Playing in his third straight attempt at the Qualifying School, the 23-year-old led the grueling 90-hole battle from the second round before carding three birdies against two bogeys for a five-day total of 15-under-par 340 at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club.

Follett-Smith, a one-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, was among the 35 graduates, who successfully secured their Asian Tour cards for the 2020 season after finishing inside top-35 and ties at the conclusion of the fifth and final round which was held on the A&B course.

Australian Will Heffernan, who had advanced from the First Stage of the Qualifying School last week, made it a memorable two-week run after signing for a solid 66 to take second place. Like Follett-Smith, Heffernan also proved third time lucky in his Qualifying School attempt.

Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski successfully regained his Tour card after enduring a disappointing 2019 season. A closing 71 saw him share third place on 343 with 19-year-old Burmese Hein Sithu, who lived up to expectations by closing with a second straight 69.

Other notable graduates include Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna, Korean hotshot Bio Kim, as well as former Asian Tour champions Scott Strange of Australia, Natipong Srithong of Thailand and Masanori Kobayashi of Japan.

The 35 graduates feature players from Korea (8), Thailand (6), Australia (5), South Africa (3), Sweden (3), United States (2), Japan (2), France (1), India (1), Ireland (1), Myanmar (1), Philippines (1) and Zimbabwe (1).

The 2020 Asian Tour Qualifying School, which comprised of two stages – First Stage and Final stage, attracted a total of 458 entries from 37 countries across the globe.

Players who compete in the 2020 Qualifying School will also be eligible to play on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), which was launched in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.

But there was a lot of booing, and a little bit of jeering, and one Washington Nationals fan brought a metal trash-can lid. Then it poured. Welcome to baseball in 2020. And welcome to the next eight months, Astros, because much more of this awaits.

This was Houston’s first contest since its illegal sign-stealing scheme was uncovered. It was only a scrimmage, and it only lasted two innings because of weather, but it gave a glimpse of what the Astros will experience this year. They were booed at 5:23 p.m. when introduced as “2019 American League champions.” They were booed 20 minutes later. They were booed as a video played to commemorate their AL pennant, booed during player introductions and booed no matter what they did.

It did not matter that it was technically a “home game.” It did not matter that not one member of the 2017 team was in the lineup. When Astros leadoff hitter Myles Straw stepped in, and Nationals ace Max Scherzer stared him down, a fan began yelling from behind home plate.

“A fastball is coming! It’s a fastball!” the fan repeated, over and over, nodding to how the Astros once knew what pitch was coming by gleaning them off in-game video, then banging on trash cans in the dugout to tip off their hitters. “It’s a fastball!”

Scherzer pumped in 94-mph heat that Straw watched for strike one.

“What did I tell you, Myles?” the fan continued. “I told you it would be a fastball! You should have swung!”

“I don’t know; we won the World Series, so it wasn’t like I had a vendetta to hold,” Scherzer said after throwing 22 pitches in two innings. “For me, over here, we’re just trying to move forward and get ready for our season.”

Put the sign-stealing aside, for just a moment, and this spring-opening exhibition had enough layers to it. It was a World Series rematch. It was the first time Dusty Baker, Houston’s new manager, was across the field from his former team. There was real action, and real matchups, and a real chance for hopefuls to prove themselves. That meant something.

But back in reality, where this sport resides, it is impossible to ignore the fallout of the scandal. It has been everywhere these past few weeks. It will continue to be everywhere in the coming months. And it was present Saturday evening, in a ballpark the Nationals and Astros share, for a game that was covered as though it counted.

“I’m hoping that, on our side, I can’t tell you anything about the Houston Astros or what they are going to do, whatever, but for us we act professional,” Nationals Manager Dave Martinez said earlier in the week. “We go about our business and get ready for the season. Go out there and compete, and just get ready to play.”

Martinez has deflected all Astros-related questions since spring training began Feb. 13. But by saying he wants Washington to “act professional” and “go about our business,” he provided a tiny window into his thinking. A major topic surrounding the Astros is how often and how soon they will face retribution for cheating. Baseball’s way of dishing that out is for pitchers to hit batters with very hard fastballs. The Nationals, in theory, were the first team with a shot to act.

