Hull just loses out in battle of the teenagers
England’s 18-year-old Charley Hull had to settle for second place behind fellow teenager Xi Yu Lin in the Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan, China yesterday.
Hull (right) carded a final round of 69 at Yalong Bay Golf Club, but saw the 18-year-old Chinese Lin recover from an early bogey with four birdies and an eagle in a closing 67 to win by five shots.
“It was a good day and I’m happy with how I’m playing,” said Hull. “It was windy out there again today. I nearly holed so many long putts, but they were all on the edge.
“I’m pretty happy with the way I’m putting and I’m not missing any short putts like I did here last year”
McIlroy earns Race to Dubai crown
Rory McIlroy capped the best season of his career by adding the European Tour’s Race to Dubai title to his two majors. McIlroy, who sat out this week’s Turkish Airlines Open, knew the crown would be his if Sergio Garcia, Marcel Siem and Jamie Donaldson did not win that event, which Brooks Koepka triumphed in. McIlroy said: “To win the Race to Dubai for the second time really is truly special.”
Morkel shines as South Africa win
Morne Morkel earned career-best ODI figures of 5-21 as South Africa levelled their series against Australia with a three-wicket victory in the second ODI. Australia made just 154 and, while South Africa laboured in their run chase, AB de Villiers’ 48 helped them win.
‘Courageous’ Wales draw with Belgium
Wales earned a valuable goalless away draw with Belgium as they maintained their unbeaten start to their European Championship qualifying campaign. “Our courage earned us a point,” Wales manager Chris Coleman said of his side, whose second draw adds to their two Group B wins so far. He added: “Eighteen months ago we would probably have buckled and lost that game but we have grown as a team.”
Wood bemoans England’s defeat
England’s blind-side flanker Tom Wood lamented the team’s poor attacking play as they fell short yet again in their defeat by South Africa on Saturday, their fifth consecutive loss. He said: “We should have put it behind them a bit more, put them under pressure. The Boks did certain things very well, especially when it came to sending up the high balls. We had a plan too, but didn’t execute it.”
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