Reigning US Open champion Martin Kaymer of Germany birdied the first playoff hole on Wednesday to defeat reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson and win the 32nd US PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Kaymer, who won his second career major in June last year at Pinehurst, and Watson, the big-hitting US star who claimed his second green jacket in April of that year, both finished the 36-hole showdown of major winners on six-under-par 136 at Bermuda’s Port Royal layout.
However, in a replay of the 18th hole that both parred in the final round, Kaymer birdied on a 10-foot putt similar to one on the same line he had faced a few minutes earlier from twice the distance while Watson missed a short birdie bid to hand Kaymer the crown.
“I was surprised he missed it,” Kaymer said. “You don’t want to win a golf tournament that way. Of course I would take it, but you don’t really want the other guy missing a short putt.”
Watson said the windy conditions ruined what he saw as a strong final putt.
“I thought I hit a great putt. Stroked it well,” Watson said. “I’m guessing wind bounce. There’s no way that ball should go that way, unless it’s wind forced.”
“Martin played the best all week. He didn’t really hit too many wayward shots and came away as the champion,” the American added.
Kaymer knew that Watson’s putt was trickier than it seemed, saying; “I had a similar putt earlier in the regular round ... but his was a little bit longer and I knew that it was not an easy putt.”
“My putt, it was quite an advantage that I had the similar putt earlier, just a little bit longer, but pretty much the same line and I knew it didn’t break as much as I thought,” he added.
Kaymer opened Tuesday with a 65 to carry a four-shot lead over Watson into the final round, but could only manage a 71 on Wednesday, while Watson charged back with a 67.
Rory McIlroy fired a 75 to finish third on 144, one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk on a 73.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care