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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2018

Swimmers up first at Commonwealth Games By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — With no time to relax after carrying the flag for the Bahamas during the march pass in the opening ceremonies at the XXI Commonwealth Games on Wednesday night, Joanna Evans will be the first of two of the four-member swim team that will be in action on Thursday. At the Optus Aquatic Centre, Evans will compete in the first of her three events in the heats of the women’s 200 metre final just before N’Nhyn Fernander makes his splash in the pool in the preliminaries of the men’s 50m butterfly. “We’ve been to the aquatic centre for the last three days, so they are familiar with the pool. They like the facility. They like the outdoor pool,” said Sarah Knowles, one of the two coaches on the team. “They both have been responding very well in

practice so they are looking forward to competing.” Based on what she’s seen, Knowles said Evans has some fast times that should allow her to compete in one of the faster heats, increasing her chances of advancing to the finals. As for Fernander, he has checked out the competition and Knowles said he acknowledged that he knows what the competition is going to be like. The other two members of the team - Lilly Higgs and Izaak Bastian are coming from Jamaica where they helped the Bahamas repeat as the CARIFTA swim champions. But because of their youthful ages, both 17, Knowles said this should turn out to be a learning experience for them. “They leave Jamaica on the fourth and get here on April 6. Lilly swims the next day, so it’s more mental than physical,” Knowles pointed out. “But she said she’s ready. She’s been doing very well

SWIMMING officials Sarah Knowles and John Bradley. at CARIFTA, winning gold and silver medals. “Izaak doesn’t swim until April 8, so he will probably have a little edge than Lilly, but they are both incredibly determined. They wanted to come, they wanted to do both, so we are going to expect the best for them.” On the plus side for the sport here, Knowles said when Evans was informed by Chef de Mission Roy

Colebrooke that she would be the fag bearer for the Bahamas at the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, she was ecstatic to have been selected. “That put up a big smile on her face,” Knowles said. “That gives us some extra motivation, so she’s really excited about that.” John Bradley, the team manager, said from what he saw in the practices, the two swimmers are ready to

compete on day one of the competition at the games. “They have seen the psych sheets so they know where they stand,” he stated. Knowles, however, admitted that there’s going to be a lot of pressure as usual for competitors when they start competition. But, at this stage, she said the swimmers strive towards it because this has a focus on a number of meets that they want to compete in this year and the Commonwealth Games is just the beginning of that journey. After a day off on Thursday when the two CARIFTA standouts will arrive from Jamaica with coach Andy Loveitt, Higgs will open up here in the women’s 200m breast on Friday. And Bastian will open up in the 50m breast, while Higgs will be back for the 100m breast. Evans will follow up in the 100m free and Fernander will contest the 100m fly.

just have to do a whole lot of thinking and not just go out there and throw a lot

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By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — While one is hoping that his jet lag won’t hamper him physically, the other is more inspired by his will to endure whatever he’s faced with. One way or the other, Rashield Williams and Carl Hield Jr are both confident that the XXI Commonwealth Games is a grand opportunity for them to excel for Team Bahamas in the boxing ring.

BOXERS Rashield Williams and Carl Hield (far right), along with coach Valentino Knowles (centre) in the Games Village. Back to avenge his first round defeat at the 2014 games in Glasgow, Scotland, Williams said his main problem was trying

to get over the jet lag. “I’ve been continuing my training, trying to keep my weight up,” said Williams who will fight out

of the 64 kilogram class. “Mentally I’m ready, but I didn’t have that much time for conditioning, but I still feel as if I can pull it off. I

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas can once again proudly claim the top junior swimming programme in the region. The 36-member team won back-to-back CARIFTA Swimming Championships and their fourth title in five years as the curtain closed on the competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Kingston, Jamaica, last night. The team completed the four-day meet with a total of 789 points. They finished 181 points ahead of second place finisher and 2016 champion Guadeloupe, who scored 608. Jamaica finished third with 607.5 points, Trinidad and Tobago scored 576 and the Cayman Islands rounded out the top five with 502.5 points. The Bahamas won a total of 56 medals – 23 gold, 22 silver and 11 bronze. The high-point scorer for Team Bahamas among girls was Lilly Higgs with 51 points in the 15-17 division while Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson posted 37 points in the 13-14 division. Among the boys, it was Lamar Taylor leading the way with 68 points in the 13-14, Nigel Forbes with 64 points in the 11-12 and Izaak Bastian with 45 points in the 15-17 division. On the final night of competition, the Bahamas added 13 medals to their final total. Lamar Taylor continued his dominance in the Boys 13-14 division with a gold medal in the 50m Free to begin the title run in the final session. He won in a time of 24.27 seconds and Roman Pinder would also take bronze in 25.55. Izaak Bastian added another gold medal in the Boys 15-17 race in 23.25. Bastian also returned to later win his second gold medal of the night in the 100m Breast in 1:03.12. In the 100m Breast, Nigel Forbes took gold in the Boys 11-12 race in 1:15.81. The team also secured a pair of medals in the Girls 13-14 with Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson’s silver in 1:20.04 and Jamilah Hepburn won bronze in 1:20.06. Erald Thompson III won bronze in the Boys 13-14 in 1:11.53.

Boxers eager to fight

They will begin competition on Thursday’s day one at the Oxenford Studios following the official opening ceremonies that was held on Wednesday night at the Carrara Stadium.

CARIFTA SWIM TEAM TO BRING HOME 56 MEDALS 23 GOLD

Medical staff all set and ready to assist Team Bahamas By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — Team Bahamas won’t have to worry if they sustain any injury at the XXI Commonwealth Games. The Bahamas Olympic Committee has assembled a medical staff that is equipped to handle any major problems.

