#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

MotoGP remains live and exclusive on COSMOTE TV’S sports channels in Greece from 2021-2023 (nationthailand.com)

MotoGP remains live and exclusive on COSMOTE TV’S sports channels in Greece from 2021-2023

Dec 23. 2020

 MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ and MotoE™, as well as the MotoGP™ eSport Championship and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, confirmed on COSMOTE TV for another three years.

Dorna Sports is delighted to announce a contract extension that will see the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship remain live and exclusive on COSMOTE SPORT channels for a further three seasons. Fans in Greece will get live and exclusive coverage of MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ and MotoE™, as well as the MotoGP™ eSport Championship and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, from 2021 to 2023.

COSMOTE TV has broadcast MotoGP™ since 2012, giving Greek fans incredible live coverage of the sport. That coverage will now extend across every Grand Prix class – MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ – as well as the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup and the MotoGP eSport Championship as fans get the chance to enjoy everything from the electric to the virtual. In addition, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup gives viewers yet more incredible racing, showcasing the stars of tomorrow as a key programme on the Road to MotoGP™. All events are to be broadcast live and exclusively on COSMOTE SPORT HD channels, and COSMOTE TV’s motorsport show “Grand Prix” will also provide breaking news and updates from the world of motorsport, including MotoGP™.

Dimitris Michalakis, Executive Director, COSMOTE TV: “Motorsports are among the most popular sports events in our content line-up. We are happy to renew our long-term partnership with Dorna Sports for MotoGP during the next three-year period. With MotoGP and all the other top motorsport events of our program, COSMOTE TV will remain the No1 destination for motorsports fans in Greece.”

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director, Dorna Sports: “We are delighted to renew our agreement with COSMOTE TV for another three seasons, extending our partnership beyond the ten-year mark. COSMOTE TV has always proven a valuable partner and provided unrivalled MotoGP coverage in Greece, and we look forward to fans enjoying another three years of exclusive and quality coverage of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE, as well as eSport and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.”

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

‘Iron Man’ Rodtang looks to settle a score with Japanese star Nasukawa (nationthailand.com)

‘Iron Man’ Rodtang looks to settle a score with Japanese star Nasukawa

Dec 23. 2020Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon 

By THE NATION

Reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon is one of the most dominant and explosive fighters in the world. The way he just demolishes his opponents in the ring is absolutely astounding.

There’s nothing quite like watching Rodtang mow down his foes with such power, precision, and brute force.

Not many have been able to stand firm against him in the ring. He’s caused so many fighters to crumble under his immense pressure. Without a doubt, Rodtang has come very far in his career, and he has so much more ahead of him.

But if there’s one fight he definitely wants to run back, it’s against Japanese superstar Tenshin Nasukawa whom he met in the ring in June of 2018.

At the time, Rodtang was merely 21 years of age, locking horns with a fellow-young phenomenon. The fight was contested under kickboxing rules under the Rise banner in Tokyo. It was a closely-contested and exciting matchup between two young stars.

After five rounds of action, ringside judges had the fight at a draw, which means an extra round was necessary to determine the winner. Nasukawa ended up winning the round and taking the fight, although many fans and observers thought Rodtang had done enough to win. The result has been marred with controversy since.

“I think I was able to bring out my weapons in that fight. It was a close fight, but I thought I won. I can say for sure that I definitely improved so much since then. If we faced each other again this time around, things will be different,” Rodtang said, recalling the experience.

“If I get the chance to compete against him again, I would love to hunt him down for my Thai fans. I’m sure I can beat him and make my fans proud.”

He joined ONE Super Series in September 2018.

Since then, Rodtang has gone on to win even bigger fights, while gaining experience competing against the absolute best, including guys like Superbank Mor Ratanabandit, Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang, Kaonar PK SaenchaiMuaythaiGym, and former ONE world champions Jonathan Haggerty and Petchdam Petchyindee Academy.

Nasukawa is the current Rizin kickboxing featherweight world champion, and the current current RISE featherweight champion. Putting together this fight would be difficult because the two fighters are signed to different companies.

But despite all this, Rodtang still craves a rematch with Nasukawa, which he hopes will be under the ONE Super Series banner sometime in the near future.

“I would love to fight Tenshin again. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep after that fight because I really thought I won. I hope we can meet one day again soon so I can prove it in the ring,” said Rodtang.

The 23-year-old “Iron Man” in a recent interview also mentioned wanting to try his hand at ONE Super Series kickboxing, which offers a host of exciting new matchups for the Thai star. He also didn’t rule out perhaps stepping into the Circle to transition to mixed martial arts one day.

“I love taking on new challenges. Kickboxing is definitely something I am considering and am open to, and mixed martial arts is something I would like to try in the future. I’m still young and developing, let’s see how far we can go,” Rodtang said.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

U.S. Olympic officials have yet to decide if vaccinations will be mandatory for Tokyo (nationthailand.com)

U.S. Olympic officials have yet to decide if vaccinations will be mandatory for Tokyo

Dec 22. 2020

Sarah Hirshland, the USOPC’s chief executive

By The Washington Post · Rick Maese

The International Olympic Committee won’t require coronavirus vaccines of athletes competing at the Tokyo Games next summer, but the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is working on a plan to educate American athletes and possibly facilitate immunization for its Olympic hopefuls.

USOPC officials said on a conference call with reporters Monday that the organization would encourage Team USA athletes to take the vaccine when it becomes available. When asked whether the organization would mandate a vaccine for its athletes, Sarah Hirshland, the USOPC’s chief executive, said a full plan had not yet been developed.

“Certainly we’ll have discussions about access, availability, the proper timing, ensuring we understand any potential allergy reactions, side effects, things of that nature,” she said, “so we can be very thoughtful as we are providing information to the athlete community as they make their decisions and choices. … Suffice it to say, we will encourage and make available to those who desire it, a vaccine.”

Many leagues and sport organizers are hoping the vaccine brings some normalcy to the 2021 competition calendar, though most officials are also publicly saying they have no intention to jump the line. Hirshland said the country’s priority right now should be vaccinating people who are high-risk and also working on the front-line of the covid-19 battle, not necessarily athletes.

“As time goes on and the vaccine becomes more readily available, we certainly will be ready to be supportive of our athletes and the rest of the delegation as we think about going abroad,” she said.

The United States will send 550-600 athletes to Tokyo next summer for the postponed Summer Games. The American delegation likely will number hundreds more, including coaches, staff and officials.

IOC President Thomas Bach said earlier this month that the IOC would not require the vaccine of its athletes but would encourage everyone coming to Tokyo to seek out the immunization, if possible. He said vaccinating against covid-19 is good for athletes’ “safety and their health” but is “also a sign of respect for their fellow athletes” and for the host nation.

Hirshland said the USOPC is still a month or two away from finalizing any sort of vaccine plan for its Tokyo-bound delegation.

