NO RUSH OVER CUP CAPTAINCY

The decision on who takes over from Nick Faldo as Europe's Ryder Cup captain seems unlikely to be made before May.

But Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, chairman of the tournament committee that will discuss the position in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, has insisted that any delay would not be to allow Jose Maria Olazabal more time to make up his mind whether he wants to be in charge in Wales next year.

"I'm not naming any names, but we are not holding out for anybody," said Bjorn. "We need to think long and hard about it.

"The list of candidates is long and the longer we take the longer it will probably get, but we're not putting ourselves in a position where we have to announce it tomorrow.

"We want to go through all the factors that come into being Ryder Cup captain. There have been a lot of feelings expressed about this captaincy and the last one and we want that to settle.

"We are going to take our time. We don't need to decide tomorrow - the time when we do is before the points start in September.

"I would not be surprised if we don't announce it tomorrow. It's not set in stone.

"There are some very good candidates for many years to come."

Olazabal, captain of the European team beaten by Asia in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok at the weekend, said there: "I would love to be considered, I'm not going to deny that.

"I would love to be playing and I think maybe it is too soon, but time will tell."

Sandy Lyle, 2004 captain Ian Woosnam and Miguel Angel Jimenez have also had their names mentioned and Lyle has the support of Colin Montgomerie, a member of the tournament committee who is fully expected to be captain himself at Gleneagles in 2014.

Woosnam, of course, was the subject of an astonishing attack by Bjorn after the Welshman named Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood as his two wild cards for the K Club clash.

"Not my finest hour and that will hang over me for ever," stated Bjorn. "But things have to move on. You get emotional at times and I regret what happened, but I have dealt with it the best way I can and I am sure it's not at the forefront of Woosie's mind."

Bjorn was fined for his comments, but his standing rose again when he was chosen to succeed Jamie Spence as chairman of the players' body.

He went on to have his worst-ever season on the European Tour, dropping outside the top 100 on the Order of Merit and to 200th in the world, but puts that down to short game problems and a loss of confidence rather than the burdens of his new position.

"I'd like to think I can still challenge for the next Ryder Cup," added the 37-year-old, a member of the 1997 and 2002 winning teams.

"But it's certainly getting more difficult - the talent we have is huge."


MONTY BACKING FOR LYLE
OLAZABAL CONSIDERING RYDER CUP ROLE
Ward gives Giants a pair of 1,000-yard rushers

CASEY AIMS FOR WINNING START

Englishman Paul Casey is relishing beginning his 2009 season at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships this week, where he hopes history will repeat itself.

The 31-year-old, who won there two years ago, is feeling refreshed and ready to make his assault on the Race to Dubai, but will be in a competitive field at the United Arab Emirates tournament which will include world number two Sergio Garcia and major champions Padraig Harrington and Trevor Immelman.

"I'm very much looking forward to 2009," said Casey.

"I feel like I have prepared well. I had some nice time off after the HSBC Champions, and then played Tiger's event (the Chevron World Challenge last month) and kind of used that to review aspects I needed to knuckle down hard on and worked very hard for the last two weeks before coming here.

"I feel good about the game and I'm looking forward to having a good 2009. I need to get back in the winners' circle. It's been a couple of years, actually, this event two years ago, so it's a good place to do that.

"Arriving back here gives me a little bit more confidence, having won around this golf course. I think it's a golf course for me that fits my eye very well. It allows me to play to my strengths a little bit, use my length off the tee.

"You get good feelings when you arrive on certain tee shots. You remember shots that you've hit and that's a good thing, to remember the good shots, anyway, and I've had plenty of them around this golf course."

Martin Kaymer is another contender who will tee off on Thursday, having won his first European Tour event there a year ago.

The 24-year-old German finished four shots ahead of Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood, and went on to enjoy a superb season, winning the BMW International and ending up eighth on the tour's Order of Merit.

He admits returning this week will bring back some fond memories.

"That was my first win on the European Tour so that's always very special," said Kaymer, who narrowly missed out on a place in Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team.

"It was a big event and I won the first tournament of the year so that gave me a lot of motivation for the rest of the season.

"The win over here was very important to me, especially early in my career. It showed that I could win a tournament.

"It was very special when I came to the golf club yesterday. It was nice to walk down the 18th. It was a very special moment for me last year."

