It is time for Battle Royale, the biggest year-end sporting spectacle in India, the PKL Season 11’s Playoffs week is all set to commence from December 26 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune. In the fray for the top prize are Haryana Steelers and UP Yoddhas, both of whom have never won the title, and along with them are three-time champions Patna Pirates, Season 8 winners Dabang Delhi K.C., Season 1 & 9 title holders Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Season 2 champions U Mumba, who sealed qualification for the playoffs with the last game of the league stage. The playoff race going to the last match of the league stage is a testament to how competitive this season has been, setting the stage for an exciting final week for season 11. Ahead of a week that is set to celebrate the sport of Kabaddi in more ways than one, the six coaches, Manpreet Singh (Haryana Steelers), Joginder Narwal (Dabang Delhi K.C.), Jasveer Singh (UP Yoddhas), Narender Redhu (Patna Pirates), Gholamreza Mazandarani (U Mumba) and Sanjeev Baliyan (Jaipur Pink Panthers) spoke at length at the Panga Roundtable, and touched upon various aspects of PKL Season 11. Staying true to the “Fan First” approach that has become synonymous with the PKL, also present at the engaging Panga Roundtable were the Super Fans, who made their presence felt too. Table toppers Haryana Steelers, who are through to the Semi-finals, are gunning for their first PKL title, and coach Manpreet Singh, who was full of praise for the Show-Stopper Mohammadreza Shadloui, said, “The Haryana Steelers team is like a family. The players are all like my younger brothers, and we will work together, and leave no stone unturned when we play our Semi-final. Having qualified for the Semi-final directly is a source of great motivation for the team before the final week, and for Haryana, a state which has won so many medals in other sports, it is the PKL title that remains elusive, and hopefully, we can win it.” The Dabang Delhi K.C. have been one of the best teams this season and have stitched together a 15-match unbeaten streak, which helped them secure the second position on the points table. Having qualified for the Semi-final already, coach Joginder Narwal, who has won the PKL title as a skipper in Season 8, spoke about the bond between his two co-captains – Ashu Malik and Naveen Kumar. He said, “I have played with both Ashu and Naveen in the previous years in the PKL itself, and they are like best friends. The two of them have a great chemistry and always stick together, and that bond is visible on the mat also. The team is like a complete family, and going into the playoffs, they are all fit and in-form.” The UP Yoddhas, who had to go back to the drawing board before the season began, has seen their young raiders and the defence step up in style. Coach Jasveer Singh said, “The team lost a couple of big players, but the core of the team remained together, and have worked hard as well.” When asked about how well his side has closed out a few tight contests, the coach explained, “Winning closely fought matches is not easy and it is more of a habit which one has to develop over time. We always train accordingly, so that on the matchday, the players know how to deal with the situation and the pressure.” Three-time champions Patna Pirates’ Narender Redhu heaped praise on the dynamic and dangerous duo of Devank and Ayan, who have taken to the big stage like fish does to water. “Before the start of PKL Season 11, in our camps, we could see that Devank and Ayan will form a formidable pair for us as raiders. We had also seen them playing in other tournaments, and we are lucky in a way that they are both in our squad, and we have given them the freedom to play, and they have grabbed their opportunity with both hands.” U Mumba stormed into the PKL Season 11 Playoffs with a superb win against the Bengal Warriorz in the final league stage game this season. Among the highlights for U Mumba this season has been that the young brigade have led from the front. Reflecting on the journey, U Mumba coach Gholamreza Mazandarani said, “We are very happy to have made it to the Playoffs. And the thing is the young players have done really well. They always want to do something different, like make a new record and have excellent energy as well. Players like Ajith Chauhan and Rohit Raghav are very skilful and the more they play at the highest level in PKL, they will continue to improve.” Having finished sixth on the points table, the Jaipur Pink Panthers are looking for their third title. And coach Sanjeev Baliyan believes that the mentality and preparations for the Playoffs Week has to be different. He said, “The Playoffs is a different kettle of fish and there are no second chances like during the league stage. And moreover, to win the PKL title again, the whole squad has to play well, and support Arjun Deshwal. So