I’M BACKING RORY GLORY
BIG EASY BOWS OUT Willett swaps Masters glory for a canter with his caddie
DANNY WILLETT was on his way to winning a Green Jacket on Masters Sunday last year – but he spent yesterday pitching his way around a public course.
The Yorkshireman became the first defending champion since Mike Weir in 2004 to miss the cut when he took an eight on his first hole on Friday on his way to a 78.
But Willett, who is playing at Hilton Head this week, had to stay in Augusta for last night’s closing ceremony.
So after posing for pictures at the local Forest Hills Golf Club – four miles from Augusta National – with staff and other players, he teed off at 10.10am in a group with caddie Jonathan Smart.
Kellie Pitts, who works in the pro shop, said: “It was a cool experience; he was very friendly. I thought: ‘How cool that he’s playing our course.” JIMMY WHITE is hoping snooker chiefs hand him a career lifeline with a tour wildcard.
The Whirlwind, 54, will drop off the professional circuit at the end of the season after falling in the first round of qualifying for the World Championship.
He lost 10-7 to Jack Lisowski on Friday and faces a wait to learn whether he could have a helping hand back on to the tour.
Two-year cards were offered to Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and James Wattana in 2014, and supporters of White will be hoping the same applies to the six-time World Championship runner-up.
White wrote on Twitter: “Fingers crossed for the wildcard. Hit the ball really well and really fancy giving it another go.”
White last played at the Crucible in 2006, losing to David Gray in the first round. SPEEDWAY: Furious Berwick Bandits boss Gary Havelock had to keep his language in check after his new-look side skidded to another defeat.
Edinburgh Monarchs triumphed 48-42 at Berwick on Saturday with Ricky Wells top scoring with 14 points.
Havelock said: “The words I want to say would have a bleep machine go into overdrive but we were very disappointing.
“It’s not because we’re not gelling as a team, it’s just we can’t gate to save our lives at the moment.”
Edinburgh director Mike Hunter said: “Excellent result. if you’d offered me six points from our first two matches I would have taken it.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow Tigers beat Newcastle Diamonds 51-42 on Saturday. BASKETBALL: Caledonia Pride are still clinging on to their hopes of a WBBL play-off place in their debut season despite a 86-70 defeat to Sevenoaks Suns.
It leaves Pride in ninth place with three games left of the league campaign. MOTORSPORT: Belgian Thierry Neuville won the Corsica stage of the World Rally Championship.