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Dorna CEO Ezpeleta: ‘Races will continue’

Oct 26. 2020

 On race day at the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta answered a couple of key questions about the remaining races of the season and the situation for the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship regarding the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe, confirming there are no changes expected to the calendar.

With how the Covid-19 situation is evolving in Europe, and especially in Spain, many fans are wondering… what will happen with the remaining races?

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: “At the moment nothing has changed, a state of alarm in Spain, in principal, doesn’t impact our situation. We’re working during the race, and if there are restrictions on movement after 22:00 until the morning, it doesn’t impact us. At the moment we can continue. In any case we’re in close contact with authorities in each place, and at the moment we didn’t receive any kind of information about it.”

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Rodtang expects ‘Burmese Python’ to prevail in tough battle against ‘Dutch Knight’

Oct 25. 2020Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang It takes one amazing fighter to know and recognise another.

When One flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon met reigning One middleweight and light heavyweight world champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang for the very first time, it was an instant connection.

The two fierce competitors found they both had a lot in common, and quickly became good friends.

“I got to know Aung La since the One Championship Athletes Retreat in Phuket. Since then, we’ve become good friends and we always chat every now and then,” said Rodtang.

“I also got to compete in the same event as him a few times. He’s quite a nice guy, very friendly. We always chat on social media.”

Aung La is scheduled to defend his One middleweight world title against top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands on October 30 in Singapore at “One: Inside The Matrix”. It’s the headline bout, and one of four world title matches on schedule, which will be broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Rodtang, who admires Aung La’s fighting spirit and sees a lot of himself in “The Burmese Python”, is pulling for his friend to successfully defend his title, but equally expects a close and entertaining, fan-friendly fight.

“Aung La is a tough fighter with a lot of heart. I never see him give up in any fight, no matter how hard things get for him. He’s the same kind of fighter as I am. We don’t have any quit in us. We both have the same goal, which is to keep fighting and winning, and working hard to be the best,” said Rodtang.

“I have a feeling this will be a very close fight. Overall, I think Aung La is the more well-rounded fighter, and he should have a few key advantages. Even as a Muay Thai athlete myself, I can sign off on Aung La’s striking. He’s a tough fighter with good skills. It’s hard to pick a winner for this fight, but Aung La might be the one. Let’s see.”

Also on the card is One featherweight world champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Vietnam and Australia, who is set to defend his title against third-ranked contender Thanh Le of Vietnam and the United States in the co-main event of the evening.

One lightweight world champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee of Singapore will make the first defence of his lightweight belt against top contender Iuri Lapicus of Moldova.

Lastly, reigning One women’s strawweight world champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China defends her title against Singapore’s Tiffany “No Chill” Teo in a highly-anticipated rematch.

Like millions of fans from around the world, Rodtang will be glued to his television screen to catch all the action, but more importantly, to support his friend Aung La.

“I’ll definitely be watching for sure,” Rodtang said.

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Fairtex believes Angela Lee, who is pregnant, will be ready to defend her atomweight title

Oct 24. 2020Angela Lee Controversy enveloped the One women’s atomweight division a couple of weeks ago, when reigning One women’s atomweight world champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee engaged in a war of words against No.1-ranked contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga.

Following Lee’s announcement of her pregnancy, Zamboanga called for the Singaporean to vacate her title “out of respect for other athletes”, given that the 24-year-old superstar may be out of action for quite some time. Lee fired back, calling Zamboanga “entitled” and that she would not give up her belt.

One Championship revealed plans of hosting a One Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship to determine the rightful challenger to the atomweight throne shortly after.

Former One atomweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion Stamp Fairtex, who recently told media she aims to focus on her mixed martial arts career, sided with Zamboanga, whom she considers a close friend. She believes Lee should vacate her title if she will be unable to defend it in a certain amount of time.

However, Stamp also believes Lee will be back just in time to swoop in and challenge the winner of the atomweight tournament.

“First of all, I’d like to say congratulations  to Angela Lee and her family. I wish her baby good health and all the happiness for her family,” said Stamp.

“It’s not easy being champion, with everyone coming for the belt on your shoulder. Angela deserves that championship because she trained hard for it. She’s defended it for four years now and running. That being said, if it does take too long for her to be able to defend the belt, I would have to agree with Denice.

