WORLD OF SPORT
▷▷▷
Pepperell disqualified after running out of balls English golfer Eddie Pepperell suffered an embarrassing exit from the Turkish Open after running out of balls on the 13th hole of his third round. Pepperell was two over par for the round after dropping shots on the second and third and then hit his approach to the next into the water guarding the green. In a scene reminiscent of the film Tin Cup, starring Kevin Costner, Pepperell had several more attempts – even his caddie could not say for certain whether it was four or five – before informing playing partners Martin Kaymer and George Coetzee that he had run out of balls. Pepperell is likely to fined by the European Tour for the incident on Saturday. “I have never seen anything like that before,” said Kaymer.
▷▷▷
Carrillo gives Al Hilal lead in AFC cup final Andre Carrillo scored the only goal of the match as Saudi giants Al Hilal grabbed a thrilling victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of the AFC Champions League final. Peruvian Carrillo headed home off a Mohamed al-Burayk cross in the 60th minute in front of a packed King Saud University Stadium. Razvan Lucescu, AlHilal’s manager, said: “We fought for every ball ... Our defense was awesome.” The Saudi giants have endured a continental trophy drought since 2000 when they won the tournament for the second time, the first being in 1991 when it was called as the Asian Club Championship. They came close in 2014 and 2017 when they reached the final, only to be beaten by Western Sydney Wanderers and Urawa respectively. The second leg will be played in Saitama on November 24.
▷▷▷
Australian boxer Ritchie dies in sparring session Australia’s boxing community was in shock yesterday after middleweight Dwight Ritchie collapsed and died aged just 27. Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph said he took a body shot on Saturday, walked back to his corner, collapsed and could not be revived. He was sparring in Melbourne with Michael Zerefa, who is preparing for a rematch with Jeff Horn, a former WBO welterweight champion. Richie, nicknamed “The Fighting Cowboy”, held a 19-2 record. He last fought in August, losing to Tim Tszyu by a unanimous decision for the IBF Australasian super welterweight title. Ritchie’s promoter Jake Ellis said on Facebook: “It is with great sadness and shock to announce that the fighting cowboy Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away ... doing what he loved. It’s unbearable to accept the tragic news.”