WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT
HOT MATT KUCHAR
THE American’s final round of 69 was a decent effort amid all the hullabaloo of Jordan Spieth’s epic journey around Royal Birkdale and his words when it was over reflected well on him. How he resisted the temptation to ask the one question on every golfer’s lips we will never know. How on earth was the practice ground from which Spieth launched his comeback not deemed to be out of bounds?
ANYA SHRUBSOLE
DETAILS of the England bowler’s 6-46 in the World Cup final was stuck on to the Lord’s honours board with masking tape during Sunday’s celebrations only to disappear the next day. Now it seems Shrubsole’s heroics will be commemorated on a new board that is planned to record heroics by men and women in the one-day game.
CONNOR GOLDSON
THE Brighton defender is back in action following surgery to repair a life-threatening heart condition. The swollen aorta was detected by a routine heart check carried out by his club last season. We have surely reached a stage where players at all levels should insist on these once a year.
NOT MAURICIO POCHETTINO
THE idea of Tottenham deliberately not spending any money is a nice one but not really reflective of what has happened this summer at White Hart Lane. Manager Pochettino does indeed have a belief in the club’s youth system but has also spent the last month trying and failing to sign players. The truth is that Spurs will remain financially uncompetitive until their new stadium is ready and that means this season at Wembley could be a very long one indeed.
PHIL TUFNELL
THE former England spinner has been described as the Marmite man of the Test Match Special commentary team. That is a generous description.
RAHEEM STERLING
PEP GUARDIOLA’S summer campaign to put his own mark on his Manchester City team leaves Sterling looking like the odd one out at the moment. The 22-year-old England international remains a deeply talented player who will improve as he matures but if his future is to be at City then it may be as a squad player.