Faldo predicts slam for Woods

US TOUR:Nick Faldo is predicting golf history will be made this year by Tiger Woods winning the Grand Slam of all four majors.

As Woods strolled towards a fourth successive victory in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines -also his fourth tournament win in a row - European Ryder Cup captain Faldo is now certain in his mind.

Asked to comment on a previous statement that this could be the clean sweep season for the world number one, Faldo replied: "Let's take away the 'could'. This will be the year when Tiger does the Grand Slam.

"He looks so solid compared to anyone else. It's been a quite unbelievable display here. The message he sends to his fellow competitors is a bit of a bolt."

Four ahead after the second round and eight clear with 18 holes to play, Woods birdied the first, sixth, 11th and 13th holes and, on 21 under par, was 11 clear of nearest rival Stewart Cink with five holes to play.

OLAZABAL: Jose Maria Olazabal has again delayed his comeback from the rheumatism which has kept him out of action since last August.

The two-time US Masters champion, suffering in his shoulder and groin, entered the Qatar Masters and this week's Desert Classic, but after pulling out of the first of those he has now withdrawn his name from the Dubai field as well.

Olazabal's last event was the US PGA Championship, and because of problems with his knee before that he has played only two tournaments since the US Open last June.

WOMEN: England's Laura Davies made a perfect start to the season with a two-stroke victory in the New South Wales Open at Oatlands in Sydney.

The 44-year-old carded rounds of 70, 70 and 67 to finish on nine under par, ahead of Australian 19-year-old Sarah Oh.

Davies began the final round two strokes behind overnight leader Oh, but after shooting six birdies and one bogey in the final round, she secured the Ken Lee Trophy.