FRIDAY, 12.00NOON:
SOUTH African golf star and US Open champion Ernie Els is still in contention for the Johnnie Walker Super Tour and is currently placed third, behind Nick Faldo and Jasper Parnevik after the second round, played in Bangkok, on Thursday.
Els, the defending champion, joined Faldo and Parnevik in scoring 1-under 71s to take his tally to one stroke behind the joint leaders, who ended the second round at 6-under 138 after both carding 67 on the first day. Felix Casas who is one stroke behind Els.
“I’m only one shot behind, so I am not out of it. By Sunday this competition will be very close,” said the South African.
SPORT BRIEFS
AFRICAN CROSS COUNTRY CHALLENGE STEEPLECHASE world champion Wilson Boit Kipketer of Kenya lead the African challenge with South Africans Hendrik Ramaala and Shadrack Hof in the Durham cross country international on January 3.
GROB IN THE DOCK AGAIN ZIMBABWEAN goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and Hans Seger, who were earlier this year acquitted on criminal charges of match fixing, on Thursday appeared before a UK Football Association disciplinary hearing to answer charges of breaking betting rules. If found guilty, the two could be banned for life.
HOCKEY MEN DEFEATED AGAIN THE SA men’s hockey team lost their third Test match against Argentina 5-3 at the Cenard sports complex in Buenos Aires on Thursday. A hat trick from Diego Chiodo, including two goals in six minutes from short-corners, was supported by goals from Santiago Carirro and German Orozco to seal victory for the home side.
Greg Nicol replied for the visitors with two goals and Mike Cullen pulled one to keep South Africa’s hopes alive. The visitors were very strong in the second half, but lack of midfield direction cost them the game. They are three games down after four matches in the series.
OPPENHEIMER OPANS TOUR A Nicky Oppenheimer Invitational X1 will play Pakistan in the opening match of the Pakistan cricket tour to South Africa on January 29. Tickets will be on sale at computickets early next year.