The Sport Matrix: Friday 3 April 2015

O’Meara: Tiger will play in Masters

Mark O’Meara believes his friend Tiger Woods will play in next week’s Masters.

Former world No 1 Woods, whose ranking this week plummeted to 104th, has struggled badly for form and fitness this season and has competed only twice on the PGA Tour, although he played 18 holes at Augusta in the last few days to see if he was tournament ready.

“I think he will play,” O’Meara said. “But I also understand he is doing what he needs to do for him. He’s the kind of athlete that when people start to doubt him, that is a good motivating factor to turn it around.”

Bruce promises his wife he’ll go on diet

Steve Bruce has promised his wife he will go on a diet after unflattering pictures of him on a Barbados beach were published.

The Hull manager says he was baffled that anyone would be interested in the photos, which highlighted Bruce’s ample girth. “I don’t think too many 55-year-olds look that good on a beach, do they?” he said, “but I have promised I will go on a diet.

“So watch out – I’m going to turn into the horriblest, most awkward b******d you have ever come across. I have had some letters saying it’s nice to see someone relaxing in their own skin – not many, mind!”

Oxford women’s crew rescued

The Oxford University women’s Boat Race team have had to be rescued from the Thames by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) after being overcome by choppy waters.

The Oxford crew and their cox were training for the Boat Race which – along with the men’s race – takes place a week tomorrow.

After the rowers were returned safely to Putney after Wednesday’s mishap, the sunken boat was recovered.

The RNLI revealed the conditions had been caused by strong wind against the tide forming three successive waves that poured over the boat’s riggers, “creating an influx that could not be managed by the craft’s bilge pump”. Chiswick RNLI helmsman Ian Owen said: “Oxford dealt with the situation as safely and calmly as possible.”

Wiggins secures first win of season

Sir Bradley Wiggins has secured his first victory of the season after winning the stage 3b time trial at the Three Days of De Panne.

Riding in his final time trial for Team Sky, Wiggins dominated on the 14.2km course, coming home in 17min 49sec, ahead of Stefan Küng (BMC Racing) and third-placed Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), who was the overall winner. Wiggins finished third overall.