GOLF: Denmark's Thomas Bjorn has withdrawn from this week's Lancome Trophy in Paris because of an ongoing shoulder injury. Bjorn, who was an automatic selection for this year's postponed Ryder Cup at The Belfry, had to pull out of the European Masters earlier this month because of shoulder pain.

The Lancome Trophy starts in Paris today, with seven times European number one Colin Montgomerie, US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa and Spaniard Sergio Garcia heading the field.

The company sponsoring the event has decided to remove all advertising branding and hospitality packaging from the course as a mark of respect following the attacks on the US.

GOLF: In the European Tour School first qualifying stage at Carden Park, it proved an unsatisfactory day overall, heavy rain bringing about an abandonment of play at 2.40 p.m. with all the afternoon starters still out on the course. All players return at 8.15 a.m. to complete their second round before the third round gets underway.

David Dixon carded a sparkling eight-under-par 64 at Chart Hills yesterday which hoisted him to the top of the leaderboard after the second round.

Elsewhere Roger Beames, runner-up in the 1996 Amateur championship continues to head the field at Wynyard despite slipping to a one over par 72.

RUGBY: Wales demolished Romania 81-9 in a friendly in front of 10,000 yesterday. Dafyyd James (3), Allan Bateman, Barry Williams (2), Craig Quinell, Colin Charvis (3) and Chris Wyatt all ran in tries, while Stephen Jones sent over 10 conversions and two penalties.

SNOOKER: Stephen Lee whitewashed Northern Ireland rival Patrick Wallace 5-0 in the first round of the Regal Masters yesterday afternoon. Last night, Matthew Stevens of Wales beat Paul Hunter of England 5-2.