Cristie Kerr, Angela Stanford, Suzann Pettersen and Na Yeon Choi advance to Sybase semifinals

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No. 3 seed Cristie Kerr hasn't played more than 16 holes in any match so far this week.

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Ton Canavan

Associated Press

Series:

Angela Stanford seemingly isn't going to settle for second place in the Sybase Match Play Championship this year.

Stanford birdied four of the final five holes to beat Paula Creamer 2-up Saturday and set up an all-America semifinal with Cristie Kerr in the $1.5 million event at Hamilton Farm Golf Club.

Top-seeded Na Yeon Choi of South Korea will face Suzann Pettersen of Norway in the other semi Sunday morning with the winners going for the title later in the afternoon.

"I love this golf course, Stanford said. "I don't know what it is. I love the greens. I feel like I can really see the break on the greens."

Two down after 13 holes, Stanford, who lost in the final last year to Sun Young Yoo, rolled in 10-foot birdie putts at the 14th and 15th holes to even the match, then took the lead with an 8-footer at the 17th.

After Creamer missed a long birdie putt at the 18th, she conceded Stanford's 10-footer for the match.

"Today, I thought I've got to get back to Sunday because I didn't feel I played my match last year the way I wanted to," Stanford said. "I would like another chance."

Kerr, the No. 3 seed, is going to be a tough opponent. She has a history with Stanford, rallying to beat her twice in 2006, overcoming a four-stroke deficit in the final round in Tennessee and an eight-stroke margin in the Canadian Women's Open.

Stanford doesn't think she has competed against Kerr in match play, but she likes her chances.

"Today the match with Paula gives me a tremendous amount of confidence going into tomorrow," Stanford said. "You know, as much as I believe I can do that coming down the stretch, to see it."

Stanford didn't finish the sentence, but the thought was clear. She believes she can.

Kerr hasn't played more than 16 holes in any match this week and that trend continued in both matches Saturday, the last being a 3-and-2 quarterfinal win over Ai Miyazato of Japan.

Kerr was 3-up after sinking a 30-foot birdie at No. 9. Miyazato birdied the next two to get within a hole but missed a 3-footer at No. 12 that would have tied the match.

"She was on a roll and that kind of stopped her momentum and kind of lifted me up a little bit," said Kerr, the reigning LPGA champion.

Kerr hit her second stiff on No. 13 and had a tap-in birdie and made another long birdie at No. 15 before sinking a 5-footer for par at No. 6 to close out the match.

Pettersen holed an 8-foot birdie putt on her good-luck final hole to edge world No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan. Tseng burned the cup on a birdie attempt from the same range seconds later to give Pettersen the 1-up victory.

In winning four matches this week, Pettersen nailed down her victories at the par-5 final hole.

"It's been good to me so far," said Pettersen, who played a couple of matches with Tseng, her good friend, last week.

"She didn't have a chance," quipped Pettersen, who is starting to feel healthy after battling a flu and fever on Thursday, a day she needed 18 holes to beat Natalie Gulbis.

Choi beat No. 42 Sophie Gustafson of Sweden 2-up in the other quarterfinal.

Choi admitted she was tired after spending 12 hours at the course Saturday and she knows that Pettersen will have an advantage in terms of distance Sunday.

"I am pretty excited to play her," said Choi, who lost in the first round last year. "I think it will be a great match."

The biggest upset of the day was recorded in the third round earlier Saturday when Gustafson beat Michelle Wie. The No. 42 seed sank a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to defeat the ninth-seeded Wie 1-up.

"I played horribly. I didn't hit the ball very well," said Wie, who lost in the quarterfinals last year. "I fought until the end, hit a good bunker shot, but she made a good putt and there is nothing I can do about that."

Wie wasn't the only American to lose at the final hole.

Pettersen made an 8-foot birdied minutes before to eliminate Stacy Lewis 1-up.

In other third-round matches: Kerr beat Kyeong Bae of South Korea 3 and 2; Creamer beat fellow American Brittany Lang 3 and 2; Stanford ousted Meena Lee of South Korea 5 and 4; Miyazato beat Inbee Park of South Korea 2 and 1; Choi defeated Alena Sharp of Canada 3 and 1; and Tseng beat Julieta Granada of Paraguay 5 and 3.

