Last friendlies of year offer coaches time to try out new act

LONDON: International soccer coaches often complain they are under too much pressure and do not have the time to experiment but tomorrow’s friendlies offer them the perfect chance to try out new players and tactics.
World Cup year ends with a flurry of almost 30 friendlies and although there are two Euro 2012 qualifiers, that competition does not begin in earnest again until March. In the breathing space a number of coaches are trying out new names.
One match, though, in which they are unlikely to take many risks, is the game of the week between South American rivals Brazil and Argentina in Qatar – a very different venue for Brazil whose last game was in the more earthy setting of Derby County’s Pride Park where they beat Ukraine 2-0.

Kicking again: AC Milan’s Ronaldinho (right) has been recalled by new Brazil coach Mano Menezes to play in the friendly against Argentina Wednesday.

Prestige and victory is always high in the minds of the participants, even for a friendly which offers Argentina the chance to beat Brazil for the first time since a 3-1 home win during the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
Brazil’s new coach Mano Menezes, working to restore their free-flowing attacking game, has made one bold decision, however – recalling Ronaldinho who was overlooked by World Cup coach Dunga and last played for his country in April 2009.
He wants Ronaldinho to link his experience with the young promise of Neymar.
Another old rivalry will be renewed at Wembley Stadium where England face France who beat them 2-0 on their last visit to Wembley in 1999.
Both countries had hugely disappointing World Cup campaigns, and while new France coach Laurent Blanc is well into reconstructing a new squad England coach Fabio Capello is slowly introducing fresh faces.
Capello has promised to experiment with some youngsters tomorrow after calling up three 20-year-olds for the first time – Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
He has also included Jay Bothroyd of Second Division leaders Cardiff City, while Arsenal youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshire have the chance to enhance their claims for regular places.
Turkey’s Dutch coach Guus Hiddink is also using tomorrow’s match against Holland as a test following Turkey’s humiliating 1-0 defeat to Azerbaijan in their last Euro 2012 qualifier.
Hiddink has been under huge pressure to include new faces and revive the team and his squad include 10 uncapped players, including German-born Mehmet Ekici who played for the German Under-21 team.
He opted to play for Turkey after huge interest in him from Hiddink. Australian-born Ersan Gulum will also make his debut after having earlier played for the Australia youth team.
In contrast, Holland coach Bert van Marwijk underlined his own conservatism when he included Robin van Persie and Mark van Bommel in his squad.
Instead of giving the youngsters a chance, Van Marwijk tempted antagonising Van Persie’s employers Arsenal and Van Bommel’s club Bayern because the players are not yet match fit.
“My first concern is the players’ interests, but I think that when they train well and play a part of the match they’ll pick up rhythm and that’s also in their club’s interests,” he said.
World champions Spain, and Portugal, who jointly hope to land the 2018 World Cup Finals when FIFA vote on Dec 2, will be rivals in Lisbon tomorrow with Portugal coach Paulo Bento unlikely to experiment too much with his 18-man squad.
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has called up 22 of the 23 players who went to South Africa and returned as world champions. — Reuters

Alonso pays the price for Ferrari’s strategic error

ABU DHABI: Fernando Alonso gestured angrily at Russian racer Vitaly Petrov but he might as well have shaken a fist at his own Ferrari bosses after being denied a third Formula One title by a strategic error on Sunday.
The Spaniard was far too much of a team player to do that and Petrov – a rookie with an uncertain future at Renault – was a much easier, if unfair, target for merely doing what he was paid to do.
On an evening that started so promisingly for Alonso, but then turned to dust in the desert, Ferrari let the championship slip through their fingers and be picked up instead by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.
Alonso had been 15 points clear of 23-year-old Vettel going into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and ended up seventh, overall runner-up and four points behind Formula One’s youngest champion.
The Spaniard, winner of five races this year, sat hunched and sweating in silence at the back of the Ferrari garage as team-mates commiserated.
“After the race it is always very easy to see the best strategy. If we didn’t stop, Webber would probably overtake us, if we stop, we let Rosberg and Petrov overtake us, very difficult call,” he said.
Alonso had been fourth, which would have been enough to take the title even with Vettel winning, but came in for fresh tyres at the end of lap 15 after his closest championship rival Mark Webber pitted in the other Red Bull.
The pitstops put both men back out on track behind several drivers including Renault’s Petrov, who had pitted when the safety car was deployed.
On a track where overtaking is difficult, Alonso was unable to get past Petrov.
“Afterwards it was really clear it was a mistake,” said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, without saying who had made the call. — Reuters

