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Yodkaikaew predicts KO finish against Japan’s ‘Sweeper’ in ONE championship (nationthailand.com)

Yodkaikaew predicts KO finish against Japan’s ‘Sweeper’ in ONE championship

Dec 18. 2020

 Former Max Stadium muay Thai champion Yodkaikaew “Y2K” Fairtex is aiming for another conquest in the mixed martial arts ranks when he returns to action this Friday night.

The 29-year-old Fairtex fighter from Pattaya is looking to show fans just how much he has improved since his last outing.

Yodkaikaew will face Japanese veteran Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada at ONE: Collision Course, broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Y2K is confident he can overcome an experienced and dangerous opponent – and in an explosive manner.

“Wada is a tough fighter. I studied his last fight and I know he’s got a good ground game. But I’m coming in with all my effort and skill in this fight. I’m confident I can get the win,” said Yodkaikaew.

“I think I can knock him out. And at the same time, he can knock me out. We can’t predict, because anything can happen. All I can say is that I am going to give it my all inside the Circle.”

Yodkaikaew hones his craft at the renowned Fairtex Training Centre, where he works with talents such as former two-sport ONE world champion Stamp Fairtex, rising star Wondergirl Fairtex, and muay Thai phenom Saemapetch Fairtex.

Daily training is building Yodkaikaew’s confidence in his striking and grappling skills. But the 29-year-old says he still feels butterflies when he prepares to make the walk to the ONE Circle.

“I’m confident in myself, but I’m also nervous and excited at the same time. Before I step into the Circle, it’s a game of nerves. I think I’ve improved a lot since my last fight in Bangkok. I’ve trained very hard this camp, and I’m confident in my skills,” said Yodkaikaew.

“I’ve worked extensively on my BJJ [Brazilian jiu-jitsu], and of course, I train in muay Thai every day. My skills are coming together nicely, so I’m excited to showcase my improvements.”

Friday’s stacked card is headlined by the showdown between ONE light heavyweight kickboxing world champion Roman Kryklia of Ukraine and challenger Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica from Romania. Also on the card is a bout between Thailand’s reigning ONE bantamweight muay Thai world champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and his countryman, ONE Bantamweight muay Thai Tournament Champion Rodlek PK Saenchai Muaythaigym.

The action begins on AIS Play at 7.30pm Thai time. Thairath TV32 will air the event on a same-day delay at 10.40pm.

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Thompson takes first-round lead in Naples (nationthailand.com)

Thompson takes first-round lead in Naples

Dec 18. 2020Lexi Thompson  After day one at the CME Group Tour Championship, Lexi Thompson made a statement early in her home state, closing with a 65 after eight birdies to lead the 72-player field on -7 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

The 2018 champion of the LPGA Tour’s season finale got off to a hot start with five birdies through her first seven holes, and after a lone bogey on No. 9, Thompson rebounded with birdies on Nos. 12, 17 and 18 to take the solo lead heading into the second round.

“It was great just being out here. I love coming to Naples. It is definitely one of my favorite events,” said Thompson, whose 65 is her lowest 18-hole score of 2020. “It’s a lot different now just not having my whole group of family that always come this week, but we’re just happy to be playing this week and my brother and I had a lot of fun.”

Thompson has recorded four top-six finishes in six starts at this event and has averaged 2.58 strokes under par per round since 2014 at the CME Group Tour Championship. Thompson has her brother, Korn Ferry Tour player Curtis Thompson, back on the bag after he last caddied for her at the Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging and Konica Minolta, where she finished in a tie for 27th. Curtis also caddied two years ago in Naples, when Lexi claimed her 10th career victory.

“It’s great to have him on the bag. I always cherish every opportunity we get to spend together. But to have him out there, he’s always joking and keeping me loose,” said Thompson. “Obviously playing great helps. Always keeps a smile on the face. I just wanted to go into this week and just play relaxed golf. I’ve been stressing a lot just trying to get my game where I think it should be, but instead I just went out and tried to have fun with my brother on the bag.”

Sitting in solo second is Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who recorded one of four bogey-free rounds at Tiburon Golf Club on Thursday. Starting on the back nine, Koerstz Madsen recorded six total birdies, including five of them through Nos. 15 – 2. This is only her second appearance in the Tour Championship,

“I feel good. I was a little shaky on my driver going into the event, and putting as well actually. So now it is always nice to start off with a good round,” said Koerstz Madsen. “I don’t have any expectations. I just want to go out and play and see if I can do good mentally.”

Three players sit in a tie for third at -5: Caroline Masson, Megan Khang, and defending champion Sei Young Kim. Rounding out the top-10 is six players in a tie for sixth, including 2014 champion Cristie Kerr and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who played her way into this event through three tournaments in 2020 starting at the Pelican Women’s Championship.

THOMPSON ON TOP AT CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP 

The game is filled with anecdotes of players practicing in the dark, practicing after wins, practicing beyond all reason. Ben Hogan supposedly hit balls until his hands bled. Whether or not he actually did, the imagery – a lone figure on the range, one swing after another, digging the game out of the dirt – has captured the imagination of golfers for more than 70 years.  

On Thursday at the CME Group Tour Championship, Lexi Thompson casually mentioned doing the same. “I hit balls until my hands started bleeding,” Thompson said. “I had blisters and they started to bleed. I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe I should stop.’”   

Unlike the stories of Hogan, Thompson had the bandages on her fingers to prove it.  

