01222018 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

FIRE, Page 3

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018

LPGA: PURE SILK CLASSIC QUALIFYING ROUNDS TODAY BASEBALL

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHETHER or not she advances out of today’s qualifying round, Daniela Darquea said she’s just delighted to be in the Bahamas playing in the sixth annual Pure Silk Women’s Professional Golf Tournament and helping out the Bahamian future stars at the youth clinic.

Darquea, a native of Ecuador, was on hand at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range on Saturday as she provided some

professional tips during the Pure Silk’s clinic that was held prior to the start of the week of activities at the Ocean Club Golf Course that starts today with a field of 34 players vying for two spots in the main draw that will begin on Thursday.

“It’s been wonderful. I got here last night and today they are having the clinic, so I’m having a lot of fun,” said Darquea, who is making her debut here in the Bahamas. “I love it (clinic). They (youngsters) are willing to learn. I had a chance to talk to most of the girls and I think they are passionate about it. I think they love it.”

However, Darquea said what the Bahamian players are experiencing is something that has been a problem everywhere else. “I think the major issue about this sport around the world is that it is very expensive to play this sport. I think that’s bad,’ she said.

“I think everybody should be given a chance to try to play this sport because it is so wonderful. I think that is a major hindrance for the players here. But these youngsters are doing a fantastic job. I encouraged them that if they want to pursue it, they too can one day become a professional player.”

Two of the Bahamian junior players were thrilled to have gotten the tips from Darquea.

Riya Miller, a 14-year-old 10th grader at Queen’s College, is now in her third year playing golf and she felt the knowledge gained will definitely help her.

“I noticed that she really knows what she’s doing. She’s been dedicated to her work and she has been able to share that with us so that we can improve our game,” said Miller, who is trained by Georgette Rolle.

SEE PAGE 8

Eagles v Patriots in Super Bowl

By ARNIE STAPLETON Associated Press

T

om Brady and the New England Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl in search of a sixth title.

They’ll face a Philadelphia Eagles team looking for their first Lombardi Trophy.

Brady led the Patriots (15-3) back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20 in the AFC championship game yesterday.

Starting his 36th playoff game, Brady shook off an injury to his right hand and the loss of top target Rob Gronkowski to rally the Patriots to their record 10th Super Bowl appearance.

The Patriots will try to match the Pittsburgh Steelers’ six Super Bowl trophies when they face the Eagles (15-3) on February 4 in Minneapolis.

Nick Foles, the backup QB who was thrust into the starting role when Carson Wentz blew out his left knee last month, led the Philadelphia to a 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game.

Foles threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise and moxie in going 26 for 33.

The Vikings were hoping to become the first NFL team to serve as host to a Super Bowl in its own stadium, but they followed up their “Minneapolis Miracle “ with a “Flop in Philly.”

So, they’ll clear out their lockers long before the Eagles and Patriots and their fans take over US Bank Stadium for Super Bowl 52 in two weeks.

Oddsmakers like the chances of Brady winning a sixth Super Bowl ring, making the Patriots nearly a touchdown favourite to beat the Eagles.

The Patriots and Eagles, who last won an NFL title in 1960, several years

SEE PAGE 4

NEW England Patriots QB Tom Brady holds the AFC championship trophy last night. SEE FULL STORY PAGE 5 (AP Photo/David J Phillip)

SEASONS NOW OPEN

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net BASEBALL is arguably the sport with the most populous and effective development programme in the country and two of the local leaders began their seasons last weekend.

Freedom Farm Baseball League and Junior Baseball League of Nassau hosted opening ceremonies for their 29th seasons at their respective home complexes on Saturday, January 20.

Each of the leagues fields several hundred boys and girls ranging from age 4-18 in many different divisions.

Freedom Farm gathered with parents, sponsors, coaches, family and friends to worship at Holy Cross Anglican Church to open the year. Following the service, the seven baseball divisions lined up for a parade of players to the Freedom Farm complex in Yamacraw.

The group of student athletes were addressed by a number of special guests on the day, both during the service and at the opening ceremony once they arrived at the park - highlighted by Lucius Fox of the Tampa Bay Rays and Dominic Collie of the Arizona Diamondbacks - both former Freedom Farm products.

Fox, the first Bahamian to appear in the MLB Futures Game - an all star showcase for minor league players - told the crowd of his personal baseball journey which began at Freedom Farm.

“You never know when it’s going to be your last game, it could be today or it could be after 20 years in the big leagues, you have to play every game like it’s your last. I was at school one day and I didn’t know anything about baseball, but Rico Seymour, he was the PE teacher at the school I attended and he had a team at Freedom Farm.

“I stepped on the third base the first day, I had no clue what baseball was, I was seven years old at the time and I just fell in love with the game,” he said.

“When I started we won more than we lost, being here was exciting to us and it was the highlight of our week, so have fun with it. I built relationships that will last me a lifetime. Thank your parents for taking time out to practice and the games. They are your number one supporter and fans.

“We appreciate all of the coaches that helped us to get where we are as professional players. Just know this is to get you better.

SEE PAGE 4

NPBA: Regulators stop Pirates 126-121 in double overtime IT took double overtime for the Leno Regulators to outscore the Caro Contractors Pirates 126-121 in Saturday night’s New Providence Basketball Association men’s division one feature contest at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

In the opener, the Rockets knocked off the Vitamalt Chargers 69-48. On Friday night, the Leno Eagles Nest got a big 93-77 win over the Elites Basketball Club and the Commonwealth Bank Giants routed the Island Game Pros 114-67.

• Here’s a summary of the games:

Page 4

Regulators 126, Pirates 121 Alexander Rolle, in 31 minutes, canned 26 points with four rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead Leno to a 5-3 record.

