Romo Injured as Panthers Beat Dallas

Tony Romo might be out for the season with the same injury that sidelined him for seven games.

Cam Newton got a big boost from a defense that returned two of Romo’s three interceptions for touchdowns, and the Panthers ran their NFL-best winning streak to 15 regular-season games with a 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

Romo injured the same left collarbone that sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that damaged the playoff hopes for the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (3-8).

Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown. Safety Kurt Coleman picked off Romo’s second pass of the game and took it back 36 yards for the score to help the Panthers become the 16th NFL team to start a season 11-0.

Before getting hurt, Romo didn’t look anything like the only quarterback to beat multiple teams with records of 9-0 or better. He ended up losing for the first time in four starts this season. He had previously beaten Indianapolis at 9-0 in his fourth career start in 2006 and New Orleans at 13-0 three years later.

Newton did his part as well, getting Carolina’s only offensive touchdown on a four-yard run for a 30-6 lead moments before Romo’s injury. He had 183 yards passing with several key third-down conversions and another 45 yards rushing.

On the second play of Dallas’ possession after Newton’s score, Romo was hit by a blitzing Thomas Davis and went down on his left shoulder. It was eerily similar to the injury he sustained in Week 2 against Philadelphia.

The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated after a 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, who once again lost Tony Romo to an injury

Romo went on injured reserve with a designation to return after the first injury, and the Cowboys couldn’t win without him. They were already well on their way to a loss this time a week after Romo ended the seven-game skid in his return. He was 11 of 21 with 106 yards and a 27.2 passer rating.

Carolina led 13-3 when Kuechly and the NFL’s leading defense for takeaways put the Panthers firmly in control.

The league’s top tackler since joining the NFL in 2012, Kuechly dropped into coverage and easily stepped in front of a pass intended for Terrance Williams before churning up the left sideline and pushing Romo away as he crossed the goal line.

On the next play, Kuechly made a nifty over-the-head catch on a ball thrown to Jason Witten. The linebacker looked a little winded on the return, eventually settling for a 17-yarder that led to the third of Graham Gano’s four field goals to put the Panthers up 23-3 at halftime.

It was the fourth time Romo has thrown multiple pick-sixes in a game, and the first since a 34-18 home loss in 2012 against a Chicago defense that was among the league’s best in forcing turnovers. Romo actually won his first of those, against Buffalo in 2007.

No such chance this time, because Newton kept the Carolina offense moving when Romo wasn’t throwing interceptions. Newton had three 24-yard completions on third down, and led the Panthers into end zone after Dallas’ Byron Jones was penalized for leaping on top of his linemen when Gano made a 48-yard field goal.

Dallas defensive end Greg Hardy had a quiet game against his former team, finishing without any tackles. He missed the last 15 games last year with Carolina because of his domestic violence case. Hardy signed with the Cowboys as a free agent and served a four-game suspension to start this season.

#Thanksgiving 

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PGA Honour for Sorenstam

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Annika Sorenstam has been named the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf by the PGA of America.

The 43-year-old Swede becomes the first non-American to win the biennial award as she was recognised for her outstanding achievements both on and off the course.

Sorenstam won 89 tournaments worldwide during her glittering career, including 10 major titles, and she remains the all-time leading money winner on the LPGA Tour with earnings of over $22m.

She is also the second-highest points scorer in the Solheim Cup, posting a record of 22 wins, 11 defeats and four halved matches in her eight appearances for Europe.

Sorenstam won her 72nd and final LPGA Tour title in 2008 before announcing her retirement, and she has since set up a number of businesses including a teaching academy, a golf course design firm and a financial-planning group.

She is also the spokesperson for a charity which encourages children to live a healthy, active lifestyle through improved fitness and nutrition.

"Annika's impact upon women's golf in the modern era has been remarkable, setting a standard that may never be touched," said PGA of America President Ted Bishop.

"Her commitment to fitness and excellence made her a legend on the course, but her legacy in the game also includes a sincere dedication to growing a healthy next generation and inspiring future young women through golf.

"The PGA is honored to now call her the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf."

Sorenstam added: "I have been so fortunate throughout my life to have people who helped pave the way for me to work hard and exceed my goals on and off the course.

