Thailand’s golf star Jasmine Suwannapura has signed on as a client of global sports marketing agency Sportfive.
The 28-year-old, who turned professional in 2011, has signed with Sportfive for worldwide management and representation of all her commercial activities.
Jasmine, one of Thailand’s leading women golfers, is currently ranked 72nd on the Women’s World Golf Ranking. Last year, she finished in the top 20 of the LPGA Season Standings and 12th on the money list – both of which are her career-best results.
A winner of nine professional events worldwide, she has two career victories and seven top-10s on the LPGA Tour to her name. She got the first of her two titles at the 2018 Marathon Classic before clinching another victory at the 2019 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Jasmine will join a Sportfive star-studded stable that includes American Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm from Spain as well as Malaysia’s Danny Chia and Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand.
“I am really excited to sign with a renowned agency like Sportfive as I take the next step in my career and excel and focus on the game on hand. With their leadership in golf on a vast global scale, they are the perfect partner to help me fulfil my potential and reach my goals,” said Jasmine.
“We are thrilled to have a dynamic player like Jasmine join our team. With her background, talent and potential, we are confident that there will be plenty of opportunities that we can uncover as her career develops,” said Patrick Feizal Joyce, senior vice president, Golf – APAC, Sportfive.
Thai star Kiradech hopes to reignite game after difficult year
Feb 09. 2021Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Credit to Getty Images)
Once ranked inside the world’s top-30, Kiradech Aphibarnrat hopes to haul himself out of the doldrums as he makes his first PGA TOUR start of 2021 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which begins Thursday.
The grip it-and-rip it Thai star has endured such difficult past 12 months, following the loss of form and the aftereffects of contracting COVID-19, that his main goal for the year is to play as much tournament golf as he can to reignite his game.
Kiradech featured on the European Tour’s Middle East swing recently, where he missed one cut and finished T60 and T41 in two other starts. He hopes competing in his fourth straight week will provide the foundation to build some momentum ahead of a return Stateside.
“I don’t want to make any goals as I want to get back to playing regularly again. I want to find the confidence and form and make sure I’m swinging the golf club good enough,” said the 31-year-old Kiradech, a former Asian No. 1 and four-time European Tour winner.
Between 2015 and 2018, Kiradech was at his peak, winning six times around the world in countries such as Scotland, China and Australia, and rising as high as 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking and earning his PGA TOUR card. He was prolific in playing around 30 tournaments annually, something he failed to do in 2020 due to COVID-19, as he made only 14 starts worldwide, of which eight were missed cuts. Seven of those came on the PGA TOUR across just 10 starts.
A tie for 11th place at the Bermuda Championship last November proved to be a false dawn as he Kiradech tested positive for the coronavirus the following week and was subsequently forced to shut down again. “It has been difficult, a difficult time and year but I know I can get through this,” said Kiradech, who is currently ranked 287th in the world – his lowest in a decade.
“It’s getting better but I can’t say I’m 100 percent. Still a long way to full fitness. This is the first time in my career that I’ve been in this situation. I haven’t played much golf over the last few months and in the past year, I played less golf. Last year was tough. I just want to go out to play and enjoy my golf again.”
His results in the Middle East were modest by his high standards. However, the burly Thai enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with his swing coaches, Pete Cowen and Mike Walker, whom in the past have provided the confidence boost whenever he was seeking some form.
“I believe in my coaches. When I played well, I was using them and I believe in them. I’ve got a good team and I don’t have to do anything different. It’s just me and I need to get my body right. When I see them, they always help with my golf swing. Pete and Mike, they all push me and trust that I will play well again. Every player have a hard time playing this game and I’m one of them now. It’s the first time in my career I have to work through this difficult time. It’s not easy for sure.”
With only five starts under his belt in the ongoing PGA TOUR 2020-21 season, Kiradech finds himself behind the eight ball and knows he need to make the most of his opportunities, starting with this week at Pebble Beach.
