Humpy accounts for Mia

Istanbul, March 14: Top seed Koneru Humpy registered her second successive victory outwitting former world champion Maia Chiburdanidze of Georgia in the sixth round to remain at joint second position in the IS Bank Ataturk Women Grand Prix chess tournament here.
Humpy now has four wins along with two draws and the Indian has taken her tally to five points of a possible six with five rounds still remaining in the tournament, which is a part of next world championship cycle.

Final ODI series score: India 3, New Zealand 1

Auckland, March 14: India’s winning streak finally snapped today as New Zealand cruised to an eight-wicket consolation win in the final cricket one-dayer to deny the visitors a clean sweep of the ODI series. India’s awe-inspiring batting order witnessed a rare collapse today and the visitors were skittled out for a paltry 149 runs in 36.3 overs and the score could have been embarrassing but for Virender Sehwag (40) and Rohit Sharma (43 not out).
New Zealand chased down the meagre target in just 23.2 overs after Jesse Ryder (63) gave them a flying start and Martin Guptill (57 not out) stayed till the end to see the side through in what turned out to be a one-sided contest at the Eden Park.

IPL in charge of security

Mumbai, March 10: Players’ security during the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be centrally monitored by the league’s governing council and will be handled in consultation with the reputed South African security agency Nicolas Steyn. Nicolas Steyn had been incharge of security at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2007 Cricket World Cup and will also be responsible for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Announcing the consultant Tuesday, IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi also told reporters that Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam will be additional venues while Dharmasala and Nagpur were also being considered for hosting some matches. The two new venues are in addition to the existing eight - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Mohali. Modi promised the best possible security arrangements for the IPL's second edition, saying that there would be no comparison with the security provided for the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore last week when they were ambushed by terrorists.

No need for extra motivation against Nadal: Federer

INDIAN WELLS (California): Refreshed after taking a break to resolve a lingering back injury, Roger Federer is eager to resume his rivalry with Rafael Nadal at the Indian Wells ATP tournament starting on Thursday.

Federer, sidelined since losing last month's Australian Open final to the Spaniard, said he was more motivated than ever to end a losing streak of five matches against Nadal.

The Swiss world number two, a three-time champion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, is seeded to meet top-ranked Nadal in the tournament final.

"I love playing matches against him, especially those five-setters, seeing if I can hang with him physically without a problem," Federer told reporters on Wednesday. "He's the greatest challenger I've ever had."

"I am really motivated because I don't know how much better he can play. I don't know how much better I can play but I am right there and he's playing the tennis of his life."

Federer was unable to seal a record-equalling 14th grand slam singles title after losing to Nadal in a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park, but he was largely pleased with his performance.

"I thought I played a great match for four-and-a-half sets," the 27-year-old said. "I guess I let go a little bit at the end. He looked tired and I couldn't take advantage of it.

"I think I played great off the baseline, I just didn't serve great and I think that cost me the match also.

"He's a great player at the moment," Federer said of the Spanish left-hander, whose last three victories against the Swiss have come in grand slam finals.

"He has proved himself on all surfaces now and I guess it all started for him when he beat me comfortably at the (2008) French Open. He forgot how it feels losing and I had lost to him a couple of times before that."

Federer said he would continue working with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi as his part-time coach after an experiment last month with Australian Darren Cahill had been abandoned.

"I am very happy with Severin," he added. "We have been working the last one-and-a-half years together, so nothing really changes. I just continue with the great team that I have."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/?frm_TOIHome_top

I am ready to win, says Tiger Woods

MIAMI: Tiger Woods has set his sights on victory at this week's WGC-CA Championship despite making his first appearance in a strokeplay event since his astonishing playoff win at the US Open nine months ago.

The world number one shut down his 2008 season in mid-June to have reconstructive knee surgery before returning to the PGA Tour at last month's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

"I'm ready to win, yeah," Woods told reporters with a steely glint in his eye after playing a practice round with Canadian Mike Weir at the Doral Golf Resort on Wednesday.

"That's why I'm here. (It) feels good to be back here. This golf course is playing just in great shape right now. The greens are perfect and the fairways are great.

"It was fun to get back out there, get a practice round under my belt and get ready for tomorrow."

Although a little wary of how he will adjust to the rigours of strokeplay competition, Woods has a remarkable record at the WGC-CA Championship with six wins at six different venues in nine starts.

