SPORTS
Tearful DeChambeau Wins Consecutive LIV Golf Titles
Bryson DeChambeau broke down in tears after he won back-to-back LIV Golf titles with a play-off victory at the inaugural South African event.
DeChambeau and Spain’s Jon Rahm had both finished on 26 under par over 72 holes at Steyn City in Johannesburg.
The American, 32, birdied the first extra hole in the play-off to edge out Rahm which clinched consecutive titles following his victory in Singapore last weekend, also via a play-off.
“I wish I could tell you why I am so emotional,” DeChambeau said afterwards.
“A lot had happened in my life in the last week, I am so grateful for my team and everybody supporting me.
“Golf is a fickle game, you work so hard at it your whole life and then you realise golf is just golf.”
Last weekend, Canada’s Richard T Lee missed a short putt to hand two-time major winner DeChambeau victory.
But on this occasion a superb second shot in the play-off from DeChambeau at the par-five 18th set up the win.
After a tee shot landed in grass muddied by torrential rain, DeChambeau slammed the ball into the heart of the green with a wood.
Rahm failed to take advantage of his tee shot on to the fairway as his second found a greenside bunker.
After he reached the green in three, Rahm watched his birdie putt slide right, which left DeChambeau needing two putts for victory and a £3m ($4m) first prize.
His eagle putt stopped just short before he tapped in for a triumph that triggered an emotional reaction.
After tournaments this season in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa, the sixth LIV Golf event will be in Mexico from 16 April.
Guinea will face Nigeria’s Flamingos in the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Guineans defeated Niger Republic 3-0 in the second leg of their qualifying fixture in Conakry on Saturday.
They won the contest 8-2 on aggregate, following their 5-2 triumph in the first leg last week.
The winner of the Flamingos versus Guinea clash will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos set up camp in Abuja for the clash with their fellow West Africans last week.
Newly appointed head coach, Akeem Busari invited 36 players to camp for the team’s preparation.
The Nigerian National League (NNL) side, Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, has trimmed its squad and retained a few quality players to push for promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Lobi Stars Chairman Simon Ikya made the disclosure in a statement signed by Austin Tyowua, Principal Media Officer to the club, and made it available to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi.
Ikya said that the club took the decision after a meeting with all the players and technical staff at McCarthy Stadium, Makurdi.
The chairman explained that the decision was rooted in duty rather than dislike.
He stated that the players on the exit list would be granted clearance at the end of April once their entitlements were settled.
Ikya added that for those retained, there would be no room for laxity.
The chairman urged them to tighten their belts, keep the focus, and drive the Federation Cup campaign all the way to its final stop.
Meanwhile, the list of retained players was read out by the head coach, John Onuh.
The Kogi State Government has pledged to prioritise the development of basketball in the state to boost the sport’s profile and promote youth engagement.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, made the pledge at the inauguration of the Kogi State Basketball Association on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Anyebe assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to the development of basketball under the administration of Gov.
Ahmed Ododo.Represented by the Director of Sports in the state, James Igah, the commissioner said the administration would focus on nurturing basketball, particularly in rural areas, to enhance youth development.
He added that the government would collaborate with the association to promote sports development across the state.
Anyebe urged the newly inaugurated executives of the association to come up with innovative ideas to advance the sport.
Responding, the Chairman of the Kogi State Basketball Association, Mustapha Abdullahi, reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of basketball in the state.
Abdullahi, who is also the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, commended the state government for its efforts in promoting sports development.
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