“I’m not fully exempt like last year following the re-rank and my status is lower now. When we restarted (last June), I couldn’t get back to playing due to travel restrictions. I know I need to play decent so my ranking can go up. It’s going to be more difficult and I don’t want to pressure myself. The goal is to play great golf but if it’s not my year, then it’s not my year,” said Kiradech, who currently lies in 158th position on the FedExCup points list.
“However, I don’t think I’m so far off my best. It’s just the timing and the situation right now is difficult. My mental coach (Lee Campbell) keeps telling me to continue to keep working hard and trust that I will come back.”
Lee enjoys career best runner-up finish at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Feb 08. 2021Filepic K.H. Lee (credit to Getty Images)
Korea’s K.H. Lee had a sniff at glory before settling for a career best joint runner-up finish behind winner Brooks Koepka following a thrilling final round shootout at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Lee closed with a 3-under 68 at TPC Scottsdale to share second place with co-overnight leader Xander Schauffele (71) as they ended a stroke back of Koepka, who secured his eighth PGA TOUR title with a closing 65, highlighted by a spectacular chip-in eagle on the 17th hole.
Jordan Spieth, who led into the last round with Schauffele, carded a 72 to settle for tied fourth position alongside veteran star Steve Stricker (67) and Carlos Ortiz (64).
Starting the day three behind the co-leaders, Lee hung around the leaderboard all day and briefly tied for the lead with a birdie on the 15th hole. However all hopes of a maiden PGA TOUR victory were dampened when Koepka pulled ahead with a spectacular chip-in eagle from 97 feet on the penultimate hole.
Lee, who has won four times in Asia, had a 33-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole to force a playoff but agonisingly missed the target. Still, the Korean was beaming with pride as his previous best individual performance was a tied fifth finish at the 2019 RSM Classic while he was equal third with partner Matt Avery at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, also in 2019.
“It was very exciting this week. Everything was good … from my irons, driver and putting. I also had a lot of saves, so I learned a lot of things. I’m very happy,” said Lee, who notched his fourth career top-10 on TOUR.
He was thrilled to hit nearly 85% of Greens in Regulation and said the hard work put into his swing during the tournament had paid off. He believes this week’s experience will help in his pursuit for a first victory.
“I was a little nervous and hopefully the next time when I’m in the same situation, I will take the chance and hopefully win,” said Lee, who moved up to 48th position on the FedExCup points list after earning 245 points.
Koepka was relieved to return into the winner’s circle after a difficult year marred by injuries. He made three straight birdies from the 13th hole before chipping in for eagle on 17 which ended his win drought dating back to July 2019.
“I love this place, this golf course is always fun. It feels good,” said Koepka, who triumphed in Phoenix in 2015 for his first TOUR victory. “I like the way in how I finished it off. I hit some quality shots down the stretch. I’ve not been in contention in God knows how long. To hit those golf shots like I’m accustomed to seeing when the pressure is on, it’s a good feeling. I missed that pressure, I missed the atmosphere of the fans and I am excited to have them back.”
Schauffele was bidding to lift a fifth PGA TOUR victory and his first in nearly two years but fell one shot shy. “It was a good day to learn from some mistakes. Have to continue to stay patient until I can win again. Winning is tough, I’ll lick my wounds and come back,” said Schauffele, whose third runner-up finish this season sees him taking over the lead in the FedExCup points list.
“Congrats to Brooks. He’s a great example. Won four majors, true champion and it shows. He hasn’t been in great form, comes out here, and wins a tournament. There is a lot to be said for him and his recipe for winning. Me and my team are trying to figure it out ourself.”
Superb finish keeps Lee in contention at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Feb 07. 2021Jordan Spieth celebrates a birdie at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Saturday. (Photo credit to Credit Getty Images)K.H. Lee produced a glorious eagle, birdie finish to stay in contention at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Saturday.