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Just ask Doctor Rickey Davis. “Every year it seemed to be getting more and more sophisticated and more responsibilities,” said Davis, the team’s chief medical officer. “I haven’t heard of any complaints from any of the athletes, so I’m hoping that they will all come here and perform very well. If they encounter any injuries, we will be here to deal with it.” The “we” Davis was referring to were Grand Bahama’s Cottrice Robinson, who is back for another sting on the team as a member of the medical staff, and newcomer Corderro Bonamy, who is here in his first capacity as a physiotherapist. “I have a great medical team. I have great confidence in them,” said Davis, who has been on so many trips that he can’t remember how many. “I have no doubt that they are the best. I worked with the young guy at the Youth Commonwealth Games and he

MEDICAL staff members Cottrice Robinson, Dr Rickey Davis and Corderro Bonamy, who will assist Team Bahamas. did a great job then. I have all the confidence that he will do a great job here. He should be a good addition to our medical staff for the future.” Going back in time, it’s Robinson’s second Commonwealth Games team, although she had worked a number of other

international events for Team Bahamas. “We are involved with our athletes before competition, during competition and after competition,” she said. “We are involved in preventing injuries and dealing with injuries when they occur in competition or practice.”

Robinson said they have not met any challenge that they couldn’t face with the athletes in the Games Village, but she’s anticipating that things could change when the rest of the team arrives this weekend. And in his novice experience, Bonamy said he’s here to expand his craft and get the tutelage from Robinson and Dr Davis. “This has been a passion of mine after I worked with (high jumper) Jamal Wilson last year,” Bonamy said. “He said imagine if they take you to the Commonwealth Games and God had it so. Right now I’m just grateful for the opportunity. We have to get the athletes ready to perform their best. That’s what it’s all about.” During his journey here, Bonamy said he’s been networking with some of his former collegiates at the University of the West Indies. No matter what happens, the medical staff said they are up to the task.

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THE TRIBUNE

ROACH BROTHERS TO EMBRACE HISTORY IN TRIATHLON By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — Brothers Cameron and Dorian Roach are ready to embrace history when they compete in the first triathlon competition for the Bahamas at the XXI Commonwealth Games. The brothers, coming from a strong background in swimming, will carry the Bahamian flag at the Southport Broadwater Parklands as Cameron gets matched against 36 other competitors in the swim, bike and run event, while Dorian will be on the sidelines as his coach cheering him on. After taking what was a “long travel to get here,” Cameron Roach said it has been worth the trip so far because everybody has been nice and the atmosphere has been remarkable. “It’s a lot more than what I expected to see after not being at a meet of this calibre since I competed in swimming,” said Cameron Roach, who first started competing in the triple discipline event on the international stage in 2015 at the Ironman Arizona and Ironman Cozumel. “It’s been a great experience so far. We’re just trying to get some rest and get rid of this jet lag so I will be ready to compete on Thursday. “I want to be able to perform and represent the country well. But at the same time, I want to send

the message back home to the younger kids competing in triathlon that this is an opportunity. By me competing, it sends a message that if I can compete at the Commonwealth Games, one of them or others can have that opportunity in the future.” Dorian Roach said his 39-year-old brother Cameron Roach is as ready as he could be to go on Thursday. “I think his swim is going to be good, so I’m not worried about that,” he said. “We have put together our game plan and so we’re just waiting on him to compete. Most of the competitors are competing on the international triathlon circuit, so it might be hard to win a medal, but we feel if he can improve on his best time he can beat some people.” Dorian Roach said the goal is for Cameron to get out in the swim in the top pack and get out of the transition as quickly as he can to get on the bike. The St Andrew’s School and

BROTHERS Cameron and Dorian Roach (right) are welcomed to the Gold Coast. Broward College graduate is looking to surpass his personal best of one hour and eight seconds. Cameron Roach will need to complete the swim (the 750-metre course) and get through the transition in under 10 minutes, cycle the 20-kilometre bike ride for no more than 30 minutes or under, including

the transition and to complete the 5k run in about 20 minutes. “That’s our goal for him,” he stated. Relying on his strength in swimming, Cameron Roach said he believes he has improved tremendously on the bike and in the run, so that should help him out tremendously.

“We did a practice course here, circled it out,” he said. “The water was a little choppy, which worked to my strength. “I’m fine with those conditions. Hopefully I can get out in the swim and give myself some time on the bike and the run so that I can be ready to compete. I think I’ve done everything

that I need to do to be ready. “This is the most training that I’ve ever done to prepare for any competition,” he said. “It’s all about getting sufficient rest, stretching and getting some more massages and I should be ready to go.” Not only are they going to make history in triathlon, but Cameron and Dorian will produce the first brother sibling competing for Team Bahamas in a major international event. “It’s awesome. I’m very happy for him. He’s worked so hard and I’m excited because I get to tell him what to do, not that I haven’t been telling him that for the past 39 years, but now in an official capacity,” said Dorian Roach, who also represented the Bahamas in swimming before he retired and is now concentrating on helping his younger brother in their new found sport. For Cameron, there’s nothing like having someone in your corner who knows all of his strengths and weaknesses. “With certain comfort levels, it’s good to have a family member who knows you so well,” he insisted. “It’s good that I won’t have to worry about worrying about all the other aspects to get me in the event to compete. I can just concentrate on my event and hopefully I can go out there and compete to the best of my ability.”

Boxers eager to fight FROM PAGE 1 and get blow out.” Williams, 28, said he clearly remembers losing a split decision to his opponent from New Zealand at the last games. But he’s convinced that it will be a different story this year. His first match will be against Jonas Jonas from Namibia in the round of 32. “A lot has changed in the ring. I had much more fights and I faced a whole lot of competition,” Williams stated. “So I’m ready. I’m going to do things a lot different than I did my last time at the Commonwealth Games.” With him and Hield carrying the banner for Team Bahamas, Williams said his ultimate goal is “carrying home something.” Having won a bronze at the last games in the 69kg class, Hield said he anticipates nothing less than returning to the podium, but this time for a different colour. “Things going good, training going good, weight on target,” Hield said. “I just had a good sparring with a Cyprus boxer and I have another one

with a next guy to get me prepared. The way I see it, I’m just going to go in there and try to become the first Bahamian to win two medals at the Commonwealth Games.” And with the weather conditions favourable to those in the Bahamas, the 31-year-old Hield said he feels right at home. He also noted that the food has been good so far and once he can get some more rest, he will be prepared to step in the ring and fight. His opener will also be on Thursday against home town favourite Terry Nickolas of Australia in the round of 32. “Training camp and everything is over. It’s time for us to perform,” Hield said. “Rashield has been my sparring partner for the past four years. “I am just waiting to see him go out there and perform, even though he didn’t have as much time in training camp as I did. But he has a heart of a lion, so I’m waiting to see what his performance will be like.” Coach Valentino Knowles said he’s expecting a successful showing from both boxers. “Both of them have competed at this

