(REUTERS) - When Collin Morikawa won the 2020 PGA Championship in his home state of California, pandemic restrictions meant that no spectators were in attendance to celebrate with him. More than 8,000km away, to bookend a stretch of seven Majors in 12 months, he received his due from British fans at The Open Championship as they lauded the emergent American star. Morikawa's final-round 66 on Sunday (July 18) wrapped up a 15-under 265 at Royal St George's in Sandwich, England, lifting him past South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen for his second Major title. The 24-year-old became the first golfer in history to win on his debuts at two different Majors and the first player since Bobby Jones in the 1920s to win two Majors in eight starts or fewer. American three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth shot 66 to finish second at 13 under. Oosthuizen (71) and US Open champion Jon Rahm of Spain (66) tied for third at 11 under. South African Dylan Frittelli carded a 68 to take fifth at nine under, and Brooks Koepka soared up the leaderboard with a 65 to finish tied sixth at eight under with Canada's Mackenzie Hughes (69). Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion at St Andrew's, led the event after each of the first three rounds, yet failed to convert a major opportunity once again. Earlier this year, he was a 54-hole co-leader at the US Open and finished second after he also took the runner-up spot at the PGA Championship. Playing in the final pairing, Morikawa opened with six straight pars while Oosthuizen gave a shot back on No. 4 to create a tie for the lead at 11 under. Everything pivoted at No. 7, a reachable par-five hole where Oosthuizen came undone. The 38-year-old South African skulled his third shot out of a greenside bunker, over the green and into a different bunker. His recovery from there was not much better, landing on the green but too far from the hole to have any hope for par. Morikawa, meanwhile, landed a chip shot right next to the hole for a tap-in birdie and a two-shot swing. That propelled Morikawa forward. He hit a perfect approach at the eighth to set up a birdie, dunked a long birdie putt at No. 9 and saved a mid-range, downhill par putt at No. 10. The run took him to 14 under and established a three-shot lead over Spieth at the time, while Oosthuizen remained stalled at 10 under. Spieth, who wrapped up his third round in frustrating fashion with two poor bogeys, went two over for his first six holes on Sunday before capitalising on the seventh with an eagle putt. With momentum on his side, he poured in four birdies between Nos. 9 and 14 to rise to 13 under. But like a handful of players in the final round, Spieth found his groove a bit too late. More on this topic Related Story Golf: Oosthuizen chases down Morikawa to lead Open at halfway point Related Story Golf: Majestic Morikawa seizes British Open 2nd-round clubhouse lead with a 64 Morikawa sank another lengthy birdie putt at No. 14 to reach 15 under, and Spieth missed a birdie chance at No. 17 to keep apace. Oosthuizen, who totalled only three bogeys from Thursday to Saturday, made three bogeys and two birdies on Sunday for a disappointing finish. Rahm nearly holed out an albatross on the par-five seventh, where his approach rolled and missed the cup by a few inches, leaving him a five-foot eagle putt. The world No. 2 then strung together four birdies on Nos. 13-16 to climb to 11 under, with his tee shot on the par-three 16th stopping a few feet shy of the pin. Frittelli, overshadowed by bigger names throughout the day, snuck into the top five with two of his five birdies coming at Nos. 15 and 17. Earlier in the afternoon, Koepka polished off a bogey-free 65 with three birdies and an eagle, a round that could have been lower with some more converted birdies on the home stretch. Morikawa went 67-64-68 over the first three rounds to set himself up for Sunday. His second-round 64 featured seven birdies that briefly put him in the hunt for a 62, which would have been a course record and tied the single-round record for a Major. He played his final 31 holes of the championship without a bogey. More on this topic Related Story Golf: McIlroy's roller coaster entertains crowds at British Open as leaders lie in wait Related Story Golf: Hatton's temper - and club - snaps at British Open
