Golf

Scores at the international region of the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf, played under matchplay rules at Blackwolf Run River: G Norman (Australia) beat R Allenby (Australia), 2-up; E Els (S Africa) beat F Nobilo (N Zealand), 1-up; N Price (Zimbabwe) beat V Singh (Fiji), 1-up; S Elkington (Australia) beat M McNulty (Zimbabwe), 1-up. Today's matches are:

Semi-finals: Norman v Elkington, Els v Price, followed by championship between semi-final winners.

Leading world golf rankings (American unless otherwise stated): 1, T Woods 11.00 points average; 2, G Norman (Australia) 10.28; 3, E Els (S Africa) 10.20; 4, C Montgomerie (Scotland) 9.88; 5, N Price (Zimbabwe) 9.52; 6, T Lehman 8.55; 7, S Elkington (Australia) 8.36; 8, M Ozaki (Japan) 7.83; 9, M O'Meara 7.48; 10, P Mickelson 7.24; 11, F Couples 6.77; 12, J Leonard 6.77; 13, B Faxon 6.76; 14, N Faldo (England) 6.73; 15, J Parnevik (Sweden) 6.63; 16, S Hoch 6.21; 17, D Love III 5.72;18, I Woosnam (Wales) 5.38; 19, T Watson 5.30; 20, B Langer (Germany) 5.24.

FORMER Scottish internationalist Keith Hird of Murcar continues to lead the North-east District Order of Merit, sponsored by Atlantic Power. Leading points totals: 1, K F Hird (Murcar) 522.50; 2, C Gilbert (McDonald Ellon) 450; 3, G M Donaldson (Newmachar) 310; 4, F G McCarron (Stonehaven) 270; 5, G McInnes (Murcar) 266.25.

Glasgow Golf Union Boys' Strokeplay, at Sandyhills. 141 - M Pacitti (Sandyhills) 68, 73. 147 - T Moffat (Bishopbriggs) 77, 70. 149 - G Pascal (Haggs Castle) 75, 74. 154 - A Syme (Williamwood ) 78, 76; M Gaughan (Cowglen) 77, 77.

Tennis

Defending champion Wayne Ferreira beat Daniel Vacek 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in a rain-delayed opening-round match at the Canadian Open in Montreal.

The match was interrupted by rain for 80 minutes, with Ferreira leading 4-1 in the second set.

''He has got a really good serve, so it's not a match where you can break him a lot of times,'' said Ferreira.

Justin Gimelstob provided the tournament's first upset, knocking off No.9 seed Peter Korda, of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-4.

Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden), seeded No.12, beat Bobby Kokavec (Canada) 6-2, 6-3, while No.15 Jan Siemerink (Holland) defeated Leander Paes (India) 6-3, 6-4.

Lacrosse

Anna Swire, from Laurencekirk, was top scorer (15 goals) for Fettes College during their tour of Japan and Australia. Results: 13-1 v Tokyo Teens Community, 4-16 v Doshisha University (in Japan); 2-21 v New South Wales Seniors (Sydney), 10-13 v Brighton Under-16s, 3-14 v Sturt Reserves, 2-16 v Burnside League (in Adelaide). Top scorers - Anna Swire 15, Georgina Fraser 8, Becky Larkin 5, Elizabeth Crichton 4.

American football

Scottish Claymore Ben Torriero scored two touchdowns and a two-point conversion as Lothian Raiders beat Stirling Broncos 34-6 in the Scottish Gridiron League. Raiders are now on course to face East Kilbride in the league play-offs at the end of the season.

Equestrianism

Wembley's Horse of the Year Show, in doubt for the past week because of a behind-the-scenes muddle, will go ahead as planned in September. It will take place from September 24 to 28 with no changes to the prize fund of more than #120,000 and with the schedule intact.

Wembley Stadium Limited and the British Showjumping Association are finalising plans for the show to be taken over by Grandstand Media, who have been involved in the sponsorship side for the past three years.

Boxing

Paraguay's Juan Carlos Giminez has pulled out of his WBO super-middleweight title eliminator with Ulsterman Ray Close.

Giminez, the No.1 contender, was ordered to face sixth-ranked Close, but a power struggle within the World Boxing Organisation has created a loophole for the Paraguayan.

Close's American promoter, Michael Joyce, said: "The situation is crazy. Because of these two warring factions in the WBO there are now actually two lists of rankings and because there is no single power, Giminez's manager feels there is no-one to force him to fight Ray.

"But I was surprised that Giminez's manager pulled out in the middle of negotiations and I still haven't given up hope that a deal can be ironed out."

Motorsport

Ralf Schumacher yesterday curtailed rumours about his Formula One future by confirming he will stay with the Jordan team next season. The younger brother of double former world champion Michael will complete his two-year contract with the Silverstone-based outfit, who have agreed to be supplied with Mugen-Honda engines in 1998.

Schumacher said: ''I signed a two-year contract and I am very happy to respect it. Mugen-Honda are one of the best engine suppliers in Formula One and I believe their partnership with Jordan will be very strong. I am very excited by our prospects together.''

Team owner Eddie Jordan stated that Schumacher had revealed the decision about his future to distance himself from the rumours currently sweeping the pit lane regarding next year's driving plans.

Jordan has already been hit by a claim from Benetton that Giancarlo Fisichella, Schumacher's team-mate who was on course for a podium finish in Sunday's German Grand Prix until forced to retire, will drive for them in 1998.

''Ralf has made his statement in order to end any speculation about his future, which for next year has always been scheduled to be with Jordan,'' he said.