Renardo Baillou had 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals, Kenneth Pratt had 22 points and four rebounds, Hakeem Walkes had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Cruz Simon chipped in with 11 points. For Caro Contractors, Dominique

Fernander exploded for a game high 37 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, Anthony Whylly helped out with 29 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three assists and two block shots, Tevin Hudson had 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals, Kronoff Dean had 13 points, 13 assists, four rebounds and three steals and Jerone Smith had 11 points.

Rockets 69, Chargers 48 Eugene Bain, in just 22:16 minutes, had 14 points and 14 rebounds and was one of three players in double figures for the Rockets, who are now 6-1.

Dominique Beadle also had 14 points and six rebounds and Tomeko Moxey also contributed 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Wilfred Culmer had 13 points and five rebounds and Brandon

Adderley added 11 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort for the hapless Vitamalt, who are 0-8.

Giants 114, Pros 67 Michael Bain Jr went ballistic as he helped Commonwealth Bank to remain undefeated at 6-0 by pouring in a game high 38 points.

Playing the full game, Bain shot 14-for-21 from the field, 6-for-7 from the three-point line and 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

He also had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Five other players were in double figures as David Taylor had 15 points with six rebounds, six assists and two steals as well, Tehrad Rahming had 14 points and 13 rebounds, both Tehran Cox and Trent Cox had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Jeffrey Henfield had eight points and five rebounds.

Colton Albury had 18 points and three rebounds for Island Game, who dropped to 1-8.

Tyrone Sands had 13 points and eight rebounds and McKenson Merius added 12 points.

Eagles Nest 93, Elites 77 In winning their first game in five tries, Leno got a game high 27 points from Janaldo Joseph in 28 minutes as he was 10-for-17 from the field, 3-for-5 from the threepoint line and 4-for-6 from the foul line.

Tyrell Butler had 21 points, Troy Trembley had 12 points and seven rebounds and Johncey Augustin added 12 points as well.

In a losing effort, Martin Conliff had 21 points, Dario McKenzie had 19 points, 12 rebounds and eight steals and Zaccheus Wallace posted 14 points and four rebounds.

PAGE 2, Monday, January 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SIXTH ANNUAL PURE SILK BAHAMAS LPGA CLASSIC YOUTH CLINIC

YOUNG, aspiring golfers take part in the youth clinic over the weekend prior to the sixth annual Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic. The clinic was held at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range on Saturday. Today, the qualifying rounds get underway at the Ocean Club Golf Course with a field of 34 players vying for two spots in the main draw that will begin on Thursday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 22, 2018, PAGE 3

Fire guts announcer’s booth at the original TAR stadium

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FIRE on Sunday gutted the announcer’s booth - the oldest structure in the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, but it’s not expected to adversely affect the operations of the various high schools and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ activities.

“The Fire Department’s investigative team is out there doing their investigation,” said Jeff Beckles, manager of the National Sports Authority, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s entity responsible for the daily operation of the facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

“Obviously, we need to give them time to do their assessment. We just wait for a preliminary report that is expected in a day or so. It’s a little too early to say what may have caused it. There wasn’t anything going on at the time at the stadium.

Right now, we are just waiting on them to assess it.”

The fire occurred one day after the Roadrunners Track Club, headed

by Dexter Bodie, staged the second meet on the BAAAs calendar for 2018 as the road to the hosting of the CARIFTA Games for the eighth time over the Easter holiday weekend continues.

Beckles said the facility has suffered extensive damage and will have to be demolished once they get the green light from the Fire Department of the Royal Bahamas Police Force because it could be considered a lost cause.

“What has happened there won’t affect the daily

operation at the TAR,” he said. “We had stuff stored in there, but it won’t affect our ability to continue to operate the local meets there. There was no harm to anyone. Once we can get in there and assess the damage, we will continue to function.”

When contacted, BAAAs president Rosamunde Carey said after learning of the fire, her main concern was how it would affect their operation heading into CARIFTA. “We have meets going on every weekend,” she pointed out. “We have CARIFTA trials and then CARIFTA, but I was able to speak to the NSA’s general manager Mr Beckles, who assured me that they can’t pinpoint exactly what went wrong until the investigators have completed their assessment.

“The fire was just contained in the announcer’s booth so there was some damage to the timing system, but that will not impact the meets that are going on. It may have some impact on the meets that are on for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but they just have to block that section off.”

With the original TAR Stadium a bee hive of activities throughout the day with the high school meets and athletes training for the series of meets that are scheduled for every weekend leading into CARIFTA, Carey said they are just getting into their season and they saw a couple of qualifiers at the Roadrunners meet on Saturday.

“We were assured by Mr Beckles that the fire will not hinder the track and field season,” Carey said. “I’ve not been out there because

it’s not safe, but I have been appraised and he and I will go through a walk through tomorrow (today) and we will survey the damage.”

Carey expressed her gratitude to the NSA in their commitment to do all that they can to ensure that the BAAA will not be adversely affected in the build up to the hosting of the CARIFTA Games.

The announcer’s booth is situated on the southern end of the old TAR stadium. It also occupies the statistician section where the results are compiled.

There was also the office and storage rooms used by the NSA staff in addition to the unused sports reporter’s room. There was also a male and female bathroom.

Just on the outside, blue bucket seats were recently placed on the concrete bleachers for the athletes and coaches to sit as they enjoyed the meet. Underneath the stadium was a male bathroom.

SUNDAY’S fire isn’t expected to adversely affect the operations of the various high schools and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ activities.

NATIONAL judo champion Cynthia Rahming (left) and coach Amarilis Savon.

Cynthia Rahming 7th at Scottish Judo Open BAHAMAS female national champion Cynthia Rahming ended up in an impressive 7th place at the Scottish Judo Open this past weekend.

Rahming, competing in the under 57 kilogram division, finished the day with two wins and two losses.

