Latest news with #Merseysider
France 24
9 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Fleetwood grabs PGA Travelers lead as top-ranked stars fade
The 34-year-old Merseysider eagled the par-five 13th for the second consecutive day on the way to standing on 16-under 194 after 54 holes at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. American Russell Henley, who won his fifth career PGA title in March at Bay Hill, matched his career-low PGA round with a bogey-free 61 to share second on 197 with US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who shot 63. "It'll come down to a bunch of things really," Fleetwood said. "Being in the last group, I'm really happy with that. "I'm happy with the work I've done. It's just an amazing opportunity to go out here tomorrow and hopefully it's my time." World number one Scottie Scheffler, second-ranked Rory McIlroy and world number five Justin Thomas stumbled to fall well back, Scheffler and Thomas having shared the 36-hole lead with Fleetwood. Paris Olympic runner-up Fleetwood, ranked 17th, has seven DP World Tour wins but none on the PGA despite 41 top-10 finishes. Fleetwood sank a birdie putt from just inside 13 feet at the third hole and rolled in a 66-foot birdie putt, his season long, at the par-three fifth. At the par-five sixth, Fleetwood dropped his approach inches from the hole and tapped in for birdie. Fleetwood made a 19-foot birdie putt at the 10th then eagled 13, sinking a 30-foot putt from just off the green -- "13 has been very kind to me so far. I'd like to keep up with that." Fleetwood, who had two eagles on the season when the week began, has made three in the past two days and only one bogey this week. After driving the green at the par-four 15th to set up a a tap-in birdie, Fleetwood closed with three pars. "It was nice to get off to a good start," Fleetwood said. " Bogey free is always good." Henley made five birdies on the front nine to move within two of the lead and stayed on Fleetwood's heels most of the day, adding a 14-foot birdie putt at the 12th, a seven-footer for birdie at 13, a four-footer to birdie 14 and a closing birdie from just outside five feet. "I did everything really well," said Henley. "It was a really solid round, hit a lot of great shots. Hope I can continue to do that." Bradley, the 2023 Travelers winner, birdied four of the first seven holes, three of his birdie putts from outside 15 feet, and birdied three of the last six holes, a five-footer at the last grabbing a share of second. "Every one counts because we're going to have to go out and shoot another low one tomorrow," Bradley said. Top-rated stars stumble Defending champion Scheffler struggled on his 29th birthday, making an triple bogey and a double bogey in the same round for the first time in his career in firing a 72 to stand on 203. Scheffler made his first triple bogey since last August, missing the first green from a nearby bunker, then finding the rough. Last month's PGA Championship winner found water off the eighth tee on the way to a double bogey. Thomas, a two-time major winner, took a quadruple-bogey nine at the 13th, losing his tee shot into left rough and needing three shots to escape greenside rough, on the way to shooting 73 to stand on 204. McIlroy fired a 68 to stand on 203. He birdied four of the first eight holes, his longest putt among them from 11 feet at the fourth, before a double bogey at 12 dropped him back, taking four to reach the green after going long with his approach.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Fleetwood grabs PGA Travelers lead as top-ranked stars fade
NEW YORK: England's Tommy Fleetwood, seeking his first PGA Tour title, fired a seven-under par 63 to seize a three-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the Travelers Championship. The 34-year-old Merseysider eagled the par-five 13th for the second consecutive day on the way to standing on 16-under 194 after 54 holes at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. American Russell Henley, who won his fifth career PGA title in March at Bay Hill, matched his career-low PGA round with a bogey-free 61 to share second on 197 with US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who shot 63. "It'll come down to a bunch of things really," Fleetwood said. "Being in the last group, I'm really happy with that. "I'm happy with the work I've done. It's just an amazing opportunity to go out here tomorrow and hopefully it's my time." World number one Scottie Scheffler, second-ranked Rory McIlroy and world number five Justin Thomas stumbled to fall well back, Scheffler and Thomas having shared the 36-hole lead with Fleetwood. Paris Olympic runner-up Fleetwood, ranked 17th, has seven DP World Tour wins but none on the PGA despite 41 top-10 finishes. Fleetwood sank a birdie putt from just inside 13 feet at the third hole and rolled in a 66-foot birdie putt, his season long, at the par-three fifth. At the par-five sixth, Fleetwood dropped his approach inches from the hole and tapped in for birdie. Fleetwood made a 19-foot birdie putt at the 10th then eagled 13, sinking a 30-foot putt from just off the green -- "13 has been very kind to me so far. I'd like to keep up with that." Fleetwood, who had two eagles on the season when the week began, has made three in the past two days and only one bogey this week. After driving the green at the par-four 15th to set up a a tap-in birdie, Fleetwood closed with three pars. "It was nice to get off to a good start," Fleetwood said. " Bogey free is always good." Henley made five birdies on the front nine to move within two of the lead and stayed on Fleetwood's heels most of the day, adding a 14-foot birdie putt at the 12th, a seven-footer for birdie at 13, a four-footer to birdie 14 and a closing birdie from just outside five feet. "I did everything really well," said Henley. "It was a really solid round, hit a lot of great shots. Hope I can continue to do that." Bradley, the 2023 Travelers winner, birdied four of the first seven holes, three of his birdie putts from outside 15 feet, and birdied three of the last six holes, a five-footer at the last grabbing a share of second. "Every one counts because we're going to have to go out and shoot another low one tomorrow," Bradley said. Defending champion Scheffler struggled on his 29th birthday, making an triple bogey and a double bogey in the same round for the first time in his career in firing a 72 to stand on 203. Scheffler made his first triple bogey since last August, missing the first green from a nearby bunker, then finding the rough. Last month's PGA Championship winner found water off the eighth tee on the way to a double bogey. Thomas, a two-time major winner, took a quadruple-bogey nine at the 13th, losing his tee shot into left rough and needing three shots to escape greenside rough, on the way to shooting 73 to stand on 204. McIlroy fired a 68 to stand on 203. He birdied four of the first eight holes, his longest putt among them from 11 feet at the fourth, before a double bogey at 12 dropped him back, taking four to reach the green after going long with his approach. - AFP
