Golf: Threat to Elkington

A THIRD bout of viral meningitis is threatening to bring a premature end to the career of Steve Elkington. The Australian, who won the USPGA title in 1995, was admitted to a hospital in Texas on Saturday after complaining of a headache during the third round of the Houston Open. He withdrew from the tournament after doctors confirmed that his meningitis had flared up again.

A spokesman for his agents, IMG, said: "It is not life-threatening but he is in a lot of pain. We expect him to be out of the hospital in a few days and back on the tour." Elkington, 36, suffered health problems in 1998 before recovering to win the Buick Challenge in October.