Yet it would have been silly for them to do so for a number of reasons: It is February. They beat the Astros for the title in October and can thus take the high road. Baker did not play any of his regulars, meaning Alex Bregman, José Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer, the stars who took part in the sign-stealing scheme, will be booed another time.

Their spots were filled by Straw, Jeremy Pena, Taylor Jones, Abraham Toro and so on. And Scherzer used them to condition his 35-year-old body for the season. Scherzer completed his outing as the rain picked up, a white tarp was placed on the field and fans waited like sardines in a packed concourse. The game was canceled after a 93-minute delay. The teams had spent only 29 minutes on the field.

“It was good to get out there, start throwing all my pitches,” Scherzer said. “That’s all you’re looking for, to get out there. I’ll get my routine. I’ve gotten in a five-day rotation here, and off and running.”

Last February, in this exact matchup, the biggest story was a new pitch clock that MLB was testing to shorten games. Scherzer paid no attention to it and, after pitching two innings, declared he was “fundamentally against this.” But now MLB has much bigger problems.

The Astros are worried about retaliation for past actions. So is the league and the MLB Players Association. Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger has said Astros batters “shouldn’t be comfortable” during at-bats. Nick Markakis, an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, told reporters that “every single guy over there needs a beating.” Yet the tricky part will be determining intent.

When Martinez was asked about that gray area – and whether he’s worried an honest hit-by-pitch could be construed as retaliation – he sidestepped that question, too. He was interested in how Victor Robles looked in the leadoff spot Saturday, and how Carter Kieboom looked at third base, and whether Scherzer could push through two live innings for the first time since Oct. 30, the night Washington won the World Series. The manager will leave the noise to everyone else.

But he couldn’t control the narrative with this matchup, or any including the Astros. He also couldn’t control the fans, who booed and booed some more, and had a few items confiscated by stadium staff. A man held a white poster board that had “Houston *’s” written on it, implying the Astros’ 2017 title should be voided with an asterisk.

Then an usher took it, stealing a sign.

Paul Arriola, a key figure in the attack and a U.S. national team member, is expected to miss the entire MLS season after tearing his right ACL in a preseason match last weekend.

Arriola, 25, will undergo reconstruction surgery Monday and need up to nine months of recovery and rehabilitation. United will open the seven-month, regular season campaign Feb. 29.

Both the team and standout winger had clung to slim hope he might be able to return this summer. But after consulting with doctors, he and United began mapping out a long-term rehabilitation plan.

“He was excited for the year and we were excited to see him,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “But this happens sometimes. You rarely go through a career without getting bit at some point. I feel bad for him and I feel bad for our fans because he is such a joy to watch.”

Arriola was hurt Feb. 15 in the first half against Orlando City in Tampa, Florida.

In addition to the MLS campaign, Arriola will miss several U.S. training camps and matches leading to 2022 World Cup qualifying, which will begin late in the summer and continue into the fall. He has been a regular on the squad for two years.

“I know recovery is going to be hard; that’s my reality,” said Arriola, who has posted 14 goals and 12 assists in 68 appearances (64 starts) in 2 1/2 MLS seasons since leaving Mexican club Tijuana. “You can put your head down and feel bad for yourself or keep headstrong and focus on your goal.”

Arriola’s injury will leave United without its top four scorers in 2019. The others were Wayne Rooney (now with England’s Derby County), Lucas Rodríguez (Argentina’s Estudiantes) and Luciano Acosta (Mexico’s Atlas). The quartet combined for 29 of the team’s 42 goals and 15 of 32 assists.

Scoring production will fall to striker Ola Kamara and midfielders Julian Gressel, Edison Flores and Yamil Asad.

The Arriola announcement came 45 minutes before United’s preseason finale, a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Kamara scored twice and Ulises Segura had a goal and assist and drew a penalty kick.

