Q&A; That old tinker, Taylor

Q. Jack Nicklaus did brilliantly to finish equal sixth in the US Masters at the age of 58. Has anyone else as old done so well in a golfing major?

A. The great J H Taylor comes to mind. In 1924 at the age of 53, he came fifth in The Open at Hoylake. In those days, there were two qualifying rounds for everybody and he was best of the qualifiers. If those rounds had counted, he would have won by at least two shots from Walter Hagan. Two years before that he came sixth - only four strokes behind the same winner.

P Canter, Liverpool

Q. I have heard it said many times by cricket experts that a captain is setting a "Carmody" field for a batsman. What is this?

A. The "Carmody Field" was named after Keith Carmody, who skippered the Aussies Forces team in the "Test" against British Forces at Lord's (his side included Miller, Hassett etc). The pattern, also known as the "Umbrella Field", was eight, perhaps even nine, men behind or level with the bat in an arc to back up a superfast opening attack.

Gron Williams, Hereford

Answers please

Q. Is there anything legally preventing me from setting up my own boxing association, and awarding my own world titles?

Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Q. What happened to Jimmy White's bald patch?

Bill Howard, Streatham

If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a sporting question of your own, write to Q&A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-293 2894