SINGAPORE - Despite being on four food delivery platforms, Mr Tan Hock Soon receives only two to three online orders each day. Since Covid-19 hit Singapore last year, business has fallen by 40 per cent, said the 49-year-old who runs the Ramen Taisho stall at Maxwell Food Centre. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (REUTERS) - Englishman Richard Bland, in only his fourth major appearance, upstaged some of the game’s biggest names to grab the early US Open second-round lead on Friday (June 18) while Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama was at risk of missing the cut. The 48-year-old Bland, who only qualified for the US Open after picking up his first European Tour title at last month’s British Masters, fired a four-under-par 67 to reach five under on the week as the wind started to pick up at Torrey Pines. “The old saying is you get knocked down seven times, you get up eight,” said Bland. “I’ve always had that kind of attitude that you just keep going. You never know in this game, you just keep going.” Bland started on the back nine and reached the turn at two-under. He started to pull away with three birdies over his next six holes but a bogey at the par-three eighth, where he failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker, cut into his lead. Former British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, who shared the 18-hole lead with Russell Henley, made a nine-foot birdie at the last for an even-par 71 that left him one shot off the pace. Twice Masters champion Bubba Watson, who missed the cut in five of his last seven U.S. Open starts, birdied five of his final six holes for a four-under-par 67 and was a further shot adrift with world number three Jon Rahm (70). Henley had just started his round while Italian Francesco Molinari and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, who were both a shot back after the opening round, were also among the late starters. Oosthuizen started early on Friday to complete the final two holes of his fog-delayed first round and was cruising along in the second round until he failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the par-four sixth. The South African then dropped another shot at the par-three 11th where his tee shot settled in a right greenside bunker. Matsuyama struggles World number five DeChambeau (69), who began the day six shots adrift, started on the back nine and bogeyed two of his first three holes but followed with birdies at 13 and 16 before an eagle at the par-five 18th where he drained a 24-foot putt. DeChambeau then mixed a birdie with a bogey in his three holes out of the turn to get back to even par. He offset a late bogey with a closing birdie to get to even par on the week. Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama began the day two strokes off the lead but was at risk of missing the projected cut of two over par after a five-over 76 left the Japanese world number 15 at three over on the week. Matsuyama got off to a rough start that saw him card a double-bogey at the par-four 10th where his belt snapped during his second shot. He dropped another four shots over his next three holes and was unable to recover. Among the players who are two shots back of the 18-hole co-leaders and part of the afternoon wave are twice US Open champion Brooks Koepka and world number six Xander Schauffele. Phil Mickelson, a record six-times US Open runner-up playing a month after becoming golf’s oldest major winner at 50 by claiming the PGA Championship, had yet to tee off but will have work to do to make the cut after an opening 75. More on this topic Related Story Golf: Co-leader Oosthuizen back in familiar spot at US Open Related Story Golf: Koepka shares early US Open lead, Mickelson struggles
Toyota City, Japan, May 14, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is ready to take on a fourth different challenge in as many events when the Rally de Portugal hosts the first gravel round of the 2021 season on May 20-23.2021 Yaris WRCFollowing a one-two finish on the last event in Croatia, Toyota leads the manufacturers' championship as well as the drivers' standings, where Sebastien Ogier holds first place after two victories in the first three rallies of the season. Elfyn Evans is third, 10 points behind his team-mate, and Kalle Rovanpera fifth, within 22 points of the lead. Once again, Takamoto Katsuta will be behind the wheel of a fourth Yaris WRC in Portugal as part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program, looking to build on three consecutive top-six finishes.The team continues to develop the Toyota Yaris WRC during its fifth season of competition and, after an update to the car's aerodynamic package debuted in Croatia, a new engine will be introduced in Portugal with improvements in power and reliability.After events on ice, snow and asphalt so far this season, Portugal marks the first in a run of consecutive events on gravel. Returning to the calendar after the 2020 edition was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the rally is based in Matosinhos on the edge of the country's second largest city Porto, and is