She defeated Britain’s top cadet, Leah Grosvenor, by Ippon (knock out).

Grosvernor was the winner of the Commonwealth Youth Games Championship held here in New Providence last summer.

Rahming also defeated Charlotte Beirne of England by Ippon.

Rahming, however, lost to eventual silver medallist Kiera Bateman by Ippon and also lost to Chloe Robyns-Landricombe, winner of the Welsh Open, on points after going the distance.

Rahming was coached by three-time Olympic medallist Amarilis Savon.

“This was an assessment tournament for her,” said D’Arcy Rahming Jr, High Performance Director of the Bahamas Judo

Federation.

“We are pleased with her overall performance and in reviewing the matches we know the areas needed for improvement.”

The Scottish Open is a tournament just below the Olympic qualifiers.

The country opens would include persons vying to be members of their national teams and to gain the experience necessary to unseat their country champions.

Great Britain is one of the countries that medal at the Olympics so the standard is very high.

PAGE 4, Monday, January 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

On track: Pro and college athletes take US spotlight

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT was a mixture of professional and collegiate athletes in the spotlight over the weekend as Warren Frazer, Alonzo Russell, Katrina Seymour, Bianca ‘BB’ Stuart, Jyles Etienne, Pedrya Seymour, LaQuan Nairn and Brianne Bethel turned in some of the leading performances at various meets in the United States.

At the 2018 Clemson Invitational at the Clement University Indoor Complex, Warren Fraser had to settle for third in the final of the men’s 60m that saw American Christian Coleman set a world record in 6.37. Fraser ran 6.60 also trail Tevin Hester, who was second in 6.57.

Fraser got second on his heat in 6.66 for third overall. Coleman had the fastest time in 6.47 and Tevin Hester beat out Fraser in their heat for second overall in 6.65.

Alonzo Russell from Grand Bahama led three men in the 400m as he posted the fastest time, winning his heat in 46.38 with a 200m split of 21.33.

Ojay Ferguson also won his heat in 47.39 and a split of 21.87 for fifth, while Cameron Parker got second in his heat in 47.62 with a split of 22.70 for seventh overall.

Parker had double duties as he placed second in his heat of the men’s 200m for fifth overall in 21.27, just behind Hester, who cooled down for third in his heat in 21.08 for fourth.

Keanu Pennerman, a junior at Purdue, was fourth in his heat in 22.80 for 35th overall. Pennerman opened the meet with seventh in his heat of the men’s 60 m in 7.07.

Katrina Seymour won her heat of the women’s 400m in 54.99, but that placed her 12th overall. Kelsey Balkwill of the University of Windsor had the best time of 53.15. Seymour came back in the 600m where she was third in her heat in 1:39.12 for 20th overall.

Madeline Kopp had the best time overall 1:27.46 for the win.

Keianna Albury advanced to the final of the women’s 60m after she was second on her heat in 7.40 for sixth overall. Carmiesha Cox, a senior at Purdue, missed getting into the final after she was third in her heat in 7.47 for 10th overall.

Cox came back in the 200m where she was seventh overall in 24.11 after she placed third in her heat. Kentucky’s junior Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the winner of her heat in 23.27, was the overall winner.

Bianca Stuart picked up a second place finish in the last of two flights of the women’s long jump with her best leap of 6.45 metre (21-2) on her fifth attempt.

Chanice Porter beat her out with 6.54m (21-5 1/2) on her third attempt in the same flight.

Stuart also contested the women’s Olympic Developmental 60m where she was fifth in her heat in 7.80 for 11th overall.

In the men’s triple jump, Purdue’s freshman Tamar Greene was seventh overall with a leap of 14.48m (47-6 ) on his first attempt.

Bryce Williams of Penn State was the winner with 15.85m (52-0) that came on his second attempt to surpass Greene. The best that Greene could muster after that was 14.45 (47-5) on his fourth attempt.

Greene also contested the men’s long jump where he was 18th overall with a beast leap of 6.66m (21-10

THE Bahamas Bowling Federation will hold their national team trials this week at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre.

The training squad will consist of 20 members (10 men and 10 women). The top eight male and top eight female finishers based on total pinfall will automatically qualify for 2018 Bahamas National Bowling Training Squad. The remaining four squad members (two males and two females) will be selected by the federation. The trials begin at 7pm tonight and continue through Thursday night. All shifts will consist of six games. After the first 3 games, bowlers will move one pair of lanes to the right. Bowlers that bowled on the last pair of lanes to the right of the lane scheduled for competition will move to the far left pair of lanes to bowl their next three games.

PEDRYA Seymour opened her season campaign in her new uniform at the Texas A&M Quadrangular at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Station, Texas. ¼).

His performance came on his third and final attempt as he competed out of the first of two flights.

At the Gladstein Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana’s freshman Jyles Etienne won the men’s high jump with the mark of 2.07m (6’9.5”). Etienne currently holds the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten rankings and the No. 5 spot in the NCAA rankings from his performance at the Hoosier Open (2.21m / 7’3”).

At the Texas A&M Quadrangular at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Station, Pedrya Seymour opened her season campaign in her new uniform as she clocked 8.36 for third place behind two

of her Texas team-mates as Rushelle Burton, a sophomore won in 8.16 and senior Ariel Jones got second in 8.29.

She had the second fastest time of 8.34 to win her heat. Burton had the fastest time of 8.20 and Jones had the third fastest 8.36.

At the 2018 SimmonsHarvey Quad Meet at the U-M Indoor Track in Ann Arbor, Mi, Arkansas’ sophomore LaQuan Nairn soared to victory in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.60 metres or 24-feet, 11 1/4-inches. His nearest rival was Ohio State’s senior Zack Bazile came in second with 7.53m (24-8 1/2).

Tavonte Mott, a freshman at Ohio State, failed

to finish the men’s 60m hurdles in his collegiate debut.

