Owen Wilson's charm helps land ‘Stick' on the green
alike – makes it highly relatable for laughs. Think back to the Chevy Chase-Bill Murray '80s classic Caddyshack, or Tin Cup and Happy Gilmore in the '90s.
Since then, golf stories have been absent from our screens. But as the split between the Saudi-backed LIV tour and the US PGA only serves to highlight greed and extreme wealth at the elite level, what better way to rehabilitate the sport's green-washed integrity than through a streaming comedy treatment?
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7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie boxing star Sam Goodman beaten in WBA featherweight title fight as judges' scorecards questioned
Judges' scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman's audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller. The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt. All three judges favoured Ball's power over Goodman's ring craft — scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 — in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn't reflect the even nature of the fight. One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball. Goodman was already shaking his head upon hearing the 117-111 and 118-110 scores. Prominent Australian boxing commentator Ben Damon said: 'Goodman was brilliant in his first world title fight and the 118-110 and 117-111 scorecards are despicable.' Goodman's promoter George Rose simply said: 'Bulls***!!!' 'I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren't going to get any favours,' the No Limit Boxing boss added later. 'I didn't agree with those scorecards at all — Sammy deserved far better. 'He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he's truly world class. 'Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance. 'He made Australia proud and showed he's ready for more big nights like this.' Goodman's effort wasn't missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards. 'I thought Sam Goodman did fantastic in his fight with Nick Ball,' Alalshikh wrote. 'He showed a lot of skill and the rounds were close. I would love to see more of him on future Riyadh Season and Ring Magazine cards.' Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight headline act in Riyadh. Goodman, 26, has moved up from super bantamweight — a difference of about three kilograms — chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot. After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year. A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday. A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball. Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
'Terrible' judging as Aussie's Riyadh title hunt undone
Judges' scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman's audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller. The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt. All three judges favoured Ball's power over Goodman's ring craft - scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 - in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn't reflect the even nature of the fight. One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball. "I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren't going to get any favours," Goodman's promoter George Rose, of No Limit Boxing, said. "I didn't agree with those scorecards at all - Sammy deserved far better. "He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he's truly world class. "Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance. "He made Australia proud and showed he's ready for more big nights like this." Goodman's effort wasn't missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards. Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight headline act in Riyadh. The 26-year-old Australian has moved up from super bantamweight - a difference of about three kilograms - chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot. After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year. A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday. A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball. Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next. Judges' scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman's audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller. The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt. All three judges favoured Ball's power over Goodman's ring craft - scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 - in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn't reflect the even nature of the fight. One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball. "I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren't going to get any favours," Goodman's promoter George Rose, of No Limit Boxing, said. "I didn't agree with those scorecards at all - Sammy deserved far better. "He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he's truly world class. "Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance. "He made Australia proud and showed he's ready for more big nights like this." Goodman's effort wasn't missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards. Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight headline act in Riyadh. The 26-year-old Australian has moved up from super bantamweight - a difference of about three kilograms - chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot. After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year. A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday. A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball. Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next. Judges' scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman's audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller. The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt. All three judges favoured Ball's power over Goodman's ring craft - scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 - in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn't reflect the even nature of the fight. One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball. "I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren't going to get any favours," Goodman's promoter George Rose, of No Limit Boxing, said. "I didn't agree with those scorecards at all - Sammy deserved far better. "He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he's truly world class. "Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance. "He made Australia proud and showed he's ready for more big nights like this." Goodman's effort wasn't missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards. Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight headline act in Riyadh. The 26-year-old Australian has moved up from super bantamweight - a difference of about three kilograms - chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot. After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year. A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday. A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball. Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next. Judges' scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman's audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller. The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt. All three judges favoured Ball's power over Goodman's ring craft - scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 - in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn't reflect the even nature of the fight. One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball. "I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren't going to get any favours," Goodman's promoter George Rose, of No Limit Boxing, said. "I didn't agree with those scorecards at all - Sammy deserved far better. "He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he's truly world class. "Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance. "He made Australia proud and showed he's ready for more big nights like this." Goodman's effort wasn't missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards. Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight headline act in Riyadh. The 26-year-old Australian has moved up from super bantamweight - a difference of about three kilograms - chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot. After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year. A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday. A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball. Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