Hamilton and Button pay champ Vettel fulsome tribute

ABU DHABI: A smiling Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hugged new drivers’ world champion Sebastian Vettel and supplied a neat sense of historical continuity on the victors’ podium following a memorable Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 2008 and 2009 champions con­­gratulated their 2010 successor with natural warmth and enjoyed their own success in securing second place for McLaren in the constructors’ world championship behind Vettel’s Red Bull team.
Vettel, 23, also clearly revelled in the moment and the German returned the congratulations of the two Englishmen with respectful tributes to their achievements, particularly Hamilton whose record as the youngest championship winner he had taken from him by winning Sunday’s stirring 55-lap race.
Hamilton was obviously happy to see his record passing on to a worthy racing successor and satisfied that he and Button had done all they could in the final race of a rollercoaster year.
“It has not been the most spectacular season for us, but huge congratulations to Red Bull and Seb... He did a fantastic job this season,” he said.
Having struggled to be competitive in recent races, McLaren had improved their pace for the Abu Dhabi race at the Yas Marina Circuit where Hamilton and Button completed their first season as team-mates together on the podium.
Hamilton added: “For us it was a great end of season result. This year, me and Jenson pushed hard. Next year will be a better year.
“I’m looking forward to next year. I’m hoping our car will be even better and that we can really fight with these (Red Bull) guys.”
Hamilton mounted a strong challenge to Vettel in the opening part of the race, but struggled to pass Pole Robert Kubica of Renault after his pit stop. He could not pass him until Kubica pitted.
Button warned Vettel of the media pressures that lay ahead and jokingly suggested it would be a good idea to “have an early night” as he confessed to doing when he won the title in 2009. “Or maybe not,” he added with a grin. — AFP

Vettel destined for glory from the first day he walked into F1

ABU DHABI: Sebastian Vettel’s career trajectory has always been sensational and had the youngest ever world champion hurtling to glory from the first day he walked into Formula One and began to break the sport’s records.
In the wake of youthful Spaniard Fernando Alonso’s impact as the young title-grabbing successor to the old “red baron” German Michael Schumacher, Vettel created a whole new set of youthful standards.
He was the youngest participant in Formula One, at 19 years and 53 days, with Sauber in Turkey in 2006, the sixth youngest race-starter in 2007 in the United States and, in the same race, the youngest man to score points.

Bull power: Sebastian Vettel wearing a bull mask as he celebrates with his team after being crowned the 2010 Formula One world champion at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. — AP

In 2007, in Japan, he was the youngest race-leader and in 2008, in Italy, at a rain-hit Monza, he became the youngest pole-sitter and then youngest race winner.
That result for Toro Rosso triggered a move to Red Bull for 2009 when he almost landed the drivers’ title, but ultimately had to settle for runner-up behind Briton Jenson Button.
It was his first major setback and disappointment – and he was only 22.
His Red Bull team-mate Australian Mark Webber did not even enter For­­mula One, with the underfunded back-marking Minardi team, until he was 25.
So it was no surprise when, against the odds on Sunday, he became the sport’s youngest champion, usurping 2008 champion Briton Lewis Hamilton by nine months.
Born in Heppenheim on July 3, 1987, Vettel adored what he later described as “the three Michaels” while at school – Schumacher, Jackson and Jordan, the first being the man whose achievements he would love to emulate.
Originally, he said, he wanted to be a singer like Jackson, but discovered he did not have the voice and, after starting in karting in 1995, found another road to success.
Vettel, whose father Norbert was a carpenter who raced in hill-climbs, has one brother and two older sisters and comes from a family with English connections that encouraged him as a boy to learn the language and grow to understand and enjoy British humour and music.
He loves The Beatles and can reel off jokes from Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers as well as Little Britain. His wit, and an ability to crack a funny line, endeared him to much of the media at an early age.
“I am still listening to the same music as always,” he said recently. “But, you know, unfortunately, The Beatles have not released much new stuff.”
If life and languages came easy to him, he made the most of it, just as he did in a racing career that saw him rise rapidly through karts and junior formulae, where he was nurtured by the Red Bull juniors training scheme.
He entered F1 with the BMW Sauber team, after running in the BMW juniors, and swiftly made an impact before switching to join the Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso outfit, securing his first full-time seat with them in 2008. His racing in the rain, always impressive, dazzled that year at Monza when a new F1 star was born.
The rest was, swiftly, to become history as he cut a swathe towards the top, his one-liners, cheeky grin and brilliant driving earning him soubriquets like ‘the baby-faced assassin” and the ‘new Schumi’ even if moments of impetuosity punctuated the success story.
Having raced for the Swiss Sauber team, it was no surprise that Vettel chose to take up residence in Switzerland. — AFP

Garrigus wins his first Disney crown

MIAMI: Robert Garrigus won his first PGA Tour event on Sunday with a sizzling eight-under 64 to win the Disney Classic while overnight leader Roland That­cher imploded.
Garrigus, who started the day five shots back of Thatcher, carded eight birdies to secure the win with a 21-under 267 that was three ahead of Thatcher (72).
The win in the final PGA Tour event of the season should help ease the pain of his final-hole meltdown at the St. Jude Classic at Memphis earlier in the season where Garrigus blew the lead with a triple bogey on the 18th.
“It’s great to be able to close this one off and figuratively shut everybody up about Memphis,” Garrigus said. “Every time I got an interview it was about Memphis, but it really helped me just to realise that it’s not that big a deal.”
Thatcher, who started the day four shots clear of the pack, bogeyed 12, 16 and 17 but made par on the final hole to secure second place and his PGA Tour card for next season.
“I couldn’t imagine having a more stressful moment in my life, up to this point,” said Thatcher. “So to be able to come out on the other side of that, on the good side of it is just amazing.” — Reuters

