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Officials and players heap praise on Matsuyama, predict next golf rush in Asia

Apr 13. 2021Tiger Woods (right) and HIdeki Matsuyama at the 2016 Hero World Challenge. (Credit to Getty Images)

Officials and fellow competitors poured deserved praise and adoration on Japan’s history-maker Hideki Matsuyama, whose nail-biting victory at the Masters Tournament on Sunday was tipped to spark a new wave of talents emerging from Japan and Asia for decades to come.

The 29-year-old Matsuyama became the first Asian male golfer to triumph at Augusta National, capturing his first major victory and sixth PGA TOUR title during a year when Tokyo will host the rescheduled Olympic Games later in July where golf is part of the programme.

 PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said: “On behalf of the PGA TOUR, our congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama on becoming the first Japanese-born player to win a major championship with his Masters Tournament victory. Already Japan’s leader in career PGA TOUR wins, Hideki has carried on a rich legacy paved by Isao Aoki, Jumbo Ozaki, Shigeki Maruyama and others. His historic win will inspire so many in his home country and around the world and coincides perfectly with this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo where he will undoubtably be a central figure.”

 There are already calls for Japan’s golf superstar to be given the honour of lighting the Olympic Games cauldron during the opening ceremony, although the often-reticent Matsuyama responded in typical fashion: “It would be quite an honour. But I’m not sure about my schedule. If the schedules worked out and I am in Japan when that happens and they ask me, what an honour that would be.”

 As Asia’s second male golfer to win a major after Y.E. Yang’s triumph in the 2009 PGA Championship which, together with K.J. Choi’s eight TOUR wins led to a sharp rise in the number of Korean golfers competing on the PGA TOUR, many expect Matsuyama’s dream victory to provide a similar springboard for the game in Japan and Asia. This times nicely with recent reports on the sport gaining some new-found momentum in its growth and increased participation globally.

 Tiger Woods, who is recuperating from injuries sustained in a car accident in February, tweeted: “Making Japan proud Hideki. Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical @TheMasters win will impact the entire golf world.”

 Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who holds an unprecedented 18 major victories, has followed Matsuyama’s career rise closely after the Japanese talent secured his first PGA TOUR victory at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide in 2014, a tournament which he hosts.

“I’ve been blessed to spend a lot of time in Japan and I know they love the game of golf. They’re also very proud people and they’re even prouder today! I competed against the great Isao Aoki, and know how revered he was and is. Hideki will also now forever be a hero to his country. I was able to watch every shot & Hideki played beautifully. He kept cool & calm … the day and moment belongs to Hideki Matsuyama! This is a great day for him, for Japan, and for the global game of golf!”

Australian Adam Scott, a former Masters winner, has known Matsuyama since taking him under his wing when the latter featured in his first Presidents Cup in 2013. He was not surprised to see Matsuyama breakthrough at Augusta National.

“He’s a bit like a Tiger Woods to the rest of the world, Hideki in Japan,” said Scott. “He’s obviously developed a lot. He’s continued to win, and he’s won at least one World Golf Championships event, I believe, if not two. I think he goes through his process very well and seems to have a pretty level head on his shoulders. He’s quite an intense character, actually, even though we don’t really see that, and obsessive about his game. The crowds in Japan are fanatical is the best way I can describe them. I remember I took the green jacket over there in ’13 when I went, and it was an incredible response I got, so I can only imagine what Hideki will experience.”

 Annika Sorenstam, a 72-time LPGA Tour winner and now president of the International Golf Federation, also believes kids will start emulating Matsuyama in Japan in her congratulatory tweet to Matsuyama. “Congratulations to #HidekiMatsuyama, the first Asian born player to win @TheMasters. With the @NBCOlympics going to Japan later this year, their countryman’s win will be sure to inspire young golfers throughout Asia,” Sorenstam wrote on the social media platform.

 Korean-American, Kevin Na, who lost to Matsuyama in the Memorial playoff all those years ago, expects to see more Japanese golfers streaming to the PGA TOUR. He said: “I know Y.E. Yang won the PGA Championship, the first Asian-born player to win a major, and then first Asian-born to win the Masters, it’s a big deal. It would be huge for Asia.”

 As a child, Matsuyama idolised Woods and watched the American legend win the 1997 Masters on TV and later dreamed of competing at Augusta National, which he realised after winning the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. In nine appearances prior to Sunday, Matsuyama missed only one cut, posted two top-10s and three other top-20s.

 “Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer in this (winning the Masters) and many other Japanese will follow. I’m glad to be able to open the floodgates hopefully, and many more will follow me,” said Matsuyama.

 WHAT THEY SAID:

Greg Norman (Aus) on Twitter

Congratulations Hideki Matsuyama on a phenomenal @TheMasters win. A terrific achievement for you and for Japan.

Jordan Spieth (U.S.)

I think it’s really good for the game of golf globally. He’s a great young player who inevitably was going to win major championships. I know it’s his first win in quite a while, so I can also relate to that. I can only imagine, if he closes this out, how that’s going to feel.

Xander Schauffele (U.S.)