far, whenever the team has needed it, there has been someone who has stepped up, especially if Arjun hasn’t had a good day, and it is essential to keep that going.” Preview for Matches on December 26: Eliminator 1 will see the third placed UP Yoddhas take on the Jaipur Pink Panthers, who were sixth on the points table in the league stage. Both the sides have only one thing in mind, which is progressing to the Semi-final, and will go all out for the win. After that, in Eliminator 2, the most decorated team in the PKL, Patna Pirates, will play the U Mumba side, in what is a battle of the young raiders. Both sides have had a fantastic run of form during the league stage, and will be keen to make a splash in the final week of 2024 as well. Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 11 eliminators on Thursday, December 26: Eliminator 1 – UP Yoddhas vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – 8 pm Eliminator 2 – Patna Pirates vs U Mumba – 9 pm Semi-final 1 & 2 – December 27 Final – December 29 (With inputs from sources)
25 December,2024 05:13 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentPV Sindhu, India's Olympic icon with two medals to her name, married Venkata Datta Sai, an Executive Director at Posidex Technologies in Hyderabad, on December 22 in an intimate ceremony. Sindhu, the most accomplished Indian shuttler in history, clinched a silver medal at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Games. Two days after the wedding, she shared her first reaction on social media, posting a series of photos from the occasion along with a heart emoji. According to Vogue India, their love story began with a chance meeting on a flight in October 2022. "Everything changed when we reconnected on a flight," Sindhu recalled. "That journey brought us closer, and it felt like the stars aligned. It was almost like love at first sight, and from that moment on, everything just felt right." ❤️ pic.twitter.com/stErh8fcXv — Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) December 24, 2024 Sindhu also explained the significance of their engagement, describing it as an intimate occasion. "Our engagement was a deeply intimate affair, attended only by those closest to us,” she shared. "It wasn't about grandeur, but about celebrating this milestone with the people who truly matter. The moment was emotional, meaningful, and something we will cherish forever." Reflecting on the wedding preparations, the champion badminton player detailed how she and Sai worked together to bring their vision to life. "Planning our wedding was a beautiful yet challenging journey," Sindhu recalled. "Despite my demanding schedule as a professional athlete, I had a clear vision of what I wanted for our big day and planned every detail meticulously. Datta, on the other hand, made sure my dreams came to life by managing the execution seamlessly. Together, we ran a tight ship and ensured that every aspect of the wedding reflected our story and personalities."
25 December,2024 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRiding high on goalkeeper Prachi Kadam’s heroics under the bar, St Teresa’s Convent High School (Santacruz) emerged victorious in the girls U-16 MSSA inter-school hockey tournament, defeating Don Bosco High School (Borivli) 3-0 in a tense tie-breaker. Both teams had their chances during regulation time but failed to convert, leading to a decisive penalty shootout. Prachi proved to be the star of the game, saving all three attempts by Don Bosco’s Nisha Shetty, Danica Colaco, and Viva Kumar. On the other hand, St Teresa’s Yukti Dabho, Nirja Redkar, and Arya Kamble successfully converted their strikes to secure the win. The Don Bosco boys with their trophy and medals at the Don Bosco School ground in Matunga Meanwhile in the boys U-16 final, Aaditya Rane of Don Bosco (Matunga) scored the all-important goal against Children Academy (Malad) to clinch the title. Aaditya struck for the Matunga outfit at the stroke of half-time after receiving a pass from Raj Shirke, placing it in the bottom left corner with ease. In the girls semi-final, Don Bosco (Borivli) beat Children Academy (Malad) with a comfortable 2-0 win. In the second semi-final, St Teresa’s beat Carmel of St Joseph (Malad) 3-2 in the tie-breaker. In the boys semi-finals, Don Bosco (Matunga) beat St Antonio D’Silva High School (Dadar) 4-3 via tie-breaker, while Children Academy (Malad) defeated Don Bosco (Borivli) 2-0. Prachi Kadam and Aaditya Rane Tony Pinto, coach of St Teresa and Don Bosco (Borivli), smiled and said: “I couldn’t be biased so I made the assistant coaches take charge of today’s game. Hence, I sat in the stands, happy with both my teams in the final and I am happy with the outcome.” Coach of Don Bosco Rizwan Khan said: “We were confident of winning today. This team have been playing together for the past four years. We created many chances, we could have scored more.”
