The Sport Matrix: Monday 22 July 2013

Bold Mickelson takes Open after Westwood woe

Lee Westwood suffered final-day heartbreak at a major once again as a superb last round by Phil Mickelson earned the American his first Open title at Muirfield.

Mickelson, right, registered a final round 66, equalling the best score of this year’s tournament, to take the early clubhouse lead, with Westwood suffering a final-day 75. The Englishman finished joint third – alongside compatriot Ian Poulter – four shots off the lead.

“I didn’t play well enough today,” Westwood, who has now finished in the top 10 of a major 16 times without winning, admitted afterwards. “I don’t really get disappointed with golf any more. I would not have done anything differently.”

MICKELSON’S MAJORS

2004 Masters Finished one shot clear of South African Ernie Els

2005 PGA Ended two shots in front of Dane Thomas Bjorn and Steve Elkington, of Australia

2006 Masters Finished two shots clear of South African Tim Clark

2010 Masters Ended three shots ahead of England’s Lee Westwood

2013 Open Finished three shots clear of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson

Froome wins title as Cav misses out

Chris Froome secured a second Tour de France title for Britain in as many years in Paris last night, but compatriot Mark Cavendish failed to win the final stage of the Champs Elysées. It was the Briton’s first ever failure to win the final stage, ending a four-year reign. MORE

Dominant England ease into 2-0 lead

England thrashed Australia by 347 runs at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series. Declaring on 349 for 7, with Joe Root out for 180, England set the tourists 583 for victory. They were eventually bowled out for 235 in the final over of the day, Graeme Swann taking four wickets. MORE

Cherries hit for six by Ancelotti’s Real

Real Madrid cantered to a 6-0 victory at Bournemouth last night in a pre-season friendly. Former Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as the Carlo Ancelotti’s side led by three at the break, before adding a further three after the interval. MORE

Chadli makes Tottenham switch

Tottenham Hotspur yesterday bolstered their squad with the addition of FC Twente midfielder Nacer Chadli. The 23-year-old moves to White Hart Lane in a £7m deal and follows Brazlian international Paulinho in joining Andre Villas-Boas’ side this summer. MORE

Weakened Wolves come out on top

The risk of fielding an under-strength team paid off for Warrington as they beat Hull KR 34-6 to maintain the pressure at the top of the Super League. The Wolves rested a number of players with next weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final in mind. MORE

Clarke: We didn’t have the discipline

Michael Clarke admitted his Australia side had woefully underperformed at Lord’s. “Our performance with the bat in the first innings was unacceptable,” the captain said. “Our shot selection was poor and we didn’t have the discipline England had.” MORE

Jose: Lukaku can challenge Torres

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted he sees Romelu Lukaku as a challenger to Fernando Torres for the club’s main striking role. The Belgian scored his second goal in two matches as Chelsea beat a Malaysia XI 4-1 yesterday. MORE

Italian killed in Moscow crash

The sport was in mourning last night following the death of Italian Andrea Antonelli in a World Supersport race at the Moscow Raceway. The 25-year-old lost control of his Kawasaki in rainy conditions and collided with the Honda of Lorenzo Zanetti. MORE

Dank regains face for British fillies

British fillies regained some honour at The Curragh yesterday following the Irish Oaks, Sir Michael Stoute’s Dank winning the Kilboy Stakes. Ryan Moore brought her to the front a furlong from home. MORE

James Lawton

If there was a loud cry of support for Lee Westwood when he forlornly tapped in his final putt, there was also the grim possibility that his last chance to win a major might just have come and gone. MORE