Kaymer, who started the Race to Dubai by finishing joint 20th in the HSBC Champions in November, believes his success on The National Course last year will stand him in good stead this time around.

"I think the most important thing here last year was that you put the ball on the fairway all the time because the rough was quite thick," he added.

"My driving was very, very good last year and I made a few putts in the first three rounds."


‘Tough’ injury could sideline LT against Steelers
WOODS WANTED BY AUSTRALIAN CHIEFS
Millen takes responsibility for Lions’ 0-16 season

OLAZABAL CONSIDERING RYDER CUP ROLE

Jose Maria Olazabal has asked for more time before deciding whether he will captain the European team in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

The Spaniard, who was Nick Faldo's deputy as Europe surrendered the Ryder Cup to the United States in Valhalla last September, has previously been non-committal on the leadership role but appears to be warming to the idea despite suffering defeat in his first experience as captain.

The 42-year-old oversaw Europe's 10-6 loss to Asia in The Royal Trophy, stepping in for close friend and compatriot Seve Ballesteros - the 1997 Ryder Cup captain and victorious Royal Trophy skipper in 2006 and 2007 - who is recovering from surgery on a brain tumour.

But Europe's first defeat in the continental contest at Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok has not dented his ambition to follow in the footsteps of Ballesteros in the biennial showdown with the United States.

"I would love to be considered, I'm not going to deny that," said Olazabal, who has been battling rheumatism in recent years.

"I've never denied that being captain of the Ryder Cup is something really special, it's a privilege, but it's always been like that."

His latest comments are likely to come as a boost to the European Tour's 15-man tournament committee, who meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

On the agenda is the subject of Faldo's successor, with Olazabal reportedly top of their wish list ahead of Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, the winning skipper at the K Club in 2006.

But Olazabal, who made his Ryder Cup debut as a 21-year-old in 1987, stressed he would like to bid to make the team for an eighth time before committing to the top job.

"I would love to be playing - if these guys allow me," he added.

"I think maybe it is too soon (to be captain) but time will tell."

With the two-time Masters champion preferring to wait, any decision could be delayed until the committee meet again in May during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Olazabal certainly has the support of the players.

Soren Hansen, who was undefeated in The Royal Trophy, made his Ryder Cup debut under Faldo in Kentucky and has now played under Olazabal on two occasions.

"Olly has been a great captain," the Dane said.

"Olly has been great this week. He was great as an assistant to Faldo at The Ryder Cup and I would love to play under him in the future."

England's Nick Dougherty concurred.

"Olly is going to be a very worthy Ryder Cup captain one day," the 26-year-old said.

"Everything he does is class - his motivation, the way he handles people, everything."


OLAZABAL FOLLOWS IN SEVE FOOTSTEPS
Colts MLB Brackett to miss at least two games

OGILVY CLINCHES VICTORY IN HAWAII

Geoff Ogilvy overcame a slow start to cruise to a six-stroke victory at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship.

The Australian entered the final round at Kapalua's Plantation Course with a six shot lead but made a poor start with bogeys at his first two holes.

The 31-year-old saw his lead cut to just one after making his fourth bogey of the day at the eighth but he steadied himself with an eagle at the ninth before reeling off a run of four consecutive birdies from the 12th to power away from the field.

Ogilvy finished with an eagle, seven birdies and four bogeys for a five-under-par 68, putting him at 24-under, six ahead of Anthony Kim (67) and Davis Love III (67).

Sean O'Hair fired the day's best round of eight-under 65 to move up to fourth on 17 under, a shot ahead of fifth-placed Justin Leonard (70).

South Africa's Ernie Els (67) shared sixth place with Americans Zach Johnson (67), Kenny Perry (70) and DJ Trahan (71) on 15 under.

