Shubhankar lies tied 47th in Korea
Jeju Island: Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma had a modest start in cold and windy conditions to card 2-over 74 in the first round of the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges here on Thursday. Sharma, who was T-10 at the CIMB Classic last week, was T-47th but six shots behind the leader, Chez Reavie (68). The 36-year-old Reavie grabbed the sole lead in the first-round by one shot with a 68 during which he found every fairway and hit 15 of the 18 greens. Reavie is in search of his second career PGA TOUR victory and first since the 2008 RBC Canadian Open. He has played 231 events since that lone win. Sharma, after a par start, had an eventful three-hole stretch with a bogey on second and back-to-back birdies on next two holes. He ran into problems on the Par-3 seventh, where he double bogeyed. On the back nine, Sharma had three bogeys and two birdies and finished at 2-over 74.
Sane undergoes surgery on broken thumb
Liverpool: Liverpool could face the setback of losing Sadio Mane for a few weeks along with other injury scares after the pacy winger broke his left thumb while on international duty with Senegal. Mane underwent surgery on Wednesday after returning from international duty where Senegal trounced Sudan 3-0 on Saturday. "The surgery, conducted at a north-west hospital and supervised by club medics, was successful," Liverpool said in a statement on their official website. "Mane's recovery will be monitored over the next couple of days ahead of the Reds' return to action at Huddersfield Town on Saturday." Besides Sane, Liverpool have the likes of Mohamed Salah (groin), Virgil van Dijk (ribs) and Naby Keita out of action with injuries.
Usain Bolt rejects Malta football offer
Sydney: Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has turned down a contract from Maltese champions Valletta and will remain in Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, his agent said on Thursday. The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving Down Under in August. He scored two goals in a pre-season friendly last Friday but is yet to be offered a deal, with cashed-up Valletta dangling a two-year trial-free contract to entice him away earlier this week. But Bolt's agent Ricky Simms said he had opted against a move to the Maltese Premier League team, which is backed by a group of investors from the Sanban Group in the United Arab Emirates. "There is a lot of interest in Usain playing football," he told ESPN. "We regularly receive similar approaches. I can confirm Usain does not wish to pursue this opportunity in Malta." Valletta chief executive Ghasston Slimen told the broadcaster: "We wish Usain Bolt all the best with his football career. The Valletta FC offer is always on the table."
Shaw extends Man Utd contract to 2023
Manchester: England left-back Luke Shaw has ended speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal with Manchester United, the club announced on Thursday. Shaw, 23, was in the final year of the deal he signed four years ago when joining from Southampton as the world's most expensive teenager at the time. "I am very proud to sign my new contract and continue my stay at this great club," said Shaw. "I want to thank everybody that has stood by me and shown me huge support - the management, my team-mates and the fans." Shaw has been rewarded for an excellent start to the season after a difficult few years at Old Trafford. Mourinho insisted Shaw was deserving of his new deal. "Luke fully deserves this contract. He understood his development process, he has worked really hard at every level and he always believes in himself which is a great attribute to have," said Mourinho.