SOLHEIM CUP:Former women's world number one Annika Sorenstam has rejected the chance to captain the European Solheim Cup team in next year's biennial match against United States.
“The Solheim Cup has been an important part of my career and I hope to one day lead the European team,” the Swede said yesterday.
“After working with captain Alison Nicholas [of Britain] and her team this past year as vice-captain I saw first-hand the incredible amount of work and dedication it takes to be the captain. With my young family, foundation, businesses and other commitments I have already made to try and help grow the game, I simply cannot provide the necessary time,” added Sorenstam.
The 41-year-old, winner of 10 major championships and regarded as one of the greatest female golfers of all time, amassed 89 worldwide victories before retiring in 2008.
She also played in eight Solheim Cups.
Last month Meg Mallon, a four-times major champion, was announced as United States skipper for the match in Parker, Colorado, in August 2013. Mallon takes over from Rosie Jones, who was in charge when Europe won the 2011 edition 15-13 at Dunsany, Co Meath.
EUROPEAN TOUR: Scotland's Peter Whiteford shot a six-under-par 66 to share the first-round lead with Spaniard Alejandro Canizares at the Avantha Masters in New Delhi.
The 31-year-old from Kirkcaldy was only one under at the turn, but started the back nine with four successive birdies and made another from 10 feet on the 358-yard 17th.
Canizares, whose father Jose Maria kept the Ryder Cup in European hands at The Belfry in 1989, also made a late run, collecting five of his seven birdies on the outward half after turning in 34.
They lead by a stroke from Italian Federico Colombo, but former British Open champion John Daly – fourth in Qatar two weeks ago – finished the day second-last following a seven-over-par 79.
That contained two penalty drops away from the trees in a triple-bogey eight at the 14th and then a ball in the water en route to a closing bogey six.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson, seeking his first victory on the circuit in approaching 250 starts, is tied for fourth on four under with Indian Himmat Rai, French pair Gregory Havret and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
Paul McGinley is best placed of the two Irish challengers in the field on two under, with Antrim’s Gareth Maybin a further two shots further back.
US TOUR: Jonathan Byrd set the early pace with an opening round of 68 at a windy Northern Trust Open at the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California yesterday. KJ Choi and Brendan Steele were lying in joint second place after shooting a pair of 69s, while world number one Luke Donald was a shot further back on after firing a one under par 70.
LPGA TOUR: Japan's Ai Miyazato shot a five-under 67 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Honda LPGA Thailand.
The 2010 champion opened with a birdie and had four more on a warm and humid day at the Old Course at Siam Country Club, Pattaya.
American Paula Creamer had a hole-in-one on the 146-yard 12th hole, hitting a seven-iron that one-hopped into the cup. She’s five shots behind Miyazato.
Na Yeon Choi, Se Ri Pak, Amy Yang, Anna Nordqvist and Karrie Webb were one shot behind.
MATCHPLAY: England's Paul Casey is out of next week's Accenture Matchplay Championship in Arizona, but hopes to have recovered from his dislocated shoulder in time for the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami on March 8th-11th.
His withdrawal brings South African George Coetzee into the 64-man field at Dove Mountain, where he will face world number one and defending champion Luke Donald.