Mott, however, bounced back and finished ninth in the 200m in 21.98 after he placed fourth in his heat.

At the 2018 Mark Colligan Memorial Indoor Track and Field Meet at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, Brianne Bethel captured the women’s 60m title in a time of 7.37 as she improved slightly on her fastest qualifying time of 7.38.

And before she was done, Bethel picked up a second place finish in the 200m after she won her heat in 23.78. Morganne Mukes of Kansas won her heat in 23.35 for the fastest time overall.

OLADIPO, PACERS END SPURS’ HOME WINNING STREAK AT 14 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Oladipo scored 19 points and the Indiana Pacers defeated San Antonio 94-86 on Sunday night, snapping the Spurs’ 14-game home winning streak.

Darren Collison added 15 points for Indiana, which snapped a threegame losing streak in San Antonio.

The Spurs lost at home for the third time this season and the first since Nov. 10 against Milwaukee.

Pau Gasol had 14 points to lead San Antonio.

With Manu Ginobili, Rudy Gay and Kawhi Leonard out with injuries, the Spurs opted to bring Tony Parker off the bench for just the 14th time in 1,165 career games.

Parker responded with 12 points and five assists, but LaMarcus Aldridge struggled without the veteran point guard, scoring a season-low 10 points.

MAGIC 103, CELTICS 95 BOSTON (AP) — Elfrid Payton had 22 points and Orlando won for just the third time in 20 games, overcoming Kyrie Irving’s 40 points.

Orlando snapped a 14-game losing streak at Boston. The Magic had lost 10 in a row on the road overall since early December.

Irving sat out Boston’s previous game to rest a sore left shoulder.

Despite his efforts, the Celtics dropped their season-worst third straight home game.

and eight assists, making the most of extensive playing time in the absence of injured Lonzo Ball.

Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Michael Beasley scored 17 points apiece for the Knicks, who have lost 12 of 16. New York slipped to 2-2 on its seven-game trip.

The Knicks couldn’t keep up down the stretch with the Lakers, whose up-tempo offense flowed throughout their highest-scoring game in two weeks.

BOSTON Celtics’ Kyrie Irving (11) shoots between Magic’s Shelvin Mack (7) and Khem Birch (24) in the fourth quarter yesterday.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) Evan Fournier added 19 and Aaron Gordon had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic.

LAKERS 127, KNICKS 107 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jordan Clarkson had 29 points and 10

assists, Julius Randle added 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Los Angeles got its sixth win in eight games.

Kyle Kuzma added 15 points for the Lakers (17-29), who continued their midseason surge of solid play.

Rookie point guard Alex Caruso set career highs with nine points

NETS 101, PISTONS 100 DETROIT (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie’s jumper with 0.9 seconds left lifted Brooklyn over Detroit, the Pistons’ fifth straight loss.

After a basket by Andre Drummond put the Pistons ahead with 4.7 seconds left, Dinwiddie took the inbounds pass, drove to 14 feet and drained a jumper against his former teammates.

Caris LeVert split a pair of free throws with 13.7 seconds left, giving the Nets a 99-98 edge.

Langston Galloway misplayed the ensuing inbounds pass, but was able to knock the ball to Drummond.

Detroit’s centre nearly traveled in a rare drive from outside the 3-point arc, and flipped in a goahead shot.

Dinwiddie finished with 22 points. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 20.

EAGLES AND PATRIOTS ALL SET FOR SUPER BOWL 52 FROM PAGE 1 before the first Super Bowl, met in the Super Bowl after the 2004 season with the Patriots prevailing 24-21.

Hours after Brady’s game-winning 4-yard TD pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining in Foxborough, the Eagles won for the fourth time in five tries under Foles.

It started out ominously, however.

The Vikings celebrated Kyle Rudolph’s 25-yard

touchdown catch from Case Keenum on their opening drive by mimicking the Olympic sport of curling for their TD celebration.

It was the Eagles who had all the fun after that.

Patrick Robinson’s spectacular 50-yard interception return got Philadelphia started.

Then Foles and his offence tore up the league’s stingiest scoring defence, with long TD throws to Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. LeGarrette Blount had an 11-yard scoring run

BOWLING NATIONAL TEAM TRIALS THIS WEEK

when things were decided in the first half, and the Eagles were headed to an NFL title game the Vikings (14-4) hoped to be in at their own stadium.

“You know everyone was against us,” Foles said.

“Coming out here and stick together and (we) come away with an amazing victory against a great team.”

Blake Bortles and the stingy Jaguars (12-7) led New England 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold against the defending champions.

The NFL’s second-ranked defence kept Brady and the Patriots at bay for most of the game, but lost linebacker Myles Jack and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus on consecutive plays on New England’s winning drive.

It was New England’s 13th win in 14 games since their 2-2 start. Their only stumble since September was a 27-20 loss at the Dolphins on Decemver 11.

Brady, wearing a black bandage on his right hand after needing stitches to

close a cut that happened on a play during practice earlier in the week, showed no signs of being hampered.

And, with the game — and the season — possibly on the line, the Patriots star came up big again.

“I’ve had a lot worse,” Brady said.

“I didn’t know that on Wednesday. It was a crazy injury.

“Wednesday, Thursday, Friday was a little scary.

Then I started getting some confidence and today we did just enough to win.”

BASEBALL SEASONS NOW OPEN FROM PAGE 1 “Y’all may think they are picking on you or being hard on you but I’m sure every coach here wants to see you get better. It’s not to bully you or to belittle you but to help you to get better.”

Fox was named the Rays organisation “Baserunner of the Year” this season.

“You guys are in a great position at Freedom Farm Baseball League. This is the best league in the Bahamas and it’s a proven fact.

We have won many championships in Nationals, we went international and won the Cal Ripken World Series and we continue to funnel talent into the Minor leagues today,” he said.