BOXERS Carl Hield (far left) and Rashield Williams, and coach Valentino Knowles (centre) display their commemorative medals. level before, so right now we are just confident and we are hoping for the best,”

Knowles said. “Our preparation right now has been a little shaky for us getting

over this time zone, but we are getting it together. I’m just looking forward to the

best from them. They just have to put their best foot forward.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 4, 2018, PAGE 3

‘She was just getting a feeling of what she was doing and getting her confidence level up’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — Immediate past president Wellington Miller said it’s going to be so difficult to walk into the Bahamas Olympic Committee and not find Debron Moxey working when he returns home. A year ago, Miller said they set out on a recruitment exercise to get someone to replace Al Dilette as the office manager in the JS Johnson building. However, Moxey was killed in a traffic accident over the weekend just when Miller was in transit Down Under in Australia as the XXI Commonwealth Games Association’s representative for the Bahamas. “I asked vice president Roy Colebrooke and treasurer D’arcy Rahming to find that person to replace Al,” Miller said. “We wanted someone who was aggressive and a go-getter. When they narrowed the selection down, they invited me into a meeting and we interviewed everybody. Colebrooke told me that this was the one that we

needed and she turned out to be a gem for the Olympic movement. “She was just getting a feeling of what she was doing and getting her confidence level up. She was learning and she was warned that when things started to pick up for the team to travel to the Commonwealth Games, it would be busy. “But that didn’t faze her one bit. So when I go back to the Bahamas, I know that I will miss her.” Miller said Moxey was so reliable and trustworthy that he could have left her in the office and she functioned quite well or whenever she had to go out of the office, she would let him or newly elected president Rommel ‘Fish’ Knowles know and if she was going to be late returning, or if she had something to do that was taking a little longer than expected, she would inform them. “She loved working for the Bahamas Olympic Committee and she enjoyed building up her portfolio of all of the affiliated association and federation heads,” Miller said. “Her dream was to get the Central

American and Caribbean Games team accredited by herself. After working on helping to get the Commonwealth Games team off, she was determined that she wanted to do the CAC team by herself.” When he got the news from her sister that Moxey had passed away, Miller said he couldn’t sleep here at the games. He said it’s going to be even harder when he returns home, but hopefully the executives will go through the process again for another office manager, but he’s not sure if they can strike gold again and find another gem like Moxey. He expressed condolences to Moxey’s family.

DEBRON MOXEY, who was killed in a traffic accident over the weekend.

TEAM BAHAMAS TO HOLD ‘MEMORIAL-TYPE SERVICE’ IN HONOUR OF DEBRON MOXEY By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GOLD COAST, Australia — It was a somber moment in the Bahamas Olympic Committee on hearing of the death of their office manager Debron Moxey. It was just about a year ago that Moxey replaced Al Dilette at the BOC’s office in the JS Johnson Building on Soldier Road. She became the face of the office as she was the first to greet everyone when they entered the doors and her infectious smile ensured that if she couldn’t help you, she would get the answers that you needed before you left. BOC president Rommel ‘Fish’ Knowles described Moxey as a humble extraordinary young lady, whom he will sorely miss for the role she played. Moxey, 31, was the daughter of Charlene Moxey and the grandniece of former Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt. She was killed in a car accident over the weekend.

“Today, I’m saddened to have lost a member of our Olympic family,” said Knowles, who didn’t make the trip Down Under in Australia for the games. “She was a key member of our office, who kept us glued together. She was with us for just over a year, but she was so excited about being a part of our family. “She was astute, smart and beautiful. She was sarcy at times, stubborn on occasions, but she had a very pleasant and humble spirit. I can say without hesitation that she was reliable. and mature for her young age. I don’t know what I will do without Debron because she had become my pillow of strength, the wind beneath my wings.” Just last November when the BOC held its election of officers and Knowles moved up from secretary general to become the new president, he recalled how Moxey, who was supposed to be sitting and monitoring the election, came over to him to hug and congratulate him. He said although

he tried to caution her, Moxey remained humbled, yet excited with the outcome. “She got along very well with everybody. I don’t know of anyone who could say one ill word about Debron,” Knowles stated. “She will be missed. She was at CARIFTA on Saturday night and was looking forward to going back to the closing ceremonies on Monday. She befriended all of the Olympic movement presidents and secretary generals in the Bahamas and ensured that she did all she could to assist them.” So I express condolences to her mother and to her family, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees have expressed their condolences as well and I suppose it’s only a matter of time before we get condolences from the International Olympic Committee family.” Roy Colebrooke, the Chef de Mission for Team Bahamas here, said he worked closely with Moxey to ensure that everything

was set up for the games before he left. “She had a very nice personality, very enthusiastic and she loved sport,” he stressed. “I think the sporting community has lost a very important person. Definitely the BOC has lost a gem. She is our collegiate and a very important person. She was just getting the hang of what it took to run the office. We are all going to miss her.” At some point before the week is out when all of the 31 members of Team Bahamas is here, Colebrooke said they intend to hold a memorial type service in honour of Moxey. Cora Hepburn, a vice president of the BOC, who is also here with Team Bahamas, said it’s a hard pill to swallow, considering the fact that she believes that Moxey was sent to the sports leaders in the country to teach them humility. Debron, for her age group, in comparison with the average 30-year-old in our community, was the most humble individual that she has met in a very

long time, particularly in sports. “You could ask Debron to do 100 tasks and she would never complain,” Hepburn said. “You can point out the errors and she would never, never get upset or show you any remorse or any rudeness. She was the most humble young person that I have met in a very long time.” As a mother of a 25-year-old daughter and 32-year-old son, Hepburn said when she got the phone call from Nassau here in Australia, she was taken off her feet. “I am still here trying to figure all of that out,” Hepburn said. “But we will have to go through that. But to leave someone at home in high spirits and to get the news like that here, it was very, very devastating.” Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard expressed his condolences on behalf of the government, stating that this year the Bahamian sporting community has lost several high profile

