GOLF NEWS ROUND-UP:RYDER CUP: The US will name a new Ryder Cup captain tomorrow after Paul Azinger revealed he will not be standing for the role.
Azinger, who guided the Americans to a 16½-11½ victory over Europe in September, told GolfDigest he will not be the captain in 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales.
"All I can say is that it's not going to be me," Paul Azinger told the magazine. "You'll find out who it is on Thursday."
Among the leading contenders to be named captain is Corey Pavin, an assistant under Tom Lehman at The K Club in 2006.
ROYAL TROPHY:Paul McGinley has been named as Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal's first pick for next year's Royal Trophy against Asia.
McGinley, who has not been on a losing team in all five of his appearances for Europe in team golf, will contest the Royal Trophy for the third successive edition.
"I'm sure that it is down to my overall results as a team player," the Dubliner said in a statement. "My unbeaten record when representing Europe is something I am extremely proud of."
The Royal Trophy takes place in Chonburi, Thailand, from January 9th-11th.
WOMEN'S TOUR:Annika Sorenstam has refused to rule out a return to competitive action.
Sorenstam announced in May she would quit the sport at the end of this year, but left open the possibility of a comeback ahead of her final event on the Ladies European Tour.
"I don't have any immediate plans on if I should return and, if so, when," the 38-year-old said ahead of the Dubai Ladies Masters which gets under way tomorrow. "I'm just going to go with the flow and see how I feel."
Sorenstam, who is aiming to win the event at Emirates Golf Club for the third year running, added: "It's a little bittersweet to make this my last professional tournament. I'm here to enjoy it."
The Swede has won 89 tournaments worldwide and became the first woman in 58 years to compete against the men on the PGA Tour.
"If I had to pick one thing that defines me, I would say that it's playing with the men in 2003," she said, referring to her appearance at Colonial, where she performed creditably before missing the cut by four shots.
"I'm only 38, so if there's something I missed I'm going to make sure that it's done by the time I'm finished."
