A round-up of other world news in brief
Kelly through to next stage of European Tour school
GOLF: John Kelly led the Irish qualifiers following the completion of the Tour School stage one. The St Margaret’s professional was tied third at the Oxfordshire with rounds of 70, 68, 69 and 69 for an aggregate of 276. Michael Collins and David Higgins joined Kelly in advancing from the British venue, finishing tied 15th and 17th respectively.
Cian McNamara and Eddie Barr made it through at Golf de Moliet in France, on totals of 280 and 281 respectively.
Mervyn Owens advanced in tied 13th place at Muritz in Germany, but Walker Cup player Niall Kearney cut it fine when shooting a 74 to finish on the cut-off mark of 285.
Ruaidhri McGee missed out at Bogogno in Italy when he shot a final round 75 to finish outside the 27 qualifiers.
Brewerton forges clear in Tenerife
GOLF: Becky Brewerton of Wales took a commanding, three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Tenerife Ladies Open.
The 26-year-old Solheim Cup player added a three-under 69 to her opening 66 for a two round total of nine-under-par 135 after two glorious days of sunshine at Golf Costa Adeje on the south of the island.
Spain’s Beatriz Recari, playing in her first tournament since winning in Finland a month ago, finished at six under after rounds of 68 and 70, with first round leader Anja Monke of Germany a shot further back after a second round of 74.
Brewerton was one of only 17 players to finish under par owing to difficult conditions.
Tara Delaney was best of the Irish competitors on 145 after adding a 73 to her opening 72. Rebecca Coakley shot 74 to be a shot further back on two over, while Hazel Kavanagh had a round of 75 for a 148 aggregate.
Casey misses links championship
GOLF: Paul Casey’s hopes of finishing the season as European number one have suffered another big blow.
The world number four, who because of a rib muscle injury has not played since the first week of August, is out of next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
And Casey, second to injured German Martin Kaymer on the Tour money list, will not be back in action now until the Volvo World Matchplay in Spain at the end of next month.
“While I feel I am extremely close to being fully fit I have decided to heed advice and withdraw from the links championship,” he said.
Federer skips Far East events
TENNIS: World number one Roger Federer has withdrawn from tournaments in Tokyo and Shanghai next month in order to “rest, rehabilitate and fully recover from a physically challenging year”.
The Swiss star has had a hectic season even by his standards, reaching the finals of all four grand slam events, with victories at the French Open and Wimbledon.
England win match and praise
CRICKET: England won respect as well as their opening match of the Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers in Johannesburg last night.
Captain Andrew Strauss’ decision to call back Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews was a significant act of sportsmanship in the resounding, six-wicket victory.
Mathews was run out going for two towards the end of the Sri Lankans’ 212 all out in the day-nighter following a collision with bowler Graham Onions.
But Strauss opted to ask the all-rounder to resume his innings as he strode towards the pavilion.
Despite losing a couple of early wickets, England’s misfiring batting unit got them home with five overs to spare.
Irish up to fifth at Fontainebleu
EQUESTRIAN SPORT: Britain lead the team competition at the European eventing championships in Fontainebleau and two members of the squad, Ollie Townend and Kristina Cook, are in equal first place on the individual leaderboard on a score of 37.9 penalties, writes Margie McLoone.
Townend, who won at Burghley earlier this month, is riding his Badminton winner Flint Curtis, while Cook partners her Olympic double bronze medalist Miners Frolic. The locals had plenty to cheer about when Nicolas Touzaint, the defending champion, partnered Tatchou into third spot on 38.5.
Ireland have improved into fifth in the team championships with Elizabeth Power best placed in 12th position on Dermot O’Rourke’s thoroughbred gelding Kilpatrick River. Of the other two Irish riders in action yesterday, Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist) is 42nd while her husband, Michael, competing as an individual, lies 47th.
