15/05/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | MAY 15, 2026

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Rory on major hunt McIlroy’s toe ‘totally fine’ after nine-hole PGA practice

SHORTS Virat ton powers Bengaluru

VIRAT KOHLI struck an unbeaten 105 to lead defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the top of the IPL table with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday. Virat returned to form after back-to-back ducks as he steered his team home in a chase of 193 in Raipur with an excellent 60-ball innings. The 37-year-old scored his ninth IPL hundred, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. “I just love batting,” said Virat. “What an honour to be playing at this level. This is all I have done all my life. I want to make the most of every day.” Bengaluru notched their eighth victory in 12 matches this season to usurp Gujarat Titans at the top of the 10-team table on net run-rate. The top four will make the playoffs, with the final to be played in Ahmedabad on May 31. Players will strike if necessary: Keys FORMER Australian Open champion Madison Keys said that “many players” are united on the question of Grand Slam prize money and that they will boycott a major tournament if their voices are not heard. Last year almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, as well as involvement in decisions that affected them. “I think it’s incredibly important that the players have more of a voice when it comes to the big decisions that are being made,” world No. 19 Keys said. “And I think that it has been many, many years where players have tried to come to the table and have the discussion and it hasn’t really gotten anywhere.” This has lead to talk of a potential boycott of a Grand Slam tournament. “We have kind of come together and agreed that if that’s what’s necessary, then we’ll do it,” Keys said. ASTON MARTIN’S partners Honda, whose 2026 engine lags far behind that of rival Formula One manufacturers, could be allowed to spend US$19 million (RM80m) more on development after next week’s Canadian Grand Prix. The governing FIA published an explanation yesterday of how Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (Aduo) would be applied following the end of the first review period post Montreal. The FIA’s single seater director Nikolas Tombazis described it as a cost cap relief mechanism. “It’s not a magic bullet or like the FIA is handing out brownie points to somebody who’s behind. It simply provides them with leeway to develop their power unit within the framework laid out by the technical regulations,” he said. Mercedes, winners of all four grands prix so far, have the best engine but team boss Toto Wolff has warned of potential “gamesmanship” and emphasised that the principle of Aduo was to let struggling teams catch up but not leapfrog rivals. Furyk wants long-term Ryder blueprint JIM FURYK said yesterday he wants a long-term blueprint for United States success in the Ryder Cup, with the 2027 American captain also seeing a possible role next year for Tiger Woods. Woods had been considered for the job but the 15-time major winner has taken a break from golf while undergoing treatment after facing DUI charges from a March car crash. The Americans, who have lost 11 of the past 15 Cups, will try to win in Europe for the first time since 1993 when they face Luke Donald’s trophy holders next year at Adare Manor in Ireland. “When I look at my job, it’s really to create a culture, a chemistry amongst them, and put them in positions where they can be really successful,” Furyk said. “We want to go over there and win on foreign soil, something we haven’t done in a long time. I really look at it from a long-term perspective. “We need to create a blueprint. We need to create more continuity for our players and our future captains.” Honda set for RM80m boost to address F1 engine woes

R ORY MCILROY is ready to challenge for more major glory at this week’s US PGA Championship after banish ing his pre-tournament toe troubles. The 37-year-old is bidding to win back-to back majors at Aronimink Golf Club in south west Philadelphia and become just the fifth player since 1960 to clinch the first two majors of the year. He cut his practice round on Tuesday after a few holes, having at one point removed his shoe, battling with a blister on the little toe of his right foot that emerged during last week’s Truist Championship. McIlroy reportedly ripped the nail off ear lier this week and was visibly struggling but he completed his planned practice round on Wednesday, later telling the BBC that the issue was “a mountain out of a molehill”. “I did feel a little soft having to walk in because of a little toe,” he added. The Northern Irishman seemed in good spirits, raising a laugh as a spectator praised his cameo in the Devil Wears Prada 2 and appears to be moving fine as he sets his sights on a seventh major championship.

McIlroy this week. No one has won back-to back majors since Jordan Spieth in 2015 and no player has won the Masters and PGA Championship in the same year since Jack Nicklaus in 1975. McIlroy is set to start the opening round alongside Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Spieth, who would complete a career Grand Slam with a triumph. “It’s an elephant in the room for me,” Spieth said. “It’s a goal of mine.” Rahm, on pace for a third consecu tive LIV Golf season crown, hopes to become the first Spaniard to win the PGA Championship and give his homeland titles in all four majors – a Spanish Grand Slam. “It would be wonderful to close that fourth leg of the Grand Slam,” Rahm said.

