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Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Schauffele starting with blank canvas for Open defence
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Xander Schauffele is super-excited at the prospect of trying to defend his British Open title at Royal Portrush this week but says he will have to come up with a different plan to the one that took him to victory 12 months ago. "I think a blank canvas is a great place to start. You can paint many different pictures to win a tournament. You've just got to do the right one," the American told reporters on the County Antrim coast on Tuesday after practice. The 31-year-old produced a blemish-free final-round of 65 at Royal Troon last year to win his second major title to go along with his gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics. He was the third American in four years to win golf's oldest major but while that experience will hold him in good stead for the days ahead, he said Portrush's Dunluce Links will throw up a completely new test of his renowned links golf skills. "It's an interesting thing just because my thoughts of playing really well were at Royal Troon," he said. "Coming here, I feel like I'm trying to re-learn this golf course, get comfortable with certain sight lines, some blind tee shots. If I can get myself in the mix, that's when I think I would have an advantage. That's where my biggest edge would be. "I can lean on experience at other points in time, but I think the most fun and the biggest advantage I would have is coming down the stretch if I can get close to that lead." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years With the perils of a links course's sloping greens, cavernous bunkers, knee-deep rough and the wild weather associated with Britain's coast, it is hardly surprising that defending the title is treacherous. The last player to do so was Ireland's Padraig Harrington in 2008 and Schauffele knows the luck of the draw and getting lucky with the weather could be vital this week. "This week is a pretty good example of having to deal with a wave. There's typically a good wave and a bad wave in an Open Championship," he said. "You just keep your fingers crossed that you're in the good wave and try and play well. "If you're not, fight for your life and make the cut and then try and do something on the weekend." For a player who grew up in San Diego, it might be surprising how he has embraced the challenge of links golf. But he said 16-hour trips in the car with his dad as a youngster helped him learn to be creative. "We drove up to Bandon Dunes from San Diego. It took about 16 hours. I was 13 years old," he said. "We played three or four days in a row. I think it was just Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes at the time. We got the real weather. My rain gear stopped working. It was that much wind and rain. "I had a blast. As much as it was nice to look forward to a hot shower at the end of the day, I had so much fun for some reason trying to figure out how to play golf in that weather." With wind and rain expected to batter Portrush at times over the next five days, he will draw on those experiences again. REUTERS

Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
What's the point of it all? says Scheffler, ahead of Open quest
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - One would imagine three-time major champion Scottie Scheffler would be desperate to continue American domination of the British Open and lift the Claret Jug for the first time this week at Royal Portrush. The 29-year-old is the bookmakers' favourite after a stunningly consistent season including winning the PGA Championship and during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday he spoke of his growing love for links golf. But when asked how long he celebrates his victories, an introspective Scheffler veered off into questioning what was even the point of being the best golfer in the world. "It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes," Olympic champion Scheffler said. "It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. "To win the Byron Nelson Championship at home, I literally worked my entire life to become good at golf to have an opportunity to win that tournament. You win it, you celebrate, hug my family, my sister's there, it's an amazing moment. Then it's like, okay, what we eating for dinner? Life goes on." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Scheffler has been world number one for 112 consecutive weeks and has earned more than $87 million in prize money on the PGA Tour and says he loves living out his dreams. But he admits he has a daily wrestle for what it all means. "Is it great to be able to win tournaments and to accomplish the things I have in the game of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes just to think about," Scheffler said. "That kind of sense of accomplishment is a pretty cool feeling. But at the end of the day, I'm not out here to inspire the next generation of golfers. I'm not out here to inspire someone to be the best player in the world because what's the point? This is not a fulfilling life. "It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart. "There's a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil them in life, you get to number one in the world, and they're like what's the point? I really do believe that because what is the point? "It's like showing up at the Masters every year; it's like why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win The Open Championship so badly? "I don't know because, if I win, it's going to be awesome for two minutes. I'm kind of sicko; I love putting in the work. I love the practice, living out my dreams. But at the end of the day, sometimes I just don't understand the point." Scheffler has a 14-month-old son Bennett with his wife Meredith and said they remain more important than any golf accolades. "I'm blessed to be able to play golf, but if my golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that's going to be the last day that I play out here for a living," he added. "This is not the be-all and end-all. This is not the most important thing in my life. That's why I wrestle with, why is this so important to me? I'd much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer." REUTERS

Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
France's PM wants to scrap two public holidays to help fix public finances
PARIS - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou proposed scrapping two public holidays as part of a 43.8 billion euro ($50.88 billion) budget squeeze outlined on Tuesday, even as opposition parties threaten to topple his minority government. "Everyone will have to contribute to the effort," Bayrou said, as he spelt out proposals that include freezing non-defence spending next year and not replacing one out of three civil servants when they retire. President Emmanuel Macron has left Bayrou the task of repairing the public finances with the 2026 budget, after his own move to call a snap legislative election last year delivered a hung parliament too divided to tackle the country's spiralling spending and a surprise tax shortfall. Long-time debt hawk Bayrou has tried to warn the French that broad sacrifices are unavoidable, although defence spending will be allowed to increase next year. "It's the last stop before the cliff, before we are crushed by the debt," Bayrou said in a speech to members of parliament, cabinet members and journalists. He said the French must not forget the experience of Greece, which went through a full-blown debt crisis over a decade ago and needed multiple international bailouts and years of tough austerity policies to get back on its feet. "It's late but there is still time," Bayrou said, adding that France was addicted to public spending and had to change. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Singapore CDL's long-time director Phillip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The squeeze will involve freezing pensions to the same level as they were in 2025, and other welfare and health spending will also be capped. Two public holidays could also be scrapped - possibly Easter Monday and May 8, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe. Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician, must persuade the opposition ranks in France's fractured parliament to at least tolerate his cuts, or risk facing a no-confidence motion like the one that toppled his predecessor in December over the 2025 budget. If he fails, a new political crisis could trigger more credit ratings' downgrades and drive up the cost of interest payments, which are already set to become the single biggest drain on the budget at over 60 billion euros. Any risk of a no-confidence motion would likely only firm up once a detailed budget bill goes to parliament in October. DEFENCE SPENDING As he announced a new hike in defence spending on Sunday, Macron urged lawmakers not to trigger another no-confidence motion, saying that the one in December had hurt companies and set a defence build-up back by delaying the 2025 budget. Left-wing parties will likely baulk at welfare cuts, while the far right warns a broad spending freeze is unfair to French citizens and could prompt them to oppose Bayrou's plans. In the final two years of his second term, the dramatic deterioration of the public finances may tarnish Macron's legacy. A political outsider, he was first elected in 2017 on promises to break the right-left divide and modernise the euro zone's second-biggest economy with growth-friendly tax cuts and reforms. Successive crises - from protests, COVID-19 and runaway inflation - have shown he has failed to change the country's overspending habit, however. Bayrou aims to reduce the budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to 4.6% in 2026, ultimately targeting the EU's 3% fiscal deficit limit by 2029. With interest payments potentially becoming the biggest budget outlay, financial markets and ratings agencies are keen to see whether Bayrou can get his plans through parliament without triggering another political collapse. REUTERS

Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Harrington to hit first shot at Open before the McIlroy show
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Two-time major winner Padraig Harrington will have the honour of striking the first tee shot when the 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush on Thursday, launching golf's oldest major back onto Northern Ireland's dramatic County Antrim coastline. The Irishman, who captured back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008, will begin the action at 06:35 local time alongside Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard and Northern Ireland's own Tom McKibbin. McKibbin hails from Hollywood, 60 miles south of Portrush, but will not attract the same fanfare as the town's most celebrated son Rory McIlroy, who will be the favourite for the majority of the 270,000 fans expected throughout the week. For five-time major winner McIlroy, it will be a homecoming after he completed his career grand slam with this year's Masters triumph. He will tee off at 3:10pm alongside American two-time major winner Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, who is bidding to become the first English player to hoist the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992. American Xander Schauffele begins his title defence at 09:58 in a powerful group featuring Spain's Jon Rahm and this year's surprise U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun. World number one Scottie Scheffler is in the next group alongside fellow American, 2021 champion Collin Morikawa, and Ireland's Shane Lowry, who romped to an emotional victory on this very Dunluce course six years ago. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Singapore CDL's long-time director Phillip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years McIlroy, 36, will be desperate to banish the ghosts of 2019, when his dream turned into a nightmare with a quadruple-bogey eight at the par-four opening hole after going out of bounds en route to a tournament-wrecking 79. "It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year," McIlroy, whose maiden Open title came at Royal Liverpool in 2014, said. "I'm excited with where my game is. I feel like I'm in a good spot." The recent scorching weather across Britain has left the scenic par-71 layout firm and fast, but thunderstorms have already disrupted practice rounds. With heavy rain showers forecast for Thursday and the breeze expected to strengthen for the later starters, all 156 competitors will be keeping one eye on the fickle Causeway Coast weather as they chase golf's most coveted prize. REUTERS

Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
French PM stakes political survival on budget squeeze
Find out what's new on ST website and app. PARIS - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will outline a 40 billion-euro budget squeeze on Tuesday, with opposition parties threatening to topple his minority government if they feel the savings cut too close to the bone. President Emmanuel Macron has left Bayrou the task of repairing the public finances with the 2026 budget, after his own move to call a snap legislative election last year delivered a hung parliament too divided to tackle spiralling spending and a surprise tax shortfall. Long-time debt hawk Bayrou has tried to warn the French that broad sacrifices are unavoidable, although defence spending will be allowed to increase next year. The squeeze, to be detailed in a late afternoon news conference, will probably involve freezing most social benefits while some tax breaks will likely be capped. Bayrou, a veteran centrist, must persuade the opposition ranks in France's fractured parliament to at least tolerate his cuts or risk facing a no-confidence motion like the one that toppled his predecessor in December over the 2025 budget. When announcing a new hike in defence spending on Sunday, Macron urged lawmakers not to trigger another no-confidence motion, saying that the one in December had hurt companies and set a defence build-up back by delaying the 2025 budget. "That vote has delayed the defence budget. It is now up to the government to allocate the necessary funds in a timely manner so we can continue to innovate more quickly, to produce more quickly," he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Business Singapore financial sector growth doubles in 2024, assets managed cross $6 trillion in a first: MAS Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024 Singapore Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Left-wing parties will likely baulk at welfare cuts, while the far right warns a broad spending freeze is unfair to French citizens and could prompt them to oppose Bayrou's plans. In the final two years of his second term, the dramatic deterioration of the public finances may tarnish Macron's legacy. A political outsider, he was first elected in 2017 on promises to break the right-left divide and modernise the euro zone's second-biggest economy with growth-friendly tax cuts and reforms. Successive crises - from protests, COVID-19 and runaway inflation - have shown he has failed to change the country's overspending habit, however. Bayrou aims to reduce the budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to 4.6% in 2025, ultimately targeting the EU's 3% fiscal deficit limit by 2029. With interest payments potentially becoming the biggest budget outlay, financial markets and ratings agencies are keen to see whether Bayrou can get his plans through parliament without triggering another political collapse. REUTERS