Sunesson and Faldo part ways

Golf: Caddie Fanny Sunesson has ended her 10-year golfing partnership with Nick Faldo.

The pair were considered inseparable on the course as Faldo won four majors with Sunesson, but Faldo said he wishes Sunesson well for the future. "She goes with my good will and gratitude for the contribution she has made to my success."

"Our success is well documented and I know it will be difficult to attain anything like it elsewhere," said Sunesson.

Sunesson joined forces with Faldo in 1990 and months later the pair captured the Masters. Faldo later added a second British Open title, a third major followed in 1992 when the Open was claimed again and in 1996 Faldo won the Masters for the third time.

Sunesson has been linked with Spain's Sergio Garcia, who sacked his American caddie Jerry Higginbotham earlier this week.

Meanwhile, British Open champion Paul Lawrie announced yesterday that he is to join the American tour. "The decision has taken some time but at this stage of my career I feel that it is something I would like to do," he said.

Tennis: John Doran is a doubtful starter for Ireland's team in the European men's team championship in Istanbul on December 3rd to 5th. The Harvard University student has picked up a knee injury in US collegiate play and is unlikely to be match-fit for the event, writes Pat Roche.

The recent Turkish earthquake may bring about a change of venue for the series. Turkey are included along with Austria, Slovenia and Ireland in the division one group.

The women's team for the corresponding event will be in action at Espiniho in Portugal from November 26th to 28th. Morale in Peter Lowther's team soared last week when Yvonne Doyle won a $25,000 event in Hull.

Soccer: John Toshack has been sacked as coach of Real Madrid. The ailing Spanish giants made the announcement in Madrid yesterday afternoon. Welshman Toshack's days had looked numbered following a run without a win in domestic competition stretching back to August 29th.

A victory over leaders Rayo Vallecano offered him a temporary reprieve, but Real president Lorenzo Sanz has decided to give the world club champions a fresh start. Toshack took over from Dutchman Guus Hiddink nine months ago.

In a statement Real thanked Toshack for his services, and named little known Vicente del Bosque, a former player with the club, as his successor. Toshack was given a vote of confidence by the Real board at the start of the month but that proved to be the kiss of death.

The former Liverpool striker failed, in the eyes of Real's fanatical fans, to justify the huge overhaul of the team he began in the summer. He offloaded Davor Suker to Arsenal and bought Nicolas Anelka from the London club. But the French striker has yet to score a goal for his new team.

Athletics: A power-struggle to fill one of the most influential posts in world sport may erupt today in Monte Carlo when the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council meets. The death of former IAAF president Primo Nebiolo has left the organisation totally unprepared to fill the huge void left behind.

Nebiolo's seat has been filled by Senegal's Lamine Diack, the IAAF's senior vice-president, who can remain in charge until the next IAAF Congress in 2001. But sources within the IAAF admit that some would-be presidential hopefuls are loath to let the Senegalese businessman remain in charge. "If they settle the issue quickly by holding a quick election it will avoid two years of bitter infighting," one source claimed.