Golf’s financial crisis is hitting in a rather fierce manner, the upcomong golf championships could be at stake due to the current financial instablity.

Despite denials from European Tour chief executive George O’Grady, whispers continue that this year’s Race to Dubai, culminating in the $10million Dubai World Championship, could be the first and last

Tour sponsor Leisurecorp, who signed a five-year $150m deal in November 2007, suffered so much in the global financial crisis that the Dubai government placed them under the control of state company Nakheel in May

Leisurecorp also own Turnberry but, having spent £40m on refurbishing the venue for The Open, there are rumours they will sell the hotel.

On top of the worrying cancellation of this year’s British Masters, Canal Plus Open and English Open because of various financial problems, next year’s Andalucia Open and Madrid Masters are thought to be in doubt.
With Greg Norman also raising fears about the US Tour’s finances, golf’s likely nomination next month by the International Olympic Board to join the Games from 2016 is the only light at the end of the tunnel.
FRESH from missing the first Test because of a card tournament in Las Vegas, Shane Warne used his poker skills to inflict further humiliation on English cricket. Sky pundit Warne had struck a side-bet with talkSPORT presenter Darren Gough on the result of the fifth and final ‘Test’ in the888.com Poker Ashes.

So when the Australian team, which also featured Jeff Thomson and Damien Martyn, inflicted another defeat on Gough’s England side, including Robert Key and Dimi Mascarenhas, to take the series 4-1, Gough had to wear an Australian shirt at Lord’s on Friday.