No one really wants to talk about how much pressure is on him. You look at the media that follows him. You look at what he’s done in his career. He’s a top ranked player with a ton of pressure on him, and that’s the hardest way to play. He’s able to do it, and he’s the first countryman to win the tournament, a major championship. Everyone was hoping and thought he was going to win one a long time ago, and he kind of lost a little bit of form. I know his team relatively well, and he kept working hard through all of it. So big kudos to him and his team. I’m sure a lot of people are having some beers over there.

Anirban Lahiri (Ind) via Twitter

What a win! Hideki you did it! Time for all of us to step up. So happy and so proud of you my friend! #asiarising #gointl #masters #greenjacket

C.T. Pan (Tpe) via Twitter

Congratulations to my @presidentscup teammate, Hideki Matsuyama, for winning

@themasters and 1st Japanese Major winner.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)

Hideki is obviously quiet. You know, he’s doing his own thing, but it’s all down to business when it comes to the golf course. He’s a fun guy. He’s all around just a great player, and when he gets it sort of dialled in like he did that back nine yesterday, he backs himself a lot, and he hits the shot that needs to be hit. I think it’s time for someone that side winning a major, and it’ll be great for Hideki and for his country. The Japanese people are great people, and they love their golf. You know, I think it’ll be a great thing for his country.

Charl Schwartzel (Rsa)

It will be quite ironic because 10 years ago, when I won the green jacket, he was low amateur. So he was sitting next to me when I was at the presentation. He’s just a great player. I’m sure he’s shown us all over the last 10 years that he’s been out here that, when he gets going, he’s a guy that feeds off confidence. He sets high expectations. When he’s got confidence, (it’s) straight at every flag, and he seems to pull them off too. It would be huge for Asia.

Byeong Hun An (Kor) via Twitter

Seeing Hideki winning Masters is not only great for Japan, it is also great for Asian golf.

Abraham Ancer (Mex)

He was actually very funny (during the 2019 Presidents Cup). I mean, he doesn’t know much English, but we had a great time. He was a great team player, obviously great player, and I think he’s got his game where he wants it to win. He can win any week. He’s one of the guys that I feel like he obviously should have won more with his ability. He’s been out here for a while now, and he’s still very young, but he’s a cool guy. He’s got a lot of talent, and he’s got everything to win here and really anywhere. When I was there for the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (in 2019), the people watching him and Tiger (Woods) was – it was like a major. So for him to get this ‘W’, it’s huge for Japan. I had no idea how big the following was of golf down there, and it was amazing. It would mean the world I’m sure for all the Japanese people for him to win.

Kevin Na (U.S.)

Hideki is an awesome player. I remember losing a playoff to him at Memorial. I told him early in his career when I played with him, I said, You’ve got to be a major champion some day; you’re that good. I actually played in a pro-am with him in Sony Open when he was an amateur and I was the pro in the group, and it’s nice to see. It means a lot. I know Y.E. Yang won the PGA Championship, the first Asian-born player to win a major, and then first Asian-born to win the Masters, it’s a big deal. It’s not over yet, but I’m thinking that he does. It would be huge for Asia.

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Aegerter stamps some authority on Day 1

Apr 13. 2021

The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup field are back in action and it’s the Swiss rider on top of the pile on Monday

The second Official FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup test of the 2021 season is underway at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto and it’s race winner and 2020 contender Dominique Aegerter on top for Dynavolt Intact GP on Day 1. The Swiss rider pulled out an impressive half second on the field as MotoE™ got back in action, with Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) closest on the chase and rookie Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) impressive in third, a tenth and a bit off the German. Reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) was quickest out the blocks in the morning, the Spaniard topping session one of three. But Aegerter hit back in Session 2 and put the hammer down as the only rider into the 1:47s, setting his quickest lap of the day to lay down a benchmark – although his best lap later in the afternoon saw him get to within thousandths of it as well. Tulovic, Pons and fourth overall Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) all set their best efforts in Session 3, with Torres’ time from Session 2 slotting him into fifth overall. The fastest rookie from the first test, Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team), took sixth on Day 1, just edging out fellow debutant Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE). Veterans Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE), 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Team Gresini MotoE) and Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) completed the top ten, with Colombian newcomer Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) just edged out. Ferrari and Cardelus both crashed, riders ok.  The test also saw the return of Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) from injury, the Italian slotting into P13 as he gets back up to speed, sure to be looking for more on Tuesday. So what awaits on Day 2? A race simulation! The combined times from FP1 and FP2 decide the grid for that, so the picture will be a little different to the overall bests on Monday. The front row sees Aegerter head Torres and Granado, with Zaccone, Ferrari and Aldeguer on Row 2. Cardelus lines up seventh, with Tulovic and Pons losing out a little more compared to their place on the overall combined timesheets as they complete Row 3. Who’ll come out on top in the first “racing” laps of the season? We’ll find out on Tuesday so stay tuned to motogp.com and across social media! Tulovic was the closest to Aegerter on Day 1 Granado was fourth as he switches teams Torres is still quick as he looks to defend the Cup Pons was third overall and fastest rookie

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Magical Matsuyama makes Masters history for Asia following one-shot win for the ages

Apr 12. 2021Hideki Matsuyama (Credit to Getty Images)

Hideki Matsuyama created Masters Tournament history on Sunday after overcoming intense pressure and the weight of a nation to become the first Japanese male golfer to triumph at Augusta National and put on the famous green jacket.