The USOPC addressed the Tokyo Games and several other topics on a conference call with reporters Monday that followed its final quarterly meeting of the year. While the organization’s board of directors was meeting last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced Russia’s ban from high-level international competition from four years to two, sparking frustration and outrage in some Olympic corners.

“The ruling sort of watered down many of the sanctions that [the World Anti-Doping Agency] had initially imposed,” said Susanne Lyons, the chair of the USOPC board. “We don’t believe it honors clean athletes or builds confidence in the global anti-doping system.”

She said the USOPC aims to be “a mediator and an influencer” with other anti-doping stakeholders, and “we’ve made our feelings known to WADA and offered our help and support.”

“What we’ve decided to do is really increase the volume on our concerns about the necessary evolution that has to happen to get to the highest level of transparency, fairness and rigor,” she said, “on how anti-doping is governed around the world.”

Monday marked the first time USOPC officials fielded questions since announcing this month that it would not sanction American athletes who stage podium protests over human rights or social justice issues at an Olympics. Hirshland said Monday athletes who choose to demonstrate could still face punishment from the IOC or international federations. She said the USOPC’s working group that’s focused on protests will continue its work next year, further evaluating the issue and potential consequences for athletes.

“Now comes the hard work of determining, defining and, ideally, asking the IOC to be clear about their rules and the ramifications of those rules in advance,” Hirshland said. “. . . Our timeline to complete that work is certainly in the first quarter, giving us ample time to not only do the work but then communicate and ensure that the athlete population who may be competing this spring has time and clarity in advance, so they can make thoughtful and informed choices.”

Also at its quarterly meeting, the USOPC board added six new members, increasing the number of athletes voting on the organization’s most powerful decision-making body and keeping in line with new federal regulation. Signed into law in August, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act imposed a series of reforms in the Olympic world and called on the composition of the USOPC’s board of directors to include at least one-third amateur athletes. With the addition of two new athlete “at-large positions,” there are now nine current or former athletes serving on the 19-member board,

“The pendulum often swings a bit in the world of governance,” Lyons said. “That last major change was to make the board smaller, to make it more independent. And now we’re realizing perhaps that pendulum swung a little bit too far, as far as not having as much constituent voice from our [national governing bodies] and from our athletes as was necessary.

“We saw some of the dangers of not having athlete voice elevated as much as it could be in governance,” she continued. “When we saw things like what happened with gymnastics, I think, maybe could be avoided in the future if we have the people most impacted by the work that we do sitting more closely at the table.”

The new athletes serving on the board are Daria Schneider, a former champion fencer who now coaches at Harvard; former swimmer Donna de Varona, a two-time Olympic medalist; John Naber, who won five Olympic medals during his swimming career; and Muffy Davis, a seven-time Paralympic medalist.

Three current board members – Robert Bach, Bill Marolt and Whitney Ping – will depart the board their terms end later this month.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

The Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in Muay Thai (nationthailand.com)

The Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in Muay Thai

Dec 22. 2020Rodtang Jitmuangnon Known fondly as “the art of eight limbs,” Muay Thai utilizes the entire body as a weapon, primarily making use of the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It’s also the national sport of Thailand and a cultural martial art within the nation. People from all over the country practice the discipline for a myriad of reasons.

Needless to say, the absolute best in Muay Thai hail in Thailand, but who stands above the talented pack? Let’s take stock of the 10 best pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighters in the world today.

1. Rodtang Jitmuangnon

There’s a reason Rodtang Jitmuangnon is known as “The Iron Man.” 

He is impervious to pain when he’s inside the ring. The reigning ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion is seemingly impervious to pain, and he’s a thundering fury when he’s in the zone. 

The unstoppable 23-year-old uses a combination of slicing elbows and crisp, powerful boxing combinations. He’s remained unbeaten in ONE Super Series since joining the striking-only league in 2018.

Rodtang’s performances against Jonathan Haggerty (twice), and Walter Goncalves showcased just how dominant he can be.

2. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Tawanchai began fighting at the age of 8 in Pattaya, where he first picked up Muay Thai. Not long after, he moved to Bangkok to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional fighter. At age 14, Tawanchai had already made his debut at the famed Lumpinee Stadium.

His awards include the 2018 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year and the 2018 Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year, among others. He currently trains at the PK.Saenchai Muaythai Gym alongside many greats of the sport, including Kongsak, Wanchalong, and Prajanchai.

3. Superlek Kiatmoo9

The list of legendary fighters signed to ONE Super Series now includes former WBC Muay Thai Super Featherweight World Champion Superlek. 

Superlek has been collecting accolades since 2012, winning various belts at Lumpinee Stadium in multiple weight classes and being named Fighter of the Year by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

Superlek joined ONE Championship in early 2019 and hasn’t lost in the Circle yet. Notable wins have come over Panpayak Jitmuangnon, Jonathan Haggerty, and Muangthai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym.

4. Sangmanee Sor Cafemuaythai

More popularly known as “The Million Dollar Baby,” Sangmanee is a rare talent.

Influenced by his father, he began training at just 6 years of age. He eventually became a multiple-time Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai Champion. 

Sangmanee joined ONE Super Series in 2019, winning back-to-back fights against Azize Hlali and Kenta Yamada before getting shocked by Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai this past July.

He’s still one of the world’s best when it comes to Muay Thai. After emerging victorious in his last bout outside of ONE, he’s looking to return to winning form inside the Circle

5. Prajanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Like his esteemed peers, Prajanthai is an incredible fighter with an unwavering will to win. His highly technical style has led to some amazing victories in Bangkok’s most prestigious arenas.

Prajanchai is a multiple-time Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai Champion and a OneSongchai Flyweight Champion. Notable victories have come over Panpayak Jitmuangnon and Kiewpayak Jitmuangnon, among others.

The 25-year-old is young and still improving with every fight – a scary notion for the rest of the Muay Thai world. 

6. Nong-O Gaiyanghadao

At 34 years of age, Nong-O is at the tail end of a long and glorious career. But you wouldn’t be able to tell by just looking at him, as Nong-O has looked phenomenal s of late.

Astonishing performances against the likes of Han Zi Hao, Hiroaki Suzuki, Brice Delval, and rising star Saemapetch Fairtex have highlighted the legend’s successful stint in ONE Super Series so far.

The reigning ONE Championship Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion is now set to defend his title against countryman Rodlek P.K.Saenchai Muaythaigym on 18 December at ONE: Collision Course.

7. Capitan Petchyindee Academy

Capitan Petchyindee Academy is a newcomer in ONE Super Series. He made an impressive debut last September at ONE: A New Breed III against Petchtanong Petchfergus, winning a kickboxing bout via knockout in just six seconds. 

That performance has excited fans who want to see him back in action sooner rather than later. 

In Muay Thai, Capitan owns a handful of big wins, including victories over Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai, Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai, and Detrit Sathian Muay Thai. He is the current Lumpini Stadium Super Welterweight Champion.

