US PGA champion Rory McIlroy motivated by criticism of form

Monday, August 13, 2012

Rory McIlroy said winning the US PGA Championship - his second major - was a satisfying snub to his critics. 

The 23-year-old's six-under 66 earned a record eight-shot win at Kiawah Island and a return to world number one. However, a run of four missed cuts in five events this year and scrutiny over his private life prompted questions over where his career was headed. "To be honest, it did motivate me," admitted McIlroy. "I did want to go out there and prove a few people wrong." The Northern Irishman became the second youngest player to reach the top of the world rankings in March of this year but then swapped the position with England's Luke Donald a couple of times through April and May. After taking the number one ranking for a third time on 6 May, McIlroy embarked on a run of four missed cuts in five events, including the US Open where he was the defending champion. Critics have also speculated that his relationship with former world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has been a distraction for his sporting ambitions. However, McIlroy told a packed press conference in the wake of his victory in South Carolina: "I was a little frustrated with how I was playing earlier on in the year but a few people in this [media] room were probably pressing panic buttons for no reason. "I don't think I could have answered it in any better way. "It took me all of four weeks to get my game back in shape and get out of my mini slump - and this is the result." McIlroy became the youngest man to win two majors since Spain's Seve Ballesteros won the Masters, also at the age of 23, in 1980. His eight-shot margin of victory is a new record, surpassing Jack Nicklaus's seven-stroke victory at Oak Hill in 1980. In addition, the Northern Irishman is now a multiple major winner at a younger age than Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who was four months older than McIlroy when he won his second major.

"I don't care if I win by one or by eight - I just want to win - but it's nice to break a record like that, especially of Jack Nicklaus," he said. "To sit up here and see this trophy and call myself a multiple major champion... not many people have done it and I'm very privileged to join such an elite list of names." The surprise of the Championship was Stoke-based golfer David Lynn, who finished alone in second place on five under. The 38-year-old, who has only played in one other major, the 2003 Open where he finished 53rd, was rewarded with an automatic berth in the 2013 Masters. "To get in is just a dream come true, obviously - amazing," he said. "I saw Rory at 11 [under] and I thought he's not going to mess up from there. It was just a case of playing for as good a position as I could." Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter mounted a serious challenge when he holed six birdies in seven holes. But his hopes of winning a first major disappeared with three bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. "I guess it was a dream start. I guess I pushed him [Rory] and I guess I ran out of steam at the end," said the 36-year-old from Hitchin. "It was a great day. It's just a shame I couldn't quite finish it off." Four-time US PGA winner Woods started the day on two under and finished the day on the same score, having never really threatened the lead. He laid the blame on his third round of 74. "I came out with probably the wrong attitude [on Saturday]. I was too relaxed and tried to enjoy it and that's not how I play," said the 36-year-old for. "I play intense and full systems go. That cost me."












 13 August 2012 Last updated at 09:00
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19239032

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Tsonga beats Raonic in longest ever Olympics tennis match

Friday, August 3, 2012

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Milos Raonic in the longest tennis match in Olympic history to reach the third round. 

The Frenchman won 6-3 3-6 25-23 after three hours and 56 minutes, following a third and final set lasting 48 games - itself an Olympic record. Tsonga wasted three match points before winning the epic deciding set. The 66-game contest also beat the previous record of 48 games, set in 2004 when Fernando Gonzalez beat Taylor Dent to win bronze in Athens. Chile's Gonzalez eventually won that match 6-4 2-6 16-14 after a then-record three hours 25 minutes. Serbia's Novak Djokovic thrashed Andy Roddick of the United States 6-2 6-1 to reach round three. The second seed, a bronze medallist in Beijing, took only 54 minutes to overcome Roddick and will now play Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who beat 13th seed Marin Cilic 6-4 7-5. World number two Djokovic, who was beaten in the 2012 Wimbledon semi-finals by Roger Federer, said he was enjoying the different atmosphere of the Olympics. "You're not playing for yourself like you are most of the time throughout the year," said the 25-year-old. "This is one of the unique events, unique opportunities to play for your country, and the nation is cheering for you as an athlete, as a representative of the nation at this Olympic Games. "I served extremely well during these opening two matches and [against Roddick] everything was working perfectly well. "I was neutralising his serve by getting a lot of returns back in the court and serving a lot of aces. Getting a lot of free points on serve is something I really want to have in my game." Venus Williams moved closer to a fourth Olympic gold as she reached the third round with a 6-1 6-3 win over Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.









