The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| McIlroy stretches lead to six shots in record fashion Posted: 17 Jun 2011 08:56 AM PDT  A walk in the park for Rory McIlroy on the second day of the US Open. — Reuters pic The 22-year-old Northern Irishman holed out his approach shot on the par-four eighth hole for eagle to reach 10 under par at the 111th US Open, the fastest any player had ever reached double digits below par in the championship. McIlroy also birdied the fourth and sixth holes before his spectacular eagle, where he landed his second shot about 18 feet past the hole and watched it trickle down a slope and curl into the cup. Even playing partner Phil Mickelson clapped in admiration at the shot by the Briton, who had led the Masters two months ago by four strokes heading into the final round before blowing his chances with a last-day 80. The sensational play by McIlroy, who had yet to make a bogey and held a three-shot lead overnight, was threatening to turn the year's second major into a rout. Closest to the young Briton was former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who eagled the sixth hole and had two birdies to cover the front nine in four-under 32, matching the score registered by McIlroy on a humid, overcast day. Johnson, who posted an opening 71, stood at four-under, one clear of his fellow American Robert Garrigus, who was two-under for the day through 11 holes. Also at three under par and yet to tee off was Yang Yong-eon of South Korea. The 2009 PGA champion was due to tee off for the second round at 1335 (1735 GMT). Out on the course and tied for fifth place on two under par were Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who was one over through eight holes, and Spain's Sergio Garcia, who was even par as he made the turn. Later starters who returned two-under-par 69s in the first round included British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and American Ryan Palmer. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Manchester United kick off title defence at West Brom Posted: 17 Jun 2011 07:21 AM PDT  Manchester United brave the adulation of fans in a winners parade in Manchester, May 30, 2011. — Reuters pic Runners-up Chelsea, who are still to name their new manager following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, are also away on the opening day when they head to FA Cup finalists Stoke City. Newly promoted Swansea City, back in the top flight for the first time since 1983, will get an immediate taste of the high life with a trip to big-spending Manchester City, who won the FA Cup last season, finished third in the league and will be appearing in the Champions League for the first time. The two other promoted teams, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City, play at home against Bolton Wanderers and away at Wigan Athletic respectively. Arsenal, hoping to win their first trophy in seven seasons, have a tricky start, travelling to Newcastle United where they drew 4-4 last season after leading 4-0 at halftime, before matches at home to revitalised Liverpool and away to champions United. Arsene Wenger, who faced some criticism last season for the first time in nearly 15 years at Arsenal, is not helped by his side having to play in the Champions League playoff round in August, having missed out on qualifying directly for the group stage after finishing fourth. Last season's top two do not have long to wait before their first match against each other, with Chelsea heading to Old Trafford on the weekend of September 17/18. United won a record 19th English championship, and a 12th Premier League title under manager Alex Ferguson, last season and will start the new one as favourites with bookmakers Ladbrokes who give odds of 7-4 for United to retain the title, ahead of Chelsea at 5-2 and Manchester City at 7-2. Liverpool, who improved under Kenny Dalglish in the second half of last season and are targeting a top four finish after two seasons adrift, begin at home against Sunderland. However, Dalglish is unhappy about the timing of the new season, coming after midweek internationals. "I would ask why the season is starting on a Saturday when there are friendlies the midweek before," he said. "Clubs are doing their best to bring in good players and that usually means they are international players. "There is a free week after the first weekend so I don't understand why we can't start the season on a Sunday to prevent players having to travel back on a Wednesday night in time for a Saturday start." United, beginning to rebuild after losing the Champions League final to Barcelona, have brought in defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers, and as ever, have been linked to many others including Luka Modric of Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, who finished fifth last season, are attempting to fight off all attempts to lure the Croatian away from White Hart Lane with manager Harry Redknapp saying his key midfielder was not for sale at any price. Tottenham travel to United on the second weekend, which features several high calibre games, including Liverpool's trip to Arsenal and a north-east derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland. Aston Villa, who named Alex McLeish as their new manager on Friday, despite the protests of fans angry at the arrival of the former Birmingham City manager at Villa Park, travel to Fulham who start a new era after the departure of Mark Hughes, with former Spurs boss Martin Jol in charge. Opening fixtures: Blackburn Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham v Aston Villa, Liverpool v Sunderland, Manchester City v Swansea City, Newcastle United v Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers v Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City v Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur v Everton, West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United, Wigan Athletic v Norwich City — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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