Italy’s Sinner was a 6-2 1-6 6-1 6-4 winner over the Russian fifth seed in New York.

Sinner, who won the Australian Open in January, and Medvedev were the only two major champions left in the men’s draw and the match between them was highly anticipated.

However, neither men were able to find their best tennis at the same time.

Medvedev, a beaten finalist at Flushing Meadows last year and in 2019, hit six double faults and sprayed 57 unforced errors

While Sinner was not at his most accurate, he was far superior on serve, closing out victory in two hours and 39 minutes.

Sinner will now face his occasional doubles partner Draper in Friday’s semi-final.

“We know each other very well, we are good friends off the court,” Sinner said of Draper.

“It’s going to be very tough – I’m just happy to be in the semis.”

There is now guaranteed to be a first-time US Open winner in both the men’s and women’s singles, with Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe contesting the second men’s semi-final.​​​​​​​

Sinner and Medvedev have met at three of the four Grand Slams this year, but this match did not fully reach the high quality of their previous outings.

Sinner came back from two sets down against Medvedev to win his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne, while Medvedev got his revenge in another five-set match in the Wimbledon last eight in July.

Asked to serve first, Medvedev was immediately under pressure, having to save a break point before being broken to love a few games later.

Sinner barely missed a step on serve before the start of the second set, when he was drawn into the longer rallies that Medvedev thrives on.

The Russian went up an early break and doubled his advantage after a 10-minute game on the Sinner serve which ended with the Italian dumping a forehand into the net.

With the match level, the momentum swung towards Sinner, who reeled off five games in a row and had three set points on the Medvedev serve to register a dreaded ‘bagel’.

Medvedev managed to scrape one game in the third set and went off court to regroup, but immediately had to recover from 0-30 down in his first service game and a break of serve felt inevitable.

Once Sinner secured the decisive break for a 4-3 lead, his quality came through, with victory secured with a stunning forehand winner.

Sinner has lost only two hard-court matches this season and won four titles on the surface, including his Australian Open triumph.

His most recent success was at Cincinnati in August, winning the title the day before news emerged he had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.

“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods wrote on X.

Woods went on to write that “there will certainly be another chapter.”

Nike bid adieu to Woods on Instagram, saying “it was a hell of a round, Tiger.”

“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful,” the company added.

Popular Swiss sneaker brand ON Running’s CEO Marc Maurer, addressing speculation following Woods departure at Nike, told an audience at the ICR retailing Conference on Monday that Woods was not signing with the brand.

“We hope he finds a great new partner. It’s not going to be us,” Maurer told the gathering.

Nike has almost been synonymous with Woods, from when he first went pro in 1996 to his Masters win in 2019, his first major tournament win in 11 years. Even though a sex scandal drove sponsors such as Gatorade, AT&T and Accenture away from Woods – losing him an estimated $20 million – his relationship with Nike stayed intact.

In 1996, Nike launched the iconic “Hello World” commercial, based on Woods’ professional debut at the Greater Milwaukee Open, where he began the press conference with, “I guess, hello world, huh?”

Woods signed a five-year endorsement contract with Nike in 2000. It was worth an estimated $85 million, making it the richest endorsement contract in sports history at the time.

At one point, Woods’ Nike deal was reported to be worth as much as $20 million a year, CNN previously reported. Woods signed multiple deals with the company over a span of nearly three decades, including a 10-year deal signed in 2013 that’s worth about $200 million. But in 2019, his deal was worth about half of that amount annually, Bob Dorfman, an endorsement expert and executive creative director at Baker Street Advertising, said at the time.

Woods is still one of the best known athletes in the country, three times better known by the general public than the average athlete, according to surveys by Q Score.

And while positive opinions of him are down from his heyday among the general public, sports fans still have a more positive view of him than the average athlete, according to the Q Score surveys.

“Why is Nike separating from Woods who has been a long-time brand ambassador for the brand? It could be that Nike is looking to get out of the golf business,” said Eric Smallwood, president of Apex Marketing Group, a sports and entertainment firm that evaluates sponsorships and advertising campaigns.

“Nike used to sell golf balls and clubs with its logo and that ended. It still sells golf clothing and footwear,” he said.

Smallwood said he would be surprised if the breakup was due to any concern that Woods was nearing the end of his career.