“I’ve been working so hard on my game in general trying to improve on it, and it’s been kind of an up and down roller coaster with an unfortunate week last week,” Thompson said, referring to her missed cut at the U.S. Women’s Open in Houston. “But I’ve worked extremely hard this last week coming into this (event), so I’m very happy with how today went and how I committed to my shots.”   

The “today” she referenced was a 7-under par 65 at Tiburon at the CME Group Tour Championship, a round that included eight birdies – five in a six-hole stretch on the front nine – and one bogey. It’s early, but the Thompson who teed off in the opening round looked more like the player who ascended to No.2 in the Rolex Rankings in 2017 and was one short, missed putt on this golf course away from ascending to No. 1 than she has throughout 2020.  Since that moment in 2017, Thompson has been up and down, hot and cold. She won the CME Group Tour Championship in 2018 and the ShopRite Classic in 2019 but also fell to 11^th in the Rolex World Rankings and entered the week with only two top-10 finishes this season.  

To read more of Steve Eubanks’ column on LPGA.com, click here: https://www.lpga.com/news/2020/thompson-on-top-at-cme-group-tour-championship-after-round-1

SEI YOUNG KIM RISING ABOVE PRESSURE AS DEFENDING CHAMPION AFTER DAY ONE

For a moment on No. 18 at Tiburon Golf Club, those watching off the green were reminded of 2019 as defending champion Sei Young Kim nearly drained another long putt from just off the back left fringe, similar to her 25-foot putt on the 72nd hole last year. Kim said she also felt nostalgic throughout her first round, which propelled her to a 5-under 67 to sit in a tie for third at the CME Group Tour Championship.

“It feels very good [to be defending],” said Kim, who played alongside fellow Rolex Player of the Year Award contenders Inbee Park and Danielle Kang. “Because I play with Inbee and Danielle, and those are really good player and then, yeah, then we play in the warm weather and it feels really good. [Last year’s] final round I made a long putt last hole, so when I was walking down hole 18, I was reminded of that memory. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s already one year ago.’ Feels like time goes by so fast.”

Since her victory, which also awarded her the largest winner’s check in women’s golf history of $1.5 million, the 27-year-old has won twice in the 2020 season, including her maiden major championship victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. With one more opportunity to win, Kim said she’s far from resting on her laurels and even though last year’s memories are great, it is a new year with new possibilities in December.

“I think pretty similar,” said Kim of this year’s course conditions. “Greens are softer. I think last night we got a little bit of rain, the greens so feel like little softer than yesterday. But, yeah, everything very similar.”

CIGANDA GRATEFUL FOR PLAYING IN NAPLES AFTER ELBOW INJURY

After playing at the Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee, Carlota Ciganda ventured home to Spain before competing on the Ladies European Tour. Playing wall tennis with her boyfriend, Ciganda said she twisted her ankle and landed on her elbow, breaking a bone. The injury took at least four weeks to heal, before returning to the LPGA Tour at the U.S. Women’s Open. Despite a missed cut in Houston, Ciganda is grateful to be competing at the CME Group Tour Championship.

“To be honest, I’m just happy to be here,” said Ciganda, who recorded a first-round 68 to sit in a tie for sixth heading into Friday. “I did three weeks of rehab, lots of treatment and lots of exercises. You do anything to play golf, so I’m just happy to be here competing and playing this week.”

Ciganda is playing in her eighth CME Group Tour Championship, a tournament where she’s recorded two top-10 finishes including a runner-up performance in 2014. Closing out the year still playing in December is a different experience for the 30-year-old, but Ciganda said she likes what Tiburon Golf Club brings out in her game.

“I think the course is playing a little softer, so I think it’s playing longer off the tee. But then you can be pretty aggressive to the pins, which is nice. But I think the score will be similar. Maybe couple shots lower. Depends on the wind and the pin positions next few days,” said Ciganda, who carded five birdies in her first 10 holes. “I like how it’s playing. You can be pretty aggressive, and that’s always fun.”

KERR PERSEVERING THROUGH AT CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Cristie Kerr has been battling three dislocated ribs after an unfortunate golf cart accident before the start of Volunteers of America Classic two weeks ago and persevered through the pain at the U.S. Women’s Open to finish in a tie for 23rd in Houston. Now in her eighth CME Group Tour Championship, the 2015 champion recorded a bogey-free 68 to sit in a tie for sixth after the first round in Naples, Fla.

“I feel a little bit better today, but I just thought it was really important to get through last week. There were points where I didn’t think that I was going to be able to, but I guess when they say there is a will there is a way,” said Kerr, who didn’t practice Tuesday upon getting to Tiburon Golf Club. “I think that day of rest really helped me, because as I played more in the pro-am, it hurt more, and so I kind of pulled out with five holes to go because I knew I had to save myself. I’ve been down this road before, and I know when you push it, if you have the opportunity to rest, you have to rest with this kind of injury. So feeling the way I did today, definitely was the right decision.”

An experienced Kerr, in her 24th LPGA Tour season, said despite the challenges, she knows what it takes to win. Being complacent due to poor health is not an excuse, says the 43-year-old.

“I need to hit it a little bit better. I know I scored well today,” said Kerr. “I got up and down a lot, chipped in for par once. But I need to hit it better and keep putting and chipping the way that I’m doing.”

