Latest news with #clinched
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bryson DeChambeau left in disbelief by Oakmont ahead of US Open
Bryson DeChambeau will aim to defend his US Open title at Oakmont Country Club next week, but he was left stunned by the rough during a practice round Bryson DeChambeau has shared his thoughts on the challenging conditions at Oakmont Country Club ahead of next week's US Open. The 31-year-old will be defending his title at the major, having clinched victory from Rory McIlroy last year with an extraordinary 55-yard bunker shot. DeChambeau aims to become the first player to retain the US Open title since Brooks Koepka in 2018. Before heading to Pennsylvania next week, he will compete at LIV Golf Virginia. Despite his packed schedule, DeChambeau squeezed in a practice round at the US Open course. He praised the Oakmont design as one of his favourites, but was shocked by the state of the rough after finding his ball on the sixth hole. "Oh my gosh! That is cooked beyond belief," DeChambeau exclaimed on his YouTube channel. "That's more than half-baked there. It's burnt to a crisp. Oh my gosh." As he prepared to chip onto the green, DeChambeau commented: "I've got nothing," he said. "That's what Oakmont does to you. That's some thick rough." The LIV Golf star finished his practice round with an even score. As he made his way around the final hole, DeChambeau remarked: "This place ate my lunch today. Glad to get a little practice round in. The history of this place is amazing and what an honour to play." The two-time US Champion wrapped up his day with frustration as he just missed out on a birdie at the ninth. "I'm p*****," he said after his premature celebration fell flat. "That's even, unbelievable. Sad, but I'll take it. Good practice for the open, that was a lot of fun. Oakmont, you're a beast." DeChambeau's final comment was in reference to the challenging nature of Oakmont Country Club, famously nicknamed 'The Beast'. Its long holes, plentiful bunkers, slender fairways, slick greens and formidable rough make it one of golf's toughest tests. Oakmont has hosted the US Open more than any other course, with this year marking the 10th occasion. The most recent US Open at Oakmont was in 2016. Dustin Johnson claimed victory with four-under-par, as the rest of the field struggled to score below par. "It wasn't designed to be fair, it was designed to be feared," DeChambeau admitted. "This course doesn't just challenge your game, it challenges your sanity." Before he braved the challenging conditions in his practice round, DeChambeau reflected on his past US Open performance at Oakmont. "I played here in 2016. I finished 16th (T15), I think, I don't remember, but I played pretty well," he recalled "I was leading the tournament at one point. So, I definitely like this type of golf. I feel comfortable with my new power, with how comfortable I am right now. I think I've got a good chance this year." DeChambeau clinched his first US Open victory in 2020, triumphing at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, with a score of six-under. He secured his second major win in dramatic fashion with the same score at Pinehurst last year. In his next major outing, DeChambeau didn't make the cut at the Open last July. However, he has shown good form this year, finishing T5 at the Masters and T2 at the PGA Championship last month.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy snubbed by Donald Trump ahead of Canadian Open
Rory McIlroy was overlooked by US President Donald Trump who praised Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler as the current cream of the crop in the golfing world. An avid golfer himself, Trump hit the links with US Open champ DeChambeau at his course in Washington, D. C. Although DeChambeau's bids at the Masters and PGA Championship fell short, he still holds the World No. 10 position. He triumphed recently at LIV South Korea, marking his first win since his victory over McIlroy at last year's US Open, which also represented his third title on the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. In the wake of their round of golf in the nation's capital last Sunday, Trump was all compliments for DeChambeau. Trump enthused: "He is a great guy, a great golfer. Probably the No. 1 now, him and Scottie [Scheffler] are rated at the top. We play golf a lot together. It is not a very pleasant experience for me. I always consider myself a reasonably long hitter. Then I play with him. I go home and my wife says, 'Are you as long as Bryson?' I said, 'Yeah, I am pretty close'. It is not close.", reports Belfast Live. Curiously, Trump didn't mention McIlroy when talking about top golfers, even though the Northern Irishman achieved the prestigious career Grand Slam with his Masters victory in April. McIlroy came out ahead of DeChambeau during their rounds at Augusta. The five-time major winner experienced a sweet comeback, having been pipped to the post by DeChambeau at the previous year's US Open. The LIV golfer is gearing up to defend his crown this month as the season's third major swings back to Oakmont. While Trump's allegiance may be up in the air, it's widely believed that DeChambeau is the frontrunner for his support. Their camaraderie dates back to DeChambeau's appearance on stage after Trump clinched his second presidential term. DeChambeau has even featured Trump on his YouTube channel for a round of golf, amassing 15 million views since its premiere last July. Speaking to the Times earlier this year, DeChambeau shared: "I've known him for more than eight years and we've developed a friendship." He elaborated on their rapport, saying, "It's been fun to get to know who he truly is rather than what people think and see of him. That's what we were trying to do when we had him on 'Break 50'." The golfer emphasised the non-political nature of Trump's appearance, stating, "We didn't make it political, we made it about golf and entertainment and raised a quarter of a million for charity. I try to keep space, but if he wants to play golf, we'll play golf. He's good with people he trusts."
