Golf: Davis Love III is threatening to turn the GTE Byron Nelson Classic into a one-man show after powering into a four-stroke lead at the halfway mark in Texas.
The American recovered from bogeying the first two holes of his second round to fire nine birdies, including at four of the last five holes, in a seven-under-par 63.
That took him to 11 under for the tournament, well clear of John Huston, who moved up to seven under thanks to a 65.
Sweden's Jesper Parnevik is one of six players, including first-round co-leader Blaine McCallister, on five under. World number one Tiger Woods recovered from an opening-round 73 to leave him on a score of 140 following a four-week lay-off.
Cycling: In a move which has surprised even the most optimistic of his supporters 1998 winner Marco Pantani has declared he will ride in the Tour of Italy, which begins today. The controversial cyclist was excluded from last s year's event while in the pink jersey of race leader, after failing a blood test which indicated probable use of the performance booster EPO (erythropoeitin).
Having competed in only the Tour of Valencia since his ejection for the race last year, Pantani has indicated that he will use the Tour of Italy as preparation for other events later in the season, including the Tour de France.
Motor Sport: Martin Birrane, owner of Mondello Park, is to resume control of the motor racing facility with effect from October 4th this year. The current operators, Vanadium Ltd., trading as Mondello Racing Management, will have no involvement with the circuit after this date.
Peter De Ritter has been appointed Managing Director of the new operating company, Mondello Park Ltd. He was previously a director of Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd., with responsibility for the operation of Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton in the UK.
Rowing: The Irish lightweight double scull will compete at Duisburg Regatta today and tomorrow. Despite poor performances at Ghent last weekend, coach, John Holland, confirmed yesterday that Niall O'Toole and Derek Holland are intent on proving themselves in the run-up to Munich early next month.
Soccer: Terry Eviston yesterday became the second National League manager in 24 hours to lose his job when Dundalk decided against renewing his contract. It follows the club's failure to win promotion after being narrowly beaten by Kilkenny City for the right to represent the First Division in the promotion-relegation play off.
Hockey: Pegasus opened the defence of their All-Ireland Senior League Finals' title in Cork last evening with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Leinster champions Loreto, with Claire McMahon, Arlene Boyles and Nadine Nicholl scoring two apiece.
The Ulster side led by just one goal at half-time, a ninth minute effort from McMahon, but ran Loreto ragged in the second half, adding five more scores to their tally. Hosts Harlequins play Loreto today at Farmers' Cross, from where last night's match was switched, to Ashton's home ground, due to heavy fog.