“You guys are in a great position so take advantage of it.”

Collie, awaiting his assignment from the Diamondbacks, told the players to take advantage of the opportunities that the sport can provide.

“I never played much until I got a bit older. I remember when I made contact with the first ball, I think I ran to the mound, then to third, then to first but that just goes to show you how we set the tone having fun on the baseball field,” he said. “I have to thank everyone that played a role helping me to make it through the professional ranks as I made it through Freedom Farm and I’m proud to be apart of this organisation. Just keep playing, win or lose it doesn’t matter but through hard work this game will take you places you never thought you would go.”

JBLN announced 31 baseball and six softball teams comprising 470 student athletes for the season.

They hosted opening ceremonies at the JBLN Field of Dreams with a similar opening event.

Opening day featured a procession of the participating players, appearances by alumni and dignitaries from the Bahamian sporting community, a Junkanoo rush-out by the Builders Mall Genesis War Hawks, followed by the opening pitch and play in various divisions.

Play in both leagues continues until May and June.

Brady finished 26 of 38 for 290 yards and two touchdowns to Amendola.

It’s the eighth Super Bowl appearance for Brady and coach Bill Belichick, who have won five times — including last year’s 34-28 overtime rally against the Falcons.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Brady said.

“Just to be on a team that wins these kinds of games, it’s just a great accomplishment.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 22, 2018, PAGE 5

Foles, Eagles fly into Super Bowl, rout the Vikings 38-7

By BARRY WILNER Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hey Philly, maybe it’s time to forget Carson Wentz. Nick Foles might be good enough to win the Eagles their first Super Bowl.

Foles was on fire last night against the stingiest scoring defence in the NFL. Philly made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in a stunning 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC championship.

Next up after their mostlopsided playoff victory: the Eagles’ first Super Bowl appearance since 2005, against the team that beat them then, AFC champion New England.

Foles replaced the injured Wentz in Game 13 and finished off a rise from last place last season to first in the NFC East. There were plenty of doubters entering the playoffs, but the former starter in Philadelphia (15-3) under another regime has been brilliant.

“I just think you’ve got to keep going at it,” Foles said. “And we all believe in each other. I’m blessed to have amazing teammates, amazing coaches. Everyone here that’s a part of the Philadelphia Eagles organization is first class.”

Foles’ best work might have come against Minnesota (14-4) and its vaunted defence that was torn apart in every manner. Foles

DANCING IN THE LINC: Fifty seconds into the final quarter, with the score 38-7, Eagles players on the sideline and waiting to kick off on the field were dancing up a storm and fans were chanting “We want Brady.”

threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise, escapability and moxie in going 26 for 33.

“I’m so happy for Nick and the offence,” said coach Doug Pederson, “and for Nick, everything he’s been through and battled, he stayed the course and we all believed in him.”

Foles was helped greatly by the Eagles’ domination on defence and a spectacular weaving 50-yard interception return TD by Patrick Robinson. Philadelphia ruined the Vikings’ hopes of being the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its own stadium.

Instead, the Eagles will seek their first Super Bowl crown in Minnesota on February 4; their last championship came in 1960.

“I’m so proud of our players,” team owner Jeffrey Lurie said. “The resilience this group of men has is unequalled.”

OVER AT HALFTIME: Minnesota made it look easy at the outset, driving 75 yards on nine plays, each of which gained yardage.

The payoff was a 25-yard throw from Case Keenum to Kyle Rudolph well behind linebacker Najee Goode as Philadelphia’s defence looked confused on the play.

That didn’t happen again for Philly.

Defensive end Chris Long had a huge hand in Robinson’s 50-yard interception return.

BACK TO THE BIG GAME: Long won the Super Bowl last year with the Patriots, as did Blount.

Now they return on the other side.

QUICK DRIVE: Philadelphia got the ball with 29 seconds remaining in the first half at its 20. Foles hit passes of 11 yards to Jay Ajayi, 36 to tight end Zach Ertz and 13 to Ajayi before Elliott’s field goal to end the half.

MINNESOTA Vikings’ Case Keenum reacts last night during the NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Long burst in from the left side and got his arm on Keenum to disrupt the throw for Adam Thielen.

The ball went directly to Robinson, who sped down the left side, then made a sharp cut to the right and got a superb block from Ronald Darby to reach the end zone.

Inspired, Philly’s D forced a three-and-out, the Foles led the Eagles on a 12-play, 75-yard masterpiece of a

drive. LeGarrette Blount showed all his power and escapability on an 11-yard surge up the middle for a 14-7 lead.

Turnovers, something Minnesota rarely committed with an NFC-low 14 during the season, hurt again and not only ended a solid drive, but set up more Philly points.

On third down from the Eagles 15, Keenum was blindsided by rookie

Derek Barnett, and the ball bounced directly to Long.

It was only the second stripsack the Vikings have been victimized by all season.

A blown coverage — another rarity for Minnesota — on third-and-10 allowed Alshon Jeffery to get wide open for a 53-yard TD. And Philadelphia tacked on Jake Elliott’s 38-yard field goal to make it 24-3 at halftime.

THIRD DOWNS: Minnesota was the league’s best team defending third downs and was third in converting them. Yet Philadelphia went 10 for 14.

STATS: Jeffery caught TD passes of 53 and 5 yards and had five receptions for 85 yards. Tight end Ertz was free seemingly all night and finished with eight catches for 93 yards. Torrey Smith had a 41-yard TD catch against double coverage in the third period.

Keenum finished 28 of 48 for 271 yards, with two picks, a lost fumble and the TD throw to Rudolph. The Vikings’ previously staunch defence allowed 456 yards.

BRADY AND THE PATRIOTS TOP JAGUARS 24-20

By DENNIS WASZAK JR. Associated Press FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

(AP) — Give ‘em a hand: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are heading back to the Super Bowl.