On top of that, the 33-year-old has always loved playing at Doral, posting three victories here among six top-10s in just six appearances for an aggregate 89-under-par total on the flat, palm tree-lined layout.

"Certain golf courses just fit your eye," Woods said. "This golf course, ever since I played here in '98 for the first time, it just fit my eye. Even after the re-design, it still fit my eye."

In his hotly anticipated return to the game in the Arizona desert two weeks ago, Woods was encouraged by his form despite losing to South African Tim Clark in the second round.

"Everything was better than I thought," the 14-times major winner said. "It was a big shot of confidence for me to get out there and play again and feel physically sound.

"I thought I would be a little more sore but recovery from day to day has been great. It couldn't have been more positive, except for getting beat in the second round. But from a physical standpoint, it was better than I thought."

Asked to assess his readiness for Doral, Woods replied: "Well, I don't know. I haven't played a strokeplay event yet so it's kind of hard for me to give you a number on that. Physically, I feel good.

"But getting into a strokeplay event and where you're not playing an opponent and you're playing the golf course again; I'll have a better idea when the tournament is done.

"I just need rounds under my belt and this week will be a very positive week for me. Four rounds and no cut, which is exactly what I need."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-am-ready-to-win-says-Tiger-Woods/articleshow/4253133.cms

Kallis to captain South Africa in third test

JOHANNESBURG: South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will captain the side in the third Test against Australia next week.


Kallis replaces Ashwell Prince, the official vice-captain, who was recalled to the team after captain Graeme Smith broke his finger in the second Test in Durban.

Smith suffered the injury while batting in the first innings of a match South Africa lost by 175 runs to go 2-0 down in the series with one Test left.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) said Kallis was taking over "...to allow Prince to concentrate on his new position of opening batsman."

Prince has represented his country in 47 Tests but never as an opener.

CSA also said it would consider hosting the Champions Trophy in September once it receives an official invitation from the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Executive Board.

The ICC's Chief Executive's Committee recommended to its board that South Africa be invited to host the tournament instead of Sri Lanka for weather reasons

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kallis-to-captain-South-Africa-in-third-Test/articleshow/4253260.cms

South Africa may host Champions Trophy: ICC

NEW DELHI: South Africa may replace Sri Lanka as the venue of the Champions Trophy tournament later this year, the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.

A teleconference between members of the ICC's chief executives' committee, comprising representatives of the 10 Test nations, concluded that South Africa would provide better weather conditions than Sri Lanka in September-October.

A final decision on the twice-postponed tournament, the second biggest after the World Cup, will be taken by the ICC's Executive Board in Dubai on Monday.

The committee recommended the tournament be switched to South Africa because "it was felt that it would be too great a risk to stage the tournament in Colombo at a time of year when there was a distinct possibility of rain," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

"This was especially relevant given the length of this year's Champions Trophy has been reduced to 12 days, part of our desire to make it a short, sharp event, as on that basis there would be no room for reserve days.

"South Africa was a successful and excellent host of the ICC World Twenty20 at much the same time of year two years ago and the weather pattern in the area around Johannesburg in September and October is stable and ideal for cricket.

"The meeting therefore agreed it would be prudent to look to hold the tournament in South Africa, subject to agreement over financial arrangements."

The eight-nation tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year, but was put off by a year and then taken away from the strife-torn nation due to security concerns.

The teleconference came just over a week after a deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in the Pakistani city of Lahore that killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.

Sri Lanka, the original reserve venue, was also thrown in doubt due to the seasonal wet weather in the months of September and October when the tournament is due to be held.

The previous Champions Trophy was held in India in 2006 and won by Australia.

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/South-Africa-may-host-Champions-Trophy-ICC/articleshow/4252845.cms

Sangakkara appointed Sri Lanka skipper

New Delhi: Kumara Sangakkara will lead Sri Lanka in the World T20 Championship in England later this year.


Sangakkara has been Sri Lanka's vice-captain for three years and succeeds Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down as captain at the end of the two-test series in Pakistan that was abandoned last week after terrorists attacked the team's bus in Lahore.


Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed his deputy in the provisional 25-member squad announced by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board's selection committee.


Sri Lanka do not have any international fixtures until the World Twenty20 tournament which begins on the June 5.

Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sangakkara-appointed-sri-lanka-skipper/38998-13.html

Australia clinch series against South Africa

Durban, March 10: Australia clinched the Test series against South Africa when they won the second Test by 175 runs at Kingsmead here today.South Africa were bowled out for 370 in their second innings with 37.4 overs to spare on the final day.The series win enabled Australia to bounce back after losing a home series against the same opponents earlier in the season.The victory was virtually sealed when the tourists dismissed overnight batsmen Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers inside the first hour.

India aim to pocket ODI series against Black Caps

Hamilton, March 10: An injured Sachin Tendulkar will be missed as India go into the fourth cricket one-dayer against New Zealand here tomorrow, confident of being able to wrap up the series by taking an invincible 3-0 lead.Tendulkar, who has been in superb form, has been ruled out of the match due an abdomen injury but the visitors have the batting might to still get past the Kiwis who have no option but to win the match to stay afloat in the series.The MRI scan done on India’s premier batsman has revealed internal bleeding in his stomach.“I had stiffness in the region before the third ODI, but I had stretched myself too far. But I should be ready to play in a couple of days time,” Tendulkar said.Considering the momentum the Indians have gained since the debacle in the Twenty20 series, the Blackcaps would have to produce something more than their best to stop the marauding visitors at the Seddon Park tomorrow.

World Cup dream behind Beckham's Milan stay

LONDON: David Beckham has revealed his dream of playing for England in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was the motivation behind his desire to stay with AC Milan.

After weeks of negotiations, Beckham has extended his loan with Milan from Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy until the end of the Italian season in an attempt to prove to England coach Fabio Capello that he can still perform at the highest level.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is desperate to have one last crack at winning the World Cup in next year's finals, but he had been reduced to a bit-part role for England since his move to America.

His switch to the San Siro has kept Beckham in Capello's thoughts and he made a record-equalling 108th England appearance in last month's friendly against Spain.

Beckham, 33, will return to California to see out the rest of the MLS season after finishing Milan's campaign. He is set to return to Italy for the 2009-10 season, providing him with a platform to impress Capello, and he believes staying with Milan will help his England ambitions.

"There's a few reasons for staying with Milan. One is I'm playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world and with some of the best players in the world. I'm passionate about that," Beckham said.

"Obviously the one everyone talks about is it gives me a chance to play in the 2010 World Cup. I personally have to do everything I can to be involved in that.

"Everyone knows how passionate I am about playing for my country and if this gives me a better chance of being involved in that squad that's great."

Negotiations for Beckham to stay were slowed after Milan baulked at the size of transfer fee demanded by Galaxy, thought to be around 12 million euros.

Beckham hinted that reports he paid $3 million to make up the difference between the fee Galaxy wanted and the price Milan were prepared to pay were on the mark.


Beckham paying from pocket to stay in Milan
"I've done really well in my career and played for so many great clubs. I've been able to help myself stay in Milan, if I can put it that way. That is the big thing for me," he said.

"It's never been about money for me. It's been about football and my passion for the game. Hopefully this has shown it.

"Everybody knew how much I wanted this to happen and how much I wanted to stay and play my football in Milan. Obviously the Galaxy and Milan have been great.

"I want to stay in Milan to help the club qualify for the Champions League.

"It also gives me a chance to go back to LA and finish the season. It is something I am very committed to. Then after that we will see."

Beckham insisted his move to California has not been a mistake.

"People have always asked me if I've regretted my decision. Throughout my career I've never wanted regrets and I've always said no," he said.

"At the time I felt it was the right thing to do. I've had two great years with the Galaxy. We might not have been successful on the field but statistics show the game has grown.

"If we continue to have the success we've had with attendances and the interest in the game, that will be positive and a sign that the game is moving forward."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World-Cup-dream-behind-Beckhams-stay/articleshow/4246946.cms

Paes returns to top five in ATP rankings

NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza's WTA rankings improved marginally this week and the Indian ace was 87th in singles and 71st in doubles in the latest list issued on Monday.

The numero uno Indian woman player, who will play at Indiana Wells this week, has 726 points in singles and 1382 points in doubles.

In the ATP rankings, India's new tennis poster boy Somdev Devavrman had his ranking unchanged at 150 with 546 points

In doubles, Leander Paes (6940) returned to the top-five after gaining a place but his compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi (6325) slipped a rung to eighth.