A third successive 5-under 66 at TPC Scottsdale moved the gutsy Korean into a share of third place but standing between him and a career first PGA TOUR victory are two of the game’s leading stars, Xander Schauffele (65) and back-in-form, Jordan Spieth (61) who co-lead the PGA TOUR tournament on 18-under 195.
Lee, 29, enjoyed the rub of the green in front of some 5,000 fans, the first time this year an event has allowed limited spectators in attendance. He holed a bunker shot on the sixth, drained a 28-foot birdie putt on eight, converted a routine two-putt birdie on 15 before delivering a grandstand finish by chipping in from 40 yards for an eagle two on 17 when and knocking home an 11-footer on 18. His lone bogey came on the 10th hole.
Playing in his third season on TOUR after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour, Lee hopes to become the second Korean in three weeks to win on TOUR following Si Woo Kim’s triumph at The American Express, and only the second Asian golfer after Hideki Matsuyama of Japan (2016 & 2017) to taste victory at TPC Scottsdale.
It took a par save on the second hole to spark Lee’s round. “I missed the fairway on two and it was not a good start but I managed to save par. That helped me not to lose momentum and kept me going,” said Lee, who has three career top-10s, including a T5 at the 2019 RSM Classic as his best solo performance.
“I did not expect that shot to go in (for eagle) on 17. I had a good lie and I just felt good standing over the shot. After hitting the chip, it took a bounce and I thought it had a chance of going in. After It went in, I felt great … It gave me a lot of excitement and more energy which led to my birdie on 18. It is great to finish eagle, birdie. I am three shots behind and I think I have a chance if I can keep my head down and play my own game.”
World No. 4 Schauffele, chasing a fifth TOUR victory and his first in over two years, birdied four of his closing six holes to retain his overnight lead alongside Spieth, who fired a career best 10 birdies to tie his low career round. Spieth has 11 wins on TOUR but has not won since 2017. When holding the lead/co-lead after 54 holes, Spieth has won nine times in 16 previous occasions, with the last being The Open Championship in 2017.
Spieth, 27, said: “I expect myself to be extremely nervous. I’ve been there a lot of times, but it’s been a long time. So I imagine I’ll be very uncomfortable at least to start, but a lot times I kind of like that sometimes. You know, it kind of almost makes you really play a little safer early and just get into the round. I’m looking forward to just staying the course, trusting it. I have no expectations on the results tomorrow. I really don’t.”
Since his last victory in January 2019, Schauffele, ranked sixth on the FedExCup points list, has posted seven runner-up finishes including two this season, most recently at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open in his hometown of San Diego. He knows patience is key to victory.
“I just need to get off to a better start. I think I can take some pressure off myself if I do that. Obviously 18 holes left of this tournament, and today I was worried. I got off to a bad start and I knew I had more than 18 holes so that kept me calm. No matter what happens tomorrow, if I can just stay patient, I’m playing good enough golf to make up poor shots and kind of collect my thoughts. It’ll be fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Si Woo Kim (70), Sungaje Im (68), Hideki Matsuyama (69) and Satoshi Kodaira (68) will enter the final round in a share of 36th position on 207 while Byeong Hun An carded a 70 to lie a further stroke back. Xinjun Zhang of China signed for a 73 for T64.
Rassohyna submits Stamp Fairtex with Guillotine Choke to claim One atomweight
Feb 06. 2021
ONE Championship returned Friday with ONE: UNBREAKABLE III. The explosive card featured six compelling mixed martial arts contests, the majority of which ended in spectacular finishes.
In the main event, submission specialist Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine overcame an impressive all-around performance from #5-ranked atomweight mixed martial arts contender Stamp Fairtex of Thailand to win by submission in the final moments of the third round.
Stamp showcased her striking superiority early, attacking Rassohyna with damaging elbows from close range and tagging her with swift punching combinations.
The Ukrainian fighter tried her best to close the gap and drag Stamp to the canvas, where she threatened with her signature armbar, but the former two-sport ONE World Champion exhibited impeccable submission defense, thwarting multiple attempts from Rassohyna.
