WARNEY WAS SIMPLY THE BEST... R.I.P PAL

I WAS so devastated and so sad to hear the news of the death of Shane Warne at the relatively young age of just 52.

I wasn’t his best mate or anything like that, but I knew Shane (left) to have a few beers with and, from that, I know what a decent, funny and genuine bloke he was.

We played golf together quite a few times, in pro-ams at Wentworth, and in the Icons Golf Tournament in Dubai, too, and he was always good for a beer and a goodhumoured conversation afterwards.

We were team-mates… which few Englishmen can say.

We played together in Dubai and, for all the fact that he loved a laugh and loved life, too, he was a serious competitor. I think people overlook that side of him, but you don’t get to be the best in the world – the best ever – without that streak of ruthless competitive spirit.

It’s a terrible day for world sport and a sad loss, and my thoughts go out to his three children and the rest of his family.