Aussie crushes his inner demons to win Singapore Open

SINGAPORE: Adam Scott’s inner demons did their best to derail his bid for a third Singapore Open title yesterday but the Australian held his nerve to claim victory at the US$6mil weather-hit event.
Scott, a winner here in 2005 and 2006, sealed a three-shot victory over Denmark’s Anders Hansen with a sublime 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a closing three-under 68 at the Sentosa Golf Club.
However, not all of the Serapong course’s tricky greens had been as accommodating.

One more: Adam Scott posing with his trophy after winning the raindelayed final round of the Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club Monday. — Reuters

“I haven’t been putting my best lately and the demons starting creeping in a little bit on the back nine,” said the 30-year-old.
“But fortunately I squashed them and made a good putt on 15. That gave me a little buffer and calmed me down for the last three.”
Scott held a three-shot lead when the fourth round was suspended due to darkness on Sunday. Play had been suspended for five-and-a-half hours due to thunderstorms and lightning.
Coming back to finish 10 holes on yesterday was not ideal, Scott said, and when his touch with the putter started to desert him he began to worry. A three-putt bogey on the 14th rattled him.
“It was my second three-putt on the back-nine and at that point, I had no idea of what the scores were on the leaderboard,” he said.
“The 15th was a huge hole. I hit the ball beautifully and I hit every shot where I needed it to be.
“I let myself down on the 10th and 14th with my putts, but I came back and made one on 15th, which was huge as it gave myself a little breathing space.”
Scott reached a career-high third in the world rankings in 2007 but his form dipped last year. He believes he is now returning to his best.
“It’s definitely on the right track but we are always working on something. That’s the funny thing about golfers, we are never completely satisfied,” he added.
“There are always things that I want to keep working on but I feel like my game is in a good place.” — Reuters

Golf Tips Involving Golf Equipment

Blaming your moves, shots and swings for your golf mishits and mishaps? Well, no matter how much time and effort you have been spending over practicing your moves to perfect your game, you still won't achieve your goal if you use unsuitable or defective types of golf equipment, will you?

Now is high time for you to consider the following golf tips that involve checking on your equipment's quality.

If you plan to choose used golfclubs as beginner's tools, scrutinizing before purchasing is a must. The clubheads, the shafts, and the grips are golfclub parts that should pass inspection first before landing a decent spot in your golf equipment cabinet. Another excellent golf tip that will get you through the game is making sure that the set of used golfclubs you're eyeing have set consistency. It will also help a lot if you check first the price of new clubs vs. used.

A golf tip for a golfer that plans to regrip his clubs: Be cautious. This is because the grips are the only contact points one can access to affect the shot. Before carrying out the regripping, know the core grip of the club and your hands grip size. To determine your core size grip, measure the diameter of the butt of the shaft you're going to re-grip. The shaft's diameter should match the grip's core diameter. In determining your hands grip, the available size grips are regular, mid-size, oversize and jumbo. Use only the best re-gripping materials that will provide optimum performance for your golf clubs.

Another golf tip or advice is that using ill-fitted clubs will be an obstacle to your golf playing success. A golfer must consider his or her body type in choosing the best-fitting equipment to support and deliver his backswings efficiently. Too steep angles in carrying out backswings may be avoided if one selects the perfect fitting equipment available.

Custom golfclub fitting makes a better option than just buying new golf clubs. Getting custom fitting golfclubs is a golf tip that translates to a very worthy investment. The uniqueness of each person is attributed to the need of this way of buying new golf clubs. A custom fitting produces golfclubs that specifically suit the height, strength, swing characteristics and clubhead speed of the golfer.

The type of club shaft also helps in predicting whether you'll do good in a game or you won't. There's a choice between a steel club shaft and a graphite-made club shaft. This golf tip aims to make you realize which type of golfclub shaft will benefit your game. Observations tell that the steel club shafts are more preferred by professional golfers while graphite shafts become more popular with women, senior players and beginners. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts though.

One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf clubs that must be the main content of your bag must suit your skill level. Since various skill levels need various golf clubs, it won't be wise to just use or bring a golf club that is just lying around. And, don't ever forget about the maximum golfclub load your bag is allowed to hold. You can only bring 14 golf clubs in your bag. No more. No less. Aside from your skill level contemplation, your mastery of a certain golfclub and your being comfortable with using it must also be put into consideration in deciding which golfclub to hit.

A good combination of the right moves and good choice of equipment will better arm you to become the best golfer you could ever be.

