After a crash out the lead for six-in-a-row COTA winner Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), the race was on for a new Sheriff to take the reins in Texas and it all came down to a duel between Rins and Rossi but the young gun held firm. Another did the same for third, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) taking his first podium in dry conditions as he came home as top Independent Team rider as well as top Ducati.

Marquez took the holeshot from pole and immediately set about trying to pull away, but Rossi was in hot pursuit with a small gap back to Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). Miller and Rins made for pretty close company too, but the initial big mover was a stunning start for Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) as he gained seven places from a P13 grid position. Then there was the first bout of drama as Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) were both given ride through penalties for jump starts – and Crutchlow then crashed out. That left Rossi with a bit of a gap in second, but Miller and Rins were on the chase.

Suddenly, however, that fight for second became the fight for the win as there was a number 93 Repsol Honda on the floor. The reigning Champion and only man to have previously won in Texas slid out at Turn 12, tried to get back in the race but was ultimately unable to…leaving Rossi in the lead and Rins on the chase.

The ‘Doctor’ held firm as the laps ticked on, but it seemed the Suzuki behind had something in his pocket. Closing in and closing in, with four laps to go Rins finally chose his moment and made his move – getting past well but Rossi quick to try and fight back to no avail. Then, again, the number 46 made a lunge for it on the next lap but this time headed well wide, that seeing Rins able to pull out a bit more breathing space as he settled back into the lead.

As it transpired, another move wouldn’t come but the ‘Doctor’ threw everything at it. Cutting the gap on the final lap there were bitten fingernails as the Jaws music echoed around the track and Rossi closed in, but Rins remained steadfast. With just enough margin in the final sector it all came down to holding his nerve and that he did, crossing the line just under half a second clear – becoming the first man to win in Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP™ at the Circuit of the Americas where, incidentally, he took his first ever Grand Prix win in 2013.

Rossi’s hard-pushed second place makes it twice in a row on the podium for him, though, and Miller’s visit to parc ferme is his first since his stunning debut premier class win at Assen in 2016. That’s also a key number for another two stats: it’s Suzuki’s first win since Silverstone 2016 and Rins made it the first time we’ve had a first time winner since that same season.

Behind that fight for the podium Dovizioso made good on his stellar start to limit some damage and take fourth, making the Qatar winner the new Championship leader. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), who took on the number 04 initially, crossed the line in fifth for his best ever MotoGP™ result, ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati). Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was top rookie once again as he took his best yet of a P7 – improving one position on Argentina – and he’s now well ahead in the fight for Rookie of the Year. Eighth place went to Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) from his best ever KTM qualifying in P5, with Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) taking his best result in MotoGP™ so far in P9. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) rounded out the top ten as the sole finisher for Honda after a mechanical problem for Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team).

Viñales fought back to P11 after his ride through penalty, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing).

That’s a wrap from COTA for 2019. Some history made and a shake up in the Championship sees us heading to Jerez with Dovi in the lead – and Rossi hot on his heels. Rins is now third and Marquez drops to fourth after his crash, but the four are all within nine points as Europe beckons so tune in for Jerez in three weeks for an all-time classic carnival in Spain.

Top three results:

1 – Alex Rins (SPA) 41’45.499

2 – Valentino Rossi (ITA) +0.462

3 – Jack Miller (AUS) +8.454

Prom, a two-time Asian Tour winner, will return to the Sultanate following a 14-year hiatus for his first appearance in the US$75,000 ADT event, which will be held for the second consecutive year at the highly-rated Empire Golf and Country Club from April 24 to 27.

The 34-year-old Prom, who last played an Asian Tour event on the same venue in 2005, will be part of the talented 144-man field chasing for glory at the event where fellow Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat emerged triumphant in 2018.

“It has been very long time since I last visited Brunei. Of course, I am very excited to be going back there again since I last played the course in 2005,” said the Thai, who secured a coveted spot at The Open this July thanks to a tied-fifth place finish at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open in January.