Collated final round scores (USA unless stated, par 73):

268 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 67 68 65 68

274 Anthony Kim 71 68 68 67, Davis Love III 69 70 68 67

275 Sean O'Hair 69 70 71 65

276 Justin Leonard 74 67 65 70

277 Kenny Perry 68 71 68 70, Zach Johnson 71 75 64 67, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 69 73 67, D.J. Trahan 70 66 70 71

278 Johnson Wagner 68 71 70 69

279 Dustin Johnson 72 72 68 67

280 Will MacKenzie 72 70 69 69, Camilo Villegas (Col) 74 67 66 73, Chez Reavie 75 70 68 67

281 KJ Choi (Kor) 71 71 66 73, Boo Weekley 70 70 69 72

282 Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 72 70 68

283 Adam Scott (Aus) 73 67 73 70, Brian Gay 72 70 70 71, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 69 70 74 70

284 Richard S Johnson (Swe) 72 72 71 69, Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 72 74 69 69

285 Cameron Beckman 76 73 66 70

286 Steve Lowery 69 75 70 72, Stewart Cink 74 67 71 74, Parker McLachlin 77 69 69 71

287 Daniel Chopra (Swe) 79 69 67 72, Vijay Singh (Fij) 73 73 71 70

288 J.B. Holmes 74 75 72 67, Greg Kraft 72 73 68 75

291 Ryan Palmer 78 75 72 66

295 Andres Romero (Arg) 78 74 71 72

296 Marc Turnesa 79 73 70 74


OGILVY TRIUMPHS DOWN UNDER
OGILVY REMAINS ON TOP IN HAWAII
Eagles RB Westbrook won’t practice, will start
Bengals add rookie lineman to injured reserve

MONTY BACKING FOR LYLE

Colin Montgomerie has backed Sandy Lyle to captain Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup and has also admitted he has ambitions to lead the team in the future.

Celtic Manor in south Wales will host next year's event as Europe look to wrest back the trophy from the USA who enjoyed a comprehensive victory at Valhalla in September which saw captain Nick Faldo come in for some crushing criticism.

Lyle, the 1985 Open and 1988 US Masters champion, could face a challenge for the captaincy from Ian Woosnam, who led the team to victory in 2006, but he has stated his desire for the role and Montgomerie has backed the Scot.

Montgomerie told Sportsweek on BBC Radio Five Live: "I'd choose Sandy Lyle if I had the casting vote. It would be a shame of all that big side we had of (Bernhard) Langer and Seve (Ballesteros) and Faldo and Woosnam, if Sandy Lyle missed out."

Lyle quit last year's Open at Royal Birkdale after just 10 holes, later blaming a hand injury for his early withdrawal, but Montgomerie believes this should not adversely affect the 50-year-old's selection chances.

"I think you are talking to someone who sometimes regrets what I've done throughout my career," he continued.

"In every sporting arena there are people who regret what they have done and I'm sure he does walking off at the Open but that shouldn't affect him over his entire career.

"One so-called mistake shouldn't affect him as a Ryder Cup captain and the respect he has from the rest of the players.

"What is vital when it comes to a captaincy is the team respect him and I'm sure we all do."

The 45-year-old also revealed his ambition to captain Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles

"I would expect to (become captain one day) but one never knows when one has to be selected as part of committees and stuff," the Scot continued.

"I hope to but you never know.

"There is wrong time at the wrong place and the right time at the right place. I just hope I am in the right place come 2014 when it comes home here to Scotland."


Ailing Panthers owner attends game vs. Broncos
AMERICANS COULD STICK WITH AZINGER

IRISH OPEN BACK AT BALTRAY

The Irish Open will return to County Louth, Baltray, on May 14-17 this year - and the announcement of mobile phone company 3 as the new title sponsor is expected before the end of the month.

The course earned rave reviews when the event was played there in 2004, Australia's Brett Rumford holding off a strong challenge from local hero Padraig Harrington.

Harrington said: "I am delighted to hear that the Irish Open is returning to Baltray. It is certainly one of the most exciting links courses in the country and one I have enjoyed playing in the past.

I look forward to the tournament being a great success."

Fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley added: "I was a Member at County Louth as a junior and I am absolutely delighted that the Irish Open is going there.

"The event has probably gone from the best inland course in Ireland - Adare Manor - to the best links course in Ireland, in my opinion.

""Baltray hits the nail on the head for the spectators from the north and south. We have that new road from Dublin to Belfast which encourage great crowds, so it ticks all the boxes as a venue."


OU’s Stoops says he’s not up for Broncos’ job
HARRINGTON WINS SHOT OF THE YEAR

JEPPESEN AND FISHER SET PACE

Steven Jeppesen shares the lead with Trevor Fisher Jnr after the pair carded opening-round eight-under-par 63s at the Joburg Open on Thursday.

