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ONE Championship and Microsoft partner to further accelerate and reinvent the digital fan experience

Jul 07. 2020

By THE NATION

Microsoft named ONE Championship’s preferred cloud provider, delivering new fan engagement experiences powered by Microsoft Azure and best-in-class collaboration with Microsoft 365

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Reds fan celebrates title triumph with unique Liverpool birdcages

Jul 06. 2020

By The Nation

Liverpool fans in the south of Thailand have come up with a unique way of celebrating their team’s first league triumph in 30 years.

A Reds supporter in Songkhla’s Chana district has created what he calls the first and only Liverpool team birdcages after the club clinched the 2019/2020 Premier League Championship – their 19th top-flight title.

The special commemorative items are the work of Kes Phongma-Ngm, 43, a birdcage maker in Chana district, which is famous for its pet doves.

The birdcages feature the Premier League trophy on top and a Liverbird-motif hanger. The Liverpool team logo adorns all four sides of the finest cage, beautifully drawn by hand.

Kes, who is a true Liverpool fan, said he wanted to do something special to celebrate the league win and realised that the Liverpool team logo could be made into a birdcage. It took him a few months to make the three cages, during the lockdown period when his team had all-but clinched the title.

Liverpool fans are reportedly queuing up with offers to buy the cages with the four-sided Liverbird cage attracting a bid of Bt100,000. The other two cages, with a single red Liverbird, are priced at Bt60,000 each, but Kes has refused to part with them yet.

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ONE Championship Announces New Second Quarter 2020 Brand Partnerships

Jul 06. 2020

By THE NATION

Grab CEO Anthony Tan and Everise CEO Sudhir Agarwal announced as guest CEOs on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’

ONE Championship™ (ONE), today announced new Q2 2020 strategic partnerships. Partner brands include Grab and Everise, which will both work with ONE on the upcoming ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’ Other notable brands partnered with ONE Championship include YOU.C1000, SilverQueen, Kaskus, LU Global, Myanmar Airways International (MAI) & Air KBZ, and Fairtex. In addition, ONE Esports has also announced partnerships with Toyota Motor Asia Pacific and Vidio.

Grab Founder and Group CEO Anthony Tan, as well as Everise Founder and CEO Sudhir Agarwal, have been announced as guest CEOs on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’

Together, these partnerships leverage multiple content platforms, working together with ONE Championship to collaborate on a variety of initiatives and applications across the full spectrum of its martial arts and esports properties.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE Championship’s latest strategic partnerships with some of the world’s best brands are further proof that our reach – and ability to deliver fans the absolute best of engaging martial arts and esports content – offer undeniable value. Each of these partners shares with us a culture of excellence and innovation, and contribute in our mission to ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration. I am also excited to announce that both Grab CEO Anthony Tan and Everise CEO Sudhir Agarwal will be joining The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition as special guest CEOs.”

Anthony Tan, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Grab, stated: “The ONE platform Chatri and his team have built is nurturing champions and inspiring young people across Asia everyday. As a business builder, I am excited to participate in The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition as a guest CEO, to share my learnings and connect with the next wave of aspiring entrepreneurs who are determined to learn, prove themselves, and make a positive impact on the community.”

Sudhir Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Everise, stated: “Everise is excited to partner with Chatri and ONE Championship because we identify with their singleness of purpose – to keep their core values close to the heart of their business. Personally, I am thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of The Apprentice, to get to know the contestants, and to counsel them, sharing with them my experiences.”

Tanes Kumar, Chief Commercial Officer of Myanmar Airways International (MAI) & Air KBZ, stated: “As part of our goal of becoming the Myanmar aviation sector champion, we are honored to partner with a prestigious regional powerhouse in ONE Championship to leverage on their live sports content and global sports marketing across Asia and beyond. We believe both organizations share the same core values across the board as we, MAI-Air KBZ, aim to make air travel more accessible and simplified for the common man in Myanmar. We are also privileged to have Aung La N Sang and the Myanmar athletes onboard this initiative, as they are the pride of the nation and icons for millions across the country.”

Kit Wong, CEO of LU Global, stated: “LU Global is delighted to be renewing our partnership with ONE Championship and collaborating on a variety of initiatives in 2020 and beyond. Taking inspiration from ONE Championship, we see great synergy between martial arts spirit and investment without limitation. I am personally excited to be part of this collaboration and believe that together we can achieve many great things.”