31 July 2012 Last updated at 19:35
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19069737

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The Open 2012: Ernie Els wins as Adam Scott crumbles

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The 42-year-old South African birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot. Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield. The 1994 and 1997 US Open champion carded 68 to the 75 of Scott, who had led since the sixth hole on Saturday. The 32-year-old Scott was four shots clear on the 15th tee and needed to hole from 10ft on the last to force a play-off. "I am just numb at the moment, I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine," said Els, who picked up £900,000 in prize money. "We both wanted to win so badly, but I really feel for him. That is the nature of the beast, that is why we are out here. "It was my time. I was hoping at best a play-off. A lot of people never thought I would win but I started believing this year, getting a lot of help from my family and the professionals around me." Tiger Woods threatened at times but a triple bogey via a greenside bunker at the par-four sixth and three straight bogeys from the 13th sank his chances of a 15th major and first since the 2008 US Open. The 36-year-old carded a three-over 73 to end tied third at three under alongside playing partner and fellow American Brandt Snedeker (74). Woods said: "It's part of golf - we all go through these phases, some people it lasts entire careers, others are a little bit shorter. Even the greatest players to ever play have all gone through little stretches like this." Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, was playing in the final group for a second straight major but again struggled to engage the leader. The Northern Irishman took 75 to tie for fifth at two under with England's world number one Luke Donald, who climbed up the leaderboard with a 69. Scott's capitulation must rank worse than Rory McIlroy's Masters meltdown in 2011 and up there with Jean van de Velde's final-hole drama at Carnoustie in 1999. His defeat called to mind his compatriot Greg Norman's loss at the Masters in 1996 when Nick Faldo overhauled a six-stroke deficit to snatch victory at Augusta in the last round. "I'm very disappointed but I played so beautifully for most of the week I really shouldn't let this bring me down," said Scott. "I know I've let a really great chance slip through my fingers today, but somehow I'll look back and take the positives from it." Els, who was ninth at last month's US Open, becomes the 16th consecutive different major champion and moves up from 40th to 15th in the world rankings. He also finished tied second when Royal Lytham hosted the Open in 1996 and tied third when it was last held on the Fylde coast, in 2001. Scott led by four overnight and was still four clear of second-placed McDowell by the turn as the expected challenge in a stiffening breeze failed to materialise. Els was six shots adrift after going out in two-over 36 but he edged into the frame with birdies at the 10th, 12th and 14th. His putt across the final green set up the prospect of a play-off but Scott found a bunker with his drive and was unable to make his par. Donald, who like Scott is also still searching for a maiden major title, echoed the Australian's feelings, and the feelings of many in the field. "Certainly I'll leave this week knowing that my game is definitely good enough to win majors," said the 34-year-old, who finished five shots behind Els. "Unfortunately I couldn't quite hole the putts, but I'll take a lot of positives away from this week."










 22 July 2012 Last updated at 20:46 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18948285

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Bradford Bulls handed six-point deduction by RFL

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Bradford Bulls have been handed a six-point deduction by the Rugby Football League for entering administration. 