 Leading by four overnight, a one-over 73 in the final round was enough to earn Matsuyama a nervy but momentous one-stroke victory with his 10-under 278 total over American debutant Will Zalatoris (70) as he became only the second Asian male golfer to win a major following Y.E. Yang’s triumph at the 2009 PGA Championship.

 Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters winner, and Xander Schauffele, playing in the final group with Matsuyama, finished three back in a share of third place after rounds of 70 and 72 respectively.

 Matsuyama’s ascendency marks a full circle in his stellar career as it was at Augusta National 10 years ago that he first announced his arrival on the global stage by emerging as the low amateur. Then, he watched up close Phil Mickelson slipping the green jacket on Charl Schwartzel, and he was soon beaming with pride after last year’s champion, Dustin Johnson did the honours for him in Butler Cabin.

 The long-awaited victory, which was Matsuyama’s sixth PGA TOUR title and his first since August 2017, was written in the stars as seven days ago, 17-year-old compatriot Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Matsuyama had previously finished fifth and tied seventh at the Masters in 2015 and 2016 respectively while his best major outing was a joint runner-up result in the 2017 U.S. Open.

 “I’m really happy,” Matsuyama said through his long-time interpreter Bob Turner. “My nerves really didn’t start on the second nine. It was right from the start today and right to the very last putt. Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer in this (winning the Masters) and many other Japanese will follow. I’m glad to be able to open the floodgates hopefully, and many more will follow me.”

 An opening bogey against Zalatoris’ fast start which featured birdies in the first two holes quickly saw Matsuyama’s lead dwindle down to one stroke early on. However the Japanese star bounced back with birdies on Hole Nos. 2, 8 and 9 to make the turn with what looked like a comfortable five-shot lead.

But as they say at Augusta National, the Masters often begins on the back nine on Sunday afternoon and Matsuyama soon felt the full brunt of trying to chase down his maiden major title. He dropped four bogeys, including three over his closing four holes, but eventually prevailed after safely two-putting from six feet for a closing bogey. Once the magnitude of his major breakthrough had sunk in, he raised his hands in jubilation and shed tears of joy while walking back to the clubhouse.

 “My plan this morning was to wake up about 9:30. But needless to say, I arose much earlier than that and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I came to the golf course early. Had a really good warm-up. I felt really good going to the first tee, until I stood on the first tee, and then it hit me that I’m in the last group of the Masters Tournament and I’m the leader by four strokes. And then I was really nervous,” said Matsuyama, who became the eighth champion to close with an over-par round.

 “But I caught myself, and the plan was just go out and do my best for 18 holes. And so that was my thought throughout day, just keep doing my best. It’s been a struggle recently. This year, no top-10s, haven’t even contended. So I came to Augusta with little or no expectations. But as the week progressed, as I practiced, especially on Wednesday, I felt something again. I found something in my swing. And when that happens, the confidence returns. And so I started the tournament with a lot of confidence.”

 He is looking forward to returning to his golf-crazed home country soon to celebrate with his family and friends. “I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like, but what a thrill and honour it will be for me to take the green jacket back to Japan. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Matsuyama, whose victory took him up to seventh place on the latest FedExCup standings.

 “I hope it will affect golf in Japan in a good way. Not only those who are golfers already, but hopefully the youngsters who are playing golf or thinking about playing golf, I hope they will see this victory and think it’s cool and try to follow in my footsteps. Until now, we haven’t had a major champion in Japan, and maybe a lot of golfers or younger golfers, too, thought, well, maybe that’s an impossibility. But with me doing it, hopefully that will set an example for them that it is possible and that, if they set their mind to it, they can do it, too.”

 When asked if his Masters breakthrough will finally set him apart from other Japanese greats who include the likes of Isao Aoki, Jumbo Ozaki, Tommy Nakajima, Shigeki Maruyama and Shingo Katayama, Matsuyama, in typical fashion replied: “You know, I can’t say I’m the greatest. However, I’m the first to win a major, and if that’s the bar, then I’ve set it.”

 Korea’s Si Woo Kim closed with a final round 72 to finish T12 on 286 to earn a return trip next year’s Masters.

 Final-Round Notes – Sunday, April 11, 2021

 Weather: Mostly cloudy and breezy. High of 80. Wind W 10-15 mph, gusting to 23 mph.

 Final-Round Leaderboard

Hideki Matsuyama            69-71-65-73—278 (-10)

Will Zalatoris                      70-68-71-70—279 (-9)

Jordan Spieth                     71-68-72-70—281 (-7)

Xander Schauffele              72-69-68-72—281 (-7)

Jon Rahm                           72-72-72-66—282 (-6)

Marc Leishman                  72-67-70-73—282 (-6)

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Matsuyama on brink of Masters glory after glorious 65

Apr 11. 2021Hideki Matsuyama (Credit to Getty Images) 

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama put himself on the threshold of Masters Tournament history after a stunning 7-under 65 in the third round fired him into a four-shot lead at Augusta National on Saturday.

No Asian golfer has slipped on the famous green jacket awarded annually to the Masters champion and the 29-year-old gave himself the best opportunity following a sublime inward 30 featuring four birdies and an eagle. He stands at 11-under 205.

 Four players – Xander Schauffele (68), Marc Leishman (70), Justin Rose (72) and Will Zalatoris (71) – share second place on 209, with Corey Conners (68) lying a further shot back. After starting the day three off the pace, Korea’s Si Woo Kim carded a 74 to drop to a share of 10^th on 2-under.