8. Gaonar PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym

Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Gaonar is next on the list. He is a former Phoenix FC Super Featherweight Champion who has beaten some of Muay Thai’s biggest names.

Gaonar owns wins over Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Seksan Or. Kwanmuang, Superlek Kiatmoo9, Superbank Mor Ratanabandit, and more. His technical Muay Femur style in the southpaw stance has led to a plethora of memorable performances in the ring.

9. Seksan Or. Kwanmuang

Seksan is one of the most decorated Muay Thai fighters in history. His list of accomplishments is just staggering.

Throughout his professional career, which started in 2005, Seksan has gone on to win the Channel 7 Stadium Super Bantamweight Title, the Muay Thai Warriors Featherweight Title, the IBF Muay Thai Lightweight World Title, and the WBC Muay Thai Super Lightweight Title.

He’s also a multiple-time Rajadamnern and Omnoi Stadium Champion. Notable wins have come over Thanonchai Thanakorngym, Gaonar PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, Muangthai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, and Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym.

10. Saoek Sitchefboontham

Last, but certainly not least, is Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Saoek Sitchefboontam. At just 23 years of age, he’s one of the hottest properties in Muay Thai today.

He’s won seven of his last eight contests, including a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Kumandoi Petcharoenvit at the recently concluded SAT HERO SERIES at the World Siam Stadium, a tournament held by the Sports Authority of Thailand in conjunction with ONE Championship.

That impressive performance could very well land him a roster spot in ONE Super Series among the world’s best strikers.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

World No 1 Jin Young Ko ends 2020 season on high note (nationthailand.com)

World No 1 Jin Young Ko ends 2020 season on high note

Dec 21. 2020Jin Young Ko (Photo credit to LPGA) 

Ariya lands at tied 10th on eight under-par.

When she woke up Monday morning for the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open, Jin Young Ko wasn’t even in the CME Group Tour Championship field. 

Following a blistering 6-under 66 today, the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings captured a five-stroke victory and earned the title of Race to the CME Globe champion. With the victory comes a $1.1 million check, the largest single prize in women’s golf this season.

Ko finished atop the leaderboard at -18 overall, one off the tournament scoring record, with fellow major winners Hannah Green and Sei Young Kim finishing tied for second at -13.

“I still can’t believe it, that I am here. And then I won this tournament,” said an incredulous Ko, who earned a berth in the championship by virtue of her runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open. “I want to thank God. He makes my plan. Not me. I did nothing. He makes everything, so I just want to thank God and I can’t believe right now.”

Although Ko started the day trailing Kim by one stroke, she quickly joined her countrywoman at the top with a birdie at No. 1. Still knotted after nine holes, Ko charged home on the back nine with five birdies, including a perfectly paced 10-foot birdie on No. 18 that sealed the win. With the lucrative prize now in her pocket, Ko already knows the major purchase that is first on her wish list.

“I looked (at a) house in the States until this morning because I had no money in my bank account because I send to Korea all my money,” said Ko, who is eyeing a house in Frisco, Texas, near her good friend M.J. Hur. “So, I needed money for buy the house. But, yeah, I can buy house right now.”

With her second-place finish, Kim captured 2020 Rolex Player of the Year honors by six points over 2013 winner Inbee Park. It was more than a worthy consolation prize for Kim, who shot an even-par 72 on Sunday to fall short of her third title of the season.

“I’m little disappointed I couldn’t play well today, but I finish normal,” said Kim. “But very happy I got the Player of the Year. It’s really awesome. And then, yeah, I’m very proud of her win this tournament.”

On her 24th birthday, Green made a good run at earning perhaps the best of all possible birthday presents. While not enough to take the title, a bogey-free 67 did earn the Australian major champion her only top-10 finish of the season. With a two-week quarantine ahead of her in order to return home to Perth, Green is more than happy to finish the season on a high note.

“Felt like I did some good work through quarantine with my coach. Gained some distance, so that really was nice to actually come out and see it in a tournament,” said Green. “I wish there was an event next week because I finally feel like everything is coming together, but then again, I want to go back to Australia.”

Mina Harigae and Lydia Ko played alongside Green on Sunday, with the entire group returning bogey-free rounds. Harigae finished in solo fourth at -12, while Ko and Lexi Thompson tied for fifth at -11.

Danielle Kang, a two-time winner in 2020, finished with the season with a scoring average of 70.082 to claim the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the season’s lowest scoring average. Kang tied for 30th at –3 overall.

Thai No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn enjoyed an unbelmished round of a 67 and a total 8 under-par-280 to share the 10th spot along side Anna Nordqvist and Cristie Kerr. 

KO CLAIMS 2020 OFFICIAL MONEY TITLE

Across four events played this season, World No. 1 Jin Young Ko secured the 2020 Official Money Title. With her win at Tiburon Golf Club, Ko earned a $1.1 million winner’s prize, for a total of $1,667,925 earned this season. Aside from her win, Ko earned $9,106 with her T34 finish at the Pelican Women’s Championship, $71,553 with her fifth-place result at the Volunteers of America Classic and $487,286 from her second-place performance at the U.S. Women’s Open.

In 2019, Ko also claimed the Official Money Title, earning $2,773,894 thanks, in large part, to four wins that included major championship victories at the ANA Inspiration and The Evian Championship.

SEI YOUNG KIM WINS ROLEX PLAYER OF THE YEAR

With her T2 finish at the CME Group Tour Championship, Sei Young Kim is the 2020 Rolex Player of the Year. Kim earned 118 points with two wins this season at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging and Konica Minolta, and captured three additional top-10 finishes at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions (T7), Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio (5th) and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G (T5).

“It feels great. I’m very proud of it. Yeah, it’s great because me and Paul, we working hard and we been great this year,” said Kim, who was named the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2015. “I’m very thankful to all who is around me, like parents and then my coach and my trainer, Mr. Moon, and yeah, my family. Yeah, I’m very thankful to all of them.”

Inbee Park came in second to Kim in the Rolex Player of the Year standings, earning 112 points. In 2020, Park won the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and finished the year with seven additional top-10 results in 13 events, including three runner-up performances at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Volunteers of America Classic. Danielle Kang was third in points with 87, after two wins at the LPGA Drive On Championship – Inverness Club and Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana along with three additional top-10s across her 13 starts.

The prestigious Rolex Player of the Year award was introduced to the LPGA in 1966. LPGA Tour players are awarded points at each official LPGA tournament based on top-10 finishes with the top points earner taking home the prestigious honor each year. Points are doubled at each of the LPGA’s five major championships – ANA Inspiration, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, AIG Women’s Open and the Evian Championship.

DANIELLE KANG WINS THE 2020 VARE TROPHY

With rounds of 71-75-70-69 at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, Danielle Kang etched her name in the LPGA Tour history books with a scoring average of 70.082 to win the 2020 Vare Trophy.