“However, I think by the time this tournament is done, Angela may already be ready to defend her title. Let’s see,” Stamp added.

Although details of the atomweight tournament, such as date, venue, and athletes participating, have yet to be revealed, there is already a good inkling of which fighters will be included in the eight-woman bracket.

Stamp, who currently stands at No.5 on the official athlete rankings at atomweight, is expected to be one of the names thrown into the hat, although nothing has been finalised as of yet. The Thai warrioress is excited about the idea of competing in the tournament.

“If I do get a chance to compete in the Atomweight Grand Prix, it would be an honour. Angela Lee is a great champion, and to earn the right to face her would be amazing. If I can win the tournament, then I’ll be the one to face her when she comes back. That right now is the goal for me.”

One Championship returns on October 30 with “One: Inside THE Matrix”, broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The blockbuster features four world title bouts for a total of six compelling martial arts contests.

In the main event, reigning One middleweight and light heavyweight world champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar defends his middleweight title against top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.

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Munoz soars with eagles to lead by one

Oct 23. 2020Sebastian Munoz Sebastian Munoz eclipsed the stars with two eagles as he grabbed a one-shot lead with a superb 8-under 64 in the first round of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Colombian began his day with a three-putt bogey from seven feet before soaring with eagles on Hole Nos. 7 and 16 when he holed out from 168 yards and 51 yards respectively to  earn his fourth ever first round lead/co-lead on the PGA TOUR.

 In-form Tyrell Hatton and Justin Thomas, the 2017 FedExCup champion, led the chasing pack at Sherwood Country Club with matching 65s in the US$8 million tournament which moved from its home base in Japan to the U.S. due to the coronavirus.

 Defending champion Tiger Woods had a day to forget as he stumbled to a 76 for his career worst round at Sherwood, leaving him in a share of 75^th place in the 78-man field while two-time FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy carded a 73.

 After securing his maiden PGA TOUR victory last fall which helped him finish a career high eighth on the FedExCup ranking last season, Munoz has continued to establish himself and arrived at Sherwood following a ninth place outing at THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK in Las Vegas on Sunday.

 He bounced back from his first hole blemish with four birdies over his next five holes before producing a moment of magic by holing out a nine iron approach shot at the par 4 seventh hole. A second eagle came courtesy of a deft pitch at the par 5 16^th hole, although he needed a touch of luck when his second shot hit a tree and managed to stay out of the penalty area.

 “At just one of those days it happens,” said Munoz of his round which also featured eight birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey.“On seven, my caddie was just talking it had to be a really good 9 (iron). So I just focused on making the best swing and I started four yards left, started cutting nicely towards the pin, and once you see the guys throw the touchdown sign, it’s good. And 16, we thought it was maybe going to be wet, but happily it was short of the water (after hitting a tree with his second shot). So I throw it up there and find the hole (for eagle) … it was pretty sweet,” added the Colombian, who led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and Around the Green.

 Thomas battled to an even par front nine with two birdies against as many dropped shots before cruising home in 29, courtesy of a hot putter which delivered five birdies and an eagle on 16 as he chases a 14^th PGA TOUR victory.

 “I was playing well on the front, I just stayed patient. I was really reading the greens poorly for the putts that I missed. If my ball rolls another inch on 1, I make it. I had a pretty nasty lip out on 2, bad three putt on 7, so it’s the little things like that to where if some of those things go my way, I don’t shoot even. I knew that I was close, I just needed to stay patient,” said Thomas, who finished his day with eagle-birdie-birdie.

 Hatton, 29, credited a short break in the U.K. for his top form which has seen him rise to World No. 9 following a win on the European Tour two weeks ago and a tied third finish at THE CJ CUP last week. In March, he claimed a maiden PGA TOUR win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

 “I think being able to go home after the U.S. Open was massive for me. I did eight and a half months out here in the States … that’s a long time away from family and friends. And I worked with my dad who’s my coach, who I haven’t seen since THE PLAYERS. You can only do so much on FaceTime and stuff like that,” said Hatton.

 “Everything was pretty solid out there, to be honest. Obviously I got lucky a couple of times, my bad shots today ended up in kind of okay places. Hoping that I can kind of play well the next three days and finish off what would be a really good three weeks of golf.”