“Woods is synonymous with golf. Nike has stuck with him through his life trials and his comebacks,” he said. “Woods can play as long as he wants to in the PGA and then the Senior PGA. Look how long Nike has held on to Michael Jordan. He hasn’t played in over 20 years.”

In August, Woods was named the sixth player director on the powerful PGA Tour policy board, giving players a one seat advantage on the board after the controversial merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV golf. Woods had reportedly turned down nearly $1 billion to play in LIV golf.

Joshua Butler, founder of online golf clothing brand J. Butler Golf, called Woods a savvy business person “who understands that the landscape of golf is changing.”

“Nike has been pulling away from golf products. Tiger has vast opportunity to land somewhere else,” said Butler. “Golf clothing companies are coming into the market with other options, better options and varied price points.”

“It’s not that Nike has done anything wrong, it’s not that Tiger Woods may not necessarily be happy with his relationship with Nike for the last 27 years, but this is a golden opportunity to go after a younger crowd, to go after individuals who aren’t rich that want to play the game,” he said. “Tiger understands that, the importance of what he’s meant to the golf industry as well as to people of colour. That’s why I think this is such as monumental shift right now.”

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Registration is going on at GHOne, the Number One Oxford Street Hotel and the Accra Sports Stadium at a cost of 100ghc for the 21km and Ghc70 for the 5km races, where winners get Ghc1000 for first prize, Ghc600 for second and Ghc400 for third position.

One can register by dialling *800*17# because the first Ghanaian male and female to finish take along Ghc10,000, while the oldest man and woman to cross the line first collects Ghc5,000.

There is also a raffle for any lucky one who has registered and crossed the finish line. he or she can win a Nissan Almera, as a bonus, even if you chose to walk. Every finisher will get a medal.

The deadline for registration is August 30, 2023.

Sponsors of the Millennium Marathon include KGL, Fidelity Bank, GNPC, NLA, Interplast, Ghana Gas, SIC, Japan Motors, Verna Water, Melcom IPMC, Goil, Garman and Papaye.

The Millennium Marathon which is organised by Amb. Ashim and Cathy Morton is the biggest marathon event in Ghana.

This gathering of greats will feature at 17:00 CAT daily on SuperSport Variety 3 and will include a blend of documentary-style content, key matches and events that demonstrate why these athletes have carved their names in sporting lore. Plan your weeklong sporting entertainment with DStv.

Get connected, stay connected or upgrade your DStv subscription to ensure you don’t miss a single beat.

Golf Monday

Monday, 3 July brings a focus on golf great Tiger Woods, who is regarded as one of the finest players in history and has won a record 82 tournaments on the PGA Tour, including 15 major championships.

Boxing Tuesdays

On Tuesday 4 July, a closer look at boxing greats Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Tyson Fury will be on our screens. The latter, known as ‘The Gypsy King’ is one of the most charismatic boxers of recent years and is considered the lineal heavyweight world champion. “I’m a fighting man, a fighting man with generations of fighting men before me in my family. That’s all we do: we fight,” said the 34-year-old, who hails from Manchester in England.

Running Wednesdays

Wednesday 5 July brings a closer look at Kenyan long-distance running legend Eliud Kipchoge. The 38-year-old is regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, having run four of the six fastest times for that distance in history. He has also unofficially broken the two-hour barrier for the marathon and will be looking to achieve that feat in open competition as his next major goal.

Football long-weekend

Football legend Sir Alex Ferguson will be the focus on Thursday 6 July, followed on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 by episodes on two of the greatest players the ‘Beautiful Game’ has ever seen – and who are still active today – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The debate over which player, Messi or Ronaldo, is better has raged for over a decade now, but in truth football fans have been enormously privileged to see two such exponents of the sport drive the art forward through their sheer brilliance.

Sunday 9 July puts the spotlight on track running legends such as Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Haile Gebresalassie, Mo Farah, Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix.

“Kill them with success and bury them with a smile,” said Bolt, who is regarded as arguably the greatest sprinter of all time and is beloved by fans for his relaxed and friendly nature.

No rival can compete with DStv sports coverage. Our viewers on DStv see the GOATs in action week in and week out. To upgrade, reconnect or manage your subscription download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com to join in on the excitement and manage your account. You can also catch all the sporting action while on the move. Stream all matches on the DStv App by downloading it from the app store.

