Golf: US Open
Shane Lowry's impressive first round 69 has him right in the mix after day one of the Chambers Bay US Open.
As Tiger Woods was reduced to quipping jokes after a horrendous first round, an 80 that marked his worst ever score in a US Open, Shane Lowry was in far more serious mood.
While the withered greens at the US course have come under particular criticism from the likes of Sergio Garcia, Lowry is keeping his head and remaining patient.
“The greens are definitely not the best in the world, they’re quite difficult to hole putts on but they’re not great for anyone. That’s the way I look at it. You’ve just got to pick a line.”
With World No 1 Rory McIroy struggling with cold putter in an opening round 72, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson took full advantage of the conditions, opening with respective 65s, five-under-par, to assume the early clubhouse lead.
McIlroy though is remaining positive ahead of today’s second round; “I thought the course was set up fair. A score in the mid-60s was out there, as you can see with Dustin and Henrik. I thought you could be aggressive here. It is not a game of chess. I just did not putt well enough.”
Racing: Ascot
Ryan Moore's 789-1 hat-trick brought his tally for the week to eight with two days remaining as he continues to assert his dominance at the 2015 Royal Ascot meeting.
The last jockey to reach eight for the most competitive week’s racing of the year was Pat Eddery in 1989.
Moore rode three winners for Coolmore on Day Three, including a Norfolk Stakes-Britannia Handicap double for Aidan O’Brien, and a dramatic Ribblesdale Stakes success with David Wachman’s Curvy.
Aidan O'Brien will be expecting Found to confirm her undoubted class in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot today.
For a filly that spent the winter as an undisputed favourite for both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks, 2015 has been an anticlimax so far for Found.
And making excuses for horses can be a very expensive past time, as Aidan O’Brien followers may well find out later today.
Another Irish filly Anthem Alexander is expected to be a major player for the inaugural Commonwealth Cup.
GAA: John Allen
Galway's impressive win over Dublin will have triggered renewed optimism in the county, and John Allen is adamant that the new-found confidence should be maximised and not stifled.
In his weekly Friday column he says it “always amazes me when I hear talk of trying to keep players grounded. It’s as if the confidence that we all want our players to have needs constant reining in, on the off chance that it might hurt us to believe that we’re good.”
Athletics: Baku
Irish 20-year-old Ryan Mullen showed he is well able to mix it with the big boys at the European Games as he recorded the eighth best time in the men's time trial yesterday.
Riding 51.6km flat out, Mullen was forced to peddle through the pain barrier; “Oh, my arse,” he said to Ian O’Riordan not long after getting off his bike.
What to watch out for:
The action continues at Royal Ascot today including the Coronation Stakes.
Channel 4, 1.40pm-6pm
It’s Round Two of the Chambers Bay US Open Championship, with TV coverage beginning at 5pm.
Sky Sports 4, 5pm-4am
Ian O’Riordan is in Baku for the European Games, as are Setanta with coverage throughout the day.
Setanta, 04.55am-9.10pm
Arturo Vidal is back in action for Chile in the Copa America, looking to make amends for his drink-driving charge. Hosts Chile play Bolivia tonight with Mexico also in action.
Setanta 1 from 9.50pm
