Golf Comment: Rose can make it consecutive Majors July 17, 2013 A GLANCE through the list of winners at previous Opens held at Muirfield shows that this course is one that tends to reward only the very best players, and that is reflected in my tips for this year’s championship. Last month’s US Open triumph at Merion constituted a huge breakthrough for Justin Rose, and I [...]
Bowlers left to sweat by Cook for Ashes place July 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook knows he faces a tough selection dilemma against Australia today, but insists he will not let emotion get in the way of picking an attack capable of bowling his team into a 2-0 Ashes lead at Lord’s. Following a narrow 14-run victory in last week’s first Test, Cook is weighing up [...]
Exclusive: Ecclestone lawyers hit back at bribery charge July 17, 2013 LAWYERS for Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believe that lack of evidence of a crucial meeting could undermine a bribery case against him by German authorities. German prosecutors yesterday charged Ecclestone, 82, with bribery in connection with F1’s $1.7bn (£1.2bn) sale to its current owner, private equity firm CVC, in 2006. Ecclestone is accused of [...]
Below par McIlroy tells Faldo: “You should know better” July 17, 2013 OFF-FORM world No2 Rory McIlroy has reacted angrily to advice from six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, urging the Northern Irishman to improve his focus with the Open set to begin at Muirfield today. Faldo suggested on Tuesday that too many distractions off the course had contributed to a string of poor performances on the [...]
Football Comment: Chelsea won’t suit Wayne in the long term July 17, 2013 WAYNE Rooney should be staying at Manchester United until the end of his career. I think a move to Chelsea would be nothing more than a short-term morale boost. He’s currently at the biggest club in Britain, if not the world. Why would he want to go somewhere else? I don’t get it. I think [...]
Froome closes in on Tour victory with stage win July 17, 2013 BRITAIN’S Chris Froome last night toasted a tactical masterstroke after a change of bike midway through yesterday’s time trial earned him the stage win and propelled him closer to Tour de France glory. Froome increased his lead on main yellow jersey rival Alberto Contador by nine seconds to four minutes, 34 seconds with just four [...]
Clarke tight-lipped on Watson feud claims July 17, 2013 AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke refused to discuss claims of a feud with all-rounder Shane Watson yesterday, ahead of today’s second Ashes Test. “I’ve spoken a lot in the past about my relationship with Shane and so has Shane, so I’m not going to go into that,” said Clarke. “This will not be a distraction to [...]
City set to sign £20m Negredo July 17, 2013 FOOTBALL: Manchester City have agreed a £20m deal to sign Sevilla and Spain striker Alvaro Negredo, subject to a medical. The 28-year-old, who also interested Tottenham and West Ham, is set to become City’s third signing of the summer.
Cardiff lands club finals double July 17, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Cardiff has been awarded both of European club rugby’s major finals for next season. The Millennium Stadium will host the Heineken Cup final on 24 May, with the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup at Cardiff Arms Park the night before.
Toomey out of intensive care July 17, 2013 HORSE RACING: Jockey Brian Toomey has been moved out of intensive care following his fall at Perth last week. The 24-year-old, who last week had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain, has been placed in a high-dependency unit at a Dundee hospital.