Bits and Pieces

Sweden’s Lingmerth seizes lead at US PGA National

POTOMAC, United States: Sweden’s David Lingmerth birdied four of his first six holes on the way to firing a five-under par 65 and grabbing a one-stroke lead after Thursday’s opening round of the US PGA National.

The 29-year-old Swede, whose uncle played for the 1987 NFL Cleveland Browns, seeks his second PGA title after winning the 2015 Memorial, downing England’s Justin Rose in a playoff.

Lingmerth, third at the 2015 National, was one shot in front of a pack on 66 that included Australia’s Marc Leishman, South Korean Kang Sung, Canada’s Nick Taylor and Americans Troy Merritt, Daniel Summerhays and Johnson Wagner.

The par-70 TPC Potomac layout, hosting its first PGA event since 2006, was formidable, with Players Championship winner Kim Si Woo of South Korea shooting 79 a day after his 22nd birthday and defending champion Billy Hurley on 73.

Justin Thomas, the 12th-ranked American who played in Sunday’s final group two weeks ago at the US Open, made a quadruple bogey 9 at the 10th hole — his career-high score on any hole — and stumbled to a 74.

But Lingmerth had already mastered the course before, winning a Web.com Tour event at the former Avenel layout in 2012.

Lingmerth, who began on the back nine, sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-5 10th but stumbled with a bogey at 11 after finding a greenside bunker with his approach.

He responded with three birdies in a row starting at the par-4 13th, his longest putt an 18-footer at 15, and added back-to-back birdies at 18 and 1, the latter on a 24-foot putt. He followed with a 20-foot birdie putt at the fourth but closed with a bogey to halve his lead.  —AFP

English cricket secures billion pound TV contract

LONDON: English cricket’s finances received a major boost on Friday with a new TV contract netting the governing body the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over a billion pounds.

Sky Sports saw off strong competition from BT Sports for the most expensive part of the contract retaining its position as the main rights holder for the 2020-2024 period.

However, there was some comfort for those who have gone years without watching live cricket on free to air television — the 2005 Ashes was the last domestic cricket to be aired free on Channel Four.

The BBC — who last showed live cricket in 1999 but recently showed highlights of the Champions Trophy tournament — won live broadcast rights from 2020 for 21 matches, including men’s and women’s internationals and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new Twenty20 competition.

The decision on who won the rights was taken by a five man panel including ECB chief executive Tom Harrison and chairman Colin Graves.

Harrison was keen to stress the breadth of coverage the deal will bring could provoke extra interest in the sport.

There has been a fall in participation in recent years despite huge financial investment at all levels.

“This is a great result for cricket. ECB has secured the reach, revenue and relevance the game deserves, to help it to grow,” said Harrison.

“Together, these new deals will deliver the partnership, distribution and investment that will fuel the future of our game.”

Juventus confirm Alves exit amid Man City speculation

TURIN, Italy: Italian champions Juventus have confirmed that defender Dani Alves has left the club after one season amid speculation the Brazilian fullback is set to join Manchester City.

The 34-year-old joined Juventus on a two-year contract from Barcelona last June and made 33 appearances as the club sealed the domestic double but fell to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

“Juventus Football Club is to part company with Dani Alves after agreeing to a termination of the player’s contract,” Juventus said in a statement.

“Alves lifted two trophies in his single season in Turin, contributing to a third consecutive domestic league and cup double for the club before helping the team reach the UEFA Champions League final.

“Media reports in Italy and England have linked Alves with a move to Premier League side City for a reunion with manager Pep Guardiola, who he worked under at Barcelona. Fullbacks Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna all left City at the end of last season.

Gunners fans must get behind Wenger: Gazidis

LONDON: Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Friday urged fans to cease their heckling of Arsene Wenger and unite behind the long-serving manager.

Despite speculation about his future the 67-year-old French coach finally signed a new two-year contract after the end of last season in which Arsenal finished fifth.

“I want the atmosphere to be united,” Gazidis said at a fans event on Friday. “It has been a struggle because we haven’t had that.

“There has been disagreement. There has been a lack of unity and dissatisfaction. The board knows that.

“I beg you, please come together and give our manager and this team support.”

Gazidis, whose own relationship with Wenger was reported to have become strained last season, promised fans that the club were aiming to secure ‘top-quality’ new faces. However, they have seen a big money bid for French international striker Alexandre Lacazette rejected by Lyon and their only signing so far has been Bosnian international defender Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04.

West Ham must buy experienced strikers: Gold

LONDON: West Ham United are focused on adding quality strikers to the squad as their current forwards continue to struggle with recurring injury problems, the Premier League club’s joint-chairman David Gold has said.

Strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho scored a combined eight league goals last campaign as they were plagued with injuries and the London side were heavily reliant on midfielders Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini to make up the deficit.

“It’s clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards... Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards,” Gold told British radio station talkSPORT.

“Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players.

“You have to spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football... the very best we can afford.” —Reuters

Du Plessis remains doubtful for Lord’s Test

CAPE TOWN: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis remains a doubt for the first Test against England at Lords starting on July 6.

Du Plessis is at home with his wife Imari following the birth of their first child on June 23, but has not yet set a date to fly to England, Cricket South Africa said on Friday.

After what officials described as a ‘difficult birth’, du Plessis will remain in South Africa for the foreseeable future and could miss the game at Lords.

Head coach Russell Domingo is back in England after he returned to South Africa following the news his mother was seriously injured in a car accident a week ago.

She has since been discharged from hospital.

South Africa are currently in the second day of a three-day warm-up match against England Lions, where the side is being captained by Dean Elgar in the absence of du Plessis.