Paul Azinger

Paul Azinger won a major, beating Greg 
 Norman in a playoff at the 1993 PGA Championship; overcame lymphoma in his right shoulder; and has enjoyed critical acclaim for his candor as a broadcaster.

Still, the 50-year-old's most enduring legacy may have been confirmed during a recent interview at a Chicago hotel restaurant, where two separate diners interrupted Zinger from his breakfast to thank him for his successful captainship at the 2008 Ryder Cup. "It's pretty nice," Azinger says of the gratitude, which he says he still receives just about everywhere he goes.

Relinquishing his captain's duties and the accompanying attention hasn't been easy, Azinger admits, but he has filled the hole with occassional rounds on the Champions Tour, guest spots on television, and writing and promoting his latest book, a tell-all about—what else?—his winning ways at the Ryder Cup. Azinger also makes time for two of his favorite pastimes, fishing and foosball.

Chia, Sasidaran Keeps Malaysian Hope Alive

Danny Chia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's number one golfer, Danny Chia remained upbeat at the Maybank Malaysian Open held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club after shooting a one-under-par 71 on Friday.

Malaysia's best performer yesterday, M. Sasidaran had a one-over-par 73 to lie alongside Chia on two-under-par 142.

When met after completing his second round, Chia admitted that he needed to improve on his iron play to move up the leaderboard.

"I did not really control my iron shots this week and hit quite a lot of bad shots with my irons. I am lucky to get away with that," said Chia, who was last year's halfway leader.

Asmer, Villa to test for BMW

LONDON: Estonian Marko Asmer and Spaniard Javier Villa will test for BMW Sauber in Spain next week as part of the Formula One team's search for a 2008 reserve driver.

The team, who finished second overall this season after McLaren were stripped of their points, are looking for a replacement for German test driver Timo Glock who has secured a race seat at Toyota.

Their other 2007 test driver, Sebastian Vettel, is now racing for the Toro Rosso team. – Reuters

Loeb stays on course to win world title

LONDON: Sebastien Loeb had a fourth successive world rally championship in his sights on Saturday after settling into third place in Britain's title-deciding season-ender.

The Citroen driver, who will match Tommi Makinen's record of four successive titles if he finishes fifth or higher on Sunday, was 1:15 behind Ford's pace-setter Mikko Hirvonen at the end of the second leg in south Wales.

Hirvonen's team-mate and fellow-Finn Marcus Gronholm, whose slight hopes of preventing Frenchman Loeb celebrating in Cardiff on Sunday looked ever fainter, was in second place and 35.5 second off the lead.

Loeb is six points clear of Gronholm and, with more wins than his rival, need take no risks to be sure of the championship.

Norway's former world champion Petter Solberg, winner four times in the last five years in Britain, was more than a minute behind Loeb in fourth place.

“The conditions are not bad this morning, I've got no problems today,” Loeb said after completing the day's opening Crychan 1 stage in cold but bright conditions after fog and rain on Friday.

“For the moment I'm braking very early and trying to be as smooth as possible. Everything is going to plan. I'm doing what I have to, there will be no attack.” – Reuters

New putter helps Saltus clinch Cambodian Open

SIEM REAP: American golfer Bryan Saltus secured his maiden Asian Tour title at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open after a solid five-under 67 in the final round yesterday.

Saltus reaped the rewards of his new putter, firing six birdies against a lone bogey for a winning total of 17-under 271 at the Phokeethra Country Club.

The 36-year-old champion walked away with the top prize of US$47,550 and rose to 30th place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

“This is awesome. I would like to dedicate this win to Grateful Dead as they have inspired me all the way. Siem Reap is right up my alley so I've enjoyed my time on and off the course this week,” said Saltus, who is an avid Grateful Dead fan, having been to 153 concerts.

Overnight leader Adam Groom of Australia posted a 71 to claim lone second spot as he finished three strokes behind the winner.

The Thai duo of Thaworn Wiratchant and Prom Meesawat recorded matching 70s to claim joint third position after a 277 total.

Thanks to a new putter that he picked up this week, Saltus got off to a flying start, chalking up three birdies in his first three holes. He extended his lead with a birdie on the 10th and ended his captivating run with a final birdie on the 17th hole.

“My putting has been the winning formula this week. It's also nice to be one stroke off the lead coming into the final round as all eyes would be on the leader and not me,” he said.

“I told my caddie (Phal Savern) that if I win, I would buy her a motorbike and now that I've done it, I will get her a brand new motorbike,” said the Californian-based golfer, who has been playing on the Asian Tour since 2004.

Malaysia's Danny Chia posted a 67 for his best finish this season in joint fifth spot alongside Korea's Kang Ji-man, who shot a 66. – AFP