 The points have been removed from the club's total with immediate effect, meaning they drop outside the Super League play-off positions. Bradford now sit in ninth position, two points below Hull KR, who occupy the final play-off berth. A consortium submitted a conditional bid for the Bulls last week and this was passed to the RFL on Tuesday. The six-point penalty is two points more than Wakefield and Crusaders were given when they went into administration and is the largest the RFL could have handed out. Bulls interim chief executive Gary Tasker said: "We expected a deduction of points by the RFL and we of course accept that penalty. We are not yet in a position to be able to offer any recompense to our creditors and as such a six-point deduction was what we expected. "We are still in the competition and a place in the top eight - and with it the ability to make the play-offs - is still within our grasp and we will be travelling to Warrington on Sunday in a confident and determined mood." Centre Chev Walker responded to the news of the points deduction by tweeting: "6 points of hard work on the field taken because of sloppy work off it!! Play-offs are still in reach long as we get our heads down." Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle revealed last week that the bid put forward by the consortium would be conditional on the Bulls being allowed to continue in Super League and lease back Odsal, which is owned by the RFL. "The best the RFL will get is a conditional bid," he told BBC Look North. "The consortium I'm dealing with won't move forward with the club in the second tier. It would be a totally different business model. "If this bid isn't accepted by them then this club will cease to exist and I will have failed." Bradford Bulls entered administration on 26 June after attempts to raise £1m to keep the club running were unsuccessful.











 25 July 2012 Last updated at 10:40
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18981223

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Wimbledon Championships moved back a week from 2015

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Wimbledon will start a week later from 2015 to allow players a three-week rest period following the French Open. 

Currently, the All England Club opens its Championships two weeks after the play finishes at Roland Garros. But as of 2015 - when Wimbledon will run from 29 June to 12 July - competitors will have 22 days to make the transition from clay to grass. "There is widespread support within the game for extending the gap," said All England Club chairman Philip Brook. "The best interests of tennis will be served by allowing the players more time to recuperate and to adjust from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass at Wimbledon. "We think most players will welcome the prospect of a longer grass-court season and spending more time on the softer surface of grass." The Aegon Championships at Queen's Club usually begins a day after the French Open men's final and concludes on the following Sunday.

That is also true of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, and the Aegon Classic in Birmingham. In the week before Wimbledon, the Aegon International in Eastbourne and Unicef Open in the Netherlands are the most high-profile events. Wimbledon being put back a week may influence the North American hard-court schedule building up to the US Open, which traditionally starts on the final Monday in August. "In making this change from 2015 we recognise that there will be some important consequences for the overall tennis calendar and enough time needs to be given to allow us all to plan accordingly," Brook continued. "In anticipation of the work required, I would like to thank our colleagues throughout the game for their enthusiasm and support for the vision of a tennis calendar that will better suit the needs of the modern day sport." World number two Novak Djokovic suggested during Wimbledon that he supported the plan. "We need an extra week," he said. "It would work in the favour of players because it would give the top ones a little bit more time to get used to the surface. "Logically speaking, it is the slowest surface that we're talking about, clay, moving to the fastest one, which takes time." The switch may see Wimbledon avoid a clash with Formula 1's British Grand Prix and major football international tournaments.












19 July 2012 Last updated at 15:25
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18913701

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The Open 2012: Paul Lawrie dazzles on day one

Friday, July 20, 2012

Former winner Paul Lawrie equalled his lowest-ever Open score with a first-day five under par 65 at Royal Lytham. 

The 1999 champion from Aberdeen chipped in for two of his six birdies. "It was probably the strangest start of my career, the first six holes - I didn't really hit many good shots and I was three under," he said. "We get enough bad luck so it is nice when it goes your way. After that I hit some really nice shots, played solid golf, and ended up with a good score." Lawrie is just one shot behind early pace-setter Adam Scott. The 43-year-old who came from a major record 10 shots behind on the final day to triumph in a play-off at Carnoustie, received a warm welcome from the galleries. "I heard my name called a lot today, which down in England is a bit of a surprise," added the Scot. "It's nice. It's the Open and everyone is here to support the British players as well as everyone else. "I hit some nice shots for them, which was good." Asked what had sparked his rise of about 240 places in the world rankings, Lawrie told BBC Sport: "When your 14-year-old kid beats you, it gets you out there and gets you working a bit harder. "I got a bit lazy with the whole thing. We were half talking about slowing down a wee bit and playing less tournaments and then Craig popped up and beat me. "I did some commentary on Sky and didn't think I was very good at that so I thought I'd better work a bit harder and get in the gym and try to make a bit of money playing golf again.

