The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 18 June 2013

Rose pays tribute to his late father after US Open win

As Justin Rose woke up yesterday morning as US Open champion, he will have once again remembered the influence his late father had on his career.

Ken Rose was behind his son every step of the way before dying of leukaemia in 2002, and the newly-crowned 32-year-old champion, born in South Africa, looked to the sky as a tribute to his father after tapping in to win his first major at Merion on Sunday night.

Rose felt the situation was fitting for him to say thank you to his father, on Father’s Day of all days, and said he had been thinking of his dad for the days running all the way up to the final round.

For week after week of Justin’s professional career, Ken would either caddy for Justin or walk outside the ropes. He was a quiet, stoical presence, a rock for his son.

Ken’s presence was often a subject of criticism by others who wanted Justin to learn to do things on his own. Not for the first time, Ken Rose was right, his critics were wrong. MORE

White: Lions have banked on first win

ACT Brumbies head coach Jake White believes the Lions’ first Test against Australia is “make or break” for Warren Gatland’s side. “They’ve staked everything on winning,” said White, whose side face the Lions today. “All their dynamics depends on them going one up.” MORE

Watson on the rise after big victory

Heather Watson secured her best win since returning from glandular fever to reach the second round of the AEGON International in Eastbourne.

The British No 2 defeated world No 27 Varvara Lepchenko 6-3 6-4 to set up a second-round clash with Elena Vesnina.

Pardew to remind Kinnear who’s boss

Alan Pardew is ready to tell Newcastle’s new director of football, Joe Kinnear, that he remains in sole control of the first team. Kinnear has claimed he will have authority over the style of play when he takes on the role, which the club had still not confirmed last night. MORE

Gill to be given Uefa FFP power

David Gill, the former Manchester United chief executive, will chair the Uefa committee with ultimate power to recommend bans on clubs breaching financial fair play rules. This has the potential to antagonise Manchester City, who are in a battle to reduce their £97.m losses. MORE

Tahitians make history in Brazil

Tahiti created their own history last night despite their 6-1 defeat to Nigeria at the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Ranked 138th in the world, Jonathan Tehau scored in the 54th minute for Tahiti, who face Uruguay and Spain in their remaining games.

Tredwell set for Swann’s roll again

Graeme Swann is likely to miss England’s Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa tomorrow at The Oval. James Tredwell should replace him after making a typically worthy effort in the win against New Zealand on Sunday. MORE

Bailey hopeful for Ashes despite exit

Australia one-day captain George Bailey has hope for the Ashes despite exiting the Champions Trophy with a 10-run loss to Sri Lanka yesterday. “There’s probably not a great deal of confidence there but it’s a very different mindset.”

Burrow fires Leeds to win over Widnes

Rob Burrow starred as a below-strength Leeds side still had just enough quality to beat last season’s much improved bottom side Widnes 38-28. Burrow scored two tries and helped to set up two more as last year’s champions held on.

Kondogbia on Chelsea’s radar

The French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, who has just finished his first season at Seville, is a key Chelsea target as they seek to sign a defensive midfielder as part of their squad strengthening over the summer. MORE

James Lawton

On the begrudging Merion track, which for four days had treated the heirs of Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones as though they were nothing so much as impostors, Rose refused to be intimidated. MORE