Enjoying the sights at the Commonwealth Games

AT THE BIG EVENT: Chef de Mission Roy Colebrooke and BOC secretary general Derron Donaldson pose above in the Games Village with brothers Cameron and Dorian Roach, who will represent the Bahamas in triathlon at the Commonwealth Games.

leaders and former athletes and that the frequency with which the country mourns demonstrates the fragility of life and the unpredictability of death. “Our sports community once again has suffered tremendous loss with the tragic passing of Miss Debron Moxey,” he said. “Debron played a pivotal role managing the office of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. Her professionalism and dedication has assisted the BOC in positively impacting sports development in The Bahamas. “The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture extends our collective sympathy to her family, friends and the BOC and its affiliates on the passing of a young, talented Bahamian woman, who would be greatly missed. All those who met Debron will no doubt treasure the memories she helped to create in their lives. May her soul rest in peace and it is my prayer that God would grant comfort and peace to all those whose hearts ache in this difficult period.”

CARIFTA SWIM TEAM TO BRING HOME 56 MEDALS FROM PAGE 1 The Bahamas took the top two spots on the medal podium with a gold medal from Lily Higgs in 1:12.65 and Victoria Russell took silver in 1:14.87. Peter Morley won the sole medal for Team Bahamas in the 200m Back with his silver in the Boys 15-17 division a time of 2:13.27. The competition closed out with a pair of medals in the 200m Free Relay. A strong Boys 13-14 division capped their meet with a silver medal in 1:42.89 while the Boys 15-17 team won gold in 1:36.86. In 2014, the Bahamas topped the standings for the first time in Savaneta, Aruba. The 36-member team finished with a total of 736.50 points. In 2015, the Bahamas won the meet again with a total of 756.50 points, more than 100 points ahead of the host team Barbados, who was second with 642.50 points. In 2016 event in Fort-de-France, Martinique, the Bahamas finished in second place, just 21.5 points behind Guadeloupe. The Bahamas reclaimed the title at home last year at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre with a total of 799.5 points. They finished 137.5 points ahead of Guadeloupe, who scored 662.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 4, 2018, PAGE 5

ENCORE: LeBron scores 27, Cavaliers down Raptors again By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Once his layup dropped, LeBron James sent another message. As Cleveland’s crowd cheered following his artistic shot, James walked within a few feet of Toronto’s bench, pounded his chest several times and screamed, “I’m still a problem!” The Raptors didn’t need any reminders. James scored 27 points, the last coming on a sensational layup, and the Cavaliers continued to gain momentum with the playoffs quickly approaching by beating Toronto 112-106 on Tuesday night. James added nine rebounds and six assists as the Cavs posted their second win in two weeks over the Eastern Conference’s top team, whose lead over second-place Boston remains at two games. This time, the Cavaliers were much healthier than when they beat the Raptors on March 21 despite missing five rotational players and coach Tyronn Lue. Jose Calderon added 19 points and Kevin Love 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavs, who are 9-1 since March 17 despite not having all their pieces. James still isn’t sure what the postseason may bring for Cleveland, which has eliminated Toronto in each of the past two postseasons. “We don’t know what we can become,” James said.

“We have no idea. But right now we’re playing good ball and we want to try to continue that. But we don’t know what we can become. We have not been whole all year.” DeMar DeRozan scored 19 and Jonas Valanciunas 17 for Toronto, which will host Boston on Wednesday. The Raptors didn’t quit and scored eight points in 34 seconds before the Cavs put it away with four free throws. Kyle Lowry scored only 5 on 2-of-11 shooting. The Raptors are just 3-5 since winning 11 straight from February 26 to March 16. “Right now we’ve got to find our rhythm on both ends of the floor, whether it’s offense or defense,” coach Dwane Casey said. “That’s slip-sided away on us. We’ve got to get that back. We’ve got five games to go. We’ve played some of the best teams in the league, but we’ve got to find our identity and get back to being who we are. We’ve got a locker room full of fighters. “We’ve bounced back the entire year. I have total confidence in those guys that they’re going to scratch their way out of it as we go into the playoffs.” The Cavaliers still aren’t at full strength. Starting point guard George Hill missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle and Lue was in attendance but only in an advisory role as he remains on medical leave. Cleveland’s ball movement was excellent in the

second quarter and so was its accuracy. The Cavs made their first five 3-pointers — in less than four minutes — and opened a 16-point lead. Love dropped three of the 3s with the others by Rodney Hood and Calderon, who made his first six field-goal attempts and scored 14 in the opening half. TIP-INS Raptors: Lowry attended Monday night’s NCAA title game in San Antonio and the proud Villanova alum wore a championship cap to Tuesday’s shootaround. He refused to blame his performance on his social activities. “I’m still a professional,” said Lowry, who is 6 of 24 in his past two games. “I just missed shots. I got back in time. I didn’t miss nothing. I just missed some shots.” ... Remain one win shy of matching the franchise record of 56 wins set in 2015-16. ... Cavaliers: James passed Kobe Bryant with his 942nd 20-point game, third most in league history. ... Won their seventh straight home game. ... Kyle Korver played for the first time since March 19. He was excused to be with family following the death of his 27-year-old brother. PERFECT SEASON James has never played in every game in a season, coming closest in 2008-09, when he played in 81 before sitting out the finale to rest for the playoffs.

CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) passes the ball over Toronto Raptors’ Serge Ibaka (9) in the first half last night in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) He’s started all 78 this season — his 15th in the NBA — but insists 82 for 82 is not a goal. “My plan is to play one game at a time and see how

I feel after that game,” he said. “I didn’t come into the season, saying, ‘OK, we’re going to play 82 games this season,’ but my plan is to

be as healthy as I can, work on my body, train my body every day to be available for my teammates every game.”

