https://www.scmp.com/rss/328639/feed A journalist for 25 years, Josh arrived in Hong Kong in March 2018 having spent the previous 10 years in Bermuda. He has worked all over the world in a variety of roles, while covering some of the biggest events in international news and sport. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong brought the curtain down on its 50th anniversary Sevens in front of another record crowd on Sunday, and with the head of World Rugby calling the city a “significant global player”. According to organisers, some 113,395 supporters passed through the gates over the three days of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the biggest official attendance since the tournament began in 1976. And while New Zealand’s women successfully defended their title, South Africa’s men won in Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3350650/hong-kong-recognised-global-player-world-rugby-after-record-breaking-sevens-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3350650/hong-kong-recognised-global-player-world-rugby-after-record-breaking-sevens-party?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:52:42 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong will host another significant rugby tournament this year, with the game’s global governing body awarding the city the WXV Challenger in September. The two-week tournament, featuring some of the best women’s teams in the world, including Hong Kong, is expected to be held at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Announcing the decision on Sunday on the sidelines of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson called the WXV a “very, very important competition” for his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3350611/world-rugby-boss-robinson-hails-hong-kongs-global-influence-wxv-announcement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3350611/world-rugby-boss-robinson-hails-hong-kongs-global-influence-wxv-announcement?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:09:38 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong welcomed back its iconic Sevens rugby tournament for a 50th year on Friday, with an opening ceremony featuring robots, K-pop and a light show almost as sparkling as some of the action on the pitch. Not even a hole in the roof of the HK$30 billion Kai Tak Stadium could put a dampener on proceedings, even if the rain that leaked in left some fans running for cover. Even so, the thunderstorms that hovered over the city for much of the afternoon did little to deter spectators generally,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3350541/hong-kong-sevens-heaven-dazzling-display-marks-start-50th-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3350541/hong-kong-sevens-heaven-dazzling-display-marks-start-50th-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:06:53 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Rumours of LIV Golf’s demise have been greatly exaggerated according to sources close to the league’s operations, who pushed back at the swirling speculation that has dominated the sport for the past day. Several normally credible accounts on social media had claimed the league was on the verge of collapse, while The Daily Telegraph reported that LIV executives had been summoned to an emergency meeting in New York, and the Financial Times said Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund, which backs... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3350233/liv-golf-going-ahead-full-throttle-staff-told-league-pushes-back-rumours-demise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3350233/liv-golf-going-ahead-full-throttle-staff-told-league-pushes-back-rumours-demise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:49:59 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong Jockey Club spent more than a decade working to convince the city’s rugby community they should be allowed to play a part in sevens week – the two sides finally came together on Sunday for the start of eight days when athletes of all stripes will thunder across different types of turf. The men and women who will represent the city at Kai Tak Stadium formed the centrepiece of the event at Sha Tin Racecourse, and for several, including women’s debutant Haruka Uematsu, it will be their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3349801/many-firsts-and-new-faces-rugby-racing-finally-share-stage-hong-kong-7s-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3349801/many-firsts-and-new-faces-rugby-racing-finally-share-stage-hong-kong-7s-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:04:52 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball LIV Golf rolls into South Africa this week with the promise of a record crowd to get the home team fired up and the return of Phil Mickelson to add another subplot to a slowly developing relegation battle. More than 92,000 people are reportedly expected at The Club at Steyn ‌City in Johannesburg for the circuit’s debut on the continent, a LIV crowd only bettered by the 115,000 that was in Adelaide. For the home Southern Guards GC team of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346912/liv-golf-south-africa-southern-guards-gc-excited-about-playing-front-home-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346912/liv-golf-south-africa-southern-guards-gc-excited-about-playing-front-home-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:00:17 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Bryson DeChambeau opened up a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of LIV Golf Singapore on Friday, and credited a love of “chocolate milk and hitting more drivers” for his success. The American’s six-under-par 65 at Sentosa Golf Club took him to 10 under for tournament, with five players, including Jon Rahm and Thomas Detry, tied for second. One of four overnight leaders, DeChambeau said after his first round the unlikely pairing had been key to his preparation for the season and reiterated... