Take a bow Graeme McDowell

Posted by Alex Livie 5 days, 11 hours ago

In a sporting era when the rewards for success are huge and penalties for failure severe, moments of genuine honesty are increasingly rare. Graeme McDowell handed us one on the 18th hole at the Honda Classic on Friday.

McDowell stood on the 18th tee a shot behind the leader, but sent his tee shot flying towards the water on the right-hand side of the fairway. McDowell reached his ball to find it part-submerged but still playable. Rather than take a penalty drop, he elected to try and advance the ball up the fairway – which he did.

The problem for McDowell is that the water is classed as a hazard and as such you are not allowed to ground your club prior to impact. Upon taking his backswing, the sole of McDowell’s club feathered the water. It was such a minor touch that it was not spotted by any of the commentators at the time and later replays had to be scrutinised to show the offence.

McDowell knew though, the vast majority of sportsmen do in such instances, and before he had stepped back on to the fairway he had informed the TV commentator following his game that he felt he had touched the water. A two-shot penalty resulted, sending McDowell back into the pack, and it could result in him losing the tournament. That may be the case, but he has won much more than money: respect.

Too often we see footballers take a chunk out of an opposing player and say ‘never touched him ref’. The last time I played football, granted it was just past the time when there were laces in the ball, but a leg did not feel much like the ball and you knew when a foul had been committed.

Cricket is the same, it is sickening to see cricketers claim catches they know full well have not carried. About 99% of the time, you know whether the ball has carried or not but time and again you get the claim of a catch followed by a ‘I think it might have carried’.

It is highly likely that McDowell’s shot would have been scrutinised and a two-shot penalty resulted in any case. He could have shrugged the shoulders and said ‘wasn’t sure’ but he knew what had happened and held his hands up.

The rewards in sport are huge, but it is nice to see that a player has the decency and respect for himself and the game to call himself for a penalty.

Well done Graeme McDowell.

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Make the effort Murray

Posted by Alex Livie 2 weeks ago

Andy Murray withdrew from the Open 13 in Marseille citing fatigue and he might as well have done the same in Dubai, such was the manner of his defeat to Janko Tipsarevic.

Murray was beaten 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 but that was not a true reflection of the match, as Tipsarevic dominated for long spells and only flashes of brilliance came from the racket of Murray.

The world No. 4 came in for stiff criticism in his after-match press conference when he admitted he attempted things in his clash with Tipsarevic that he would not have done in a match with bigger stakes.

Murray later dismissed suggestions that he used his clash with Tipsarevic as a practice session, but his performance left you to wonder – with the Masters Series event at Indian Wells fast approaching.

It has been a disappointing event for the organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championships, what with Roger Federer pulling out through illness and Julien Benneteau throwing in an abject display just a couple of days after reaching the final of the Open 13.

There is significant prize money on offer in Dubai and the players have a responsibility to the tour, tournament organisers, paying public and themselves to put up a strong showing.

The one saving grace for Murray was that due to his level being well below his best, it made for an exciting game. On the points that Murray consented to make an effort he produced some thrilling tennis – a couple of stunning running forehand passes made the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end – and it cannot be said that the fans who watched the match did not get value for money.

But the fact remains that Murray was not at his best and admitted he tried things he would not have done in a Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic is a staunch supporter of trimming the schedule and if the events of Dubai are anything to go by, he may have a point.

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Tiger has lost his mojo

Posted by Alex Livie 2 weeks, 5 days ago

The Tiger came out of the undergrowth on Friday but it wasn’t exactly a return to the jungle – more like a tea party as he was surrounded by ‘friends, colleagues and associates’. No questions, just a well-rehearsed speech that seemed to play to the cameras quite superbly. He was certainly apologetic, I lost count of the amount of times the word sorry was uttered by the No. 1 golfer in the world, and it could well have been truly sincere – but there is that minor niggle in the back of the mind.

The 13-minute speech was followed by Woods hugging first his mother and then a band of hand-picked associates. They seemed to forgive him for his actions, but they would, wouldn’t they?

“I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish,” he said. “How I could do these things to my wife and children. Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behaviour. As Elin has said, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words. It will come in the form of my behaviour over time.”

Now they are words of the utmost truth. Tiger can apologise until he is blue in the face, a face that looked far less composed than it does on a golf course, but he needs to walk the walk. That his wife, the one person that truly matters in this whole sordid affair, was not in the audience spoke plenty.

Out of all this, all I really wanted to hear was when he was going to make a return to golf. “I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be. I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return I need to make my behaviour more respectful of the game."

