Washington, Aug 15, 2024 Agence France Presse: Bryson DeChambeau, who captured his second US Open title in June, sees a chance to go lower than his stunning 12-under par 58 when the LIV Golf Greenbrier starts Friday.
The 30-year-old US golfer matched the lowest score on a major golf tour last year when he shot a final-round 58 with a closing birdie to win the event at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
“I don’t know how to explain it. Just kind of semi-blacked out I guess,” DeChambeau said. “To make the 40-footer on the last hole for 58, that was just the cherry on top.
“A special place in my heart forever... probably one of the most special moments of my entire life.”
He matched the 58 fired by countryman Jim Furyk at the 2016 Travelers Championship as the lowest rounds on either the PGA Tour or LIV Golf.
DeChambeau said Wednesday he expects 57 and maybe lower scores are out there.
“Breaking 58, I’m sure someone is going to do it at one of these times at some point,” DeChambeau said. “We’re just too good now. There’s going to be a time where everything kind of lines up.
“It’s like runners breaking the four-minute mile. It was one person that broke it, and the next year there were 12 or whatever. I feel like that opens up the door.
“I believe there will be a 57 at some point, even a 56 potentially. It’s going to just get more consistent over the course of time. We’re just too good now.”
Greenbrier has offered up two other sub-60 scores in elite-level events.
Australian Stuart Appleby fired a 59 at the 2010 PGA Greenbrier Classic in the final round to win the event.
In 2019 at the PGA’s Greenbrier event, US golfer Kevin Chappell shot 59 in the second round and went on to finish level-47th.
“They’re all playing well to shoot in the 50s, but this place, it breeds that confidence in you, like you start making putts,” two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson said.
“And then it builds from there.”
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, likes the chances for a sub-60 round this week.
“These greens are so pure that if you’re hitting the ball really well and giving yourself a lot of looks, once that putter gets hot, you have an opportunity,” he said.
“There’s a decent amount of short enough holes where you’re going to have a lot of wedges. The par-5s, you’re getting to both of them with irons in your hand.”
DeChambeau, who played with a new driver last year when he made 13 birdies and only a lone bogey at the par-three eighth, birdied six of the first seven holes and the last four.
He said the 58 sparked his run to his major win this year.
“I had been struggling with my golf game, not really understanding how to get the job done,” DeChambeau said. “Just didn’t feel like I had it to win.
“That’s what jump-started me to how I’ve been playing this past year, jump-started me to winning the US Open this year and continuing to play some really stellar golf.”
DeChambeau aims for 57 and lower in LIV return to Greenbrier
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DeChambeau aims for 57 and lower in LIV return to Greenbrier
Coach Inzaghi to leave Inter Milan: club
- “The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said
- According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal
ROME: Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by “mutual agreement,” the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.
“The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said in a statement.
Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday afternoon.
The parting came just days after Saturday’s 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal, as he suggested a deal was in place for the next three years.
Meanwhile AFP report added that talks had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumors about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.
Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed.
According to Romano, Inzaghi could earn up to €26 million ($29.5 million) per season in the Saudi Pro League as new Al-Hilal head coach, adding in a post on X that any contract would be “initially valid until June 2027.”
Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026.
The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title — Inter’s 20th — and two Italian Cups. He led
the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.
On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.
In its statement, the club said Inzaghi’s management was “characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication.”
His trophies had “brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football,” it said.
Marotta thanked him “for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today’s discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths.”
“Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,” he said.
In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: “I will never forget you.”
* With AFP
Uzbekistan, Jordan eye World Cup berths as South Korea close on finals
- Uzbekistan side take on the UAE knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America
- Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman
HONG KONG: Uzbekistan and Jordan will look to secure debut appearances at the World Cup as the pair on Thursday attempt to confirm their progress to next year’s finals while South Korea are also closing in on qualification.
Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan side take on the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America, while Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman.
The Koreans, one of Asia’s World Cup regulars, will confirm their participation at an 11th consecutive finals with a draw against Iraq in Basra.
Japan and Iran have already taken two of the confederation’s increased allocation of eight guaranteed spots in the United States, Canada and Mexico as the top two finishers in each of Asia’s three preliminary groups advance automatically.
The nations finishing in third and fourth will progress to a further round of preliminaries for the pair of remaining slots while those in fifth and sixth will be eliminated.
Uzbekistan sit second in Group A three points behind Iran, who play Qatar in Doha, and lead the third-placed United Arab Emirates by four points ahead of the final two matches in the third phase of qualifiers.
South Korea, meanwhile, are in pole position in Group B on 16 points and a draw with Iraq in Graham Arnold’s first game as head coach of the Gulf nation will take Hong Myung-bo and his team into yet another World Cup draw.