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346517/liv-golf-singapore-chocolate-milk-drivers-help-give-bryson-dechambeau-3-shot-lead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346517/liv-golf-singapore-chocolate-milk-drivers-help-give-bryson-dechambeau-3-shot-lead?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Lee Westwood continued his recent resurgence after returning from injury, Jon Rahm channelled the spirit of 2023, and Richard T Lee made the most of his local knowledge as LIV Golf rolled into Singapore on Thursday. Westwood and his Majesticks GC team have not had the happiest of times over the past two years, but the Englishman showed glimpses of his old self in Hong Kong last week and carded a four-under-par 67 to grab a share of the lead with Rahm, Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346358/liv-golf-singapore-westwood-continues-comeback-lee-lurks-intent-rahm-confident?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3346358/liv-golf-singapore-westwood-continues-comeback-lee-lurks-intent-rahm-confident?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:30:18 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball LIV Golf will return to Korea in May, adding a 14th stop and 10th country to the tour’s increasingly international schedule. The league announced on Monday that it had signed a multi-year deal with Asiad Country Club in Busan, and Martin Kim, general manager of LIV team Korean Golf Club (KGC), said he had been “waiting for this for the last six months”. Tasked with reinvigorating a franchise that struggled on and off the course during its previous existence as Iron Heads GC, Kim hopes the move... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345966/liv-golf-korean-gc-boss-kim-very-excited-be-heading-busan-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345966/liv-golf-korean-gc-boss-kim-very-excited-be-heading-busan-team?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:30:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball A sense of relief rivalling the one that followed his first professional win is how Jon Rahm described his emotions on sealing victory at HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong on Sunday. Beating Thomas Detry by three shots finally snapped the Spaniard’s drought of 18 months between individual triumphs, stretching back to the stop in Chicago in the 2024 season. There have been numerous team victories since then, with Legion XIII and in the Ryder Cup, but he said this one “just feels like a big weight off my... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345871/liv-golf-hong-kong-jon-rahm-4aces-finally-end-their-winless-streaks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345871/liv-golf-hong-kong-jon-rahm-4aces-finally-end-their-winless-streaks?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:39:29 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball A large crowd spent much of Saturday following Jon Rahm around Fanling as he made his way up the leaderboard at LIV Golf Hong Kong – further evidence, if any were needed, that the tournament is quickly establishing itself as an important part of the city’s social and sporting calendar. And while attendance figures will not be announced until the tournament has finished, officials said a large number had made the trip from mainland China and overseas, with many paying thousands of dollars for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345829/liv-golf-hong-kong-starts-tick-boxes-bumper-crowd-set-3-way-fight-last-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345829/liv-golf-hong-kong-starts-tick-boxes-bumper-crowd-set-3-way-fight-last-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:16:47 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Thomas Detry will battle it out with Jon Rahm for the LIV Golf Hong Kong title on Sunday, but he might not even have been in that position without the Spaniard’s help. Detry was one of seven players Rahm sent a plane to Oman to rescue after they were left stranded in Dubai by the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Now the pair, along with Harold Varner III, are tied on 17 under at the top of the leaderboard, two shots clear of Carlos Ortiz, Dean Burmester and Thomas Pieters. “The way I see it, is it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345820/sending-plane-rescue-liv-golf-7-simply-my-duty-says-rahm-detry-battle-beckons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345820/sending-plane-rescue-liv-golf-7-simply-my-duty-says-rahm-detry-battle-beckons?