 Matsuyama came out firing on all cylinders following a one hour 15 minute weather suspension, taking advantage of softer conditions. He rolled in a 19-footer for birdie on 11 following a great recovery shot, and snared further birdies on 12, 16 and 17, and an eagle on the par-5 15^th after striking a beautiful five iron approach to five feet. He made a vital par save at the last, getting up and down from the back of the green to post the tournament’s first bogey-free round and his career low score at Augusta National.

 “Before the horn blew, I probably hit the worst shot I’ve hit this week (on 11), but after the restart, I hit practically every shot exactly how I wanted to. I just figured, I can’t hit anything worse than that. And so maybe it relieved some pressure,” said Matsuyama, who played games on his cell phone in the car during the weather delay.

 Ten years ago, he was in Butler Cabin as a 19-year-old amateur receiving the Silver Cup for Low Amateur Honours at the 2011 Masters and watched up close South African Charles Schwartzel slipping on the green jacket. He hopes it will be his turn on Sunday, which comes a week after 17-year-old compatriot, Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

 Matsuyama holds two top-10s and three other top-20s at the Masters and has missed only one cut in nine appearances. His 65 was his 10^th straight round of par or better at Augusta National and when asked what it would it mean for Japan if he won Sunday, he replied:  “I’m not sure how to answer the question. All I can do is prepare well, try my best, and do the best that I can tomorrow. I love playing here, and hopefully I can make it 11 (par or better) tomorrow.”

 He will attempt to win his sixth PGA TOUR title and first since August 2017. In the past 10 years, he has amassed six top-10s in the majors, with a T2 at the 2017 U.S. Open being his best. At the Masters, Matsuyama’s best result is fifth place in 2015, one rung below compatriots Shingo Katayama (4^th/2009) and Toshi Izawa (T4/2001). Korea’s Sungjae Im’s tied second here last November is the best finish by an Asian golfer.

 Growing up in Japan, Matsuyama vividly recalls some of Tiger Woods’ early wins at the Masters, including the famous chip-in birdie on the 16^th hole in 2005 which inspired him to excel in the sport.  “I have a lot of great memories watching the Masters as a young boy. I was always dreaming someday I could play here,” said Matsuyama, who won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship twice to earn Masters invites in 2011 and 2012.

 Two Japanese women golfers have won majors – Hisako Higuchi and Hinako Shibuno – and Matsuyama will be hoping he will be making new memories and rewriting golf history along the way on Sunday.

 He will play alongside Schauffele, who is also chasing his first major win, again on Sunday. The winner of the Masters has come out of the final pairing 25 out of the last 30 years. “This will be a new experience for me, being a leader going into the final round in a major. I guess all I can do is just relax as I can tonight, prepare well and just do my best tomorrow,” he said.

 Third-Round Notes – Saturday, April 10, 2021

 Weather: Cloudy, with light showers late in the afternoon. High of 79. Wind SSE 10-15 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Play was suspended at 3:58 p.m. due to a dangerous weather situation. Play resumed at 5:15 p.m. for a delay of 77 minutes.

 Third-Round Leaderboard

Hideki Matsuyama            69-71-65—205 (-11)

Xander Schauffele              72-69-68—209 (-7)

Marc Leishman                  72-67-70—209 (-7)

Justin Rose                         65-72-72—209 (-7)

Will Zalatoris                      70-68-71—209 (-7)

Corey Conners                   73-69-68—210 (-6)

 Things to Know

• Hideki Matsuyama seeks to become the first male major championship winner from Japan
• Just two major championship winners (Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth) among the top 12 players on the leaderboard
• Matsuyama’s 65 is his best score at the Masters and represents the only bogey-free round of the week
• Matsuyama now has 10 straight par-or-better scores at the Masters
• The winner of the Masters has come out of the final pairing 25 out of the last 30 years; following a 4-under 68, Xander Schauffele joins Matsuyama in Sunday’s final pairing
• Jordan Spieth sits inside the top 10 through three rounds of the Masters for the sixth time in eight appearances
• The last Masters champion to win from outside the top five was Nick Faldo in 1989 (T9)
• First- and second-round leader Justin Rose trails by four after an even-par 72
• Will Zalatoris trails by four in his attempt to become the first player to win in Masters debut since 1979
• Marc Leishman is four behind in attempt to join Adam Scott as Aussie winners of the Masters
• Corey Conners hopes to become the first player to record an ace and win the Masters in the same week

 Third-Round Lead Notes

47          Third-round leaders/co-leaders to win the Masters Tournament

(most recent: Dustin Johnson/2020)

11          Third-round leaders/co-leaders to win in 2020-21

(most recent: Jordan Spieth/Valero Texas Open)

 Final pairing (entering the week)

Hideki Matsuyama (1^st/-11)

• Seeking to become the first male major championship winner from Japan
• A victory Sunday would come in his 187^th start on the PGA TOUR at the age of 29 years, 1 month, 17 days
• Third-round 65 is the only bogey-free round of the week and his 10^th straight par-or-better score at the Masters
• 65 is his best score in 37 rounds at Augusta National Golf Club (66/R4/2015)
• Holds his fifth third-round lead/co-lead on the PGA TOUR (1-for-4 to date; won the 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions)
• Only previous lead/co-lead at a major championship came at the 2017 PGA Championship (R2/finished T5)
• Making his 87^th start since the last of his five PGA TOUR wins: 2014 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions, 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open, 2017 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
• Making his 33^rd major championship appearance; best finish came at the 2017 U.S. Open (T2)