"I truly feel like I am living a dream and want to help the next generation do the same.

"It's gratifying that The PGA of America has taken notice of our programming that offers junior girls the opportunity to play first-class tournaments around the world, while also educating them about the importance of health and wellness. I'm flattered to be named the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf."

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Pettersen Keeps Taiwan Title

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Suzann Pettersen held off a late challenge from Azahara Munoz to retain her Sunrise LPGA Championship title in Taiwan.

Pettersen's overnight four-shot lead had been whittled down to a single stroke at the turn after she bogeyed the ninth following three birdies in four holes from Munoz, who then joined the Norwegian on six under with another birdie at 12.

But the world No 2 responded with two straight birdies at 13 and 14, and another at the last capped a resolute three-under 69 and earned a five-shot victory over her Solheim Cup team-mate.

Munoz was left to count the cost of dropped shots at 13 and 16 as she laboured to a back-nine 37, although she still claimed outright second on four under par.

"I was 4 under through 12 holes, and I was really playing really well," said the Spaniard. "I made two bogeys coming in but I hit two really good shots and one came up short and one came up long, just misjudged the wind a little bit but I played really well."

Pettersen's fourth victory of the season made significant inroads into world No 1 Inbee Park's lead at the top of the LPGA Money List.

Park, who did not play in Taiwan, leads Pettersen by just $93,613 with two tournaments remaining this season.

"It feels great to come here and defend my title and play as well as I did," said Pettersen, whose win was the 14th LPGA Tour title of her career.

"It was very tough out there. Since the very first shot on Thursday, the conditions gave us a very big challenge. Today, Azahara gave me an even bigger challenge.

"She played really good on the front nine - well, she played really good all around. I think I can almost thank her for keep pressing and keep pushing me because I just had to keep staying aggressive and try to make birdies."

Another Solheim Cup star, Caroline Hedwall, closed with a two-under 70 to clinch third place on two under, while South Korean Eun-Hee Jee was the only other player to finish under par for the week.

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Hull Receives Solheim Cup Call

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Teenager Charley Hull has been confirmed as one of Liselotte Neumann's wildcard picks for Team Europe at the Solheim Cup later this month.

The 17-year-old rookie has five second-placed finishes from six events this season and will becomes the youngest player in the tournament's history.

Neumann's other three wildcard selections are Sweden's Caroline Hedwall, Giulia Sergas of Italy and another English player in America-based Jodi Ewart-Shadoff.

They join eight automatic qualifiers - Suzann Pettersen (Norway), Carlota Ciganda (Spain), Catriona Matthew (Scotland), Caroline Masson (Germany), Beatriz Recari (Spain), Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Karine Icher (France) and Azahara Munoz (Spain) - for the event at Colorado Golf Club in Parker from August 16-18.

The squad features six rookies and five players from the victorious team at Killeen Castle in Ireland two years ago, but there is no place for the most experienced player in Solheim Cup history, Laura Davies, who revealed last week that she already knew she would not be receiving a wildcard.

Neumann said: "It's always difficult when you come down to this. It's hard to talk to some of the players who are not on the team, that's really the hard part.

"On the other hand I am super excited about the four picks that I made. They are very happy and our team is happy. I am very confident at this moment.

"I feel that Charley is playing fearless golf. You look at her stats, she shoots in the 60s about 30% of the time which is pretty good, she has finished runner-up five times on the European Tour, she's a strong player and she brings to our team what we are looking for.

"She has a lot of energy, she's a long hitter which is going to be great for Colorado. It's quite generous off the tees and we are playing up at altitude and the ball will fly. I think she can bring a lot of great things for our team and I am very excited about her.

"It's been so difficult for us every time we have been over there. The crowds are hard. If this team can mentally prepare for this, I really believe this team can do it."

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Woods in Ladies Masters Mix

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Cheyenne Woods, niece of 14-time major winner Tiger, shot a five-under 67 to be four off the lead after the first round of the Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club. 

She is tied for sixth with four others, including Scotland's Kylie Walker.

German Caroline Masson and South Africa's Ashley Simon lead by three.

To qualify for next week's British Open, Woods, 23, needs to be among the top three finishers who have not already qualified for St Andrews.