Alaric Djojonegoro, President Director of YOU.C1000, stated: “YOU.C1000 is excited to continue our partnership with ONE Championship as the Official Isotonic Drink Partner in Indonesia. We look forward to continuing our work with Asia’s largest global sports media property to further grow the sport of martial arts in Indonesia and to help develop martial arts professionals into heroes who can inspire Indonesians to live their dreams.”

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DeChambeau surges for sixth win at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Jul 06. 2020Bryson DeChambeau (Credit to Bryson DeChambeau Facebook)

By PGATOUR.com

He’d packed on 40 pounds of muscle, and now Bryson DeChambeau kept saying he wanted to be the house, as in the casino, because the house always wins. Or often wins. Or something like that.

Still, there was a sliver of doubt. Would outdriving everyone by 30-50 yards a hole inevitably yield trophies? Well, not inevitably, but, you know, would it work? Could it work?

It could, and it has.

“It’s a little emotional for me,” DeChambeau said after firing a 7-under 65 to beat Matthew Wolff (71) by three at the Rocket Mortgage Classic at sun-splashed Detroit Golf Club on Sunday. “Because I did do something a little different, I changed my body, I changed my mindset in the game, and was able to accomplish a win while playing a completely different style of golf.”

For the fourth week in a row the tournament was played in front of no fans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that’s not to say there wasn’t a crowd. A large group of Black Lives Matters demonstrators could be heard marching outside the club gates as the golfers played on.

“I love that everybody is voicing their opinion,” DeChambeau said. “And they deserve to do so.”

The soundtrack was a stark contrast to the telltale twinkle of the Mr. Softee ice cream truck, which Wolff had credited for his stellar play Saturday. He will try to quickly forget his ghastly front nine in the final round, and almost rendered it moot with an array of fine shots on the back.

Wolff birdied 12, 13 and 15 to cut the lead to one, but DeChambeau birdied his last three holes to leave no doubt.

“I’ve shown people that there’s another way to do it,” he said.

It was his sixth career PGA TOUR win and seventh straight top-10 finish. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and not only led in driving distance, too, but his 350.6-yard average for two measured holes was the highest number by a winner in the ShotLink era. DeChambeau is playing such a different game he had the honour at the 399-yard 13th hole but had to wait for the green to clear – he let playing partner Troy Merritt hit first, instead.

“He’s changed the entire way the game is played,” said Kevin Kisner (66, solo third, five back).  

Wolff is another disrupter with his unorthodox swing, and he was all smiles for the first three rounds, when his 25 birdies and eagles were the most of any player at any tournament this season. But it took him too long to find his game in the final round, by which time DeChambeau could sense the finish line.

“Yeah, it was definitely a grind out there,” Wolff said after birdies on four of his last seven holes. “Didn’t start off really well at all, wasn’t hitting it how I was the beginning of the week, and feel like I was really getting some bad breaks as well, which was pretty unfortunate.”

Still, it was his first top-10 finish since his maiden TOUR win at the 3M Open a year ago.

“Bryson played great,” he said. “Seven under, you know – it’s not like I gave it to him. He definitely earned it. Kudos to him.”

Said DeChambeau, “I was kind of in my own world today.”

Danny Willett (66), Adam Hadwin (67), Tyrrell Hatton (67) and Ryan Armour (72) tied for fourth, seven back.

Wolff’s back-nine surge got more interesting when DeChambeau got in trouble off the tee and pitched out into the hazard at the par-5 14th, leading to bogey. But in the end, there was too much front-nine damage to undue even for the explosive Wolff, and in the winner’s press conference DeChambeau, cradling the round, red Rocket Mortgage trophy, said he planned to work out in the morning. (Of course.)

Still, questions remain. With DeChambeau, they always do. How will his new style translate in the majors? Will scarfing down steaks and potatoes and protein shakes, and pumping iron feverishly, hold up over the long haul? Is he still getting better? What happens if and when he dials in his short irons? Will anyone stand a chance? And what about imitators? Will others on TOUR try to mimic the DeChambeau way?

“I hope it’s an inspiration to a lot of people that if they set their mind to it, you can accomplish it,” said DeChambeau, who moved up to fourth place on the FedExCup points list. “It just takes a lot of hard work, a lot of figuring out things that you may not know and understand yet. But if you keep … working on it, figuring stuff out, eventually you’ll get a little bit better each and every day, and hopefully that leads to something great in the end.”