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ONE Championship and Xiaomi Announce Partnership to Broadcast Exclusive Event Content Live in 5G (nationthailand.com)

ONE Championship and Xiaomi Announce Partnership to Broadcast Exclusive Event Content Live in 5G

Dec 17. 2020

 Select ONE: COLLISION COURSE highlights to be shot and broadcast live on Xiaomi’s Mi 10

ONE Championship™ (ONE), today announced that the organization will be partnering with Xiaomi, one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers and smart technology brands, on the emerging use of 5G in live sports production and broadcast. The first collaboration will be select content from ONE: COLLISION COURSE, an event scheduled for live broadcast from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 18 December.

Xiaomi and ONE Championship will showcase the power and capabilities of the company’s 2020 flagship smartphone, the Mi 10. Portions of ONE: COLLISION COURSE will be streamed live using the Mi 10’s high-end imaging system and the latest in 5G technology.

Hua Fung Teh, Group President of ONE Championship, stated: “I am thrilled to announce this unique collaboration between ONE Championship and Xiaomi, one of the most well-loved technology brands in the world. It’s a great opportunity to bring together the unrivaled action and excitement of ONE Championship martial arts with Xiaomi’s fast, secure, and class-leading 5G technology. Just like our ONE Championship athletes, Xiaomi’s latest Mi 10 smartphone packs a combination of raw power and excellent performance, and I am excited to showcase those capabilities with all of our viewers globally.”

Shou Zi Chew, President of International, Xiaomi, stated: “Xiaomi is delighted to deepen our ongoing partnership with ONE Championship, as we team up to inspire the next generation of sports and technology fans worldwide. By leveraging Xiaomi’s 5G-enabled Mi 10, users around the world can watch ONE Championship’s COLLISION COURSE competition from a new perspective. We look forward to showcasing the advantages of 5G technology and putting real-life superheroes in the palm of your hand.”

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Inbee Park looking for memorable 2020 souvenir (nationthailand.com)

Inbee Park looking for memorable 2020 souvenir

Dec 17. 2020

 Rolex Rankings No. 3 Inbee Park can’t remember the last time she had to finish a tournament on Monday.

With last week’s U.S. Women’s Open spilling over into this week, Park arrived at the CME Group Tour Championship a little later than usual, pulling into Naples late Monday night. But in her sixth trip to Tiburon Golf Club, Park already knows the challenge that awaits her here – these greens.

“I never really feel like I’ve conquered this green at all over all those years. The tee-to-green is not a big issue. I think it just really comes down to the putting, and the bermuda greens can get really tricky on you reading as feet,” said Park on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to adjust the speed on the greens and read the putts right. You can’t read them right all the time, but I’m just trying to do a little better at a time, and hopefully I can putt a little better this week.”

Park sits atop the standings for Rolex Player of the Year honors, leading Sei Young Kim by six points and Danielle Kang by 25 points. The trio will tee it up together in Thursday’s first round, starting on No. 1 at 10:50 a.m. If Park can capture the award, she would become the 14th player to win the title multiple times after she previously earning the honor in 2013. Park said adding this award to her 2020 resume would be a great “souvenir” of such a strange yet fulfilling season.

“This year has been a gift. I’m just happy that we got to play,” said Park, who won her 20th LPGA Tour title in February at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and has seven other top-10 finishes this year. “Just that’s really all I can ask for. If the results follow, that’s great. If not, I’m just really happy we’re out here and playing and playing some really good golf.”

DANIELLE KANG MOVED TO DONATE AFTER IMPRESSIVE SEASON

Danielle Kang is playing in her eighth CME Group Tour Championship this week, in a season unlike any other. In 2020, Kang is one of only two players with multiple victories this season after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship – Inverness Club and Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana in the Tour’s restart in July. Throw in an additional three top-10 finishes, and Kang is third in the standings for the Rolex Player of the Year award. And, after making every cut in 12 events played, Kang is on the verge of closing out the year with the Vare Trophy.

“I definitely had, whether it was world No 1, Player of the Year, Vare Trophy, everything was a possibility at one point or another. I was world No. 2 at one point. You have goals and dreams in your mind and you set them when you play, and even before I started and while I’m on tour,” said Kang, who meets the 70% of the Official Tournament rounds requirement with her 69.978 scoring average. “That’s part of it, though, and I think whether I do it or not, I’m okay with having the opportunity to have almost done it. Because I don’t think it’s just going to be once or twice that you have to have the opportunity. That’s what actually Inbee said to me, too. We had a good chat a month ago.”

Kang said she likes Tiburon Golf Club and has been looking forward to this event. “I keep telling people if I just don’t “beep” around I should be contending pretty well. I don’t know why. I just get really greedy out here. When you get greedy, there is this nice little lost ball waiting for you. I don’t know. I just get really excited to play this event, and I even said to people that I took seven weeks off before U.S. Women’s Open,” said Kang, who finished in a tie for third in Naples in 2019. “U.S. Women’s Open is great, but I wanted it to be kind of a steppingstone for though week. I know the golf course pretty well. I know how the greens break. There are some par-3s that I have made doubles out here with 8-irons because I got so cocky on the tee box and thinking I could hit it to five feet.”

While gearing up for CME week, Kang was able to talk with Mary Browder, a 17-year-old cancer survivor who, with the help of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, beat Hodgkins Lymphoma. Moved by her story, Kang pledged to donate $1000 per birdie this week in Browder’s honor. Her goal? 20 birdies, to equal the $20,000 donation made by CME Group for every ace this season thanks to the CME Group Cares Challenge – Score 1 for St. Jude.

“20 so I can get to $20,000 then,” said Kang. “That would be cool. I got you, Mary.”

CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FEELS LIKE HOME FOR BROOKE HENDERSON

Canadian star Brooke Henderson has won at least one tournament every season since 2015, when she captured the Cambia Portland Classic title as a non-member. In order to keep that streak alive, the nine-time LPGA Tour champion must find the winner’s circle this week at the CME Group Tour Championship.

“In the springtime I wasn’t sure what my schedule was going to look like, how much I was going to play, so I’m really grateful for the LPGA and protocols they put in place to make this a safe place to play,” said Henderson, who is currently No. 2 on Tour this year in scoring average (69.727). “I’ve been comfortable out here playing 10 events, and five top-10s. It has been a really successful year and would be really nice to finish this week off with another top-10, or maybe better. Hopefully put in two solid rounds Thursday, Friday and see where that puts me going into the weekend.”

This is the sixth straight appearance in the LPGA Tour season finale for Henderson. She has never missed a cut at Tiburón Golf Club (all top-25s) and secured a career-best in the event of solo fifth last year.

“Getting off the plane on Monday night, I was so grateful to be back here in southwest Florida. Just feels like home,” said Henderson, who calls Miromar Lakes Golf Club (20 miles north of Naples) her home club in the United States. “Feels really nice to be back, sleep in my own bed and be so close to this course. I am definitely really grateful for that, and having my sister [and caddy Brittany] nearby, too.

“This tournament is such a great opportunity. There is a lot of money on the line and it is top-70 players from this year. It’s just an honor to qualify and hopefully I can capitalize on the opportunity.”

TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT STILL ON THE LINE AT CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

No one imagined it would be this close. With Sei Young Kim capturing a major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then following it up with a victory at the Pelican Women’s Championship in her next start, most casual observers figured she would be a shoo-in for Rolex Player of the Year honors. In an abbreviated season with limited starts, who could catch her? 

The answer turned out to be simple: the only LPGA Hall of Fame member who still plays a full-time schedule and the woman who continues to amaze us every year she tees it up – Inbee Park.

Park is actually leading the Player of the Year race by a slim six points with one week to go. That is because in addition to her lone win of the year back in pre-COVID February – seemingly a lifetime ago – at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, the Queen Bee of women’s golf has an additional seven top-10 finishes in 2020, including runner-up finishes at the KPMG Women’s PGA (to Kim) and the Volunteers of America Classic. A tie for sixth at the U.S. Women’s Open moved Park into the driver’s seat for her second Rolex Player of the Year title.

But to show the differences in where Park and Kim are in their careers, Park said of possibly capturing Player of the Year, “You know, it would be nice to have some kind of a souvenir for a great year. To be honest, it really doesn’t bother me that much anymore. It would be nice to have another award, obviously, but this year has been a gift. I’m just happy that we got to play. That’s really all I can ask for. If the results follow, that’s great. If not, I’m just really happy we’re out here and playing and playing some really good golf.

BY THE NUMBERS — CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The following statistics were compiled by Amy Mills, the LPGA Senior Manager of statistical research

Lexi Thompson has recorded four top-six finishes in six starts at the CME Group Tour Championship, including one win (2018) and second-place finish (2017), which is the best overall performance of any player in the event. Thompson has averaged 2.58 strokes under par per round since 2014.

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Champ Nong-0 ‘100% ready’ to take on ‘worthy’ Muay Thai foe Rodlek (nationthailand.com)

Champ Nong-0 ‘100% ready’ to take on ‘worthy’ Muay Thai foe Rodlek

Dec 17. 2020Nong-O Gaiyanghadao 

By THE NATION

Reigning One Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao couldn’t be happier to make his highly anticipated return to the One Circle.

The Thai legend is scheduled to face One Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament Champion and countryman Rodlek PK Saenchai Muaythaigym in one of the main events of One: Collision Course, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore this Friday, December 18.

Nong-O is prepared for this fourth world title defence, and believes Rodlek is a worthy foe.

“I’m excited to get the chance to compete again, finally. But I can definitely feel the pressure. I haven’t been in the ring for a long time, so I hope I’m sharp enough because Rodlek is not an easy opponent,” said Nong-O.

“Physically, I’m 100 per cent ready. I trained hard even with the pandemic going on. I feel physically strong and ready. I recently dedicated a lot of time to training, as the fight got closer.”

Nong-O captured the One Super Series title in May 2019 after dominating China’s Han Zi Hao. Since then, he’s made three successful defences of the belt. His finest performance came against rising phenom Saemapetch Fairtex in November the same year, where he dominated and then knocked out his younger counterpart with a sensational right cross.

Rodlek, on the other hand, took part in the prestigious One Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament held earlier this year. He succumbed to Saemapetch in the first round of the tournament, but after the former pulled out of the four-man ladder due to injury, Rodlek took his place in the final round against Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek-Uthai.

In the finals, Rodlek was incredible, as he dominated his opponent en route to an unanimous-decision victory.

All the while, Nong-O watched carefully from the sidelines, as the newest challenger to his throne rose through the ranks.

“The last fight I watched was of him and Saemapetch. I thought that was a close fight that could have gone either way. It wasn’t an easy fight for Saemapetch. They were matched evenly,” said Nong-O.

“Rodlek is a great fighter. He’s a worthy challenger, otherwise he wouldn’t be here standing across from me in the Circle now. He got here through hard work and sacrifice, just like all great fighters. There is no way I am taking him lightly. I will treat him as the toughest test of my career.”

One: Collision Course is One Championship’s final live event of the year. The stacked card features a main event showdown between One Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia of the Ukraine and challenger Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica of Romania.

Nong-O vows to do his family and loved ones proud when he steps into the Circle this Friday night. He says he is grateful to be a One World Champion, especially during the time of this pandemic, which has swept the globe.