“At the end of the round, I looked at my caddie and said, ‘We won the Vare.’ That is an accomplishment in all cases,” said Kang, who hit 13 of 14 fairways today and 14 greens in regulation. “This one feels like a really good mark in my career, that I was able to do it and accomplished it. I can look back on the 2020 season and at the Vare Trophy, and that’s part of it.

“To be part of the legends [list to win the Vare Trophy], I just want to make them proud moving forward as well, because they left this game for us and they left this stage for us, and I wish that I can do that for the future.”

Earlier in the week, Kang also pledged $1,000 for every birdie she made during tournament action to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a proud partner of the LPGA Tour. Thanks to 16 birdies at Tiburón Golf Club, Kang raised $16,000 on her own, while donations through her online platform are nearing $15,000 with time still left to donate.

“I always like to say give when you can. I was really inspired by how Mary Browder spoke about St. Jude and I was very appreciative of CME to host the event,” Kang said. “We have to appreciate that. With all that said, being able to play for something and knowing that we can make a difference, no matter how I finished I am personally donating $16,000. Plus all the people that were involved in the pledge account [online], really thankful.”

IF THERE WAS A TROPHY FOR MOST BOGEY-FREE ROUNDS, IT WOULD GO TO MINA HARIGAE

On a day with so many awards and trophies to hand out, including the CME Group Championship trophy and Rolex Player of the Year Award, another shoutout goes to 11-year LPGA Tour veteran Mina Harigae, who didn’t record a bogey since the first round on Thursday. In sum, Harigae recorded two bogeys, 14 birdies, and 60 pars throughout the four days, leaving her with an overall score of -12.

“For the most part I was hitting the ball really solid. I think maybe the last two days I hit a lot of greens so I only had to try to get up and down a few times,” said Harigae. “When I missed the green my short game saved me and I made a couple good par putts and couple good chips. Yeah, just everything felt good.”

Speaking modestly, the American-Japanese player hit 56 of 72 greens in regulation and 51 of 56 fairways with luck having nothing to do with it. It was all of Harigae’s hard work since the summer of 2019.

“It feels like a long time. Honestly I think the process started probably like a year and a half ago. Even like January, February I was still working on a lot of things, so the break actually helped my game a lot. Once we started, I was like a whole new person,” said Harigae.

JIN YOUNG KO A WHITE KNIGHT TO CAP OFF 2020

It has been hard to look forward. Planning past tomorrow in 2020 has seemed like an exercise in frustration and futility. Where are we going? What is Plan B? And then, when summer slipped to fall and fall into a disheartening winter, the questions became darker. What are we doing? What is the point?

Through it all, golf has been a respite, a light, an oasis in a desert of despair. From the first Drive On Championship at Inverness Club to the CME Group Tour Championship the week before Christmas, the LPGA Tour did its part to add some normalcy to the abnormal. Players like Danielle Kang, Sei Young Kim, Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford gave us a reason to cheer, a reason to breathe, a north star on which to set our bearings in what often seemed like an unbearable time.  

The fact that Jin Young Ko would win the CME Group Tour Championship in just her fourth start of the year and become the only player since the LPGA began keeping statistics to win the season-long money title in just a tick over a month is the perfect metaphor for 2020. Ko couldn’t plan for this week. She didn’t know until last Monday that she was in the field. She had to finish fourth or better at the U.S. Women’s Open to qualify. In the frigid north winds of Houston, Ko shot a closing 68 to finish tied for second.

A week later, she rolled in a 10-foot putt on the final green at Tiburon Golf Club – her fifth birdie in seven holes – to shoot 66 and put the perfect capstone on the year. Dressed in what has become her traditional Sunday white, Ko blew a kiss to the sky to cap off her five-shot victory.

She is a white knight for a black time.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Rattanon regains winning touch as birdie in playoff gives him first title in two years (nationthailand.com)

Rattanon regains winning touch as birdie in playoff gives him first title in two years

Dec 20. 2020Rattanon Wannasrichan 

By THE NATION

Rattanon Wannasrichan pulled off a much-needed birdie to outplay veteran Prayad Marksaeng in the play-off to win the Bt3 million Singha-SAT Khon Kaen Championship on Saturday.

The win will go a long way for him to regain the confidence that he still has what it takes to win.

Since his last triumph — coincidentally also here at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in 2018 — Rattananon’s form had been going downhill. He missed the cut in more than 10 events in 2019.

He started to make some cuts and posted a top 10 finish after the Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year before ending the two-year title drought at the par-72 7,557-yard course.

“2019 was by far the worst year of my career,” said the 25-year-old Rattanon, who chipped in a 45- yard eagle to catch up with Prayad on top of the leaderboard at 11-under-par 205 in regulation.

“I had some muscle problem, which could be contracted by sitting in a plane for too long. I couldn’t hit the ball straight and my confidence was gone,” said the Chanthaburi-based player who sealed his victory with a three-foot-birdie putt on the par-5 hole 18 play-off after the 54-year-old Prayad had missed a six-foot birdie earlier.

As the pandemic led to suspension of tournaments for months, it also allowed the 2017 Thailand Open champion to put behind the disastrous memories of 2019.

“I was so disappointed last year because I was able to play on the Japan Tour but I didn’t perform well. Luckily, the Covid-19 outbreak allowed me to stop thinking of the game. Gradually, the ghost of 2019 vanished. I became more relaxed and at the same time tried to get the old good feelings back,” added Rattanon.

On Saturday, he walked away with the champion’s prize money of Bt360,000.

“It means a lot to me psychologically to finally win again. At least I know I still have the game,” said Rattanon, who now takes a long holiday before his next event in January.

Meanwhile, Prayad as a runner-up had to be content with a Bt198,000 cheque.

However, the 2020 Order of Merit title belongs to Panuphol Phittayarat who earned a gross total of Bt630,911. Prayad came in second with Bt607,216.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Sei takes 54-hole lead at CME Group Tour Championship (nationthailand.com)

Sei takes 54-hole lead at CME Group Tour Championship

Dec 20. 2020Sei Young Kim (Photo credit to LPGA) 

By THE NATION

In 2019, Sei Young Kim led the CME Group Tour Championship after 54 holes and went on to win her ninth career victory and the largest winner’s prize in women’s golf history.

One year later, Kim is in the same position heading into the final day in Naples, Fla., as she leads by one stroke at -13 after a third-round 67.

“I think I feel I got good feeling, because I wasn’t good shot striking ball the last week, but I try to figure out,” said Kim. “I got something in there, yeah, I was able to play, yeah, very solid this week.”

Kim carded six birdies through her first 13 holes and was blemish-free on the scorecard until No. 18. After a tricky putt off the green went whirling past the hole, Kim missed on a makeable par putt from 5 feet that grazed the left side of the hole, leading to her first bogey since No. 9 on Friday.