Broadcast details

Everyday from Monday 3 July to Sunday 9 July at 5pm CAT on SuperSport Variety 3

Monday, July 3: Tiger Woods

Tuesday, July 4: Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Tyson Fury

Wednesday, July 5: Eliud Kipchoge

Thursday, July 6: Alex Ferguson

Friday, July 7: Lionel Messi

Saturday, July 8: Cristiano Ronaldo

Sunday, July 9: Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Haile Gebresalassie, Mo Farah, Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix

According to him, President Akufo-Addo is bent on making sure the paralympic games are attractive.

In an interview with Adom TV’s Fire for Fire, Mr Deen expressed his gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his passion to make paralympic games attractive.

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“During the election in Morocco, I was with the Deputy Sports Minister [Evans Bobie Opoku] and he told me the plans the President has to develop the paralympic games,” he told Countryman Songo.

“I was happy when I heard that and I have been in touch with the President [Akufo- Addo] and he has also discussed with me his plans for Paralympics and I can only say I am grateful to him.

“There are plans to make sure paralympic games rise again in this country and it’s my aim to make sure we achieve that,” he added.

Mr Deen polled 24 of the total votes cast, beating Morocco’s Hamid El Aouni who polled 15 votes. Mr Deen replaces the outgoing APC boss Leonel da Rocha Pinto who had been in charge for 13 years.

Mr Deen becomes the first Ghanaian to assume the position of the President of the APC.

The American, 45, needed surgery after suffering a fractured leg and shattered ankle in the crash.

The 15-time major champion was moved to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for follow-up procedures on 27 February.

On Wednesday he tweeted: “Happy to report that I am back home continuing my recovery.”

He added: “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that I have received over the past few weeks.

“I will be recovering at home and working on getting stronger everyday.”

Woods, who was recovering from back surgery at the time of his accident, was found unconscious and with his face and chin covered in blood at the scene.

Los Angeles police said there was no evidence Woods had been impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Woods survived “what would otherwise have been a fatal crash” because the interior of his vehicle had remained largely intact.

In his first public statement since the accident, the American professional golfer thanked his fans for their support after his successful surgery. 

“It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the TV and saw all the red shirts,” Tiger tweeted. “To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.”

It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2021

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23 in Rancho Palos Verdes, a city located in southwest Los Angeles.

Tiger was said to have been driving at a “relatively greater speed than normal” when the accident occurred. He has undergone multiple procedures to treat injuries to his lower right leg and ankle. 

The 15-time golf major champion, 45, had to be “extricated from the wreck” by firefighters and paramedics.

The American suffered “open fractures affecting the tibia and fibula bones” in his lower right leg “stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia”.

Injuries to his foot and ankle have been stabilised with screws and pins.

“He [Woods] is recovering in his hospital room,” added a statement, published on Woods’ Twitter account.

Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer of the Harbor UCLA Medical Centre where Woods is being treated, said the open fractures were comminuted, meaning broken in more than two pieces.

Mahajan added: “Trauma to the muscle and soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling.”

Woods ‘not able to stand’

Woods was “fortunate to be alive” said a deputy from the LA County Sheriff’s Department, who was first on the scene of the accident at 07:18 local time on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Carlos Gonzalez said the golfer was “not able to stand under his own power” before being removed from the vehicle which had sustained major damage.

He said that the American was wearing his seatbelt and was “still calm and lucid” when he told him his name.

“It’s very fortunate that Mr Woods was able to come out of this alive,” he added.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said that Woods’ car “crossed the centre-divider to the point that it rested several hundred feet away” and “that indicates they were going at a relatively greater speed than normal”.

He added: “However, because it is downhill, it slopes and curves, that area has a high frequency of accidents. It is not uncommon.”

He said the car hit a kerb, a tree and rolled over several times. Villanueva added “there was no evidence of impairment” with Woods.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released a statement on Tuesday confirming the incident.

The statement read: “On February 23, 2021, at approximately 7:12 AM, LASD responded to a single-vehicle roll-over traffic collision on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The vehicle sustained major damage.

“The driver and sole occupant was identified as PGA golfer, Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods. Me Woods was extricated from the wreck with the ‘jaws of life’ by Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his injuries.

“The traffic investigation is being conducted by investigators from LASD Lomita Station.”