Saturday morning results:
(6) Ai Miyazato beat (11) Inbee Park, 2 & 1
(3) Cristie Kerr beat (47) Kyeong Bae, 3 & 2
(18) Angela Stanford beat (33) Meena Lee, 5 & 4
(10) Paula Creamer beat (35) Brittany Lang, 3 & 2
(1) Na Yeon Choi beat (50) Alena Sharp, 3 & 1
(5) Suzann Pettersen beat (21) Stacy Lewis, 1-up
(42) Sophie Gustafson beat (9) Michelle Wie, 1-up
(4) Yani Tseng beat (62) Julieta Granada, 5 & 3

Saturday afternoon results:
(3) Cristie Kerr beat (6) Ai Miyazato, 3 & 2
(18) Angela Stanford beat (10) Paula Creamer, 2-up
(1) Na Yeon Choi beat (42) Sophie Gustafson, 2-up
(5) Suzann Pettersen beat (4) Yani Tseng, 1-up

The defining shots of the major champions

By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer)December 17, 2013 3:30 PMAP - Sports

The putt that Adam Scott thinks about most wasn't the one that won him the Masters. The best shot Justin Rose hit at the U.S. Open didn't even stay on the green.

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The majors were filled with great shots, even if they didn't produce the obvious outcome.

Scott's putt on the 18th at Augusta National ultimately got him into a playoff when Angel Cabrera answered with a great birdie of his own. Rose's 4-iron into the 18th at Merion ran off the back of the green into a collar. It was a relatively simple up-and-down from there, though such a great shot deserved better.

Every major has a signature shot. Some are easier to define than others.

And with every major champion, there is another shot that is just as pleasing to them, even if it doesn't get as much attention:

THE MASTERS

The putt that made Scott the first Australian in a green jacket was a 12-footer for birdie on the second playoff hole at No. 10. Scott, however, believes the defining moment of this Masters was the 20-foot birdie putt he made on the 18th in regulation.

Adding to the significance of the putt was his reaction. Scott, the image of GQ, transformed into WWF as he screamed with all his might, ''C'mon, Aussie!''

''No matter what I do in my career from now on, I think it's going to be the one I'm remembered for,'' Scott said. ''Even if I do happen to win other big tournaments or majors, it might not quite be everything that Augusta was.

''There's no doubt, as I look back in my career, that's going to be the one moment I'll think of first as a far as a signature moment.''

He won't forget the 6-iron, either, as good as any shot he struck all week.

On the second playoff hole, Scott had 191 yards from a hook lie in the 10th fairway. Cabrera already was on the green with a reasonable look at birdie.

''I didn't want to sling a 7-iron in there,'' Scott said. ''It wasn't the right shot. The atmosphere was heavy and I was jacked up, but I had to hold a 6-iron. Somehow, I managed to hit such a beautiful shot. If you asked me to do it right now, I couldn't. But I had it at that moment. Absolutely, it's the best shot of my life right now.''

U.S. OPEN

Rose had a one-shot lead on the 18th hole at Merion. He was 229 yards from the pin, and just 15 feet behind the plaque that commemorates Hogan's 1-iron into the 18th during his 1950 U.S. Open victory. While it was not as historic as Hogan's moment, it was the signature shot of his first major.

''It has to be the 4-iron into 18, given the poignancy of the hole, the iconic photograph we've all grown up with and the 18th hole of a major,'' Rose said. ''That was the one that put it away.''

Adding to the pressure was the wait. Luke Donald was taking a penalty drop, leaving more time for Rose to contemplate the consequences of the shot.

''I appreciated the situation I was in and relished it,'' Rose said. ''And luckily, the shot came off. I drilled it. It came off perfectly.''

He believes the 18th hole played a big role earlier in the week. Rain kept the second round from being completed on Friday, and Rose was in the last group that managed to finish without having to return Saturday morning. He watched Phil Mickelson ahead of him make birdie to share the 36-hole lead. Rose missed the fairway, hacked it out of rough and had 115 yards to a pin that was just over the false front, a shot that required close to perfection.

He delivered, hitting wedge to 7 feet.

''It was pretty dark by this time,'' he said. ''But I wanted to hit the putt. Even if I missed, the advantage was there to sleep in. It was a slippery, downhill, left-to-righter for a 69 to stay even par. From a momentum point of view, just finishing and giving myself time in bed for the rhythm of the week ... that was big.''

BRITISH OPEN

Mickelson didn't hesitate when asked for the signature shot of his British Open victory - the 3-wood on the par-5 17th that set up a two-putt birdie.

