GOLF DIGEST:PRESIDENTS CUP: Indian Jeev Milkha Singh expressed his disappointment yesterday about missing out on the Presidents Cup – but not over his wild-card omission.
Greg Norman surprised just about everyone by naming out-of-form fellow Australian Adam Scott and 17-year-old Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa for his International team to face the Americans in San Francisco next month.
South African Rory Sabbatini and Singh were the two highest-ranked players Norman could have gone for, while Scott has slumped from third in the world to 53rd in just over a year.
“That’s a captain’s choice,” said Singh. “What I’m disappointed about is not making the team because of my injury. I pushed myself and came back too soon.
“But it’s a lesson, and I’ll be trying hard to make it in two years’ time.”
Singh suffered a rib muscle problem at the end of May but went to the US Open a few weeks later and played the French and Scottish Opens as well, before pulling out of the British Open.
WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONAL: Carlow's Aedin Murphy suffered a disappointing opening day in the women's home internationals at Irvine.
Ireland were in pole position for most of the day against Scotland and, when Murphy was two up with five to play and then one ahead with three remaining against Pamela Pretswell, it looked as though they would secure the point required for a win.
But Murphy lost the 16th and 18th holes to slip to a defeat.
Ireland had established a 2-1 foursomes advantage and looked likely to open the series with a win, but there was a change of fortune midway through the singles session.
Niamh Kitching was two up after four holes on Kylie Walker but Walker won four out of five holes after the turn and went on to win by 3 and 2.
Cork’s Gillian O’Leary and Charlene Reid from Royal Portrush swept to impressive victories, but Danielle McVeigh, the British stroke-play champion, lost 2 and 1 to Carly Booth.
In the end it all hinged on Murphy’s match with Pretswell and the Scottish golfer squeezed home to secure a 5-4 success for her country.
Today Ireland face Wales, who caused a major shock by beating favourites England 7-2.
