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August 1, 2015
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Iyonagbe returns to golf
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even-time order of merit winner, Raphael Iyonagbe has returned to golf almost ten years after leaving the sport for proverbial greener pasture in the United Kingdom. Confirming the report in telephone chat with Mirror Golf, Iyonagbe said he is happy to return to the sport, saying he is happy hitting golf balls once again. “It’s been a refreshing experience hitting golf ball once again”, he said. Iyonagbe’s exploit on the Nigerian Tour will be difficult to erase. He has won virtually all notable trophies staked on the tour. Having established himself on the home tour, the big hitting golfer tried his hand on quali-
fying for the British open golf championship. His first attempt in 2002 saw him missing the cut by twoshots. The following year, Iyonagbe who was then sponsored by Magnum Trust Bank, narrowly missed the cut by a lone strike. At the height of his reign, Iyongabe won two of the CMCL organized Winner-Takes-All series, won the then Abia Open, won Slok Open, adding CMCL open trophy a short while later. He left for the UK in 2005 in search of the Golden-fleece. Now however, the fearsome golfer says he can no longer stay away from his first love; and has therefore joined Woostonmanor Golf and Country Club, Essex.
Ramsey completes stunning comeback
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e f i w , y e l r e v e l C mantic o r n i t out h g i n
om Cleverley was back in Manchester on Friday night but it wasn’t for footballing reasons, as he picked up a takeout from the popular Wing’s Chinese Restaurant with his wife, Georgina. The couple met and has been dating since 2012. Tom was 22 when they met while Georgina was 27. Tabloids called Cleverley her “toyboy,” and his friends allegedly razzed him for dating a TOWIE star. Dorsett, however, was adamant that she wasn’t like the other girls. “A lot of the girls like to dress up and fall out of clubs,” she said then, “but I’m not one of them.”
Shortly after, Cleverley announced the birth of the couple’s baby, Nevaeh and Rose, on his Twitter account in June 2013, calling it the “proudest moment of my life.” The superstar couple has kept Nevaeh largely out of the limelight, and Dorsett took a backseat in public for the first year of her daughter’s life as well. A very svelte and fit Dorsett had stepped back out and onto pages of fashion magazines. They are now more visible than ever before. Meanwhile, the Everton star has been busy taking part in preseason with his new side. Cleverley, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, joined the Toffees in the summer after
his contract at Manchester United came to an end. The Everton star was enjoying some time with his other half as pre-season preparations continue The 25-year-old opted for Roberto Martinez’s side despite interest from elsewhere and will be looking to force his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans ahead of Euro 2016. Cleverley has looked bright during pre-season; Everton beat Hearts last Sunday and Dundee on Tuesday, and will be hoping he can take that form into the new campaign. Everton open their Premier League campaign at home to Watford as they look to improve on last season’s 11th-place finish
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ome favourite Richie Ramsay treated the crowds to a remarkable fightback as he advanced to the second round of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay. Ramsay, who set the course record of 62 at Murcar Links a month before winning the US Amateur in 2006, came back from three down after seven holes to beat India’s Shiv Kapur by one hole. The 32 year old Aberdonian took the lead for the first time in the match when he picked up a shot on the 17th and also birdied the 18th from 20 feet, with Kapur having hit an excellent approach to eight feet.
Ramsay was delighted with the way he held his nerve to seal victory. He said: “The most pleasing thing is playing well under pressure. There is no better feeling. “To birdie the last two, and then obviously down the last with the local guys on the green was great. “And I can call upon that in the rest of the round and maybe sharpen up the game this afternoon, ready for round two.” India’s Jeev Milkha Singh also produced a superb comeback to reach the last 32, the 43 year old losing four of the first six holes to Australian Scott Hend and having to birdie the ninth for a half just to remain four down at the turn.
Rose back to QLN tourney
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ost of the world’s top players are skipping the Quicken Loans National. Justin Rose wouldn’t miss it even if he weren’t the defending champion. Rose won the event in 2010 at Aronimink and last year at Congressional. This year, the Quicken Loans National moves to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, a course he’s never seen. Given its place on the crowded PGA Tour schedule, a week off might be tempting - but not for Rose. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments on Tour. Got a couple of the best-looking trophies on Tour,” Rose said. “It’s about winning tournaments and playing places where you feel you can win.” Rose, the world’s seventhranked player, is a favorite this week along with No. 8 Rickie Fowler. Just three others from the world’s top 50 are playing, leaving the Quicken Loans National with
Rose
the second-weakest field among stand-alone PGA Tour events this season. Tournament host Tiger Woods used to beef up the quality of the field. But he hasn’t won in almost two years while battling injuries and changing his swing, and his ranking has plummeted to 266th. He needs a win this week just to get into next week’s Bridgestone Invitational, an event he’s won eight times.