Els won the PGA Grand Slam

SOUTHHAMPTON Ernie Els made nine birdies for the third consecutive victories at the same time creating through a punch at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tournament yesterday.

Els events listed for the four-man tournament, designed to compete with the four major champions tournament. He recorded two-under-par 69 to collect a total of five under par total 137. Els to face the Masters champion, Phil Mickelson, the 36-hole record total of five under par 137, the best record for winning through a blow defeating American David Toms.

Former PGA champion Toms, replacing a British Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen in the two-day tournament. He was originally topped with at least three wins, but only ended with 71 to 138.

U.S. Open champion (USA), Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, recorded 73 points, while PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany won 71. They end the tournament by eight strokes behind and 145 total. Els won two victories in this tournament, which was diraihnya in 1997, at Poipu Bay, Hawaii.

In the same year, Els and then add them in the U.S. Open title, which has been diraihnya in 1994. Three major victory for the players from South Africa is the 2002 British Open.

Els made birdies late in the 14th, while Toms won the par. "If someone do it once, so what do you think is his best shot. But, if he managed to do twice in three holes, then it is likely he was indeed determined to win this tournament,''Els said when commenting on the two chip-ins Toms.

I am somewhat distressed''when making way, when I do, I try to imagine how to defeat him,''he said.

Els shared the position with a birdie at 15, which also equals the resulting bogey Toms. Els was ahead with birdies at the par 16 and strengthen it through a distance of 10 feet from the hole 17.

"I made a good putt,''Els said.

Els is scheduled to leave for the Asian Championship to be held in Malaysia next week. Then will move to Shanghai for the HSBC tournament face.

He said Dubai World Championship have been made possible due to Kaymer Dubai topped the chart in the ranking.

"I will go where the competition is beneficial. If not, then I would switch to playing in the 'Million Dollar' (South Africa), which has three years I was not there as I squeezed into the crowded schedule,''he said.

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Easy Golf Tips - Ben's Bunker Basics

Ben Throckmorton shows you how to simplify bunker play and shoot lower scores in the process.

Ai, Cristie peer opportunities

LPGA Championship Malaysia Sime Darby show the world's best players.

 There are two main factors that make Malaysia Sime Darby LPGA Championship will provide stiff competition this time.In addition to the first edition of the championship title with cash of U.S. $ 1.8 million (RM5.5 million), the coveted position of number one world ranking also be betting among the top five players this time.

Certainly felt the heat of competition is the Japanese player, Ai Miyazato is now surpass Rolex rankings after won the LPGA Safeway Classic last August for another four closest rivals also be downloaded in action at the Golf & Country Club Kuala Lumpur (KLGCC) for three days starting tomorrow.

Ai with the best record of five wins in the tour this season, not in comfortable position in the ranking as jurangnya with four players - Cristie Kerr (USA), Shin Jiyai (China), Yani Tseng (Taiwan) and Suzann Petersen (Norway) is distinguished by the range points less than 0:54.

However, Ai is already in the capital to face the tournament's best player as well as nine of the world does not want too much to think about the status of world number one who held it.

Instead the 25-year-old is more like a small bodied humble when asked questions by reporters at a press conference launching the championship trophy at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in the capital yesterday. "I am delighted to be playing with great players and I do not feel myself as world number one, because our position is not so much .

"I just want to appreciate the opportunities I have now to add to the experience when playing with players better. If you can win the inaugural tournament is certainly something very special, but I realized it was not easy because of many great players are here, ' "Miyazato said that sitting next closest competitor, Cristie at the press conference.

Critie, the best player in the U.S. release status of world number Ai SatuDunia to take the warning last August that he would try to seize back the position of the LPGA championship thy Malaysia Sime Darby is a great opportunity to do so.

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 "I hope to play well this week to regain the number one position. I love Asia, I like hot cuacu and is a great golf course. I am happy to be here to compete with other players,''he said.

When the two best players want to fight for the championship, world number three players from China, Shin prefer to relax approach. When asked about the end goal is here, he jokingly said,''I just want to lose weight.''
Malaysia's Sime Darby LPGA Championship will be stroke play format with no cut at the same time ensuring that all players will be in Kuala Lumpur during the tournament rolling, and give fans the opportunity approaching their favorite players.

Ginola targeted action on the European Senior Tour in seven years.

David Ginola has seven years to achieve the following goals in life, become a member of the European Senior Tour. Former French international star was to see the Celtic Manor Ryder Cup earlier this month launched simultaneously Golf National Paris bid to host 2018 edition of the tournament.

"It was definitely fantastic,''he said." Hole to the 18th at the Golf National, I do not know whether you've seen it, but it is very beautiful. We also have attractive scenery there and at the ninth hole, 16, 18, 70,000 people saw the final round of the Ryder Cup. It is certainly interesting. As a French citizen I would like it.''