After PNG, Australia's soft power game with China extends to Solomons
Somewhere in a remote mountain village, or perhaps on the dusty streets of Honiara, a youngster is kicking a football and dreaming big – and could soon be caught up in the Pacific's great geopolitical battle of our time. Australia's regional rivalry with China was a key driver of the federal government's $600 million decade-long commitment to Papua New Guinea's NRL team. That same contest is at play in neighbouring Solomon Islands, an impoverished nation where the World Game reigns supreme, and where a new fully professional soccer club is taking shape. Solomon Kings FC, a joint venture between the Solomon Islands Football Federation and Brisbane club Wynnum Wolves, is a near-certainty to be an inaugural member of the FIFA-backed Oceania Professional League. The club's moniker is a nod to King Solomon, the biblical figure after whom the nation was named. 'Informally, we have been given the guarantee that we will be in,' SIFF president Donald Marahare told this masthead. 'It's just the formalities – we have to make sure that we take all the boxes and there should be certainty in terms of getting us participating Pro League.' Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has thrown his weight behind the club, and discussions have been held with the Australian High Commission in Honiara about Australian government support. While an interview request with Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton was denied, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the Commonwealth actively engaged with Pacific nations through sport. 'The Australian government's partnership with Football Australia provides increased opportunities for Pacific men's and women's national teams to train and compete with Australian teams, in Australia and across our region,' she said. 'Australia is Solomon Islands' largest development partner.' But on the ground in Solomon Islands, China's influence still looms large. The new national stadium, which the Solomon Kings will call home, was funded by the Chinese government to host the 2023 Pacific Games. In response to China's growing influence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a $190 million security deal with Solomon Islands last year. That came two years after a similar deal was reached between China and Solomon Islands, which caused alarm in Australian defence circles. 'In terms of their influence, they [China] have entered or intruded into every aspect here in the Solomons,' Marahare said. 'At one stage, probably two years ago, they were prepared to provide support the football federation, in terms of equipment and staff. 'They insisted on us signing a paper to promote the One China policy, to actually sign a public document, which we had reservations to do.' But that might not always be the case. 'The Solomon Kings FC will definitely need financial, budgetary support and we will not hesitate to call on or to actually approach the Chinese government if there's a need,' Marahare said. 'Certainly this will not go down well with the Australian government, but this is something that we will need to talk about or discuss in the near future.' One of the club's driving forces, Wolves chairman and former North Queensland Cowboys chief executive Rabieh Krayem, said the Kings' potential for Australian sports-led, soft-power diplomacy could rival the NRL team in PNG. Loading 'From the Australian government perspective, it's a no-brainer, to be quite honest,' he said. 'I mean, you saw the prime minister in China talking to Kevin Muscat – well, I've got to tell you, football in the Solomon Islands will do more for diplomacy than anything else. 'In PNG, rugby league's the No.1 sport, but they also have football. In the Solomons, it's football No.1, 2 and 3 – the best way I can describe it is it's like being in Brazil.' Though based in Honiara, Solomon Kings will have a secondary training base at the Wolves' Carmichael Park in bayside Brisbane. Initially, OPL rounds will be held in one location – similar to the NRL's Magic Round – with the hope of eventually evolving to a home-and-away competition. And with the Queensland government teasing an upgrade to Perry Park, Krayem said the Bowen Hills venue could serve as the Kings' second home ground. 'You're bringing eight teams from eight different locations into Brisbane to play here for 10 days,' he said. 'From an economic perspective, it's a massive economic boost for Queensland.' Krayem's journey with Solomon Kings started about two years ago, when he met with Oceania Football Confederation president Lambert Maltock. Having failed to get the Brisbane United joint venture for the second-tier Australian Championship over the line, Krayem considered a solo Wolves entry to the new OPL, which would allow a maximum of one Australian side to join. 'At that point of time, airfares and accommodation were to be funded by FIFA, and to the most consistent team over a four-year period qualifies for the [FIFA Club World Cup],' he said. Oceania representative Auckland City took home more than $AU7 million for competing at this year's tournament. 'That's huge. I said, why wouldn't we do that?' Krayem said. But when it became clear Australian clubs would have to fund their own airfares and be denied entry to the lucrative Club World Cup, due to Australia's membership of the Asian Football Confederation, Krayem took a different approach and teamed up with the SIFF. He said it was an obvious partnership for a club with a connection to the Solomon Islands that started a quarter-century ago, when the club took a team over to play exhibition matches. Several Solomon Islander internationals have played in Wynnum's black and white kit – colours it shares with German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, with which it has established formal links, and the new Solomon Kings FC. Loading Krayem said 65 per cent of Solomon Islanders in Australia lived in south-east Queensland, which had the only direct route by air to their homeland. 'There's already that sort of connection,' he added. 'A lot of Australian businesses operate out of Brisbane straight into Honiara and I think they want to grow their tourism.' The Kings have lined up a chief executive with English Premier League experience, and have already agreed terms with a high-profile head coach. But as important as success on the field would be for the club financially, it was the transformational effect on the community that excited the Kings' backers. 'As soon as it's dark, kids get out when no one's on the road and they're kicking a ball. I think the impact that we could have, what Australia could do for them, through football is huge,' Krayem said. The International Monetary Fund estimates the Solomon Islands' per capita GDP is just $US2380 (Australia's, by comparison, is $US65,550). For this Pacific island nation, the potential benefits of this new venture could be invaluable. 'It is an opportunity for the kids and the youth to have something to look forward to,' Marahare said. 'One thing for certain is that you go anywhere in the villages, all the villages in the provinces, it's very difficult to see clinics and hospitals, but you will be able to see soccer pitches, soccer fields everywhere. 'And this is a testament of how people, both in the urban and in the rural areas, love football.' And with Brisbane set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, engagement with Pacific nations through sport would only get more important. Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris said while he was unaware of the Solomon Kings until informed by this masthead, the diplomatic potential of sport to solidify links with the Pacific was central to Games planning. 'They really feel that these are their Games as well, and there is definitely a geopolitical positive to that,' he said. 'In other words, Oceania – a vast amount of territory, small population, small islands, strategically important to Australia – is not lost on us, nor the Prime Minister, nor DFAT.'