 A year after making history in Japan where he equalled Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA TOUR victories, Woods surprisingly struggled at Sherwood, a course which he has won five times previously in his own tournament, the Hero World Challenge. Woods struggled off the tee, hitting only seven fairways and found only 10 greens in regulation. He was also 3-over on the par-5s, tying his worst par-5 performance in a round on TOUR.

 2018 RBC Heritage champion Satoshi Kodaira and Rikuya Hoshino hold the best position at T17 amongst the eight Japanese players in the field with matching 4-under 68s while Hideki Matsuyama, who is a five-time PGA TOUR winner and runner-up in the event last year, opened with a 70.

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McIlroy keen to end year-long drought

Oct 23. 2020Rory McIlroy and his caddy. (Getty Images) Rory McIlroy knows where his priority lies at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD this week, although he could easily be distracted by an opportunity to rewrite some golf history next month.

 The Northern Irishman, who is a two-time FedExCup champion, cannot be faulted if his mind wanders off-track to the Masters Tournament which takes place in three weeks’ time and offers another crack for him to complete a career grand slam which only five golfers, including this week’s defending champion Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, have achieved.

 While McIlroy is keen to don the Green Jacket at Augusta National, he is intent on keeping his focus solely on the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, which moved from its home base in Japan to Thousand Oaks, California due to Covid-19 and features a star-studded field including 28 of the top 30 from the final FedExCup points list last season.

 “I mean, it’s four rounds, it’s an opportunity to win a PGA TOUR event. That’s sort of first and foremost what my focus is. It’s been a year basically since I’ve won, I haven’t won since China (WGC-HSBC Champions) last year,” said the 31-year-old McIlroy.

 ” It’s a great opportunity to try to get a win and get into contention and I think that would be a big step if I were able to. I haven’t really been in contention much since coming back from the lockdown. If I could get into contention this week and have a chance to win, I think that would be great for just the overall confidence. But obviously great looking ahead a couple weeks’ time and getting in a position where you’re having to hit shots under the gun and under that pressure of trying to win a golf tournament.”

 McIlroy finished eighth in his defence of the FedExCup last season which saw him winning three times during the 2018-19 season, including the 2019 PLAYERS Championship and TOUR Championship. As he admitted, his form since the Return to Golf in June has been patchy by his high standards, with only two top-10s to show for. Last week, he finished tied for 21^st  place at THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK, a Korean-based tournament which also moved to the U.S. this year due to Covid-19.

 A return to Sherwood, which is located at the base of Santa Monica mountains and whose membership includes many A-list Hollywood celebrities, brings good vibes for McIlroy which he hopes to ride to his advantage as he seeks to end his year-long title drought.

 “Yeah, I’ve got some good memories here. Playing Tiger’s (Woods) event back in the day, this was the first ever competitive round I played with Tiger was here at Sherwood, which was pretty cool, so remember that,” he said.  “I’ve always enjoyed Sherwood. It’s a great venue for a golf tournament. Whenever this tournament was announced that it would be coming here instead of going back to Japan, I was excited. I think a lot of the guys were looking forward to playing it.”

 Another top name whose adrenaline is pumping is Phil Mickelson, the 50-year-old veteran star who has taken the PGA TOUR Champions by storm after winning a second tournament last week in as many starts in the 50-over circuit. The 44-time PGA TOUR winner is now eager to go head-to-head with the young guns in what will be his ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP debut.

 “I’m excited to be here and play in a great championship close to where I live,” said the Californian. “It’s a great golf course. I mean, in phenomenal shape. I’m excited to compete and come off of last week’s event on the Champions Tour and try to play, compete against the young guys. This is a fun opportunity for me. I seem to get a little bit of confidence and I’m hoping to bring that over into this event as well,” said Mickelson.

 Matthew Wolff, who is amongst a new generation of young stars including Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland emerging on TOUR, is looking forward to playing alongside Woods  in the opening two round for the first time in his fledgling career. The 21-year-old grew up in a nearby neighbourhood and has already won once on the PGA TOUR and finished runner-up in two of his last three starts, including at the U.S. Open.

 “Even though it would be awesome to see, I’m not focused on Tiger, I’m focused on myself and my game and I’m out here to win a golf tournament,” said Wolff, who possesses one of the most unorthodox golf swings in the game.