Video images of the scene showed the black sport utility vehicle resting on its side some 30 feet off the roadway, its front end badly damaged and surrounded by debris. The jaws of life refers to tools used to pry open vehicles involved in accidents when a victim may be trapped.

Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg released a statement giving further details:

“Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currenty in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support.”

The 45-year-old Woods is a former golf world number one, with 15 major championship wins, most recently winning the 2019 Masters after a lengthy period out of form.

The sheriff’s department said Woods was the only person in the car.

He was taken to a hospital for his injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

The vehicle suffered minor damage, according to authorities.

The crash is under investigation. CNN has reached out to Woods’ representatives for comment.

The experienced journalist and football administrator is yet to work with another club after parting ways with Ashgold.

The Board of Directors of Asante Kotoko is on a hunt for a new CEO following the dissolution of the George Amoako-led management.

Last week, the Board engaged a prospect in former Fifa intermediary, Nana Yaw Amponsah, who made a presentation on a five-year plan during their last meeting in Accra.

But the immediate-past CEO of regional rivals AshantiGold says no official approach has been made to him yet.

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“The Kotoko job is one of the biggest in the world,” Mr Acheampong remarked in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.

“Yes, the speculations and linkages are going on but nobody has called me over such,” he said.

Mr Acheampong would love to be associated with Kotoko even in the capacity of a Commercial Director.

“What I know is that Kotoko is one of the biggest clubs on this earth. So if your name is linked to it as CEO or the Commercial Director, it can open some doors for you. It is massive and a big one,” he said.

Footy-Ghana.com understands the Asante Kotoko Board of Directors will be holding its next sitting on Friday, July 3.

Woods, in a statement on Monday night, called out both the law enforcement involved in Floyd’s death and the destructive protests that have ensued since.

“My heart goes out to George Floyd, his loved ones and all of us who are hurting right now,” Woods said in a statement. “I have always had the utmost respect for our law enforcement. They train so diligently to understand how, when and where to use force. This shocking tragedy clearly crossed that line.”

Floyd was killed Monday in police custody and video of his arrest — which showed a white Minneapolis police officer with his knee in Floyd’s neck for more than seven minutes while Floyd yelled out, “I can’t breathe” — quickly went viral.

READ ALSO

• FIFA asks leagues to use ‘common sense’ over George Floyd protests

• Floyd Mayweather offers to pay for George Floyd’s funeral

That former officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired, arrested and is facing third-degree murder and manslaughter charges. 

Woods is one of just two African Americans inside the top-200 of the Official World Golf Rankings. The other, Harold Varner III, also released a statement on Monday. The duo are among the first in the golf world to have done so.

“I remember the LA riots and learned that education is the best path forward,” Woods said in a statement. “We can make our points without burning the very neighbourhoods that we live in. I hope that through constructive, honest conversations we can build a safer, unified society.”

SWAG, the umbrella body for the sports media in Ghana founded in 1968 has been solely responsible for honouring Ghanaian sportsmen and women, consistently, for 44 years.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana recently went to the polls to elect new leadership through an E-Ballot, an innovation many considered excellent and effective.

Speaking at the induction of the new executives of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) into office at the Accra Sports Stadium, the deputy minister for information, Pius E. Hadzide commended the members for having confidence in their leadership and retaining them in office.

He also congratulated the umbrella body of sports media in Ghana for introducing electronic voting and having a very free and fair election.

Hon. Hadzide promised to add sports journalists to some of the Ministry of Information initiatives on capacity enhancement and others to safeguard journalists.

Also present was Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) who commended SWAG for the effective running SWAG Awards for many years and appealed to Sports federations to emulate SWAG in organizing their elections to avoid controversy and litigation.

He again appealed to the sports media to report more on positive news as they stand to benefit with the sportsmen and women if sponsors come on board.

Professor Peter Twumasi, the director-general of the National Sports Authority (NSA) commended SWAG and urged the sports media to support lesser known sports and Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 Africa Games.

Dr Roland Affail Monney, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) president who inducted the new executives into office praised SWAG for leading in many programmes on the media landscape and urged members to meet the standards of fair reporting and be ethical.

He said, “the GJA have a lot to emulate from SWAG and its leadership”.

President Kwabena Yeboah, thanked members, patrons, stakeholders and sponsors for supporting the association for the past 51 years.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, Madam Gifty Annan Myers, Ken Bediako, Ebo Quansah (all patrons), representatives of MTN Ghana and heads of sports federations.

