Gary Lemke has a look ahead to the weekend’s action as The Masters action engulfs the golfing world, while the race for Champions League places heats up in the Premier League.
MASTERS AIN’T OVER TILL FAT LADY SINGS
They say that The Masters only starts on the back nine on Sunday, which is always a reminder that no lead is a safe lead over the treacherous, knee-jangling last nine holes at Augusta National.
However, to get into a position to be on the first page of that leaderboard on Sunday, the first hurdle is negotiating the cut, which will be made on Friday.
Saturday will then, again, be universally called “moving day”, but it’s true that any golfer within six shots of the leader on Sunday can go on to win. Justin Rose is three ahead for now after 18 holes. There has only been one exception to that unwritten rule.
In 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest to win the Masters. He was nine shots clear after 54 holes and won by 12 shots. Which is another bullet point to motivate his GOAT candidacy.
DO THE SUPERIOR MCLARENS HAVE A NO1 DRIVER?
When bookies priced up the Bahrain GP, they made it a three-driver contest – Lando Norris 14-10, Oscar Piastri 2-1 and Max Verstappen 4-1. It’s impossible to disagree, and the fourth “favourite” is George Russell at 16-1.
We’re three rounds into 2024, and it has confirmed the pre-season call that it would be the two McLarens against the one Red Bull. Last week, though, Verstappen showed why he’s going to land in the F1 Hall of Fame with an imperious drive, converting pole into victory.
Behind him, though, the impression I gained was that McLaren all but officially made Norris their main man when Piastri looked to be quicker. That dynamic at McLaren is something that F1 fans should focus on this weekend because it’s not often a team allows its two drivers to “race each other”.
FEATHERWEIGHT BELT UP FOR GRABS AT UFC 314
There’s a strong card lined up at UFC 314 in Miami, with the vacant featherweight title on the line as former two-weight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-4) takes on Diego Lopez (26-6).
The 36-year-old Volkanovski is making a comeback after being knocked out twice and taking a year out to rest and recover. Much will depend on whether he still has that hunger, and this should be a good contrast of style, with the Brazilian opponent being strong on the ground.
It’s the headline act of a programme that also sees Paddy Pimblett (ranked No. 12), the self-styled “baddy” from Liverpool, continue his rise in the lightweight division, and is favoured to get past higher-ranked Michael Chandler (No. 7), who is never involved in a bad fight. In a featherweight contest, Yair Rodriguez (No. 5) should muzzle Patricio Freire.
For gold and glory! 🏆@AlexVolkanovski vs @DiegoLopesMMA
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2025
[ #UFC314 | SAT 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/aeqkZfDG8G
EPL INTEREST NOW FOCUSES ON EUROPE SPOTS
With Southampton being relegated last week, the earliest a team has learned their English Premier League fate, Leicester are next in line. They will go down, as will Ipswich, but official confirmation for the Foxes is a match or two away.
They take on Brighton with 17th-placed Wolves hosting Tottenham. Leicester are 15 points behind 17th, with 21 points up for grabs. Despite Liverpool losing at Fulham last week, the EPL trophy engraver has nothing to fear.
They’re 11 points clear of Arsenal with seven games left and can resume winning ways when hosting West Ham. The real interest is in the race for third, fifth and fifth, all of which offers Champions League competition next season. Nottingham Forest host Everton, Chelsea are home to Ipswich, Man City have the Saturday lunchtime kickoff against Crystal Palace, while the game of the weekend sees Newcastle entertain Man United.
RUNS CARNAGE CONTINUES IN IPL
OK, let’s test your Indian Premier League commitment. How many of the 74 games have been played? Well done if you said 24. Who heads the table? Yes, it is Delhi Capitals, the only unbeaten franchise and Gujarat Titans.
To the nearest 20, how many sixes have been hit? The total is 441 (averaging 18 per game). Congrats, you’ve earned your IPL 2025 badge. You’ll also know that Nicolas Pooran has scored the most runs and Noor Ahmad taken the most wickets.
The action continues this weekend with one game on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Sixteen times in 24 games, a side has totalled 200 or more when batting with Sunrisers Hyderabad getting to 286. Yes, in 20 overs.
ALSO WORTH TALKING ABOUT …
The MotoGP caravans are in Qatar this weekend with the two Marquez’s, Alex and Marc, separated by one point in the standings after three of the 22 rounds. Marc has secured pole in all three so far, had the fastest lap in all three and won twice. South African interest is with Brad Binder, who is 11th after three rounds. Realistically, he should progress to be in the fight for sixth or seven this season …
Nedbank Cup semi-final action sees the two big guns of the South African scene, Sundowns and Pirates, kept apart for now, but Sundowns have a blockbuster game against Kaizer Chiefs. Pirates have an easier path to the final, on paper, against Gallants …
South Africa’s swimming Nationals are taking place in Gqeberha, where backstroker Pieter Coetze should continue his rise …
Leinster are 1-10 to beat Glasgow in the quarter-finals of the Investec Champions Cup; elsewhere, Bordeaux, Northampton and Toulouse are all favourites to progress …
It’s the business end of the Investec SA Women’s Open golf at Erinvale.
