A beautiful day of sports

Not a great week-end in terms of punting with only Diamondhead winning and First Bid, Pembrey and Double Pass all disappointing and finishing among the pack. In fact, while Godolphin were celebrating a narrow Irish Oaks win with Blue Bunting, all their newcomers in England failed to fire. This stable is becoming very unpredictable to follow.

But despite the disappointments on the racing track, Sunday gave rise to a great day of celebrations in sports. It started with Darren Clarke winning a Major title at last. While the names of Irishmen favoured to win the Claret Jug were Rory McIlroy and Grame McDowell, it was 42-year old Clarke that broke his Major duck at last. Gone are the slogans "among the best not to win a Major", at least not to him. I had serious doubts whether he could hold on to his slender lead going into the week-end but he kept composure and the rest is now history. A crowd favourite that deserved every bit of winning a Major. 3 Northern Irishmen are currently holding Golf's 3 Major titles. Amazing. Who knows? Maybe this win has given hope to Colin Montgomery in this quest for that elusive Major victory...

The day continued with the Women World Cup final where Japan were taking on heavily-favoured USA. I didn't take much notice of Japan until they started beating Mexico, then England. They continued on their stunning winning ways by ousting holders and hosts Germany, and Sweden. All teams with pedigree. And for the final, they were taking on world beaters USA whom they'd never beaten in 25 past occasions! As destiny would have it, they won the final on penalty kicks, after 2 stunning comebacks in regulation and extra time.What an impressive never-say-die spirit, not just in the final but throughout the tournament. A few months after Victoire Pisa's win in the Dubai World Cup, it's another momentous win for Japan on the world stage. They won with class and are the world's best again. Extremely happy for a nation that is still trying to rebuild from the effects of the tsunami. Awesome Japan!

A beautiful day of sports yesterday was indeed.