DURANT SCORES 34 TO HELP WARRIORS TOP THUNDER OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 34 points while being booed throughout the game, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 111-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Klay Thompson added 20 points for the Warriors, who evened the season series at two wins apiece despite guard Stephen Curry missing his sixth straight game with a left MCL sprain. Russell Westbrook had 44 points and 16 rebounds, and Paul George added 20 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder. Golden State led 107-103 when a steal by Westbrook led to a dunk by Corey Brewer with 20 seconds left. Quinn Cook made two free throws at the other end with 18 seconds to play. Westbrook quickly scored a layup to make it 109-107, but Golden State’s Draymond Green went to the line with 10 seconds left and made two free throws to put the game out of reach. Durant scored 15 points in the first quarter, then added nine in the second to help the Warriors take a 57-47 advantage at the break. Thunder fans, still sore over Durant’s choice to leave Oklahoma City for the Warriors in free agency after the 2015-16 season, booed him throughout the game. Westbrook scored 18 in the first half to help the Thunder stay in the game. Oklahoma City closed the gap, and a mid-range jumper by Westbrook tied the score at 76. A 3-pointer by Westbrook put the Thunder up 81-80. Westbrook scored 17 points in the third, but the Warriors rallied and took an 84-81 lead into the fourth.

GOLDEN State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, centre, shoots between Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams, left, and forward Paul George in the first half last night. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

TIP-INS Warriors: Shot 54 percent in the first half. ... Made just 8 of 29 3-pointers. ... Bench scored 38 points on 18 for 26 shooting. Thunder: The crowd recognized assistant coach Maurice Cheeks for being chosen for entry into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. ... C Steven Adams was issued a technical foul for arguing a travel early in the third quarter. ... Outrebounded the Warriors 58-40.

SMITH HIGHLIGHT HELPS MAVS TOP PLAYOFF-BOUND BLAZERS 105-99 By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Dennis Smith Jr. scored 18 points, including a highlight-reel dunk to help keep the lottery-bound Dallas Mavericks ahead in a 115-109 win over Portland on Tuesday night, delaying for now the Trail Blazers’ hopes of clinching homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. A hodge-podge lineup kept the Mavericks in front in the fourth quarter, with Maxi Kleber giving them their biggest lead at 104-94 on a 3-pointer with 3:13 remaining. But Smith, the rookie firstround pick Dallas hopes to build its future around, was back on the

floor with the Blazers trailing by six when he beat Damian Lillard to a loose ball , poked it past the star Portland guard, ran it down and bounced it one more time before leaping for the slam. Smith, who had another layup to push the lead back to seven in the final minute, also led the Mavericks with eight assists and tied Kleber for the team high in rebounds with eight. Kleber scored nine points. Lillard scored 29 for the Blazers, who could have clinched home court for the first time in five straight playoff appearances under coach Terry Stotts with a win and losses by Oklahoma City and Utah. Portland qualified for the playoffs with Sunday’s win over Memphis.

Harrison Barnes, J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell scored 15 apiece as the Mavericks avoided getting swept by Portland in a season series for the first time since 199899. CJ McCollum scored 16, but he and Lillard combined to go 2 of 15 from 3-point range as the Blazers shot 25 percent (10 of 40) from behind the arc. Jusuf Nurkic had 15 points and 13 rebounds. TIP-INS Trail Blazers: G Shabazz Napier, the Final Four most outstanding player when Connecticut won the NCAA title at the home of the Dallas Cowboys four years ago, was 4 of 4 from 3 and had 13 points. ... Lillard has scored at least 25 points in nine of his past 10 games against Dallas. ... Nurkic

had his team-leading 24th doubledouble of the season. Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki missed his first five 3-point tries but finished 3 of 10 and had 14 points. ... Dwight Powell was the sixth player in double figures with 12 points. ... Dallas went without a turnover in the second and third quarters and finished with seven. NO MORE NOEL Dallas center Nerlens Noel was suspended for the final five games of the season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. The suspension ended a lost season when Noel was hoping to showcase himself after failed negotiations in the offseason ended with him taking the team’s qualifying offer of just $4.1 million

for one season as a restricted free agent. The Mavericks acquired him at the trading deadline last season. Noel appeared to fall out of favor with coach Rick Carlisle early this season before the announcement that he was having surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb. But Carlisle praised him before the game, saying his respect for Noel went up when the 23-yearold came to his coach after a game in Sacramento last week to tell him about the looming suspension. “He was contrite,” Carlisle said. “What I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt is this guy has been a terrific guy to be around,” he added.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, April 4, 2018

22 23 THE TRIBUNE

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100 CASH read down th 25 26 letters in the highlighted squares to reveal the mystery wo

tO eNter: call 0904 161 1605 and leave your answer and28detail 27 to 84010. calls cost £1.50 plus your telephone company’s network at midnight tonight. or send your FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100 CA grid containing the answer in the letters in the highlighted squares to reve 12578, sutton coldfield B73 9Bt. Entries must be postmarked by no tO eNter: call 0904 161 1605 and leave yo call helpline number. ● The winner will becalls thecost first random correc to 84010. £1.50 plus your telephone CARPE DIEM at midnight tonight. or send your grid containi NEED HELP? call 0904 161 1609 for 5 extra clues! calls cost £1b 12578, sutton coldfield B73 9Bt. Entries must

JUDGE PARKER

call helpline number. ● The winner will be the NEED HELP? call 0904 161 1609 for 5 extr

nAmE

aC 14 Sai 27 H 6 Br 19

nAmE

ADDrEss

PostcoDE

THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SEC

Today’s answers: Beginner = 57; interme THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SECOND CHALL

MARVIN Today’s answers: Beginner = 57; intermediate = 201; advanced

CrossdoU

BLONDIE

CrossdoUBT

Can you make two common five-letter words from the nine letters given, using each letter only once? you can – but only if one letter features in both Can you make two common five-letter words in the squares on the right. There’s at least one way to do it, and words from the nine letters given, you have to have the right letter at the using each letter only once? you can crossover – but which one is it? – but only if one letter features both seein if you can find the answer within our target time. if you need help, ring words in the squares on the right. our clue-line below to find out the There’s at least one way to docrossover it, andletter. solution tomorrow.

you have to have the right letter attimes: the Average: Target 18 mins Good: 14 mins crossover – but which one is it? HAGARsee THEifHORRIBLE you can find the answer Excellent: within 10 mins Yesterday’s solution: our target time. if you need help, ringwriTe weiGH, (across our clue-line below to find out the or down) crossover letter. solution tomorrow.