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:53:17 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball It is little more than a year since Scott O’Neil officially took over as LIV Golf CEO, brought in as the league’s calming influence following the whirlwind leadership of Greg Norman in the early days of disruption. A business background where he led some of the world’s biggest companies in sport and entertainment also gives the American a certain credibility, one that has translated into partnerships with the likes of HSBC - title sponsors of this week’s event in Hong Kong - Rolex and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345735/ceo-scott-oneil-set-break-some-eggs-take-liv-golf-top-pyramid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345735/ceo-scott-oneil-set-break-some-eggs-take-liv-golf-top-pyramid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:59:36 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Thomas Detry thinks Saturday at HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong could be a “birdie fest”, but those who know the way the winds can ruin a round at Fanling might advise the Belgian to be a little more cautious in his predictions. Mind you, Detry could be forgiven for his confident outlook after a seven-under-par 63 took him to 13 under overall and a shot back from leaders Carlos Ortiz and Dean Burmester. A day that started with a birdie on the par-3 second and ended with one on the par-4 first was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345733/liv-golf-hong-kong-detry-predicts-saturday-birdie-fest-wind-may-wreck-rounds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345733/liv-golf-hong-kong-detry-predicts-saturday-birdie-fest-wind-may-wreck-rounds?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:25:40 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Anyone with ambitions of dethroning LIV Golf Hong Kong champion Sergio Garcia is going to have their work cut out, but Carlos Ortiz might fancy his chances after flirting with a magical 59. On a day of low scoring after 48 hours of heavy rain had made the greens far more receptive than usual, the Torque GC star’s 10-under-par 60 on Thursday set him apart from the rest. A run of seven birdies and an eagle in an eight-hole stretch from the par-four 10th took the Mexican two shots clear of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345591/liv-golf-hong-kong-carlos-ortiz-sets-pace-consistent-garcia-still-man-beat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345591/liv-golf-hong-kong-carlos-ortiz-sets-pace-consistent-garcia-still-man-beat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:15:13 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Soft fairways and receptive greens mean players will need a fast start at LIV Golf Hong Kong on Thursday, and while all eyes may naturally be on the likes of Jon Rahm and Anthony Kim, this could be the week Lucas Herbert finally breaks through. The Australian has made a strong start to the season, finishing ninth and sixth in the individual contest at the first two tournaments in Riyadh and Adelaide. In the two weeks between competing in front of home fans and arriving in Asia, he headed to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345439/liv-golf-hong-kong-form-lucas-herbert-hoping-fast-start-will-help-him-break-through?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345439/liv-golf-hong-kong-form-lucas-herbert-hoping-fast-start-will-help-him-break-through?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball There will be a full field for HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong this week, after seven players stranded by the conflict in the Middle East finally made it to the city on Wednesday. The league had been working for several days to arrange transport for the group, which also included families, and was eventually able to get them out of the war-torn region. A source said updates on what was happening had deliberately been kept to a minimum out of care and concern for the group’s safety. And as part of an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345367/liv-golf-uses-jon-rahms-jet-middle-east-rescue-mission-8-players-stranded-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345367/liv-golf-uses-jon-rahms-jet-middle-east-rescue-mission-8-players-stranded-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:17:07 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Anthony Kim joined LIV two years ago and by his own admission “was flat-out terrible”, now after winning in Adelaide he believes his best golf is in front of him. Victory at the league’s second tournament of the year, where he fired a final round of nine-under-par to beat Jon Rahm by three shots, was not just notable for the emotion it elicited from across the sport, but also because it was so unexpected. The American, who had been a wild card until joining Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces ahead of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345281/flat-out-terrible-liv-golf-champion-anthony-kim-says-his-best-yet-come?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345281/flat-out-terrible-liv-golf-champion-anthony-kim-says-his-best-yet-come?