The Swede, who had an afternoon tee-off at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, managed to match his rival's earlier effort in a round that included two eagles and five birdies on the west course.

Playing on the same 18 holes, South African Fisher Jnr. was the clubhouse leader for most of the day with an astonishing six birdies through his opening nine holes setting him on his way.

Michael Hoey from Northern Ireland is a shot back after his round of 64 in the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event, with Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Edoardo Molinari, Patrik Sjoland, Andrew McLardy, Rafael Cabrera Bello and David Drysdale all on six under par - the latter two being the only players amongst the leaders to shoot bogey-free rounds.

Jeppesen, 24, who has never won on the European Tour with his best position being tied second at the Madeira Island Open in 2004, admitted afterwards that he was just thrilled with his start.

"It was a good round today and I'm very pleased," he said.

"It started well with that eagle on the second and then I had a good couple of opportunities on three and four.

"Before I went out there I saw that there were a lot of guys shooting good scores today on the first six holes."

Fisher Jnr. has previously won the FNB Botswana Open, Eskom Power Cup and Seekers Travel Pro-Am - all lesser-known Sunshine Tour events. He showed impressive form on the opening day and attributed his performance to a flying front nine.

He said: "It's always nice to have a good start. You open up with a little six-under and yeah, I started birdie, birdie which was good.

"I had nice rhythm today and I putted really well. I gave myself some nice opportunities. I was quite patient which is a good thing for me as I don't feel rushed, and maybe I can maintain it now for three more days."

Ballymoney-born Hoey, who carded a 75 in the opening round last year, said: "I am pretty happy, I played here last year and the weather wasn't great.

"It didn't help as I wasn't playing well at all.

"But today it was pretty hot so the ball was going longer and that helped. I got off to a good start as well."

Defending champion Richard Sterne will have to dig deep over the next three days if he is to defend his title after ending a disappointing opening round with a level-par 71.

He said: "I actually got off to a decent start, but felt a little tired and made really weak birdies on the back nine.

"Tomorrow I can hopefully do something good and get back into it. It's a strange game and you never know what you are going to get really."

Another strong contender is two-time major winner Retief Goosen, who ended his opening day with a one-under 70, two shots worse off than 2007 champion Ariel Canete of Argentina, while Englishman Chris Wood finished with a two-under 69.

The first two rounds of the tournament are taking place on both the east and west courses after which the last two rounds will finish on the east.

Collated first round scores

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71):

63 Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Trevor Fisher Jnr (Rsa)

64 Michael Hoey

65 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), David Drysdale, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spa), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Andrew McLardy (Rsa)

66 Peter Kaensche (Nor), Jan Are Larsen (Nor), Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Michele Reale (Ita), Martin Maritz (Rsa)

67 David Carter, Hennie Otto (Rsa), Jeppe Huldahl (Den), Brett Liddle (Rsa), Jean Hugo (Rsa), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa), Danny Willett, Omar Sandys (Rsa), James Morrison, Alexandre Rocha (Bra), Carl Suneson (Spa), Oliver Bekker (Rsa), Alessandro Tadini (Ita), Taco Remkes (Ned), Justin Walters (Rsa), James Ruth

68 Divan Van Den Heever (Rsa), Garth Mulroy (Rsa), Adilson Da Silva (Bra), Anders Schmidt Hansen (Den), Dion Fourie (Rsa), Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa), Charl Coetzee (Rsa), Brandon Pieters (Rsa), Martin Wiegele (Aut), Henrik Nystrom (Swe), Richie Ramsay, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Bobby Lincoln (Rsa), Darren Fichardt (Rsa), Kasper linnet Jorgensen (Den), David Dixon, Callie Swart (Rsa), Keith Horne (Rsa), Ariel Canete (Arg), Christopher Doak

69 Carlos Del Moral (Spa), Steve Lewton, Mikko Korhonen (Fin), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), John E Morgan, Ryan Thompson (Rsa), Federico Colombo (Ita), Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa), Deane Pappas (Rsa), Prinavin Nelson (Rsa), Chris Wood, Richard McEvoy, Andrew Curlewis (Rsa), Jake Roos (Rsa), Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Gary Lockerbie, Phillip Archer, Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Andrew Wilson (Rsa), Wes Heffernan (Can), Nic Henning (Rsa), Doug McGuigan, Grant Veenstra (Rsa), Kevin Stone (Rsa), Joel Sjoholm (Swe), Klas Eriksson (Swe), Vaughn Groenewald (Rsa), David Hewan (Rsa), Desvonde Botes (Rsa), Henk Alberts (Rsa), Joakim Haeggman (Swe), Chris Williams (Rsa), James Kamte (Rsa)

