Spain’s Carlos Pigem claimed his first professional title after beating Japan’s Shunya Takeyasu in a playoff at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in New Taipei City yesterday.
The 25-year-old Spaniard, who carded a 67 to finish on 12-under 276, gained confidence early in the playoff when his second shot on the par-five 18 landed in the middle of the fairway, while Takeyasu’s fell into the rough.
An emotional Pigem knew the title was his when the Japanese’s fourth shot only touched the edge of the green.
Photo: AFP / Asian Tour / Arep Kulal
“Playoffs are always going to be a 50-50 affair,” said Pigem, who turned professional in 2013. “I’m really at a loss for words. I cried when I sunk that birdie putt on the playoff hole.”
“That feeling of winning my first professional title here at the Yeangder TPC is simply indescribable,” he said.
Australia’s Scott Barr, who took a solo third-round lead, finished tied for third place with Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung a shot behind the leaders.
Lin Wen-tang was a further shot back in a group tied for fifth place after a 64, a shot ahead of fellow Taiwanese Hung Chien-yao (72), and two ahead of Lu Wei-chih (67) and Lee Chieh-po (68).
Additional reporting by staff writer
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
KNICKS TAKE LEAD: San Antonio put on a 9-0 run to be up 95-94 with just over 2 minutes to play, but the rest of the game belonged to the New York Knicks It was past five minutes through the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday and the New York Knicks’ 11-game winning streak was in major jeopardy. The Knicks missed nine of their first 10 shots in the early part of the period and trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 14 points. They were floundering. Then something crazy happened. The Knicks found new life from an unlikely source: The Spurs. New York rallied to tie the game by the end of the period, gave up the lead briefly late in the fourth quarter, and pulled away late for a 105-95
RSS