25 December,2024 06:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamParis Olympics double bronze-medallist Manu Bhaker on Tuesday admitted that “there has been a lapse may be on my part” while filing nominations for this year’s National Sports Awards amid a raging controversy over her exclusion from the list of Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees. “With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award... I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected,” Bhaker wrote on X. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 December,2024 06:17 AM IST | New Delhi | PTITalented lifter Parv Chaudhary secured two bronze medals in 96kg category to continue India’s domination at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships here on Tuesday. Chaudhary won the medals in clean and jerk and total sections. He had a total lift of 303 kg. India thus won a 12 medals in total, including three gold, four silver and five bronze. Besides, there were 8 medals in snatch and 10 medals in clean and jerk sections. Medals are awarded separately for snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift in continental, World Cups and World Championships. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 December,2024 06:17 AM IST | Doha | PTIAmid reports that double Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker has been shockingly ignored for this year’s Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, a top sports ministry source has asserted that the names are yet to be finalised and she is likely to be there when the list is unveiled in a week’s time. Also Read: Tania rues lack of recognition from Delhi govt In August, Bhaker became independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events. “There is no final list of nominees at this point. Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will decide on the recommendations in a day or two and her name, in all likelihood, will be there in the final list,” a ministry source said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 December,2024 08:11 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIOlympiad gold-winning India chess player Tania Sachdev on Monday lamented the “lack of recognition” from the government of Delhi, prompting chief minister Atishi to reach out to her for “thoughts and suggestions” on the matter. Also Read: ‘There’s a reason Liverpool are top’ The 38-year-old Arjuna Awardee, who is based in the national capital, said the Delhi government is yet to acknowledge her achievements. “Having played for India since 2008, it’s disheartening to see a lack of recognition from the Delhi government for achievements in chess. States that support and celebrate their champions, directly inspire excellence and motivate talent. Sadly, Delhi has yet to take this step,” she posted on her X account. She tagged Atishi and her ruling Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, urging them to support the state’s chess players. Atishi responded to her post by inviting her for a conversation. “Hi Tania, we have always supported all our athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen, especially in our schools. Would love to meet you and understand what more can be done especially for chess players,” Atishi said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 08:07 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIAccording to the reports double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has not been included in the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. A sports ministry source stated that the names are yet to be finalized and Manu Bhaker will likely be there in a week's time when the confirmed list is out. Manu Bhaker became independent India's first athlete to clinch two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. She won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Reports of her omission from the national honours evoked shock with her family insisting that application was duly submitted. "There is no final list of nominees at this point. Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will decide on the recommendations in a day or two and her name, in all likelihood, will be there in the final list," a ministry source said. Also Read: IND vs AUS Tests: Know why Mohammed Shami can't play the last two Tests The award selection committee is a 12-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramam. It includes former athletes like women's hockey captain Rani Rampal among others. The ministry norms allow athletes to self-nominate instead of relying on federations and other institutions for it. The selection committee is, however, allowed to consider names which may not be among the applicants. While the ministry claimed that Bhaker did not apply for the award, her father Ram Kishan Bhaker, a chief engineer in Merchant Navy, said the youngster had followed the due process. "There is no worth of playing Olympic sports in India because despite winning two medals in an Olympics, Manu has been ignored for the Khel Ratna award. There is no point in playing and winning rewards for your country and in turn beg for recognition," Ram Kishan told PTI. "She had been applying for all awards, say Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan for the last 2-3 years continuously and I have proof of that. This time too, I am confident she would have applied but I can't show anything as I am at sea right now. "But even if she hasn't, the committee should consider her looking at her achievements," he asserted. He blamed bureaucracy for the mess-up. "We form a committee but it is the bureaucrats who call the shots. This is not how sports function," he said. It is learnt that the committee has recommended India hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh's name for Khel Ratna award, who helped the country win its second consecutive Olympic bronze medal for. Also nominated for the honour is para athlete Praveen Kumar, who won a gold in the men's high jump T64 class with an Asian record at Paris Paralympics. The awards committee has recommended 30 athletes for Arjuna awards, including 17 from para disciplines. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who won a bronze in the men's 57kg freestyle category, and shooter Swapnil Kusale, bronze medal-winner in the men's 50m rifle three position event, along with Bhaker's mixed team partner Sarabjot Singh have been recommended for the Arjuna award. Members of the bronze medal-winning Indian hockey team, Harmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Rajkumar Pal, Abhishek and one more player have been also recommended for the Arjuna award.' (With PTI Inputs)