“Being a world champion in One Super Series, getting to represent Thailand on the global stage, it means a lot to me, especially during these times when things are uncertain,” he said.

“I want to make my parents, my family, especially my sons proud. I am happy if I can make them happy. That to me is the biggest motivation heading into this fight,” he added.

Catch One: Collision Course live on AIS Play at 7.30pm Indochina Time (ICT). Additionally, Thairath TV32 will air the event at 10.40pm ICT.

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LPGA returns to Naples for CME Group Tour Championship (nationthailand.com)

LPGA returns to Naples for CME Group Tour Championship

Dec 16. 2020Jin Young Ko (Photo Credit to LPGA) 

The LPGA Tour returns to Naples, Fla. for the 18th and final event of the 2020 season at the CME Group Tour Championship, the culmination of the season-long Race to the CME Globe.

LPGA TOUR RETURNS TO NAPLES FOR CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The Race to the CME Globe is a season-long points competition in which LPGA Members accumulate points in every Official LPGA Tournament to gain entry into the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. The player who wins the CME Group Tour Championship will be named the “Race to the CME Globe Champion.” Following the U.S. Women’s Open, the CME Group Tour Championship field was set to the top 70 players in the Race to the CME Globe points standings, and two additional sponsor invitations. All 72 players in this week’s field will compete in a 72-hole, no-cut competition.

The top eight of the Rolex Rankings highlight the field, including World No. 1 Jin Young Ko. Ko finished No. 45 in the Race to the CME Globe standings after playing in just three events in 2020 and is also coming off a tie for second finish at the U.S. Women’s Open. Rolex Rankings No. 2 Sei Young Kim is back to defend her 2019 title since winning the event in spectacular fashion with a 25-foot birdie on the 72^nd hole for a one-stroke victory over 2016 champion, Charley Hull. Rolex Rankings No. 3 Inbee Park, who returns to the top three in the Rankings for the first time since September 24, 2018, is looking for her second victory of the year after earning the most points in the season-long race with 2,035. With the field set at 72 players, all will have an equal chance at the $1.1 million winner’s prize, the largest in 2020.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

• This is the seventh playing of the CME Group Tour Championship and the seventh consecutive year it will be played on the Tiburon Golf Club’s Golf Course
• It is the 18^th and final event of the 2020 LPGA Tour season
• The CME Group Tour Championship is one of four total tournaments on the 2020 LPGA Tour schedule to be contested in the Sunshine State, along with the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions (Lake Buena Vista), Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio (Boca Raton) & Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging and Konica Minolta (Belleair)
• Seven past champions are in the field this week – Charley Hull (2016), Ariya Jutanugarn (2017), Cristie Kerr (2015), Sei Young Kim (2019), Lydia Ko (2014), Hee Young Park (2011) and Lexi Thompson (2018)
• Eight of the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings highlight the field this week,
• There are 12 of the season’s 15 different winners playing, including Sei Young Kim and Danielle Kang, the only players with multiple victories in 2020

WORLD NO. 1 WORKS HER WAY INTO CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

With the dawn of every new LPGA Tour season comes goals, ambitions and dreams. Back in January (and once again in a few weeks) when LPGA pros jotted down objectives for the year, at the top of most list was qualifying for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. That mission was no different for Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko, even in this unprecedented year.

Ko originally planned to begin her season in March at the Volvik Founders Cup to allow more time for an ankle injury—sustained at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA last November—to heal. Of course, the coronavirus pandemic had other plans. Instead, Ko went home to her native Republic of Korea.

As the LPGA Tour anxiously awaited its restart, Ko competed on the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA). Across six tournaments, she played the weekend six times and captured four top-10s including a runner-up. The six-time LPGA winner also showcased a solid scoring average (70.83) and driving accuracy (80.36%). It was great preparation for reaching her ultimate target: the CME Group Tour Championship.

In November, Ko made her highly anticipated return to American soil at the inaugural Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging and Konica Minolta. She finished tied for 34th. Then she made the trek to Irving, Texas, for the Volunteers of America Classic, where she finished solo fifth. From there, it was her first LPGA Tour major championship of 2020 at Champions Golf Club in Houston for the 75th U.S. Women’s Open. A tie for second, highlighted by a final-round 3-under par 68, was enough for Ko to punch her ticket to Tiburón Golf Club.

“I had rest time [on Sunday] and I needed the rest. I had a great [final] round, couple of missed putts but I finished good,” said Ko, who enters the week at No. 45 in the Race to CME Globe standings. “It was my best finish at the U.S. Open so I can play this week as well. I’m really thankful. This season is too tough with coronavirus, so I want to say thanks to the USGA and all the volunteers.”

PAGDANGANAN AND NOH AMONG ROOKIES LOOKING TO MAKE A SPLASH IN NAPLES

The CME Group Tour Championship is the reward of a hard-fought season, and through the ups and downs of 2020, this week in Naples, Fla. was the goal for many. It’s even sweeter for those playing in their first season finale, including four 2020 rookies – Andrea Lee, Leona Maguire, Bianca Pagdanganan and Yealimi Noh.

“I definitely made CME one of my biggest goals beginning of the year to make it with the full schedule, but with half the schedule I was still trying get into CME,” said Noh, who finished the highest on the Race to the CME Globe standings at No. 14 (952 points). “And just being here in nice warm weather is really nice.”