In the third frame, a late scramble allowed Rassohyna to catch Stamp with a guillotine choke, forcing the tap with only seconds remaining. It is the first defeat on Stamp’s professional mixed martial arts record.
In the co-main event, rising Brazilian star Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade put on a striking masterclass, outlasting #2-ranked bantamweight Shoko Sato across three close rounds of intense action to win by unanimous decision. The Japanese athlete shot for takedowns from range, aiming to bring matters to the ground. Andrade, however, utilized his superior striking skills to keep Sato at bay and neutralize his wrestling. A sharp elbow from Andrade opened up a cut on Sato’s forehead in the final round, scoring heavily for the Brazilian in the damage category. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Andrade.
ONE Warrior Series product Ryuto “Dragon Boy” Sawada clinched his second straight win, submitting Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan in the first round. The Evolve MMA star used his opponent’s aggression to set up grappling exchanges on the mat, where he enjoyed a significant edge. Catalan tried his best to escape a series of sticky situations, but Sawada stuck firmly to his game plan. Near the end of the opening round, “Dragon Boy” worked his way to Catalan’s back and applied the fight-ending rear-naked choke.
An intense battle ensued as “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won met Mehdi Barghi in a heavyweight clash. Barghi stormed out at the opening bell, looking to use his freestyle wrestling pedigree to take his South Korean opponent down. The Iranian found success early on, as he gained full mount and unleashed ground-and-pound. Kang, however, bridged out to reverse positions on the mat. Once on top, he took advantage of an exhausted Barghi, raining down strikes from a dominant position until the referee stopped the contest.
Lightweight talent Ahmed “Wolverine” Mujtaba of Pakistan made a triumphant return to action, finishing Indian star Rahul “The Kerala Krusher” Raju with a quick one-punch knockout in the first round. The veteran Raju tried to use experience to his advantage, searching for openings from range. But Mujtaba was intent on throwing power shots with maximum force until one finally connected, which didn’t take long. A destructive overhand right exploded on Raju’s chin, completing the knockout win for the Pakistani warrior.
Kicking off the action at ONE: UNBREAKABLE III was a spirited encounter between Tial “The Dragon Leg” Thang and Paul “The Great King” Lumihi. The two bantamweights exchanged heavy combinations at the center of the Circle for the majority of the first round. Lumihi opted for a wider stance, attacking with fast kicks from the outside while Tial Thang looked to close the distance. In the second round, Tial Thang successfully brought the action to the ground, where he unloaded a series of fists to capture the TKO victory.
Official Results for ONE: UNBREAKABLE III
Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight: Alyona Rassohyna defeats Stamp Fairtex via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:53 of Round Three
Mixed Martial Arts – Bantamweight: Fabricio Andrade defeats Shoko Sato via Unanimous Decision
Mixed Martial Arts – Strawweight: Ryuto Sawada defeats Robin Catalan via Submission (Rear-naked Choke) at 4:19 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts – Heavyweight: Kang Ji Won defeats Mehdi Barghi via TKO at 4:50 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts – Lightweight: Ahmed Mujtaba defeats Rahul Raju via Knockout at 0:56 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts – Bantamweight: Tial Thang defeats Paul Lumihi via TKO at 2:25 of Round Two
Honda will continue to add to their illustrious history in Grand Prix racing as an agreement is signed with Dorna Sports S.L. to compete for the next five years, from 2022 to 2026.
A journey which began in 1954 when Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda, declared entry into the Isle of Man TT, the premier motorcycle racing event of the era, with the aim of becoming the best in the world. This journey has so far seen 100 different riders win on Honda machines and amass over 800 wins across all categories. In the premier class alone, Honda has claimed 850 podiums and 25 Rider World Championships, more than any other brand in history.
The journey will continue for at least five more years as Honda have agreed with commercial rights holder and series promoter Dorna Sports S.L. to guarantee their place on the grid until 2026.
Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd: “First, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to Carmelo Ezpeleta and everyone at Dorna Sports for their hard work in organizing races during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am very pleased that we have renewed our contract to compete in MotoGP from 2022 to 2026.
“Honda has been competing in the FIM Grand Prix World Championship since 1959, and won its 800th Grand Prix last year. Honda believes MotoGP racing is vital to our motorsports activities. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing – it allows us to develop various technologies, and through fierce competition, teach our engineers and nurture their skills. With these engineers working on the development of production vehicles, Honda can create better products for its customers. Honda will continue to bring dreams and joy to its customers worldwide through its motorsports activities, including MotoGP.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “This important announcement brings great pride to MotoGP because Honda is one of the first names that comes to our mind when we think about motorcycling racing. The Japanese manufacturer has been such an important part of the past, present and future of the FIM MotoGP World Championship and this renewal reinforces, even more, the commitment between both parties.”
PFL continues momentum with welterweight and light welterweight rosters for August
Feb 05. 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced its welterweight and light heavyweight rosters for the 2021 regular season, which begins April 23 on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in primetime.
Welterweights and light heavyweights will be featured on the April 29 broadcast.
Ray Cooper III’s 2019 redemption tour brought him to the pinnacle of the PFL’s welterweight division and the Hawaiian knockout artist will return for this year’s season in hopes of repeating as champion. Standing in his way will be MMA superstar Rory MacDonald – a former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger – as well as the man who ended Cooper’s 2018 run in the championship final, Magomed Magomedkerimov.
2019 runner-up David Michaud, Nikolai Aleksakhin, Joao Zeferino and Sadibou Sy will join the rest of the division in pursuit of Cooper and the 170-pound crown. Coming off the most dominant season in PFL history, light heavyweight champion Emiliano Sordi will face a young and hungry slate of 205-pounders looking to end his reign atop the division. Submission expert Jordan Young headlines the pack of talented light heavyweights which also features multi-sport veteran Chris Camozzi, fan-favorite Tom Lawlor, Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira and 2019 runner-up Jordan Johnson. Smealinho Rama, Dan Spohn and Marthin Hamlet will round out the division.
“We are excited to share the remaining rosters with the community as the PFL continues to prepare for the upcoming season,” said PFL CEO, Pete Murray. “The unique technology and innovation that the league brings is something that our fans and the MMA community will be able to experience first-hand and we can’t wait to showcase it all during the matchups.” “The welterweight division might be the deepest weight class in the PFL,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “With the addition of Rory to our two returning champions, there are no easy fights. The light heavyweights are stacked as well with Sordi and all the new top talent we’ve added. April 29 is going to be a fun night of fights.”
The 2021 Welterweight (170 lbs) roster includes:
Nikolai Aleksakhin
Ray Cooper III
Rory MacDonald
Magomed Magomedkerimov
David Michaud
Sadibou Sy
Joao Zeferino
The 2021 Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) roster includes:
Chris Camozzi
Cezar Ferreira
Marthin Hamlet
Jordan Johnson
Tom Lawlor
Smealinho Rama
Emiliano Sordi
Dan Spohn
Jordan Young
The 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25.
Professional Fighters League has quickly established itself as the No. 2 MMA company in the world. The league has experienced tremendous YoY growth across digital channels – 68% follower increase on Instagram, 30% total audience growth across digital and a 200% social engagement spike. Domestic linear viewing audience was up 43% in 2019, and the Championship on New Year’s Eve surpassed 500,000 viewers, a 65% YoY increase.
18 riders ready to fight it out in another spectacular season of MotoE
Feb 05. 2021
Eighteen riders representing 10 countries will battle it out this season, including 2020 Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) as he prepares to defend the throne.
2019 winner and 2020 runner-up Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) also returns, as does third overall Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP). There are some interesting move for fellow riders of experience too as race winner Eric Granado switches to One Energy Racing and Alessandro Zaccone heads for Octo Pramac MotoE.
The likes of Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse), Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing), Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) and Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) also remain on the grid, and there are some exciting new – and well-known – faces too.