But bringing golf's premier team event to France for the first time is not the only dream golf Ginola.
Former Newcastle United star, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa 43-year-old start-benign berjinak with golf in the backyard of a friend in 1992 and now has a handicap of four. He wanted to reach zero handicap and play in the Senior Tour in Europe.
''I have seven years to get my card,''he said. "I wish one day I can say every day" let's go to work''and then go out and play golf. "To change from four to zero you have to work in different ways for every little aspect of the game and it takes time but if you want to do that you need to go to the 'bunker' a few hours and practice with a million golf balls.

''I started hitting the ball into the net and I thought''is interesting, I like it.''So I started playing, without any lessons, just practice after watching the video Nick Faldo in the evening and later in the morning I'll try to remember what I see it and use it.
''When you play sports such as football becomes your job to focus on your game and I did not have time to practice properly. My golf game has improved now. I played with (Sam) Torrance, (Sandy) Lyle and (Ian) Woosnam next weekend at the Cannes and impatient.''

Experience the drama saw the Ryder Cup in Wales to add interest to see the dream become a reality, but he struggled to understand the pressures faced by players such as Rory McIlroy and Graham McDowell, over his own career. ''I can not imagine 21 years old, have a perfect swing and playing in the Ryder Cup, representing Europe, standing at the first tee box and hear people chanting and singing your name. It was definitely amazing.

''I can take a penalty kick in front of 80.000 spectators and there is no pressure. My years of training to take the kick, and I played football since the age of five. That's what I do.
''When you face the blows from a distance of 30-inch putt, that's real pressure. If you want to take a penalty kick in the stadium is full, the noise did not cease.
Graham McDowell''appeared to punch a hole putt on the 16th and 50.000 spectators silent. When tournament officials quietly raised sticker tags, they are silent. "So then, he knows the focus entirely on him and he was alone. This is real pressure.''

Harrington ends drought

Ryders Cup star wins Iskandar Johor Open.

THREE-TIME Major winner Padraig Harrington cruised to a three-stroke victory in the Iskandar Johor Open yesterday, ending a two-year title drought in style. The Ryder Cup star, who began the final round with a five-shot cushion, was never seriously threatened by the chasing pack, hitting a 69 to take him to a total of 20-under-par in the US$1.25m (RM3.75m) Asian Tour event.

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Noh Seung-Yul finished second after a 65, including three birdies on the final three holes, one ahead of Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang, who carded a 68.

"It's always nice to win, even nicer when there's been a bit of a drought. Winning is a habbit so it's nice to come out here and win and do it in style,'' said Harrington.

 "I really preferred the conditions that were there in the last two days where it was windy and it was tough to go all the pins. Today (on Sunday) was just perfect weather, perfect conditions.

"The course was in great shape and I knew people could make a lot of birdies out there so it was very important, it was in my mindset that i had to make some birdies out there, even if I made some bogeys, I needed to make plenty of birdies .''

Harrington, who takes home a cheque for nearly US$200,000 (RM600,000), was quickly into his stride yesterday, birdieing three of his first four holes and turning in 34.


His lead briefly dropped to four after fireworks from South Korea's Noh and Kiradech on the nth hole. But the unflustered Irishman, ranked 22nd in the world, extended his lead further after holing a long putt for birdie on the par-five 13th, following up with a birdie on the 14th after his second shot landed close to the pin.

Harrington, who surged to joint top of the leaderboard with two eagles in the last three holes in his first round 64, has been a model of consistency throughout the tourment.

Victory at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in southern Malaysia was the first for the 39-year-old in an event sanctioned by any of the major tours since his win at the 2008 PGA Championship.

Harrington, who has also won the British Open twice, played with neck pain on Friday, saying he would have pulled out before the third round had he not been leading the tourment.

Following three days of hot and humid conditions, play was delayed by two hours yesterday due to a thunderstorm, with organisers opting for a two-tee start.

Harrington blows a steady burn

Style blows steadily during the four day competition Iskandar Johor Open at the top of the master from the first day propel champion Padraig Harrington won the prize once the U.S. $ 198,125 (RM634 thousand) after two years did not achieve any success.

Horizon Hills Golf Club turned out to bring good luck for the Irish born player who was ranked the world's top-22 player on a rival championship overall cash offer of U.S. $ 1.25 million (RM4 million).
Harrington made three strokes under par 69 to collect 20 268 strokes under par after a bogey six birdies and three managed to leave the challenger, Noh Seung-Yul of South Korea in excess of three strokes.


"It was quite relieved by this title but I had to face the neck which also interfere with each stroke on the final day but still managed to maintain the position as a leader.
"Although the course was demanding, it is quite interesting but I was able to do two other birdie eagle but be patient because of the wind. Whatever I will rest for two weeks before competing at the Shanghai Open and Singapore Open,''Harrington said.
Rising young players Sueng-Yul, 19, appeared in the Malaysian Open champion, collected March 17 strokes under par 271 for the champion while the third place achieved by Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang failed to overcome Sueng-Yul after a missed shot.

