Saudi-backed LIV Tour looks at staging national opens after plug on talent drain

Tournaments as opposed to players could become the next key domain in elite golf’s power struggle, with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV circuit exploring the staging of national opens. Any such approach is likely to cause anxiety within the corridors of power at the DP World, formerly European, Tour given the number of such events already on its schedule.While the talent drain of elite players from traditional tours towards LIV has stopped, or reversed, the concept of increased competition for prime tournament markets is an intriguing one.LIV executives have rightly reflected positively on competitions staged outside the US, primarily in Australia and South Africa. They are now advocating an increasingly international schedule

Super League’s rousing Rivals Round offers timely boost for takeover talks

Healthy crowds, a five-way title race and some stunning action give NRL executives plenty to be encouraged bySuper League’s possible takeover by the National Rugby League could gather pace in the coming weeks as executives head to the UK for talks to thrash out a deal. Had the NRL’s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, or anyone associated with the game in Australia watched the past few days, they would have been mightily impressed with matters both on and off the field.The overriding mood in recent months as speculation rises over a partnership between rugby league’s two premier competitions has been that Super League is in desperate need of help. A league in crisis, sinking without a trace unless the sprinkling of magic that follows the NRL at every turn steps in and saves the day.Financially, that may be true

Female athletes’ fertility is still a blind spot | Letter

As you report, changes to insurance cover for female athletes following the Carney review are welcome (Landmark changes to insurance cover for female athletes to be implemented, 30 March). Addressing contraception, pregnancy, menopause and other health conditions disproportionately affecting women is long overdue.Yet one crucial blind spot remains: fertility. Elite athletes push their bodies to extremes, often with low body fat and intense training, which can disrupt hormones and menstrual cycles. Nearly two-thirds experience irregular or absent periods, which can affect fertility

Rayasi hat-trick inspires nine-try Bordeaux in crushing win against Leicester

Even at full-strength, Leicester would have struggled against the most potent attack in Europe. But without a string of first-choice forwards – including Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith – the result at a sun-drenched Stade Chaban-Delmas was never in doubt.So it proved as Bordeaux Bégles tore their English guests to shreds, scoring nine tries to underline their status as continental champions with a 64-14 win. A quarter-final against their domestic rivals, Toulouse, will be required viewing next weekend.It took a while for the floodgates to open

‘It can be overwhelming’: Talia Gibson on her rapid rise and going toe-to-toe with the big hitters | Jack Snape

She is the little-known Australian who has the tennis world talking, with the power to go toe-to-toe with the biggest hitters in the game.Talia Gibson became the youngest player in seven years to reach a quarter-final in her debut at one of the not-quite-grand-slam tournaments – known as WTA 1000s – last month, as part of an eye-catching run during which she beat five top 20-ranked players.Despite her coaches spending years reminding her of her immense potential, the admittedly shy 21-year-old agrees she is only now beginning to believe.“Something that I’ve reflected on the most was how much more belief I think I should have had in myself,” she says, speaking from her home town of Perth before the Billie Jean King Cup tie in Melbourne against Great Britain which starts on Friday.At Indian Wells at the start of March, she won through qualifying then reeled off victories against Ekaterina Alexandrova (ranked 11), Clara Tauson (17) and Jasmine Paolini (7) before losing against the world No 14 Linda Noskova in three sets

Tradition, trepidation and that Augusta ‘thing’ – why the Masters remains golf’s greatest prize

They say the Masters is all about tradition. One involves the sense of trepidation that collides with excitement as the finest golfers in the world take to Augusta National. Rory McIlroy, now a Masters champion, was scared to take a divot when first taking to the Georgia venue. “For my first two or three times, it kind of felt like I was in a museum,” says Xander Schauffele.Some visibly wilt under an intimidation provided by a course that is picture perfect