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Methee wins second term as president of Thai pro golf association

Jul 04. 2020Methee Sudasana na Ayudhaya, second from left, wins the PGA Thailand election.

By THE NATION

Methee Sudasana na Ayudhaya won the presidential election of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand for the second time at Watermill Golf Club and Resort in Nakhon Nayok province on Saturday.

Methee Sudasana na Ayudhaya, 2nd from right, in a photo session with Thai golf stars.

The 65-year-old, who won for the first time in 2016, beat Sitthichai Nimnual by 198 votes to 190 during the annual general assembly meeting attended by 384 voters (five abstained while seven ballots were invalid).

Methee said his policy would focus on grooming more professional golfers for the global arena by staging three local tours: Thailand PGA Tour, Thailand Development Tour and Senior Championship Tour.

“Around Bt31.6 million will be allocated to organise professional tours all over the country and support pro golfers,” said Methee, who will serve a four-year-term.

“Thai golfers are second to none. By receiving more support, they can improve to become competitive on the world stage,” he added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Game on: Global Series Round 1 ready to race

Jul 04. 2020

By THE NATION

The first races towards deciding the 2020 MotoGP™ eSport Champion are about to get underway

After an incredible set of Online Challenges and an exciting Draft Selection, it’s almost time for the first MotoGP™ eSport Championship Global Series event of the year. Dorna Sports’ eSport projects continue going from strength to strength this season, with Virtual Races and two Virtual Grands Prix initially taking centre stage as on-track competition was on hold – the events generating 331 million impressions and gaining 52 million views – and the dawn of a new Talent Promotion programme, the WINDTRE Rising Stars Series. Meanwhile, the 2020 MotoGP™ eSport Championship has been underway since March, going from thousands of entrants in the Online Challenges to the final 11 now set to race it out for the crown in the four-round Global Series.

A total of 22 gamers (16 from Europe, 6 from the Rest of the World) were entered into the Draft Selection phase, with that then whittled down to the 11 riders who have been chosen by the MotoGP™ teams as their competitors in the Global Series. The 11 hail from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy and Spain, and each rider was selected after some stellar time-attack performances in the Online Challenges – creating an incredibly strong Global Series entry list. They’re fighting it out for the crown, and there are also some incredible prizes at stake: first place takes home a BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé, second an Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica and third a new Lenovo Legion Y730 Laptop – and there are Red Bull and MotoGP™ VIP Experiences up for grabs too, as well as a pole position prize from partner TISSOT.

All that’s left to do now is race, and the time is upon us. Round 1 of the hotly-anticipated Global Series is now ready for lift off, and will be broadcast on the 10th of July at 18:30 (GMT +2). The first event will take place online, whereas the further three will be announced at a later date and take place later in the season – with the format depending on the situation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Presenters Jack Appleyard and Jack Gorst will host the hour-long show, which will begin with highlights of qualifying before the 11 riders take on two races. The first is eight laps of the Autodromo del Mugello, before Race 2 sees them take on the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto for nine laps. The riders will again be playing on the new official MotoGP™20 Videogame from videogame developer, publisher and longstanding partner Milestone – which is available to buy now – with race direction and the event powered by Lenovo PCs. The points system for Round 1 will mirror the MotoGP™ World Championship, with 25 points for a win, before Rounds 2-4 award double points.

Fans can watch on motogp.com and esport.motogp.com, on selected TV broadcasters, and across social media platforms including YouTube (via the MotoGP™ and MotoGP™ eSport channels), MotoGP™ eSport Twitter, Instagram, Facebook (via MotoGP™ and MotoGP™ eSportpages) and Twitch via MotoGP™ and MotoGP™ eSport.

Who will start their campaign on top? Find out on Friday the 10th of July at 18:30 (GMT +2) as the 2020 MotoGP™ eSport Championship Global Series gets in gear!

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

The Nationals, social distancing and in masks, are finally back in Washington

Jul 04. 2020The Washington Nationals gathered for the first team workouts of summer camp Friday at Nationals Park. While remaining socially distanced – to the extent that they could – the players took their first step toward the Major League Baseball season, set to begin later this month. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jonathan Newton

By The Washington Post · Jesse Dougherty · SPORTS, BASEBALL 

WASHINGTON – By Friday afternoon, when reporters were first allowed inside Nationals Park, the field was empty aside from a few groundskeepers and some scattered cones.

