Golf
There’s another feast of golf, with the emphasis very much on Asia, as both the PGA and LPGA pitch their tents on that hotbed of the world game. The men are in Malaysia for the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur, where recently- crowned FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas defends. This is the first of three back- to- back tournaments in Asia. It is followed later this week by the inaugural CJ Cup@ Nine Bridges on the island of Jeju in South Korea. Offering US$ 9.25 million in prizemoney with a limited field of 78 players and no cut, there’s plenty of interest, with Thomas again the star attraction. He is joined by Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman. The LPGA has, not surprisingly, attracted the very best for tournaments in South Korea and Taiwan. Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, New Zealand Open winner Brooke Henderson and Michelle Wei are among the big names teeing it up in the Keb Hana Bank Championship and the Swinging Skirts which follows. In Europe, this week’s Italian Open has plenty of big names, including Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Ryan Fox, while next week, the Sergio Garcia Foundation plays host at the Andaluca Valderrama Masters. The Phoenix, again hit by the FFA’s refusal to recognise Fifa windows, will be back to full strength tomorrow night for their round two visit to Sydney and a date with reigning champions Sydney FC. They had a reasonable first- up showing in taking a point from Adelaide but will find this much harder, as Graham Arnold’s mob come off their opening win over Melbourne Victory. Fifa’s Under- 17 World Cup is down to the last 16, with no second chances now. In Europe, the Champions League is in to round three, with a blockbuster for Tottenham fans who travel to watch them square off against champions Real Madrid. Both won their opening two games and have identical 6- 1 for and against records in Group H. Manchester City also have maximum points and now play second- placed Napoli at home. It’s the same story for Chelsea, who have six points and are at home to second- placed Roma. Group E is the only group without a two- time winner. Sevilla lead with four points and play Spartak Moscow while Liverpool, second with two draws, travel to play Maribor. In the Europa League, Arsenal lead Group H with six points and travel to play Red Star Belgrade, who have four points.