 “You do want to impress him and you do want to play well in front of him, but at the end of the day, that’s not what I came here to do. I came here to win a golf tournament and if that happens, it happens. But like I said, I’m just going to take in the experience and enjoy myself because it’s going to be awesome playing a home course, especially with Tiger. I just think the way he carries himself and what he’s done for the game is pretty unbelievable. If he were to get 83 (wins), it would be pretty amazing for me to play beside him the first two rounds of the tournament that he did it.”

Woods claimed a three-stroke victory in Japan last year to equal Sam Snead’s long-standing record of 82 career wins.

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ONE announces addition of 250 ‘Superfan’ tickets for ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX

Oct 23. 2020

 ONE Championship (ONE) announced the addition of 250 in-person ‘Superfan’ ticket packages now on sale to watch ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX live on Friday, 30 October at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

This will be the first sporting event in Singapore which allows for a limited live audience since Singapore moved into the second phase of its reopening.

The move comes after the successful conclusion of ONE’s first pilot closed-door production on 9 October, and the Singapore Government’s announcement on 20 October that it is piloting the use of pre-event COVID-19 testing at selected events.

The presence of a live audience for ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX further cements ONE’s partnership with Singapore to pilot the return of international sporting productions. In line with Singapore’s approach to resuming activities in a calibrated and safe manner in Phase Two, the event will implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of all attendees, including piloting the use of antigen rapid tests prior to the event.

The 250 ‘Superfan’ in-person ticket packages will be priced at $148 SGD which includes a safe seating plan as well as the addition of special ONE Championship branded merchandise worth over $60 SGD, valuing the unique offering at over $208 SGD. Five (5) lucky ticket holders also have a chance to win JBL Reflect Flow True Wireless Sports Earphones worth over $230 each. This exclusive limited live experience can be purchased now until tickets sell out at Ticketmaster.sg

ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX will feature four ONE World Title bouts, for a total of six exciting world-class match-ups including.

In the main event, ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will defend his middleweight belt against undefeated top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.

Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee of Singapore will make the first defense of his World Title against undefeated top lightweight contender Iuri Lapicus of Moldova.

In a highly-anticipated bout, ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Vietnam and Australia will put his World Title on the line against former LFA Featherweight Champion Thanh Le of Vietnam and the United States.

The final World Championship showdown will feature reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jin Nan of China, who will make her return to the ONE Circle to take on former ONE World Title Challenger, Tiffany “No Chill” Teo of Singapore, in what is a highly-anticipated rematch.

Three-time former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of the Philippines will step back inside the ONE Circle to face Australia’s Antonio “The Spartan” Caruso.

Indian national wrestling champion Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat will take on Cambodia’s Nou Srey Pov.

For those unable to join the action in person, ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX can be enjoyed on ONE Championship’s official ONE Super App, ONE’s social media channels, locally in Singapore on MediaCorp’s Channel 5 and meWATCH app, as well as globally across ONE Championship’s broadcast and digital media partner’s properties.

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PFL and ESPN unveil 2021 regular season schedule

Oct 23. 2020

 Professional Fighters League (PFL)  announced that the 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 next year on ESPN2.

The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. PFL will begin its 2021 season a month early as the league makes its anticipated return to action.

“We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” said PFL CEO, Peter Murray. “In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded, real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage technology, behind-the-scenes access, the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will be unveiled in the leadup to what we believe will be the biggest season in PFL history.”

The first three events of the Regular Season will be each fighter’s first chance to accumulate points toward a possible Playoff berth. The second half will determine Playoff seeding, Championship title bragging rights, and a million-dollar prize. Dates for the Playoffs and PFL Championship will be announced at a later date.

The 2021 PFL Season will feature returning champions, including 2X Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Kayla Harrison and Welterweight Champion Ray Cooper III, and exciting new contenders such as MMA superstar Rory MacDonald, lightweight’s Johnny “Hollywood” Case and “The Canadian Gangster” Olivier Aubin-Mercier, reigning Brave FC Featherweight Champion Bubba Jenkins, and more.

Professional Fighters League has quickly established itself as the No. 2 MMA company in the world with distribution on ESPN in the U.S. and to more than 160 countries via premium sports networks and platforms. The league has experienced tremendous YoY growth across digital channels* – 68% follower increase on Instagram, 30% total audience growth across digital and a 200% social engagement spike. Domestic linear viewing audience was up 50% in 2019**, and the Championship on New Year’s Eve averaged 400,000 viewers**, with a peak of over 500,000***, a 96% YoY increase.