TIGER

Target times: Average: 18 mins Good: 14 mins Excellent: 10 mins Yesterday’s solution: weiGH, wriTe (across or down) CALVIN & HOBBES

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Down

1 Old-fashioned shape (6)

1 Decide it’s something to sit on (6)

4 Fancy us to be stupid (6)

2 Craft about to change (1-4)

9 A tour he organised to see US writer (7) 10 It is provided in the spring (5) 11 Louts break up the plant (5) 12 Set of dishes the waiter gives you (7) 13 Pleasant setting for the national team? (11) 18 A bad-tempered pet (7) 20 Tragically without a match, has to return a smoke (5) 22 Man’s highest state? (5) 23 Make no effort to be original (7)

mA t r K r AwE

0901 322 5601 0901 322 5

6 Under it changes are yet to be attempted (7) 7 With the organ study over, got paid employment (6) 8 Her charges are always small (7,4) 14 Large volume of transport? (7) 15 Possibly notices a military unit (7)

24 Found gold star (6)

19 A riot getting out of proportion (5)

25 Mint that’s still wrapped? (6)

21 They are in a box in the car (5)

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Across: 1 New moon, 5 Cupid, 8 Indispensable, 9 Scour, 10 Evening, 11 Litter, 12 Anchor, 15 Cremate, 17 Celia, 19 Featherbedded, 20 Rakes, 21 Carry on. Down: 1 Nails, 2 Wide of the mark, 3 Observe, 4 Nieces, 5 Caste, 6 Public holiday, 7 Dredger, 11 Lucifer, 13 Nuclear, 14 Metric, 16 Aphis, 18 Auden.

Across: 1 Bombast, 5 Amiss, 8 Lackadaisical, 9 Waive, 10 Expanse, 11 Tavern, 12 Effect, 15 Collude, 17 Adult, 19 Flight of fancy, 20 Lunar, 21 Collect. Down: 1 Below, 2 Machiavellian, 3 Amateur, 4 Travel, 5 Aesop, 6 In consequence, 7 Salient, 11 Tactful, 13 Fearful, 14 Heroic, 16 Usher, 18 Tryst.

Across 1 Capricious (6) 4 Talk unintelligibly (6) 9 Droll (7) 10 Assign (5) 11 Exhaust physically (5) 12 Payment in retirement (7) 13 Freedom from anxiety (5,2,4) 18 Hamlet’s sweetheart (7) 20 Lofty (5) 22 Classify in a word (5) 23 A great fire (7) 24 To notice (6) 25 Even though (6)

THe aL

you tur HOW many words of four letters down. s or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a yeste the target you crack the word, eachcAn letter may be used Black Eachthe grid 8, 9, 1 Each must contain uses once only.Alphabeater? letter and there must beaatletter26, 31 number represents words incentre acros least one nine-letter word. no – or black square. Praye “s”.in the mainplurals or verb forms ending inAs

*SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390

5 One who bends down in a shady spot (5)

17 Have an ally in Fred, perhaps (6)

mA t r K r AwE

cAn yo

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3 Winds up with part of a film on crime (5,2)

16 It acts somehow without moving (6)

*Calls cost 75p p netw

Alphab uses sOlutION numbe words in – or bla the main Alphap bodytoday’s of Both words in Halve your target time! the alp chambers you ha *Calls cost 75p plus your 21st telephone company’ grid to network access charge. letters century below t Dictionary grid is (1999 symme edition) words,

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

EASY PUZZLE

Across

Halve your target tim

stucK? call FOr a clue

call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

0901 322 56

a eTarGeT P P P ther r TH s target

TarGeT

DENNIS THE MENACE

a e P P

stucK? call FOr a c

Down 1 False appearance (6) 2 Punctuation mark (5) 3 Using few words (7) 5 Another time (5) 6 Gold in mass (7) 7 Evaluation by grade (6) 8 Compulsive urge to steal (11) 14 Display publicly (7) 15 Aware (7) 16 Dirty (6) 17 Sharp, loud noise (6) 19 A light purple (5) 21 Carried (5)

full solution

0907 181 2558

*Calls cost 80p per minute 21 plus your telephone company’s network access charge. ●

PLay More Cros

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 4, 2018, PAGE 7

With some luck, Bayern beats Sevilla 2-1 in Champions League SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Bayern Munich needed a couple of lucky bounces to prevent Sevilla from pulling off another Champions League upset. After being outplayed by the hosts early on and conceding a 32nd-minute opener by Pablo Sarabia, Bayern came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 in the first leg of their quarterfinal yesterday thanks to an own goal by Jesus Navas and a second-half header by Thiago Alcantara. Both times the ball deflected off a defender to take Sevilla goalkeeper David Soria out of play. “Psychologically, it was very important to equalise quickly, even if it took a bit of luck,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. “But if we want to win the Champions League, we need to improve. We lost the ball too often and lacked structure in midfield, which allowed Sevilla to create chances. We improved in the second half and in the end deserved to win.”

