Jordan Spieth ended one of the best major seasons ever by a player on a bittersweet note at the US PGA Championship on Sunday as he had to settle for second place while becoming world No 1 for the first time.
In pursuit of a rare third grand slam title in the same year, the Masters and US Open champion closed with a 4-under 68 at Whistling Straits for a 17-under total of 271, finishing three strokes behind the triumphant Jason Day.
Spieth tied for fourth in last month’s British Open – just one stroke short of joining a play-off – but had the consolation on Sunday of dislodging Rory McIlroy from top spot in the rankings because of his strong finish to the year’s final major.
“It’s been a very, very good year,” Spieth, 22, told reporters after recording his 14th top-10 in 21 starts on the 2014/15 PGA Tour, including four victories and three runner-up spots.
“This is as easy a loss as I’ve ever had because I felt that I not only couldn’t do much about it, as the round went on, I also accomplished one of my life-long goals and in the sport of golf.
“That will never be taken away from me now. I’ll always be a No 1 player in the world. When I look back on this year, the consistency ... and especially being able to step it up in the biggest stages, that’s a huge confidence builder.”
Spieth, who accrued six birdies and two bogeys on a day of low scoring at Whistling Straits, was already thinking about next year’s majors even as he described the mental toll taken while competing for them.
“It was amazing,” he said of his form in the major events. “You only get four a year, so to have an opportunity to win all of them is so cool.
“I hope to have a season like this one at the biggest stages again. But it’s not easy, it takes a lot out of you. I’m tired right now. I mean, I left it all out there.
“I’m tired from the majors this year because of what it does. It really does wear you out mentally, trying to grind that much.”
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Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
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West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