“The course is beautiful. From what I remember, there is a hole playing alongside the sea that was very nice and the last hole was also my favourite because of the view hitting down the fairway from the tee box. It is nice to have a chance to go back there again,” Prom added.

Prom, nicknamed ‘Big Dolphin’ due to his burly physique and because he hails from the coast town of Hua Hin, broke through on the Asian Tour when he won in Korea in 2006. He endured a long wait before claiming his second title in Chinese Taipei in 2014.

The father of two also represented his country for the first time at the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf alongside childhood friend Kiradech, just a couple of days after welcoming his baby son last November.

“I have no complaints about my season so far. I earned a ticket The Open at the start of the year and even though I didn’t finish as well as I would have liked in my last two events, I have been in the top-15 going into the weekend rounds in Malaysia and India (Asian Tour).

“I’m still working on every part of my game try to get everything in good shape and to stay sharp for next week,” said Prom, who also claimed a victory on his local circuit last month.

Other notable names in the field include ADT Order of Merit champions Miguel Carballo (2018) of Argentina, Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017) and American Casey O’Toole (2015), as well as the in-form Kazuki Higa of Japan, who claimed his second title in Malaysia last month.

ADT hopefuls will be looking to boost their Merit rankings as the leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

All ADT events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive at least six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Raheem Sterling scored twice as City rarely looked troubled despite having failed to beat Palace in their last two meetings.

The English champions move a point ahead of Liverpool, who host Chelsea at Anfield later on Sunday, with five games remaining for both sides.

“We think Liverpool is able to win all the games,” said Guardiola. “In the Premier League the position is in our hands and we need to win all the games.

“There is no other chance if we want to make back-to-back (titles).”

Guardiola’s men had to see out a nervous finale at Selhurst Park to ramp up the pressure on Liverpool when Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick gave Palace hope of a dramatic comeback nine minutes from time.

Instead, City broke to seal the three points on the counter-attack when the outstanding Kevin de Bruyne teed up Gabriel Jesus to make it 3-1.

The trip to south London kicked off a massive week for City with Tottenham to visit the Etihad Stadium twice in the next six days for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final and a vital Premier League clash with implications for both the title and top four race.

City must overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Spurs to progress to the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. Yet, Guardiola’s starting line-up seemed stronger than the one he named in defeat to Mauricio Pochettino’s men in midweek.

And he claimed he will be just as interested in Tiger Woods’s bid for Masters glory at Augusta as what happens at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

“Now is time to rest, take the bus. One ear for Liverpool-Chelsea, another one for the Masters, Tiger Woods and rest for next Wednesday,” added the Catalan coach.

Sterling should have opened the scoring on 11 minutes when after a patient build-up, David Silva got to the by-line and picked out the England international, who somehow sliced wide with an open goal at his mercy from close range.

After a similar sitter at Burnley last season, Guardiola quickly hooked Sterling in his frustration.

However, Sterling showed his maturity and why he is a contender for player of the year awards by redeeming himself in emphatic fashion just four minutes later.

A rare Palace foray forward left them exposed at the back and De Bruyne’s sensational through ball allowed Sterling to break clear before side-footing the ball high beyond Vicente Guaita.

“The one at Burnley was worse,” added Guardiola with a smile.

“Sometimes the most important action in our game is the next one. Sometimes you miss, but his reaction was positive. The pass from Kevin was outstanding, but the finishing from Sterling was incredible.”

Palace inflicted City‘s only home league defeat of the season with a shock 3-2 victory in December thanks in part to a wonder strike from Andros Townsend.

But the hosts were camped in their own half and unable to spring a counter-attack for the pace of Townsend or Wilfried Zaha as City enjoyed over 75 percent possession in the first 45 minutes.

A similar pattern continued after the break and City finally struck the killer blow just after the hour mark when Leroy Sane’s driven cross was turned home at the back post by Sterling.

City had to withstand an aerial bombardment after Milivojevic’s free-kick from the edge of the box reduced the deficit to 2-1, but they made the game safe when substitute Jesus took his time before beating Guaita at his near post.