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Paes-returns-to-top-five-in-ATP-rankings/articleshow/4246773.cms

Sania's athleticism impresses Agassi's trainer

BANGALORE: Gil Reyes, the much-acclaimed trainer of Andre Agassi, who put Indian ace Sania Mirza through the paces at his Las Vegas base, gave the 22 -year-old's physical condition a thumbs-up.

Reyes said he was impressed with the Hyderabadi's physical prowess. "I've enjoyed working with Sania. I'm truly impressed with her athleticism. She has natural athletic ability," he said.

"Professional tennis has become quite physical and adding strength and power - specially speed, movement and court coverage - to a natural athlete like Sania could improve her tennis."

Sania, ranked 87 in the world, has been planning the trip to Las Vegas for quite sometime now.

She managed to take a week off her tight schedule between tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells, California for this weeklong stint.

"Even before I met him I knew he was one of the best in his profession," Sania said.

"After my stint with him, I realized that apart from being the best, he's also the most wonderful human being."

Sania is returning to professional tennis after spending most of the 2008 season on the sidelines due to a wrist injury because of which she hasn't been able to push herself as much as she'd like to.

However, with a mixed doubles Grand Slam title in Melbourne and an appearance in the singles final in Pattaya, Sania has shown form.

But there's plenty of work ahead. This week in Indian Wells, starting March 11, she defends 65 points from her fourth-round showing last year.

"It's important to respect Sania's recent wrist injury and not force the issue. However, she has been training her lower body with great focus and intensity," Reyes said.

Reyes hopes to work with Sania again in the future.

"I hope that her schedule will include many days at my training centre. I believe that by adding greater physical capabilities to her abundant tennis talent, Sania will enjoy a successful career as a professional athlete," he said.

When Sania met Steffi Graf

Las Vegas, for Sania Mirza, was a week of heavy work and a chance meeting. The Indian star ran into her childhood idol, the legendary German Steffi Graf, at Gil Reyes' training centre and was at a loss for words.

"I'd just finished practice and was walking back to the car with my father, we were going back to the hotel. That's when I spotted Steffi coming my way. She was just a few yards away. She was coming in for a hit herself," an excited Sania said.

"I've always been a great admirer of Steffi," said Sania, who like her idol enjoys dominating matches with her forehand. "I felt like a fan when I met her. This was my first meeting with her. She was so nice," Sania said of Graf.

"She introduced herself and enquired about my practice session. I just about managed to mumble something."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sanias-athleticism-impresses-Agassis-trainer/articleshow/4245915.cms

Chanderpaul, Nash rattle England with tons

Port of Spain: The fifth and final Test match between the West Indies and England looked set a for a draw as the Windies reached 519-7 at tea on the fourth day here on Monday.


The hosts, in reply to England's 546-6 declared in the first innings, were trailing by 27 runs at tea break with Shivnarain Chanderpaul unbeaten on 133.


West Indies, resuming from overnight score of 349-4 reached 433 without losing any more wicket at lunch. As English bowlers were toiling to get any breakthrough, BP Nash fell in the middle session after a hundred. He was caught by Collingwood off Broad for 109 that included 17 fours in the 257-ball knock.


The Windies lost two more wickets in the session in Hinds and Ramdin. Hinds was stumped for 23 off Swann while Andersen trapped Ramdin leg before for 15.


However, England's bid for a series-levelling win now look difficult with only four sessions of game left.

Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/chanderpaul-nash-rattle-england-with-tons/38917-13.html

Set back for SA as Kallis, de Villiers perish

Durban (South Africa): Aussie seamers Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle struck early blows to reduce South Africa to 280 for four on the fifth and final day of the second Test here on Tuesday.

Chasing 546 for a series squaring victory, the Proteas progressed to 267 before Johnson had Jaques Kallis caught by his skipper Ricky Ponting for 93.


With the tourists expected to wage an all-out assault on the South African batsmen at the start of the final day, the other overnight South African batsman AB de Villiers (84) was waging a grim battle with jean-Paul Duminy (5).


The South Africans are trying to prevent Australia from taking a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.


Kallis, who was dropped off the first ball he faced, made 84 not out and De Villiers 68 not out as South Africa reached 244 for two at the close of play.


sOURCE:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/aussies-set-to-mount-early-assault-on-proteas/38946-13.html

No dates yet but two new venues confirmed

Mumbai: IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday did not give out the dates for the second edition saying they were still being "fine tuned", but confirmed Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam as the two new venues of the tournament.


