RAH M IN G S PE ED
Spanish star Jon’s eyeing up a swift attack on Mcilroy’s position as the world No.1
GOLF’S WORLD TOP 10 1 Rory Mcilroy NIR 9.45 2 Jon Rahm ESP 8.48 3 Brooks Koepka USA 7.73 4 Justin Thomas USA 7.41 5 Dustin Johnson USA 6.45 6 Adam Scott AUS 5.97 7 Patrick Cantlay USA 5.87 7 Patrick Reed USA 5.87 9 Webb Simpson USA 5.84 10 Tommy Fleetwood ENG 5.58
JUSTIN THOMAS insists the new world of mandatory testing that golfers underwent this week was an easy process – and one they should get used to.
The American world No.4 (left), who will make his Charles Schwab Challenge debut at Colonial Country Club, said nasal swabs and thermal scans were a small price to pay to get back on the course.
“I would say 2020 is beyond a bizarre year so far and, especially in the world of sports, it’s just going to be different,” Thomas said. “If we all want to get back and play the game that we love – and not just for us but for the fans and everybody at home – we’re just going to have to get over the fact that it’s going to be different and be a little weird.”
But despite tomorrow’s talent-laden field that is the first of the Fedexcup era other than The Players Championship to showcase 100 or more PGA Tour winners, Thomas expects to see a dip in the quality of play.
“The quality of play is going to be all over the place because of rust and just being away from competitive golf that long,” the 27-year-old said. “You’re going to see definitely a wide variety of scores.”
RUGBY UNION
MUNSTER chief executive Ian Flanagan has confirmed a review of the province’s “anti-doping education and protocols” has taken place in the wake of James Cronin’s one-month ban.
The Ireland prop (below) was suspended after testing positive for banned substances following the Reds’ Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 in November.
Prednisolone and prednisone were found in the 29-year-old’s system, although an independent judicial officer subsequently ruled the failed test was “entirely unintentional” and due to a “dispensing error”.
Flanagan admitted Cronin had been “incredibly unfortunate” and “lived through a huge amount of stress and worry”.
He added: “We have reviewed our processes because you can always do better.”
CORONAVIRUS FALLOUT