Defending champion Choi Kj just finished in place to collect 277-8 shots on 11 under par to share the position with Thaworn Wiratchat of Thailand and Lee Sung of Taiwan, which also collects the same amount of punch.
For golfers the country, Ben Leong who do not put any back up to finish ranked 28th best player in the country to appear at the tournament after collecting six strokes under par 282 at the same time is simply set aside Danny Chia ranked 284-38 which collects the four strokes under par.

 "I'm quite a good game but disappointed with the failure to properly putting all the tournament competition. Whatever I will try to give the best in Singapore will open the tournament,''Kat Ben Leong made five birdies and a double bogey at the final competition.

Golf charity Al - Ubudiyah

Masjid Al - Ubudiyah will be hosting a charity golf tournament to raise donations to support the construction of roofs in place of ablution and prayer additional space for a growing congregation.

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Chairman of the competition, Ab Halim Che Che Husain said, the competition will be held next Saturday at Club Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (KGSAAS), Shah Alam, with the deadline to register is tomorrow.

''In addition to collecting money, the competition is also expected to strengthen ties among the local community and to foster the spirit of sportsmanship,''he said.
Up to now nearly 120 participants have confirmed their participation and it is still hoping to get more participation, especially from corporations.

Five continue advancing

Of the 23 players who participated in the Iskandar Johor Open Championship 2010

Only five of the 23 players qualified to continue the challenge of Iskandar Johor Open 2010 after successfully passed the 'cut' on the second day of competition at the Horizon Club Hills, yesterday.

The five other steel they are a collection of three under-par 143 for ranked 29 while Shaaban Hussin, Danny Chia and Ben Leong, each dependent on the position to 48 after collecting an under-par 143 in addition to M sasidaran equal par 144.

"On the morning of the competition I played aggressively and successfully made four birdies and bogey three in the afternoon but the wind is quite strong sue my game sehigga difficult to make the best shot," Shaaban said the continuing challenges of relief after the third day today.

Competitive golf tournaments that offer prize money AS1.25 million (RM4 million) diungguli players from Ireland, Harrington Paidraig the continuing dominance on the second day after collecting 13 under par 131 when performing a five under par 67. "Satisfied satisfied with my game today (yesterday) when it is able to maintain pace with the double eagle on the final nine holes. Should be on the 11th hole I was able to do one or two under but not berjaya.Apapun five under par was enough Harrington said.

closely followed the player from Taiwan, Lin Weng Tan, which is located in second after successfully collected 12 under par 132 at the same time improve the position on the first day when you are in sixth place but almost intercepted Harrington made eagle on failure.

Today (yesterday) I was hitting good shots just failed in a fairway shot at close range and even helped me a lot but in the opening ball in the hole 16 into the sand.
I've never played with Padraig but not a barrier to continued excellence in the competition the next day (today), "Weng kataa tan ever emerged champion five times in the Asian tour.

Also striking is the player South Korea, Lee Sung to collect 10 under par 134 to move into the third after the fourth position on the first day of competition. Malang directly against the defending champion, Kj Choi of South Korea failed to meet the forecast untum improve the competitive position of the best Iskandar Johor Open after only doing four under par 140.

Champion two years ago, Retief Goosen of South Africa also suffered the same fate after the founder of the stairs to-29-12 from the stairs to the first day after finishing with a three-under-par 141.

LPGA champion Yani peer

The youngest player in LPGA history to have won major championships, Yani Tseng has ventured soaring success in the Philippines when playing in Malaysia Sime Darby LPGA tournament next week.
The tournament was started 22 to October 24 at the Golf and Country Club Kuala Lumpur (KLGCC) It will feature many of the world's best golfers at the moment.
Yanis 21, the first action to collect the experience of international competition while representing the Taiwan national team in Pakistan at the age of 12 years, said: "I can not wait play in Malaysia.
I'm sure has a good chance of winning because I love the action in Asia and I feel as if playing at home for food culture and environment not dissimilar to the national saya.Faktor helped me more comfortable on the field and not too much if I say I am happy later, "Yani said at a news conference yesterday.
When asked who is likely to be strongest competitors in the tournament next week, he said: "I think all the tournament champions and a chance for me, the strongest rival is myself later.
I just want to be confident and play well if they want to win. This year, many players played with distinction in the tour and they came from various countries. All players strive to become number one.
LPGA Championship Malaysia Sime Darby is offering a reward of U.S. $ 1.8 million (RM 5.5 million) that lasted for three days and the stroke play format with no cut at the same time ensuring that all players will be in Kuala Lumpur and throughout the tournament takes place and close to each favorite players.

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Stage star world

Malaysia LPGA player of the group witnessed the presence of 10 world.

World-class star players will make the competition more difficult when they are hunting down for the title at the inaugural LPGA Malaysia Sime Darby in Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from 22 to 24 October ahead ..