He arrived at this tournament last year admitting he lacked motivation, having finally clinched the career grand slam a month ear lier with a long-awaited Masters triumph. This time around, having again triumphed at Augusta, he has a very different mindset and is focused on adding to his major haul – one more would take him past Sir Nick Faldo and make him the most successful European of the modern era. “Coming into this tournament feels a lot different than what it did last year,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve got some nice clear road ahead to try to get some more of these majors. “I need to take the time

after the Masters to reset and decompress and get myself in the right mental space again to get myself up for this tournament and keep going for the US Open and the Open Championship.” History is against

“Even though every major is special, to tie it all together with the greats of the past of Spain would be quite unique.” – The Independent/AFP

Notices

Notices

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT JOHOR BAHRU IN THE STATE OF JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANY WINDING UP PETITION NO.: JA-28NCC-13-01/2026 In the matter HONG XIN CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (COMPANY NO.: 0394237V / 199601021885) And In the matter of Sections 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules 1972 BETWEEN KK SCAFFOLDING SALE & RENTAL SDN BHD (Company No.: 1214746K / 201701000596) …PETITIONER AND HONG XIN CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (Company No.: 0394237V / 199601021885) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on the 15th day of January 2026,presented by KK SCAFFOLDING SALE & RENTAL SDN BHD (Company No.:1214746K / 201701000596) and that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Malaya sitting at Johor Bahru at 9.00 a.m. on the 25th day of May 2026; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose, and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at Lot 3379/3A,Jalan Perusahaan Utama, Taman Perindustrian Selesa Jaya, 43300 Balakong, Selangor. The Petitioner’s Solicitors are Messrs. Law Chambers of Lee J. X.,having an address for service at No. 15-1,Jalan PJS 8/11, Dataran Mentari, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Signed ………………… Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE— Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to Messrs. Law Chambers of Lee J. X. at No. 15-1,Jalan PJS 8/11, Dataran Mentari, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, a notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm,and must be signed by the person or firm,or his or their solicitors (if any),and must be served,or if posted,must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 24th day of May 2026 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR AT THE TERRITORY OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANIES (WINDING UP) PETITION NO. WA-28NCC-421-04/2026 IN THE MATTER OF SECTION 464(1) AND SECTION 465(1)(h) OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF ZIRAMA SDN BHD (COMPANY NO. 198001008682 / 62466-H) AND IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES (WINDING UP) RULES 1972 AND RULES OF COURT 2012 BETWEEN ZIRAMA SDN BHD (COMPANY NO. 198001008682 / 62466-H) … PETITIONER ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed company by the High Court was,on the 21-04-2026 presented by ZIRAMA SDN BHD (Company No. 198001008682 / 62466-H) AND that the said Petition is directed to be heard at the High Court of Malaya, at Kuala Lumpur, at 9.00 o’clock in the forenoon, on Thursday, 02-07 2026; and any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of the hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charges for the same. The Petitioner’s registered address and business address is B7-15-3, Block 7,Phase 2,Pantai Hillpark,Pantai Dalam, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Fyiona, Lai & Dennis Thong, Advocates & Solicitors of 13A-3,Menara 1 Mont Kiara,Jalan Kiara,Mont Kiara,50480 Kuala Lumpur. Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Solicitors, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person,or if a firm,the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm,or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed Solicitors not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 01-07-2026. This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is filed by Messrs Fyiona,Lai & Dennis Thong, Solicitors for the Petitioner abovenamed bearing address for service at 13A-3,Menara 1 Mont Kiara, Jalan Kiara,Mont Kiara,50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-6211 1128 / 017-6662721 Fax: 03-6211 9393 Email: office.fldt@gmail.com [Ref: YF.FL.LIT(WU).994.25.Zirama] SGD. MESSRS. FYIONA, LAI & DENNIS THONG __________________________ SOLICITORS FOR THE PETITIONER NOTE: -

Iga Swiatek reacts during the 2026 Italian Open quarterfinal match against Jessica Pegula (not pictured) yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Swiatek cruises past Pegula in Rome

IGA SWIATEK gave another indication she might be back to her brilliant best after destroying Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2 at the Foro Italico yesterday and breezing into the Italian Open semifinals. A three-time champion in Rome, Swiatek took little more than an hour to take care of fifth seed Pegula on centre court, without facing a single break point. It was a show of force on her preferred surface not seen since she last won the French Open two years ago, and gave Swiatek her first semifinal appearance of the season. “I’ve been playing a bit differently, I would say. More similar to how I played couple years ago, more like a clay court player,” Swiatek told reporters. “I guess all the things that we practised really clicked during last few matches.” Swiatek set up a clash with Elina Svitolina, who fought back to beat Elena Rybakina 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the last four yesterday. The Pole holds a 4-2 winning record over Svitolina, with victories in both of their meetings on clay. If Swiatek gets past Svitolina again, a potential title clash looms with reigning Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff, who faces veteran Sorana Cirstea overnight. Swiatek hasn’t won a clay-court

tournament since claiming the most recent of her four Roland Garros titles, with personal problems a factor in her poor performances. But since struggling through her second-round win against Caty McNally Swiatek has dropped just seven games in three matches. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, recently took on board Francisco Roig, the former coach of men’s clay-court icon Rafael Nadal, after a difficult opening few months of the season. The 24-year-old got to the quarterfinals in Stuttgart in early April but was forced to retire from the Madrid Open in the third round due to a viral infection. But the kind of form she showed yesterday suggests she could be favourite for a fourth Foro Italico title and back in the mix for the French Open crown. In the men’s tournament Casper Ruud reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal since winning in Madrid last year after beating Karen Khachanov 6 1, 1-6, 6-2 in a match interrupted by a long rain delay. Norwegian Ruud will face Italy’s Luciano Darderi who beat Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-0 in a three-hour match that finished past 2am local time (8am yesterday in Malaysia). – AFP