England's Charley Hull, 17, is five shots off the pace after shooting a 68 and is tied 11th with several others, including Australia's multi-major winner Karrie Webb.

Another Englishwoman, 49-year-old Laura Davies - Britain's greatest ever female golfer - is level par. She is looking for at least a top-three finish as part of her bid to qualify for August's Solheim Cup between Europe and the US in Colorado.

American Woods is embarking on her first full season as a professional as part of the Ladies European Tour.

If she is unsuccessful at the European Masters, which runs from Friday to Sunday, she faces an anxious day in final qualifying at Kingsbarns Golf Club on Monday.

She said after Friday's first round: "I felt like I played really steady and that I hit the ball well, so overall it was a good day."

Hull came in for praise from Webb who said: "What a fantastic talent. Quite a big pairing for her today and she eagled the first hole.

"I don't know how many nerves were there but very impressive. I think she'll be around for a long time."

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Meg Mallon 2013 Solheim Captain

Meg Mallon, an 18-time winner on the LPGA who represented the United States as a player in The Solheim Cup on eight different occasions and as assistant captain once, today was officially announced and introduced as U.S. Team Captain at the 2013 Solheim Cup, to be played Aug. 13-18, 2013 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colorado.

The announcement was made at the PGA Merchandise Show. Mallon sat alongside PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim at the news conference which took place on the floor’s main stage and was hosted by LPGA Chief Communications Officer Kraig Kann.

“It’s an absolute honor to be selected as the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain,” said Mallon. “I’ve participated in The Solheim Cup on nine occasions and each has been a proud moment for me, but to represent the United States as team captain definitely caps off my career. I look forward to working hard on getting the Cup back in U.S. hands.”

Mallon’s boasts a 13-9-7 overall record in her eight Solheim Cup appearances with 16.5 points scored and a 5-2-1 record in singles competition. She has been a part of six U.S. Solheim Cup Team victories including 2009, when she served as one of Beth Daniel’s assistant captains alongside Kelly Robbins. Her 16 ½ points scored are second in U.S. history behind Juli Inkster.

The 48-year-old also served as victorious captain of the PING U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team in 2011, an experience she hopes will benefit her in Denver next year.

“It was exciting to be a part of the future of The Solheim Cup in Ireland last year,” said Mallon. “It was such an interesting experience because I didn’t know the players very well going in, but we really bonded well and it turned out to be such a rewarding week. I really think it will influence my style in 2013.”

Mallon’s 18 career LPGA victories, including four major championships, earned her more than $9 million in a 24-year-career on the Tour. In 1991, she earned her first four titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open and LPGA Championship. She went on to win multiple tournaments in five separate years, including 2004, when she won her second U.S. Women’s Open 13 years after her first and crossed the $1 million in season earnings for the second time in her career.

“As an eight-time Solheim Cup participant and an 18-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Meg Mallon is a wonderful choice to captain the U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2013,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “She has always displayed a genuine passion for the Solheim Cup and she is one of the most respected and well-liked figures in women’s golf. Meg received high praise as an assistant Solheim Cup captain, and last fall she captained the U.S. PING Junior Solheim Cup team as they retained the Cup after a final day comeback in Ireland. I know the U.S. Team will love playing for Meg on home soil at Colorado Golf Club. She has my congratulations on a position that is well earned.”

The European Team won the most recent Solheim Cup, one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with a Sunday afternoon surge last September at Killeen Castle in Ireland. The U.S. Team leads 8-4 through 12 editions of The Solheim Cup and has never lost on home soil.“From world-class golfer, to world-class Solheim Cup player, to world-class Solheim Cup assistant captain and PING Junior Solheim Cup captain, Meg has always been well-respected role model that all players can look up to,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “I know she loves the Solheim Cup and the players who compete for it. On behalf of everyone at the LPGA, we are both proud and honored to see her as the U.S. Captain.”

Annika Turns Down Solheim Chance

Annika Sorenstam has turned down the chance to lead the European team in the Solheim Cup next year.

The 10-time major champion retired in 2008 having taken part in eight cup events against the United States.

But after helping the team to victory under Alison Nicholas last year the 41-year-old feels the time is not yet right to take over the reins.

"The Solheim Cup has been an important part of my career and I hope to one day lead the European team," she said.

