Champion Smith not worried about reputation ahead of Open defence July 17, 2023 The reigning Open champion Cameron Smith has insisted he’s a better golfer now than when he won the famous Claret Jug last year and that, after a year on the LIV Golf tour, he doesn’t worry about what people think of him. Australian Smith won the tournament last year at St Andrews, beating Rory McIlroy [...]
Moeen backs Anderson to take wickets at home Old Trafford crease in Ashes July 17, 2023 Moeen Ali has backed the returning James Anderson to make his mark this week as England look to level the Ashes on the pacer’s home turf and take the series with Australia to a decider. The 40-year-old replaces Ollie Robinson in the only change made by England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum [...]
California holidays: Why Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara make the perfect road trip July 17, 2023 There’s more to California than Los Angeles and San Francisco – try Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, says Richard Franks America is the land of the road trip, and its Pacific Highway is up there with its most iconic. Hugging some 656 miles of rugged Californian coast between San Francisco and San Diego, the [...]
Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon win pulls in nearly as many viewers as coronation July 17, 2023 Carlos Alcaraz’s thrilling Wimbledon triumph attracted a peak audience of 11.2m viewers on BBC One – just short of the number who tuned in for the coronation of King Charles. Alcaraz, 20, came from a set down to beat 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and win his first men’s singles title at the All [...]
Fan-owned AFC Wimbledon named best-run club in English football July 17, 2023 AFC Wimbledon are the best-run club in English football, according to a new report on the future funding of the game by campaigners Fair Game. The Fair Game Index rates all 92 teams in the top four divisions in four areas: financial sustainability, governance, fan engagement and equality standards. Wimbledon achieved the highest score of [...]
Sexton let off with three-week ban and will be at Rugby World Cup July 16, 2023 Ireland No10 Johnny Sexton will feature at this year’s Rugby World Cup after an independent panel slapped the fly-half with a three-week ban for admitting to misconduct charges. Though Sexton admitted to misconduct and the disciplinary panel described his behaviour as aggressive, he will only miss Ireland’s three warm-up games. The misconduct occurred after the [...]
Alcaraz beats Djokovic in epic Wimbledon final July 16, 2023 Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz said it was a “dream come true” to lift the Wimbledon trophy after the world No1 toppled seven-time winner Novak Djokovic in an epic final at the All England Club yesterday. The 20-year-old top seed beat 36-year-old and 23-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 on a raucous [...]
England Women captain Knight proud despite Australia retaining Ashes July 16, 2023 England captain Heather Knight hailed a “massively positive” series for her side despite losing the Women’s Ashes last night in Southampton. The hosts needed victory in the match to force a decider tomorrow in Taunton but even an unbeaten Natalie Sciver-Brunt century was not enough as Australia won by three runs. Having been 6-0 down [...]
Aramco Team Series – London: Nelly Korda returns to form to hold off Charley Hull July 16, 2023 World No2 Nelly Korda lived up to her star billing by winning her first title on British soil at the Aramco Team Series – London. Korda, who led by five overnight, shot a two-under-par final round of 71 to finish on 11 under and hold off a late charge from England’s Charley Hull. Hull made [...]
Harry Kane wants to join us, says Bayern Munich president July 16, 2023 Bayern Munich chiefs are increasingly confident of signing England captain Harry Kane despite seeing two offers rejected by Tottenham Hotspur. The Bundesliga champions held negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy last week and have also had talks with Kane’s camp. Tottenham dismissed a second bid of £68m last week but Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness [...]