Observer
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit
LIVERPOOL: Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, saying it was the "hardest decision" of his life ahead of a widely expected move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of June and the England right-back's future had been the subject of intense debate throughout Liverpool's charge to the Premier League title this season. "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season," the 26-year-old posted on X. "This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life." Alexander-Arnold's contract talks over a free transfer switch to Real are reported to be at an advanced stage. He will depart as a Premier League champion after the Reds moved level with rivals Manchester United on a joint-record 20 English top-flight titles. "I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven't spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team's best interests, which was securing No 20," Alexander-Arnold said. "This club has been my whole life — my whole world — for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. "I will forever be in debt to you all. My love for this club will never die." Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold was one of three high-profile Reds players whose deals were due to run out at the end of the season — a contract saga that provided a continuous backdrop to Arne Slot's first campaign in charge. Top-scorer Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk signed new deals in recent weeks but Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave. The defender made his senior debut in 2016 and has made 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting multiple trophies including the 2019 Champions League and two Premier League crowns. GRATITUDE Liverpool were reportedly willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the highest-paid defenders in Premier League history in a bid to keep him. But the lure of playing for Real alongside close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham proved impossible to resist. Despite the snub, Liverpool paid tribute to Alexander-Arnold, who joined the club as a six-year-old. "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success," the club said in a statement. In the same statement, Alexander-Arnold said he had "loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams". But he said he wanted a fresh challenge. "Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I've got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that," he said. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, another Merseysider who graduated from the club's youth academy, was the first Reds player to react to the news on social media. "Thank you for everything brother. Legend. Good luck," he wrote on Instagram. But Alexander-Arnold's mooted move to Real has split Liverpool fans and pundits, with some believing he should have stayed to become a one-club legend. Michael Owen and Steve McManaman both endured difficult relationships with Liverpool supporters after leaving for Madrid in 2004 and 1999, respectively. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher fears Alexander-Arnold faces a similar fate. "By leaving Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold is making it harder for his own club to win its 21st league title and seventh European Cup. That is bound to stir emotions," Carragher said. — AFP
eNCA
05-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit after 'hardest decision'
LONDON - Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, saying it was the "hardest decision" of his life ahead of a widely expected move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of June and the England right-back's future had been the subject of intense debate throughout Liverpool's charge to the Premier League title this season. "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season," the 26-year-old posted on X. "This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life." Alexander-Arnold's contract talks over a free transfer switch to Real are reported to be at an advanced stage. He will depart as a Premier League champion after the Reds moved level with rivals Manchester United on a joint-record 20 English top-flight titles. "I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven't spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team's best interests, which was securing No. 20," Alexander-Arnold said. "This club has been my whole life -- my whole world -- for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. "I will forever be in debt to you all. My love for this club will never die." Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold was one of three high-profile Reds players whose deals were due to run out at the end of the season -- a contract saga that provided a continuous backdrop to Arne Slot's first campaign in charge. Top-scorer Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk signed new deals in recent weeks but Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave. The defender made his senior debut in 2016 and has made 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting multiple trophies including the 2019 Champions League and two Premier League crowns. - 'Gratitude' - Liverpool were reportedly willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the highest-paid defenders in Premier League history in a bid to keep him. But the lure of playing for Real alongside close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham proved impossible to resist. Despite the snub, Liverpool paid tribute to Alexander-Arnold, who joined the club as a six-year-old. "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success," the club said in a statement. In the same statement, Alexander-Arnold said he had "loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams". But he said he wanted a fresh challenge. "Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I've got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that," he said. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, another Merseysider who graduated from the club's youth academy, was the first Reds player to react to the news on social media. "Thank you for everything brother. Legend. Good luck," he wrote on Instagram. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, now playing for Ajax, also took to Instagram to salute Alexander-Arnold. "What a journey! It's been amazing to see you grow as a player and a person over the years," he wrote. "Thank you for everything and good luck with the next chapter. Just keep being you and challenging yourself everyday! The scouser in our team!" Last month, Van Dijk said Alexander-Arnold would be remembered for "a lot of good things" even if he decided to leave Anfield. Alexander-Arnold's mooted move to Real Madrid has split Liverpool fans and pundits, with some believing he should have stayed to become a one-club legend. His status is reflected in a mural that stands just metres from the club's Anfield stadium, emblazoned with the quote: "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true." Alexander-Arnold played in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Liverpool have three league fixtures left this season, giving Alexander-Arnold a chance to say a long goodbye before the final game against Crystal Palace at Anfield on 25 May.
Malay Mail
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit after ‘hardest decision'
LIVERPOOL, May 5 —Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, saying it was the 'hardest decision' of his life ahead of a widely expected move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of June and the England right-back's future had been the subject of intense debate throughout Liverpool's charge to the Premier League title this season. 'After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,' the 26-year-old posted on X. 'This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life.' Alexander-Arnold's contract talks over a free transfer switch to Real are reported to be at an advanced stage. He will depart as a Premier League champion after the Reds moved level with rivals Manchester United on a joint-record 20 English top-flight titles. 'I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven't spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team's best interests, which was securing No. 20,' Alexander-Arnold said. 'This club has been my whole life—my whole world—for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. 'I will forever be in debt to you all. My love for this club will never die.' Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold was one of three high-profile Reds players whose deals were due to run out at the end of the season—a contract saga that provided a continuous backdrop to Arne Slot's first campaign in charge. Top-scorer Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk signed new deals in recent weeks but Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave. The defender made his senior debut in 2016 and has made 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting multiple trophies including the 2019 Champions League and two Premier League crowns. 'Gratitude' Liverpool were reportedly willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the highest-paid defenders in Premier League history in a bid to keep him. But the lure of playing for Real alongside close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham proved impossible to resist. Despite the snub, Liverpool paid tribute to Alexander-Arnold, who joined the club as a six-year-old. 'Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success,' the club said in a statement. In the same statement, Alexander-Arnold said he had 'loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams'. But he said he wanted a fresh challenge. 'Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I've got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that,' he said. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, another Merseysider who graduated from the club's youth academy, was the first Reds player to react to the news on social media. 'Thank you for everything brother. Legend. Good luck,' he wrote on Instagram. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, now playing for Ajax, also took to Instagram to salute Alexander-Arnold. 'What a journey! It's been amazing to see you grow as a player and a person over the years,' he wrote. 'Thank you for everything and good luck with the next chapter. Just keep being you and challenging yourself everyday! The scouser in our team!' Last month, Van Dijk said Alexander-Arnold would be remembered for 'a lot of good things' even if he decided to leave Anfield. Alexander-Arnold's mooted move to Real Madrid has split Liverpool fans and pundits, with some believing he should have stayed to become a one-club legend. His status is reflected in a mural that stands just metres from the club's Anfield stadium, emblazoned with the quote: 'I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.' Alexander-Arnold played in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Liverpool have three league fixtures left this season, giving Alexander-Arnold a chance to say a long goodbye before the final game against Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 25. Slot's side will also take part in a parade through Liverpool with the Premier League trophy on May 26. — AFP