Addressing a press conference here, Modi said: "The schedule is being fine tuned. You have to understand that one game moved has a domino effect."


He added that there was also the likelihood of adding Dharamshala and Nagpur as other venues.


The opening and closing ceremonies, he said, will be held at the D Y Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai, but the Mumbai Indians are expected to play all their seven home games at the Cricket Club of India.


With lots of questions raised about security, Modi said the IPL had decided in favour of a central security system.


Last year, the teams were responsible for their own players' security, he said adding that the security budget "has gone up by 10 times since last year".


"We are in touch with the police commissioners of the states as well for security.


"We have approached the state government for dates when matches should not be held. The IPL will be coming out with a revised schedules with plugging new dates. Ninety per cent of schedules have been cleared. One state has asked for one date to be changed. We are waiting for five states to get back to us with their confirmation," Modi said.


He added that the IPL had already got clearances from all states "in principle" and that the final schedule will be announced "when we get written confirmations".


Modi also confirmed that Chennai Super Kings will not be playing their seven home matches at Chennai and an alternate venue was being worked out.


Asked about whether inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals will get to play in Jaipur, he said: "Yes, they will play there, Rajasthan was the first state to confirm in writing. The Rajasthan government has approved the schedule in writing."


The IPL commissioner rubbished reports of security concerns having been raised by foreign players and said, "No foreign players have contacted IPL about their apprehensions on security."


He added that IPL's security experts had been instructed to be in touch with the board of other countries and "brief them of our security steps".


During the course of the press conference, Modi also unveiled the new DLF IPL logo and shared details of the proposed 30-minute opening ceremony.


Asked about political advertising in the IPL, Modi said: "IPL will not take any political advertising in any form."

SOURCE:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/no-dates-yet-but-two-new-venues-confirmed/38952-13.html

Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam to host IPL matches too

MUMBAI: The second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will also see matches in Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam in addition to the eight cities where they were held last year, IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said Tuesday.

Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is also being considered as a new venue, Modi told a press conference here.

Besides these three cities, the IPL governing body is evaluating other possible venues such as Nagpur, he added.

Last year, matches in the first edition of IPL were held in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

Modi reiterated that the IPL would start next month though fears had been expressed about availability of security personnel since the general elections would be held in April-May.

But the IPL chief declined to provide the new dates for the matches. "We are still working on the revised schedule. It is a cumbersome process," he said.

Modi added that the opening and the closing ceremonies of the Twenty20 league will be held at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Soruce:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4249259.cms

IPL security budget has gone up 10 times: Modi

NEW DELHI: The opening ceremony of the second season of IPL will be held at the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai said IPL commissioner Lalit Modi while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Fire dancers will perform in opening ceremony which will be 30 minutes long, the IPL chief said.

Modi, while unveiling the new logo for IPL second edition said, Ahemdabad and Vishakhapatnam are the two new cities that will host the IPL matches, while confirmation is still awaited from Dharamshala and Nagpur.

Modi said IPL has the highest concentration of world class players.

Modi added that despite recession, IPL has contracted revenue of Rs 10,790 cr this year and $15 million spent on second IPL auction.

Modi informed that 7 Mumbai Indian matches will be played at Cricket Club of India.

"Players security last year was the responsibilty of the team. This time security will be managed centrally", Modi said adding that IPL is working closely with the state governments on the security aspect and security budget has gone up 10 times from the last season, which will take foolproof measures.

"IPL dates are still being fine-tuned as we are waiting response of the five states", Modi added.

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IPL-security-budget-has-gone-up-10-times-Modi/articleshow/4249141.cms

Tendulkar ruled out of Hamilton ODI

HAMILTON: In a setback to the Indian team, in-form Sachin Tendulkar was on Tuesday ruled out of the fourth One-dayer against New Zealand due to an abdomen injury but the premier batsman has promised to play the fifth and final match.

Tendulkar had suffered a painful blow from Blackcaps fast bowler Iain O'Brien during the second ODI at Wellington.

Despite stiffness in the abdomen region, he played the third game and aggravated the injury while scoring a magnificent century, his 43rd in limited overs cricket.

An MRI done on Monday at a hospital in Christchurch revealed that there had been traces of internal bleeding, ruling him out of Wednesday's match in Hamilton.

"The report has indicated there has been internal bleeding in the stomach. But I should be ready to play in the next couple of days," said Tendulkar.

