RYDING GOES SLIDING OUT OF MEDALS
GOLF: WORLD SUPER 6
DAVE RYDING’S medal hopes were dashed as he struggled on his second run in St Moritz at the World Ski Championships.
The high-flying Brit, who claimed his first career podium last month in Austria, was right in contention in fourth following the first run yesterday.
But he slipped down the field on a complex and icy course that was meant to suit his style but where he failed to find his rhythm when it really mattered.
Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who beat Ryding (above) into second last month at Kitzbuhel, dominated both sessions yesterday, leading after the first run and claiming gold, 0.68secs ahead of his compatriot Manuel Feller.
Hirscher said: “It is perfect; the sun is shining BRETT RUMFORD won the first World Super 6 to reclaim his European Tour card in his Perth home town.
The Aussie (below), who had dropped down to world No.274, finished top of the leaderboard after 54 holes of strokeplay. And with the new event switching to matchplay for the top 24 players on the final day, he beat Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai 2&1 in the final for his first win since 2013.
“I’m back after a gruelling six months and couldn’t be happier,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of reflection and great conditions today.
“The skiing was pretty good as well and Austria is pretty stoked with another two podiums.”
Hirscher added the slalom to his giant slalom title on Friday and a silver in the combined event.
Hirscher, whose victory propelled Austria to the top of the medals table with three gold, four silver and two bronze ahead of host nation Switzerland, was candid about what drives him to new heights.
“The young guns are kicking my ass in every training run so am I very thankful for this,” said the winner of the last five overall World Cup titles who is now in a commanding position to claim a sixth.
“It helps me make improvements in every training run.” these past few months after missing my Tour card last year. I had a tough year and saw my daughters, my twin girls, for only four weeks in six months.
“The year before that was even tougher with intestinal surgery. I fell out of love with the game and my direction in life.” Rumford, 39, was five shots clear after the strokeplay rounds and had a bye into round two for yesterday’s six-hole knockout matchplay. He then beat Hideto Tanihara, Wade Ormsby and Adam Bland before seeing off Khongwatmai.