• Has finished inside the top 20 in five of his last starts at Augusta National, led by a fifth place showing in 2015
• Leads the field in Scrambling (13 of 15) and eagles (3)

 Additional Player Notes

• Xander Schauffele (T2) enjoyed his best finish in three prior starts at the Masters in 2019, finishing T2 and one stroke behind Tiger Woods; has three runner-up finishes this season (2020 THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK, 2021 Farmers Insurance Open, 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open)
• First- and second-round leader Justin Rose (T2) carded a second consecutive even-par 72 and trails Matsuyama by four strokes; 2013 U.S. Open champion is making his 67^th major championship appearance; finished T2 in 2015 and 2^nd in 2017 for his best finishes in 15 prior appearances at the Masters
• Marc Leishman (T2) trails by four in bid to join Adam Scott as Aussie winners of the Masters; scoring breakdown for the week: Nos. 1-6 (8-under; 8 birdies), Nos. 7-18 (1-over; 6 birdies, 7 bogeys)
• Will Zalatoris (T2) would become the first player to win in his debut Masters appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979; the last player to pick up his first PGA TOUR win in a major was Danny Willett at the 2016 Masters; has 10 top-25 finishes in 14 starts this season
• Corey Conners (6^th) aced the par-3 sixth hole with an 8-iron from 182 yards; marks his second ace on the PGA TOUR (2020 BMW Championship/R3/No. 6); of the 33 aces in Masters history, six have come at the sixth hole (most recent: Jamie Donaldson/2013); would become the first winner of the Masters with an ace during the week
• 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth (7^th) sits inside the top-10 on the leaderboard through three rounds of the Masters for the sixth time in eight starts (2014/1^st/finished T2, 2015/1^st/won, 2016/1^st/T2, 2017/4^th/T11, 2018/9^th/3^rd, 2021/7^th/TBD); the last player to win the week before winning the Masters was Phil Mickelson (2006 BellSouth Classic); leads the field in Greens in Regulation (44 of 54)
• With his third even-par 72 this week, Jon Rahm (T21) now has 14 consecutive par-or-better rounds at the Masters

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Patty, Jutanugarn sisters lead local challenge at Honda LPGA Thailand next month

Apr 10. 2021Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit

By THE NATION

Newly crowned ANA Inspiration winner Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit will spearhead the local challenge at the US$1.6-million Honda LPGA Thailand in Pattaya next month.

Patty, who on Sunday became the second Thai to win an LPGA Major title, will be joined by countrywoman and former world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and her sister Moriya as well as defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea.

Also competing on the pristine Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course from May 6-9 will be Danielle Kang (US), Park Sung-hyun (South Korea) and Japanese star Hinako Shibuno. They head a starry field of top players from Asia, the US and Europe.

Ariya, world No 1 in 2017 and winner of two LPGA Majors, the 2016 British Open and 2018 US Open said: “I’m excited to be competing in the Honda LPGA Thailand and as a Thai person I am also incredibly proud of the achievements my country has made in dealing with and managing the issues created by the pandemic. The fact that a great competition such as this can take place now sends a positive statement to the world and shows that Thailand is a wonderful golfing destination.”

Moriya, winner of the 2018 Hugel-JTBC LA Open, said: “Having the Honda LPGA back on is such a great feeling. … Events such as these really elevate the standard of golf in Thailand, and they also do a fantastic job of showing the world that Thailand golf courses are some of the best in the world.”

Patty is looking forward to parlaying her title-inning momentum into more success.

“My recent win at the ANA Inspiration will be my inspiration to have a great tournament at home. The Honda LPGA is always exciting, I am looking forward to competing in it again.”

Kang, winner of the 2017 Women’s PGA Championship, said: “has been so much anticipation from all of us on the LPGA circuit, we all want to get back to competing. I can’t wait to get onto the course.”

Said Park Sung-hyun, winner of the 2017 US Open and the 2018 PGA Championship: “It feels like a dream come true to be able to travel to Thailand once again and take part in this event and join my fellow professional female golfers in what is sure to be a thrilling tournament for all. The organisers have made every effort possible to make sure that this event is not only world-class but also safe.”

Japan’s Shibuno, winner of the 2019 British Open, will join the Honda LPGA Thailand for the first time. “This tournament is always a world-class event, and I am sure this year will be no exception,” she said. “The restrictions placed upon us all, not just in sports but in our day to day lives, have been challenging, so to have the opportunity to once again travel and play the sport I love feels amazing. I’m sure all the fans who will be tuning in to watch will be just as excited as all of the players will be.”

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Sports bodies told to avoid competitions

Apr 09. 2021

By The Nation

The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) on Thursday told all sports associations to avoid or postpone holding competitions to contain the Covid-19 surge.

The move comes after the number of Covid-19 cases skyrocketed in many provinces throughout Thailand.

“As spectators would be at risk of infection, the SAT would like to ask sports associations to avoid or postpone holding competitions with lots of spectators during this time,” the authority said.