Olsen previewed his opening-day lineup, with one possible exception. Recovering from a groin injury, Asad did not enter until the start of the second half and was limited to 30 minutes.

He replaced Flores, the prized winter acquisition, whose minutes were capped at 45 as he returns from a minor ailment. Segura started in Asad’s place.United (3-2-1 in preseason) will open next weekend in Washington against the Colorado Rapids.

“Everyone understands their roles and you can see how the team wants to play,” midfielder Felipe Martins said. “The team is creating chances in the buildup and in transition. We need a couple more games to really get into the rhythm, but as you can see, we are very close.” The team will miss Arriola’s tenacity, speed and versatility. He plans to do his rehab in the Washington area.

“What I’ve done is listen to a lot of opinions from players who have gone through it,” Arriola said. “I’m just trying to mentally prepare for the battle that’s about to come. That said, I don’t know what it’s going to be like, so it’s going to be a learning process.”

Arriola said he has no history of knee problems. His most recent surgery came in late 2017 for a broken nose.

“Hopefully the pain doesn’t compare to that,” he said, wincing, “because I remember what that felt like.”

At the moment he was injured, Arriola said, he did not think it was serious.

“I thought, ‘Oh, shoot, maybe it was my hamstring or high calf.’ I never in a million years thought it was my knee. I knew I had pain, but after the initial few seconds, it didn’t hurt and I was able to move. I thought I could walk on it. I didn’t want to come out of the game so early because it would affect my fitness” in preparing for the start of the season.

When he arrived at the bench, however, “I could see the looks on the trainers’ faces and the quiet vibe that surrounded me. That’s when the reality set in and the emotions flew out of me.”

United has until May 5 to place Arriola on the season-ending injury list and spend up to $250,000 on a roster replacement. The team remains in the market for another attacker and two defenders.

The 23-year-old Zimbabwean endured a tough stretch on the Sunshine Tour last year with 12 consecutive missed cuts but found the perfect place to reset at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club where he will be hoping to be third time lucky in his Tour card chase on the Asian Tour.

Follett-Smith, placed 602nd on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), holds a one-shot lead on nine-under-par 133 alongside Japan’s Toshiumi Kushioka (69, C&D), Korea’s Hyowon Park (66, A&B) and American Dodge Kemmer (64, C&D).

Follett-Smith, who partnered fellow compatriot and Asian Tour member Scott Vincent at the 2018 World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, claimed his first title on the Sunshine Tour at the Capetown Open last February and was the Tour’s Rookie of the Year in 2018.

Former Asian Tour member Kemmer is attempting to regain his card after a three-year lapse at the Qualifying School, where he had previously enjoyed success with runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2016.

The 32-year-old American marked the best efforts of the day on Course C&D with a bogey-free round highlighted by five birdies and an eagle on the par-five 15th, where he coolly rolled in a seven-foot putt.

Overnight co-leader Toshiumi Kushioka of Japan, who progressed from Section A of the First Stage last month, maintained his fine form to retain his one-shot advantage in his first attempt at the 90-hole battle which was held across courses A&B and C&B.

The 2020 Asian Tour Qualifying School, which comprises of two stages – First Stage and Final stage, attracted a total of 458 entries from 37 countries across the globe.

The 36-hole cut was set at two-over-par 144 with a total of 146 players, who finished inside top 140 and ties, progressing into the next two rounds.

After 72 holes, the field will be cut again to the leading 70 players and ties, who will then play the fifth and final round. At the conclusion of 90 holes on Sunday, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2020 season.

Players’ quotes

Benjamin Follett-smith (ZIM) – Second round 68 (-3) C&D course, Total 133 (-9)

Made a three-putt today unfortunately but otherwise, it was a good round. It was nice to finish with two birdies in the last three holes on Course C&D, which were the toughest out there. It was very difficult with the wind but I managed to hit it to a good spot for birdies on 16 and 18.

Happy to be in a good position for the remaining rounds. It’s going to be the same thing. I’m just going to focus on getting my head together and keep my mind in the game, not elsewhere.