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Challenge Accepted: Zamboanga vows to win atomweight Grand Prix and take title from Lee in 2021

Oct 22. 2020Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga of the Philippines Unbeaten No. 1 ranked atomweight contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga of the Philippines has accepted the challenge laid out by reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, and now promises fans that she is fully fixated on competing for the World Title next year.

Lee, who has held the inaugural atomweight belt since 2016, told media last week that she doesn’t believe Zamboanga had done enough to be qualified as the number one contender to her title.

Zamboanga, naturally, didn’t take Lee’s comments too well, and a fiery war of words ensued between the two martial artists in separate interviews with media. Zamboanga would call Lee out on possibly vacating her title, while the latter responded with a strong ‘no,’ imploring Zamboanga to prove herself in the impending tournament instead.

“I think that Denice should have to face the top 10 girls first to truly prove herself as the number one contender, and the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship is the perfect way to do that,” said Lee.

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed plans to hold the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship, shortly after Lee announced that she and husband Bruno Pucci were expecting their first child together, due early next year.

Although details of the tournament, including dates, venues, and a confirmed list of athletes competing have yet to be officially announced by ONE Championship, Zamboanga, who ranks just behind the champion as the top contender, is expected to be among the eight athletes to take part.

For now, Zamboanga has decided to put calls for Lee to vacate her title on hold, and instead accept Lee’s challenge to compete in the Grand Prix, but not without taking a final shot at the champion.

“I am so pumped for this tournament. I’m looking forward to competing for this ultra prestigious title. This will be the most challenging competition that NO FEMALE FIGHTER in ONE Championship history has ever faced,” said Zamboanga.

“To all the other female fighters who will be competing, it will be an honor to face you all in this tournament. A lot of people want to see me and Angela fight, so I will get the Grand Prix belt and then I’m on to the Atomweight World Title at the end of 2021.”

In a recent ONE Championship worldwide conference call, Sityodtong teased the first round of the Atomweight Grand Prix to commence early next year.

“I anticipate the Atomweight Grand Prix to start in January, and just in time the winner of the Grand Prix will then face Angela Lee when she returns,” Sityodtong told media.

Setting animosity aside, Zamboanga has one last message for Lee, as she begins preparations for the Atomweight Grand Prix in the coming months.

“Take care always and have a safe and happy pregnancy. See you in 2021,” Zamboanga ended.

ONE Championship returns on Friday, 30 October with ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX, broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The blockbuster features four World Title bouts for a total of six compelling martial arts contests. 

In the main event, reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar defends his middleweight title against top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.

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Defending champion Woods aims for historic No. 83 at Zozo Championship

Oct 22. 2020Tiger Woods (Credit to Getty Images) Tiger Woods felt it. At last year’s ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, the energy was palpable. It was an electric blend of captivating golf down the stretch between Woods and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, combined with a country eager to momentarily escape the devastation left in the wake of Typhoon Hagibis.

The extremely violent weather phenomenon, which struck Japan on October 12, 2019, caused more than US$15 million in damage and killed 98, the deadliest typhoon to hit the island since 1979. 

But for a moment, people cheered, celebrating golf and a temporary sense of normal. 

 “It was a tough situation for the entire area and all of Japan quite frankly,” Woods said Tuesday. “To have that excitement, that level of excitement for the game of golf, and to have all those people out there watching us, watching us play, to have Hideki right there in the mix as well. It was a great event for all of Japan, and I was lucky enough to have won.”

 The 2020 installment of the PGA TOUR event will have a vastly different energy to go along with a new, but temporary, location and feel. 

 Relocated to Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the defending champion has a chance to go back-to-back while making history in a place that is unquestionably familiar. The Hero World Challenge, the event that Woods hosts every December, spent 14 of its first 15 years here. Woods enters the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD with 82 PGA Tour wins all-time, tying him with Sam Sneed for the most in Tour history. 

 The 44-year-old will have to get the record-breaking outcome without the support of a raucous crowd, as spectators remain off limits to limit the chance of viral transmission. 

 Ironically, the 2019 ZOZO Championship victory was Woods’ last on the Tour. He’s played a mere seven times since that final round in Japan, including just four tournaments since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. 