Players came in shifts to avoid crowded rooms and close contact in drills. Pitchers had a morning workout and left the stadium with boxed lunches. Max Scherzer threw two simulated innings off the mound, wearing a full white uniform. Pitching coach Paul Menhart stood behind him, wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a protective mask.

That is how summer training camp began in Washington amid the novel coronavirus pandemic: slowly, if not surely, and with little like it normally is.

“These long days are meant to keep everybody away from each other right now,” said Manager Dave Martinez, adding that workouts stretched from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Martinez sat alone in a news conference room and spoke with reporters – many of whom sat four floors above him in a spaced-out press box – via Zoom.

“We’re social distancing, we’re wearing masks, our coaching staff is wearing masks on the field,” the manager continued. “We’re trying to do everything we can to keep these guys safe.”

There is, as of now, a 60-game regular season to prepare for. The plan is for it to start at the end of July. The Nationals will be without first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, pitcher Joe Ross and catcher Welington Castillo, who have opted out of playing in 2020 to protect themselves and their families. Martinez announced Castillo’s decision Friday, right as position players were trickling into the facility. Others can still opt out at any time, but they would forfeit their prorated pay and service time unless they are considered high risk.

The rest will train in Washington, where, across the past few days, players, coaches and staff were tested for the coronavirus. Those who received negative results were permitted at the park Friday. Those awaiting results are self-quarantining and expected to receive them by Saturday. This was the start of baseball how it has never looked before: no spitting, no high-fives, no assurance of a season aside from that the teams are going to try.

But there were still baseball matters at hand. Scherzer faced hitters and threw 65 pitches. Reliever Will Harris completed a bullpen session. Stephen Strasburg did, too. The Nationals added first-round draft pick Cade Cavalli to their 60-player pool, meaning they have two open spots with Zimmerman, Ross and Castillo absent. Martinez twice noted that every player who has received test results is healthy and able to participate in workouts.

And around 3 p.m., beneath a cloud-specked sky, the outfielders were in the outfield, and the hitters readied to hit, and the preferred greeting was touching elbows, since a simple nod wouldn’t do.

“I was excited walking in,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said. “It was a strange environment. A lot of protocols in place. You can’t come in here with kind of a clear mind. You have to be thinking about what you’re trying to do. You have to keep yourself safe and look out for the other guys.”

Before anyone enters the park, they have to have their temperature taken and answer a set of questions. Among them are whether the person is feeling any coronavirus symptoms, has recently been in contact with anyone feeling coronavirus symptoms or has recently been asked to self-quarantine for coronavirus concerns. On top of that, players, coaches and staff will now be tested every other day, with results expected in approximately 24 hours from a lab in suburban Salt Lake City.

Frequent testing and monitoring is at the crux of MLB’s return plan. Another key element is trust that, while living at home, players, coaches and staff will exercise caution and avoid crowded areas, such as restaurants and bars. Because MLB is not operating in a bubble, it is asking teams to craft and police their own policies for conduct away from facilities.

Martinez had a strong message regarding this honor system, echoing comments made by Los Angeles Angels Manager Joe Maddon, who on Friday spoke about the importance of following protocols, noting that organizations were asking players to be “the best teammate ever.”

“It’s not only for the sake of them, but for the sake of their families and their teammates, coaching staff, trainers, so we have to be smart about everything,” Martinez explained. “I know Joe Maddon said earlier today: If you can’t follow protocol, maybe you should opt out. And I agree with Joe. This is going to be tough for everybody.”

“We really have to caretake each other and make sure we’re all doing the right thing,” Rizzo said. “Because if one person steps out of line and does the wrong thing, it could affect a lot of people and the season.”

So that is what the Nationals and 29 other clubs are up against. It was a present worry Friday. It will be a present worry moving forward. Catcher Kurt Suzuki was the first position player to emerge from the dugout. Then came outfielders Michael A. Taylor, Andrew Stevenson and Adam Eaton, catching up after months apart. Then came small waves, one after another, with numbers set to swell in the coming weeks.

Summer training will unfold in three phases. Phase 1 is for small group workouts. Phase 2 adds in larger group workouts and intrasquad games. Phase 3 is for exhibitions, though not every team will play them. Washington will start with its full player pool at Nationals Park, then send reserves to its alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va.