Scott (Vincent) and I grew up together and I have heard a lot of good things from him about the Asian Tour. I have been trying to get on the Asian Tour for three times now. It’s my third time so I hope to be third time lucky!

Scott’s like a mentor to me. I aspire to be where he is and obviously if I can get to where he is, he’s going to get pushed harder and I’m going to push myself harder so yeah, it would be really nice to be able to play on the Asian Tour.

I haven’t had a good season last year so I think the key for me is staying positive now. I had too high expectations after my first season and that didn’t turn out well for me. I had to back off and realise that I shouldn’t trying to make birdie on every hole and get disappointed when I don’t.

Dodge Kemmer (USA) – Second round 64 (-7) C&D course, Total 133 (-9)

It was nice and calm for the first seven holes and I made a couple of good two putts to start the round. I wasn’t hitting it fantastic until I made an eagle on 15. I took it way left over all the trees, which was kind of aggressive. But I got lucky and I pitched it to like six or seven feet past the hole and made the putt.

My putting was a lot better. I didn’t putt bad yesterday but felt like I missed everything. Then today, I changed my grip a little bit and didn’t really miss.

I like playing on the Asian Tour so I hope it works out this week now that I am going to get another chance at it. I played a bit in Japan and I like it a lot. It’s really fun with great courses and great spectators and I would like to play both Tours.

I will just try and do the same things, stay hydrated and rested and hopefully I can continue the good run.

Hyowon Park (KOR) – Second round 66 (-5) A&B course, Total 133 (-9)

The first nine holes today were tough. It was windy when we started but I managed to make a couple of up and downs. It was calmer heading into the back nine and I gave myself a lot of birdies opportunities which I was able to convert as well.

I made a long putt from about seven metres on my last hole today. It was a nice way to finish the round. I think distance control is key to play well on these courses. I hope to continue this good form for the next three rounds.

I just want to play every round like it’s the first time I’m playing it. Tee shots will be the key to score to out there.

Scores after round 2 of the The Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage 2020 being played at the par 71, A&B course and C&D course (am – denotes amateur):

133 – Benjamin Follett-Smith (ZIM) 65-68, Toshiumi Kushioka (JPN) 64-69, Dodge Kemmer (USA) 69-64, Hyowon Park (KOR) 67-66.

134 – Eunshin Park (KOR) 70-64, Taehoon Ok (KOR) 66-68, Neil Schietekat (RSA) 64-70, Dongeun Kim (KOR) 65-69, Miguel Delgado (USA) 66-68.

135 – Bjorn Hellgren (SWE) 69-66, Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) 67-68, Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) 68-67, Natipong Srithong (THA) 66-69.

136 – Dongmin Kim (KOR) 67-69, William Harrold (ENG) 70-66, Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 66-70, Honey Baisoya (IND) 69-67, Bongsub Kim (KOR) 68-68.

137 – Ryoto Furuya (USA) 69-68, Jack Ireland (USA) 68-69, Will Heffernan (AUS) 71-66, Kaigo Tamaki (JPN) 67-70, Jacobo Pastor (ESP) 67-70, Sajawat Sriprasit (THA) 69-68, Nirun Sae-Ueng (THA) 68-69, Lionel Weber (FRA) 68-69, Campbell Rawson (NZL) 68-69.

138 – Woohyun Kim (KOR) 68-70, Kevin Phelan (IRL) 71-67, Ryosuke Kinoshita (JPN) 69-69, Joshua Andrew Wirawan (INA) 71-67, Daisuke Matsubara (JPN) 69-69, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (IND) 72-66, Scott Strange (AUS) 69-69.

139 – Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 70-69, Sam Kim (USA) 68-71, Wolmer Murillo (VEN) 72-67, Poom Pattaropong (THA) 75-64, Khalin Joshi (IND) 72-67, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (THA) 69-70, Amir Nazrin (MAS) 73-66, Shunya Takeyasu (JPN) 70-69, Kazuya Oosawa (JPN) 69-70, Himmat Rai (IND) 71-68, Sungkug Park (KOR) 70-69, Rakhyun Cho (KOR) 71-68, Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 71-68, Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE) 68-71, Sarit Suwannarut (THA) 72-67, Tze Huang Choo (SIN) 72-67, Zach Bauchou (USA) 74-65.