Noh said she’s watched the event before, but experiencing this week already is “totally different.” Pagdanganan said despite everything 2020 has thrown her way, her rookie season went better than expected, and there’s nothing like capping it off playing for a winner’s prize of $1.1 million.

“Overall, it’s been a great year for me in terms of golf and being able to play my way into the CME,” said Pagdanganan. “Didn’t start off that great this year but I played a couple good events and eventually put myself in a good position. Now I’m here and I’m really excited and looking forward to this whole week.”

Pagdanganan said she’s loving the weather Southwest Florida has to offer, especially after the frigid temperatures last week at the U.S. Women’s Open. “Everything is perfect. I love the course. I actually enjoyed playing it. I feel like some holes you got to know — pick the right spots off the tee,” said Pagdanganan. “Overall, I think it’s a great course. It’s in really good condition, especially with the PGA [Tour] having a tournament here last week. So that’s pretty cool. Yeah, going to be a fun week.”

STEPHANIE MEADOW COMES FULL CIRCLE AT CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The last time Stephanie Meadow arrived at Tiburón Golf Club was 2015 as the recipient of the Heather Farr Player Award, given each year since 1994 to an LPGA Tour professional who demonstrates spirit, determination and perseverance in fulfilling her goals. This year she arrives as a competitor.

“Things have come a long way since then,” said Meadow, who is No. 42 in the Race to CME Globe. “I thought about it today because I obviously stayed at the Ritz [Golf Resort] then. I was bummed to not be playing. I received such an amazing award, selected by peers. But in my heart, all I wanted to do was play. This is what I love to do, and it has always been my dream.

“There were definitely points in my career where I thought I was done – 2015 and 2016. I wasn’t in a good place mentally, so now to be in position where I’m playing, it hit me a little bit harder yesterday when I first walked on. I’m just proud of myself for sticking it out and excited to see what I can continue to do.”

In May of 2015, Meadow lost her father Robert to pancreatic cancer. She didn’t touch a golf club for five weeks after. The Heather Farr Player Award was a small condolence from the pain of losing a loved one. Later that same summer, she learned of a stress fracture in her back. In 12 events as an LPGA rookie that year, Meadow made one cut—a tied for 20th finish at the ANA Inspiration.

Meadow continued to battle but eventually was forced to regain LPGA status through the Symetra Tour. She won the 2018 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, propelling her into the Volvik Race for the Card top-10 by season’s end to qualify for the LPGA as a Symetra Tour graduate. Back to where she belonged.

Her return wasn’t a walk in the park. She entered Volunteers of America Classic week in October 2019 in need of a solid finish to retain her LPGA card for 2020. Walking up the 72nd hole at Old American Golf Club, Meadow knew exactly what she needed to do. And she did it, by draining a long birdie putt under pressure to seal her spot on the big stage once again.

“I couldn’t have missed the leaderboard, it was literally right behind my putt,” Meadow said laughingly. “I learned a lot about myself that week. I knew what I had to do. I knew on the last hole what I had to do. I knew I needed birdie to kind of guarantee it. To actually do it and prove under the gun you can pull it off, that was awesome. I think I’ve been able to carry that through.

“This whole year has just been kind of almost proving to myself that do I belong here. To consistently be making cuts, it builds confidence. Such a long journey but a good one. You learn a lot of things along the way, and hopefully I can use those in the future.”

ICYMI: A U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN THAT HAD MORE THAN ONE WINNER

Amy Olson’s life has always been about more than just herself. Family and faith are her north stars. On Olson’s hat is the logo of Golf Fore Africa, the humanitarian effort to bring clean drinking water to those in need. In her heart on Monday as she played the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open was her father-in-law, who died suddenly Saturday night.

This enormous talent from North Dakota, who at North Dakota State University set the NCAA career victory record with 20, played the final round buoyed by that Christian faith and the always-present love of her family, even though they mourned back home, far away from her.

Winless in 147 LPGA starts, Olson was looking to make her first Tour win a major championship. Twice before she’d been in this position, playing in the final group of a major. Both times she let it get away from her. But his was not a major championship that Olson lost or let slip away.

On a brutally difficult day, A Lim Kim of South Korea was simply sensational. The 25-year-old two-time winner on the Korea LPGA closed with three consecutive birdies for a 67 — low round of the day – to finish at three-under-par 281, a single stroke ahead of Olson and Rolex Ranking No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who shot 68.

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Muay Thai legend Nong-O final hurdle for Rodlek to achieve dream ONE world title (nationthailand.com)

Muay Thai legend Nong-O final hurdle for Rodlek to achieve dream ONE world title

Dec 16. 2020

 It’s every athlete’s dream to become a world champion in their chosen sport. It’s no different for Thailand’s Rodlek PK Saenchai Muaythaigym. Rodlek has wanted to become a ONE world champion ever since he joined the organisation in 2019. Now, he is one step closer to realising his dream.

Rodlek will challenge compatriot and reigning ONE bantamweight world champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in the co-main event of “ONE: Collision Course”, which will be broadcast live from Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on December 18.

Rodlek fully expects the toughest test of his career thus far, against a man they consider a Muay Thai legend in practically every circle.

“I am very glad I can compete for this world title. This is my first attempt to win a world title in the ONE Super Series, and it’s an honour. If I win this title, nothing else will make me happier,” said Nong-O.

“Nong-O is a legend in this sport. He’s a complete fighter. He has all the tools and weapons. On top of that, he has all the experience. It’s going to be a tough fight for sure.”

At 30 years of age, Rodlek is four years younger than the defending champion. To compound matters, Nong-O hasn’t defended his title in over a year, having last fought in November 2019.