In the meantime, players, coaches and staff will adjust to playing in a pandemic. Many players wore masks during drills. Coaches were required to. Eaton wrapped his fist in a white towel and extended it to teammates, showing a mix of restraint and innovation. Plenty of both will be needed for this to work.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Competitions in 14 sport disciplines allowed without spectators

Jul 03. 2020Sports Authority of Thailand Governor Gongsak Yodmani

By THE NATION

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has given the green light to organise 14 sport disciplines behind closed doors and with strict measures to prevent Covid-19.

The decision came after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) had examined and approved the manuscript on the safety measures for sport competitions proposed by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

“After studying the manuscript thoroughly, the CCSA has allowed sports competitions to be organised without spectators,” said Gongsak Yodmani, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand.

The 14 sports are: football, volleyball, basketball, sepak takraw, golf, tennis, cycling, motor racing, badminton, snooker, jet ski, cycling, bowling and boxing.

However, the CCSA insisted that safety measures must be followed strictly by athletes, officials and concerned personnel before, during or after competition. In addition, the CCSA will conduct follow-up assessments continually and will prohibit any sport competition that does not follow the rules.

Several sport events including the LPGA Thailand, MotoGP or the Thailand League football have been either cancelled or suspended due to the outbreak since March.

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Bradley Beal on the fence about playing as Wizards prepare for NBA restart

Jul 02. 2020Bradley Beal has not yet reached a decision about returning to play in a modified continuation of the 2019-20 season. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by John McDonnell

By The Washington Post · Ava Wallace · SPORTS, BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON – Bradley Beal has not yet made a decision about joining the Washington Wizards when the NBA season resumes near Orlando, Fla., at the end of the month.

Washington’s all-star guard cited concerns over potential injuries as the primary reason for his hesitation.

“I’m still working my tail off every single day as if I am playing. Definitely, it’s more or less going to be a decision that comes down to the medical staff and I, just because of our precautions and coming back from being 0 to 100, then I have some nagging stuff at the end of the year we’re trying to clean up,” Beal said Wednesday in a virtual news conference. “We’re looking at it from all angles, but I’m definitely working out every single day here, and it’s good to be back in our facility. But I’m not swayed one way or another.” 

Not having Beal in Florida would make an already tough road to the playoffs nearly impossible for the Wizards (24-40) during the eight-game regular season that begins July 30. Washington will already be without forward Davis Bertans, the team’s best three-point shooter, who has opted to sit out. Beal’s absence would have an even bigger impact – the guard led the team with 30.5 points per game this year and became the sixth player in NBA history to compile 50 or more points on consecutive nights.

Beal said he spoke with Bertans before the sharpshooter made his decision to sit out the rest of the season public.

“I didn’t feel any type of way about Bertans’s decision,” Beal said. “He actually contacted me before he officially announced it and I actually kind of – I don’t want to say forced him to not play – but I supported him in every way, he explained it and just seeing where he comes from, seeing his situation and understanding what’s at stake for him in his future, 100% I understand it. On top of that, he has a family, he has a wife and a daughter he has to look after, and they’re back home in Latvia. . . . I have nothing but respect for his decision.” 

As for Beal, having the proper amount of time to get into basketball shape before playing eight pressure-packed games in 14 days wasn’t his only hesitation with retaking the court. The 27-year-old father of two was forthcoming about his trepidation with the quality of off-court life in the NBA’s so-called “bubble” at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Another Washington athlete – Mystics guard Natasha Cloud – has opted to sit out the rest of her season, planning to instead use the time to focus on social justice concerns. On that issue, Beal feels as though NBA players will be able to speak out on issues and compete without one distracting from the other.

“I feel like we can still raise that awareness, we can still bring attention to what’s going on in the world by using our platform, by utilizing names on the back of the jerseys, doing it until people get pissed off and tired of seeing it,” Beal said.

But concerns about mental health and what daily life will look like inside the bubble – a bubble that’s located in a coronavirus hot spot – lingered. 

Beal called Florida’s spike in coronavirus cases and smaller outbreaks in other sports “a little scary.” Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies shut down their spring training facility in June after five players and three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. The Orlando Pride recently withdrew from the National Women’s Soccer League tournament after six players and fourth staff members tested positive.

Inside the bubble, Beal wondered whether days would be more than playing basketball and sleeping.

“I think that’s what a lot of guys are concerned about, that we can’t just leave,” Beal said. “We can’t just order whatever food we want, we can’t just do activities we would want to do, we can’t go to our teammates’ room. There’s a lot of [stuff] that we can’t do. It’s tough. I get you on a mental awareness standpoint of, you’re so used to doing this, that and the third on the road, and now you’re constrained.