characterised by fast but technical roads. The surface is usually soft and sandy at first, offering up limited grip for those opening the road, but can often become rocky and rutted for the second pass.The rally route is similar to the last running in 2019, beginning with the ceremonial start in the city of Coimbra on Thursday evening. Friday features a loop of three stages in the nearby Arganil area which must be run twice without a mid-day service. Before returning north for the day-closing Lousada superspecial, there is a return to Mortagua for the first time in 20 years. Saturday is concentrated on the Cabreira mountains to the north-east of Porto for a loop of three stages run either side of service, before a new street test alongside the mouth of the Douro river rounds out the day. A total of five stages complete the rally on Sunday, including two passes of the returning Felguieras test and the famous Fafe, which hosts the Power Stage.For more information, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/release/2021/rd04-preview.html. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
VILNIUS (REUTERS) - Goals from Stefano Sensi and Ciro Immobile earned Italy a 2-0 victory over Lithuania on Wednesday (March 31) as Roberto Mancini's side got their third win from three games in 2022 World Cup qualification Group C. Mancini made 10 changes to the side who beat Bulgaria 2-0 on Sunday and it showed as the visitors struggled to break down Lithuania on their artificial pitch in the opening period. After the break however, Italy stepped up a gear, with halftime substitute Sensi firing the opening goal two minutes into the second half, before Immobile converted a stoppage-time penalty to make sure of the three points. Another comfortable victory saw Italy remain top of their group on nine points after a sixth win in a row, with the Azzurri not conceding a single goal in that run. In Wednesday's other Group C match, Northern Ireland were held to a 0-0 draw by Bulgaria in Belfast. Italy are now unbeaten in 25 matches under Mancini, the joint-second longest run without losing, level with Marcelo Lippi, among Italian coaches. "The pitch was difficult and it wasn't even wet," Mancini told Rai Sport. "We still had many chances to score. "The glass is half full. (Group rivals) Switzerland only won 1-0 at home against Lithuania three days ago. These matches are always tough, you cannot be brilliant all the time, but the important thing was to win." Against inferior opponents, the result never really looked in doubt, despite Italy's inability to create any openings of note early on. Inter Milan's Sensi came off the bench and arrowed a strike into the net less than two minutes after his introduction. There was just the one worrying moment for Italy, with Tautvydas Eliosius presented with a glorious chance to snatch an unlikely leveller, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save. Lazio striker Immobile missed a hat-trick of glaring chances to score, but made no mistake from the spot after Federico Chiesa had been fouled.
LEUVEN, BELGIUM (REUTERS) - Belgium’s second-string used the opportunity of a rare start to impress coach Roberto Martinez as they thumped Belarus 8-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (March 30). With Martinez warning players were under scrutiny for places in the Euro 2020 squad, Michy Batshuayi, Hans Vanaken (2), Leandro Trossard (2), Jeremy Doku, Denis Praet and Christian Benteke all scored as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens were given the night off. It lifted Belgium to seven points from three games in Group E, while Belarus suffered a first defeat after starting with a 4-2 win over Estonia. Czech Republic are second on four points after a 1-0 loss to Wales who are level on three with Belarus. Belgium, top of the Fifa rankings, were 4-0 up at halftime at Den Dreef as they inflicted Belarus’ heaviest ever defeat. Batshuayi lashed home the opener from a tight angle in the 14th minute, followed three minutes later by Vanenken’s first international goal as he poked home from close range. Trossard opened his national team account with a powerful shot into the far corner in the 38th. Four minutes later a breakaway by Jeremy Doku was finished with aplomb by the young striker. Praet made it 5-0 four minutes into the second half with a shot from outside the penalty area before substitute Benteke swivelled to slam home on the volley after long pass out of defence from Toby Alderweireld. That 70th minute strike was followed by a second for Trossard five minutes afterwards. With two minutes left, Vanaken was set up by Adnan Januzaj for his second of the night to complete the rout, easily surpassing Belarus’ previous heaviest loss, 5-0 to Austria.
