Rory McIlroy to defend Players title despite withdrawal from Invitational
Rory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round,McIlroy suffered back spasms, with the Northern Irishman unwilling to potentially put appearances at the Players and next month’s Masters at risk by taking to the course at Bay Hill,McIlroy will also be defending the crown at Augusta National,“While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back,” McIlroy said,“As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back.
Unfortunately, I’m not able to continue and have to withdraw,I was excited to compete this weekend,I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year,”After a fine 68 on Friday, McIlroy had been four under par and in the mix at this PGA Tour stop in Florida,Rather than pursue a second Arnold Palmer Invitational win, McIlroy headed across the state to his home in West Palm Beach, where he will rest and take further medical advice before his planned arrival at Sawgrass, in the north of Florida, at the start of the week.
McIlroy is due to undertake a Players press conference on Wednesday morning, when a fitness update will now be the key theme.This marks just the second time in McIlroy’s PGA Tour career – and the first since 2013 – that he has withdrawn from an event.He encountered back problems before the 2023 Tour Championship but played, finishing fourth.McIlroy’s exit continued the theme of high-profile departures from Bay Hill.Those who had missed the halfway cut included Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Keegan Bradley.
Italy claim historic first victory over England as Borthwick’s men are rattled in Rome
Even by the Six Nations’ usual standards this has been a remarkable tournament. And to the list of stunning outcomes can now be added the biggest result in the history of Italian rugby. For the first time in 33 attempts they have beaten England at rugby union and no one could possibly claim the boys in blue did not deserve their long-awaited special day.Entering the final half hour it had seemed as though England might just leave Rome with their dignity intact. Instead, not for the first time in this championship, they were the architects of their own downfall with the momentum of the game swinging decisively after two visiting forwards, including captain Maro Itoje, were sent to the sin-bin simultaneously
Scotland 50 – 40 France: Six Nations rugby union – as it happened
What a game; here’s hoping for something as entertaining in Rome. Follow it with my colleague Dan Gallan hereHere is the full report from MurrayfieldVictorious captain, Sione Tuipulotu“Considering how this tournament started all I asked was the boys to believe, and we have put it right. I can’t thank the supporters enough for coming out to see us. We have a changing room that believes in each other; times were tough after the first round in Italy, but we’ve given ourselves a chance next week. Anything is possible, and we know the challenge Ireland is, and it makes for an awesome final week
Scotland stun France in 50-40 thriller to throw Six Nations title race wide open
So maybe France are not as good as we thought. Maybe England not as bad. Italy definitely better. But Scotland. Bloody hell
US win first medals of Winter Paralympics as Oksana Masters leads American one-two
Oksana Masters led a United States one-two finish in the women’s 7.5km sitting sprint on Saturday, winning gold to deliver the United States’ first medals of the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. Masters crossed the line in 21:21.3 at Val di Fiemme, coming in 16 seconds ahead of teammate Kendall Gretsch, who took silver.Both Americans shot a perfect 10-for-10 on the range, leaving the race to be decided on the snow
Australia v India: one-off women’s cricket Test, day two – as it happened
A record-breaking century from Annabel Sutherland moved Australia to the brink of victory over India in the pink-ball Test at the Waca.Sutherland’s imperious 129 was her fourth century in only seven Tests, the most by an Australian woman and one short of the world record held by England’s Jan Brittin. It helped Australia to 323 all out in their first innings, a lead of 125. By the close India were hanging on at 105 for 6.The outstanding Sutherland received excellent support from Ellyse Perry, who broke an even more significant record during her innings of 76
Winter Paralympics: Russia flies flag with first medals since 2014 as Ukraine stage gold rush
Russian athletes have seized the chance afforded them by these Winter Paralympic Games, claiming two medals on their return from suspension. But as the action came to a close on the opening day, it was Ukraine who led the medal table.The return of Russia to international competition under their own colours has dominated headlines at Milano-Cortina. Bronze medals for two world champion Alpine skiers – Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev – in events that are not their strongest will only increase the scrutiny. However, a dominant day in the Nordic events, including a clean sweep in the men’s biathlon sprint, means Ukraine’s pledge to “be strong” at these Games has begun in convincing fashion
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Make no mistake, this is now a full blown crisis for England and Borthwick | Gerard Meagher
Gregor Townsend keeps his cool after Scotland topple France to stay in title hunt