70 Chris Gane, Branden Grace (Rsa), Clodomiro Carranza (Arg), Andre Bossert (Swi), Hendrik Buhrmann (Rsa), Warren Abery (Rsa), Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa), Tyrone Mordt (Rsa), Peter Whiteford, Estanislao Goya (Arg), Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Tc Charamba (Zim), Ryan Cairns (Zim), Michiel Bothma (Rsa), Dominique Nouailhac (Fra), Grant Muller (Rsa), Mark f Haastrup (Den), Christiaan Basson (Rsa), Retief Goosen (Rsa), Edrich Jansen (Rsa), Dylan Frittelli (Rsa), Lorenzo Gagli (Ita), Ruan Botha (Rsa), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Lindani Ndwandwe (Rsa)

71 Merrick Bremner (Rsa), Michael Mcgeady, James Kingston (Rsa), Anders Hansen (Den), Liam Bond, Gerhard Trytsman (Rsa), Ockie Strydom (Rsa), Iain Pyman, Dale Marmion, Jacques Blaauw (Rsa), Alex Haindl (Rsa), Steve Basson (Rsa), Garry Houston, Alan McLean, Morne Buys (Rsa), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Dawie Van der Walt (Rsa), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Marcus Higley, Nico Van Rensburg (Rsa), Richard Sterne (Rsa)

72 Jonathan Caldwell, John Mellor, Leif Westerberg (Swe), Graham De laet (Can), Noel Fox, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice), David Frost (Rsa), Johan Etsebeth (Rsa), Anthony Snobeck (Fra), Wil Besseling (Ned), Thabang Simon (Rsa), Antti Ahokas (Fin), Cameron Johnston (Rsa), Bernd Wiesberger (Aut), Sam Little, Anthony Grenier (Fra), Anton Haig (Rsa), Keenan Davidse (Rsa), Andre Cruse (Rsa), Marc Cayeux (Zim), Sion Bebb, Gary Clark, Rolf Muntz (Ned), Sam Walker, Wallie Coetsee (Rsa)

73 Neil Cheetham, Steven O'Hara, Simon Griffiths, Gregory Molteni (Ita), Johan De buisson (Rsa), Andrew McArthur, Eirik Tage Johansen (Nor), Roland Steiner (Aut), Mark Murless (Rsa), Darryn Lloyd (Rsa), Marc Farry (Fra), Richard Bland, Jaco Ahlers (Rsa), Stuart Manley, Bradley Davison (Rsa), Inder Van Weerelt (Ned), Ryan Tipping (Rsa)

74 Reggie Adams (Rsa), Andrew Butterfield, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa), Eugene Marugi (Rsa), Josh Cunliffe (Rsa), Julien Guerrier (Fra), Heinrich Bruiners (Rsa), Johan Wahlqvist (Swe), Bradford Vaughan (Rsa), Louis De jager (Rsa), Callum Macaulay, Ross Wellington (Rsa), Louis Moolman (Rsa), Teboho Sefatsa(Rsa), Michael Curtis (Zim), Van Phillips

75 Alphuis Kelapile (Rsa), Jonathan Lomas, Derik Ferreira (Rsa), Riaan De bruyn(Rsa), Steve Van Vuuren (Rsa)

76 Titch Moore (Rsa), Ben Evans, Andre Ferreira (Rsa), Pg Van zyl (Rsa), Lars Brovold (Nor), Javier Colomo (Spa), Rafael Echenique (Arg)

77 Stuart Davis, Des Terblanche (Rsa), Neil Schietekat (Rsa)

78 Dean Lambert (Rsa), Simon Wakefield, Mohammed Tayob (Rsa)

79 David Griffiths

80 Ake Nilsson (Rsa), Emmanuel Masoliedze (Rsa)

82 Musolo Nethunzwi (Rsa)

84 John Bele (Rsa)


TRIO SET THE EARLY PACE
Giants’ Spagnuolo interviews with rival Jets