Legend Player leads Augusta farewells

Golfing legend Gary Player and 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller bade emotional farewells to the Masters while Greg Norman, quite possibly the best player never to win the hallowed major, may well have played his last competitive round at Augusta as he narrowly missed the halfway cut. Three-time champion Player was playing his 52nd Masters, finally giving in to Old Father Time at a still spritely 73, but taking in the unique atmosphere for one last time. The South African was cheered to the rafters at every hole and received a standing ovation as he walked up 18 on Friday — 17-over-par but nobody cared.

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Button wins again in curtailed Malaysian GP

Briton Jenson Button recorded his second consecutive Formula One victory for Brawn GP at the weather-affected Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday. Button, who had qualified in pole position, was leading on the 33rd of 56 scheduled laps when the race was stopped after a thunderstorm broke at the Sepang International Circuit. With the torrential rain refusing to relent and darkness descending on the track due to the late starting time, organizers eventually decided not to restart the race, awarding half-points to the top eight finishers

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Injury-hit Serena beaten in Miami final

An injury-hampered Serena Williams slumped to a straight sets defeat to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the final of the WTA Tier One tournament at Key Biscayne in Florida. Williams played with heavy strapping on her left thigh, clearly struggling with her movement in Saturday’s final as Azarenka took ruthless advantage for a 6-3 6-1 win. The 19-year-old Azarenka has charged up the WTA world rankings this year with two victories in lesser-rated tournaments and only two defeats.

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Husband’s porn purchases threatens minister’s job

Leading British Cabinet Minister Jacqui Smith’s political future is in doubt after her husband admitted to paying for adult movies with taxpayers’ money. The Home Minister’s husband, Richard Timney, has apologized for the “embarrassment” he caused his wife, while she has promised to repay the money spent, including the £10 ($14) charge for the two films, the British Press Association reported. According to British media reports, Smith had not seen the videos and was “mortified” that they had “mistakenly” been paid for using her MP’s expense account.

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Button claims pole for F1 new boys Brawn GP

Britain’s Jenson Button claimed pole position for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne — leading a sweep of the front row for Formula One new boys Brawn GP. Button edged out teammate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil by three hundredths of a second to claim the fourth pole of his stop start career. But Saturday’s qualifying provided little cheer for reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will start 15th on the grid as his McLaren again struggled for pace.

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Israel: ‘Iron Dome’ rocket shield test a success

Israel says it has successfully tested an anti-rocket system developed to protect the country from short-range rocket and artillery attack from Lebanon and Gaza, defense officials said. McLaren’s Hamilton was way off the pace in Friday’s opening practice sessions in Melbourne, finishing 16th and 18th. It was scarcely better for Ferrari, with Felipe Massa, Hamilton’s title rival last season 10th in the afternoon session and teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 11th.

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