SALT LAKE CITY • Stephen Curry is considered to be the National Basketball Association's (NBA) greatest shooter but he remains indebted to those before him who paved the way for his success. So after he passed Reggie Miller to move up to No. 2 on the all-time three-pointers list, the guard was touched to receive a surprise shout-out from the Indiana Pacers great. Curry paced the Golden State Warriors with 24 points - 15 came from beyond the arc - as the visitors (8-8) fell to a 127-108 rout by the Utah Jazz (12-4), who are second in the Western Conference and lie six places above their opponents. Still the loss could not diminish the three-time NBA champion's achievement. All-Star guard Curry now trails only Ray Allen (2,973) after draining his 2,562nd trey here. Allen reached the mark in 1,074 games, while Miller did so in 1,389 games. Curry's feat has come in just 715 games and assuming he continues his pace of four three-pointers per game, he should overtake Allen some time in the middle of next season. Asked by reporters how he felt, the two-time Most Valuable Player, who honoured Miller during the game by showing a "three" and "one" sign in reference to the Pacer's retired shirt number, said: "It's special. "I was trying to enjoy it in the middle of the game because I knew it was on the horizon and I knew how much I looked up to him (Miller) growing up, watching him play, playing against my dad (Dell). "Emulating a lot of things he did moving without the ball. I always said him and (current Nets coach) Steve Nash, I always tried to put those two players together. "Something I have been looking forward to for a very long time. Him and Ray were shooting the basketball, and it's kind of weird... it's pretty crazy to be at this point now." Miller then stunned Curry after appearing midway through the video call alongside his son Ryker, who was wearing the Warrior's No. 30 jersey. "You are an inspiration to so many little ones like mine," he said. "I know what goes into that... So thank you so much for what you have done, my friend." Curry later added that he appreciated the support and was thankful he now gets "to pass that torch on as well", claiming his prowess from downtown was something "that I pride myself on for sure". In the East, Kevin Durant scored 31 points as the Brooklyn Nets never trailed, surviving a number of fourth-quarter comeback attempts by the Miami Heat and a career-high 41-point night by Bam Adebayo to squeeze out a 128-124 victory in New York. The hosts recorded their first win in three games in which their "Big Three" of Durant, Kyrie Irving (28 points) and recent recruit James Harden (12 points) have played together. REUTERS
MIAMI (AFP) - Fifth-ranked Danielle Kang fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 to seize a one-stroke lead after Thursday's (Jan 21) first round of the season-opening LPGA Tournament of Champions. The 28-year-old American, seeking her sixth career LPGA title, made three sets of back-to-back birdies at Four Season Golf & Sports Club in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Defending champion Gaby Lopez of Mexico and US sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda shared second on 65 with Americans Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lincicome another shot back. The opener of the 71st LPGA campaign featured event winners from the past three seasons, those in 2018 added in a one-off because of the depleted number of tournaments played in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A celebrity event is played alongside the LPGA competition, with only a handful of player and sponsor invitees allowed as spectators due to virus health and safety rules. Kang birdied the second and par-3 third, added another set of back-to-back birdies at the par-3 ninth and par-5 10th and then made a late run of three birdies in four holes. After a birdie at the par-5 13th, Kang rolled in a 20-footer for birdie at the par-3 14th, then pitched to two feet and tapped in for birdie at the par-4 16th to grab the lead alone. The Kordas are daughters of 1998 Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda and their 20-year-old brother Sebastian reached his first ATP final last week at Delray Beach. Jessica Korda started off the 10th tee with three birdies and an eagle at the par-5 13th, then added back-to-back birdies at the par-5 17th and par-3 18th. She took bogeys at the second and par-5 seventh but closed with a 10-foot birdie putt at the ninth to share the lead with her sister at 6-under. World number four Nelly Korda, five years younger than her sister at 22, closed with three birdies and an eagle in her last seven holes. After opening with a bogey, she birdied the par-3 third and par-4 fourth, then followed a bogey at the sixth with birdies at seven and eight. The younger Korda made another bogey at 10, but answered with birdies at 12, the par-3 14th and 16 before making eagle at 17. Canada's Brooke Henderson and Americans Angela Stanford and Lexi Thompson shared seventh on 67 with Germany's Sophia Popov and South Korean Chun In-gee another stroke adrift.