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
From hero to headache: Why Cardoso's league win isn't enough . . . and why it is
Miguel Cardoso won the Betway Premiership with Mamelodi Sundowns but failed to convert domestic success into continental glory after losing the CAF Champions League final 3-2 to Pyramids. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns' 2024/25 campaign ended on a bittersweet note. While the club clinched a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title, another failed bid for the CAF Champions League has reignited debate around the future of head coach Miguel Cardoso. Some believe his failure to deliver continental glory warrants immediate dismissal, while others argue that his back-to-back appearances in the final show promise and justify more time. Here, MIHLALI BALEKA and OBAKENG MELETSE present their opposing views. No excuses for failure – Cardoso must go Miguel Cardoso's first season at Mamelodi Sundowns disappointingly ended with only the Betway Premiership title, as he missed out on the coveted CAF Champions League crown. Given the standards that Sundowns have set for themselves over the years, the Portuguese coach does not deserve to be retained for another season. He must go! He must be released, just like his predecessor Rulani Mokwena, whose achievement of winning the league title and African Football League (AFL) was deemed insufficient by the club last season. Sure, Mokwena had ample time to strategise for African glory, having been at the club for many years in various roles, including assistant coach and co-coach. But the 38-year-old was in his first full season as the club's head coach, so he deserved a second bite at the cherry — especially after losing just one match in the league. Sundowns did not see it that way, though. Instead, he was sacked and replaced by former assistant Manqoba Mngqithi, who had also been at the club for more than a decade. Mngqithi did not even last half a season, as he was quickly dismissed and replaced by Cardoso, who was expected to be a quick fix. Cardoso, however, has sunk more than he has swum, as winning the club's eighth title in a row was expected — despite early pressure from Orlando Pirates. Having failed to deliver when it mattered most, he cannot be forgiven — not when the same courtesy was not extended to those who had served the club with distinction before. What worsens his failure is the fact that he could not improve on last season's finish. His Esperance side had previously lost to Al Ahly after defeating Sundowns in the semi-final. Of course, the buck stops with him, but his decision to leave the talismanic Themba Zwane on the bench for both legs of the final is something that cannot be overlooked. It was egocentric ... Zwane is not only the club captain, but one of two players — alongside Denis Onyango — who were part of the team that won the crown in 2016. His impact could have been decisive. | Mihlali Baleka Patience over panic – Cardoso deserves time The sacking of Rulani and Manqoba should be seen as lessons more than anything. The chopping and changing of coaches in pursuit of one dream will eventually destabilise the good work done previously. The Portuguese mentor has taken two teams to consecutive Champions League finals. Despite not winning either, he should not be judged solely on that, but rather on the fact that he has shown the ability to reach that stage. It is surely only a matter of time before he lifts the trophy. Sundowns are a massive club and have been on a serious rise. What they have achieved domestically is historic — eight league titles in a row is unprecedented in this country. As simple as they have made it look, it will take something monumental for another team to replicate what they have done over the past eight years. Getting rid of Mokwena was a mistake, likely driven by the failure to win the Champions League. Yes, there are valid concerns about some of Cardoso's tactical decisions and team selections. But that is something every coach faces. Regardless of where they are, coaches need time. Some clubs might be less patient, but time is still a crucial factor. He was one goal away from a Champions League title. Had they beaten Kaizer Chiefs in that Nedbank Cup semi-final and gone on to lift the trophy, the narrative around him might be very different. Zwane definitely has the quality and probably could have made a difference in both legs, but I still believe Cardoso deserves the opportunity to have a full season with the squad. Give him that, and he might be the one to finally deliver what the club so desperately seeks. He has the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup later this month in the US to begin that process. | Obakeng Meletse
Web Release
3 days ago
- Business
- Web Release