Ending an 11-year major drought, the 43-year-old American superstar — who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017 due to chronic back pain — seized his first major title since the 2008 US Open.

“It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired,” Woods said. “I could barely walk. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t walk. Couldn’t do anything.

“To have the opportunity to come back, it’s one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had for sure.”

Winning a fifth Masters title, and his first since 2005, cemented a fairytale comeback to the pinnacle of golf for Woods, whose career imploded after a 2009 sex scandal and nagging knee and back injuries that required a total of seven surgeries.

“It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired,” Wood said. “I was just lucky to be playing again.”

With fans chanting his name, an emotional Woods walked off the 18th green and hugged his mother Kultida, daughter Sam and son Charlie just as he had embraced his late father Earl there after his first major victory at the 1997 Masters.

“It has come full circle,” Woods said. “This tournament has meant so much to me and to have everyone here means so much to me and my family.

“Now to be the champion — 22 years between wins is a long time — it’s unreal for me to experience this. I just couldn’t be more happy, more excited. I’m just kind of at a loss for words.”

Racing to finish before an oncoming thunderstorm, players created their own electric atmosphere, spectators roaring repeatedly for sensational shotmaking on one of golf’s iconic stages.

Woods fired a final-round two-under par 70 to finish on 13-under 275 for a one-shot victory to capture a $2.07 million (1.82 million euros) top prize and the green jacket symbolizing Masters supremacy.

An all-American trio of three-time major winner Brooks Koepka, world number two Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele shared second on 276.

– Jack says ‘Well done’ –

It was the fifth Masters title for Woods, his first since 2005, and it moved him three shy of the all-time record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus.

“A big well done from me to Tiger,” Nicklaus tweeted. “I’m so happy for him and for the game of golf this is so fantastic.”

Woods has won majors at Bethpage and Pebble Beach, where next month’s PGA Championship and June’s US Open will be played, but he’s not chasing Nicklaus.

“I’m sure I will probably think about it going down the road. Right now it’s a little soon. I’m just enjoying 15,” Woods said.

“I don’t know if he’s worried or not. I’m sure he’s home in West Palm (Beach, Florida) just chilling and watching.”

The triumph was the first major victory for Woods when he did not lead after 54 holes, having started the day two adrift of reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari.

Woods served notice he had returned to form by contending last year at the British Open and PGA before snapping a five-year title drought by capturing the Tour Championship.

“It’s the best I’ve felt with a driver in years,” Woods said. “I felt in control of my long game and it really paid off.”

Woods grabbed the lone lead on a jam-packed leaderboard with a tap-in birdie at the par-5 15th, a four-foot birdie putt following at the par-3 16th to double the advantage, allowing him to bogey the last and still win.

“I was as patient as I’ve been in a number of years out there,” Woods said. “I was controlling my shot placement, especially seeing that board. It was a who’s who.

“All these different scenarios keep flying around. It was an amazing buzz to follow what was going on and yet still focus on what I was trying to do out there. I liked it.”

Woods parred 17 and walked up to the 18th green to crowds 20-people deep applauding with delight, but he kept a stoic visage until the job was complete, a tap-in for bogey followed by a fist pump and a scream of joy in celebration of one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.

“You couldn’t have had more drama than we all had out there,” Woods said. “Now I know why I’m balding. This stuff is hard.”

– One shy of Snead’s mark –

Woods, one shy of matching Nicklaus for the most career Masters wins, won his 81st career US PGA victory, leaving him one win short of the all-time record held by Sam Snead.

He became the second-oldest Masters winner, trailing only Nicklaus at 46 in 1986.

Woods also set a record for the longest gap between Masters triumphs, the 14-year spread one year longer than the old mark set by South African Gary Player from 1961 to 1974.

Augusta National moved the final round to Sunday morning due to expected afternoon storms.

Klopp’s side had surrendered pole position a few hours earlier when Manchester City won 3-1 at Crystal Palace, piling pressure on the Reds to respond as the title race heats up.

