The family of 78-year-old Jerome Barson filed a wrongful death suit against Williams following the June 2017 crash in Palm Beach, Florida.

No charges were filed by police against Williams or the driver of the other car over the accident.

The settlement reached last week does not reveal any of the terms of the agreement other than a stipulation that both parties will pay their own attorneys’ fees.

Barson’s wife was driving and he was in the passenger seat when the collision occurred with the car driven by Williams.

Barson suffered severe injuries and died two weeks later.

The Thai ace has risen to a career-high world No66 this week after beating former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany in the WTA challenger level in Taiwan on Sunday, two weeks after the 25-year-old captured her maiden 125K series crown in Mumbai.

“I didn’t expect to win two 125K series in three weeks. Things just went my way the whole week in Taipei,” said Luksika, easily Thailand’s second most successful female tennis player after Tamarine Tanasugarn, who reached world No19 in 2002.

The end-of-season surge has prompted Luksika to switch her focus for next year from the ITF circuit to the world-leading WTA tour.

That will, however, demand the highest level of physical fitness, she admits.

“The players on the WTA Tour are very fit. If I hope to catch up with them, I will need to work hard during the off-season. I will have a week’s break and then resume my training,” said the Chanthaburi-based player, one of the very few players on the tour to hit the ball with two hands on both flanks.

Luksika is currently working with her physical trainer, Nat Na Songkhla, who will be travelling more with her in 2019.

“He is a physical trainer but has some knowledge in physical therapy, which is very helpful as he can give me massages after my matches,” she added.

By reaching the top 70, Luksika is relieved to now guaranteed a main-draw spot at the opening major of 2019, January’s Australian Open.

She will need to be at the top of her game because she has a lot of points to defend after reaching the third round at Melbourne Park 10 months ago, her best run in a major to date.

“I always play well early in the year, going into the start of the season. I hope I can play well again in Australia but it won’t be easy, I’ll have to be really well prepared,” she added.

Immediately after the year’s opening Grand Slam tournament, Luksika will enter Thailand’s home WTA event in Hua Hin, starting on January 28.

Her presence will be eagerly anticipated by home fans following her recent rise and the excitement is mutual.

“It’s one of the tournaments I’m looking forward to next year,” she said. “There will be a lot of expectations about me. I will try my best.”

. The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, which will be co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), is set to debut at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club the week of October 21, 2019, during the opening segment of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR FedExCup Season.

The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, with a Japan-record purse of US$9.75 million, will become part of the TOUR’s swing through Asia, joining THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea and World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China. The CIMB Classic in Malaysia no longer will be on the PGA TOUR schedule, as CIMB is realigning its sponsorship with the TOUR.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the first annual, official PGA TOUR event to Japan through our partnership with ZOZO, Inc.,” said Ty Votaw, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President, International.  “Japan’s passion for golf is widely recognized and something our stars have experienced first-hand through various events held here and the support of standout PGA TOUR players like champion Hideki Matsuyama. Today’s announcement further strengthens our presence in Asia and certainly comes at an opportune time with golf set to follow its highly successful return to the Olympics in Rio when Tokyo hosts the 2020 Games.”

“I’ve been inspired by golf as a player and as a fan for nearly 10 years now. Opportunities such as going on rounds with my 73-year-old father, and practicing with my sons who are now in elementary school, all came from my love for golf,” said Yusaku Maezawa, ZOZO Inc. CEO. “ZOZO, Inc. has celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and we have launched our private fashion brand ZOZO, which is designed, developed and distributed by us. The concept of the brand is to create the perfect fit for every unique body by using body measurement technology.  Just like golf has the power to motivate and connect people all over the world, regardless of nationality, gender, age or body shape, we hope to grow our private brand ZOZO into a brand that is loved all over the world, regardless of big, small, tall or short.

“I am extremely grateful of this miracle of becoming a title sponsor of the historical and prestigious PGA TOUR for the very first Japan tournament, and to be able to hold this tournament in Chiba prefecture, where our roots are.”

The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP field will consist of 78 professionals, including 60 available players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list, 10 designated by the JGTO and eight special exemptions.

The PGA TOUR, which opened an office in Tokyo in 2016, has a long history in Japan, starting with its involvement in the 1957 World Cup of Golf in Tokyo. After the first three editions of the event took place in Canada and the United States, the tournament was held outside North America for the first time in 1957 when the Kasumigaseki Club (which will host the 2020 Olympic golf competition) saw the U.S. team of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead take the title. Japan subsequently hosted the 1966 and 2001 World Cups.