Nine of the top 10 players in the Rolex Rankings - Ai Miyazato, Cristie Kerr, Shin Jiyai, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng, Na Yeon Choi, Michelle Wie, Kim In Kyung and Kim Song-Hee - which ranked first until the ninth, confirming their participation

These players, in addition to In Bee Park (world ranked 13) also form the top 10 players in the LPGA official money list collectors. The strength of the player ranks as organizers of their commitment to bring the best players to Malaysia and to achieve its target for the development of women's golf in the region.

Names of other star players who participated, including Anna Nordqvist (world number 11 of the world), Catriona Matthew (27), Sophie Gustafson (28), winner of Match Play Championship 2010 Sybase, Sun Young Yoo (26) and Mika Miyazato (24), which won the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship last week. 

Australian players, Katherine Hull, who recently jumped to a new group of world's top 20 players after the victory of one stroke at the LPGA Navistar Classic last Sunday, will also demonstrate excellence in KLGCC action.

Famous star who also will exhibit their action in Kuala Lumpur are Natalie Gulbis, Hee Young Park and a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame and World Golf, Juli Inkster and Se Ri Park.

''I am excited by the prospect of playing against the best players on the LPGA Malaysia Sime Darby and I hope to be able to emerge as the champion of the inaugural tournament.''

''It is interesting to see how this tournament will be developed in Malaysia. I'm just going down to provide the best and I hope to see many fans and supporters in the field throughout the tournament later,''said Yani Tseng, who won the Championship P & G NW Arkansas last month after defeating Michelle with one punch.''

''It's an excellent action that the majority of the world's best women players will play in the LPGA Malaysia Sime Darby. I am happy golf fans around the world, especially Malaysians, to come to watch the game brilliant stars in the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
''I hope the fans of golf in Malaysia and the region will not miss the opportunity to watch their favorite players up close at the LPGA Championship recognized by this,''said Datuk Tunku Putra Badlishah, Managing Director of Sime Darby Property Berhad.

Sime Darby group and the IMG also announced that MasterCard and Rolex as an additional partner for the inaugural LPGA Malaysia Sime Darby at this time.

MasterCard will support the event as the Official Payment Card while producing high quality Swiss watches, Rolex, maintains a long history and its relationship with the golf tournament as the Official Punch.



Last month, Maybank, Auto Bavaria, Maxis, One World Hotel, MST Golf, as well as local icons Royal Selangor and Malaysian Airlines is a binding contract between the contract sponsor and partner for the event .

Choi determination for welfare

Promise donations wins RM634, 000 to the charity.

Defending champion KJ Choi once again will be the focus when the promise to donate the prize winnings of U.S. $ 198.125 (RM634, 000) to charitable organizations in the state of Johor seandai champion Open Iskandar Johor (green) 2010 in the club's Golf Horizon Hills, which began three days until October 17 is.

Generous attitude of golfers from South Korea was a surprise at the issue last year when winning last year to donate money through the Foundation is committed to KJ choi membari even the best performances in the appearance of the second time in tournament cash offer of U.S. $ 1.25 million (RM4 million).

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Choi will be overshadowed by anything involved in the presence of two big names as the team captain Colin Montgomorie European Ryder Cup champion after beating teams from the United States and Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen of former champions South Africa

''I am quite comfortable playing in Johor, especially in the presence of local golf fans are so sincere without the unequivocal support that encouraged me to exhibit the best action for the champions last year.

The victory last year''very valuable for me because I do not suppose for success after a little less action kosisten over two years ago failed to chart any other big win,''he said.

In the edition of last year, Choi is playing in the tournament determined to make the rise of green after two years without producing any result from the persistence container to swing champions after doing 64 shots for the entire 196 shot 20 under par.

What is certain is the presence of the defending champions to hunt for the championship for the second time in a new and challenging field after starting in the middle of quite dismal season this year but was still able to move into the Tour Championship tournament ranked 15th in the.

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''With the help of my coach, Steve Bann sure I can do best game, especially because the swing sound more daunting challenges in this tournament, especially the presence of top golfers from the Asian Tour and European players,''said Choi.

Horizon Hill is ready

Would accept the presence of the golf champion at the Iskandar Johor Open Championship 2010

Golf Club Horizon is a leading golf betting field is ready to receive a golf champion at the Iskandar Johor Open (green), 2010, from 14 to 17 October.
Green Championships 2010, which offers cash prizes AS1.25 million (RM4 million) with an area of 6.271 meters built by Ross Watson has a 18-hole golf course is the best in Johor.

 International Qualifying round winners, Graig McClean considers the golf course is the best but can not wait to repeat kejeyaan after the qualifying play in the tournament after a four under par 68.

 "I really can not wait to play on the field and try to improve the record on the International Qualifying competition recently traveled than face a difficult challenge in the field concerned,''said McClean.

For site designers Horizon Hills, Ross Watson has created a new age even though about two years, the field can provide a great challenge to the leading professional players who will compete.

Field''is not dependent on the landscape, but the challenge comes in the form of the invention, which saw any difference between the hole and would provide a challenge to players playing in the tournament.

''Weather also plays a role in ensuring opportunities for golfers to make about 16 strokes under par, but the more important points raised, but not be able to field the best players the world stage to perform with excellence,''said Watson.