SWAG inducted into office, Kwabena Yeboah – President, Maurice Quansah –  Vice President, Charles Osei Asibey – General Secretary, Thomas Boakye-Agyeman – Deputy General Secretary, Rosalind Amoh –  Treasurer, Otuo Acheampong Barima Boadaa  – Executive Member and Ohene Brenya Bampoe –  Executive Member. t

The maiden edition of a sports summit led exclusively by women was held on 15th May 2019 at the Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel in Accra.

The event themed  
‘’take your place’’ was put together by one of Africa’s influential
sports journalist Juliet Bawuah.

The event brought leading sports names and aspiring ones
together for a one-day session on career and coming from behind to lead.

The objective for the summit was to create a platform for
change, train, mentor and transfer knowledge from accomplished women sports
journalists to aspiring young ones.

Invited speakers for this event included former GFA Normalization Committee Vice President, Lucy Quist, Ghana’s finest women journalists, Nana Aba Anamoah and Eva Okyere. From across the continent, Ugandan Usher Komugisha and South African Carol Tsabalala.

The speakers touched on different topics including; how to challenge the norm, build a media brand, keep the bar up there, be a driving force and succeed in this male-dominated area

The 2019 Africa Women Sports Summit was supported by Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel, Dr Bates Solutions and Stimuluz.

Story by: Queenster Agyapong

The 44th SWAG Awards was held on Saturday evening at the International Conference Centre in Accra.

Atlético Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey picked up two prizes – he won the ultimate award, Sports Personality of the Year and also retained his Footballer of the Year award for the second successive year.

Mukarama Abdulai claimed the Female Footballer of the Year Award, while veteran commentator Joe Lartey was honored with the Presidential award.

Check full list of winners below

Sports Personality of the Year – Thomas Partey

Footballer of the Year (Male) – Thomas Partey

Footballer of the Year (Female) – Mukarama Abdulai

Professional Boxer of the Year – Richard Commey

Arm wrestler of the Year (Female) – Alberta Ampomah

Arm wrestler of the Year (Male) – Haruna Tahiru

Table Tennis Player of the Year (Male) – Derrick Abrefa

Table Tennis Player of the Year (Female) – Celia Baah Danso

Athlete of the Year – Janet Amponsah

Amateur Boxer of the Year – Jessy Lartey

Para Athlete of the Year – Frederick Assor

Coach of the Year – Boakye Danquah

Professional Golfer of the Year – Kojo Barnni

National Team of the Year – The Eagles (Rugby)

Prospect Of The Year – Hor Halutie

Hockey Player of Year (Female) – Mavis Boatemaa Berko

Hockey Player of the Year (Male) – Emmanuel Ankomah

Rugby Player of the Year (Female) – Rafatu Inusah

Presidential Award – Joe Lartey Snr.

The only Ghanaian in the main draw of the ongoing Mcdan ITF
World Tour Japheth Bagerbaseh has crashed out.

Bagerbaseh could not make it to the second round as he was
stopped by number six seed, William Bushamuka of USA in a match played on
Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium Center court.

The homeboy, Bagerbaseh could not match the firepower of the
experienced US-based Bushamuka, as he lost in two straight sets of 0-6,3-6.

In the other singles game: Tournament No.1 Benjamin Lock of
Zimbabwe advanced into the quarterfinals after outwitting Curaçao’s
Michael-John Every 6-3,6-1. Namibia’s Tukhula Jacobs also eased past Italy’s
Andre Bassire 7-5,6-1.

No. 7 seed Niklas Johansson from Sweden failed to make it to
the quarterfinals as he bowed to Portugal’s Andre Gaspar Murta in a game that
ended 4-6,6-1,7-6(2). No.4 seed Mehluli Don Ayanda Sibanda from Zimbabwe
defeated Philippines’ Jurence Zosimo Mendoza 6-4,7-6-9). No.3 seed from
Ukraine; Eric Vanshelboim also ousted Nigeria’s Joseph Imeh Uboh 7-6(3),2-0(r).
No.2 seed Ryan James Storrie from Great Britain won 6-1,6-4 against
Netherland’s Len Schouten.

In the doubles events, Benjamin Lock and his junior brother
Courtney John Lock showed their superiority over Ghanaian duo Bernard Ashitey
Armah and Johnson Acquah. The Lock brothers from Zimbabwe won 6-2,6-0.

