LONDON Jan 4 — World number five Graeme McDowell, who enjoyed the best season of his career in 2010, will use new clubs this year.

The 31-year-old Briton, who won the US Open last season and also claimed the winning point for Europe in the Ryder Cup, has decided to switch manufacturer from Callaway to Srixon.

"I am really excited about my decision," he told his official website yesterday.

"There is a great energy among the team... regarding my signing with them and I looking forward to feeding off this energy going into 2011."

According to media reports, the US Open champion has signed a multi-year deal with his new suppliers worth about US$3 million (RM9.4 million) a year.

McDowell, who won three times on the European Tour last year and beat Tiger Woods in a playoff at the Chevron World Challenge in California in December, is to use his new equipment for the first time in this week's Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

The Northern Irishman will be paired with American Hunter Mahan, the player he beat in the last-day singles at the Ryder Cup, in the US PGA Tour's season opener at Kapalua.

"As a golf fan, one of the most compelling moments of 2010 was their final-day match-up during the Ryder Cup," said tournament director Nancy Cross.

"To have these two paired together for the start of the season... we couldn't have scripted it better." — Reuters

 

MADRID, Jan 4 — Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 18th and 19th La Liga goals of the season as Real Madrid survived some late pressure to win 3-2 at city rivals Getafe yesterday and trim the gap to leaders Barcelona back to two points.

Champions Barca had stretched their lead to five with Sunday's 2-1 home win over promoted Levante before Portugal forward Ronaldo netted a goal in each half either side of a Mesut Ozil strike to keep Real in the title hunt.

Real coach Jose Mourinho gave midfielder Kaka a run-out in the final 15 minutes for the Brazil playmaker's first appearance this season following his post-World Cup knee surgery.

Real have 44 points from 17 matches behind Barca on 46 while Villarreal stay third on 36 after they beat Almeria 2-0 in the earlier kickoff.

Real had taken the lead in the 11th minute at the Coliseum after Angel Di Maria went to ground in the penalty area and Ronaldo blasted the spot kick past Getafe keeper Jordi Codina.

Di Maria played Ozil through for Real's second in the 19th before Dani Parejo left Alvaro Arbeloa and Lassana Diarra in his wake and lashed a shot past Iker Casillas in the 29th.

Ronaldo looked to have made the game safe 12 minutes into the second half with a smart finish from Karim Benzema's pass, which put him two goals clear of Barca forward Lionel Messi on the La Liga scoring charts.

However, the dismissal of Real's Spain defender Arbeloa in the 82nd minute for a second yellow card lifted the home side.

Substitute Juan Albin hammered home a loose ball in the 85th to give Getafe hope but they were unable to find the equaliser. — Reuters