A win on Sunday would be the first time Kim has successfully defended a title in her career, as she looks to become the only three-time winner of the 2020 season.

“Well, my position is really good chance to the chase the everything. So, yeah, I don’t have any the defend champion, so it’s really — if I play well tomorrow, yeah, good chance to everything. So yeah, I just keep doing,” said Kim.

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko’s 3-under 70, her second consecutive bogey-free round, kept her firmly in title contention. Ko birdied holes 3 and 7 and then produced nine straight pars until No. 17. With a birdie on the second-to-last hole and the bogey finish by Kim, Ko sits at -12 with her first win of the 2020 season in sight.

“I just try to make birdies, and then I said yesterday my goal is like just bogey-free round on the weekend, so I made it today,” said Ko, whose best finish in Naples is T11. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Ko will join Kim in Sunday’s final grouping along with fellow major champion Georgia Hall after Hall’s 4-under 68 landed her in solo third at -10. Hall had a relatively quiet start with eight pars and a lone bogey on No. 5 but rebounded on her back nine with five birdies in her last eight holes to keep herself in the mix at the Tour’s season finale.

“I hit it pretty good today as well. I just didn’t hole many on the front nine, so I had to stay patient.

Yeah, managed to get a couple early in the back nine and then just followed in from there really,” said Hall, who earned her second career victory earlier this season at the Cambia Portland Classic. “Very happy with my back nine to get me especially into contention for tomorrow.”

Five players are tied for fourth at -9, four shots back from Kim, including past CME champions Charley Hull (2016) and Lexi Thompson (2018), and Brooke Henderson, one of six players to card the day’s low round of 6-under-66. Mina Harigae, playing in her first CME Group Tour Championship since she tied for 26th in 2012, is tied for ninth with major champions Cristie Kerr, Lydia Ko and Hannah Green. Green was near the top of the leaderboard at -10 after three birdies in her first 17 holes, but a double bogey on No. 18 curbed any chances of a spot in Sunday’s final grouping.

“I made a great par save on 9; holed nearly a 10-foot putt for par and gave myself a good opportunity on 10. Missed it. Then gave myself another good opportunity on 12 and 13 and missed it again. Just couldn’t get the pace of the greens today. Then on the last kind of just hit my second putt, third putt a bit too quickly and tugged it left,” said Green. “I’m going to do some putting, try and make sure I’m not getting too quick on my stroke and wanting to get the ball in the hole too quickly. Hopefully I can get good numbers into greens like I did today and capitalize on that.”

WITH A WIN

Sei Young Kim would earn her second consecutive CME Group Tour Championship title and become the first multiple winner in championship history

With the $1.1 million winner’s check, Sei Young Kim would move to $2,307,438 in 2020 earnings and win the Official Money Title; she would also move to $10,974,114 in career earnings and become the 18th player in LPGA Tour history to cross the $10 million threshold

Projections show that Sei Young Kim could move to No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings with a win and a Jin Young Ko finish of solo 10th or worse

With the $1.1 million winner’s check, Jin Young Ko would move to $5,600,824 in career earnings and become the 71st player in LPGA Tour history to cross the $5 million threshold

Georgia Hall would earn her second victory of 2020, joining the Cambia Portland Classic

With her third career victory, Georgia Hall would tie Trish Johnson for the third-winningest LPGA Tour player from England, following Laura Davies (20 victories) and Alison Nicholas (four victories)

SEI YOUNG THE LIONHEARTED STALKING AN AGGRESSIVE TITLE DEFENSE

Players handle pressure in different ways. Some show signs of cracking. Some calm themselves with slow, deep breaths. Some never crack a smile, the intensity of the moment etched in each deepening line on their face.

Then, there is Sei Young Kim, who doesn’t just elevate her game as pressure intensifies, she seems to get happier as she does it.

When you look at the career of the third-round leader of the CME Group Tour Championship, you could easily say that holing a chip to get in a playoff and then holing an approach to beat a Hall of Famer for your second career win was a stroke of good luck. You could certainly look at shooting 31-under to set an all-time scoring record as a lightning-in-a-bottle kind of week. Sure, you could say that holing a curling 22-footer to win the largest paycheck in women’s golf at the CME Tour Championship a year ago was a great finish with a little bit of fortune. But when you combine all of those things together, throw in a near flawless major championship at Aronimink, and sprinkle a 5-0 playoff record on top, suddenly you look at Kim like a superhero – James Bond straightening the Windsor knot of a tie while saving the world.

It happens every time she’s in contention. As the stage gets bigger and the pressure intensifies, Kim’s game gets more aggressive while her personality goes the other way. In the hottest moments, Kim is as cool as Steve McQueen in a Mustang.  

“My vibe was really good because of the warmer weather,” Kim said after a five-under 67 on Saturday, a round that gave her a one-shot lead of this CME Group Tour Championship going into the final round. “Then I was paired with Jin Young (Ko) and Lexi (Thompson). Those are my favorite players to play with, so yeah, it was fun.” Then she quickly added, “We didn’t talk much but it was very comfortable and chill out there.”

JIN YOUNG KO SEES A PUTTING LESSON WITH STEVE STRICKER IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Saturday at the CME Group Tour Championship was a doubly successful day for Rolex Ranking No. 1 Jin Young Ko. Not only did she keep a spot near the top of the leaderboard at -12, one stroke off the lead held by Sei Young Kim, but she also met one of her icons, 12-time PGA Tour winner Steve Stricker, and even got him to promise a date on the putting green.

“I met him before the tee off today and then I said, ‘Hi. I’m your fan.’ He said, ‘Okay, good luck. And thank you,’” said Ko of her interaction with Stricker, who is moonlighting as a on-course commentator for Golf Channel during the weekend broadcast coverage. “I asked him on the course, maybe hole number 12, I asked to him, ‘How long of a time do you practice putting?’ He said, ‘A lot.’ I said, ‘So how many times?’ ‘A lot,’ [he said.] And then I said, ‘I want to ask you about putting. Teach me.’ And then he said, ‘Any time.’ He was really good. He was nice.”

Only one round left before the 2020 LPGA Tour season wraps up, Ko knows that Sunday is her final opportunity to win her first tournament of the pandemic-stained season. And, of course, capture her first Race to the CME Globe title.

“Win? Well, I never finished top 10 for this course, Tiburon, so if I win it’s going to be a big one to me. So I will try for the win, but I don’t want to get too greedy,” said Ko.

BROOKE HENDERSON TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF CME MOVING DAY

Brooke Henderson said she feels she’s improving each year at Tiburon Golf Club, and it showed with an impressive moving day at the CME Group Tour Championship. After starting the first round with a 1-over 73, Henderson quickly gained ground this Saturday after carding seven birdies and a long bogey on No. 9 to record a 6-under 66 and sit in a tie for fourth at -10.