TOKYO • Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga yesterday insisted his government was still committed to holding the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer, saying the Games would not only be "proof that mankind overcame the virus" but deliver "hope and courage" to the whole world. However, authorities are set to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and three adjoining prefectures as infections and the number of people in serious condition reach record levels. The capital yesterday reported almost 900 new Covid-19 cases, while there are about 110 people with serious symptoms. The nationwide weekly case total has increased for 14 straight weeks, while the death toll in that period has increased 10 times. Domestic media reports say the state of emergency could be declared as early as Thursday. Should Japan again issue a state of emergency - the first was declared in April - as requested by Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures to combat the spike, it is bound to have a serious impact on the Games. With 199 days to go, another such measure would hinder local athletes' training for the Olympics, due to start on July 23 following an unprecedented one-year delay, while reigniting the debate about whether they should be held at all. Japan has barred entry from all countries, excluding Japanese nationals and non-Japanese residents, until the end of the month, and special procedures developed to expedite the safe entry of oversea athletes have been partially suspended. Last year's state of emergency was lifted in Tokyo by the end of May. Until that time, Tokyo's National Training Centre, a key component of Japan's strategy to achieve Olympic success, was effectively shuttered. With less than seven months before the Olympics, a similar situation would represent a huge hurdle to many athletes' preparations. Enthusiasm for the Games is also not building, with recent polls still showing a majority of respondents favouring either another delay or an outright cancellation. 199 Days until the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. Netizens also expressed their frustration on social media over the tightening of Covid-19 countermeasures. One user, Mii Mama, tweeted: "This morning the news said it's 200 days till the Olympics, and in the afternoon, that there could be another state of emergency. What's going on?" But despite the worsening crisis, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach remains hopeful Tokyo can get a handle on the situation. In his New Year's message, he said: "We can only thank our Japanese partners and friends for their great commitment and their determination, which is absolutely in line with our commitment and our determination to organise these Games in a safe and secure way for all the participants and to make these Games fit for the post-coronavirus world." BLOOMBERG, KYODO NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
LONDON • Manchester City will be without five players for today's Premier League trip to Chelsea due to positive coronavirus tests, Pep Guardiola has confirmed, as he defended the decision to postpone Monday's clash with Everton. City revealed there had been four positive cases at the club on Christmas Day, including for players Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus. A further round of testing found three more cases among the City squad on Monday, leading to the match being called off just four hours before kick-off. "Five players are isolating for 10 days," said Guardiola on Friday. "Some of them, the first cases that were released, it was four people - two players - and three more the second time." City have not revealed the identity of the other three players to test positive - they will also miss Wednesday's League Cup semi-final against Manchester United. The decision to postpone the Everton match attracted some criticism as City did have the required 14 fit senior players by Premier League rules to fulfil the fixture. Everton said they would be seeking clarification from the league authorities on how the postponement came about. However, Guardiola highlighted the risk of his players passing on the virus to Everton's squad. "What happens if we travel on the coach and more players get it?" he said. "And what would happen if the Everton players got infected from us? It was a huge risk. "Hopefully the next tests everyone is negative and the people who are positive right now can come back without a problem." City's training ground was temporarily closed but reopened on Wednesday after no more new cases were detected from another round of testing. Chelsea boss Frank Lampard welcomed plans for today's match to go ahead, but warned there will be further disruption with infection rates across England soaring. The Premier League announced yesterday that Fulham's trip to Burnley today has been postponed due to fresh Covid-19 cases at the London club. The move comes after Fulham's away game against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday was also called off due to a "significant rise" in positive cases within their camp. The United Kingdom is battling a new variant of the virus and Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered millions more people to live under the strictest restrictions from Thursday to curb its spread after case numbers rose sharply in the last two weeks. When asked if his players have concerns about playing, Lampard said: "We feel as safe as the general public. We're in a protective environment. We're now tested twice a week, which is important." The Englishman confirmed that defender Reece James has been ruled out with a muscle injury but winger Hakim Ziyech has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring issue. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS CHELSEA V MAN CITY Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 12.30am