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball There is no sign of the row between Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour ending any time soon, with the Spaniard saying on Tuesday that he believed players who paid fines were “being extorted”. The two-time major winner’s name was notable by its absence from a list of eight LIV Golf players who were granted conditional releases by the DPWT last month. All eight – Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie – paid their fines,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345218/jon-rahm-accuses-dp-world-tour-bosses-extorting-players-wont-agree-releases-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3345218/jon-rahm-accuses-dp-world-tour-bosses-extorting-players-wont-agree-releases-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:27:49 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The International Series will take its first steps into China this season, with Shanghai expected to host a tournament during a pivotal three-week swing that could also include the Philippines and Hong Kong. Although the Asian Tour’s schedule only lists an event from November 5 to 8, sources said officials were working on taking a tournament with a US$2.5 million prize fund to the country’s biggest city. Shanghai’s Enhance Anting Golf Club, which will stage the DP World Tour’s (DPWT) Volvo China... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3344480/international-series-looking-introduce-asian-tour-tournament-china-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3344480/international-series-looking-introduce-asian-tour-tournament-china-season?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:15 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball China’s Eileen Gu became the most decorated freestyle skier in the history of the Winter Olympics after winning halfpipe gold on Sunday, then learned moments later that her grandmother had died. The 22-year-old Gu added a sixth medal to her already impressive collection, successfully defending a title she won as part of her triple haul at the Beijing Games four years ago. No other freeskier, man or woman, has won as many as Gu, who is the only woman to have competed in all the park and pipe... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344263/eileen-gu-ends-winter-olympics-high-grabs-gold-womens-halfpipe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344263/eileen-gu-ends-winter-olympics-high-grabs-gold-womens-halfpipe?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:05:34 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Ka Ying Rising cemented his place among the greats of horse racing with another dominant victory at Sha Tin on Sunday, writing his name into the record books in the process. The five-year-old gelding cruised through the field in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, smashing the course record on the way to winning for an 18th consecutive time and surpassing the previous Hong Kong mark set by Silent Witness in 2005. Almost a year to the day that he won the same race, which was No 10 in the march to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344252/ka-ying-rising-gallops-racing-record-books-18th-consecutive-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344252/ka-ying-rising-gallops-racing-record-books-18th-consecutive-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:40:06 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Su Yiming said he had endured “many injuries and hard times” in the four years between his two Winter Olympic gold medals. The Chinese snowboard star won the men’s slopestyle event on Wednesday, adding gold to the big air bronze he claimed at the start of the Milano Cortina Games. It was a fine way for Su to celebrate his birthday, but as well as the tears of joy that accompanied the feat, the 22-year-old gave an honest assessment of the personal cost of being the world’s best. “I’ve been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343995/chinas-golden-boy-su-yiming-dealing-injuries-xu-mengtao-looking-ahead-next-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343995/chinas-golden-boy-su-yiming-dealing-injuries-xu-mengtao-looking-ahead-next-games?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball China’s Su Yiming celebrated his 22nd birthday by grabbing Winter Olympics gold in the men’s snowboard slopestyle on Wednesday, upgrading the silver he won in Beijing four years ago and finally breaking his country’s duck in Italy. Little more than an hour later, Xu Mengtao ‌made it two golds for China, retaining her title in the ⁠women’s freestyle skiing ‌aerials. Danielle ‌Scott of Australia ‌took ‌the ‌silver ⁠and the bronze ⁠went to Xu’s ‌compatriot ‌Shao Qi. Su’s opening run score of 82.41... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343930/winter-olympics-snowboarder-su-yiming-wins-chinas-first-gold-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343930/winter-olympics-snowboarder-su-yiming-wins-chinas-first-gold-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:02:50 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Minjee Lee begins her 12th season on the LPGA Tour next week reinvigorated by the prospect of facing opponents who seemingly get ever younger and by a determination to “stay in the present”. After a couple of difficult years, the Australian had quite the 2025, winning her third major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and finishing inside the top 10 eight times, earning herself US$3.9 million in the process. She gets her 2026 campaign under way at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3343812/form-minjee-lee-has-major-golf-dreams-ahead-aims-stay-present?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3343812/form-minjee-lee-has-major-golf-dreams-ahead-aims-stay-present?