“If it is necessary to do so, sports associations must strictly comply with the guidelines of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and provincial communicable disease committee’s measures to contain the spread of the virus.”

In response to the SAT’s call, the Football Association of Thailand said they would conduct the final of the Chang FA Cup at True Stadium in Pathum Thani on April 11 without spectators.

Meanwhile, the Thailand Volleyball Association will hold a closed-door competition of Volleyball Thailand League final at The Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok from April 9 to 11.

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Noppon pulls out of World Snooker Championship after positive Covid-19 test

Apr 09. 2021Noppon “Moo Paknam” Saengkham

By The Nation

Thai snooker player Noppon “Moo Paknam” Saengkham has withdrawn from the World Snooker Championship as he is infected with Covid-19.

In his Facebook post on Thursday, he said he had tested positive in Britain. He thanked his sponsors and fans for supporting him.

“I admit that I am quite disappointed, but I will use all feelings and lessons learned today to improve myself,” he said.

The 28-year-old player started his career in 2009. As of March 29 this year, he was ranked world No. 41 among professional snooker players.

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Inspired Matsuyama ends first day in T2 as he dreams of Masters glory

Apr 09. 2021Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama (Credit to Getty Images)

Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama enjoyed a 3-under 69 in the first round of the Masters Tournament as he found inspiration from the success of teenaged compatriot, Tsubasa Kajitani who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur four days earlier.

The 29-year Matsuyama sank an eagle, two birdies and a lone bogey on a fast and firm Augusta National Golf Club to lie in joint second place alongside Brian Harman, and four strokes behind Justin Rose who shot a blistering 65.

 Korea’s Si Woo Kim carded a 71 after dropping some late bogeys to share eighth place while countryman Sungjae Im, who finished joint runner-up here last November, stumbled to a 77 which included a quadruple bogey 9 on the par-5, 15^th hole where he found water twice. Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan, tied seventh last year, came home in 79.

 Making his 10^th successive Masters appearance, Matsuyama took full advantage of the par-5s, making birdies on Hole Nos. 2 and 13 from about 25 and 15 feet respectively and sinking an eagle on the eighth from 30 feet. A three-putt bogey on 17 was his only blemish as he was one of three players shooting in the 60s. The first round scoring average was 74.52.

 Matsuyama said he was over the moon following Kajitani’s success last weekend when the 17-year-old triumph in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur following a play-off. “What she did was fantastic. I wish I could have seen it. I was playing down in Texas, so I wasn’t able to see her play, but hat’s off to her. Hopefully, I can follow in her footsteps and make Japan proud,” said Matsuyama.

 “The greens were firm and fast. It was very important to hit your second shot on the proper side of the pin, and I was able to do that. I felt very good about my round today.”

 His Masters record is rather impressive. As a 19-year-old, he finished T27 in his debut 10 years ago to earn Low Amateur Honours and has since finished top-10 twice, with a fifth place in 2015 being his career best, and three times in the top-20. He shot back-to-back 68s last November before fading in the weekend with a pair of 72s to finish T13. His 69 on Thursday was also his eighth consecutive round of par or better at Augusta National.

 A five-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Matsuyama has not won since 2017 and he is also chasing to become the first Asian winner at the 85^th playing of the Masters. “It’s my 10^th year, but I’ve never seen the greens so firm and fast. So it was like a new course for me today, and I was fortunate to get it around well,” said Matsuyama.

 Kim, 25, featured on the leaderboard for much of the day with a controlled display, saying he “escaped not losing my mind.” He made five birdies on the card but late bogeys on 15 and 16 knocked him back.

 “Everything’s like pretty okay, and then I hit it good. I just escaped not losing my mind and just keep trying, keep trying, keep trying hard,” said Kim, who earned his third PGA TOUR victory in January.

 Making his fifth consecutive appearance at Augusta National, Kim said he did not mind the contrast in playing conditions compared to last November. “It’s really different. Like five months ago, soft and a little bit slow, versus now it’s like super firm and fast. It’s a little harder I think, but it’s good for me. I like the fast greens,” said Kim, who has finished T24, T21 and T34 after a missed cut debut appearance in 2017.

 After dropping a bogey on 11, which is the start of Amen Corner, Kim birdied the par-3 12^th from about 15 feet and then made an easy two-putt birdie on the par-3 13^th.  “On 12, I’m not trying to make birdie, just trying to get on the green. It’s a good shot in there,” he said.

 First-Round Notes – Thursday, April 8, 2021

Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 80. Wind SSW 10-15 mph, gusting to 20 mph.

 First-Round Leaderboard

Justin Rose                         65 (-7)

Brian Harman                    69 (-3)

Hideki Matsuyama            69 (-3)

Will Zalatoris                      70 (-2)

Webb Simpson                  70 (-2)

Christiaan Bezuidenhout   70 (-2)

Patrick Reed                       70 (-2)

Things to Know

• Justin Rose ties Jack Nicklaus for the most first-round leads/co-leads in Masters Tournament history
• With a 7-under 65, Rose cards his best score in 59 rounds at the Masters
• Rose’s four-shot cushion equals the second largest first-round lead at the Masters
• Rose holds his 19^th first-round lead/co-lead on the PGA TOUR (2-for-18 to date; 0-for-4 in major championships)
• 2015 champion Jordan Spieth rallies from a triple bogey on the par-4 ninth hole for a 1-under 71