Brady shook off a hand injury and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining , rallying the Patriots to a 24-20 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship Sunday.

Brady, wearing a black bandage on his right hand after needing stitches to close a cut that happened on a play during practice earlier in the week, showed no signs of being hampered.

And, with the game — and the season — possibly on the line, the Patriots star came up big again.

“I’ve had a lot worse,” Brady said. “I didn’t know that on Wednesday. It was a crazy injury. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday was a little scary. Then I started getting some confidence and today we did just enough to win.”

Brady finished 26 of 38 for 290 yards and two touchdowns to Amendola for the Patriots (15-3), who’ll play the winner of Sunday night’s game between Minnesota and Philadelphia in Minneapolis on Feb. 4.

It’s the eighth Super Bowl appearance for Brady and coach Bill Belichick, who have won five times — including last year’s 34-28 overtime rally against the Atlanta Falcons.

“It’s pretty amazing. Just to be on a team that wins these kinds of games, it’s just a great accomplishment,” Brady said. “I’m just so proud of everyone on

our team, we made so many great plays. Defense played so great when they needed to.”

Blake Bortles and the Jaguars (12-7) led 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold against the defending champions.

The NFL’s second-ranked defense kept Brady and the Patriots at bay for most of the game, but lost linebacker Myles Jack and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus on consecutive plays on New England’s winning drive.

“It’s a locker room obviously with a lot of pain,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said. “I’m sure they’re hurting inside. I’m hurting.

The players are hurting.”

With New England trailing 20-17, Amendola returned a punt 20 yards to put the ball at the Jaguars 30. Brady hit James White for 15 yards, Amendola for 8 and then the quarterback ran up the middle for 2 yards and a first down.

On first-and-goal from the 5, White ran for a yard to set up the go-ahead score from Brady to Amendola.

Jacksonville — looking to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history — had one more shot, but Bortles’ throw on fourth-and-15 to Dede Westbrook was knocked away by Stephon Gilmore.

“Guys are upset,” Bortles said. “It’s not what anybody expects — contrary to popular belief. Those guys fully expected to win that game.”

The Patriots ran out the clock, with Dion Lewis’ 18-yard scamper with 90 seconds remaining sealing the victory. And they played most of the game without tight end Rob Gronkowski,

NEW England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown catch with Chris Hogan, right, in the second half of the AFC championship game last night against the Jaguars.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip) who left late in the first half and didn’t return.

Brady’s hand was the most-scrutinized body part in Boston since his ankle before the 2008 Super Bowl, and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s right ankle tendon — the bloody sock — in the 2004 playoffs.

Brady hurt his right hand during practice earlier in the week. “Of all the plays, my season wasn’t going to end on a handoff in practice,” Brady said.

“Mentally, it probably stressed him out a bit,” Amendola said. “It’s hard to throw a football with stitches in your thumb. Everybody knows how tough he is.”

Some Patriots fans were worried, but not Belichick.

“He’s a tough guy, we all know that,” Belichick said. “But we’re not talking about open heart surgery here”

Brady warmed up without a glove on his hand, and he came out throwing. He completed his first six passes for 57 yards to march the Patriots down the field. The drive stalled when Brady was sacked by Dante Fowler Jr., and New England settled for Stephen Gostkowski’s 31-yard field goal.

A wide-open Marcedes Lewis gave the Jaguars a 7-3 lead 45 seconds into the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown catch from Bortles .

Leonard Fournette gave Jacksonville a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter with a 4-yard TD run, hushing the crowd at Gillette Stadium.

The Jaguars made some big mistakes just before halftime. Bortles completed a 12-yard pass to Lewis on third-and-7 from the Patriots 44, but Jacksonville was

called for delay of game.

That wiped out a first down, and Bortles was sacked by Adam Butler on the next play to force a punt. Jacksonville was called for six penalties that cost the Jaguars 98 yards, while New England was penalized just once.

With just over two minutes left before halftime, New England’s offense took over and the fans chanted “Braa-dy! Braa-dy!”

And their quarterback delivered — with some help from two big penalties.

On first-and-10 from the Patriots 40, Brady threw a long pass for Gronkowski, who was injured when he got popped by Barry Church. Church was called for unnecessary roughness, putting the ball at Jacksonville’s 45. “It was a tough call,” Church said, “but you’ve got to go with what they call.”

A.J. Bouye was called for pass interference on the next play. The 32-yard penalty gave the Patriots the ball at the Jaguars 13. After a 12-yard catch by Cooks, White ran it in from the 1 to make it 14-10.

Josh Lambo gave Jacksonville a 17-10 lead 4:37 into the third quarter with a 54-yard field goal. He added a 43-yarder 8 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it a 10-point game.

But Brady & Co. were just getting started.

After Jacksonville went three-and-out following Jack’s fumble recovery of Lewis, Brady and the Patriots offense came out with a sense of urgency.

They marched 85 yards on eight plays to cut it to a three-point deficit on Amendola’s 9-yard TD catch with 8:44 left. Amendola had a 21-yard catch on third-and-18 from the Patriots 25 early in the drive.

“Big play in the game,” Brady said. “Ended up being a huge drive for us.”

FEW FLAGS: The Patriots’ one penalty against the Jaguars is the fewest called on one team in a playoff game since the 2011 AFC championship — when the Patriots were called for just one in a win over Baltimore.

BRADY’S BOUNCEBACK: Brady’s passer rating during the first three quarters: 87.5. In the fourth quarter, it was 136.3.

SOLID JAGUARS: Bortles finished 23 of 36 for 293 yards and a touchdown in his first AFC title game.

