Sports digest

Today's other stories in brief

Asian Tour set to expand schedule

GOLF:The Asian Tour's 2010 schedule will offer some €27 million in prize money and feature at least five new events, as well as a new secondary circuit for emerging talent, the tour announced yesterday.

Executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said in a statement the tour would launch new events in India and Malaysia and was finalising tournaments in Taiwan and Vietnam, underlining its regional appeal.

The total prize fund was expected to increase to €30 million from 2012, he added.

“The success of our players, including the historic triumph by Yang Yong-eun in the PGA Championship this year and Thongchai Jaidee’s record third victory in our Order of Merit, has been a telling factor in attracting major sponsors,” he added.

The schedule, which has only one event on mainland China, kicks off with the Asian Tour International in Thailand and features at least 28 tournaments.

'Champions' line up at Alsaa

ATHLETICS:Athletics Ireland will tomorrow stage a Night of Champions as part of the final countdown to Sunday's European Cross Country championships in Santry, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Four of Ireland’s most successful athletes – John Treacy, Eamonn Coghlan, Sonia O’Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan – will be on stage at the Alsaa complex next to Dublin airport for an open interview session, followed by a QA with the audience.

McKiernan was the winner of the inaugural European Cross Country back in 1994 and will offer a unique insight into Sunday’s event – which marks the first time the championships are staged on Irish soil.

Tomorrow's Night of Champions gets under way at 8pm, with an admission price of just €10. For more see www.athleticsireland.ie.

Atlantic race postponed

ROWING: The Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, due to depart today from La Gomera in the Canaries, has again been postponed – this time because of a forecast of strong winds later this week. Irishman Sean McGowan is one of the entrants, reports Liam Gorman.

The race was originally scheduled to start on Sunday, but a problem with the shippping of flares to the Canaries led to the first delay.

It is understood that the latest weather forecast suggests that 25 knot winds could have assailed the rowing boats on Friday. The fleet may now not depart until next Wednesday (December 16th).

McGowan, from Shannon Rowing Club, plans to become the first Irishman to row solo across the Atlantic. He is raising money for Soweto Connection, an Irish charity helping South African communities.

Westwood named European Tour's player of the year

GOLF:Lee Westwood has been named the European Tour's golfer of the year after a season which ended with him being crowned European number one for the second time in his career.

The 36-year-old Englishman’s chances of becoming European number one again had looked remote when he plummeted to 246th in the world several years after his order of merit win in 2000.

“It is a fantastic honour and caps a wonderful season for me and all those who have helped me get to this position,” said Westwood, who has been European Tour golfer of the year twice before, in 1998 and 2000. He now joins Severiano Ballesteros, Ernie Els and Nick Faldo as a three-time winner.

“This probably means more to me in recognising how I have fought my way back to the top.”

At one point, eight years ago, Westwood contemplated giving up.

Westwood clinched top place in the Race to Dubai with victory in last month’s Dubai World Championship.

Australia frustrate West Indies

CRICKET: Australia were outplayed on the final day of the Adelaide Test against West Indies but did enough to earn a draw against Chris Gayle's improving side.

After Gayle became only the fourth West Indian to carry his bat in compiling 165, West Indies, all out for 317, set the Aussies 330 to win in 81 overs.

When Australia lost their fifth wicket not long after tea, the Windies were the only team with a chance to win. But Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin rode their luck as they ended on 212 for 5.

English umpire Mark Benson has revealed he withdrew after the first day of the second Test between Australia and West Indies because of ill health. There had been speculation that he walked out because he was unhappy with the new umpire review system.

But, in a statement, Benson denied this and added he had not quit his job. Benson said he was due to undergo medical assessments before discussing his future as an ICC elite umpire.