Bayern now only needs a draw in the second leg in Munich next week to reach the semi-finals for the fifth time in six seasons. Sevilla, playing in the last eight for the first time in 60 years after overcoming heavily favoured Manchester United in the previous round, has never made it to the semi-finals in the Champions League. In Tuesday’s other game, defending champion Real Madrid defeated Juventus 3-0 in Turin after two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo — including a stunning overhead kick to make it 2-0 in the second half. Sevilla started well and had the best chances early at Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. And they were rewarded when Sarabia opened the scoring with a close-range shot after beating Bayern defender Juan Bernat to a pass by Sergio Escudero into the area. However, replays showed that Sarabia, who had missed a great chance a few minutes earlier, may have controlled the ball with his

BAYERN’S FRANCK RIBERY, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match against Sevilla FC at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium yesterday. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti) ball deflected off Navas and was redirected toward the near corner. Soria tried to change directions quickly but he couldn’t keep the ball from trickling across the goal line after it hit the post.

arm before calmly finding the net. The hosts seemed in control but Bayern levelled with fortuitous goal five minutes later. Franck Ribery tried to make a low cross into the area but the

“We played well in the first half, created many chances, but that own goal was key,” Sarabia said. “It hurt us when we were playing better. In the second half they improved and controlled possession.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 63° F/17° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny with a shower

Partly cloudy with a brief shower

Clouds and sun with a stray shower

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Partly sunny and pleasant

Partly sunny

High: 84°

Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 69°

High: 84° Low: 70°

High: 85° Low: 70°

AccuWeather RealFeel

99° F

74° F

99°-74° F

93°-74° F

95°-74° F

99°-77° F

almanac

ABACO

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

6-12 knots

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 70° F/21° C

E S

WEST PALM BEACH

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

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.

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 65° F/18° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 66° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 69° F/21° C

4-8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 69° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 68° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 85° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 71° F/22° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 6.79” Normal year to date ..................................... 4.66”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

11:25 a.m. 11:50 p.m.

2.4 2.7

5:30 a.m. -0.1 5:33 p.m. -0.1

Thursday

12:09 p.m. -----

2.2 -----

6:16 a.m. 6:16 p.m.

0.1 0.1

Friday

12:37 a.m. 12:57 p.m.

2.6 2.0

7:05 a.m. 7:03 p.m.

0.3 0.3

Saturday

1:27 a.m. 1:50 p.m.

2.5 1.9

7:58 a.m. 7:56 p.m.

0.5 0.5

Sunday

2:21 a.m. 2:48 p.m.

2.4 1.9

8:55 a.m. 8:54 p.m.

0.6 0.6

Monday

3:19 a.m. 3:48 p.m.

2.3 2.0

9:52 a.m. 9:54 p.m.

0.6 0.6

Tuesday

4:16 a.m. 4:44 p.m.

2.4 2.1

10:46 a.m. 0.5 10:51 p.m. 0.5

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:59 a.m. 7:28 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

11:30 p.m. 9:58 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Apr. 8

Apr. 15

Apr. 22

Apr. 29

CAT ISLAND

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

4-8 knots

4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

It will be hard, but we are not out of it yet.” Bayern began taking control of the game in the second half and started creating more chances. Javi Martinez had his close-range shot saved by Soria in the 66th, and two minutes later Alcantara scored the winning goal after a cross by Ribery. This time the ball deflected off Escudero before going in. Sevilla is trying to establish itself as a contender in the Champions League after dominating the second-tier Europa League in recent years, having won the competition three times in four seasons. The Spanish club was eliminated by Leicester in the round of 16 last year. Bayern, a five-time European champion, has made it to the last eight nine times in 10 seasons. It arrived for Tuesday’s game coming off a 6-0 rout of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, a competition it looks set to win for the sixth consecutive time.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

4-8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° 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: 73° F/23° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

7-14 knots

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

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SE at 6-12 Knots NNW at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ENE at 3-6 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots E at 3-6 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots SE at 3-6 Knots NE at 3-6 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 74° F 74° F 76° F 77° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 79° F 75° F 73° F 77° F 77° F 76° F 76° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 78° F 75° F 75° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 74° F

Covering The Bahamas for over 40 years. NEW PROVIDENCE | GRAND BAHAMA | ABACO | ELEUTHERA | EXUMA

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(BAHAMAS) LIMITED. INSURANCE BROKERS & AGENTS

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PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

There’s new Woods at Augusta, with Mickelson along for ride By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The power off the tee and the sharpness with his short game made him look like the Tiger Woods of old. The smile on his face and the company he kept yesterday at the Masters — a practice round with Phil Mickelson — suggested someone entirely different. Woods and Mickelson had not played together at Augusta National since 2009, and even then it wasn’t by choice. They were paired in the final round, and while neither won the green jacket, Lefty shot 67 and got him by one shot. This time they were partners, and it wasn’t a fair fight against Fred Couples and Thomas Pieters. Never mind that Mickelson hit his opening tee shot at No. 10 behind a magnolia tree. Unlike that failed foursomes match they played at Oakland Hills in the 2004 Ryder Cup, Mickelson had to play the next shot, too. The two loudest roars that shattered the morning calm came from Woods making eagle on the two par 5s at No. 13 and No. 15. “I made a few birdies in there,” Mickelson said. “We had a five-hole stretch. We were 7 under. That was some fun play.” This was only a snapshot, and it received far more attention because of the stage at Augusta National and the two leading characters. Woods and Mickelson have been longtime rivals, rarely friends and hardly ever partners. But it’s not just with Mickelson. Woods has become a mentor to Justin Thomas, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler among other youngsters. Long respected by his peers as the greatest player of his generation, he now has formed relationships with them. Padraig Harrington hardly recognised Woods at Torrey Pines earlier this year when he saw him walk onto the range, exchange a few high-fives and stop to chat. Woods turned 42 at the end of last year. He has been away from golf for much of the last few years because of his four back surgeries. The Masters will be the first major he plays

since the PGA Championship in August 2015. Perhaps, as Harrington suggested, he simply has mellowed. “I think they just missed my sharp needle,” Woods said. “This is just like a fraternity. When somebody gets hurt and someone gets sick, we bond. We come and try to support them as best we possibly can. Because we all know what it takes to be at this elite level.” Regardless, he has come a long way in a short amount of time. Only last year, Woods said he had trouble just sitting through the dinner at the Masters Club of past champions because of pain from his lower back shooting down his legs. That hurt about as much as being at Augusta National without his clubs for the second straight year, not knowing when or even if he would return. The low point came last summer when he was arrested on a DUI charge in Florida after police found him asleep behind the wheel, his car parked awkwardly on the side of the road with the engine still running. Woods was found to have a mix of prescription pills to help with pain and sleep. He sought treatment, and then perhaps the best therapy was being among players as an assistant captain at the Presidents Cup. “I don’t know the reasoning, but I think your assertion that he has a lot of great relationship with a lot of players, I think that’s accurate,” Mickelson said. “His relationships with the guys on the team are extremely close.” That includes Mickelson, of course. The last practice round they played together, as best as Mickelson can recall, was 20 years ago at the Nissan Open when it was played at the TPC Valencia. Mickelson tricked him into hitting the wrong club late in their match and took $500 off him. If that wasn’t enough, he photocopied the five $100 bills, added smiley faces and wrote, “Just wanted you to know Benji and his friends are very happy in their new home.” And that was their last practice round at a tournament — until Tuesday.