• Hideki Matsuyama cards his eighth consecutive par-or-better score at the Masters
• Entering the week with top-five finishes in his previous two starts on TOUR, Brian Harman opens with a 69
• Tommy Fleetwood records the 23^rd ace on No. 16; marks his first ace in an individual stroke-play event on TOUR

• 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed birdies No. 16 for the sixth straight time en route to a 70
• Defending champion and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson posts a 74, including a double bogey on the final hole
• First-round scoring comparisons: average (2020/71.413, 2021/74.523), under-par scores (2020/53, 2021/12), scores in the 60s (2020/24, 2021/3)

First-Round Lead Notes

17          First-round leaders/co-leaders to win the Masters Tournament

(most recent: Dustin Johnson/2020)

5            First-round leaders/co-leaders to win in 2020-21

              (most recent: Matt Jones/The Honda Classic)

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Moraes retains ONE Flyweight World Title with shocking knockout of Johnson

Apr 09. 2021Adriano Moraes 

ONE Championship (ONE) returned to U.S. prime time with “ONE on TNT I” live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The card featured a pair of ONE Super Series all-striking matches and four mixed martial arts fights, including a historic battle for the ONE Flyweight World Title.

In the main event, reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes shocked the world with a second-round knockout of mixed martial arts legend and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

Moraes utilized his height and reach advantage as he circled Johnson from the outside. Johnson tried to close the distance, but Moraes caught the challenger with an uppercut and knee before completing the stunning second-round finish with a barrage of ground strikes. It was the first knockout loss of Johnson’s storied career.

The co-main event between multiple-time Lightweight World Champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez and #2-ranked lightweight contender Iuri Lapicus ended in controversial fashion. After a brief grappling exchange, the action was halted after the referee made the determination that Alvarez had landed illegal strikes to the back of the head, resulting in a red card and subsequent disqualification.

ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon was spectacular in his U.S. prime-time debut, winning a unanimous decision over “Mini T” Danial Williams after an explosive three-round contest. Williams came out firing from the opening bell, but Rodtang pressed the action and scored a knockdown in the second round with a sharp left hook. In the final round, Rodtang and Williams exchanged thunderous strikes in the center of the Circle to end the bout in style.

On the B/R lead card, welterweight contender Raimond Magomedaliev overcame a spirited effort from former ONE World Title challenger Tyler McGuire to earn a unanimous decision victory. In a rematch of featherweight kickboxing stars, Enriko “The Hurricane” Kehl edged out a split decision over the debuting Chingiz “Chinga” Allazov. And in a heavyweight clash, Senegalese sensation “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane pounded out Patrick “Big Swiss” Schmid for a TKO victory.

Official Results for “ONE on TNT I”

ONE Flyweight World Championship: Adriano Moraes defeats Demetrious Johnson via KO at 2:24 of round 2

Mixed Martial Arts – Lightweight: Iuri Lapicus defeats Eddie Alvarez via Disqualification at 1:03 of round 1

Muay Thai – Catch Weight (61.5 KG): Rodtang Jitmuangnon defeats Danial Williams via Unanimous Decision

Mixed Martial Arts – Welterweight: Raimond Magomedaliev defeats Tyler McGuire via Unanimous Decision

Kickboxing – Featherweight: Enriko Kehl defeats Chingiz Allazov via Split Decision

Mixed Martial Arts – Heavyweight: Oumar Kane defeats Patrick Schmid via TKO at 1:48 of round 1

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Asian esports players, staffers describe ‘unspeakable’ racism, harassment

Apr 08. 2021

By The Washington Post · Shannon Liao

“They call us Chinese, then harass us. The racism here is unspeakable.”

In a viral video with over 300,000 views since it was posted to Twitter on Tuesday, professional esports player Lee “Fearless” Eui-seok denounced hateful, anti-Asian acts he has experienced since coming to the United States. His comments have attracted attention across the esports industry and provided another example of the harassment and violence Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced throughout the country, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lee, a member of the Overwatch League’s Dallas Fuel team, was asked by a fan during a live stream what it’s been like for him since moving to Texas this year. “Being Asian here is terrifying, seriously,” he said in comments translated from Korean. “People keep trying to pick fights with us. Every time they see me, it’s like Americans will come up to us and there’s even people who cough on us. . . . It’s my first time ever experiencing racism. And it’s always – it’s pretty severe. And they try to scare us – lots of them just try to scare us.”

The video clip, taken from Amazon’s live-stream service Twitch, was interpreted by Jade Kim, 26, manager of the Florida Mayhem, another Overwatch League team. Kim said that when she first came across the clip from Lee, “it kind of just gave me whiplash.” (Twitch is owned by Amazon, whose founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post.)

Since coming to the United States for college, Kim said that she’s seen racism, and that hearing Lee’s comments reminded her of the “shock when I’d first experienced racism in the U.S. myself.”

Kim, who is from South Korea, said she was shocked when she arrived in the United States, learned about racially motivated harassment, saw the reactions of Asian Americans resigning after facing racism.

“My initial reaction after reaching out to people I knew on the Dallas staff, was just to not say anything else,” said Kim, who commonly goes by the name swingchip on social media. “But with everything going on in the States lately, I couldn’t let myself fold this one away as well, so I ended up translating the clip and posting it.”