" Lawrie finished a great opening day with a short birdie putt at the 18th but Craig - who caddied for him as he missed the cut at last week's Scottish Open - and his younger son Michael were not there to witness it, having opted to stay at home to play themselves. "There were quite a few junior opens back home this week so both of them wanted to stay and play in them, which is fair enough," he explained. "They're both now decent players. It's a big deal and they wanted to stay home. "But the courses are shot over there with the rain so they've maybe had a bit of a disaster by staying at home. "But they've watched it on the television, I'm sure." Lawrie's previous 65 came in the final round at Sandwich in 1993, when he finished sixth. Martin Laird went round in level par 70, although it was an eventful opening day for the Glaswegian, who had a double bogey at the third, an eagle at the seventh and holed a bunker shot for a birdie at the last. Fellow Scot Richie Ramsay is in a tie for 49th place after a 71. Sandy Lyle, champion in 1985, and Steven O'Hara shot 74s, while Elliot Saltman finished two strokes further back.













 19 July 2012 Last updated at 17:03
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18915555

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Tottenham defender Ledley King retires from playing

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Tottenham defender Ledley King has retired from professional football and will take on an ambassadorial role at the club. 

 The former England defender, 31, has struggled with injuries for a number of years and has been unable to train on a daily basis. "Sadly my injuries and inability to train have finally brought an end to my career," King told Tottenham's website. "I'm pleased that I can continue to work within the club." King joined Spurs as a trainee at the age of 16. After his debut in 1999, he went on to make 264 league appearances for the club, winning the Carling Cup in 2008, and was club captain. The centre-back also represented England 21 times and was in the 2010 World Cup squad. His last appearance for his country came against the United States in South Africa two years ago. "I have been here since I was a boy," added King. "I have always considered it my club and have always found it hard to imagine wearing the shirt of another team. "I would like to say thank you to everyone at the club and to the fans.

"I have missed a lot of football over the years, but the Spurs fans have always been patient and incredibly supportive with me during difficult periods." Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy described King as a "wonderful player, captain and ambassador". "It has been well documented how he has battled against injury over the years," said Levy. "It is testament to the character of the man how he managed to sustain such high standards of performance on the pitch, while providing such fine leadership." King's last Premier League appearance for Tottenham came in a 1-0 defeat at QPR on 21 April.













19 July 2012 Last updated at 11:58
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18902734

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Anne Keothavong and Heather Watson lose at Stanford

Thursday, July 12, 2012

British number one Anne Keothavong and Heather Watson are both out of the Bank of West Classic in Stanford.

 

Keothavong, 28, was beaten 2-6 7-5 6-4 by unranked Mallory Burdette - who last won a professional singles match in 2008 - in the first round. Watson was beaten by the world number 37 Yanina Wickmayer in the second round on Wednesday. Belgian Wickmayer beat Watson in three sets, winning 5-7 6-1 6-4 to book her place in the third round. Burdette, 21, will next face second seed Marion Bartoli, while Keothavong is to represent Team GB at London 2012. Continue reading the main story “ I was her ball girl once when I was 12-years-old ” Nicole Gibbs on her second-round opponent Serena Williams Wimbledon champion Serena Williams beat wildcard Nicole Gibbs 6-2 6-1 in the second round. The 19-year-old, who was ball girl during a Williams match seven years ago. Afterwards Williams said she was struggling with jet lag after returning from England. "I couldn't quite believe I was playing today," she said. "But I'm healthy and I have a heartbeat so I didn't have a reason not to. "I definitely felt sluggish and it was good to get the win over with. I'm still waking up at 2am."








 12 July 2012 Last updated at 10:25
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18794050

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London 2012: Athletes await Team GB Olympic selection appeals

Friday, July 6, 2012

Several athletes will learn the results of appeals on Friday against their omission from Team GB's Olympics squad. 

 800m runners Jemma Simpson and Gareth Warburton and sprinter Richard Kilty are among those to appeal. Simpson, Marilyn Okoro, Jenny Meadows and Emma Jackson were left out of the 800m despite running faster times than selected runner Lynsey Sharp. Meadows has said she will not appeal, but Simpson said: "Four athletes have been sacrificed for one." The appeals panel consists of UK Athletics (UKA) chairman Ed Warner, president Lynn Davies and an independent barrister. UKA will not say how many athletes have appealed until after the process is completed. "If you've been left out of the team you're going to be upset about it and you're going to fight until the bitter end," Simpson, 28, told BBC Cornwall. The selection panel included all the national coaches for each event, a statistician, medical officer, plus an independent chairman, barrister and observer. UKA head coach Charles van Commenee said Monday's selection meeting, which lasted six hours, spent a third of the time discussing the women's 800m. Simpson, Meadows, Jackson and Okoro have run the 'A' standard of one minute 59.9 seconds, while Olympic trials winner Sharp has run only the 'B' standard of 2:01.30.

Under Olympic selection rules, Great Britain cannot pick a mixture of 'A' and 'B' standard runners. Appeals will only be successful if an athlete can prove the selection procedure was not correctly followed or there was an error in facts or statistics. Welshman Warburton has achieved the 'A' qualifying standard this season, but failed to do so at the European Championships in Helsinki. The 30-year-old also missed out on a top-two finish at the UK trials, which would have guaranteed an Olympic place. UKA selected Andrew Osagie and Michael Rimmer for the 800m, declining the option to give Warburton a discretionary place. Kilty, 22, said he was left heartbroken after Christian Malcolm and James Ellington were the only picks for the men's 200m. "There are three spots available for the Olympic 200m. Two of them are already taken, and the only man eligible for the third spot was me," said the Middlesbrough-born sprinter. "I had two 'A' standards - one from last year and one from this year."












 6 July 2012 Last updated at 11:32
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18735410

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Andy Murray beats Marin Cilic to make Wimbledon quarters

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Andy Murray booked his place in a fifth straight Wimbledon quarter-final with victory over Marin Cilic in a match heavily disrupted by rain on Court One. 

The match began at 15:45 BST on Monday but was suspended at 16:52 with Murray leading by a set and a break. Play resumed at 12:10 on Tuesday, only to be stopped five minutes later with only two games being completed. They re-started at 13:10 and Murray won 7-5 6-2 6-3 to set up a tie with David Ferrer, who beat Juan Martin del Potro. "It's quite a tough match to analyse because it was very bitty," the British number one told BBC Sport. "We were on and off the court. "Last night was difficult, I was in a good position. Cilic started well today - he was hitting the ball cleaner. But I served well in the third set especially. "It was a good experience because I haven't had too many rain delays at Wimbledon and I haven't always done that well when I have had them. The Scot must be relieved to have wrapped up proceedings so quickly - they finished at 14:10 in two hours 10 minutes of match play - given that his last-eight tie will be played on Wednesday. With more showers expected later, there was a strong chance Murray could have been delayed further, while Ferrer and Del Potro were under the Centre Court roof and, therefore, guaranteed to finish. The decision to schedule him on a roofless Court One - for the only time all fortnight when the weather forecast was poor - led to heavy criticism.

 "I honestly don't care which court I play on," Murray added. "It makes no difference, but every player would rather play on Centre Court because it's got the roof, so you know you will get your match in. "But I don't deserve to play every match on Centre Court. I'm more than happy to play on Court One. I just wish the weather was a bit better. "It's tough but it's good experience for me. I don't want to say for sure, but I'll probably be on Centre from now on, so I don't have to worry about that." Murray led Cilic 7-5 3-1 at 40-0 when the rain arrived on Monday, frustrating for him as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer - the only higher-ranked players left in the draw - won through on the same same. But if anything his form was more impressive on Tuesday as he subjected Queen's champion Cilic to a comprehensive defeat.













 3 July 2012 Last updated at 14:18
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18664821

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