PGA TOUR Champions also has had a presence in Japan, starting with a team event from 1989-91 in which four Champions Tour players competed against counterparts from Japan. The Tour returned in 2017 with a tournament at Narita Golf Club and will return to the club in June of 2019 with the Mastercard Japan Championship.

Every year since 1993, the PGA TOUR has had at least one Japanese player on its roster including two for the 2018-19 Season: Hideki Matsuyama and Satoshi Kodaira. Five players have accounted for 11 PGA TOUR victories over the years, led by Matsuyama with five and Shigeki Maruyama with three. Isao Aoki, Ryuji Imada and Kodaira each have won once.

The Serbian coach expects nothing less than a tough duel with the Azkals at Panaad Stadium as both teams aim to secure entry to the semifinals with a third straight victory.

“It’s definitely an important match for both teams as the team that will win gets to the semifinals,” Rajevac said. “We’re expecting a tough match and we will be preparing well for this match. Mr. (Sven Goran) Eriksson is a great coach. We are both experienced coaches and we know the importance of this match.”

The Thais, winners of the last two editions of the competition, haven’t lost in 16 meetings with the Filipinos in the last 46 years. The two sides have met eight times in the competition with the Thais winning seven of the eight. A goalless draw in the first leg of the 2014 semifinals in Manila was the Azkals’ best result against the War Elephants in recent years.

While the Thais are in razor-sharp form in victories over Timor Leste (7-0) and Indonesia (4-2), the Filipinos have been far from convincing in wins over Singapore (1-0) and Timor Leste (3-2).

But Rajevac refused to read too much on the two team’s recent results. “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything if you look at the goal difference of the matches,” he said.

“Both teams are in the Asian Cup. Both teams are developing which means they want to play in a higher level in Asia. It’s a tough match and you know everybody will do everything in their power to get something out of this match. It will be a tight match and an interesting match.”

Rajevac admitted that playing at home gives the Philippines an advantage, although a heavy downpour is expected during the match as Tropical Depression Samuel makes landfall in the island.

“The advantage is for the Philippines because they know the environment,” he said. “They know the ground and this is probably their biggest advantage. But the team that is able to adapt quickly to the situation (when it rains) also has a great chance.”

The Serbian said his only edge over Eriksson could be his familiarity of the players in the Thai squad, having spent the last 18 months with the team, while the Swede has only been in the job for almost three weeks.

Eriksson is brimming with optimism although he knows the odds will be stacked on his travel-weary team.

“Thailand is the favorite to win this group,” he said. “I hope we can change that tomorrow. If we play good football, we have a good chance. We have to be positive.”

Eriksson was far from satisfied by the performance against Timor Leste, although the first half display where the Azkals scored twice was something they can build on.

“We have to play better if we want to beat Thailand,” said Eriksson. “I’m confident that the players are focused for the big game.”

The game at the Panaad Stadium will be Thailand’s biggest so far after two easy home wins, over Timor Leste (7-0) and Indonesia (4-1).

The island nation has three players who ply their trade in Europe: Neil Etheridge of Premier League Cardiff City, Daisuke Sato of Romania’s Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe  and John-Patrick Straub, who plays for Erzgebirge Aue in Germany’s second-tier league.

It will be clash between two teams with perfect records – the Philippines have also had two straight wins, over Singapore (1-0) and Timor (3-2).

“The tension will be quite high as both of us need this win to guarantee a semi-final spot,” said the 30-year-old Buriram United player.

The two top teams in each group will make the semis and if they win tonight, Thailand will secure their progression even if they lose their last group game against Singapore on Sunday.

“If we secure our [semi-final] spot we can rotate players in the next game and rest a few before the semi-final,” added Korrakot, who was among the scorers in the win over Indonesia.

The weather might affect the way the teams approach the game, with rain expected in several parts of the Philippines.

Moreover, Thailand’s preparations were inconvenienced somewhat by having to spend Monday night in Manila as their onward flight was cancelled due to Storm Toraji, which has claimed many lives in the central provinces. They duly arrived in Bacolod later than planned on Tuesday.

“I’ve heard it will rain heavily [during the game] but there won’t be any excuses. After all, we have to compete on the same pitch and under the same conditions,” Korrakot said.