''Very simply put, there was no margin for error,'' he said. ''If I miss it a little bit to the right, it goes in a bunker and I have a very difficult par. I have to go out sideways and try to get up-and-down for par. If I miss it left, it's the worst rough on the golf course and I could lose my ball or have an unplayable lie. But if I hit it perfectly, there's a good chance I could have a two-putt birdie. And that's what happened.

''I hit it dead perfect at the time I needed it most,'' he said. ''If I made birdie, I felt like I would win.''

Mickelson's closing 66 at Muirfield is considered the best round of the year, and one of the best final rounds in any major. He made birdie on four of the last six holes. As much attention as that 3-wood receives, Lefty was equally pleased with a 5-iron into 8 feet for birdie that started his big run.

It was on the 13th hole, 190 yards and dead into a strong wind to a narrow green.

''If you miss it at all, the ball gets blown off sideways, and you saw it with just about every player behind me,'' Mickelson said. ''I hit it so solid and perfect through the wind the ball just soared. It was the prettiest shot.''

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Jason Dufner had a two-shot lead with three holes to play. Leads like that can disappear quickly at a major, especially with the tough, two closing holes at Oak Hill.

Jim Furyk hit his approach to 10 feet on the 16th, easily birdie range. Dufner followed with a sand wedge from 105 yards that spun back to a foot, which stands out as his signature moment at the PGA Championship (though a case could be made for the love tap he gave his wife when it was over).

''I was trying to take it a little bit past the pin on the right,'' Dufner said. ''Obviously, with a wedge in hand, I was thinking it could be a makeable birdie effort. Inside a foot is great for me because I struggle with the putter.''

Not so obvious - except to Dufner - was how he played the par-3 11th hole for the week. At 226 yards, it was the sixth-toughest hole at Oak Hill. Dufner never had a birdie putt outside 20 feet in all four rounds, and he played the hole in 1-under par for the week.

''It was one of the tougher holes, and I made it easy for me,'' he said. ''The 16th is the shot people are going to remember. The one people will forget about is to play that hole (No. 11) in 1 under and never sweat a bogey. That's a pretty good deal.''

YEARENDER-Sporting comebacks of 2013

 

December 17, 2013 9:14 PM

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Great sporting comebacks of 2013

1. Oracle Team USA's comeback to win the America's Cup

Few challenges can have seemed as hopeless as that facing Larry Ellison's Team USA when trailing Emirates Team New Zealand 8-1 in the best-of-17 series in San Francisco Bay in September.

The Jimmy Spithill-skippered Team USA kept their heads, however, and after replacing their tactician with Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, displayed vastly improved tacking and teamwork to ride a huge wave of momentum into a winner-takes-all showdown.

Team USA duly crushed the Dean Barker-skippered Team New Zealand in the decider to retain the trophy they won three years before and reinvigorate a once-troubled regatta.

2. Rafa Nadal's brilliant comeback season

Diagnosed with a tear in his patella tendon and inflammation in his left knee, Spaniard Nadal was unable to defend his Olympic title last year and missed the second half of 2012.

A stomach flu delayed his comeback further and saw him miss the year's first grand slam at the Australian Open, but after a low-profile re-entry at a tournament in Chile in February, Nadal won an astonishing 10 titles, including an eighth French Open crown and the U.S. Open.

The Mallorcan also re-captured the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic and though the 13-times grand slam champion was pummelled by the Serb in the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals, he finished the year with the top ranking for the third time in his career.

3. All Blacks comeback win over Ireland to complete perfect rugby season

A shining season by a world champion rugby team attained mythical status when New Zealand came back from the brink to defeat Ireland 24-22 in the final test of the year in November to complete the first perfect season of the professional era.

New Zealand trailed 19-0 after 18 minutes and 22-7 at halftime, but came storming home to win in the most dramatic of circumstances and courtesy of two of their stand-in men.

A stoppage time try to replacement back Ryan Crotty left Aaron Cruden, who had replaced the injured Dan Carter at flyhalf, with the conversion kick to seal the win.

The kick sailed wide but agonisingly for the Irish, they were penalised for rushing out too quickly at the kicker, allowing Cruden to coolly slot it on the second attempt and secure the All Blacks their 14th win from 14 for the year.

