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A18 SPORTS
Friday 7 december 2018
Woods holds talks over 2019 pre-Presidents Cup schedule

By BRUCE MATTHEWS way. After the (2019) Tour
Associated Press Championship, we'll have
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) the top eight guys and,
— U.S. captain Tiger Woods hopefully, I'll be part of the
will have discussions with eight," Woods said. "If not,
golf officials in Melbourne myself and my vice-cap-
on how to best prepare tains will figure out among
his team for the 2019 Presi- the other players who are
dents Cup next December the best four players to
at Royal Melbourne. serve this team."
Woods, in Melbourne for a Only Hale Irwin has played
promotional visit, said the the Presidents Cup as a
talks later Thursday would captain when he per-
focus on the options of formed dual roles for the
the Americans playing his U.S. in the inaugural 1994
Hero World Challenge in event.
the Bahamas, coming to "I got a little bit of experi-
Melbourne the week prior ence (in dual team roles)
for practice with sand-belt as vice-captain this past
techniques, or playing the year with the Ryder Cup,"
Australian Open as the Woods said. "Jim (Furyk)
lead-up event at The Aus- thought my role was better
tralian in Sydney. U.S. captain Tiger Woods poses for photos for fans during a media conference in Melbourne, Thurs- being focused on playing.
"We have to figure out day, Dec. 6, 2018. I was part of conversations
some logistical things be- Associated Press of who should be part of
tween now and then and the team and now fast-for-
that's the reason I'm here," month that the Austra- prior to the Presidents Cup. the Bahamas. If not, they'll ward to next year and I'll be
Woods said. lian Open, the fifth-old- "It was late in December stay competitive, stay relying on my vice-captains
"We've got a few meetings est championship in golf, and we didn't have the sharp. Trying to get guys to get a lot of their opinions
here today to try to get a would be played Dec. 5-8 wrap-around schedule that to stay sharp when it's their and also my team, wheth-
plan going forward so we and organizers were ex- we do now. The guys took break time is going to be er I can play and do both
can get the best that we cited about another strong quite a bit of time off and, the challenge." roles." Woods said he didn't
can at the Hero as well as field. The Presidents Cup is quite frankly, we weren't Woods said he will tailor his think Royal Melbourne had
get everyone here from the set for Dec. 12-15. prepared to play and we 2019 playing schedule in changed much in the sev-
Bahamas rested and pre- Woods was a rookie on the got smoked," he said. a bid to be playing cap- en years since he last vis-
pared and ready to play." 1998 American team that "I would encourage them tain in his ninth Presidents ited Australia.
Woods indicated that no lost to the Internationals for to stay competitive late in Cup. He shares the record "It really hasn't, it looks
announcement would be the only time in the history the year. That's what we of 24 wins with Phil Mickel- about the same," Woods
made on the outcome of of the event. Many on the learned in '98, the guys son and had a 2-3 record in said. "It's one of the most
the talks until he returned U.S. team played the Aus- weren't competitive, they 1998 and again in 2011 at unique courses you can
to the U.S. tralian Open at Royal Ad- had shut it down. So, hope- Royal Melbourne. play; it's so short, so fast and
Officials announced last elaide that year the week fully, they'll play my event in "I'm part of the team either so tricky."q

'El Tata' thanks fans for support ahead of Atlanta farewell

By CHARLES ODUM than 70,000 is expected to towicz said Thursday.
AP Sports Writer pack Mercedes-Benz Sta- "His message from Day 1
ATLANTA (AP) — Tata Mar- dium. has been the same. When
tino's love affair with Atlan- Atlanta United set a single- he speaks, we listen. That's
ta's soccer fans didn't have game attendance record really it. Without getting too
to last long to have mean- of 72,243 against Seattle on technical, he's the boss.
ing. July 15. What he says goes, and
On Thursday, Atlanta Unit- Martino was voted MLS we've all bought in."
ed's coach expressed his coach of the year after an- Larentowicz said Martino
appreciation for the fans' nouncing this would be his won instant respect, even
record-breaking support final season. Saturday will as a newcomer to the MLS,
as his team prepared for be his farewell to Atlanta through his "knowledge of
Saturday's MLS Cup final fans, leaving behind a the game."
against the Portland Tim- legacy that will be difficult "His management and style
bers. for his successor to match. is at times uncompromis-
"First I just want to say thank The former Barcelona and ing but I think it's always
you to Atlanta for letting In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, Atlanta United head coach Ge- Argentina national coach best for the team," Laren-
me participate from the rardo Tata Martino directs his players in a MLS soccer playoff reportedly is headed to towicz said. "His ability to sit
very beginning in the birth game against the New York Red Bulls, in Atlanta. Mexico's national team. down after having never
of this new club," Martino Veteran midfielder Jeff Lar- coached in the MLS and to
said through a translator. tinez , Atlanta United is try- has set MLS attendance entowicz said Martino has break down a team you've
Martino's leadership played ing to win the MLS title in records for a single game been the foundation of the played against a million
a lead role in Atlanta's me- only its second season as and season. Another re- new franchise. times, and he tells you
teoric rise as a MLS power. an expansion franchise. cord is expected Saturday "He's the leader, he's the something you've never
Led by MLS MVP Josef Mar- Along the way, Atlanta when a crowd of more pillar in the middle," Laren- seen before."q