Kim explained her motivations, saying, “Yes, I’m not a Dallas staff member, and yeah I don’t know Fearless personally, but I’m Korean too. I’m Asian too. I felt like that gave me enough reason to speak up and spread the word about it.”

Kim recalled an incident in February 2020 on a commercial flight from Florida to Philadelphia involving player Ha “Sayaplayer” Jung-woo when he competed with the Overwatch League’s Florida Mayhem.

Recounting the incident for The Post, Ha, who is now a pro “Valorant” player with the organization T1, said a White passenger lifted her phone high up and took photos of the Mayhem team throughout the flight, while Ha was trying to nap. Ha noticed that she was texting someone saying, there were so many “Chinese people” on the flight, and sending photos of the team. The person she texted replied with a swear word and then said, “Kill them all.”

Ha told The Post in comments translated from Korean by Kim, that at the time he had experienced several racist incidents, and just thought, “she was extremely pathetic.”

“I only found out about it later,” Kim said. “But the grief and anger I felt that he’d experienced that was quite strong, to say the least.”

Lee, often referred to as Fearless, signed with the Dallas Fuel on Nov. 7, during the Overwatch League’s offseason. He arrived in Texas early this year. On the stream, Lee began recounting how people he saw tended not to wear masks, though he and his team would. He then switched gears to talk about racially motivated harassment he was facing.

Lee described being cursed out for his race, and said he noticed that he was treated differently depending on whether he was wearing his team’s jersey or regular clothes.

“I wear my team jersey around on purpose,” he said on the stream. “If I have my jersey on, I think they realize we’re part of some kind of team, so they don’t bother us as much. But if I have my everyday clothes on, they run up to us, harass us, then run away.”

Activision Blizzard, which operates the Overwatch League, responded in a statement late Tuesday. “At Activision Blizzard, we condemn racism in the strongest possible terms,” the statement read. “We stand with the Asian community, our employees, and our players and are working across our organization, including esports, to do our part to combat hate and ignorance.”

Mike Rufail, founder and chief gaming officer of Envy Gaming, which owns and operates the Dallas Fuel, tweeted Tuesday night that he was “deeply saddened” by what his players were facing while walking on the streets of Texas.

While Dallas Fuel members received training on what to expect when arriving in their new city and how to prepare for people starting conversations with them, they were not trained on how to respond to racist harassment.

“It’s a bit shocking for it to be so close to our front door here,” Rufail told The Post on Wednesday. “When they landed here, we didn’t actually prepare them for specific occurrences like racism.”

The incidents Lee described occurred around the Victory Park area and the American Airlines Center, home to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars, when crowds would typically gather for sporting events, said Rufail. He added that the team has informed Victory Park and their building’s security teams to monitor the area more closely.

In some esports communities, particularly in the Overwatch League, many players are of Asian descent, and some do not speak English fluently. That can lead to a sense of disconnect between English-speaking fans and Asian players, noted Kim, the Florida Mayhem manager.

“That’s part of our job, is to show people that the players on the team, even if some of them don’t speak the best English and they’re Korean national players, they’re living here in the U.S. now. They’re like you and me, they’re like everybody else,” Rufail said. “We’re going to continue to . . . do a lot more content around the team to show their personality and I think people who might have a bit of a, we’ll say discriminatory type personality, might understand a little bit better that our Korean players can connect with them in a way that maybe they didn’t know previously.”

Other prominent figures in the esports industry have experienced racially motivated harassment.

“I’m not surprised, but it still hurts to hear,” said Harrison “Psalm” Chang, a professional “Valorant” player who came in second place in the 2019 Fortnite World Championship, about his reaction to the viral clip of Lee.

Chang said that in his online interactions on social media, people have left him racist comments about having small eyes or eating dogs, and making racist slurs that mocks Asian languages.

“I’ve experienced those comments as long as I’ve been online,” he said, adding that the coronavirus pandemic that originated in China has given “extra fuel” to people who already disliked Asians.

Ashley Kang, owner and interviewer for Korizon Esports, a “League of Legends”-centric media outlet and YouTube channel, recalled receiving racist comments. Kang is based in Seoul, but she hails from New Zealand.

“I remember a dozen occasions where I was called ching chong by strangers while walking in the streets of New Zealand and Berlin,” she said. “Still, it should no less normalize my own experience or that of Fearless.”

Esports organizations have issued statements against the recent spate of anti-Asian attacks. Andbox, which owns the New York Excelsior team in the Overwatch League, stated on March 16, “Racial discrimination has no place in our world, but members of the Asian community in New York and around the country continue to be victims of hateful words and acts. We proudly stand with this community and repudiate this behavior.” It then listed organizations that supported Asian communities.

Kang said that while racism is an issue that extends beyond esports, “the esports industry can also do its own part to stand up to the current situation and promote change. I respected a lot of esports orgs for releasing #StopAsianHate statements. Visibility matters, and is often the first step for bringing change.”

Esports leaders emphasized being proactive.

“More esports companies can maybe stay ahead of having to go through one of these situations to do something about it,” said Rufail, the founder of Envy Gaming. “Certainly at Envy, even when we’re not going through things like this in the future, we will be trying to create awareness in certain areas for this just because I see it starting to unwind the fabric of this entire country. And maybe it has been for a long time.”