Latest - Lydia Ko has made a strong start to the first women's golf major of the year.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ko has opened with a two-under par 70 at the ANA Inspiration in California to be tied for sixth when half of the field had yet to complete their first rounds.
Starting on the back nine, Ko birdied the 13th hole before bogeys at the 15th and 17th dropped her over par.
She then went birdie, bogey, birdie on the next three holes to get back to even before further birdies on the fifth and ninth saw her sign for a two-under 70.
Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit is the clubhouse leader at six-under.
Lydia Ko won the ANA Inspiration in 2016, the second of her two major championship titles.
Welsh commit to coach Pivac
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has backed Wayne Pivac to remain as coach until at least the 2023 World Cup following last month's Six Nations triumph.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Pivac, who succeeded Warren Gatland in 2019, was heavily criticised last year after a miserable run saw Wales finish fifth in the Six Nations.
However, the 58-year-old has turned their fortunes around and guided Wales to their second Six Nations title in three years, winning four of five games to finish four points clear of second-placed France.
"Wayne and his management team and players have delivered," WRU Chief Executive Steve Phillips said.
"I know I speak on behalf of the board and everyone at the WRU in congratulating them on their achievements and we look forward to following their continued progress on the road to France 2023.
"Wayne has the 2023 World Cup firmly in his sights and a comprehensive plan for Wales to arrive there at the peak of our powers with the full backing of the WRU to achieve that aim."
- Reuters
Osaka governor calls for cancellation of Olympic torch relay
The governor of Japan's Osaka prefecture has called for the cancellation of the Olympic torch relay in its largest city amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, presenting an early test to organisers as they plan for the Games during the pandemic.
Photo: AFP
Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said on Thursday the torch relay in the city should be cancelled and he wanted to have discussions with the Tokyo organising committee on the matter.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters he thought the decision had already been made.
"I understand Osaka has been cancelled as a result of talks between Tokyo Olympic organisers and the torch relay committee in Osaka," Suga told reporters.
But the Tokyo organising committee denied there had been such a decision.
"We will continue to hold close discussions with the Osaka prefectural authorities regarding the implementation of the Olympic Torch Relay, and strive to announce the outcome as soon as possible," Tokyo organisers said in an emailed comment.
The relay began last week in Fukushima and is being seen as the first major test of the Games in holding a large-scale event while implementing stringent health protocols.
- Reuters
Queen of the Classics is postponed
The prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day cycling race has been moved from April to October due to the Covid-19 situation in France.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"This decision follows the decision of the competent French authorities to prohibit the holding of the 2021 edition ... on the dates scheduled in the UCI International road calendar in the context of the current health situation," the sport's governing body said in a statement.
The 2020 edition of the 'Queen of the Classics' race was postponed before being cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The 2021 men's race will be held on 3 October with the inaugural women's edition taking place a day earlier.
Paris-Roubaix is the third 'Monument' classic of the season after Milan-Sanremo, which took place last month, this Sunday's Tour of Flanders and before Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Giro di Lombardia.
- Reuters
Fox is being upstaged on the Charles Tour
Harry Bateman is the surprise leader after the opening round of the Charles Tour's Gulf Harbour Open in Auckland.
Harry Bateman Photo: Photosport
Bateman has opened with a flawless eight-under 64 to lead tournament favourite Ryan Fox by three shots.
Fox, the world number 182, is making his first appearance in the Charles Tour in seven years.
"To be able to see the young golfers coming up and being able to play with a couple of them today was cool," Fox said.
"But it was a shock to the system carrying my own bag, marking my own scorecard, putting the flag in took me a little while to get used to which I know probably sounds quite bad, but it's funny what you get used to.
"It's just nice to get rid of a bit of tournament rust off the game."