4. Adam Scott shrugs off British Open disappointment to win U.S. Masters

Pundits had consigned Australia's Adam Scott to a life on the psychiatrist's couch after he blew the biggest chance to win his maiden major at the British Open at Lytham last year, when he gave up a four-stroke lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the trophy.

Long regarded an unfulfilled talent, Scott shrugged off the meltdown and told his critics that the disappointment only confirmed that he had it in him to win majors.

When presented with his next chance at Augusta in April, Scott sunk a 25-foot birdie putt to force his way into a playoff with Argentine Angel Cabrera and closed out an emotional victory, the first by an Australian at Augusta, with a 15-foot putt on the second extra hole.

5. Miami Heat's comeback to beat San Antonio in NBA finals

The reigning NBA champions trailed 3-2 in the best-of-seven finals series and were five points down and 20 seconds away from giving up their title during game six on their home court in June.

Officials had started roping off the court for the trophy presentation and spectators were leaving in their droves when the Heat's Ray Allen made a three-pointer with five seconds on the clock to tie the game 95-95 and put it into overtime.

Fired by LeBron James, Heat closed out the game 103-100 to force the decider and returned to the court to seal back-to-back titles with a 95-88 win in game seven.

6. Australia take Ashes back from England

Unfancied Australia entered their home series against England in November after a tumultuous year marked by abysmal performances on the field and strife off it.

Australia had lost the first of back-to-back Ashes series 3-0 to England in August, their worst result against their traditional rivals in decades and one that followed a 4-0 drubbing in a test series away to India.

Marshalled by new coach Darren Lehmann and fired by the renaissance of seamer Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke's team stunned England with a 381-run victory in the series-opener in Brisbane before confirming their dominance with a 218-run win in the second test in Adelaide.

They sealed the five-test series two matches early with a 150-run victory in the third match in Perth on Tuesday, completing a stunning revival from one of their lowest ebbs in the modern era.

7. Borussia Dortmund sink Malaga in stoppage-time during Champions League quarter-finals

Trailing 2-1 in second half stoppage time in the second leg of their quarter-final in April, Dortmund refused to lie down and die, despite the exit of hundreds of their fans from their home stadium.

Last-gasp goals from Marco Reus and Felipe Santana sent the Germans through in a stunning finish that sealed their first appearance in the European competition's last four for 15 years.

The magic continued for Dortmund as they upset Real Madrid in the semi-final before their fairytale run was ended by fellow Germans Bayern Munich in the final.

8. New England Patriots win NFL overtime thriller against Broncos

The Patriots trailed the Denver Broncos, favourites to win the Super Bowl, 24-0 at halftime during the regular season game in November but came to life in the second half courtesy of quarterback Tom Brady's heroics.

Brady struck with 31 straight points to set up a dramatic overtime finish and allow Stephen Gostkowski to kick the 31-yard field goal for a thrilling 34-31 win.

9. New Zealand's McCullum fells Sri Lanka in four balls

A final-over blitz by New Zealand's Nathan McCullum elevated a rain-hit one-day international cricket match against Sri Lanka into a thrilling last-ball victory in Hambantota last month.

The bowling all-rounder and older brother of captain Brendon McCullum needed 20 runs from the last four balls to reach Sri Lanka's 198.

McCullum smashed a six and a four off the first two balls from the hapless left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, then blasted two consecutive sixes to win the match and finish unbeaten on 32 runs from his nine deliveries faced.

10. Serial comeback king Tommy Robredo inspires at Roland Garros

While Rafa Nadal took the trophy at this year's French Open, it was the achievements of a far lower-profile Spaniard that lit up the first week of the grand slam.

At 31, Robredo advanced to his fifth quarter-final at Roland Garros by mounting a record three consecutive comeback victories from two sets down.

Beginning with a a 6-7(2) 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-1 turnaround against Igor Sijsling in the second round, Robredo then upset local favourite Gael Monfils 2-6 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(3) 6-2 in the next match before stunning eleventh seed Nicolas Almagro 6-7(5) 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the round of 16.

That made the Spaniard the first man to achieve the feat since Henri Cochet at Wimbledon in 1927.

(Writing by Ian Ransom; Editing by Justin Palmer)

YEARENDER-Sporting breakthroughs of 2013

 

December 17, 2013 9:16 PM

Dec 18 (Reuters) - The top 10 sporting breakthroughs in 2013:

1. Marc Marquez, MotoGP champion

The 20-year-old Spanish rookie became the youngest MotoGP champion when he held his nerve to finish third in the final race of the season in Valencia to pip holder Jorge Lorenzo to the title.

