Rafiq aims for home title after recent heartaches
PETALING JAYA: Asian bowling ace Rafiq Ismail (pic) is determined to strike it right at home in the ongoing Malaysian Open after falling short in three consecutive finals over seven months.
Rafiq has already endured his share of heartbreak, starting with a runner-up finish at the Malaysian Closed in October. That was followed by a defeat to China's Du Chaojian at the IBF World Cup in Hong Kong in January.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
LIV continues to make inroads
THINGS are looking up for LIV Golf and there's a lot in store to unfold in the future. That's according to Phil Mickelson, a senior statesman of the circuit, who has been vocal with his praise of LIV Golf since joining in 2022, celebrating its direction and what he views as forward thinking. Mickelson applauded the addition of promising young stars as LIV Golf begins to bolster its case for having the world's best golfers, agencies reported. 'I think that we're well on our way and not that far away from making that happen, and you're seeing it with these good young players that are coming out,' the six-time major champion said. 'If you look at the good young players from different parts of the world, not necessarily the United States, you've got Jose Ballester and Luis Masaveu (both from Spain) and Tom McKibbin (from Northern Ireland), and these young guys from other parts of the world are really interested in wanting to come to LIV and they get what it's about. 'I think over time that's just going to continue to grow just like it has exponentially in the last three years, and I think we're not that far away from having it be what we all want it to be, which is all the best players in the world playing against each other.' Ballester, the US Amateur champion, signed a multi-year contract with LIV Golf this week. Known as 'Josele,' Ballester was due to make his professional debut this week at the Virginia event and be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Ballester, 21, will join Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Garcia on Fireballs. Masaveu, 22, will remain in the Fireballs lineup this week for the team while Davvid Puig, who wo the Malaysian Open last year, deals with a back injury. McKibbin, 22, signed with LIV in January and joined Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt as part of the Legion XIII team. Garcia, speaking about Ballester, said: 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father (Victor) as his coach throughout his golf career. 'Josele is going to be a great addition not only to the Fireballs but also to the LIV League and I can't wait to be with him by his side as he makes his professional debut.' Ballester, 21, currently is No. 6 in the Official World Amateur Golf Ranking with victories at the 2020 Spanish Amateur, 2023 European Amateur and the 2024 US Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club. He recently completed his senior season at Arizona State. 'First and foremost, I want to thank my family, coaches, friends, and Arizona State University for supporting me and believing in me to make it to this step of my career,' Ballester said in a statement provided by LIV. 'I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats.' Meanwhile, on the US PGA Tour, Sahith Theegala, who has missed tournaments this year because of a neck injury, confirmed on social media that he has withdrawn from this week's RBC Canadian Open and will need to rest 'for a little while'. 'Doctors have advised me to put the clubs away for a little while, as I get treatment and some rest for an injury I've been battling the last few weeks, so this one stings,' Theegala wrote on his Instagram account without specifying the injury. An ambassador representing title sponsor RBC, Theegala wrote that he is very disappointed and with 'a heavy heart' unable to one of his favourite events of the year. The RBC Canadian Open teed off Thursday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario. 'The place looks beautiful, and I've heard so many great things about the golf course and the facility overall,' he wrote.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari gets invite to 'elite party'
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's S. Sivasangari has qualified for her first PSA Squash Tour Finals — in Toronto, Canada from June 23-27. The elite event will feature the world's top eight men's and top eight women's players. The other women's players who will feature in the Tour Finals are world No. 1 Nouran Gohar, world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini, world No. 3 Hania El Hammamy (all from Egypt), world No. 4 Olivia Weaver (United States), world No. 5 Amina Orfi (Egypt), world No. 6 Tinne Gilis (Belgium) and world No. 7 Satomi Watanabe (Japan). Asian champion Sivasangari, who won the Cincinnati Open in February, will arrive in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow from Birmingham to discuss with the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia whether to play in the Asian Championships in Kuching (June 17-21) or PSA Tour Finals (June 23-27). It is impossible for Sivasangari to play in both the Asian meet and the PSA Tour Finals due to a clash of dates.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Rashid believes Tze Yong can fight his way back despite tough road to recovery
KUALA LUMPUR: Former singles legend Datuk Rashid Sidek hopes men singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong will make a strong comeback from his latest injury setback although it looks tough on paper. Tze Yong has to go for another round of surgery to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained at the Malaysian Masters last month and that means he will be out of the competition scene for a few months. Rashid sympathies with Tze Yong, who is currently lying at 199th spot in the world rankings. 'Tze Yong is a very determined player and I hope he will come out of this difficult situation stronger,' said Rashid. 'It will be hard for sure. Careers of former players like women singles players Julia Wong and Norshaliza Baharom were cut short because of recurring injuries. Even mixed doubles shuttler Goh Liu Ying struggled during her heydays. 'It will never be the same after a surgery. The players will have to deal with fear of aggravating the injury when they push themselves during training after making a comeback. 'The leg will be swollen when they go the extra mile in training. It's also hard for coaches to decide how much is enough when an injured player returns for training. 'I'm sorry that Tze Yong has to go through this but knowing him, I'm sure, he will go through this bravely and stay positive. With Tze Yong is out in the cold again, Malaysia's hopefuls are Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and professional Lee Zii Jia. 'It's a tough season for Malaysia's singles department but I hope coach Kenneth (Jonassen) will be able to manage it,' he said. Tze Yong, who was forced to retire from a match against Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long due to pain in his knee at the home meet, is choosing to be optimistic. 'It's tough to accept, especially after all the hard work leading up to this point, but I know this is just another challenge to overcome,' said the 25-year-old Tze Yong, who just recently returned to competition after taking slightly over a year to recover from his previous injury. He underwent surgery for his back twice last year after injuring it during the Malaysian Open in January. 'I'm staying positive, and I'm fully focused on coming back stronger.' The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed that Tze Yong had to undergo knee surgery after scans revealed a torn ACL, requiring surgical intervention following a thorough medical examination. 'This is a difficult moment for Tze Yong, but he is mentally strong and focused on the recovery process,' said Kenneth Jonassen, BAM's director of singles. 'Our medical and coaching teams are working closely with him to ensure he gets the best care possible. We will support him every step of the way, both on and off court.'
