Tue, Feb 27, 2024 page7

• SPORTS BRIEFS

  • Staff writer, with agencies
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  GOLF

  Pan grabs third in Mexico

  Taiwan’s C.T. Pan on Sunday overcame a slow start at the Mexico Open to tie for third place in Vallarta. The 32-year-old — who turned professional in 2015 and won his maiden, and only, PGA Tour title in 2019 — shot a six-under-par 65 in the fourth round to finish alongside Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and American Justin Lower with a 14-under 270. Pan had eight birdies in the final round, helping to make up for a level opener, which he followed with two four-under-par rounds to stay in contention. American rookie Jake Knapp won his first Tour title, finishing 19-under par, despite an even final round.

  SOCCER

  Shinji Okazaki to retire

  Former Japan international Shinji Okazaki, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, yesterday announced that he would retire at the end of the season. The hard-working forward played a key role as the Foxes upset the odds to win their first league title, making 36 Premier League appearances and scoring five goals in the 2015-16 season. The 37-year-old also finished as Japan’s all-time third-highest scorer with 50 goals in 119 appearances. “I have decided to retire at the end of the season,” Okazaki wrote on Instagram. “I have given everything as a football player but I have realised that my body is worn out and I am reaching my physical limit.” He is currently at Belgian side Sint-Truiden, after playing for several Spanish clubs following his Leicester exit in 2019. He has struggled with injury this season and has not played since December last year.

  SOCCER

  Honduras striker in coma

  Honduras striker Alberth Elis remained in an induced coma on Sunday after a serious head injury, with his French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux saying it was “impossible” to comment on his vital signs. Elis, 28, was knocked unconscious just 40 seconds into Saturday’s Ligue 2 game against En Avant Guingamp when he met a cross and collided with the head of defender Donatien Gomis. Although Gomis recovered quickly, Elis was treated for several minutes on the pitch before being sent to a hospital where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. “Alberth Elis suffered a head trauma which led to him being placed in an induced coma,” Bordeaux said in a statement. “We will follow the evolution of his state of health in the hospital in the coming days.”

  GOLF

  Englishman’s fortunes turn

  Only a week after he was delivering groceries to make ends meet, the 2,930th-ranked golfer Joe Dean on Sunday finished tied for second at the Kenya Open to earn himself more than US$200,000 and a huge shot of confidence for the future. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” the Englishman said. “It’s what people dream of, it’s what I’ve been aiming to do for a long time.” Dean shot a four-under 67, including five birdies, to share second place with Spaniard Nacho Elvira, two shots behind tournament winner Darius Van Driel. The 29-year-old Dean had to go back to working for a British supermarket chain after he missed the cut in Doha earlier this month. “I’ve never been one of the most overconfident people. Coming into this week was a bit daunting,” he said. “Luckily, I managed to get over that quickly and figure out how to get around the golf course.”
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