The Sport Matrix: Friday 9 August 2013

Furyk revels in calm before the storm

Jim Furyk was the early clubhouse leader in the first round of the US PGA Championship last night, the American carding a five-under-par 65. Englishmen Paul Casey (-3), Lee Westwood (-3 after 12) and Justin Rose (-3 after 10) were also well placed before storms halted play. MORE

Hot Spot retained for fourth Test

England and Australia reconvene in the Ashes series in Durham today, with Alastair Cook’s side seeking to secure the series. The controversial Hot Spot imaging system has been retained, despite varying inconsistencies arising from the use of the system in the series so far. MORE

Girl power tipped to shake up Shergar

The female team of Rosie Napravnik, Cathy Gannon and Lisa Allpress have been given every chance of winning at the Shergar Cup tomorrow, with Ladbrokes making them equal favourites for the Ascot race, along with Great Britain and Ireland and the Rest of the World. MORE

Suarez transfer would be ‘ludicrous’

Liverpool owner John W Henry has reiterated the club’s stance of keeping want-away striker Luis Suarez at Anfield. “To sell Luis to a rival would be ludicrous,” the American said of the protracted saga. “For football reasons we can’t sell – and especially not to Arsenal.” MORE

Murray’s winning run is halted

Andy Murray’s return to action suffered a setback last night as the Wimbledon champion lost 6-4 6-3 to Ernests Gulbis in the third round of Montreal’s Rogers Cup. It was the Scot’s first loss in 14 matches. He now moves on to the Cincinnati Open. MORE

Chambers puzzled by positive tests

Dwain Chambers admits he is mystified why there are still positive dope tests in the sport. “I don’t know what motivates people,” he said. “They should look at what I went through. That should be enough of a deterrent.” MORE

Swansea City sail into play-offs

Swansea City will be in today’s draw for the Europa League play-offs after a 0-0 draw in Malmo last night secured a 4-0 aggregate win. Tottenham are also in the draw but Motherwell went out at Kuban Krasnodar, losing 3-0 on aggregate.

Premier League unveils GDS

The Premier League yesterday launched the new Goal Decision System which will be implemented across the competition this season. The device will first be used in Sunday’s Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium.

Saints opt to stick with sinner Hartley

Northampton director Jim Mallinder will stick with Dylan Hartley as captain, despite his red card in last season’s Premiership final. “We all make mistakes,” he said. “I think Dylan will learn that lesson.” MORE

James Lawton

Kevin Pietersen is a genius for seeing every contentious situation he has found himself in through the prism of his own injured feelings. He, like the England team, needs to step out of the bunker. MORE

Hodgson confident of Rooney mindset for Scotland match

England manager Roy Hodgson expects Wayne Rooney to be focused on international matters after including the Manchester United striker in his squad for next week’s friendly with Scotland.

The forward, right, has been angling for a move from Old Trafford all summer, but Hodgson believes his mind will be on the job as England look toward the autumn’s World Cup qualifiers.

“I expect him to put problems he may have behind him and give everything for England,” Hodgson said of Rooney, who has made just one friendly appearance since May and has recently suffered hamstring and shoulder injuries. “Wayne’s discipline and the disciplined performances he has given have given me no concern.”

Hodgson has given the Southampton forward Rickie Lambert a first call-up for Wednesday’s fixture, while Wilfried Zaha, of Manchester United, has also been included. MORE