Yonny Hernandez joins Octo Pramac MotoE as the popular Colombian makes a return to the Grand Prix paddock, and Hikari Okubo will be putting his WorldSSP experience to the test in a new challenge with Avant Ajo MotoE. Miquel Pons and Kevin Zannoni join LCR E-Team, Fermin Aldeguer will race as Herrera’s teammate at Openbank Aspar, Andrea Mantovani partners Ferrari at Trentino Gresini MotoE, Corentin Perolari joins Tulovic at Tech3 E-Team and Portuguese rider Andre Pires joins the ranks of Avintia Esponsorama Racing. How will the rookies get on? With a mix of backgrounds – and seeing the success of the likes of Torres on his debut – it will be another exciting year.
There is one name that remains to be confirmed at Pons Racing 40 as the team get ready to expand for 2021 and run two Energica Ego Corsas.
Symetra Tour Announces the 2021 “Road to the LPGA” Schedule
Feb 04. 2021
The Symetra Tour has released the 2021 “Road to the LPGA” schedule, featuring 20 tournaments and $3.8 million in total purses. Since 2013, average purses have increased by 76% and total purses are up 135%.
At an average purse size of $190,000 in 2021, players will compete for more money on a weekly basis than ever before in the 41-year history of the Tour.
“We are proud to unveil a schedule that includes six new title sponsors, six new venues and three existing tournaments that have increased their purse,” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours. “Each year, our two stated goals for the schedule are to improve the quality of the venues for both new and existing tournaments, and to increase the amount of money for which our athletes are competing for each week. We are grateful to our new host venues for welcoming us, as well as our new and familiar title partners who have demonstrated commitment to financially supporting these players who are chasing their LPGA Tour dreams.”
2021 FEATURES SIX NEW TITLE PARTNERS AND SIX NEW VENUES
Last week, the Tour announced two new Arizona-based partners — Carlisle Companies Inc. and Casino Del Sol Resort — that will be part of the West Coast swing to open the season. The Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic kicks off the 2021 campaign from March 18-21 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, while the Women’s Golf Classic at Casino Del Sol heads to Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson from April 15-18.
Between the two Arizona stops is the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, as players will return to Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in Beaumont, Calif., from March 26-28 for its typical spring date. Meanwhile, the extended Western run concludes with new host and title sponsor Copper Rock Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah, holding the inaugural Copper Rock Championship from April 22-24.
Twin Bridges joins the LPGA Tour family in 2021 as a first-time sponsor of the long-running Symetra Tour event in Albany, N.Y., relocating the tournament to Pinehaven Country Club for the Twin Bridges Championship from July 23-25. Another new tournament venue will be introduced by a familiar sponsor Four Winds Casinos as South Bend Country Club is set to host the Four Winds Invitational in South Bend, Ind., from Aug. 13-15.
Finally, Circling Raven Golf Club and the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley, Idaho, which was originally scheduled to join the Tour schedule in 2020, will welcome the inaugural Circling Raven Championship from Aug. 27-29. Two additional title sponsors and one new venue will be announced in the weeks to come.
PURSE INCREASES LEAD TO HIGHEST AVERAGE IN TOUR HISTORY
In 2013, when average purses totaled $108,000, the highest weekly prize on the 15-event schedule was a single tournament at $150,000. This year, increases by both the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship in Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla., from May 28-30, and the Four Winds Invitational leads to half of the events on the 2021 schedule featuring purses of $200,000 or more. The four new tournaments on the schedule sponsored by Carlisle Companies Inc., Casino Del Sol Resort, Copper Rock Golf Course and Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel (Circling Raven Golf Club) all debut with a $200,000 purse, helping contribute to the highest average purse in Symetra Tour history.
SYMETRA TOUR ENTERS 41ST SEASON OF COMPETITION
More than 300 players from at least 40 countries hold Symetra Tour Membership in 2021. Just last year, seven different countries were represented among the 10 champions during the 2020 season (Chinese Taipei, Finland, People’s Republic of China, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United States).