The Iraqis, currently third in the table, need a point to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive as second-placed Jordan would progress with a win over Oman should Arnold’s side lose to the Koreans.
Oman sit in fourth place on 10 points, and victory over the Jordanians will keep Rashid Jaber’s outfit in contention for a first World Cup ticket.
Australia take on Japan in Perth knowing a win against Hajjime Moriyasu’s already-qualified Group C winners might not be enough to confirm their progress on Thursday.
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos lead Saudi Arabia by three points with two matches left, meaning a win for Herve Renard’s side away to Bahrain would see the remaining Group C berth decided when Australia face the Saudis next Tuesday.
However, a win for the Australians against a Japan side featuring a host of uncapped players and defeat for the Saudis in Riffa would confirm the Socceroos’ passage to a sixth consecutive World Cup.
Dubai Basketball end historic first season with knockout in Belgrade
- Despite a 114-97 defeat to Partizan, the season has been one of major milestones for the team
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball ended their inaugural ABA League season after a 114-97 defeat in the final leg of the semifinal against Serbian powerhouse Partizan.
The team officially set out on their journey in the Adriatic League in September, competing against some of the most prolific sides in Europe. From beating reigning champions Red Star in their opening game to being one of the only teams in the league to beat Partizan twice at their home court, the 2024-25 season was packed with milestones.
The third and final game of the semifinals took place on Sunday night at Belgrade Arena, the home of Partizan, with Dubai determined to capitalize on squaring the series in the previous game.
Dubai opened the game with intensity, taking an early lead as Davis Bertans, Klemen Prepelic, and Nate Mason each sank three-pointers within the first four minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had stormed ahead with a commanding nine-point lead.
However, the momentum began to shift in the second quarter. With the backing of a packed home crowd, Partizan tightened their defence and gradually closed the gap, reducing Dubai’s lead to just a single point by the end of the third quarter.
As the game progressed into the third and fourth quarters, Partizan demonstrated why they are seven-time ABA League champions. Although they surged ahead, Dubai refused to go down without a fight, repeatedly equalising the score and keeping the contest wide open.
In the final quarter, Partizan pulled away, scoring an impressive 28 points that widened the gap to 17 and ultimately secured their place in the finals. Dubai, however, walked away with their heads held high, having challenged one of Europe’s top basketball teams to the very end.
Reflecting on the season, Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, said: “We must be satisfied. This was our first season, with 13 new players in total. We were fortunate to have selected not only top-quality athletes but also exceptional people who made this journey smoother.
“Throughout the season, we played good basketball. We claimed major wins — including victories over some of the league’s giants — and today, we pushed Partizan into a serious battle for a place in the finals. Plans for the future are already underway. In fact, they’ve been in motion throughout the season. Analysis, planning — it all continues.
“As they say, the off-season begins tomorrow, and so does our preparation for what comes next.”
Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
- McIlroy is first European to win the career grand slam
- Yas Links hosts the Abu Dhabi championship Nov. 6-9
ABU DHABI: Grand slam winner and five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from Nov. 6 to 9 as he bids to win a seventh Race to Dubai Rankings crown.
The Masters champion leads the Race to Dubai having already secured his place in the field for the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
This is thanks to that thrilling victory at Augusta National, in addition to a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season.
Staged by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, the championship is the first event of the tour’s end of season showpiece. This leads straight into the DP World Tour Championship where the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.
The top 70 available players at the conclusion of the Back 9 events will gather in Abu Dhabi for the fourth Rolex Series event of the year as the season comes to a close.
McIlroy became the first European to win the career grand slam earlier this year when he added a Green Jacket to his four previous Major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open in 2014.
And he will look to clinch a fourth successive Race to Dubai title when he returns to the Middle East in November.
Aref Hamad Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the UAE capital has established itself as a world-class golfing destination, and was “proud” to host McIlroy.
“Since its inception, the championship has played a pivotal role in supporting sports tourism and generating tangible economic benefits for the region.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the DP World Tour in delivering another outstanding event befitting the prestige of the Rolex Series.
McIlroy said: “I love ending the season in the Middle East and I’m excited to return to Abu Dhabi again for the first of two big events later this year.
“I’ve started the year well and I’ve got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I’m doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly, and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt.”
Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season
- More than 40 clubs involved as Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah lead charge
RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season.
Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom’s top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions.
Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard.
The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league’s most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million.
Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men’s and women’s contests.
The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The strong start to this year’s Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come.
“Compared to previous seasons … we’re seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community.
“What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.”
Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.
