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McDowell needed to make a par

McDowell needed to make a par up the closing par five to win and duly did, to claim his first major championship and his first win on American soil.He won at Celtic Manor two weeks ago with weekend rounds of 64 and 63, but this was a triumph of far more impressive proportions, with the greatest names in golf lined up on the leaderboard behind him throughout the day.Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods all threatened to challenge at one stage or another, with Els claiming a share of the lead after making three birdies in his first six holes.

Capello will therefore field

Capello will therefore field his third central-defensive partnership in three games and had already seen captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out through injury before the tournament began.North Korea manager Kim Jong Hun has taken responsibility for his sides 7-0 thumping by Portugal.Portugal ran riot in Cape Town after North Korea had tested them early on, and there were six different scorers for Carlos Queirozs side.The Asian side lost their opening match of the World Cup narrowly, falling 2-1 to Brazil, but they began their second game with a more positive outlook.

Were 10 days into the World

Were 10 days into the World Cup and, by this point, people have started to make up their minds about this whole soccer thing in America. Forced to cover the event, countless media folks spend their time writing and talking about the vuvuzelas or the lack of scoring or the ties in an effort to, frankly, undermine the enjoyment of those who actually like watching soccer. I dont like it so it must be terrible. Lets complain about it! And yes, Im paraphrasing the sentiment from more sports editors and producers than I care to admit. Oh, and Rick Reillys revolting ESPN.com column from a week ago. The first week of the World Cup can, indeed, be an acquired taste.Then, every four years, something happens. Something every media person loves. Controversy! Take your pick, media. Do you like your controversy on or off the field? Lets take on the field first.Theres going to be controversy in every World Cup, and much of it comes from the incessant flopping of some teams — Italy, my ire is stuck on you — but who would have expected the most controversial call in the World Cup to include the American team?The phantom foul on Maurice Edus goal was, and will forever be, a devastating call for American soccer fans But for American sportswriters, theres nothing better than controversy with a side of patriotism Heck even Joe Posnanski, widely recognized as one of the countrys best columnists, might have let the moment get the better of him He draped the situation inside what he knows best — baseball — telling a story of a friend who went to a game for the first time, without knowing the rules or much about the sport, and ended up seeing Nolan Ryans seventh no-hitter Posnanski likens her experience to what Americans were feeling on Friday.

Diego Maradona has confirmed Lionel

Diego Maradona has confirmed Lionel Messi will not be rested for Argentinas final group game against Greece.There had been suggestions the Albiceleste coach would leave the Barcelona star out with Argentina virtually assured of a place in the second round after winning their first two Group B matches.Messi played the full 90 minutes against both Nigeria and South Korea on the back of a gruelling season with Barca.And although Maradona fielded a new-look team in a training match, he insists that will not be his starting line-up in Polokwane on Tuesday.

North Korea manager Kim Jong Hun

North Korea manager Kim Jong Hun has taken responsibility for his sides 7-0 thumping by Portugal.Portugal ran riot in Cape Town after North Korea had tested them early on, and there were six different scorers for Carlos Queirozs side.The Asian side lost their opening match of the World Cup narrowly, falling 2-1 to Brazil, but they began their second game with a more positive outlook.