The return is not on the horizon and it is clear that when he does return, that air of invincibility he had will no longer be there. It disappeared some time between November 27 and Friday, but it was confirmed as he pleaded for forgiveness. Many of his fellow pros may have words of sympathy, others not, but they will have seen a vulnerability that they will seize on.

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Honeymoon over, but no talk of divorce

Posted by Alex Livie 3 weeks, 5 days ago

Is the match that was supposed to be made in heaven heading for divorce? So many sporting romances end this way, but I’ve got to say I am keeping faith with Tony McCoy and Denman despite the honeymoon proving to be a washout.

Denman sent McCoy into orbit, after the champion jockey had asked his mount for a huge leap at the third from home in the AON Chase at Newbury. Denman tried to oblige but in taking off too far away from the fence, barely made it to the other side.

The post-mortem has already started, with some suggesting McCoy’s style is too far removed from that of Denman’s regular rider Ruby Walsh to be a success. It is true that McCoy and Walsh are poles apart in terms of riding style, but things had gone smoothly for much of the race as Denman had jumped superbly for McCoy.

There’s almost a month to the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and this will give Paul Nicholls plenty of time to iron out any problems and more importantly, the trainer has insisted the horse emerged unscathed from the race.

What is also of importance is that McCoy will have learned plenty from the race. You do not become champion jockey on 14 occasions without learning a few tricks along the way and I firmly believe there will be a far more slicker display at Cheltenham come March 19.

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A match made in heaven

Posted by Alex Livie on 02/06/2010

Tony McCoy has picked up the ride on Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it could be a match made in heaven.

McCoy has 14 jockeys’ titles under his belt so cannot be classed as a one-trick pony, but he is at his best when riding from the front and he will have the perfect foil in Denman – a horse that is aggressive by nature and relishes a fight.

The Tank overcame a heart problem that plagued him last term to produce a stunning display in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Ruby Walsh partnered the giant chestnut to victory at Newbury and he was thrilled with the performance – suggesting Denman was better than ever.

The problem that faced Walsh was that in the stable next to Denman is Kauto Star, the horse he has won four King George VI chases and two Gold Cups on. Walsh was never likely to desert Kauto, but he is sure to have some uneasy nights in the lead up to Cheltenham.

In 2008, Walsh and Kauto Star got a rear view of Denman as he pulverised the field to win the Gold Cup. Kauto Star was not at his best that day, but there is little between the pair and the thought of the two locking horns is a fascinating one: McCoy firing Denman into his fences, looking to grind his rivals into submission, Kauto Star and Walsh stalking.

McCoy and Walsh are the best of friends but that will go out of the window come March 19 and I’ve a sneaking suspicion that McCoy may have picked up the greatest spare ride in racing.

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Let Terry's football do the talking

Posted by Alex Livie on 02/01/2010

John Terry is front and back-page news, what with scoring the winner for Chelsea at Burnley and allegedly scoring off the field. His purported off-field transgressions have prompted some to call for him to resign from the role of England captain.

What Terry is alleged to have done, you don’t need me to go into it all as it is freely available on the web and in print, is not great but let’s be clear: it should not have a bearing on what happens on the pitch.

Terry’s football should be allowed to do the talking, he did just that by leading his side to victory at Turf Moor, and he was given the unequivocal backing of the Chelsea hierarchy. There has been no word from the FA; it has been suggested that Fabio Capello will seek out his captain before making a decision on whether he retains the armband or not.

There has been talk that the England camp will be a divided one if Terry remains as captain. If that’s the case, then it will still be a divided one if he is in the squad but not captain. So what should be done? Axe him from the squad? What nonsense. Terry should be selected on his performances for Chelsea alone and if he is good enough to be in the squad, then he should be captain of the national team.

In years gone by, there have been many instances of players not seeing eye-to-eye but being able to play together for the good of the team. This goes on now and will no doubt happen in the future and provided it does not impact on team performance, then there is no issue.

When all is said and done, it’s down to performance and should Terry pop up with a last-minute winner to seal World Cup glory I can guarantee you won’t see one England fan saying: ‘I’m not celebrating, Terry should not be in the team after what went on with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend’.

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Great day for Murray, sad day for tennis

Posted by Alex Livie on 01/26/2010

I want to revel in Andy Murray’s performance, but the underlying feeling I have from the Scot’s stunning over victory Rafael Nadal is one of sadness.

Murray was simply sensational, he executed his plans to perfection and was a deserved winner. But the sight of Nadal offering his hand at 3-0 down in the third set on account of a knee injury had me contemplating the Mallorcan’s future rather than Murray’s bid for glory.

Don’t get me wrong I was pulling for Murray all the way through, having tipped him for victory at the start of the Australian Open, but it was uncomfortable to see such a mighty player left in disarray.

