A round-up of today's sports news
McIlroy back in action
GOLF:Rory McIlroy returns to competitive action late tonight in this week's Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
The 18-year-old, who secured his full 2008 tour card in just four events after turning professional after September's Walker Cup, will be paired with Soren Kjelsden of Denmark and Thailand's Wen-Tang Lin in the first two rounds.
McIlroy is joined in the field by compatriots Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrand and Gary Murphy.
José Manuel Lara will be defending his title. The 30-year-old Spaniard claimed his maiden tour title in an impressive, wire-to-wire victory.
Also in the field are two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and 2003 US Masters champion Mike Weir.
Golfers face random testing Pink is the new white
GOLF:The US PGA Tour's first anti-doping programme has been approved by its policy board and drug testing could start as early as next July, the tour has said.
Player education will begin next month and the range of penalties for positive tests includes a one-year suspension for a first violation and a lifetime ban for multiple offences.
The list of banned substances includes anabolic agents, hormones, diuretics, stimulants, narcotics and beta blockers.
"Under the terms of the programme, the Tour has the authority to test players at any time or place," said commissioner Tim Finchem.
"All testing will be without prior notice and there are not a stated minimum or maximum number of times a year that an individual player may be tested."
CRICKET:Pink balls will be used in some matches next season in an experiment to see if they are more visible to players.
The MCC, the game's law-makers, are working with scientists on the new fluorescent ball this winter and it will be used in university and second XI matches early next summer.
If successful, it could be extended to county cricket with the ultimate aim of it being used in one-day internationals.
MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: "Paint tends to flake off white balls and we have asked Kookaburra to produce a batch of pink ones because these show up much better.
"The challenge is to produce a ball which retains its colour. I doubt it will be any more expensive to produce or buy."
