Golf in Taiwan got a fillip last week with the announcement of more money for the Asian PGA Tour and confirmation that one of the country's best players has made the top 100 in the world rankings.
Taiwan's Lin "The Pin" Keng-chi (林根基), the inaugural Asian PGA Order of Merit winner, led the way for Asian PGA players as he made a giant stride forward in the final Official World Golf Rankings for last year.
On the back of some impressive results in Japan, Lin finished the year in 81st place in the world rankings.
The 35-year-old won two events in Japan and recorded four other top-three finishes.
It was a jump of 121 rungs for the Taiwan star over the past 12 months.
Lin will continue to play mainly in Japan this year and take part in the newly enriched Asian PGA Tour.
An extra US$1.9 million will be poured into the region's game in the first half of this year, according to Asian PGA officials.
A total of nearly US$9.7 million will be on offer for the first nine events. The Malaysian Open is worth US$1 million this year.
The season tees off with the US$2.3 million Johnnie Walker Classic at Lake Karrinyup, western Australia -- a jointly sanctioned event with the Australian and European Tours -- from Jan. 24 to 27.
Lin, who turned pro in 1989, has built a solid reputation in the Asia-Pacific area.
He was one of the first players to join the Asian Tour and triumphed three times in 1995, the Asian PGA's inaugural season, when he won the Order of Merit.
So accurate was he with his iron play that year that he was nicknamed "The Pin."
Soon after he moved to Japan to ply his trade, where he is now beginning to cash in.
Last year was his most successful year on the Japan PGA Tour, where he finished sixth on the money list.
Many Taiwan golfers play in Japan because it is the highest-earning tour in the region.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and