"It is painful that I have to miss a game when there has been good momentum. I have been hitting the ball well."

The master batsman will sorely miss on-field action as he has been in prime from, strumming up scores of 20, 61 and 163 retired hurt for an aggregate of 244 runs.

In 20 years of international cricket, this is possibly the first instance that the Mumbaikar has suffered internal bleeding to a blow with a cricket ball.

Tendulkar's chest had been peppered with bouncers in the Caribbean. But despite suffering clots on the rib-cage, he had braved to take on Mervyn Dillon's artillery in the 2002 series against the West Indies.

His ankle, elbow, back, foot and little finger have troubled him one time or the other during his illustrious career.

But this is the only instance when internal bleeding has stopped him from playing, frustratingly when he has been producing delectable symphonies at the crease.

"I would not know if this has been the worst. But it has caused me discomfort. The abs are really stiff," he said.

Only a braveheart, or one so committed as he is, could have played an innings of such calibre and intensity with the enormity of injury he was carrying.

"It got very difficult as the innings wore on. At one stage, I felt a twitch. It would have been great to go on and complete a double hundred, which was on my mind, but the body could not take it any more," said Tendulkar.

It is learnt that the team wanted him to go continue and score a double hundred. In fact, he had been offered a runner as well. But Tendulkar had put team before self, deeming it would benefit the side if he retired.

The team management felt that it is better he rests as the Test matches where around the corner.

Even if he misses the fifth ODI at Auckland, the master batsman will be ready and kicking for the first Test at Hamilton on March 18.

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tendulkar-ruled-out-of-Hamilton-ODI/articleshow/4248550.cms

Jyoti Randhawa wins Thailand Open

NEW DELHI: Scuba diving in Phi-Phi island was the ideal preparation for a composed Jyoti Randhawa as he crowned the season’s fine performances with a two-stroke triumph at the $500,000 Thailand Open on Sunday.

While SSP Chowrasia’s challenge fell apart as his swing got awry on the final day, and Wales’ Rhys Davies threatened, the resurgent Indian kept his nerves in the rain to capture his eight Asian Tour title. A flawless five-under 65 and a tournament total of 17-under 263 at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club earned him a cheque of $79,250 (approx Rs 41 lakh).

"I knew when I made the birdie on the 15th that I would win but I had to keep the emotions in check," an elated Randhawa told TOI from Phuket. "Experience teaches that you have to finish the job."

Last season, he was burdened by a lack of motivation for not playing up to expectations but now, that distinct swagger and the trademark late surges are back. While the adventurer has rediscovered the spirit - "I need to chill out a bit" - he has perhaps realised that the trick is not to tweak.

"Last year, I was struggling with swing changes. I tried to alter a lot of things that I didn’t need to. I am more of a body player and I tried to use my hands too much that created inconsistency. I want to play golf my way and that’s the best way of doing it," the 36-year-old elaborated.

A tied second finish at the Malaysian Masters and a tied 7th at the Indonesia Open ushered good tidings. "My form has been pretty good and I had this feeling that I would win but then, on the second day, I was tied thirty-something," he recounted.

But Randhawa charged into contention with a remarkable 62 on the penultimate day and pulled one stroke clear of the other overnight leaders, Chowrasia and Davies, after shooting three birdies in the opening five holes of the final round on Sunday. He sustained his intensity on the back nine with further birdies on the 12th and 15th.

"I thought I could shoot some low numbers and I finally did," added the 2002 Asian No. 1. After the Thai high, Randhawa returns to India in search of more glory on home soil at the SAIL Open starting on March 18 and then after a three-week break, it will be back to the European Tour.

Goals for the season? I'll take it as it comes, he reiterated his old-and-gold mantra. And right now, kayaking is on top of the agenda.

Excellent week for Indians:

The tournament proved to be eventful for Indians. Overnight joint leader SSP Chowrasia, who began the day’s proceedings with an eagle only to fade away with a one-under final-day score, finished tied fourth. But young guns Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai were tied 10th at 10-under while Anirban Lahiri was a stroke behind, tied 19th with a final day six-under 64.

It was a little too late for Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra, who carded in a seven-under 63, to finish tied sixth while it was too early in the case of opening round leader Digvijay Singh, whose subsequent overpar rounds sunk him to the bottom of the barrel as he finished with a total of eight-over.

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jyoti-Randhawa-wins-Thailand-Open/articleshow/4241299.cms