The fourth edition of the tournament will see the green presence of defending champion KJ Choi to try to defend titles in addition to the team captains involved European Ryder Cup champion, Colin Montgomerie and Open champion, Noh Seung-yul.

Planet Golf..... Strange happenings from around the game...

Australia1) Two men have been arrested for stealing 31 golf flags. A police spokesman said the flags were taken  from Adelaide's Murray Bridge Golf Club over a period of about 12 months."The two arrested men ,aged 18 and 19, regularly took a short cut through the golf course as they walked home from a local hotel,"the spokesman said.Both men are due to appear in court.

Korea
2) Crooks are offering bogus golf course memberships at dodgy venues across Asia. After paying up-front,golfers find the course derelict or in a shocking state of repair . One golf club even invited players to join three different courses. When they turned up to play , though ,they found there was just one course with three different names.


USA
3) Blind golfer Sheila Drummond nailed her first ever ace during a round at Mahoning Valley Country Club,Pensylvania.The 53-year-old holed out at the 144-yard 4th with a driver Drummond ,blind since 1982 because of diabeties, heard her ball strike the flagstick before it dropped . She said: "One of my opponents said : 'Oh that's a great shot'. Then she said 'Its in the cup!'"


USA
4) When golfer Sheila Filice went to look for his ball at Eagle Ridge golf course California, he found more than he bargained for -a huge, injured golden eagle, to be precise .Vets think it was hit by a ball and suffered a broken wing, and say it could cost 5,000 to nurse it back to health . Meanwhile ,in colorado,a black bear that learned how to unlutch the front door at a golf club had to be shot.

Scotland
5) A public toilet in St andrews has just sold for almost 200,000 four times the guide price .The block was bought by a developer who plans to convert it into a house . St andrews already boasts the most expensive street in Scotland -overlooking the Old Course. The toilet was one of two being sold by Fife Council- the other, in Kirkcaldy,fetched just 38,000

If golf had No Rules...........

we ask manufacturers what they might make....

600cc drivers
Want to hit more fairways than Fred Funk?? How about a 600cc centre-shafted driver with a face 80mm tall and 125mm wide?The COR would be 0.922 and the moment of inertia 7,200 (well above the limits of 0.830 and 5,900) . Moveable parts would be plentiful too. though the R&A has already decided to allow for a greater freedom with moveable weight ( see separate story, below) no rules at all might mean an adjustable face-angle driver whose loft could easily be changed between holes.

The ball
Generally speaking ,a yard can be gained for every 0.01 inch the ball,s diameter is reduced. Decreasing the diameter from 1.68 inches to 1.62 , for example would yield six yards. Heavier would work ,too with about a yard tacked on every half a gramme added . In other words,if the ball is beefed up two grams it should deliver an additional four yards (heavier than that might be counterproductive).  Want more  distance? Boost the ball velocity a bit over the limit. As with most good ideas, there are trade-offs: such a ball ,for example would only benefit someone at a high speed ,and the only reward would be distance ,not playability.

Putters 
There are no shortage of ideas on how to get the ball into the hole more easily ,too. One propose o putter shaft that is rectangular in cross-section . Such a club would bend easily in the direction of the putt, but very little in the 'droop' direction . This would provide a putter that could be held against the left wrist would be rigid, So the toe could never overtake the heel. The entire stroke and non symmetrical shaft would provide the action , allowing the head to remain in line . Another thought is to build a putter head that is longer front to back than it is from toe to heel . The benefit of this design is it's easier to aim.

Grips 
Pop a training grip on the putter (or any club) to ensure the same position everytime. such a grip would especially help in pressure situtions , where the grip has a tendency to change..

How golf is saving the world

Every day there's a story on the news about looming environmental catastrophe for planet earth-so it's good to know you can do your bit as a golfer. Never one to miss an opportunity, companies are now making green alternatives to traditional golf gear including buggies,tees and shoes...

Solar Powered Buggy
The Sunray is part sun, part battery powered .Perfect  for New Mexico, not so good in crewe.

Recyclable shoes
Hi-Tec has unveiled the world's first environmentally friend golf shoe,the Enviro. Featuring organic vegetable tanned chrome-free leather ,outsoles sockliner , the Enviro is 99 per cent green. The offending one per cent is the spike receptacle.


Biodegradable Tess
Every year billions of wooden and plastic tees are left on courses all over the world. Eco tees are made from'a blend of composite materials and natural additives derived from corn ,that break down the properties of composite overtime.

Recycled pithmark repaires
Old CD cases are melted down to make these snazzy pitchmark repairers,Now we know happened to Victoria Beckham's singing career.
Details:www.ecoincentives.com


Biodegradable balls
Popular on cruise ships ,these balls are made from water-soluble polymer that has no ill effect on the environtment .Once the ball is dissolved in water, it turns to carbon dioxide and water.
Details:www.ecogolfballs.com