 Familiarity with the course could provide a boost, but the tournament’s environment will be a far cry from the event Woods is accustomed to playing at Sherwood. The Hero World Challenge traditionally features a 16-man field, including the defending champion, the top 11 available players from the World Golf Rankings and four sponsor exemptions selected by the Woods’ foundation. 

 More faces, more competition and more at-stake – all things Woods is preparing to take on. 

 “Let’s just say that the field is a lot bigger than normally when I have played here. I only had to beat 11 other guys, so that’s very different,” Woods said. “This golf course –  I need to get another look at it tomorrow on the front nine, because the greens are definitely different than last time we played here. Hopefully, everything comes together starting from Thursday and have a great week.”

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Matsuyama looks to exact revenge on Woods at Zozo Championship

Oct 21. 2020Hideki Matsuyama (Getty Imgages) Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama jokingly vowed to exact revenge on Tiger Woods after finishing runner-up to the American golf legend in the inaugural ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP on home soil 12 months ago.

 “I must revenge here next year. He is coming back and I will be here,” said the five-time PGA TOUR winner then.

 Amidst a different backdrop, Matsuyama gets his chance to turn the tables on Woods but instead of competing in Japan, the tournament is being played at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California this week due to the challenges caused by Covid-19. Hence, the event is known as the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD for this year only.

 Coincidentally, Sherwood, a Jack Nicklaus signature design, is one of Woods’ favourite hunting ground as he has won five times here previously which makes the prospect of taking him down in his own backyard even more enticing for Matsuyama.

 “I’m very happy that we’re able to have this tournament. Love to win this week and be able to have the fans come out in Japan next year and be the defending champion there … that would be awesome,” said Matsuyama on Tuesday.

 Chasing a sixth PGA TOUR victory, with his last being the 2017 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, the 28-year-old has performed consistently over the past few years with 14 top-10s around the world since his last win. Matsuyama, ranked 20^th in the world, feels his next victory could just be around the corner.

 “It’s been three years and I definitely think about that quite a bit. I always try my best and every week feel like I’m getting there, but definitely it hasn’t happened. So I’m definitely thinking about that a lot and preparing myself and hoping that week will come sooner than later,” said Matsuyama, who plays the first two rounds with World No. 2 Jon Rahm and Justin Rose, the 2018 FedExCup champion.

 Apart from Woods, Matsuyama will also need to contend against a star-studded field which includes 25 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking, including eight of the top-10 players, and 28 of the top 30 players from the final FedExCup points list last season. Other big names in the field include Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.

 He is disappointed that Japan’s only PGA TOUR tournament cannot be held in his home country and hopes to deliver a strong showing to bring some cheers back to Japanese fans. “We are grateful that ZOZO Inc. has decided to bring the tournament to the U.S.,” said Matsuyama.

 “Hopefully they will enjoy the live TV broadcast. Last year’s ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP was a great success and it was an honour to participate in Japan’s first official PGA TOUR tournament. I was especially thrilled with the large galleries that lined each fairway and how they cheered on all the players. Many of my fellow PGA TOUR members have expressed to me what a great time they had at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP and how impressed they were with the golf etiquette and knowledge of the game that the gallery displayed.

 “I was fortunate to play well last year and contend for the title. However, Tiger just played better than all of us. It was a well-deserved win and hats off to Tiger for earning his record-tying 82nd PGA TOUR victory. I know he will be tough to beat at Sherwood where he has had great success in the past. Hopefully I can play well enough to contend for the trophy and give the golf fans back in Japan a good show.”

 The attention will also be on newly-turned professional, Takumi Kanaya, who like Matsuyama is a former winner of the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and touted as a rising star. The 22-year-old ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 55 weeks and won the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheyo Open on the Japan Tour and finished tied third in the Australian Open late last year while still an amateur. In his professional debut, Kanaya came in seventh in the Japan Open last weekend. 

 He hopes to be as successful as Matsuyama and play full-time on the PGA TOUR soon. “Obviously his (Matsuyama) success on the PGA TOUR gave not just myself, but a lot of the Japanese players, big confidence that we can compete against the world like he did. Although the goal is high, he set a good goal for us and for that, I really admire him as a role model,” said Kanaya, who is amongst eighth Japanese golfers in the elite field this week.