The left back stressed that in order to prevail tonight he and his teammates will need to be highly focused and stick to their game plany.

“We have to be careful and remain at our own pace,” he said. “If we can’t score, we shouldn’t concede a goal either. I predict that it will all go down to the wire.”

Korrakot has worked briefly with Philippines head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson when he was playing for Bangkok-based BEC Tero in 2012 and the Swede was the team’s technical advisor.

He still has great respect for the former England manager.

“Even though I didn’t spend much time with him I could see he was a great coach,” said Korrakot. “He loves his players to think fast and react quickly, to be able to switch from defending to attacking at any time.”

Chanincha of 33 Auto Ngao-Kollakarn and Buddhamont of CFON Racing Team will drive Toyota Vitz 1,500cc will take part in the season-ending event of the Toyota Motosport due between November 24-25.

“I’m so glad to be able to compete at the Fuji circuit which is of FIA standard and hosts F1 event. I have studied and gather a lot of information about the circuit from the internet and hope to have some good result at the weekend,” said Chanincha who will drive car No 122 in the race.

For Buddhamont, driving car No 222, he admitted that he would have to deal with the excitement for his first race offshore.

“I have pressure and feel quite excited as I’ve never competed in other countries. I have to ask for advice from senior drivers on how to deal with this situation. But I hope I can deal with this scenario and move past the qualification race,” he said.

The EFL, which runs the second, third and fourth tiers of English football, said the deal was unanimously approved by its board, and that it is different to the provisional agreement made with the broadcaster last September.

Several Championship clubs, including Aston Villa, Derby and Leeds, strongly criticised the original proposal and they are unlikely to be happy with the final agreement.

But the EFL board has decided this is the best option on the table for the 72 clubs and it will give every club the chance to build their own ‘direct to consumer’ streaming service.

“Having fully considered the matter, its implications and any associated risks, the EFL board is satisfied that the right deal for the EFL and its clubs has been reached,” said the EFL’s interim chair Debbie Jevans in a statement.

“Concluding these negotiations has indeed been challenging, as is the case when managing a diverse group of stakeholders, and the board took on board the comments and frustrations voiced by a number of clubs and has committed to reviewing the way the league engages with its clubs to ensure that we move forward in a collaborative way in the future.”

That is reference to recent suggestions that up to 15 Championship clubs wanted to reject the Sky offer, believing it tied the league in too long and was not worth enough money.

Under the deal, Sky will be able to broadcast 138 EFL games a season, with a minimum of 20 of those being third-tier League One and fourth-division League Two matches.

Sixteen of those games will be Championship matches on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and Sky will also get eight additional midweek games as co-exclusives with the clubs’ streaming services.

The overall package includes all 15 EFL play-off matches, 15 Carabao Cup games and the Checkatrade Trophy’s semi-finals and final.

Speaking in New York to confirm details of his January 19 fight against Adrien Broner, Pacquiao said he had discussed a rematch with Mayweather during a recent trip to Japan.

“When I met up with Floyd in Japan, we talked and he said he wants to come out of retirement to challenge me,” Pacquiao said.

“All I know is fighting in the ring and entertaining people. That’s my job. Floyd has come out of retirement and we’ll see after this fight.”

Mayweather scored a unanimous victory over Pacquiao in 2015’s “Fight of the Century”, which was largely regarded as a let-down despite being the highest-grossing fight of all time.

Since then, speculation about a possible rematch between the two welterweights has flickered, with Mayweather saying in September he was ready to fight Pacquiao.

“I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram.

Meanwhile Pacquiao, who will be fighting in the United States for the first time in two years in January’s bout, said Monday he remained solely focused on Broner before any return with Mayweather.

“We cannot underestimate Broner and this fight,” Pacquiao said. “We will discuss anything with Floyd Mayweather after that.”

Pacquiao, 39, will face Broner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao holds the World Boxing Association’s regular welterweight crown, a step below US unbeaten WBA ‘super champion’ Keith Thurman, after stopping Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in July at Kuala Lumpur.

“I have missed fighting in Las Vegas. It has been a second home to me,” Pacquiao said. “Returning to the MGM Grand Garden Arena to defend my world title against Adrien Broner is an exciting way to stage my homecoming.”

Pacquiao, 60-7 with two drawn and 39 knockouts in a career that began in 1995, turns 40 in December while American Broner is 33-3 with one drawn and 24 knockouts.

Pacquiao, the only fighter to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, has continued fighting after reversing a decision to retire in 2016.

