IN BRIEF

Olazabal to miss US Masters

TWICE U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal will miss next month's event because the Spaniard is again suffering from rheumatism. Olazabal, 44, who won the coveted Green Jacket in 1994 and 1999, has been out of action since October. It will be the first Masters he has missed since 1996.

Els set to play revamped Wentworth

TRIPLE major winner Ernie Els will play this year's PGA Championship at the remodelled Wentworth layout he designed, the South African said on Friday. The European Tour's flagship event is usually a memorable affair but this year's tournament, from May 20-23, will be even better according to the tall father-of-two Els.

Davies fires career low in Morocco

WELSH golfer Rhys Davies opened up a two-shot lead at the halfway point of the Trophee Hassan II on Friday after carding the lowest round of his European Tour career. The 24-year-old, who was third in the Malaysian Open two weeks ago, added an eight under par 64 to his opening 68.

Mendoza returns to Honduras squad

DEFENDER Sergio Mendoza, who completed a one-year doping suspension last month, was recalled by Honduras on Friday for a five-day World Cup training camp this month. Colombian Rueda named a squad of 17 home-based for the March 21-25 camp in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula.

Keeper banned in sponsorship row

EL SALVADOR goalkeeper Miguel Montes has been suspended for a year for refusing to wear the official national team kit, the Salvadorean Football Federation (FESFUT) said on Friday. The ban on the 30-year-old Aguila goalkeeper began on Thursday and ends on March 17, 2011.

Stoner sets pace in Qatar testing

AUSTRALIA'S former world champion Casey Stoner was the fastest man on the track on the final day of pre-season MotoGP testing at Doha's Losail circuit on Friday. The 2007 world champion, riding a Ducati, was 0.5sec ahead of old rival, and defending champion, Valentino Rossi on a Yamaha. Qatar hosts the opening round of the 2010 world championship on April 11.

FIA invites new teams to apply for 2011

NEW teams hoping to enter Formula One next year were told by the governing body on Friday to register their interest by April 15 and pay an administration fee of 1,000 euros ($1,361). The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that it had decided to open a new selection process "to identify a candidate to fill any vacancy that may exist" at the start of 2011.

Steyn kicks Bulls to Super 14 win

FLYHALF Morne Steyn kicked 14 points as Super 14 champions the Bulls rallied to beat the Wellington Hurricanes 19-18 on Friday. It was the South African team's fifth straight win in the tournament and their 15th in a row at home dating back to April 2008 when the Hurricanes beat them 50-22. Captain Victor Matfield also celebrated his 100th appearance in the competition.

Thomas battered in league debut

FORMER Wales and British Lions skipper Gareth Thomas endured a painful rugby league debut on Friday, lasting just 30 minutes of his team's 14-6 win over Catalans Dragons at a rain-lashed Wrexham. The 35-year-old had to be helped off the Racecourse Ground pitch after never fully recovering from a heavy tackle by David Ferriol in the first minute of the game.

Serena pulls out of Miami

WORLD No 1 Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Sony Ericsson Open due to a knee injury, organizers said on Friday. The American's withdrawal is another blow to the tournament after former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and world number two Dinara Safina had already pulled out.

Japan's Kano takes super-G gold

JAPAN'S Akira Kano on Friday captured the Alpine skiing super-G (sitting) gold at the Paralympics for his second medal of the 2010 Games. The 24-year-old, who won the bronze in Thursday's downhill, won, with Germany's Martin Braxenthaler taking silver and Japan's Taiki Morii the bronze.

Vancouver to host 2015 Deaflympics

VANCOUVER will host the Winter Deaflympics in 2015, the Deaflympic Organizing Committee announced Friday at the 2010 Paralympics. More than 650 deaf athletes from 29 countries will compete in 27 events in Vancouver and Whistler.

Tahiti to host 2013 World Cup

TAHITI will host the 2013 Beach Soccer World cup, world football's governing body FIFA said on Friday. The decision to approve the French Pacific Ocean territory's bid was taken at a meeting of FIFA's executive committee.Agencies