Supercup, Simone Inzaghi, the club’s manager told Arab News on Monday.
AC Milan secured a 3-2 comeback victory over city rivals Inter Milan at Riyadh’s Alawwal Park on Monday.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Inzaghi said: “We should work on motivating the players and the fans. Cheering them up and boosting their morale.
“Defeat is a hard feeling I know but we should work on regaining conscience and focus. We wanted to win the title, but it is what it is.”
Prior to the derby, Arab News interviewed devoted AC Milan fans.
Waleed Alahmed said: “Milan is going to win because of their new manager, (Sergio) Conceicao. I think his way of playing is very good and if (winger Rafael) Leao is there, Milan is going to win.”
After just one week at the helm, Conceicao has now earned his first trophy.
The hosting of the 37th Italian Supercup aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It is a part of the country’s plan to continue hosting major global sporting events.
The Ministry of Sports organized the event, which was hosted by the Kingdom for the fifth time.
