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A22 sports
Saturday 12 January 2019

Rory Sabbatini now playing for Slovakia

By DOUG FERGUSON Slovakia. Among the best is
AP Golf Writer Penati Golf Resort, a Jack
HONOLULU (AP) — Rory Nicklaus design where the
Sabbatini has been playing European Challenge Tour
the Sony Open the last 20 last staged an event in
years, and this one was dif- 2016. The winner was Espen
ferent before he hit a shot. Kosfstad of Norway, and his
Start with the flag stitched victory qualified him for the
onto his golf bag. 2016 Olympics in Rio.
And when he stepped to An Olympic golfer play-
the first tee Thursday, he ing under the Slovak flag
heard words never uttered seemed unlikely until Sab-
on the PGA Tour. batini became a citizen.
“From Bratislava, Slovakia, “Her cousin came up with
Rory Sabbatini.” the idea,” Sabbatini said.
Golf fans know him as the “This is an opportunity to
42-year-old South African bring more kids into the
with plenty of spunk and game of golf, because
enough game to have they really haven’t had an
won six times on the PGA exposure on an interna-
Tour, who played in the tional stage to really have
Presidents Cup and once someone to follow. They
reached as high as No. 8 in have a lot of hockey play-
the world. Rory Sabbatini watches his shot from 10th tee during the first round of the Sony Open PGA Tour golf ers, skiers, tennis players, all
That changed during a event, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. sports. But nobody in golf.”
ceremony in New York last Associated Press Sabbatini, who won the
month, when Sabbatini be- One benefit is the Olym- The Olympics take no more just truly hope that we can World Cup with Trevor Im-
came a naturalized citizen pics, though Sabbatini said than two players from each really get the program to melman for South Africa in
of Slovakia, home of his that wasn’t his primary mo- country — a maximum of develop in Slovakia, and if 2003, last won on the PGA
wife, Martina. tive. four if they are among the the Olympics would hap- Tour in 2011 at the Honda
He now plays under the Slo- After a ceremony at the top 15 in the world rank- pen to boost it, that would Classic. That’s where he
vak flag. Consulate General of the ing — until it reaches the 60 be fantastic.” met his wife a few years
“Just to support her and Slovak Republic in New players. So while Sabbatini His wife’s cousin is Rastislav later.
to support our son,” Sab- York, Sabbatini said he is No. 201 in the world, his Antal, the vice president of Sabbatini says he has been
batini said. “Getting Slovak hoped playing for Slovakia Olympic ranking this week the Slovak Golf Association. three or four times to Slo-
citizenship is important to would be a source of inspi- is at No. 49. He said last month at the vakia, a central European
them, just as important as ration for young players in a “Obviously, if things hap- New York ceremony that country that shares borders
her getting her U.S. citizen- country that has only eight pen to fall the way they his hope was for Sabbatini with Austria, the Czech
ship. So I’m supporting her, other players listed in the possibly could, that would to raise interest in the coun- Republic, Poland, Ukraine
and the added benefit was Official World Golf Ranking, be fantastic,” Sabbatini try so that children would and Hungary. Bratislava is
her cousin is the director of three of them amateurs. said. “But I think golf being get hooked on golf. near the Austrian border,
golf development in Slo- The next Slovak behind back in the Olympics is def- There are more golf cours- an hour from Vienna. They
vakia, and we thought this Sabbatini is Petr Valasek at initely a great advantage es in Palm Beach Country, have a place they rent
was an opportunity.” No. 1,930. for golf all over the world. I where Sabbatini lives, than when there. q

AP source: Phelps strikes $2.5M, 1-year deal with Blue Jays

By RONALD BLUM and the Blue Jays have a ners, Phelps is 30-33 with a
AP Baseball Writer $1 million team option for 3.89 ERA and five saves in
NEW YORK (AP) — Right- 2020 that could escalate 64 starts and 164 relief ap-
hander David Phelps and to $8 million depending on pearances. His agreement
the Toronto Blue Jays have appearances and games was first reported by ESPN.
agreed to a $2.5 million, finished this year. Phelps could earn $2.5 mil-
one-year contract, a deal He tore the ulnar collateral lion in bonuses this year
that could be worth $13.75 ligament in his pitching arm based on games: $250,000
million over two seasons, on March 17 during his final each for 25, 30 and 35,
a person familiar with the pitch in a spring training and $350,000 apiece for
negotiations told The As- outing against the Los An- 40, 45, 50, 55 and 70. He
sociated Press. The per- geles Angels, and he had also could earn $750,000
son spoke on condition of surgery March 26. this year based on games
anonymity Thursday night Phelps was 2-1 with a 3.12 finished: $125,000 each for
because the deal had not ERA in 10 relief appearanc- 25 and 30, and $250,000
yet been announced. The es in 2017 for Seattle, which apiece for 35 and 40.
contract. Phelps, a 32-year- acquired him from Miami His option escalates to $3
old free agent who is com- that July 20. He had a $5.55 million if he pitches in 30-
ing back from Tommy John million salary last season. 39 games this year, $5 mil-
In this April 30, 2017, file photo, Miami Marlins relief pitcher David surgery, can earn an ad- During six major league lion if 30-49, $7 million if 50
Phelps throws during the team’s baseball game against the ditional $3.25 million in per- seasons with the New York or more, and $8 million if
Pittsburgh Pirates in Miami. formance bonuses this year Yankees (2012-14), Miami 50 or more and 40 or more
Associated Press as part of the agreement, (2015-17) and the Mari- games finished.q