TIGER WOODS, left, and Phil Mickelson share a laugh on the 11th tee box while playing a practice round for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Woods and Mickelson were chatting off the 10th tee, and up to the 11th tee, and throughout their nine holes of practice. Mickelson tried a variety of flop shots around the 15th green with his 64-degree wedge, and Woods laughed when Lefty holed one of the more difficult shots. Miserable a year ago, Woods was in a happy place. And it caused quite a buzz, not only among the thousands who tagged along that made this a practice round unlike any other at the Masters, but the other players. “I walked past Tiger on the range and I said, ‘I never thought I would see the day — Tiger and Phil playing a practice round at Augusta,’” Rory McIlroy said. “So we had a bit of a

laugh about that. I think both Tiger and Phil have started to take the team stuff a lot more seriously as they have progressed in their careers, and they have obviously become very close. ... And it’s great to see two of the top stars of our game for a long time.” Still to be determined is how that translates to competition that counts. Mickelson already has won this year. Woods is getting close. And those youngsters who look up to Woods are among the best in the world. “I really hope I’m playing my best golf,” Woods said. “This is a tournament where experience does help a lot. I’ve won here not playing my absolute best, but there’s got to be a certain part of my game that’s on.”

TIGER Woods walks to the 15th green during practice for the Masters golf tournament yesterday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

RORY MCILROY READY TO SEIZE HISTORY WITH A MASTERS TITLE By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy paused under a towering Georgia pine just off the 14th green, mimicking a swing and going over some of the finer points of Augusta National with practice partner Ian Woosnam. Good thinking. Woosnam, after all, has one of those coveted green jackets. McIlroy needs one to join a very exclusive club. “You have to embrace and relish the opportunity that is put in front of you,” he said, “and go out and grab it.” Funny thing, it looked like the Masters would be the first major championship of McIlroy’s career. In 2011, riding the hype as the game’s brightest new star, he led after each of the first three rounds and was still out front making the turn Sunday. Then, in one of the greatest collapses in major championship history, he played the final nine holes at 7 over to shoot 80 . At the time, it felt like his world had collapsed. Looking back, he considers it a turning point in his career. “I feel like it made me a better player, I feel like it made me a better person,” said McIlroy, who is among many favourites in the

loaded Masters field after his victory a couple of weeks ago at Bay Hill. “It took me a while to get over it, but I knew if I looked at the big picture it would serve me well in the long run. And I don’t think I would have had the career I’ve had so far if it wasn’t for that day.” A few months later, he won the US Open in a runaway. The next year, he added a PGA Championship to his résumé. In 2014, he captured two more majors at the British Open and the PGA. Only the Masters is preventing him from joining Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen with a career Grand Slam. “I know a win here and what that would mean and where that would put me in history alongside some of the greatest that have ever played this game,” McIlroy said. “But have I to try and clear my head of that come Thursday morning and go out and play good golf, hit good golf shots, have good course management, hole putts. If you do that enough times, hopefully that score on Sunday evening’s the lowest out of all 87 or 88 competitors that are here and you walk away with something that you’ll have for the rest of your life.” McIlroy was clearly in a relaxed mood as played the back nine late Tuesday

RORY MCILROY, of Northern Ireland, catches a ball from his caddie on the 13th hole during practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) afternoon with Woosnam, the 1991 Masters champion, and Branden Grace — long after many patrons had already headed home for the day. Before teeing off at the 14th, McIlroy posed for a picture with a boy clad in burnt orange from head to toe, whose father insisted “he’s your biggest fan.” Someone murmured from afar, “He said the same thing when Rickie Fowler came through,” and

certainly the young man was dressed in attire more appropriate to Fowler’s fashion sense. As McIlroy headed to the 15th tee, a man asked, “Can I shake your hand?” McIlroy kept right on walking but shouted back, “I’ll get you on my way back.” The patron looked a bit skeptical, but McIlroy was true to his word after hitting a booming drive. He found the man along the ropes, veered off for a quick

handshake, and headed on down the fairway, getting smaller and smaller before he disappeared over the horizon. “All it takes is one guy to do that, and you’ve got a fan for life,” another patron said, smiling approvingly. If anything, McIlroy feels like he’s given this place a little too much respect the last few years. He’s certainly played well, finishing in the top 10 the last four years, but he seemed to

get a little too comfortable settling for pars instead of going for birdies. That often left him facing a big deficit by the time he got to the weekend. “Sometimes you plod away and you make your pars and think you’re doing OK, but you look at the board and you might be seven or eight back (because) someone’s got off to a hot start,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think that will happen this week,” he added confidently. McIlroy is very mindful of the history around this place. Hogan and Sam Snead both won their first Masters on their 10th try. This is McIlroy’s 10th appearance. Arnold Palmer was 28 when he captured his first green jacket. McIlroy won’t turn 29 until next month. “I mean, there’s loads of different numbers you could throw around,” he said. “But it’s all really meaningless unless you go out there and actually do it.” McIlroy sees no reason why this Masters can’t be the one that pushes him into elite company. “I never come in here thinking I’ve served my time and this is my turn — because it’s never your turn. You have to go out and get it,” he said. “I’m here this week to earn it all.”