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Eileen Gu grabbed her second silver of the Winter Olympics and said she was “really proud”, despite failing to defend the freeski big air title she won in Beijing four years ago. The Chinese star had been among the favourites to win even though she had not competed in the discipline for several years, and seemed destined to do so after major rival Mathilde Gremaud withdrew through injury at the last minute. A major snowstorm also delayed proceedings by more than an hour, allowing Gu to recover... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343780/chinas-eileen-gu-really-proud-big-air-silver-after-inspired-oldham-wins-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343780/chinas-eileen-gu-really-proud-big-air-silver-after-inspired-oldham-wins-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 23:41:14 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Eileen Gu qualified in second place for the big air final and then said Winter Olympics organisers were “punishing excellence” because doing so cuts down the amount of training time she has for her favoured halfpipe event. Gu, who won silver in slopestyle last week, is the only female freeskier signed up for all three disciplines – slopestyle, halfpipe and big air. She is the defending champion in the last two after winning gold in Beijing four years ago, where she also won silver in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343603/winter-olympics-eileen-gu-says-officials-punishing-excellence-after-reaching-big-air-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343603/winter-olympics-eileen-gu-says-officials-punishing-excellence-after-reaching-big-air-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:41:15 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong rugby bosses believe they can be successful on several fronts over the next 18 months, despite a relatively small player pool and the setting of some ambitious targets. While preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup are likely to dominate the headlines for the next year and more, the city’s men also have their eyes on retaining their Asian Games sevens title and reaching the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Officials have spent the past six months thrashing out what that entails in terms of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3343190/olympic-sevens-and-world-cup-ambition-can-go-hand-hand-hong-kong-rugby-bosses-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3343190/olympic-sevens-and-world-cup-ambition-can-go-hand-hand-hong-kong-rugby-bosses-say?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:42:38 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Eileen Gu believes she is skiing better than ever and will approach her next two events at the Winter Olympics with “a real sense of confidence”, despite missing out on slopestyle gold on Monday. The Chinese skier was narrowly beaten by Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud for the second Games running, while Canada’s Megan Oldham took bronze in the Italian Alps. Gremaud’s medal chest also includes a silver in slopestyle from the 2018 Games and a bronze in big air from 2022. Gu, meanwhile, has the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342972/chinas-eileen-gu-says-shes-skiing-better-ever-ahead-winter-olympic-golds-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342972/chinas-eileen-gu-says-shes-skiing-better-ever-ahead-winter-olympic-golds-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Eileen Gu said she felt as though she were skiing “with the weight of two countries on my shoulders” after again being beaten to Winter Olympics gold in the women’s slopestyle by Mathilde Gremaud. The Swiss 26-year-old defended her Beijing title with a historic performance in Livigno on Monday, leaving Gu to add another silver to the one she claimed four years ago. Canada’s Megan Oldham took bronze, just holding on to deny Britain’s Kirsty Muir despite a big crash on her second run. For Gu, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342958/milano-cortina-winter-olympics-eileen-gu-takes-slopestyle-silver-again-gremaud-defends-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3342958/milano-cortina-winter-olympics-eileen-gu-takes-slopestyle-silver-again-gremaud-defends-title?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:05:48 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Jason Hak Shun-yat overcame a rough start to card a one-under-par 71 in his first round as a full member of the Asian Tour, and said just being at the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship was something of a bonus. The 32-year-old Hongkonger is certainly no stranger to the professional game, but admitted to having to battle nerves as well as a tough Wack Wack Golf and Country Club course on Thursday. Hak’s 71 left him three shots back of leader Sarut Vongchaisit and in a large group tied... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342558/asian-tour-hong-kongs-jason-hak-battles-nerves-and-rough-start-philippines-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342558/asian-tour-hong-kongs-jason-hak-battles-nerves-and-rough-start-philippines-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:15:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong head coach Logan Asplin is under no illusions as to the “harsh reality” his side will face over the next 18 months as they prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The tournament’s opening game against Australia on October 1, followed by Chile and then the All Blacks two weeks later, will be preceded this year and next by Test matches against higher-ranked opposition in the Nations Cup and as many training games as can be arranged before the main event. The side’s South American rivals in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3342396/hong-kong-ready-harsh-reality-rugby-world-cup-coach-proud-progress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3342396/hong-kong-ready-harsh-reality-rugby-world-cup-coach-proud-progress?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:02:41 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball LIV Golf players will be able to earn world ranking points for the first time, starting with this week’s season-opener in Riyadh on Wednesday, but league officials were not entirely happy with the decision. In a statement released early on Wednesday, the Official Golf World Ranking body said players finishing in the top 10 of the individual competition would be eligible as it looked to “reflect the changing landscape of the men’s professional game”. However, while welcoming the “long‑overdue... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342297/liv-golf-gets-world-ranking-points-officials-question-fairness-decision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342297/liv-golf-gets-world-ranking-points-officials-question-fairness-decision?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:09:26 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The 2026 LIV Golf season gets under way in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, and for Sergio Garcia it marks the start of a 27th year on tour, not that another trip around the sun has dulled the Spaniard’s desire. Garcia finished in a tie for fourth in the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour last weekend, a stroke behind winner Freddy Schott, and goes into his latest LIV campaign seeking another fast start. His Fireballs GC won three of the first four events of the 2025 season, in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342229/liv-golfer-sergio-garcia-looking-be-little-bit-mentor-younger-players-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3342229/liv-golfer-sergio-garcia-looking-be-little-bit-mentor-younger-players-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:31:43 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong head coach Logan Asplin said he was as surprised as anyone to learn his team had been handed the daunting task of facing Australia in the opening game of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Asplin also acknowledged that the neutral supporter would not necessarily “go out of their way” to watch what promises to be a singularly one-sided affair. Officials released the match schedule on Tuesday, pitching the game in Perth on Friday, October 1, between debutants ranked No 22 in the world and a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3342163/hong-kong-face-australia-opening-game-2027-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3342163/hong-kong-face-australia-opening-game-2027-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:44:46 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show brought glitz, glamour and various types of four-legged performers to the city on Friday, with some equestrian stars of tomorrow strutting their stuff alongside the world’s best. Back for a second year, favourites old and new got the three-day event off to an impressive start at AsiaWorld-Expo. A dog and pony show it is not, even if both do feature heavily this weekend. Hans-Dieter Dreher laid down a marker for the coming days in the Longines... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341892/longines-hong-kong-international-horse-show-glitz-glamour-and-four-legged-performers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341892/longines-hong-kong-international-horse-show-glitz-glamour-and-four-legged-performers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:45:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong fly-half Gregor McNeish has been forced to retire through injury, dealing a blow to the city’s preparations for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. The 33-year-old, who sealed the 2022 Asian Rugby Championship title with the last kick of a breathtaking game against South Korea, has been battling concussion issues for some time and decided he was unable to carry on. McNeish was named in Hong Kong China Rugby’s 35-strong squad of full-time players at the end of 2025, and had been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3341694/gregor-mcneish-forced-retire-blow-hong-kongs-rugby-world-cup-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3341694/gregor-mcneish-forced-retire-blow-hong-kongs-rugby-world-cup-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:16 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball It has been a busy 24 hours in the world of LIV Golf, from signing a deal with Rolex to losing Patrick Reed, announcing rule changes and finally releasing the 2026 International Series schedule. And with the LIV season-opener in Riyadh less than a week away, once again there seem to be more questions than answers ahead of the tour’s fifth year in existence. Here then is a quick breakdown of what’s been happening. Reed jumps ship Patrick Reed stunned pretty much everyone on Wednesday when he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3341656/patrick-reed-rolex-and-rule-changes-24-hours-hectic-world-liv-golf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3341656/patrick-reed-rolex-and-rule-changes-24-hours-hectic-world-liv-golf?