Über das Forum » won by Lee Trevino. Watson said the Bermuda rough

BRISBANE, Australia -- Venus Williams withdrew from the Hobart International on Sunday while fellow American Sloane Stephens did the same from the Sydney International due to a left wrist injury. David Beckham Jersey . Williams withdrawal came less than 24 hours after losing in the final Auckland WTA tournament final. "I dont believe she has an injury," Hobart tournament director Mark Handley said. "I just think that shes played a lot of tough, close matches over in Auckland and in the lead-up to a first Grand Slam (of the season) shes not taking any chances." Williams was planning to use the Hobart event as final preparations for the Australian Open which begins Jan. 13. She lost in the third round at Melbourne Park last year. The 33-year-old Williams lost 6-2 5-7, 6-4, to Ana Ivanovic at Auckland on Saturday. It was Williams first final since winning her 44th career title at Luxembourg in October 2012. The seven-time Grand Slam champions ranking has fallen to 47th as she has battled injuries and Sjogrens syndrome, a fatigue-causing autoimmune disease, over the past two years. Stephens first injured her wrist at the Hopman Cup team event on Friday and said scans might indicate she needed to take week off before the Australian Open. "I was having some pain in my wrist and the doctor recommended I not play this week," the 12th-ranked Stephens said. Gael Monfils also withdrew Sunday from the Heineken Open ATP event at Auckland, citing fatigue. Monfils lost in the final of the Qatar Open at Doha to Rafael Nadal on Saturday. The Sydney International had its first upset Sunday when American Madison Keys beat seventh-seeded Simona Halep of Romania 6-1, 6-4. Third-seeded Sara Errani beat fellow Italian Roberta Vinci 6-4 6-2 another first-round match. Agnieszka Radwanka of Poland is the No. 1 womens seed at Sydney and former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is No. 2, and both have first-round byes. Former No. 1 and sixth-seeded Caroline Woznicacki, playing her first match since becoming engaged to golfer Rory McIlory last week, faces a qualifer in the first round. Juan Martin del Potro is No. 1 seed on the mens side and Jerzy Janowicz of Poland is No. 2, also both with first-round byes. Defending champion Bernard Tomic, who won his first ATP title last year in Sydney before the rest of his season deteriorated into poor results on the court and some controversy off it, plays his first-round match Monday Tomic, with new coach Velimir Zovko, takes on eighth-seeded Marcel Granolliers of Spain. Zovko replaced Tomics father, John, who is serving a one-year suspension from the ATP Tour for assaulting Bernards former hitting partner last May. Danny Welbeck England Jersey . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. Phil Jones Jersey . The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the search, confirmed reports by several media outlets. The interview took place in Southern California on Monday. http://www.soccerenglandfansshop.com/Marcus-Rashford-UEFA-EURO-Jersey/ . The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title. "Its always great to win a title. This is the best way to start the 2012 season," Djokovic said.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tom Watson gives an edge to the long hitters at rain-soaked Shoal Creek. Watson figures guys like Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Fred Couples could have an easier time of it on some holes in rainy, chilly and windy weather at the $2.2 million Regions Tradition starting Thursday. It is the first of the Champions Tours five major championships. "The par 5s really play into their hands," Watson said on Wednesday. "The rest of us, were stretching it getting to the par 5s, especially when it gets wet. "With the predicted rains, it will be tough to get to these par 5s. But Kenny and Freddie Couples shouldnt have a lot of problem." Then theres Langer, who has already won twice this season and reached 20 victories on the 50-and-over tour. "The way Bernhard Langer is going, we need to break his leg," Watson joked. The weather could once again have a big impact on the scenic 7,145-yard, par-72 Shoal Creek course. Rain shortened the pro-ams on Wednesday with more showers expected on Thursday and temperatures possibly plunging into the 40s over the weekend. Play was twice suspended in last years Tradition, the second straight year rain and/or lightning had affected the tournament. It remains to be seen if rain can slow down Langer, coming off his third victory at the Insperity Invitational and finishing eighth at the Masters. "The rain will make the course play much longer," the German said. "The rough will be heavier because of the wet grass. The greens will be a little bit slower. Id rather see the other conditions, but Ive played well in all sorts of conditions. You just have to adjust and do the best with what you find." Langer finished second behind two-time winner Tom Lehman in 2012 and 10th last year. He beat Couples by a stroke at The Woodlands in Texas on May 4. David Frost held on for a one-stroke win over Couples last year at Shoal Creek. Ashley Young England Jersey. Couples opened the season tying for second with Jeff Sluman in Hawaii, behind Langer. "Fred Couples made it pretty clear, I think, in Hawaii, that hes trying to win the Schwab Cup, so were trying to give him some competition here and make it hard for him," Langer said. Fellow World Golf Hall of Famers Watson and Colin Montgomerie arent as well acquainted with the course as some of their peers. Watson, a two-time Masters champion, is competing in the Tradition for the first time since the events debut at Shoal Creek in 2011. He finished tied for 32nd. His history with the course goes back a few decades, though, to the 1984 PGA championship won by Lee Trevino. Watson said the Bermuda rough was so deep "they had three marshals on each side of the fairways because you could lose your golf ball." "Lee Trevino, it was right in his wheelhouse," he said. "He hit the ball so straight off the tee, and he just rarely missed a fairway. And thats what you had to do on this golf course." Montgomerie of Scotland is nearing his anniversary on the 50-and-over tour and makes his Shoal Creek debut. He said the course has a good reputation. "Ive heard a lot about it," Montgomerie said. "You talk about youre going to Alabama and then you say Shoal Creek and everybody in golf knows where youre going or where youve been. This is one of those classic courses. Having played nine holes (Tuesday) and nine holes today, I understand what theyre talking about. A very, very good golf course. "You can drive the ball great but at the same time its more of a second-shot course where I can see there are some pins in awkward places — backside, middle, front, whatever. It will be a great test. Im looking forward to trying to challenge this course." NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Jerseys NFL China NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '