Row breaks out over Open course as big names wobble July 18, 2013 GOVERNING body the R&A last night hit back at suggestions that Muirfield is unnecessarily difficult after stars Ian Poulter and Phil Mickelson criticised the Open course following an eventful first round. Ryder Cup hero Poulter offered the most stinging views, calling pin positioning “a joke”, while four-time Major winner Mickelson called on the R&A to [...]
Golf comment: R&A chiefs are spot on about Muirfield pins July 18, 2013 I THOUGHT Peter Dawson, the R&A’s chief executive, answered critics of Muirfield’s pin positions perfectly and I agreed with every word he said. A tough set-up is the organisers’ last defence when the course is playing easily, and you could not have wished for better conditions than yesterday. Mickelson three-putted for a bogey at 18 [...]
McIlroy mulls shrink visit as woes deepen July 18, 2013 BELEAGUERED former world No1 Rory McIlroy admits he may seek help from a sports psychologist after his fall from grace continued with a woeful eight-over-par 79 at the Open yesterday. The two-time Major winner dropped seven shots on the back nine to leave himself in danger of missing the cut at one of golf’s big [...]
Mourinho makes case for Rooney to abandon United for Chelsea July 18, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has warned players they cannot afford to sit on the sidelines during a World Cup year, in what has been interpreted as a veiled message to transfer target Wayne Rooney. Manchester United this week rejected Chelsea’s opening bid for the England striker, who is said to be concerned at suggestions from [...]
World Cup and Euros to remain on free TV July 18, 2013 FOOTBALL’S major international tournaments will continue to be shown on free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV beyond 2014 after the game’s governing bodies lost a legal challenge. The European Court of Justice yesterday rejected an appeal from Fifa and Uefa and upheld a 2011 ruling that prevents rights for the World Cup and [...]
Froome facing toughest day as Tour win looms July 18, 2013 BRITAIN’S Chris Froome admits today could make or break his quest for Tour de France glory after he extended his overall lead despite being hit with a time penalty for illegal feeding. The Tour’s 19th stage features four testing climbs and, with Froome looking weary on the Alpe d’Huez yesterday, represents the biggest remaining obstacle [...]
Ricciardo plays down debut error July 18, 2013 FORMULA ONE: Torro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo played down the significance of a spin-off as he sat behind the wheel of a Red Bull for the first time yesterday at a young-driver test at Silverstone. Ricciardo lost control of his car on the seventh lap but said: “I had a small off, but otherwise it [...]
England eliminated from Euros July 18, 2013 FOOTBALL: England’s ladies crashed out of Euro 2013, with a 3-0 defeat to France.
OBR says timebomb is ticking for ageing UK July 17, 2013 THE SPIRALLING cost of pensions, health and social care for the elderly mean the UK faces tens of billions of pounds in spending cuts or tax hikes, the government’s fiscal watchdog warned yesterday. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that the changing age of the population would put the public purse on an unsustainable [...]
Gas prices may fall by quarter thanks to shale July 17, 2013 GAS PRICES in the UK could fall by as much as a quarter if the country successfully exploits its shale gas reserves, according to a government-commissioned report released yesterday. The most optimistic scenario plotted by consultants predicts that the gas price will drop by more than 25 per cent by 2030, potentially saving families hundreds of pounds [...]