Fournette had 76 yards rushing on 24 carries.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 22, 2018, PAGE 7

NADAL, DIMITROV ADVANCE TO AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER-FINALS

By JOHN PYE Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — After snuffing out local hopes for yet another Australian Open, Grigor Dimitrov huddled with Nick Kyrgios at the net and the pair exchanged encouraging words.

It was Kyrgios, having just lost 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4) in the fourth round in a typically tempestuous performance, who left No. 3-ranked Dimitrov with this message: “Believe.”

Dimitrov has never won a major, coming closest here last year before losing a semi-final to Rafael Nadal in five sets, but is enhancing his credentials as a next generation champion.

Nadal secured his spot in a 10th Australian Open quarter-final earlier yesterday on Rod Laver Arena, beating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 in 3 hours and 51 minutes. The 16-time major winner draped an arm around his Argentine friend and patted him on top of the head. If he needed a fitness test in the first week in his comeback from an injured right knee, he got it.

“A great battle ... he’s a good friend of mine,” Nadal said.

“This is the first big match that I played in 2018. That’s confidence for myself ... confidence I can resist for four hours on court at a good intensity.”

Nadal will next play 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, who collected his 100th Grand Slam match win with a 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (0), 7-6 (3) victory over No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta.

“I had the 300th win of my career at the US Open in 2014, so this is also beautiful one,” Cilic said of his latest major milestone.

“I hope I’m going to continue and gather three more here.”

Nadal lost last year’s Australian Open final to Roger Federer, but went on to regain the No. 1 ranking and win the French and US Open titles before bringing his season to a premature end because of an injured right knee.

Despite not playing any competitive matches in his Aussie Open preparation, Nadal advanced through three rounds without dropping a set.

That streak finished when Schwartzman took the second set, rebounding three times after dropping serve to break back and win the tiebreaker.

Nadal lifted to win the third, but Schwartzman didn’t relent.

Britain’s Kyle Edmund reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 afternoon win over Andreas Seppi and could relax and watch the night-time entertainment featuring Dimitrov and Kyrgios.

They all played two weeks ago in Brisbane, where Edmund lost to Dimitrov, who lost to eventual champion Kyrgios.

Both Dimitrov and Kyrgios got tense at key times in the night match. Dimitrov was broken while serving for the match. Kyrgios was called for a foot fault, double-faulted on a set point and smashed an easy overhead into the net on a break point after dominating the rally. He had 36 aces, and some second serves recorded at faster than 202 kph (125 mph).

“Only a couple points in it, you know. It wasn’t like I got demolished out there,” said Kyrgios, who missed the chance to end the drought for local men that dates back to the 1976 Australian Open.

“I had a lot of chances to win the match and I just came up short.”

He tipped his mate Dimitrov to go far.

“He hasn’t even found his best form yet and he’s still getting through all those matches, which

BULGARIA’s Grigor Dimitrov celebrates after defeating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios yesterday.

(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) The second game of the fourth set lasted almost 13 minutes, with Nadal finally holding after saving five break points.

He broke again in the next game to regain control.

“It was a good test for me.

It was a lot of hours on court.

Moments under pressure,” Nadal said.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 62° F/17° C

TAMPA

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Partial sunshine

Partly cloudy

Nice with times of sun and clouds

Partly sunny with a passing shower

Clouds and sun with a shower

Windy with times of clouds and sun

High: 80°

Low: 71°

High: 81° Low: 71°

High: 80° Low: 68°

High: 78° Low: 67°

High: 77° Low: 68°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

84° F

73° F

92°-73° F

93°-70° F

82°-65° F

76°-64° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

7-14 knots

S

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

10-20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 68° F/20° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 64° F/18° C

is pretty frightening,” Kyrgios said.

“Once he finds his feet and he has more confidence, he’s got a real chance at winning it.”

Dimitrov thanked him for the support, and said he’s growing more confident in his game.

Caroline Wozniacki continued to cash in on her second chance, reaching the quarter-finals here for the first time since 2012 with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Magdalena Rybarikova.

After saving match points and coming back from 5-1 down in the third set of her second-round win, No. 2-ranked Wozniacki said she was “playing with the house money” and had nothing to lose.

Wozniacki next plays Carla Suarez Navarro, who rallied from a set and 4-1 down to beat No. 32 Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-4, 8-6.

The other quarter-final will feature the winners of two tune-up events. Brisbane International champion Elina Svitolina beat Denisa Allertova 6-3, 6-0 in a match that started just before midnight.

Fourth-seeded Svitolina next plays Hobart International winner Elise Mertens, who beat Petra Martic to reach the quarter-finals in her Australian Open debut.

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

8-16 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 70° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 61° F/16° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 5.58” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.92”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High

E

W

8-16 knots

S

10-20 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.)

11:03 a.m.

11:36 p.m.

2.5 2.3

4:55 a.m. 0.1 5:28 p.m. -0.1

Tuesday

11:48 a.m.

-----

2.4 -----

5:45 a.m. 0.2 6:13 p.m. -0.1

Wednesday 12:28 a.m.

12:40 p.m.

2.4 2.3

6:42 a.m. 0.2 7:03 p.m. -0.1

Thursday

1:26 a.m.

1:39 p.m.

2.5 2.2

7:45 a.m. 0.2 7:59 p.m. -0.2

Friday

2:28 a.m.

2:42 p.m.

2.7 2.2

8:52 a.m. 0.2 9:00 p.m. -0.4

Saturday

3:31 a.m.

3:47 p.m.

2.8 2.3

9:59 a.m. 0.0 10:01 p.m. -0.5

Sunday

4:32 a.m.

4:51 p.m.

3.0 2.4

11:02 a.m. -0.2 11:02 p.m. -0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:56 a.m.

5:47 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

10:30 a.m.

