Mazzarri to step down

LONDON: Italian Walter Mazzarri will step down as manager of Watford after the final game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday, the Premier League club said yesterday. Former Inter Milan coach Mazzarri joined Watford last May, replacing Quique Sanchez Flores, and guided the club to Premier League safety. “After the board discussed with Walter Mazzarri the club’s future goals and aspirations, it was decided he will be stepping down from his position as the club’s head coach after the final game of the 2016/17 season,” Watford said. “We thank Walter and his staff for the contribution they have made to Watford Football Club over the past year.” Watford are 16th in the table having lost their last five league games in a row. Mazzarri was the eighth head coach to work under Watford’s Italian owner, Gino Pozzo, whose family took over the club in 2012. – Reuters

Pfeifer wins again

AMERICAN Chad Pfeifer waved his magic wand – his extremely user-friendly putter – one last time by sinking a 20-footer for birdie from just off the green at King David Mowbray’s par-4 18th hole yesterday to win the Canon SA Disabled Golf Open for the second year running. The south-easter made conditions tougher than during the first two days, as Pfeifer closed with a level-par 72 for a four-under aggregate of 212. The US golfer, whose left leg was blown off in a military accident during the war in Iraq, won the World Disabled Open last year. He finished six strokes clear of second-placed Juan Postigo of Spain who closed with a 75 for a two-over-par 218 total. Postiogo, born without a right leg, chooses not to wear a prosthetic, unlike Pfeifer. – Grant Winter