But Liverpool rose to the challenge as Sadio Mane’s opener five minutes after the break and a blistering long-range drive from Salah two minutes later moved them two points clear of second-placed City on a raucous afternoon at Anfield.

“It was a fantastic goal from Mo. I had the best view,” Klopp said after Salah’s first goal from outside the area in the league since January 2018.

“What a finish, what a shot. But the whole move around it. Wow, brilliant.

“I’m so proud of the team, it was a fantastic performance. I’m so thankful I can be a part of this. It’s overwhelming at times.”

City have five games left compared to just four for Liverpool, leaving the destiny of the title in the hands of the champions.

But there is a growing feeling at Anfield that this will be the season Liverpool finally end their 29-year wait to be crowned kings of English football.

With City having difficult league fixtures looming against Tottenham and Manchester United, Klopp’s men are convinced they can hold onto pole position.

Their run-in is undoubtedly less daunting than City’s, with Cardiff, Huddersfield and Newcastle on the schedule before a potential title party against Wolves at Anfield.

“The first question in the meeting today was ‘what is the City score?’. You cannot avoid knowing about it,” Klopp said of a gripping title battle.

“We expect them to win all their games so we just need to get as many points as possible.

“If we’re champions then great, but if not we are still a really good football team.”

For fourth-placed Chelsea, the loss was a blow to their bid for Champions League football next season and they will drop to fifth if Arsenal win at Watford on Monday.

Claiming that Liverpool’s first goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Emerson, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri grumbled: “In my opinion there was a foul. I think the level in Premier League is the best in the world but not for the referees.

“We stayed in the match for 50 minutes. It’s not easy of course but we have to fight to the end (for the top four).”

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster that killed 96 Liverpool fans and in the week that club legend Tommy Smith passed away, there was even more emotion at Anfield than usual.

After a minute’s silence featuring mosaics reading “30 years” and “96” held up by fans around the ground, Liverpool’s focus was trained on avenging one of the more painful defeats in the club’s recent history.

– Sweet moment for Salah –

Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip in 2014 led to a defeat against Chelsea that effectively gifted the title to Manchester City when Liverpool had looked odds-on to lift the trophy.

But Klopp insisted his players wouldn’t be haunted by the ghosts of that collapse and they were true to his word.

“We have closed the book on that now, Klopp said about Liverpool’s Chelsea demons.

The crucial opener arrived in the 51st minute.

When Salah scampered onto Roberto Firmino’s flick in the Chelsea area, Blues defender Emerson could only prod the ball to the influential Jordan Henderson and his deft cross reached the unmarked Mane, who headed home at the far post.

Any Liverpool nerves had been wiped away by jubilant celebrations and soon after Salah blew the roof off Anfield with a moment of pure genius.

Taking possession wide on the right flank, Salah cut inside and glided away from Emerson before unleashing a sumptuous 25-yard drive that arrowed past Kepa Arrizabalaga into the far corner.

It was a sweet moment of vindication for the Egypt forward after a group of Chelsea fans were filmed chanting “Salah is a bomber” before their team’s Europa League tie at Slavia Prague on Thursday.

And Salah, a practising Muslim, celebrated his 22nd goal of the season by adopting a prayer position in front of the Kop as Liverpool moved a step closer to their holy grail.

Last season, Palace ended City’s record 18-game winning run last season but Guardiola’s team still amassed 100 points as they cruised to the title.

In a much tighter title race this season, with City just behind Liverpool, the Eagles’ 3-2 win at the Etihad in December could yet be the game that costs Guardiola’s men.

A visit to Selhurst Park would therefore be a tricky fixture for City at the best of times, but the timing, between the two legs of a Champions League quarter-final against Tottenham, adds an extra layer of difficulty.

Moreover, City’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg in north London, means they are in danger of again missing out on the trophy that the club’s Abu Dhabi owners most desire after billions of pounds worth of investment.