Rodlek, on the other hand, has already competed three times in 2020 alone, in the midst of a global pandemic, no less. His most recent bouts came in July and August, where he lost a majority decision to young phenomenon Saemapetch Fairtex, and then scored a dominant win over highly-regarded Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek-Uthai.

Rodlek expects to be the sharper man on fight night.

All factors considered, he is fully confident he can dethrone Nong-O and become the division’s new Muay Thai king. He is also counting on facing the toughest version of Nong-O possible, so he doesn’t expect it to be a walk in the park.

“Nong-O is older than I am, so he may be a bit slower than before. Age may play a factor, and it might affect his performance, but I’m not counting on it. That being said, he’s still very fast and powerful. It won’t be right to underestimate him,” said Rodlek.

“Fighting against Nong-O won’t be easy. The probability of beating the champion is very low. He’s seen everything in the sport, and knows how to prepare himself. But I will try to be the better man in the fight. Anything can happen. He’s a legend for a reason, so I won’t underestimate him.”

ONE: Collision Course is ONE Championship’s final live event of the year. The stacked card features a main event showdown between ONE light heavyweight kickboxing world champion Roman Kryklia of Ukraine and challenger Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica of Romania.

If Rodlek can defeat Nong-O on Friday night, he would have accomplished his goal of becoming a ONE world champion in front of millions watching around the globe.

“My goal has always been to be a ONE Super Series champion. That’s going to be the best moment of my life. ONE Championship is a global organisation and is seen all over the world, not just in Thailand. It is my dream to showcase my skills in front of the world,” Rodlek concluded.

The event can be watched live on AIS Play at 7.30pm Indochina Time (ICT). Additionally, Thairath TV32 will air the event on a same-day delay at 10.40pm ICT.

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A Lim Kim sparks Major comeback to win US Women’s Open (nationthailand.com)

A Lim Kim sparks Major comeback to win US Women’s Open

Dec 15. 2020A Lim Kim (Photo credit to LPGA) 

By THE NATION

Jutanugarn sisters land inside top 10

Moriya Jutanugarn

In her major debut, A Lim Kim has become a major champion. The 25-year-old from the Republic of Korea birdied her final three holes on Champions Golf Club’s Cypress Creek Course on Monday to surge to -3 and win the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open.

Lim is the seventh player to make a five-stroke comeback in the final round to win the U.S. Women’s Open, and the first since Annika Sorenstam in 1995 at The Broadmoor. She is also the first player since Eun Hee Ji in 2009 to birdie the final hole for a one-stroke win.

Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko and first-round leader Amy Olson, playing with a heavy heart after the sudden death of her father-in-law on Saturday, tied for second at -2, with third-round leader Hinako Shibuno in solo third at -1. The final round was completed on Monday after torrential wind and rain on Sunday caused the USGA to suspend play due to course conditions and dangerous weather conditions.

Kim’s victory came in her first appearance in a major championship. With the win, she is eligible to accept immediate Membership on the LPGA Tour.

“I’m very honored to win the 75th U.S. Women’s Open. Still can’t really soak in that I’m the champion, but it feels different winning the tournament here,” said Kim, who got a congratulatory FaceTime call from her idol Annika Sorenstam while conducting her post-victory responsibilities. “Back in Korea the style and the environment is different. But I’m really glad, and through COVID-19 we had a lot of difficulties, but glad we had the U.S. Women’s Open held in Houston. It was a great win.”

Kim started the cold and blustery day at +1, five strokes and three groups behind Shibuno. She made the turn in 3-under 33 but dropped shots at 10 and 11 to fall back to Even. Her surge began with a 9-foot birdie on the par-3 16th, followed by a dialed-in 8-iron approach for a 3-foot birdie at No. 17. She capped her round with a 7-foot birdie at No. 18, punctuated with a hearty fist pump and knuckle bump with her caddie, Daihoun An.

“I’ve been eyeing the leaderboard throughout the round and I knew how many shots I was back,” said Kim. “That’s probably the reason why I tried to hit more aggressive, tried to more attack the pins.”

Olson and Ko both birdied the 18th hole to come up one stroke short of forcing a playoff. Olson played with the hearts of the golfing world in her corner, after the unexpected death of her father-in-law, Lee Olson, on Saturday. She used Sunday’s unexpected off day to rest and gather her thoughts as she headed into one of the most pressure-packed rounds of her career.

“Coming out this morning I had no idea what to expect. It was just one of those things, I felt very weak and helpless the last couple days, and probably same went today on the golf course,” said Olson, who came up short for the third time while playing in the final group at a major. “I really believe the Lord just carried me through.”

After boeying three of her first four holes, Olson got back on track with birdies at 5 and 6. An ensuing string of nine consecutive pars, combined with the field faltering around her, gave Olson a two-stroke lead through 12 holes. But at the par-3 16th, which she aced in Thursday’s first round, Olson’s tee shot rolled just off the back of the green into an awkward lie and she could not convert the up and down. She finally rammed home a long birdie putt at No. 18, with tears streaming down her face as she hugged her caddie Taneka Sandiford, to join Ko in a tie for second.

Shibuno, looking to become the third player to win majors as their first two LPGA Tour titles, also birdied No. 18 to put a positive finish on an otherwise difficult round of 3-over 74. American Megan Khang rounded out the top five at +1.

Moriya Jutanugarn signed off at joint sixth with two over, a stroke better than former champion Ariya.