23 December,2024 08:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian boxing endured a turbulent year marred by coaching turmoil, crushing defeats, and a medal-less Paris Olympics campaign, all of it made worse by the national federation's negligence that brought unprecedented embarrassment to the country. There were very few positives to count in a year when, after a widely successful 2023, expectations were sky-high. Yet no boxer was able to add to the three bronze medals -- Vijender Singh (2008), M C Mary Kom (2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (2021) -- that India had secured in the previous editions of the Olympics. Nishant Dev, unlucky to miss out on an Olympic medal, was India's top performer but the likes of world champions Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina disappointed despite widely held belief that fortunes of women's boxing were following an upward trajectory. Outside the ring, the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) negligence cost India an Olympic quota even as administrators globally scrambled to retain the sport on the Olympic roster. Controversy and coaching crisis The dismal performance at the first World Qualifying Tournament, where all nine boxers failed to secure a spot at the Paris Games, prompted High Performance Director Bernard Dunne to resign from his position while still in Italy, less than four months before the Olympics. It wasn't just the defeats that were troubling, but the manner in which the boxers lost that was truly disheartening. Frequent knockouts and RSC out-classed defeats pointed to inherent technical flaws which had not been addressed. With the exception of Nishant, there was hardly any name in Indian boxing who could be spoken about as a success story. Adding to the woes, the country soon lost the women's 57kg Olympic quota, won by Parveen Hooda at the Asian Games last year, after the boxer was handed a 22-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for three whereabouts failures within a year. The 2022 World Championship bronze-medallist failed to submit her whereabouts for the period between April 2022 and March 2023, as mandated by WADA regulations. The BFI was also to blame for this unprecedented embarrassment given that federation is duly notified of such a lapse by the international body. The federation ought to have intervened to ensure that the athlete submitted the required details on time. As a result, India had to fight afresh for qualification in the women's 57kg category, the spot ultimately going to Jaismine Lamboria in the final Olympic Qualifiers. There were wholesale changes for this event with former Asian Games gold-medallist Amit Panghal replacing Deepak Bhoria in the 51kg category. Eventually Panghal and Nishant made the cut for the quadrennial spectacle along with Jaismine, adding to the three quotas won by Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Lovlina (75kg) last year. In all, six boxers qualified for Paris, a decline from the five men and four woman who represented India in the 2021 Tokyo Games. Barren Olympics, Nishant's heartbreak Heading into the big event on the back of two consecutive World Championship titles, Zareen was hailed as one of India's strongest medal contenders. However, in the fiercely competitive 50kg category, the Telangana boxer was completely outclassed by China's Wu Yu in a brutally one-sided bout. Zareen, unable to match the relentless pace of her opponent, later said that she had "not eaten for the last two days to maintain weight" and felt weak. A win away from a second consecutive Olympic medal, Lovlina too went down to a Chinese boxer. The Tokyo Games bronze winner couldn't get past familiar foe Li Qian. For Panghal, who was handed a fairly easy draw, it was deja vu as he made yet another pre-quarterfinal exit from the Olympics. The most heartbreaking loss, however, was endured by Nishant. The 23-year-old was defeated 1-4 by Mexico's Marco Verde Alvarez in the 71kg quarterfinal, despite appearing to dominate the bout. This outcome reignited the fierce debate and outrage over judging. The devastating result denied Nishant, the 2023 world championship bronze-medallist, a podium finish in his debut games as the Indian boxing contingent returned empty-handed from Paris. The sport has been dormant ever since. The boxers haven't competed in any tournament with the BFI deciding against sending a team for the Asian Championships. India joins World Boxing With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatening to leave boxing out of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if national federations continued to align themselves with the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA), India joined the breakaway World Boxing (WB). However, the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) voted against leaving the IBA to join the rival association. But BFI reaffirmed its support in WB, which also has the backing of the IOC, by successfully bidding for the hosting rights of the World Boxing Cup Finals next year. The sport's future though remains shrouded in uncertainty and it remains to be seen whether it can manage to hold its place in the Olympics. (With agency inputs)