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball LIV Golf boss Scott O’Neil said his organisation was “pushing the envelope” as fast as it could in a bullish state of the union-style address at the end of the league’s media week in Florida. In an upbeat assessment of the tour’s future, O’Neil said he was excited for what was coming, a day after Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith confirmed they had no interest in following Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour. Speaking in a press conference alongside several senior executives, O’Neil... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3340065/liv-golf-ceo-scott-oneil-bullish-about-future-says-league-pushing-envelope?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3340065/liv-golf-ceo-scott-oneil-bullish-about-future-says-league-pushing-envelope?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:00:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball With a new look for a new season and a LIV Golf with new rules, Majesticks GC co-captains Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter see a year of potential after the struggles of past campaigns. An off-season when Laurie Canter opted to join as a replacement for Henrik Stenson rather than head to the PGA Tour, and saw Sam Horsfield return for another year, has given Majesticks an all-British line-up for the first time. Coupled with the move to four round tournaments rather than the three that was one of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3339868/liv-golfs-majestiks-optimistic-new-look-all-british-line-can-benefit-rule-changes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3339868/liv-golfs-majestiks-optimistic-new-look-all-british-line-can-benefit-rule-changes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:30:15 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Anthony Kim is back for LIV Golf’s 2026 season, and this time he has earned the right to be there. The former star took one of three places available in the final round of the league’s promotions tournament in Florida on Sunday, with a closing one-under-par 69 enough for third on five under overall. Canada’s Richard T Lee continued his dominant week, shooting a 65 to win on 11 under, five shots clear of Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren, whose 64 matched Lee’s course record at Black Diamond Ranch. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3339539/anthony-kim-seals-return-liv-golf-asian-tours-lee-hollgren-grab-other-2026-spots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3339539/anthony-kim-seals-return-liv-golf-asian-tours-lee-hollgren-grab-other-2026-spots?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:30:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball When Cadillac’s cars line up for the start of the Australian Grand Prix, Graeme Lowdon will finally allow himself a moment to reflect on how far the Formula One team have come. Melbourne in March will mark the end of a three-year journey just to get on the grid, and the start of the American outfit’s bid to impose themselves on the sport as the 11th team in the paddock. With the first private testing taking place in Barcelona at the end of January, and everything “absolutely flat out” in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3339027/f1-newbies-cadillac-have-no-illusions-task-ahead-everyones-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3339027/f1-newbies-cadillac-have-no-illusions-task-ahead-everyones-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 23:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Cadillac F1 boss Graeme Lowdon would have no issue putting the “very, very fast” Zhou Guanyu into the team’s car this year and letting him race if the need arose. Hours after naming Zhou as Cadillac’s reserve driver, Lowdown said the 26-year-old was the best option for a team preparing for its debut season in a “competitive, unforgiving and absolutely relentless” sport. Zhou, who has 68 grand prix under his belt, joined the American outfit on Monday, completing an experienced line-up that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338870/no-better-candidate-very-very-fast-zhou-guanyu-boost-team-cadillac-boss-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338870/no-better-candidate-very-very-fast-zhou-guanyu-boost-team-cadillac-boss-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball China’s Zhou Guanyu said signing for newcomers Cadillac as a reserve driver ahead of the team’s debut Formula 1 season was like “rejoining family”. The move reunites him with ex-Alfa Romeo and Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas and former manager Graeme Lowdon, who is now the American outfit’s team principal. Cadillac confirmed Zhou’s arrival on Monday, having teased the announcement on social media two days earlier. The Chinese star was released from his role with Ferrari on Friday. Lowdon said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338684/chinas-zhou-guanyu-delighted-be-joining-f1-newcomers-cadillac-reserve-driver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338684/chinas-zhou-guanyu-delighted-be-joining-f1-newcomers-cadillac-reserve-driver?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:00:31 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Ferrari have parted ways with Zhou Guanyu ‌ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, with rumours circulating that the 21-year-old is about to join Cadillac as a reserve and test driver. The Shanghai native served as a backup for Ferrari last season after a three-year spell at ⁠the wheel of the No 24 car for Sauber, where he made 68 career starts from 2022 to 2024. Zhou, the only Chinese driver to race full-time in F1, and Antonio Giovinazzi split the role of supporting Lewis Hamilton and Charles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338593/formula-one-chinas-zhou-guanyu-loses-place-ferraris-reserve-driver-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338593/formula-one-chinas-zhou-guanyu-loses-place-ferraris-reserve-driver-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:05:55 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Miguel Tabuena has already experienced the pain of missing out on a place in LIV Golf once, he does not plan on letting it happen a second time. The 31-year-old came agonisingly close to securing his spot via the International Series Rankings earlier this month, finishing third in a battle with Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji for the two spots up for grabs at the season finale in Saudi Arabia. But after a year when he thrilled fans by winning the series event on his home Sta Elena Golf Club... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3338118/philippines-star-miguel-tabuena-ready-challenge-games-elite-place-liv-golf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3338118/philippines-star-miguel-tabuena-ready-challenge-games-elite-place-liv-golf?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:30:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball China’s Lin Yuxin has already had an impressive amateur career, but now he will get the chance to test his game against the region’s golfing elite after winning the Asian Tour Qualifying School event in Thailand. The two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur champion carded a four-under-par 67 in the final round to finish on 16 under, topping the group of 35 players who secured status for the 2026 season. Among them was Hong Kong’s Jason Hak Shun-yat, whose six-under total left him in 21st after five days... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3337322/asian-tour-chinas-lin-yuxin-tops-q-school-hong-kongs-jason-hak-also-through?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3337322/asian-tour-chinas-lin-yuxin-tops-q-school-hong-kongs-jason-hak-also-through?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s men will begin their bid to join the rugby sevens elite with pool games against Samoa, Tonga and Colombia at the HSBC SVNS 3 in Dubai next month. The National Games gold medallists must win two of those encounters to make the semi-finals in an eight-team tournament that has Belgium, Canada, Italy and Madagascar in Pool B. Only the finalists will progress to the next stage, HSBC SVNS 2, which will be held in Kenya, Uruguay and Brazil over three weekends in February and March. Over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3337012/hong-kong-men-begin-quest-join-7s-elite-against-samoa-tonga-colombia-hsbc-svns-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3337012/hong-kong-men-begin-quest-join-7s-elite-against-samoa-tonga-colombia-hsbc-svns-3?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong will pack in as many as 22 matches before the 2027 Rugby World Cup as they trade in their status as Asian heavyweights to try to hold their own as global minnows. Opportunity will have to be balanced with damage limitation when the city’s men make their tournament debut, after Wednesday’s draw landed them daunting Pool A tangles with the giants of New Zealand and hosts Australia, but also a potentially winnable encounter with Chile. And preparation for those differing challenges comes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3335222/rugby-world-cup-2027-can-hong-kong-close-gap-facing-wallabies-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3335222/rugby-world-cup-2027-can-hong-kong-close-gap-facing-wallabies-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:41:44 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong have been handed the toughest possible draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, after being placed in Pool A alongside Australia, the hosts, and New Zealand. It was also the one the squad had been dreaming about, and which centre Tom Hill, an Australian by birth, apparently predicted the night before they watched by video link on Wednesday as the six pools of four teams apiece were drawn in Sydney. A group of players and coaches with more than a passing connection to the All Blacks cheered... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3335056/2027-rugby-world-cup-draw-hong-kong-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3335056/2027-rugby-world-cup-draw-hong-kong-get?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:26:45 +0000