A LIM KIM ELIGIBLE FOR LPGA TOUR MEMBERSHIP

With her victory, A Lim Kim is eligible to accept LPGA Tour Membership. Should she accept Membership, she will be seeded into Category 7 on the Priority List, held for non-Members who win an official LPGA Tour event.

From the USGA, Kim also receives the $1,000,000 winner’s check; the Mickey Wright Medal; custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for the next year; and a qualifying exemption for the next 10 U.S. Women’s Opens.

A U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN THAT HAD MORE THAN ONE WINNER

Amy Olson’s life has always been about more than just herself. Family and faith are her north stars. On Olson’s hat is the logo of Golf Fore Africa, the humanitarian effort to bring clean drinking water to those in need. In her heart on Monday as she played the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open was her father-in-law, who died suddenly Saturday night.

This enormous talent from North Dakota, who at North Dakota State University set the NCAA career victory record with 20, played the final round buoyed by that Christian faith and the always-present love of her family, even though they mourned back home, far away from her.

Winless in 147 LPGA starts, Olson was looking to make her first Tour win a major championship. Twice before she’d been in this position, playing in the final group of a major. Both times she let it get away from her. But this was not a major championship that Olson lost or let slip away.

For more from Ron Sirak for LPGA.com, visit https://www.lpga.com/news/2020/a-us-womens-open-that-had-more-than-one-winner

JIN YOUNG KO REACHES SEASON FINALE WITH WOMEN’S OPEN SUCCESS

Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko had more than just a major title at stake this week. After choosing to remain at home in Korea when the LPGA Tour resumed play in July, Ko was on the outside looking in for next week’s CME Group Tour Championship. But with her second-place finish at Champions Golf Club, Ko is projected to vault into 46th in the Race to the CME Globe standings and qualify for her fourth consecutive season finale.

“This week is my best finish at the U.S. Open, so I can play next week, as well,” said Ko, who earned enough points in just three LPGA Tour events in 2020, with finishes of 34th, fifth and second. “I’m really thankful. This season is too tough with coronavirus, so I want to say thanks to USGA and all the volunteers.”

MEGAN KHANG ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021

Anyone who finishes in the top five at the U.S. Women’s Open receives an automatic exemption into the next year’s tournament. And with the USGA taking the championship to the renowned Olympic Club in 2021, Megan Khang was extra excited by her fifth-place finish at Champions Golf Club.

“We have a tournament at Lake Merced and I know someone who’s a member at Olympic Club, and he offers to take us out there. I was like, No, I want to go there when the Open is there,” said Khang. “I always tell him I’m holding off for the Open there, so I’m super ecstatic. I mean, to make sure that we’re in the Open again is always an accomplishment and looking forward to any USGA event.”

This was Khang’s best showing in her eight U.S. Women’s Open appearances. Her previous best was a tie for 10th in 2018 at Shoal Creek.

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 94 A Lim Kim (68-74-72-67)

• She is the third player this decade to win in her major debut, joining Hyo Koo Kim (2014 Evian Championship) and Hinako Shibuno (2019 AIG Women’s Open)
• She is the 30th non-Member to win an LPGA Tour event and second this season, joining AIG Women’s Open champion Sophia Popov
• Kim is playing in her third LPGA Tour event, joining the 2018 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship and the 2019 BMW Ladies Championship
• She is in her fifth season on the KLPGA Tour, with victories at the 2018 OK SavingsBank Se Ri Pak Invitational and the 2019 Munyoung Queens Park Championship
• At 94th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, she is the lowest-ranked player to win the U.S. Women’s Open since the Rolex Rankings began in 2006

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TISSOT Pole of Poles winners rewarded in Portimão (nationthailand.com)

TISSOT Pole of Poles winners rewarded in Portimão

Dec 15. 2020

 The riders in each class with the most pole positions this season were presented with their awards at the season finale 

At the end of another stunning season, the riders with the most pole positions in each class this season were presented with the coveted TISSOT Pole of Poles award at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Awarded by the Official Timekeeper of MotoGP™, TISSOT, the incredible limited edition 2020 prizes were handed to each winner by Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta in a special ceremony on the Saturday evening.

In MotoGP™, the winner was Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo as the Frenchman took four pole positions in 2020 and was the man with both the most pole positions and best qualifying record overall in the premier class. 

Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) took the award in Moto2™, with the Brit having taken three pole positions in 2020. It wasn’t as easy as that after an incredibly tight year in the intermediate class, however, and the ultimate winner was decided on front row starts as well – since Joe Roberts (Tennor American Racing) also took an impressive three Moto2™ pole positions this season. 

Moto3™ saw Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) pick up the award after raking in an incredible total of six pole positions in 2020. That’s the most of any of the three Pole of Pole winners and saw him start from the front for more than a third of the races this year. 

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Fourth Round Suspended at U.S. Women’s Open; Play to Resume Monday (nationthailand.com)

Fourth Round Suspended at U.S. Women’s Open; Play to Resume Monday

Dec 14. 2020

 Fourth-round play at the U.S. Women’s Open has been suspended for the day due to course conditions and potential inclement weather later this afternoon.

Champions Golf Club has received .73 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

“We want to ensure course conditions are worthy of crowning a major champion,” said John Bodenhamer, Senior Managing Director, Championships for the USGA.

Play will resume at 9 a.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 13. Eighteen players have yet to tee off in the championship’s final round. Golf Channel will air live coverage from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST.

2019 AIG Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno sits atop the leaderboard at -4, with Amy Olson in second at -3. Moriya Jutanugarn and Ji Yeong Kim2 are tied for third at -1.