10:49 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

Feb. 7

Feb. 15

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

Today

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

S

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

tiDes For nassau

CAT ISLAND

E

W

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

12-25 knots

10-20 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday:

WINDS E at 10-20 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots SSW at 3-6 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-7 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 73° F 73° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 80° F 80° F 75° F 75° F 74° F 74° F 77° F 77° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F

PAGE 8, Monday, January 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

FLEETWOOD RETAINS ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tommy Fleetwood successfully defended his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title yesterday after a sensational back nine to clinch the win.

The 27-year-old Englishman, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, started the final round two shots behind overnight leaders Ross Fisher and Thomas Pieters, and an indifferent front nine saw him make the turn five shots behind Fisher as gusty winds hit the National course of Abu Dhabi Golf Club But Fleetwood birdied the 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes for a seven-under par 65 round to finish on 22-under 267.

Fisher, 37, got off to a fast start when he made an eagle from 45 feet on the par-5 second hole and added two more birdies in his front nine. A bogey on the par-5 10th, which could have easily turned into a double if not for a 25-feet bogey putt, stalled his progress. Playing two groups ahead of him, Fleetwood

had birdied the 10th and 12th holes, but he saved his best golf for the next four holes.

On the 13th, he was stymied behind a tree but hit his second shot from the desert to six feet.

The top-ranked European then rolled in a 25-feet putt on the par-3 15th to join Fisher at 20-under, before moving ahead with a 50-feet birdie putt on the 16th hole. He then picked up another shot on the 18th, which proved to be a luxury cushion when Fisher failed to make birdies on the 17th and 18th.

“I feel a lot more emotional, actually, than last year. I don’t know why. I just really wanted to win this one,” said Fleetwood, who is expected to advance from 18th to 11th in the rankings today.

“I had the year of my life last year. I know everybody has been talking about it, and just backing it up is the next big thing, really. It’s a weird feeling coming to defend a trophy because it’s yours and you don’t want to give it away.”

ENGLAND’s Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship golf tournament in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) Fleetwood added that the tough conditions made it easier for him to focus.

“I wouldn’t have known I shot 30 on the back nine

when I came in. I was playing really well. I was hitting really good shots in. It was just a case of scoring being tough, and we had to keep

going. It was sort of shot after shot.

“When the conditions are that tough and that windy, it actually helps you focus on

each shot because there’s never any easy shots. Two days before, with flat calm conditions, it was way easier to look ahead.”

A disappointed Fisher, who was runner-up twice late in 2017 and is winless since the Tshwane Open in March 2014, praised Fleetwood’s perfomance.

“Hats off to Tommy. I don’t feel like I’ve lost a tournament. He’s gone out there and shot 65 and he’s won it, so all credit to him,” said Fisher.

McIlroy finished inside the top-five once again — his eighth top-five in nine Abu Dhabi starts — but he was happy with the result this time.

“It just felt great to get another tournament under my belt. It’s a great start to the year. I have no complaints. My body held up really well. My game was probably better than I expected it to be. So I’m really happy with the week,” said McIlroy who started well with two birdies in his first four holes, but could not get going on the back nine.

PURE SILK BAHAMAS LPGA CLASSIC QUALIFYING ROUNDS TODAY FROM PAGE 1 “I’m glad that she shared her experience with us as well so we know that if she can do it, we can do it too.”

And Miranda Tucker, a 15-year-old 10th grader at St Augustine’s College, has been playing for the past six years and she’s delighted with what she heard and saw from Darquea.

“I think it was really good and I enjoyed the exposure,” said Rolle, who is trained by Ahmal Henfield and Matthew Cox, two of the local coaches at the clinic.

“We don’t focus on golf as much as we should here,

so it was really good for her to come to teach us some things from her.”

Tucker admitted that she got some tips on how to be more consistent in hitting the ball as well as aiming and lining up the ball.

Henfield said they are grateful that Pure Silk has afforded the youngsters the opportunity to mix and mingle with the professionals.

“This exposure for them, getting the feedback from the pros, is really good in boosting their momentum in becoming golf players,” he said. “She told them that if they like it, they should invest in it. I think that’s something only the pros

can tell them. As coaches, we turn into parents after a while and they tend not to listen to us as much, but now that they listen to the pros, it’s just something that we have been trying to tell them on a regular basis.”

As this is just his first time volunteering to be a part of the Pure Silk tournament, Henfield said he’s looking forward to seeing how well Darquea and the rest of pro players perform this week.

Also in attendance was Alanna Hutchinson, who heads the BGF’s junior programme, along with Agatha Delancy and Yvonne Shaw of the Women’s Division of the BGF. They too will be assisting the organisers at

the tournament, which will feature Bahamian Georgette Rolle as a participant in her fourth appearance as she attempts to advance out of the main draw into the final two days of competition over the weekend.

With this being her maiden voyage here, Darquea would like nothing better than to make it a more meaningful one if she can advance out of the qualifying round that starts at 8am today.

“I’m looking forward to doing my best and having some fun on the course,” she stated. “I’m very happy to be in the tournament.

I think it’s wonderful that they are having it here in

the Bahamas because it brings a world class professional tournament to various communities. Not that many communities get that chance, so it’s good that it is being played here.

I know it could be good to have one in Ecuador where I started playing since I was three years old.”

With this being the sixth year that they have brought the tournament to the Bahamas, Matt Truax, one of the organisers, said they have been impressed not just with the facilities at the Ocean Club, but how receptive the Bahamian people have been.

“We have a very strong field coming back this

year and we feel it will be another wonderful tournament here in the Bahamas,” he said. “We expect that we will get a good television rating and so we are looking forward to carrying that momentum forward. This is a good start for us to partner with the Bahamas Golf Federation to put on this clinic for the juniors and to have Daniela Darquea to share on how she has benefited from playing golf and sharing some things that she hope would benefit them as they improve their game.”

Another youth clinic, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada, will take place on Tuesday at 9:45 am at the Ocean Club.