15 LIV Golf, 9 Asian Stars To Face Off At International Series

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM: As many as 15 LIV Golf League stars and nine notable winners from the Asian Tour’s 2024 season are teeing it up for International Series India presented by DLF from 3anuary 30 to February 2, creating the strongest field ever to participate on the Indian subcontinent. Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “This strong field, with its blend of superstar names, proven champions and emerging talent, perfectly showcases what The International Series is all about."...more

2025 Mercedes Golf Tournament Begins On January 23; To Be Held In 12 Cities

NEW DELHI: The 24th edition of the much-awaited Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament begins on January 23. The 22-day schedule of amateur golfers wouuld be held across 12 cities and culminate in the National Final at Pune’s Oxford Golf Resort. The tournament attracted over 2,200 amateur golfers nationwide last year. This year’s edition promises a vibrant display of skill and competition....more

Ancer, Catlin, DeChambeau, Lahiri Stars At International Series India

GURUGRAM: The 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong winner, Abraham Ancer, and the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, John Catlin, are among the latest stars to confirm their participation for International Series India. The US$2 million tournament is set to take place at DLF Golf and Country Club later this month. Ancer and Catlin will join defending U.S. Open champion and captain of LIV Golf’s Crushers GC, Bryson DeChambeau, plus local hero Anirban Lahiri, and The International Series Rankings winner Joaquin Niemann for the highly anticipated tournament taking place from January 30 to February 2 in Gurugram....more

First-ever Pitch & Putt Golf Tournament Held In Panchkula

By Deepak Arora

CHANDIGARH: In this modern world, different sports have been undergoing transformation. Cricket test matches have moved to more popular T-20 format. Tennis has evolved to Picket ball. And so on. Now the golf has also evolved to Pitch and Putt. It may be mentioned that the first-ever Pitch & Putt golf tournament was recently held at Panchkula. The tournament named as the Panchkula Golf Club Par3 Masters was a huge success amongst the 178 enthusiastic golfers....more

International Series to debut at DLF Golf Club on Jan 30; LIV Golf star Anirban Lahiri to headline tournament

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM: The International Series will make its historic first entry into the Indian subcontinent next year, bringing the stars of the LIV Golf League and the cream of the Asian Tour to International Series India presented by DLF, the opening tournament in a groundbreaking 2025 calendar. The high-profile event will carry a prize purse of US$ 2 million and will take place at the picturesque and exclusive DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, in the outskirts of Delhi from January 30 to February 2 next year. It is the first of 10 events on a carefully curated schedule in 2025 that offers a pathway onto the LIV Golf League for the end-of-season rankings champion....more

Elon Musk adds drama to Djokovic interview boycott, rips ‘legacy media’ to shreds in fresh Australian Open controversy

MELBOURNE, Jan 19: Novak Djokovic had a massive meltdown at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, despite defeating Jiri Lehecka in his fourth round Australian Open 2025 fixture in Melbourne. The Serbian ace secured a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory, but had to deal with the crowd going against him and trying to distract him. Then after his win, he snubbed two-time Australian Open champion Jim Courier for a courtside interview, which left everyone confused.

Later on, he did reveal his reason behind declining an interview with the tennis legend during his post-match press conference and also in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter. He accused a sports reporter, working for the Grand Slam’s event official broadcaster, of mocking Serbian tennis fans and also for making offensive and insulting remarks about him.

Much to the surprise of fans, Elon Musk, who is known for his outspoken and aggressive personality, retweeted Djokovic’s video and mocked the ‘legacy media’ organisations. He wrote, “It’s way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity of filter of legacy media.”

Musk is the founder and chairman of X, the company which purchased and renamed Twitter in 2023.

In the video posted on X, Djokovic accused Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones of offensive comments and went on to reveal that he would not give a courtside interview at the ongoing tournament, unless Channel Nine issued a public apology. “A couple of days ago, a famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel Nine, here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” he said.

Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh Among Four Athletes To Get Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Sports Ministry

NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh are among four athletes finalised for Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award by the Sports Ministry on Thursday. Men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medal winner Praveen Kumar will also get the prestigious award.

The Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour for sportspersons in India. The sports ministry also named 32 athletes, including 17 para-athletes, for Arjuna awards.

Recently, there was a huge furore after some news reports claimed that Manu's name was missing from the list of athletes recommended for Khel Ratna. Manu's father Ram Kishan and coach Jaspal Rana were furious over the snub. However, Manu Bhaker admitted that there might have been a lapse in her part while filing for the nomination.

The 22-year-old Bhaker became independent India's first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events in August.

In the same Games, Harmanpreet led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal.

The 18-year-old Gukesh, on the other hand, became the youngest ever World champion while also helping the Indian team win a historic gold in the Chess Olympiad last year.

The fourth recipient will be para high-jumper Praveen, who was crowned the T64 champion in the Paris Paralympics. The T64 classification is for athletes who have one or both legs missing below the knee and rely on a prosthetic leg for running.

"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17," the sports ministry said in a press release.