– Early Manny retirement? –

Broner, however, said Monday he planned to send Pacquiao into permanent retirement.

“I have paid my dues in this sport, and now it’s time for me to get mine,” Broner said. “I get more views than everybody when I fight. A lot of people are going to see me pack off Pacquiao into retirement, and without his belt.”

Last month, Pacquiao signed with adviser Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions group after being promoted by Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Haymon’s main rival, for the past 14 years.

The move ensures Pacquiao will have chances to fight the best in the welterweight division as Haymon’s fighters include Americans Thurman, 28-0 with 22 knockouts; World Boxing Council champion Shawn Porter, 29-2 with one drawn and 17 knockouts, and International Boxing Federation champion Errol Spence Jr., 24-0 with 21 knockouts.

 The 13-time continental tour winner was bombarded with questions about his future plans while promoting the 11th US$500,000 Queen’s Cup, hosted by Thongchai Jaidee Foundation, to be staged from November 29 to December 2 at the Legacy Golf Club near Bangkok.

“I just applied for membership as I want to propose ideas to the party on how to develop Thai sports,” said the 49-year-old Thongchai, winner of eight European Tour titles. “I still want to play golf and I have no plans to retire yet. There’s still a long way to go for me to fully enter politics.

“As an athlete, I wish to see more Thais emerging in the global arena. But at the same time I still enjoy playing golf. I will focus on the European Tour and Senior Tour in the US next season,” said the former world No 27, who has plunged to 485 due to injury problems.

 Thongchai also praised Ariya Jutanugarn for her clean sweep of all the LPGA’s major awards this year.

“She has really put Thailand on the world map of golf. She’s proved that Thai golfers can become the world’s best,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 11th Queen’s Cup, held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, will be the Tour’s fourth stop in Thailand this season after the Thailand Open in June, the 10th Queen’s Cup and the Royal Cup in July.

Defending Champion Jazz Janewattananond, who sealed his second Asian Tour victory and first on home soil in July, will be among the 132 players vying for honours at the 11th edition of the Queen’s Cup.

Other notable names in the field include Korea’s Sanghyun Park, who is currently ranked second in the Order of Merit standings, Indian duo Shiv Kapur and SSP Chawrasia and Chan Shih-Chang of Chinese Taipei, who are all multiple winners on the Asian Tour.

Sunday at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana saw another three incredible races to close the season, and in the evening the FIM Awards ceremony brought the curtain down on 2018 – with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) headlining the show.

Marquez received his MotoGP™ World Champion trophy after taking the title in style in Japan, capping off another record-breaker of a season for the Spaniard.

The 2018 Awards were hosted by Gavin Emmett, with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and FIM President Vito Ippolito in attendance to present the range of awards throughout the evening to all the winners this season.

Youngest ever seven-time World Champion Marquez took top billing as he received his record-breaking 2018 MotoGP™ trophy, along with Moto2™ World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Moto3™ World Champion Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) after their incredible seasons.

The top Independent Team rider title went to Johann Zarco, as it did in 2017 when he was a rookie, following another impressive season ahead of a new challenge in 2019. This year’s MotoGP™ Rookie of the Year award was presented to a man who also visited the stage last season but for his intermediate class successes: Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, was also honoured as a Legend.

In Moto2™, EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Joan Mir – another who took to the stage in 2017 – was crowned Rookie of the Year, with Jaume Masia taking that honour in Moto3™ after a great race at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

The BMW M Award for best qualifier in the MotoGP™ class went to Marquez for the sixth year in a row, and the Tissot Pole of Poles went to Bagnaia in Moto2™ and Martin in Moto3™.

The Repsol Honda Team picked up the MotoGP™ Team world title trophy, and Honda took the MotoGP™ Constructor Title in the premier class. Kalex came out on top in Moto2™, and Honda in Moto3™.

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion Can Öncü, runner-up and twin brother Deniz Öncü and third-placed rider Xavier Artigas were honoured for their fantastic seasons in the Cup – with Can Öncü also having stunned the field and become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner earlier in the day, and as a wildcard. Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion, Australian Billy Van Eerde, and inaugural British Talent Cup Champion Rory Skinner were also applauded for their seasons.

Now the page turns on another incredible season and the engines switch off – but only for a day. Then, testing for 2019 begins on Tuesday in Valencia, with a whole new year of challenges up ahead and plenty to get excited about.