“I feel like every year I get a little bit more comfortable out here, learn the course a little bit more, which is good. And working hard with Brit, my caddie, and also my dad, my coach, is usually out here, too,” said Henderson. “Just trying to get a better plan and strategize our way around here. I just — every hole I feel like there is opportunity for birdie, so that makes it really exciting when you step up to every tee.”

It is the Canadian’s sixth appearance in the Tour’s season finale, where she has never finished worse than T25. Last year, Henderson finished in solo fifth, her career-best result in the event. Today’s round ties her lowest 18-hole score at Tiburon, last recorded in 2015 when she finished 13th. The 23-year-old said she misses the “Brooke Brigade,” and the heavy contingent of fans that follow the Hendersons at the Tour Championship.

“It’s very strange not to see the big stands. Normally there is a lot the snowbirds, Canadians following me around all four days, so it’s definitely been strange,” said Henderson, who also takes residence in Naples when not in Canada. “I really miss the energy and the little bit of adrenaline that the fans bring, but at the end of the day it’s just a competitive round and you’re just trying to do the best you can.”

MINJEE LEE RIDES HOT BACK NINE INTO SUNDAY IN NAPLES

She found an early bogey in the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship on No. 3, but Minjee Lee bounced back with a vengeance. The five-time LPGA Tour champion eventually made the turn in red numbers before making a run on the back nine that included five straight birdies from Nos. 13-17 to cap a 6-under par 66 performance.

“It was a nice stretch,” said Lee, who hit all 14 fairways and 13 greens today. “I hit really good iron shots into a lot of those holes, so it was nice to have little putts for birdie. A good momentum swing and after the first two days, you work hard those two days, really want to climb that leaderboard.”

Lee will be joined in the penultimate grouping tomorrow by Charley Hull and Brooke Henderson, both also firing rounds of 66 this afternoon. The Australian heads into the final 18 holes four shots back of the lead and in a tie for fourth at -9 overall.

“Looking at the leaderboard, I think Sei Young is kind of running away with it. I’m probably going to have to start really fast and make a lot of birdies tomorrow,” Lee said. “Just play my game, be aggressive and try to hole a lot of putts.

“I think she [Kim] starts off well and she ends well. If she’s on, she’s on. It’s kind of really hard to keep up if she’s really on her game. Just means we have to step it up a little bit.”

CME GROUP SCORES 1 FOR ST. JUDE THIS SEASON

When players showed up at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples for obligatory COVID testing before the CME Group Tour Championship, they looked like road-weary travelers in the TSA line. While everyone is grateful for the sponsors, staff, volunteers and venues providing opportunities to play, a summer and fall filled with nasal swabs and temperature checks has deadened the eyes of those who traversed that gauntlet.

But the ballroom at the Ritz was different. After their tests, players were treated to unexpected gifts – headcovers from CME Group adorned with art by patients from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

More than one player teared up at the gift. Others couldn’t wait to put the headcovers in play. All agreed to sign an additional cover to be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude. 

Throughout the 2020 LPGA Tour season, CME Group supported St. Jude by donating $20,000 for every hole-in-one made in competition. The program is called “Score 1 For St. Jude,” and has seen 14 aces coming into the week. 

Danielle Kang was so moved by the success of the program, and some of the comments that came from a St. Jude patient who attended her pre-tournament virtual press conference, that she agreed to donate $1,000 for every birdie she made this week. “I might not make a hole-in-one, but I know I’m going to make some birdies,” Kang said. “Hopefully I can make 20 birdies this week and donate $20,000.” 

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Muay Thai champ Nong-O proves too strong in defence of bantamweight title (nationthailand.com)

Muay Thai champ Nong-O proves too strong in defence of bantamweight title

Dec 19. 2020Nong-O Gaiyanghadao of Thailand 

Reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao of Thailand retained his world title with an impeccable knockout performance against ONE bantamweight Muay Thai tournament champion Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, as the ONE Championship put on another exciting martial arts spectacle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday.

ONE: Collision Course, which was broadcast live on Friday, featured a series of high-level matchups between some of the most talented mixed martial artists, kickboxers, and Muay Thai athletes in the world.

In the first two rounds, the challenger hounded Nong-O with powerful boxing combinations, while the legendary Thai fighter opted to stay on the outside, keeping his opponent at bay with thunderous kicks. In the third round, Nong-O pieced together the puzzle and turned up the pressure on Rodlek. Ultimately, a solid right hand landed square on the chin and dropped Rodlek for the highlight-reel knockout.

In the day’s other main event, reigning light heavyweight kickboxing world champion Roman Kryklia of the Ukraine dominated tough Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica of Romania through five gruelling rounds to win by a unanimous decision.

After a brief exchange in the first round, it became evident that Kryklia possessed clear advantages in reach and striking volume, as he kept Stoica on the end of blistering punch combinations and kicks from the outside. Stoica tried his best to close the gap, but he could not find a way around the defending world champion’s pinpoint striking.

Kryklia grew even more dominant as the bout wore on, pouring the punishment on his opponent, who was compelled to engage. To his credit, Stoica exhibited an incredible ability to absorb damage, as he took Kryklia’s best offence and never buckled under the pressure.

In the end, however, Kryklia proved to be an unstoppable force, battering Stoica throughout the contest to earn the nod on all three judges’ scorecards.

Former ONE featherweight world champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Russia put together a tremendous performance at lightweight, using his veteran savvy to slide past previously unbeaten American and No.5-ranked lightweight mixed martial arts contender Lowen Tynanes.

Gafurov showcased solid striking skills, tagging Tynanes with kicks and punches from range, while the American tried to close the distance.

Gafurov switched gears in round three and successfully took Tynanes to the ground, which undoubtedly weighed heavily on the scorecards.

In the end, Gafurov came away with a close split decision victory.

Russian veteran Yusup Saadulaev overcame a spirited effort from American Troy “Pretty Boy” Worthen, who was handed the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career. Saadulaev, the No. 4-ranked bantamweight contender, controlled the action during gruelling clinch exchanges throughout the contest.

After creating distance in the third round, he pummelled Worthen with sharp boxing combinations to earn the judges’ nod.

Thailand’s Yodkaikaew “Y2K” Fairtex did just enough to get past Japanese star Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada, winning their mixed martial arts contest by split decision after three rounds. Wada found success early on, closing the distance and taking Yodkaikaew’s back to threaten with submissions in round one. Yodkaikaew, however, found his range the rest of the way, attacking with thudding leg kicks to impede Wada’s ground assault in rounds two and three. With the victory, the Thai athlete improved to 3-0 in ONE Championship.

China’s “The Hunter” Xie Wei and Cambodia’s Chan Rothana opened up the action, doing battle in mixed martial arts to a chorus of cheers from fans in attendance. Rothana attacked with his Kun Khmer kicks in the first two rounds, while Xie fired back with his powerful right hand. In the third frame, Xie connected on a left hook to drop Rothana, ending the bout shortly after via TKO with strikes from the top.

