United leave rivals in the shade on and off the pitch

Premier League champions Manchester United are the most valuable sports franchise in the world according to Forbes magazine’s annual list of the world’s 50.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side beat the Cowboys and Yankees to first with an estimated value of $1.86 billion (£1.16 billion). At £90

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Clarke leads the way at Sandwich

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Darren Clarke, who played his first Open Championship 20 years ago and has looked on as so many friends and rivals have lifted the famous trophy aloft, leads by a shot with 18 holes to go at Sandwich.

The 42-year-old overcame rain, wind and all the inevitable pressures of setting the pace in the biggest event in golf to fire a superb third-round 69.

There were only two rounds better than that all day, but the fact that one of the two 68s came from Dustin Johnson means that the American is now the chief danger to Clarke’s hopes of continuing the remarkable story of Irish success in the last four years.

After Dubliner Padraig Harrington’s back-to-back Opens and a US PGA title as well, Graeme McDowell captured the US Open last year and then compatriot Rory McIlroy succeeded him last month.

Now their fellow Northern Irishman Clarke, playing the 54th major of his career but without a top 10-finish in them for a decade, stands five under par and looks down on the rest of the field.

He knows he might never have a better chance to lift the Claret Jug denied him in 1997 by a closing 65 from American Justin Leonard but Johnson has a burning desire too after what happened to him last season.

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Clarke avoids the weather, takes the lead

SANDWICH, England — About the only predictable part of this British Open is the weather.

The biggest surprise is the list of contenders for the claret jug.

The weather was wild again Saturday, shifting from a raging wind to a gentle sea breeze, from a driving rain to brilliant sunshine, and leaving most of the field wet, tired and feeling as though they got the short end of the draw. That’s not unusual.

More peculiar was seeing Darren Clarke atop the leaderboard after a 1-under 69, his first time in contention at any major in 10 years. Right behind was Dustin Johnson, who was 4 over through the opening 13 holes of this championship and somehow wound up in the final group.

Thomas Bjorn, who threw away the British Open eight years ago at Royal St. G

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Watson may have won if wind had blown all week: Mickelson

SANDWICH, England – The 61-year-old Tom Watson would have been the man to beat if the wind and rain that lashed Royal St George’s on Saturday had been in evidence at the British Open all week, according to fellow American Phil Mickelson.

Five-times champion Watson treated the fans to a glimpse of a bygone era when, battling against the worst of the weather early in the day, he shot a brilliant two-over 72 for a four-over tally of 214.

“If we had bad weather like we had this morning the entire tournament…I think he would be tough to beat,” world number six Mickelson told reporters after clambering up the leaderboard with a 71 for 210, level par.

“He hits the ball so solid, he plays links golf, he hits a low, penetrating running shot so well and controls his distance through his trajectory, it’s really impressive to watch.

“He was behind me the first couple of days and I’d watch him hit approach shots because he just knows how to do it here.”

Mickelson has always flattered to deceive at the third major of the season, chalking up just one top-10 finish in 17 previous appearances, but he said he was “very excited” ahead of the closing round.

“There’s nothing more exciting than on Sunday having a chance in a major,” said the 41-year-old left hander after finishing five strokes adrift of leader Darren Clarke of Britain.

“I know I’m not leading but I’m right there.

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See Spurs for a Fiver !


·   Spurs v Athletic Bilbao, Sat 6 August – top flight football for kids, for just a Fiver

·   When a team of ten or more books up, their coach goes for FREE!

·   A family ticket for four costs just £50 – so the kids go for FREE!

    

    Closing date is Friday 22 July)

 

 

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