23 December,2024 12:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe year 2024 has been monumental for Indian sports, with the nation achieving unprecedented success on the global stage. From record-breaking performances at the Paris Paralympic Games to historic wins in chess, India has showcased its rising prowess in multiple disciplines. These remarkable feats, supported by groundbreaking initiatives and a renewed focus on athlete empowerment, reflect the nation's commitment to fostering sporting excellence and inspiring future generations. India concluded its participation in the Paris Olympic Games 2024 (July 26 to August 11) with a remarkable haul of 6 medals, including 1 silver and 5 bronze. The shooting discipline was pivotal in this achievement, with athletes Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale bringing home three bronze medals. Additionally, Neeraj Chopra earned a silver medal in Javelin Throw, Aman Sehrawat claimed a bronze in Wrestling, and the Indian Hockey Team successfully defended its bronze medal. In a moment of national pride, all medal-winning athletes were invited as special guests during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15, 2024. Following this, they interacted with the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, saw India making history with its largest-ever contingent. India's athletes delivered an exceptional performance, winning 29 medals, including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze, securing 18th place in the medal tally. This historic performance marks the country's best-ever achievement in Paralympic history. India's chess prowess reached new heights at the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, where the Indian Men's and Women's Chess Teams made history by winning gold medals. The men's team, with stellar players like Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujrathi, dominated the competition, winning 10 out of 11 matches and defeating Slovenia in the final round. Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi earned individual gold medals for their exceptional performances. The Indian women's chess team, consisting of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Dshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, overcame early setbacks to defeat Azerbaijan in the final round, securing the title. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's young chess players for their historic achievement and the victorious teams were felicitated by the Prime Minster in New Delhi, celebrating this remarkable achievement in Indian chess history. In the end, D Gukesh also made history as the youngest World Chess Champion by defeating China's Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore held from November 25-December 12. At the age of 18 years, Gukesh became the youngest FIDE World Championship title winner in history. The ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women through Action) Women's Leagues have been conducted across 20 sports disciplines throughout the country, focusing on engaging women athletes from even the smallest towns and villages. With 766 competitions held so far, 83,763 women athletes have participated in the initiative, further strengthening India's commitment to empowering women in sports. The KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) program has made significant strides in identifying young sports talent across India. Two phases of the program have been completed, utilizing modern technology and best practices. Over 1.8 lakh assessments have been conducted nationwide to identify school-going children between the ages of 9 and 18, ensuring a seamless and efficient talent identification system. The RESET (Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training) Programme was launched on 29th August 2024 to empower retired athletes. The program equips retired sportspersons with the necessary knowledge and skills, making them more employable in various career sectors. A total of 30 trainees from 14 States/UTs across 18 disciplines have completed the training so far. (With ANI inputs)
23 December,2024 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGolf superstar Tiger Woods was thrilled by son Charlie's first hole-in-one, but Team Langer got the better of the Woods duo in a playoff for the PNC Championship family golf event crown on Sunday. The ace by 15-year-old Charlie Woods at the 176-yard, par-three fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando briefly lifted the duo into the solo lead in the 36-hole two-player scramble event. The youngster watched his seven-iron shot as far as he could, but it took the cheers from the crowd to let him know it had landed some six feet from the pin and rolled into the cup. A beaming Tiger Woods gave his son a hard hug, then a playful shove in celebration. "It was a perfect seven-iron, so just kind of hit it," Charlie Woods told Golf Channel as he walked toward the fourth green. CHARLIE WOODS GETS HIS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE RIGHT IN FRONT OF TIGER!📺 : Peacock and Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/hbUVshSbYT — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 22, 2024 "It was awesome! I didn't think it went in." The elder Woods called it "an unbelievable moment". "That two-hole stretch, that was his first eagle he ever made out there on three, and then his first hole-in-one," the 15-time major champion said. After grabbing a share of the overnight lead with a first-round 59, the Woods duo combined for a 57 on Sunday and a record-setting 36-hole score of 28-under. But two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, who were in the three-way tie for the lead to start the day, posted the same score. Also Read: Tiger Woods opts out of Hero World Challenge in Bahamas At the first playoff hole, Bernhard Langer curled in an eagle putt to seal the duo's second straight victory in the 20-team event. Langer has now won six PNC titles -- four with Jason and two with son Stefan. Despite the tournament's laid-back atmosphere, there were plenty of fireworks on Sunday. Paddy Harrington, son of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, also had a hole-in-one, saying his ace at the par-three eighth was the first of his life. "I've never been as excited," Padraig Harrington said. "I've never hit a shot that I've been as excited." The event was a chance for Tiger Woods, who turns 49 on December 30, to get a taste of some friendly competition for the first time since he missed the cut at the British Open at Royal Troon. Woods, whose 82 US PGA Tour titles are tied with Sam Snead for most in history, has said he has a long way to go to be ready to return to elite tournament play after undergoing a sixth back surgery in September. He also continues to deal with lower leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash, but was able to walk rather than use a cart for both rounds in Orlando, where the rules would have allowed it. "I did a few things here and there," Woods said, but added that for him the week "is all about family". "This is about bonding and it's about having a great time, and we did that," said Woods, whose daughter Sam caddied for him. (With AFP inputs)
23 December,2024 11:16 AM IST | Miami | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