Next, ONE Championship returns with ONE: Collision Course II, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium scheduled for broadcast on December 25.

In the main event, No. 2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Jamal “Kherow” Yusupov of Russia takes on No. 4-ranked contender Samy “AK47” Sana of France and Algeria in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai showdown.

In the co-main event, former ONE flyweight world champion and No. 3-ranked flyweight contender Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov faces “Ottogi” Dae Hwan Kim of South Korea in a catch weight mixed martial arts contest.

For more information, visit ONE: Collision Course II event page.

Official results

Kickboxing – light heavyweight: Roman Kryklia bt Andrei Stoica via unanimous decision.

Muay Thai – bantamweight: Nong-O Gaiyanghadao bt Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym via knockout at 1:13 of round three.

Mixed Martial Arts – lightweight: Marat Gafurov bt Lowen Tynanes via split decision.

Mixed Martial Arts – bantamweight: Yusup Saadulaev bt Troy Worthen via unanimous decision.

Mixed Martial Arts – flyweight: Yodkaikaew Fairtex bt Tatsumitsu Wada via split decision.

Mixed Martial Arts – flyweight: Xie Wei bt Chan Rothana via TKO at 1:39 of round three.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thailand Golf Tour swings back with full 2021 season, Bt40m prizemoney (nationthailand.com)

Thailand Golf Tour swings back with full 2021 season, Bt40m prizemoney

Dec 19. 2020The All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) commissioner Jakraphong Thongyai. 

The All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) has announced a full programme for the 2021 season, with 12 events offering total prizemoney of almost Bt40 million, starting with the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship next month. Three tournaments have increased their prize funds.

“During tough times caused by Covid-19, we are excited to announce a full schedule for the coming season. Our players will have more opportunities to play than previous years [and] the biggest-ever purse of almost Bt40 million,” said ATGT commissioner Jakraphong Thongyai. He also hailed sponsors for remaining committed to the tour. “Among them are Singha Corp, the Sports Authority of Thailand and Nation Sports Development Fund.”

The Boonchu Ruangkit Championship will kick off the season at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Nakhon Ratchasima from January 14-17. The Bt4-million tournament, in its 7th edition, will serve as the season-opener for the third year in a row.

It will be followed by Singha E-san Open (February 11-14) at Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in Khon Kaen and the Singha Classic (February 25-25) at Royal Hills Golf Resort & Spa, Nakhon Nayok. Along with the Singha Laguna Phuket Open and Singha Chiang Mai Open, the annual Singha Classic will increase its prize fund to Bt3 million, up Bt1 million from this year.

The 22nd Singha Thailand Masters, the oldest and most lucrative event on the tour with a purse of Bt5 million, will be played at Santiburi Country Club, Chiang Rai on April 1-4. Details of the annual Thongchai Jaidee Foundation tournament will be revealed in due course.

Since launching in 1999, the tour has grown in both events and the number of golfers.

“We want to give our members as many opportunities as possible to play golf,” said the commissioner, adding that the ATGT was the only golf tour able to host events during the Covid-19 pandemic.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

World No 1 on top of the CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard (nationthailand.com)

World No 1 on top of the CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard

Dec 19. 2020Jin Young Ko (Photo credit to LPGA) Leading after 36 holes for the first time since the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship, World No. 1 Jin Young Ko leads the CME Group Tour Championship at -9 after a second-round 67 at Tiburon Golf Club.

Ko hit 14 of 14 fairways and went bogey-free while finding five birdies with four of them on her back nine. Playing in only her fourth LPGA Tour event of 2020, Ko said the chilly conditions reminded her of mornings in Dallas and Houston the past two weeks, but she still felt comfortable with her game in Naples, Fla.

“Before, when I play in KLPGA, it was really cold, so I hate cold weather to play golf, but right now I love it,” said Ko.

One stroke back of the six-time LPGA Tour winner is two who are in familiar territory being in contention at the Tour’s season finale: defending champion Sei Young Kim and 2018 champion Lexi Thompson. Kim started strong with four birdies in her first five holes but made the turn after bogeys on Nos. 7 and 9. A birdie on No. 14 and eight pars was enough for a second-straight sub-70 round (69). Thompson also rebounded after two bogeys on her front nine with birdies on No. 14 and 15 for her 16th consecutive under-par round at Tiburon.

“It feels very solid in the morning because we got the strong wind, but my shot really solid. After I had four birdies, I feel like it’s not good. Yeah, it feel like getting it’s not used to,” said Kim. “So I had two bogeys and I had few missed shots, and then I try to, yeah, just relax and got me back on normal feel. So, I was able to finish it normal.”

“It was different conditions today of course, with the cooler weather in the morning, and I would say overall it was a lot breezier throughout the day. But it was nice out. Definitely can’t beat it. It’s not raining, so that’s always nice,” said Thompson. “It was a little bit of an up and down day. I thought I struck it really well on the front nine. I got a few bad breaks with a few ridges on the greens, but you can get that on this golf course.”

Behind Kim and Thompson is Australian Hannah Green, whose 68 on Friday was enough to keep her at solo fourth on -6. Green is followed by six players in a tie for fifth, including Florida native Nelly Korda. Korda, who came in a tie for third at the 2019 CME Group Tour Championship, pulled together a 6-under 66 after a first-round 72, carding seven birdies on the day. Lurking at -5 and in a tie for 11th is Mina Harigae and 2014 champion Lydia Ko, who recorded the lowest round of the day with 65, three shots off the tournament’s 18-hole scoring record (62) that she set back in 2016.

WORLD NO. 1 PROJECTIONS FOR CME

As Jin Young Ko and Sei Young Kim battle for another career victory on the LPGA Tour, the fight for World No. 1 comes to head this week at the CME Group Tour Championship. Heading into the Tour’s season finale, Ko began her 73rd consecutive at World No. 1 with an average of 8.3835, while Sei Young Kim sits firmly in No. 2 on the Rolex Rankings with a 7.4070 average.

There is one scenario that would project shifting of the No. 1 position in the Rolex Rankings. Kim, who has two victories on the season including her maiden major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, must win and have Ko finish solo 10th or worse. A second-place finish by Kim and zero points earned by Ko is not enough for Kim to overtake Ko in the Rolex Rankings.

“World ranking is — my thinking, my opinion, is it’s just little things to play golf. So if play good I can do world ranking No. 1 still; but if not, yeah, and then she plays good, she can do,” said Ko, who will play with Kim in Saturday’s final grouping.

“I’m very looking forward to this weekend because it’s going to be, my position is really exciting to chase the world ranking No. 1,” said Kim. “I’m very excited and then look forward, and hopefully play well this weekend.”