Six race wins, nine poles and 16 podiums made him the second rookie to win the Premier Class in motorbike racing, among a plethora of records he set.

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2. Brianna Rollins, 100 metres hurdles world champion

The American turned heads when she clocked the fourth fastest time ever for the 100 metres hurdles at the world championship trials in June, shortly after turning professional.

She showed that was no fluke by taking world championship gold in Moscow one day before her 22nd birthday, pushing holder Sally Pearson of Australia into second place.

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3. Paul George, NBA's Most Improved Player

The Indiana Pacers surprised many in the NBA by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in nine years in May with Paul George at centre stage.

Having lost forward Danny Granger to injury for the entire campaign, George stepped up and averaged a career-high 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in the 2012-13 season.

His duels with Miami's LeBron James in the Finals were a particular highlight.

George won the NBA's Most Improved Player award, was handed a first All-Star selection and has continued that sterling work at the start of an impressive 2013-14 campaign.

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4. Gibraltar becomes UEFA member

The rocky territory became UEFA's 54th member association in May and its national team held Slovakia to a creditable 0-0 draw in a November friendly.

Gibraltar had gone through a bitter 14-year court marathon against Spain's objections to their footballing ambitions.

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5. Scott ends long Australian wait for Green Jacket

Australia has produced numerous great golfers but none tasted success in the U.S. Masters at Augusta untilAdam Scott this year.

After eight runner-up finishes by his fellow countrymen, three achieved by Greg Norman, Scott finally ended the wait for a prized Green Jacket by overcomming Argentine Angel Cabrera in a playoff in April when he sunk a 15-foot putt on the second extra hole.

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6. Jose Fernandez, National League Rookie of the Year

The Cuban pitcher made an unexpected jump from the minor leagues to the Miami Marlins ballpen at the start of the season and the rookie tossed up some special numbers for a struggling team.

Fernandez posted a 12-6 record and his 2.19 earned run average was second in the National League behindLos Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw's 1.83.

The Marlins right-hander was also one of the finalists for the National League Cy Young Award.

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7. Nairo Quintana, second place at the Tour de France

The Colombian was asked by Movistar to help team leader Alejandro Valverde finish on the podium at the Tour de France in July but the young rookie was quickly promoted when his Spanish colleague fell off the pace.

The 23-year-old rode a brilliant race to finish second overall and also claim the white and polka-dot jerseys for the top young rider and the best climber.

Quintana's performance in the three-week race, during which he also won a stage, marked him out as a future winner of cycling's grandest prize.

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8. Chinese golf

Long earmarked as the production line for the next generation of major winners, the first seeds of China's development work in golf appeared in 2013.

Guan Tianling, earning praise from the great Tiger Woods among others, was the talk of Augusta in April when the 14-year-old become the youngest competitor at the U.S. Masters and made the cut to the amazement of most.

In May, 12-year-old compatriot Ye Wocheng became the youngest player to take part in a European Tour event when he competed at the Volvo China Open.

The U.S. PGA Tour announced last month they would be launching a new developmental circuit in China next year to build on the breakthroughs.

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9. Israel Folau ties Australian rugby try-scoring record

A series defeat by the British and Irish Lions, three defeats by New Zealand and two by South Africa left Australian rugby at a low ebb in 2013 but they managed to unearth an attacking gem in rugby league convert Israel Folau.

The former Australia Rules player had featured in only 14 matches for his club New South Wales Waratahs when he was handed his Wallabies debut in the first test against the Lions and he marked the occasion with two tries.

Eight more tries followed as the devastating 24-year-old runner equalled former Australia winger Lote Tuqiri's record of 10 test touchdowns in a season.

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10. Los Angeles Dodgers rookie outfielder Yasiel Puig

When Puig was promoted to the big leagues the Dodgers were last in the National League West Division with a 23-32 record, 7-1/2 games behind first place.

After his arrival the 23-year-old Cuban defector took baseball by storm and was largely credited with the team's turnaround.

With Puig in the lineup the Dodgers were 66-38 in the 104 games in which he took part and went on to win the division crown, 11 games ahead of their closest pursuers.