Tour entitlement partner Symetra is set to host two events once again. The first is the 10th edition of the Symetra Classic to be contested in Davidson, N.C., from May 14-16 at River Run Country Club. The Symetra Tour Championship from October 7-10 will conclude the season at LPGA International in Daytona Beach.
The Potawatomi Cup also returns to the Symetra Tour calendar for a ninth straight year. The contest highlights the contributions of three member tribes from the Potawatomi Nation that host tournaments throughout the Midwest. Symetra Tour Members will compete for a $30,000 prize pool with the opening event of the three-tournament series, the Island Resort Championship, at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris, Mich., from June 11-13. It will be followed by the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship from Aug. 6-8 at Battle Creek Country Club in Battle Creek, Mich., before the Four Winds Invitational wraps up the Potawatomi Cup from Aug. 13-15.
Seven other tournaments return to the Symetra Tour schedule in 2021: the Garden City Charity Classic in Garden City, Kan. (Buffalo Dunes Golf Club from April 30-May 2); the IOA Golf Classic in Longwood, Fla. (Alaqua Country Club from May 21-23); the Prasco City Championship in Maineville, Ohio (TPC River’s Bend from June 25-27); the Donald Ross Classic in French Lick, Ind. (French Lick Resort from July 8-10); the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic in Rochester, N.Y. (Brook Lea Country Club from July 15-18); the Guardian Championship in Prattville, Ala. (Capitol Hill Golf Club on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail from Sept. 18-20); and the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout in El Dorado, Ark. at the newly renovated Mystic Creek Golf Club from Sept. 24-26.
The Symetra Tour will once again partner with the Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) in 2021, with the top two finishers in each of the WAPT’s eleven tournaments through July earning a place in a subsequent Symetra Tour event. Additionally, the Top 5 players and ties on the WAPT Player of the Year Points List prior to the first stage of the LPGA Tour Q-School will earn an exemption into the second stage.
At the end of the season, the top 10 players on the official Race for the Card money list will graduate to the LPGA Tour for the 2022 season. Every year from 2008-2019, the top 10 players have been awarded LPGA Tour Membership. That will happen once again in 2021 as players look to join the 162 graduates before them who made the leap to the LPGA Tour. Those who finish from Nos. 11-35 on the official Race for the Card money list will advance to LPGA Q-Series.
ONE Championship reveals premiere date for ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’
Feb 04. 2021
ONE Championship announced the official premiere date for “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” and introduced all 16 candidates competing on the debut season of ONE’s unique take on the global hit reality TV show.
“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” will premiere across Asia on Thursday, 18 March, on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, with markets to include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” will also be available on other platforms and TV networks across Asia in March, including MediaCorp (Singapore), Abema (Japan), KompasTV (Indonesia), Amarin TV (Thailand), LINE TV (Thailand), TV5 Network (Philippines), and HTV (Vietnam).
In China, ONE has entered into a broadcast agreement with ByteDance to stream “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” on their Douyin, Xigua, and Toutiao platforms beginning on Saturday, 20 March.
The Asian debut in March will be followed by a global launch in June 2021.
Refinery Media served as the company’s production partner. The production was helmed by Executive Producer and Refinery Media Founder Karen Seah.
With support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” was filmed entirely in Singapore in accordance with prevailing health and safety protocols. The series features iconic locations and brings forth passion made possible stories that mirror the country’s never-settling spirit of enterprise.
Also revealed were the show’s 16 candidates, who were selected from a field of thousands of applicants to compete for a US$250,000 job offer to work directly under ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for a year as his protege in Singapore.
The international cast of candidates come from 11 nations across the globe and represent Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand.
Jasmine Suwannapura
Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Credit to Getty Images)
Filepic K.H. Lee (credit to Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth celebrates a birdie at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Saturday. (Photo credit to Credit Getty Images)K.H. Lee produced a glorious eagle, birdie finish to stay in contention at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Saturday.
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