LEXI BATTLES BACK TO STAY IN THE HUNT AT SEASON FINALE

With her legs up against the revetted wall of the greenside bunker on the par-5 17th at Tiburón Golf Club, Lexi Thompson pulled off one of the greatest golf shots ever seen at the CME Group Tour Championship. She failed to make the six-foot birdie putt, but the effort resembled the type of resiliency shown by Thompson throughout the second round of the LPGA Tour season finale this afternoon.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to watch that,” said Thompson, in awe of her own accomplishment. “My brother [and caddy Curtis] was like, ‘the main focus is to not hit the lip on your downswing. I was like, yeah. He was like, ‘just open up.’ Well then I’m going to hit my leg. It was one of those shots where you hit and hope. I got in there and was like, okay, there is this miracle shot and it happened.”

Thompson managed a birdie on No. 2 before bogeys at Nos. 3 and 9 to make the turn at 1-over par. The 2018 CME Group Tour Championship winner rebounded with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to climb back into red figures for the round.

She closed a 1-under par 71 with three straight pars—including the rabbit out of a hat shot at No. 17—to remain within striking distance at -8 overall. Thompson will join the Rolex Rankings No. 1 and 36-hole leader Jin Young Ko and defending CME Group Tour Championship champion Sei Young Kim in the final grouping of the third round off No. 1 tee at 10:50 a.m. ET tomorrow.

“Every time I tee it up, I know I’m competing against the best,” Thompson said. “I don’t think I’ve been paired with them together ever in my career. It’ll be nice. Looking forward to the weekend and hopefully get some good weather, go out and have two more good rounds.”

HANNAH GREEN’S 24th BIRTHDAY WISH? TO WIN ON HER BIRTHDAY

With two rounds left to go in Naples, Fla., major winner Hannah Green shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to sit in solo fourth heading into the weekend at the CME Group Tour Championship. Green said a win would be the perfect birthday present, as the young Australian turns 24 on the final day of the Tour Championship.

“We were fortunate enough to have the events we had this year, and very fortunate CME has helped us out along the way. I hope I can get a win this year and sneak one in on my birthday,” said Green. “It’s strange to be in an event [during my birthday,] and I’m planning on driving back to Orlando, about a three-hour drive. I’ll mainly be by myself, but if I had a trophy in the seat next to me, I would be very, very happy, so we’ll see what happens.”

Green said she’s never played in a Tour event in December, and normally she would be celebrating with friends and family in Perth. She said it’s strange to be at an event, but going home on Sunday with a trophy would be the best bonus of 2020. In 2019, Green won both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Cambia Portland Classic. Winning this week would be her first victory of the season and her first top-10 finish, though she has recorded three top-15 results this year.

“I feel like I’m hitting a lot of fairways and greens, which is really important here. Also miss-hitting it. It’s easy to miss greens here, so making sure you don’t short-side yourself and leave yourself in the best possible place to make up and downs. I think I’ve done a great job with that,” said Green. “Over the last couple weeks, it’s been a struggle dealing with the cold. I’m not used to those temperatures, so it’s nice to come here and be able to just wear one layer and feel where your swing is.”

KORDA BACK IN CONTENTION AT THE CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

“I’m a Florida girl. I do not like this. I like fall fashion, but I do not like playing golf in this kind of weather.”

Nelly Korda may not be a fan of the chillier conditions at Tiburon Golf Club on Friday, but that didn’t stop the young three-time LPGA Tour winner from recording a second-round 66 at the CME Group Tour Championship to shoot up the leaderboard from a tie for 36th into a tie for fifth at -6. Korda tied her lowest 18-hole score in Naples, which she previously recorded in last year’s third round.

“I just feel super comfortable out here. I guess it’s because I grew up in Florida. Just the style of this golf course, I just feel super confident out here,” said Korda, who has three top-10 finishes in her three appearances at the Tour Championship. “It was really nice to roll in some putts. I wasn’t putting too well yesterday, but my dad — behind the fence — saw me putt on the putting green after my round and helped me out a little bit. So that really helped today,”

It was a significant difference from last week, where Korda said she felt “rusty” while competing in the U.S. Women’s Open, her first event since withdrawing due to a back injury from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Korda said it was a learning experience, as the 22-year-old became motivated to play better at the LPGA Tour’s season finale.

“It was more of like my feel wasn’t really there. At the end of the day, no one really pays attention I think to like, ‘Oh, she was injured.’ They pay attention to the score,” said Korda, who missed the cut last week at Champions Golf Club. “For me to step back and say, okay, my team knows I was rusty and I didn’t play well. It’s okay. You’re going to have bad tournaments. Just focus on the upcoming one and do as well as you can.”

LYDIA KO CRUISES IN COLD SECOND ROUND

She holds the course record. In 2016, when she was 19 years old, Lydia Ko fired a 62 at Tiburon Golf Club in the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship. Four years later, on Thursday of this week, as she was cruising along the back nine at three over par, she said to herself, “Oh, wow, just 13 shots worse.”

Ko rallied with two birdies and a closing bogey on Thursday to shoot 74 in the first round of this CME Group Tour Championship. Then on Friday, as a frigid north wind blew into Naples like a crazy aunt at Christmas, Ko put a heat pack on her lower back and set the course ablaze, firing a 7-under 65, the low round of the day. She went from the bottom half of the field relegated to starting on the back nine, to within four shots of the lead and four groups behind the leaders going into the weekend.

“I was a lot more on the fairways and I was off to a much better start,” Ko said after the second round. “Yesterday I was 4-over through seven. At that point you are just trying to get birdies to have a comeback.

“I was able to do that somewhat. But I got off to a good start (today). You know, having lots of birdie opportunities was really key. Even though it was getting a little breezy at the start of the day, I set up a lot of good chances for birdies, so that makes it a lot less stressful. Whereas if you’re trying to make up-and-downs, it wears you out pretty quick.”

LPGA COMES BACK STRONGER THAN EVER WITH 2021 TOUR SCHEDULE

After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is gearing up to be an incredible season for the LPGA Tour. The 2021 LPGA Tour schedule will feature 34 official events across North America, Europe and Asia, with two new events added to the tournament calendar and players competing for a record $76.45 million in official purses.

In a demonstration of partnership with Tour sponsors, all official LPGA events that were postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic will return to the Tour schedule in 2021. There are several adjustments to the schedule given pandemic-related challenges that may arise in early 2021. Namely, full-field events won’t begin until late February, and the usual Spring Asia Swing has been moved back to late April and early May.

“We can all agree that 2020, while certainly not the 70th anniversary year that we expected, was a year that we will never forget,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “As we look back at the year, I am amazed at how our partnerships have actually grown during this trying time, and how the LPGA staff was able to return all three Tours to play in summer 2020. We actually added sponsorship sales in 2020 in the form of new title partners and new marketing partners, and we proved that professional golf can be played safely for all involved. And our fans responded. Social engagement is up more than 40% and TV viewership is up more than 30% over last year. As we look to 2021, we are recapturing the momentum that we had at the beginning of 2020 and we are excited about our future, which will include news of new title sponsors and several significant purse increases.”