His arrival sparked record-breaking demand for his merchandise. (Writing by Patrick Johnston; editing by Tony Jimenez)

YEARENDER-Top 10 sporting quotes of 2013

 

December 17, 2013 9:18 PM

By Pritha Sarkar

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Following is a list of 10 memorable sporting quotes in 2013:

Lance Armstrong

"Yes" - American cyclist Lance Armstrong finally confessed to taking performing-enhancing drugs to win his seven Tour de France titles in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

"I am flawed...deeply flawed. I didn't invent the (doping) culture but I didn't try to stop the culture and that's my mistake, and that's what I have to be sorry for."

Armstrong, who received a life ban for engaging in what the United States Anti-Doping Agency described as "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen" further accused authorities of making him a scapegoat for following a doping culture that was rife in cycling.

"When you see the (life ban) punishment ...I got a death penalty meaning I can't compete. I'm not saying that is unfair but it is different."

Oscar Pistorius

"I am absolutely mortified by the events and the devastating loss of my beloved Reeva. With the benefit of hindsight, I believe that Reeva went to the toilet when I went out on the balcony to bring the fan in. I cannot bear to think of the suffering that I have caused her and her family, knowing how much she was loved" - Paralympic sprinting champion Oscar Pistorius tells the court in an affidavit after he is accused of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in his home on Valentine's Day.

South African Pistorius, the double amputee dubbed 'Blade Runner', said he shot dead his girlfriend by accident as he had mistaken her for an intruder.

Andy Murray

"I understand how much everyone wanted to see British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it. I worked so hard in that last game. It's the hardest few points I've had to play in my life. I don't know how I came through the final three points... that last game ... my head was kind of everywhere. That last game will be the toughest game I'll play in my career, ever" - Andy Murray after ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion at Wimbledon.

The nerve-jangling final game dragged on for 13 minutes as Murray wasted three match points, then watched on as Djokovic squandered three break points before he finally clinched victory.

Bobby Charlton

"He is such a fantastic manager... He is a sensational person in every form. I am a director (at Manchester United) but I hardly do anything because we are winning all the time and it is all down to Sir Alex Ferguson. He would get up in the middle of the night and travel 300 miles if he thought there was a schoolboy that he could sign. He loves the game and we at the club have had nothing to do really" - England soccer great Bobby Charlton on Alex Ferguson who retired as Manchester United manager after more than 26 years.

The 71-year-old Scot stepped down after winning 13 league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cups with United.

Sachin Tendulkar

"My life's been 22 yards for 24 years. It's hard to believe that wonderful journey is coming to an end" - Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar struggled to hold back the tears as he ended his career by playing in a record 200th test. The 40-year-old hung up his bat as the sport's most prolific run-scorer, amassing 15,921 runs in tests, 18,426 runs in one dayers and a record 100 international centuries.

Lewis Hamilton

"Personally I feel for the fans because I remember the period of time when Michael Schumacher was winning. I remember waking up in the morning to watch the start of the race and then going to sleep, and then waking up when it ended because I already knew what would happen. I am pretty sure a lot of people were doing that today" - Britain's Lewis Hamilton on the domination of German Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his fourth successive Formula One championship with three races to spare, and also won a record nine races in a row to wrap up the season.

Muhammad Ali

"He made us realise, we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colours. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free" - Boxing great Muhammad Ali on the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who long believed sport could be used as a powerful tool to unite people.

David Ortiz

"I knew this was going to be a special year. When we started rolling, nobody ever stopped the train" - Slugger David Ortiz after the Boston Red Sox clinched their first MLB World Series at Fenway Park since the 1918 championship. The win came six months after the city was shocked by the deadly marathon bombings.

Rory McIlroy

"Golf's in a great place right now. You've got Tiger (Woods) with the five wins this year. Adam (Scott) breaks through for his first major (at the Masters). Phil (Mickelson) wins the major (British Open) he thinks he's never going to win, he's still waiting on another one (U.S. Open), and Henrik (Stenson) comes back (into form)" - Rory McIlroy on the remarkable strength in depth in the modern game.

"You've got to play really well to win now. That's why you see so many first-time winners because the fields are so deep. It is tough to win out here."

Henrik Stenson

"I would find it very surprising if we encountered any enhancing drugs in golf. I don't know what you could take to help you perform better in golf. Viagra maybe - to hit it long and straight" - a cheeky Henrik Stenson told Reuters at the Abu Dhabi Championship as the scourge of doping cast a long shadow over the sporting world. (Editing by Justin Palmer)