Japheth Bagerbaseh and Daniel Quartey could not stand the
test as they lost 2-6,0-6 to Portugal’s Andre Gaspar Murta and Ukraine’s Oleg
Knotkov. Benjamin Fumi and Benjamin Palm also got knockout by Great Britain’s
Darryl Hale and Sweden’s Niklas Johansson in a game that ended 3-6,4-6.

In other doubles games, Zimbabwe’s Mehluli Don Ayanda Sibanda and Great Britain’s Ryan James Storrie surpassed Italian brothers Andre Bessire and Francesco Bessire 6-2,6-3.

Source: Joy Sports/Moses Yeboah

America’s 14-time major champion, 41, came back after 15 months out injured in December, but has not played since his back problems recurred in February.

Plans to compete at Augusta in April – on the 20th anniversary of his first Masters win – had to be abandoned.

“I want to play professional golf again but I’m not looking ahead,” he said.

“I can’t twist for another two and a half to three months. Right now, my sole focus is rehab and doing what the doctors tell me. I am concentrating on short-term goals.”

Woods’ first return to competitive action came in December at the Hero World Challenge – an 18-man tournament in the Bahamas – and he finished 15th at the PGA Tour event.

He has not won a tournament anywhere since 2013, while his title drought in major championships dates back to 2008.

“It has been just over a month since I underwent fusion surgery on my back, and it is hard to express how much better I feel. It was instant nerve relief. I haven’t felt this good in years,” he wrote on his website.

“The long-term prognosis is positive. My surgeon and physiotherapist say the operation was successful. I’m walking and doing my exercises, and taking my kids to and from school. All I can do is take it day by day. There’s no hurry.

“But I want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf again.”

The 84^th Airtel Ghana Open will be held at the Celebrity Golf and Country Club from 6^th – 9^th October, 2016.

The field is expected to be filled to capacity with some 60 professionals looking to participate for the first time in 4 years.

Players from as far as Sweden, Great Britain, Senegal, Nigeria, Togo and the Ivory Coast numbering over 200 are billed to take part in the flagship tournament of the Ghana golfing calendar.

The tournament is headlined for the third year running by Airtel Business – Ghana’s leading provider of end-to-end Communications, Connectivity and Collaborative solutions for Small, Medium and Large enterprises.

Speaking to newsmen in Accra, the President of the Ghana Golf Association Mr. Mike Aggrey stated that the event promises to be very exciting with a possible hole-in-one  prize of a brand new BMW X1 2017  model sponsored by Mechanical Lloyd, and  a couple of  return Business Class tickets to any destination in the world are up for grabs.

This will be in addition to the Giant Winner’s Trophy and many other juicy prizes.

Speaking about Airtel Ghana’s involvement in the competition over the years, Richard Adiase, Head of Airtel Business said: “We have been part of this prestigious tournament over the last three years as headline sponsors and we have no doubt this year’s competition will be the most exciting and rewarding for both professional and amateur golfers.

Our partnership with the Ghana Golf Association enables us to support the development of golf in Ghana and offers a platform for our Premier and Business customers to participate in the prestigious competition. This platform enables us to extend the benefits of Airtel Business’ consummate enterprise solutions to participating golfers from different sectors of the economy.

“The networking opportunities this competition provides is second to none and we will be there to engage and provide patrons a truly memorable experience as well as make available our suite of Communication, Connectivity and Collaborative solutions to drive their dreams and businesses”.

The tournament is supported by the following sponsors: Awake Mineral Water, City Investment Ltd, Citi Fm, Emirates, Garmin Ghana Ltd., Groupe Ideal, Holiday Inn, Huawei, Johnny Walker, KEK Insurance Brokers, Mechanical Lloyd, Mobus Ghana, Oak Plaza, Rendevour, Royal Sweet Ltd, Sahel Sahara, Samsung, Stanbic Bank, Tang Palace, TV3, Vanguard Assurance, and Waterstone Realty.

Meanwhile the Celebrity Golf and Country Club is undergoing major refurbishment on both the course and club house in anticipation of the competition.

The event will also for the first time play host to over 500 non-paying spectators who will be entertained and given lessons in rudiments of golf whilst watching golfing talents unfold in Ghana.

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