The GB athletes were given an exclusive tour of the training ground by Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall before meeting City’s players and coaching staff.

The Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations tournament will be held in Leicester once again this year, as 2020 marks the third instalment of the event.

Hosts Great Britain will take on Australia and USA – two of the world’s best teams – for the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Trophy, with the tournament attracting more than 5,000 spectators to the city in 2019.

Leicester City’s owners, King Power, will be the tournament’s title sponsors for the third year running, which underlines their commitment to bringing world-class sport to the region as the city showcases its ability to host international events.

Bringing together three of the top four sides on the planet as preparations for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo intensify, the Quad Nations tournament will be held at the Morningside Arena from 21-23 February, with tickets on sale now.

The Football Club’s Supporter Engagement Team, along with Leicester City in the Community, will be hosting a free event for Junior Season Ticket Holders and Junior Fox Members at Morningside Arena from 10am–4.30pm on 21 February.

It will include inclusive activations, access to two King Power Quad Nations games on the day and an appearance from Club Mascot Filbert Fox! There is limited availability for this event, so to book a place please click HERE. A full itinerary will then be sent to all those in attendance.

Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “The entire King Power family is delighted once again to be supporting the King Power Quad Nations tournament and to have the opportunity to bring an elite international sporting event to Leicester.

“The standard of this year’s competition looks stronger than ever and, taking place in a Paralympic year, the tournament should be an interesting preview to an exciting summer ahead for some of Great Britain’s Paralympians.”

Having successfully defended their European title in August, Great Britain face the world’s number one team Australia, who will be going for their third successive Paralympic title, and Pan-American Champions USA who are ranked second.

Commonly known as ‘Murderball’, the sport is supercharged and physical with players competing in specially designed, manual wheelchairs while athletes must meet a minimum disability criterion. All competitors were either born with physical disabilities, experienced life-changing injuries or suffered an illness which has affected their mobility.

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Chief Executive David Pond said: “We are delighted to return to Leicester again with this tournament thanks to the support of King Power and the Srivaddhanaprabha family.

“With all teams focused on the Tokyo Games in August, the opportunity to play the world number one and two is just the preparation GB needs. For those who come to watch you won’t see better, this is murderball at its most brutal and best.”

Contested by two mixed gender teams on an indoor court, the aim of Wheelchair Rugby is to score more points than the opposition by carrying the ball over the try line. This enthralling, action-packed sport is played in four eight-minute quarters, while contact is allowed if it is chair to chair.

For more information about Wheelchair Rugby, the Quad Nations tournament and how to buy tickets for the event, please visit http://www.wrquadnations.com.

All times GMT.

After consulting with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control, the Sports Authority of Thailand has officially communicated, on behalf of the Royal Thai government, that there is no major risk, with the country having infected patients under care and strict preventive measures in place – resulting in the highest rate of fully recovered patients worldwide.

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna therefore confirm that MotoGP™ will be back at Buriram from the 20th to 22nd March for another spectacular Thai GP.

The world’s top martial arts prospects came out to showcase their skills, as they pursue a six-figure contract with ONE Championship. After a series of compelling bouts, Michael Walker, Koji Shikuwa, Marc Grayson, Ryoji Kudo, and Min Hyuk Lee, all received Warrior Bonuses for their efforts.

Returning to the Canton of Vaud and the Home of International Sport, SportAccord will take place from 19-24 April 2020 at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre.

Now in its 18th edition, SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli remarked: “We are delighted that Lausanne will be hosting SportAccord once again, as a major event in the international sporting calendar, Lausanne provides a favourable location for sport and business leaders to meet, given its strong commitment to sport and industry.

When SportAccord was last in the Olympic Capital and Home of International Sport in 2016, visitors and delegates were welcomed with open arms and we are already feeling this again. We truly look forward to delivering another successful SportAccord in this dynamic city and within this short period of time.”