SINGAPORE - After stellar showings at the last three SEA Games, Singapore could see a dip in its gold medal haul at next year's edition in Vietnam. The Republic has crossed the 50-gold mark at three consecutive Games since 2015 - the country's previous best was 50 when it hosted the 1993 Games - but that sequence is in danger of ending. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - Over the last three years, Vanessa and Jerome (not their real names) have been trying to have a baby but a genetic condition has made it near impossible. The Singaporean couple, who were married in 2015, found out three years later that Jerome, 33, is a carrier of balanced translocation, a condition which results in an unusual rearrangement of chromosomes. While someone with this condition usually has no health problems, it increases the risk of a miscarriage. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
Over the last three years, Vanessa and Jerome (not their real names) have been trying to have a baby but a genetic condition has made it near impossible. The Singaporean couple, who were married in 2015, found out three years later that Jerome, 33, is a carrier of balanced translocation, a condition which results in an unusual rearrangement of chromosomes. While someone with this condition usually has no health problems, it increases the risk of a miscarriage. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - Eateries are gearing up for the festive season by implementing a host of measures that will help them accommodate customers in a safe way amid the pandemic. Some restaurants are hiring more staff to ensure customers adhere to safe management measures, while others are putting up more visual reminders, such as posters, on the Covid-19 regulations. Under current rules that will remain in effect until Dec 27, social gatherings in groups of more than five are not allowed outside an individual's residence. Food and beverage (F&B) outlets are not permitted to accept bookings from groups that are larger than five, even if such groups are split across multiple tables. Groups are not allowed to intermingle. From Dec 28, when phase three of Singapore's reopening kicks in, people will be allowed to meet in groups of up to eight for social gatherings. Restaurants are taking steps to ensure that customers do not let down their guard before phase three, even as they make merry during the festive season. Mr G. Shanmugam, owner of Bottoms Up restaurant in Telok Ayer, said he will be accepting fewer reservations over the next two weeks to ensure that customers do not try to flout the rules by making separate reservations and then mingle across tables on site. Mr Stephane Heard, vice-president of F&B operations at Como Dempsey, which operates six restaurants in the Dempsey area, said it hired more part-time staff to help manage the large crowds expected on Christmas Day. All these measures are on top of existing ones in place since June, say those interviewed. But while businesses take steps to ensure the rules are adhered to, they are also seeking cooperation from customers. Mr Wei Chan, honorary secretary of the Restaurant Association of Singapore, said that the penalties for individuals pale in comparison to the costs borne by the establishments. Individuals who flout safe distancing measures will be fined $300 for the first offence. Businesses, however, will be fined and forced to close temporarily, Mr Chan said, citing the Seoul Garden outlet at Tampines Mall which had to suspend full operations for 10 days for failing to comply with Covid-19 safe management measures. A 32-year-old service engineer had tested positive for Covid-19 after having dinner with 12 family members at the Seoul Garden outlet on Nov 21. More on this topic Related Story Gemma Steakhouse at National Gallery ordered to shut for 20 days after Halloween dinner involving 75 people Related Story Beer in teapots: 23 F&B outlets caught for breaching Covid-19 rules during stepped-up checks "Being forced to close during the festive period will hurt establishments badly," Mr Chan said. The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Friday (Dec 18) that there will be more checks on F&B outlets to make sure that safe management measures are being complied with. The stepped-up surveillance will extend over the next few weeks to cover the end-of-year festive period. Mr Tong Tien Teck, an employee at seafood restaurant Momma Kong's, saw safe distancing ambassadors walk by the Mosque Street establishment thrice on Saturday afternoon. "They usually take a look at the (interior) of the restaurant from outside, and then give a thumbs up before walking away," he added. A check with several restaurants in the Chinatown area revealed that the ambassadors usually conduct checks in the area twice a day. Several restaurant staff said that the crowds were not significantly larger, as they are still dealing with the lack of tourists. More on this topic Related Story Coronavirus: Restaurants making sure safety measures carried out to keep customers safe Related Story Amid Covid-19 pandemic and downturn, several Japanese eateries have opened and are doing well Despite this, queues were seen forming outside a few eateries in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, with patrons keeping a safe distance from other groups in spite of limited pavement space outside the restaurants. Speaking at a separate event on Saturday, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor said it is important for Singaporeans to realise that Covid-19 was still around. "We cannot afford to let our guard down. Going into phase three still means we have to maintain vigilance," she told reporters. Software engineer Imran Hamid, 32, is supportive of more checks. "It has been more crowded over the last few weeks since the school holidays started, so I think it's good that there's going to be more stringent checks during this period," he said. Mr James Jesuvhass, 70, a retired general manager in the hospitality sector, said he would have preferred phase three to be