Nadal had a quite stunning time of things in 2008 and the first couple of months of 2009, and when he reduced Roger Federer to tears at the 2009 Australian Open final, it left the impression that he was ready to take on the mantle from Federer.

Time and again Nadal had the beating of Federer, a player many suggest is the greatest to pick up a racket, and he did not just beat the Swiss, he dismantled his game. The pair have met in seven Grand Slam finals and Nadal has won five of those. He had an 81-game winning streak on clay and was the first person to win 400 singles matches from 500 games played.

But those are just distant memories and I get the impression that Nadal’s time at the top of the tree is over. Tendinitis in his knees have left him a shadow of his former self, the air of invincibility is no longer there, and although I do hope I am wrong I just feel that at 23 he is on his way out.

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Big is not always better

Posted by Alex Livie on 01/24/2010

Andy Murray feels the heat in the course of giving a tennis lesson to big-hitting John Isner © Getty Images

Big is not always better; that statement was comprehensively proved by John Isner who was given a tennis lesson by Andy Murray on Sunday morning.

The talk ahead of the game centred on this giant of a man called Isner; I heard one commentator, who will remain anonymous for fear of embarrassment, claim that he feels the American will win Wimbledon in the future. It would be a poor day for tennis if that were to happen.

‘He’s crashed 81 aces, he has a huge forehand, he devours second serves.’ These were some of the things said about Isner and to an extent they are true, but what people seemed to overlook is that he is not very good. When he’s dominating a point, Isner can cover the court in two long, loping strides but there were times against Murray when he resembled a disorganised camel. Murray’s game-plan was quite magnificent, he reined his first serve in to ensure he got a higher percentage in and worked the American around the court mercilessly.

There is no doubt Murray upped his level from his first three rounds, but he had the capacity to do that, Isner did not. There will be days when his game comes together and he will beat some very good players, but there will also be days when his game operates at a normal level and he will be found wanting. And he was found wanting by Murray.

Murray now faces an entirely different test against Rafael Nadal and that will tell us whether the Brit can win the Australian Open.

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Tiger's favourite addiction will bring him back

Posted by Alex Livie on 01/23/2010

The Tiger Woods circus has rolled back into town, front-page picture and all, with the golfing sensation tracked down to a sex-addiction clinic in Mississippi.

He has kept his own counsel since confirming he was taking a break from golf to combat the problems that have ripped through his private life like a tornado.

Woods’ absence sent shockwaves reverberating through the world of golf. It’s not quite got to Armageddon levels, but it is clear that players, officials and spectators crave his return.

But when will he come back? Reports surfaced suggesting that he was contemplating making a return to action at Torrey Pines, one of his preferred events. The Farmers Insurance Open has been won by Woods on six occasions, but it starts on January 25 and that is just too soon.

His personal life understandably comes first and he is clearly making steps to combat his problems, but it is time for Woods to make an announcement on when he will return.

For all his troubles off the course in terms of his addiction, it is obvious he has a far more palatable addiction: winning golf tournaments. Weeks may go by before we catch a glimpse of Tiger prowling the course but the chatter has started about his return and it could be telling.

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Welcome to ESPN.co.uk

Posted by Alex Livie on 01/19/2010

Welcome to ESPN.co.uk, the new multi-sport website for the UK sports fan.

When we started planning ESPN.co.uk our primary aim was to serve you with content that’s relevant, entertaining and timely. You can expect an emphasis on news coverage, but we’ll also bring you interviews and regular features, including On This Day, Ask Steven and Paper Round.

ESPN.co.uk aims to complement readers’ existing use of our specialist sites (ESPNcricinfo, ESPNscrum, ESPNsoccernet and ESPNF1) and we’ll often hand off to them for more in-depth analysis of the big stories affecting these sports to ensure you have the news and scores you need, when you need them, as well as covering the broader UK sports scene.

Video will also be at the heart of what we do. We will feature analysis and features from ESPN’s UK line-up of presenters and pundits, including Ray Stubbs, Kevin Keegan and Mark Chapman, as well as ESPN television programmes such as Talk Of The Terrace, Between The Lines and Press Pass . You’ll also be able to access our comprehensive range of podcasts.

In the coming weeks we will continue to develop the site, with more statistics and standings, as well as some new features and blogs. It will also include fantasy and games, improved search and social media applications to bring you a fully-rounded, UK centric, sports experience.

We hope you enjoy the site, and do send us feedback and suggestions, or head over to our Facebook page.

The launch of ESPN.co.uk is brought to you in association with Mercedes-Benz.

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