On becoming Host City to the next SportAccord, Mayor of Lausanne, Grégoire Junod commented: “As the Olympic Capital, Lausanne is proud to be hosting the 2020 SportAccord and looks forward to supporting the organisers in making this major event successful. Once again, it is with great pleasure that we open our doors to the international sports family.”

With State Councilor, Department of Economy, Innovation & Sport, Philippe Leuba commenting that: “After the Lausanne2020 Youth Olympic Games and before the World Hockey, Petanque and Road Cycling Championships, the Canton of Vaud is pleased to welcome, still in 2020, the largest sports convention in the world.”

Attending SportAccord enables delegates to network with sporting leaders at the highest levels, access an extensive conference programme, and experience the many opportunities on offer in one location, at the world’s leading global sports business event.

The conference programme will feature five streams – CityAccord, HealthAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord, and the SportAccord Summit – with numerous influential speakers already lined up to offer unmissable insights into a variety of vital areas in sport.

What the Hoyas need to move in from the outermost bubble of the NCAA tournament field, what they need to make all the hard falls in 40-minute games without substitutes and extended postgame ice baths worth it, is to go on a run.

“I told the team in the locker room [Saturday] that if we don’t beat Providence, the win against Butler doesn’t mean anything,” senior guard Jagan Mosely said Tuesday.

A 73-63 loss to Providence at Capital One Arena on Wednesday leaves the Hoyas (15-11, 5-8 Big East) in a particularly tricky place, then, when it comes to their postseason fate. A tough run to the end of the regular season awaits, with games at No. 19 Marquette and No. 15 Creighton and home bouts against streaking Xavier and No. 12 Villanova staring down the anemic Hoyas.

Yurtseven missed his second straight game Wednesday, and Coach Patrick Ewing said he hadn’t practiced all week beforehand. McClung came back for the first time since injuring his foot and played for eight minutes off the bench before asking the referee for a timeout and walking straight off the court and to the locker room.

That left guards Mosely, Jahvon Blair and Terrell Allen playing either 40 minutes or just under 40 minutes for what seemed like the umpteenth time this season after Georgetown lost four players to transfer in December and then McClung and Yurtseven to injury this month. To their credit, the Hoyas dictated the entire game, sprinting out to a 9-0 lead before letting Providence back in with poor perimeter defense. In the second half, the Friars (15-12, 8-6) didn’t so much take the win as the Hoyas handed it to them.

After a tight start to the second half that left the Hoyas leading 51-50 with 11 minutes to play, Georgetown went cold.

The Hoyas looked truly worn down for the first time in three games, their lack of substitutes on the sideline perhaps finally catching up with them, and they missed nine straight shots as Providence went on a 9-0 tear over four minutes to lead 59-51 with just over seven minutes to play. Mosely fell twice – hard – in that stretch, once taking an elbow to the gut and the second time taking a fall that had him clutching his shoulder on the court. He took a long time to get up in both instances but kept playing.

Mosely and the Hoyas kept running, but they couldn’t hit their shots. Providence shot 60% from the field in the second half to Georgetown’s 38%.

Blair led three scorers in double figures with 20 points. Allen added 16, and junior forward Jamorko Pickett had 12 after an unusually aggressive first half that faded like the rest of his team.

It wasn’t enough to overcome Providence’s strong second half. Alpha Diallo (18 points, eight rebounds) and Luwane Pipkins (16 points) led the Friars. Meliek White and Kalif Young had 11 points each off the bench.

Providence shot abysmally to start, missing its first 10 shots, and Georgetown made the most of it to crank out its early 9-0 advantage. But it didn’t last long – when the Friars finally found their rhythm, they did so from the three-point line and sank a quick shot from beyond the arc to erase the deficit and trail the Hoyas by just 15-13 with nine minutes left in the first half.

Providence all but took up residence just outside the arc, making 2 of 17 two-point attempts in the first half but swishing seven threes. The Friars held a slight edge twice in the final two minutes of the half, but a three-pointer – from Blair, this time – put Georgetown up 34-30 heading into the locker room.