“That’s true (it is a dangerous game),” said Guardiola. “We knew it from weeks ago, how it would be between these important games and Tottenham in the Champions League.

“Selhurst Park is always difficult, not just for the stadium itself but for the quality of the players they have.”

Guardiola attracted criticism for what was seen as a conservative team selection against Spurs in midweek, leaving both Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane on the bench until the final minute, while peripheral figures Fabian Delph and Riyad Mahrez started.

— Upbeat attitude —

Guardiola’s upbeat attitude, despite a first defeat in 15 games, suggests a longer-term plan to keep his squad as fresh as possible for a gruelling run-in.

After Palace, City host Tottenham twice in four days in the second leg of their Champions League tie and the Premier League.

Then comes a midweek derby at Manchester United and a trip to Burnley before potentially two more Champions League games in the space of a week in the semi-finals.

The title remains in City’s hands, trailing Liverpool by two points but with a game in hand.

Yet, it is Jurgen Klopp’s men who appear to have the easier run-in as they hope to end a 29-year wait to win the title, especially once Sunday’s visit of Chelsea to Anfield is out the way.

That game kicks-off just minutes after the final whistle at Selhurst Park, making it all the more vital that City land a psychological blow by going back to the top of the table against Palace.

“We have six games left to finish the Premier League. We know what we are playing for and we are going to prepare well,” added Guardiola.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bernardo Silva are back in contention are minor muscle injuries, but are likely to be kept in reserve and rested for Tottenham, with Danilo, Benjamin Mendy, Sane and De Bruyne among those set to return.

Solskjaer’s men had lost four of their previous five games in all competitions and could easily have suffered another damaging defeat to their chances of a top-four Premier League finish.

West Ham had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, hit the crossbar and saw David de Gea make a wonder save to deny Michail Antonio giving them a late lead.

“They played better than us, it is fair to say, I don’t think anyone will disagree,” said the Norwegian.

“We got away with it. Sometimes we have lost when we should have won, so over a season it evens itself out.”

Solskjaer left Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay on the bench among five changes from the side that started Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg defeat to Barcelona.

And he admitted the quick turnaround before facing Barca again in the Camp Nou on Tuesday had affected his team selection.

“Playing on Wednesday, and today and again on Tuesday played a major factor,” he added.

“We got away with it, got three points, in a few years no-one will remember how we played if we finished in the top four.

“We rested a couple, thankfully, we got through it and we will be ready for Tuesday. With a performance like this we all know we will struggle in Barcelona, and we will have to improve.”

Victory lifted United up to fifth at the expense of Arsenal and to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.

“I think, to be honest, every tournament is different and every time is different,” Molinari said. “I think how I hit the ball tomorrow will help my comfort a lot more than thinking about Carnoustie.

“I don’t think I’ll be thinking about Carnoustie a lot tomorrow.”

The Italian fired a six-under par 66 Saturday at Augusta National to stand on 13-under 203 after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of 14-time major winner Woods.

Molinari, who previous best Masters finish was a tie for 19th back in 2012, has played without a bogey for 43 holes, and is the only player with two bogey-free rounds this week.

Par-saving putts at the fourth and fifth and an up and down for par from a bunker at 18 were — for him — the highlights of a round that included six birdies.

“Mentally was very good,” he said. “I would say the more important shots were probably the two par putts on four and five … you keep momentum on your side if you make them. If you drop shots there, then it kind of changes the whole round.”

Molinari also played alongside Woods in the final round at Carnoustie.

This time around, the Italian goes in with a two-shot lead over Woods and American Tony Finau — who will also play in the last group as tournament officials send players off in groups of three in a bid to beat inclement weather.

“He’s obviously playing great golf,” Molinari said of Woods. “So I’m aware it’s not going to be easy tomorrow. But it’s not like I can only worry about him.

“We’ve seen (Saturday) that you can shoot seven-, eight-under the way the course is playing.

“Obviously it’s nice to be a little bit ahead, but you might just need one hole to change. You never know how it’s going to go, especially around a course like here.”