implemented before Christmas since it is likely that people would hold New Year celebrations early. More on this topic Related Story Businesses cheer relaxed rules in Singapore's phase 3 but border reopening still key Related Story Sorry, we're fully booked: Many new fine-dining restaurants all booked up till next year Privacy consultant William Lim, 53, said people here are used to the phased approach to reopening, a strategy he said that has yielded success. "The Government took many steps to ensure things are okay, and just look at how we have improved compared with other countries," he said. Ms Annie Huang, 46, a private tutor and mother of two, said phase three gives larger families the opportunity to meet up before the new school year begins. Her children are looking forward to going out for a meal with their cousins. Designer Kelvin Tan, 41, described the timing of phase three as fair. "Timing phase three for the new year will allow everyone to celebrate. If phase three is only after the New Year, only those who celebrate Chinese New Year will benefit." 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HERNING • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he is no longer sure the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology is good for football after Wednesday's Champions League match against Midtjylland was interrupted three times in the second half, causing long delays. The Group D tie was a dead rubber as the Reds had already advanced to the last 16 as group winners, so the visitors fielded an experimental side in Denmark. Klopp gave Leighton Clarkson his full debut in the competition and fellow academy player Billy Koumetio his first appearance off the bench. But the match, which ended 1-1 after Mohamed Salah's strike was cancelled out by a second-half penalty by Alexander Scholz, was marred by VAR checks. The incident which led to the hosts' equaliser had to be reviewed, while the action was also halted as the system disallowed goals for either side late on. Although Klopp agreed with all three decisions, he expressed his concerns about the amount of time players had to wait on the pitch in wintry conditions. "I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea, I'm really not sure if I would say that again to be honest," he told reporters. "It just took too long. I think in the end, I didn't see it back, the decisions were right but it was so difficult, it took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys." Klopp was, however, happy with the spirit shown despite making eight changes from the side who smashed Wolves 4-0 in the Premier League last weekend. Salah, just one of three players retained, nabbed his 22nd Champions League goal, surpassing former captain Steven Gerrard as the club's record scorer in Europe's elite club competition. "Exceptional player, absolutely exceptional player," Klopp said. "Since we (have) worked together, obviously a lot of things (have) clicked really for all of us. "He helps the team massively, and he knows and appreciates the help of the team as well." Elsewhere, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also hailed the contributions of his key striker, Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian international, making only his fifth appearance of the season due to injuries, came off the bench to poke home from close range as City brushed aside Marseille 3-0 at the Etihad. Guardiola's men confirmed their place in the last 16 as Group C winners and on Aguero, who took his Champions League goals tally to 41, the Catalan said "his instinct to score goals will always be there". REUTERS
LONDON • The "Big Three" rivalry between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has produced epic matches that continue to be talked about years down the road. But fresh off his maiden ATP Finals victory at the O2 Arena in London, Daniil Medvedev feels the younger generation of tennis stars have the potential to create their own rivalries to match the sport's biggest stars and in turn, capture the public's imagination. The Russian, who lost all three of his group matches last year, completed a remarkable week with a 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 win over US Open champion Dominic Thiem on Sunday to land the biggest title of his career. His victory over the world No. 3, following a semi-final win over 20-time Grand Slam winner and French Open champion Nadal and a group-stage win over top-ranked Djokovic, means he is only the fourth player to beat the three top-ranked men in a single event. He joins David Nalbandian (Madrid 2007), Djokovic (Montreal 2007) and Boris Becker (Stockholm 1994). He also became the fifth successive first-time winner of the title. Alexander Zverev, 23, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, 22, won the last two titles here while Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov won in 2017 but none have gone on to claim a Grand Slam. But there are signs the gap to the "Big Three" is closing. Thiem made the breakthrough at Flushing Meadows, becoming the first player other than Djokovic, Nadal or Federer to land a Slam since 2016 and giving encouragement to his peers. With Federer now aged 39, Nadal 34, and 17-time Major winner Djokovic 33, their incredible rivalries have a limited time to run. The hope is for Medvedev, Thiem, Tsitsipas, US Open finalist Zverev and Canadian Denis Shapovalov to soon provide similar blockbuster rivalries. Asked if his rivalry with Thiem, 3-2 in the Austrian's favour, can develop into something special, fourth-ranked Medvedev said: "Hopefully, we can be there for a long time, maybe let's say pushing the other generations back. "The top three, they probably went through two, three generations without dropping their level, which is not easy. "But what is definitely good from us, from Dominic, from me, if we talk about this tournament, we managed both to beat Rafa and Novak, which is an amazing accomplishment. "It can give me a lot for my future career, Not even talking about the title itself. It means a lot. "It shows what I'm capable of when I'm feeling good mentally and physically." Thiem agreed that the new vanguard would continue to push the "Big Three", adding: "For tennis there are exciting times coming. Super important for the sport in general." Having ended the year on a 10-match winning streak, including the Paris Masters title, Medvedev will head into next year brimming with confidence. "To beat Dominic the way he played today and to manage to beat him is probably my best victory of my life," he said. After 12 years in London, the ATP Finals will be staged in Turin, Italy from next year till 2025. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The third and final man linked to the robbery of an Ang Mo Kio jewellery store last year was sentenced yesterday to 27 months' jail and a fine of $20,000. Sharavindran Suppiah, 32, had earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of dishonestly receiving stolen property, which also involved items taken in the robbery. He also admitted to seven other unrelated offences, including assault and driving a car on Aug 13 last year, even though he did not have a licence to do so. Yesterday, he was disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for six months over the traffic offence. The mastermind of the robbery, M. Jegatheesh, 28, was sentenced on Thursday to three years and three months' jail, and six strokes of the cane. Veeramani Subran Das, 37, who drove the getaway car, was sentenced to three years' jail and six strokes of the cane on Nov 2. All three men are Singaporeans. Deputy Public Prosecutors Thiagesh Sukumaran and Jeremy Bin told the court Jegatheesh met the two others in Geylang at about 9pm on Aug 13 last year to plan the heist. The next day, Veeramani met Jegatheesh in a car at a carpark near Block 521 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 at around 2.40pm. Jegatheesh went alone to Hock Cheong Jade and Jewellery shop, located at Block 574, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, and committed the robbery. He filled a duffle bag with valuables worth nearly $120,000 in total and ran into a car driven by Veeramani. The two men then left the scene. When they got to the same carpark in Ang Mo Kio, Veeramani took the duffle bag and they parted ways. Later that day, Veeramani met Sharavindran, who inspected the contents of the bag. The DPPs said: "Sharavindran was instructed by Jegatheesh to safekeep the jewellery in a place known by Jegatheesh while they figured out how to offload it. "He directed Veeramani to drive to Dakota Crescent, where he knew there were abandoned blocks of Housing Board flats." While Veeramani waited, Sharavindran carried a bag containing the valuables to the sixth storey of a block. He placed the bag into the cistern of a toilet bowl and the two men left the scene. In an unrelated case, the court heard that Sharavindran worked with three other men and a woman to receive stolen cheques in 2017. He also assaulted a 47-year-old man in Geylang in July 2017 following a dispute. Shaffiq Alkhatib
VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Valencia forward Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties as his side beat La Liga champions Real Madrid 4-1 at home in an extraordinary match on Sunday (Nov 8). Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead with a scorching strike from outside the area only for Valencia to pull level eventually with the first of Soler's three penalties after a most unusual turn of events. Soler saw his spot-kick saved by Thibaut Courtois and then hit the post on the rebound, while team mate Yunus Musah netted the loose ball, only to see the goal ruled out after a VAR review showed him encroaching in the area. A re-take was ordered and Soler made no mistake at the second attempt. Valencia took the lead before halftime through a freak own goal from Raphael Varane, who unwittingly sent the ball flying over his head and just over the line, the goal being awarded several minutes later following another VAR review. Valencia's teenage forward Lee Kang-in almost struck a third early in the second period but Courtois turned his shot onto the post. The home side kept up the momentum though and won two further penalties, for a foul by Marcelo on Maxi Gomez then a handball by Sergio Ramos. Soler converted each time, becoming only the third player in the history of La Liga to score three penalties in a single match. More on this topic Related Story Football: La Liga title race set to be more open than ever with Sociedad the sixth team to lead Related Story Football: Alcacer and Parejo haunt troubled former club Valencia to send Villarreal top of La Liga
LONDON (REUTERS) - Two own goals helped Arsenal recover from falling behind to crush Molde 4-1 in Europa League Group B on Thursday (Nov 5), with Nicolas Pepe and Joe Willock also scoring for the Londoners. Arsenal struggled to deal with Molde's aggressive pressing game and that led to Martin Ellingsen's opening goal as the Norwegians won the ball in midfield and he fired home a dipping shot from outside the area in the 22nd minute. The home side equalised in first-half stoppage time after a sweeping move from a Molde corner. Eddie Nketiah whipped in a low centre from the right and Kristoffer Haugen bundled the ball into his own net. Defender Sead Kolasinac missed a glorious chance for Arsenal, hoofing the ball over an open goal from close range, but they went ahead in the 62nd minute when Willock pulled the ball across and Sheriff Sinyan shanked it into his own net. Pepe made it three eight minutes later with a thumping left-foot shot before Arsenal turned the tables by pressuring a Molde clearance, winning the ball and setting up Willock to score. Arsenal top Group B on a maximum nine points from three games, three ahead of Molde. Rapid Vienna, who beat Irish side Dundalk 4-3 earlier in the evening, are third on three points.