“It’s almost like, what kind of situation can we create in a perfect world? We want to be safe, but we want to come back and hoop, we want to make money, we want to make a statement. There’s so much that we’re trying to grab with just basketball.” 

Should Beal decide to sit out the rest of the season, he would be the highest profile player without an extenuating medical situation to opt out. Players coming back from injury such as Beal’s teammate John Wall and the Brooklyn Nets’s Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving won’t be on court in Florida, and other players – including DeAndre Jordan, Trevor Ariza and Avery Bradley – have decided to sit out. But thus far, no player of Beal’s stature – nor individual importance to his team – has opted against playing.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

India’s Atwal aims to enjoy new lease of golf life at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Jul 02. 2020Arjun Atwal (credit to Getty Image)

By PGA Tour.com

Arjun Atwal, India’s first winner on the PGA TOUR, has showed up at this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit as a new man – he is 15 pounds lighter, ache-free and swinging it faster than before.

At age 47, the trailblazing Indian is following in the footsteps of Phil Mickelson in rededicating himself to a new fitness and diet regime since the start of the year. With limited opportunities on the PGA TOUR as a past champion, Atwal believes he can still compete at the highest level when the opportunities arise before he switches attention to the PGA TOUR Champions when he turns 50.

“I look forward to competing (this week). I miss the adrenaline. When I got the news that I got in through a sponsor’s exemption, I started getting excited to practice again. I started practising with a purpose,” said Atwal.

This week’s appearance at the Detroit Golf Club, a Donald Ross-designed course, will be only his fourth start in 2020, the last being at The Honda Classic. During golf’s three-month hiatus due to Covid-19, Atwal fiddled around with some light practice but maintained a strict discipline in wanting to get fitter, stronger and faster.

“The golf club didn’t close and I did some practice but it was a weird experience. There was no real purpose to practice with the shutdown,” said Atwal, who is based in Windermere, Florida.

“I had a slight rib injury which I managed to get rid of. I’m looking forward to this one as my body feels okay for the first time in a long while. To play a tournament pain free would be great. Look forward to playing without back pain.”

Unlike Mickelson who lost 15 pounds last year through a six-day fast, Atwal shed the same amount of weight in a less drastic process. With his wife, Sona’s help, he reduced his carbohydrate intake, increased his consumption of fruit and vegetables and stopped drinking alcohol since the turn of the new decade. He also started working out three to four times a week and practices yoga diligently to remain supple.

“I don’t remember how long ago I have felt like this. It’s been a gradual weight loss and I’ve added swing speed too. I’m back to 185 pounds which was the same number when I got onto the PGA TOUR in 2004,” said Atwal, who has won eight times on the Asian Tour.

“This year I made a commitment to change my diet and get fitter. I’ve not had alcohol at all and I wanted to see how fit I could get. I wanted to get rid of the aches and pains which I’ve had for a number of years. I cleaned up my food … eating less carbs, lighter calories and not consuming 3,000 calories daily like before. I feel good. The legs feel stronger and I’m hoping that when I get to Sunday, it’ll show up when you’re carrying less weight.”

While it is his first visit to Detroit Golf Club, Atwal is looking forward to playing on the Ross-designed venue. His lone PGA TOUR victory at the 2010 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club was at a course designed by Ross.

“In the few rounds I’ve played at home, I’ve played nicely and we’ll see if I can do it in Detroit,” said Atwal.

“The course would fit me as it’s a Donald Ross design which is old-school and my type of golf course. Working the ball around will be a premium and as long as it’s not a bomber’s paradise, I’m okay as I’m also hitting the ball longer than in the last five to six years.”

He appreciates the longevity shown by Mickelson, who turned 50 two weeks ago and still contends on the PGA TOUR including at last week’s Travelers Championship where the American legend was the halfway leader.

“Phil is showing that anybody in his 40s or 50s can do well and it gives us inspiration. It keeps me going that I think as long as I am healthy, I don’t see why I can’t compete. I’m in Detroit to compete and I’m going in with the mindset of trying to win a golf tournament,” he said.

“I want to get on a roll and get competitive. By the time I’m 50, I’ll also be ready to play on Champions. I want to win on that tour as well. I still have the desire to win as long as my body can perform. If those things are there, then I will play. As of right now, I’m feeling great.”