External News

LOS ANGELES: Australia’s Marc Leishman fired eight birdies in a seven-under 65 on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines by one stroke from overnight leader Jon Rahm.

Leishman started the day four shots behind Spain’s Rahm, but his storming run on Torrey Pines’ South Course gave him a 15-under total of 273.

Rahm, meanwhile, fired a two-under 70 for 274, two shots in front of American Brandt Snedeker and Rory McIlroy – the Northern Ireland star who could have regained the world No 1 ranking with a victory.

“Playing well helps,” said Leishman, who has come from behind in all five of his PGA Tour victories.

“I didn’t actually hit it that well off the tee today, so I don’t know what the knack is. Putting, always, you’re not going to win tour events if you’re not putting well.

“I putted probably as good as I’ve ever putted today,” added Leishman, who had five birdies on the front nine.

He drained par-saving putts at the 12th and 14th and rebounded from his only bogey of the day at 17 with a birdie at the last that proved enough for victory.

Leishman’s victory came on Australia Day – also the same day that fellow Aussie Lucas Herbert claimed his first pro victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy and Rahm struggled in the final group, Rahm playing his first five holes in four-over with two bogeys and a double-bogey.

An eagle and four of his five birdies on the back nine – including three birdies to end his round – weren’t enough to compensate.

McIlroy, meanwhile, began bogey-bogey on the way to 69.

Tiger Woods missed the green on his opening approach and began with a bogey but dropped his approach inches from the cup at the second to set up a birdie and added another tap-in birdie at the par-5 sixth to pull within three strokes of the lead.

The 15-time Major champion finished with four birdies in a two-under 70 that left him tied for ninth on 279.

He remains in search of a record 83rd career PGA Tour victory – having tied Sam Snead’s mark at the Zozo Championship in Japan in October.

As he came off the course Woods learned of the death in a helicopter crash of Kobe Bryant – the NBA great who started his pro career the same year as Woods.

“People were yelling, ‘Do it for Mamba.’ Now I understand,” Woods said. “Unbelievably sad.”

Maximilian is a three-year-old who thinks he’s more human than cat. So as a compromise, Salena refers to him as Max, the cat-hooman.

Although he’s developed a liking for the finer things in life, Max’s early life as a kitten was tragic – he was found meowing pitifully, stuck in a drain when he was just one month old.

Today Max lives with Salena and enjoys all the trappings of modern life – like air-conditioning, for starters. And not only does he sleep on her bed every night, he ducks under the covers where it’s way cosier.

He can also be rather “demanding”, meowing repeatedly when he wants his back massaged. And if Salena raises her voice at him to leave her alone, Max matches her volume by raising his voice too.

During the day when he’s up and about, he likes to intersperse intense periods of activity with long naps, sleeping on his back with his long legs outstretched, exposing his furry tummy for the world to see, and occasionally tickle.

And no hard, cold floors for this cat-hooman! Max prefers comfy, cozy spots like thick carpets, the sofa or Salena’s bed.

Possessing a rather stubborn streak and sensitive nature, Max has been known to sulk for hours on end when he gets a telling off. Once, he stayed in a corner all day long and even refused food to protest his indignation at being scolded.

However, he shows his softer side when with his new fur-brother Simba, who’s only three months old.

When with Simba, Max is loving and playful, often pretending to bite the kitten, then taking off like the wind so he doesn’t get a scolding.

He however is positively terrified of loud sounds like firecrackers and the vacuum cleaner, and will hide under the blanket in Salena’s bedroom.

He also does not like the sound or warm heat of the hairdryer, which makes its appearance every single time he gets a bath so his thick fur can be dried quickly.

Sorry mate, some things just have to done.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to lifestyle@freemalaysiatoday.com. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 27 — The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Putatan chief Datuk Marcus Makin Mojigoh along with almost all committee members today announced quitting the party with immediate effect.

Majigoh said only deputy division chief Datuk Alex Martin and committee member Jacky Litong were absent from the group.

The former Putatan Member of Parliament said that among the reasons for their action was dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership who were said to be insensitive to grassroots’ grievances.

“Upko Putatan also disagreed with the support of the party leadership on the implementation of the Sabah Provisional Pass (PSS) previously. Upko Putatan was also excluded from any post at the district level,” he said at a press conference held at his residence in Kampung Kotiduvan Duvanson near here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mojigoh has dismissed speculation that they will be joining Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) following the presence of PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and several other party members at the Chinese New Year celebration at his residence shortly after the party’s announcement. — Bernama

KUCHING, Jan 26 — The Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) plans to open a clinic to neuter pet dogs and cats to curb rabies.

This has been agreed to in principle by Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, said SSPCA president Datin Donna Drury-Wee.

She told this to reporters when met at her Chinese New Year Open House which was also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg here today. — Bernama