Golf

Seve Ballesteros has withdrawn from the Freeport McDermott Classic in New Orleans, his last chance to make a half-way cut this year before next week's US Masters. He pulled out on the eve of the tournament because of a heavy cold he has been suffering from since the end of last week.

The best women golfers in Europe are to take on the pick of the senior male players in a new matchplay challenge event in Portugal later this year. The Praia D'El Rey European Cup will be held from 14-16 November and take the form of a Solheim Cup/Ryder Cup style match with 10 players from the WPG European Tour competing against 10 from the PGA European Seniors Tour. The first eight players from the respective Orders of Merit will automatically qualify for the tournament at the new Praia D'El Rey course near Obidos, with the team captain selecting the remaining two members.