"After working with captain Alison Nicholas (of Britain) and her team this past year as vice-captain I saw first-hand the incredible amount of work and dedication it takes to be the captain.

"With my young family, foundation, businesses and other commitments I have already made to try and help grow the game, I simply cannot provide the necessary time."

Meg Mallon will captain the United States for next year's match in Parker, Colorado after succeeding Rosie Jones.

Europe regained the trophy with a 15-13 victory in Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Ireland.

2011 European Solheim Cup Team Vice Captains

Ladies European Tour members Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley have been selected as vice-captains for The 2011 European Solheim Cup Team by Captain Alison Nicholas.

Sorenstam, the event’s all time leading points scorer with 24, played in eight straight Solheim Cup competitions from 1994-2007. The former world number one won 89 tournaments around the globe before stepping away from competitive play at the end of 2008 to focus on business interests and start a family. Morley, who was a vice-captain to Nicholas at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, in 2009, competed in The 1996 Solheim Cup and is a two-time Ladies European Tour winner.

“I am thrilled, humbled and honoured that Joanne and Annika have accepted my invitation to be my vice-captains for The 2011 Solheim Cup matches at Killeen Castle in Ireland,” said Nicholas. “I am looking forward to working with them both over the next 15 to 16 months. Their combined Solheim Cup experience will be invaluable. Joanne’s expertise working behind the scenes in two previous Solheim Cups and Annika’s wealth of experience as the most successful female golfer of all time provides a strong, inspirational, passionate and unified team which will guide the European players to success in bringing The Cup back to Europe.

“Joanne is a great character with a gift of encouragement to whomever she is with and gives her all in whatever she does. Annika is a born winner who thrives under pressure with a cool efficiency and passionate desire to win in whatever she undertakes. I am adopting the same strategy as last time in terms of having a vice-captain on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Sorenstam, a winner of 10 major championships, holds a number of records in Solheim Cup competition. In addition to earning the most points (24), she has won the most matches with 22 and scored the most points in foursomes with 11.5. She has also competed in 15 of the 19 foursomes matches played, tying for the most foursomes matches played with Laura Davies.

“I was a little quiet on the phone when Alison asked me because I was totally surprised,” said Sorenstam. “She asked me and I said, “Could you give me 24 hours?” I knew my answer would be yes but I wanted to make sure I could live up to her expectations with my schedule and fulfil my role properly. I called her back and said: yes. Some of the highlights of my career as a professional have been at The Solheim Cup. That helped with my answer, but I would love to be a part of it. Now I can participate and help to bring the trophy back.

“I’m looking forward to being with the players again, not inside the ropes, but closer. I can help from past experience: the way I approached it, give a different perspective and provide an extra hand when needed. I can help with strategy with regards to course set-up, administrative roles and anything Alison needs help with. I’m just going to follow my orders!”

Morley commented: “I am humbled at Alison's confidence in me to help bring home The Cup and grateful for this opportunity. I am looking forward to once again learning and growing under Alison's captaincy. The thing that struck me about Alison is that she left no stone unturned in her quest to bring The Cup back. Alison is not just a great golfer, she is also a fantastic business person with good communication skills I could not think of a better person more suited to lead Team Europe in 2011.”

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, commented: “We are delighted that Alison has been able to build such a strong team for the 2011 matches at Killeen Castle and we are confident that, in Annika and Joanne, she has selected the best possible vice-captains to help achieve an historic home victory when the competition is played for the first time in Ireland.”

John A. Solheim, Chairman and CEO of PING, said: “The Solheim family is very pleased to have Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley named as vice-captains to assist Alison Nicholas. The Solheim Cup experience of both Annika and Joanne will add tremendously to the European team. Having World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika involved will generate a special excitement all its own.”

The 2011 Solheim Cup will be the 12th staging of the biennial, transatlantic team match play tournament, which features the best 12 European players from the Ladies European Tour and the best 12 US born players from the LPGA. The US leads the series 8-3, having won by a score of 16-12 at The 2009 Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The Europeans last won the event at Barsebäck in Sweden in 2003, when Nicholas was a vice-captain to Catrin Nilsmark and Sorenstam played a pivotal on-course role.