Blis named ‘AdTech Platform of the Year,' bags 4 awards at MMA SMARTIES MENA 2025
Blis, a leading privacy-first, location-powered programmatic omnichannel advertising platform and a subsidiary of JGroup, has been crowned 'AdTech Platform of the Year' at the highly anticipated MMA SMARTIES MENA 2025. The company also clinched two Gold awards in the categories of 'Data & Insights' and 'Real-Time Marketing', as well as a Bronze award in 'Programmatic', affirming its leadership in delivering data-driven advertising solutions that generate tangible business outcomes. These accolades reflect Blis's commitment to redefining the advertising landscape through cutting-edge location intelligence, a steadfast focus on privacy-first innovation, and the delivery of campaigns that generate tangible, measurable outcomes. Karim Hassan, Commercial Director at Blis, said: 'We are honoured to be recognised with the MMA SMARTIES MENA awards for our continued innovation and leadership in the AdTech space. These awards reflect the power of our Location Intelligence technology and the unwavering dedication of our team toward empowering brands with the tools they need to make smarter, data-driven decisions that drive incremental business' 'We are especially grateful to our visionary partners at Starbucks and the outstanding team at UM. Their innovation, agility, and focus on measurable impact played a vital role in this achievement. This collaboration is a clear example of how innovative data-driven strategies can lead to remarkable business success. As we look ahead, we remain committed to continuous innovation and raising the standards for programmatic advertising in 2025 and beyond,' he added. Imaad Joma, Founder of JGroup, stated: 'This recognition for Blis at the MMA SMARTIES MENA 2025 is a reflection of JGroup's ongoing commitment to pioneering innovation and leadership in the digital advertising space. We are incredibly pleased with Blis's accomplishments in harnessing cutting-edge technologies and maintaining a privacy-first approach to reshape how brands engage with their audiences. These awards highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of the Blis team, as well as their unwavering focus on delivering measurable impact for our business partners.' The accolades celebrate the success of a campaign born from a strategic collaboration between Blis, Starbucks, and UM. Centered on leveraging Blis's advanced location intelligence technology, the campaign aimed to engage both existing Starbucks customers and those loyal to competitor brands. By utilising first-party data from Starbucks, Blis was able to precisely target and attract new footfall, ultimately driving incremental business growth and deepening customer engagement. Rahat Reza, Head of Integrated Marketing, Starbucks (Al Shaya), said: 'At Starbucks, our goal has always been to be more than just a coffee destination — we aspire to be a meaningful part of our customers' daily lives. Through our partnership with Blis and UM, we transformed location intelligence into real-time, relevant engagement. Blis's recognition at the MMA MENA Smarties is a clear validation that when data-driven innovation is executed thoughtfully, it not only enhances customer experiences but also delivers measurable business impact.' The MMA SMARTIES MENA awards honours impactful work that reflects the evolving nature of modern marketing – from AI integration and real-time engagement to storytelling and purpose-led initiatives. The awards cement Blis's position as a pioneer in data-driven marketing and location intelligence. As the demand for smarter and data-driven advertising grows, Blis continues to lead the way with unparallelled precision and impact.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Asian Athletics Championships 2025: Gulveer Singh wins men's 10,000m; Servin Sebastian collects 20km race walk bronze
National record holder and Reliance Foundation athlete Gulveer Singh won India's first gold at the 27th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea by winning men's 10K event on the opening day of the event. read more Distance runner Gulveer Singh won India's first gold medal of the 27th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. PTI National record holder Gulveer Singh snared India's first gold with a top finish in the men's 10,000m event while Servin Sebastian clinched the 20km race walk bronze on a reasonably good opening day for the country at the 27th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Gulveer, a bronze-medallist at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and a pre-race favourite, clocked 28 minute 38.63 seconds to win his maiden Asian Championships gold. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japan's Mebuki Suzuki (28:43.84) took the silver while Bahrain's Albert Kibichi Rop (28:46.82) won the bronze. Another Indian in the fray, Sawan Barwal finished fourth with a time of 28:50.53. At the end of the opening day, India stood at second place with one gold and one bronze, behind China (5 gold, 2 silver) and above Japan (3 silver, 2 bronze). Gulveer was elated to pocket gold at the continental championships, though the warm weather at the time of his 25-lap race denied him a better timing. 'Irrespective of the time, the main goal was to finish first. I am happy to have successfully implemented my race strategy,' Gulveer said in Gumi. 'The gold medal will certainly enhance my world ranking and brighten chances to win a ticket to Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September.' The automatic qualification in the men's 10,000m is 27 minute. Due to warm weather conditions, the local organising committee set up a water station during the 10,000m track race. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I surged ahead in the last lap and shifted top gear at the 200m mark of the race. Had someone pushed me I could have gone faster as I wasn't tired after crossing the finish line,' Gulveer said. Earlier in the day, Sebastian claimed India's first medal with a bronze in the men's 20km race walk event, clocking 1 hour 21 minute and 13.60 seconds. There was disappointment, though, in women's javelin throw with Asian Games gold medallist and national record holder Annu Rani finishing fourth with a below-par effort of 58.30m. Gulveer continues good form Born to a farmer father at Sirsa village of Atrauli Tehsil in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, Gulveer has been on a national record breaking spree, the last one being the 27:00.22 in 10000m earlier this year. Going into the event as Asian leader this season, Gulveer ran a well calculated race to eventually leave behind his rivals by a fare distance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He was in the leading pack throughout. Towards the end, it was a contest among the eventual three medal winners. Just before the last lap, Kibichi was leading with Gulveer closely behind him. But soon, he made his final kick and was well ahead of the other two rivals midway into the last lap. He had enough fuel in the tank to virtually sprint down the last 100m stretch. Suzuki, the second best Asian so far this season, overtook Kibichi in the end to take the silver. Gulveer is the third Indian to win the 10000m gold after Hari Chand (1975) and G Lakshmanan (2017). He also holds the national record in 5000m, in which he is also competing here and would be aiming to better the bronze in the 2023 Asian Championships. Sebastian's timing was just shy of his personal best of 1:21:23sec, set earlier this year for a gold at the Uttarakhand National Games in February. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China's Wang Zhaozhao (1:20:36.90) and Japan's Kento Yoshikawa (1:20:44.90) won the gold and silver respectively. Amit, the other Indian in the field, finished fifth with a time of 1:22:14.30. All the three medal winners in the men's 20km race walk event bettered the championships record of 1:24:42 set by Japanese Yutaro Murayama at the previous edition of the continental meet in 2023 in Bangkok. Sebastian has been a consistent performer since the beginning of the 2025 season. After the National Games, his second gold (1:21:47) at a domestic event was at the Indian Open Race Walking Competition in April in Chandigarh. Sebastian stayed with the leading pack of seven athletes for a major part of the gruelling 20km event. In the last two kilometers of the race, Wang Zhaozhao and Kento Yoshikawa opened up a small lead, which eventually widened as the Indian walker wasn't able to catch up. 'I made efforts to narrow the gap but ended up in third place,' Sebastian said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It was a good race. I am happy to be among the medal winners in my first race at the continental event.' In men's high jump, Sarvesh Anil Kushare qualified for the final after finishing fourth in qualification group B with an effort of 2.10m. TJ on top in Decathlon National record holder decathlete Tejaswin Shankar was at the top in the nine-man field after the completion of five events out of 10 on Tuesday. In men's 400m, Vishal TK made it to the final round after finishing third in semifinal heat 2 with a personal best time of 46.05 seconds. His women counterparts Rupal Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj also made it to the women's 400m finals. Chaudhary won heat number one with a time of 53 seconds while Ramraj was second in heat number two, clocking 53.32 seconds. Yoonus Shah also qualified for the men's 1500m finals after finishing second in the qualification round, clocking 3 minutes and 46.96 seconds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
