Andy Sullivan blamed a lack of preparation for his disappointing performance at the Trophee Hassan II which ended his hopes of qualifying for the Masters.

Team news as London Welsh host Bath in Sunday’s Premiership fixture at Kassam Stadium (14:30 BST).

Team news as Sale host Gloucester in Sunday’s Premiership fixture at AJ Bell Stadium (14:00 BST).

Joseph O’Brien

Top flat jockey Joseph O’Brien will ride over jumps in Limerick on Sunday, missing the opening day of the Flat season at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle horses at the Curragh will be ridden instead by Joseph's younger brother and sister, Donncha and Ana, and by top English pilot Ryan Moore.

The move will increase speculation that O'Brien will turn to mixing it with Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty over jumps sooner rather than later.

It is no secret that 21-year-old O'Brien struggles to keeping his growing body at the 9st limit that the best flat jockeys must maintain. He gave an interview last week in which he admitted that he would ride over jumps some day, but also spoke about really looking forward to riding some of his father's cracking three-year-old prospects later in the season.

All at Ballydoyle are well aware that double-Epsom Derby winner Joseph will not be able to ride for them for the next decade and have made repeated attempt to secure the services of Moore as their stable jockey. But he has refused to move his family to Ireland, as his children are all settled into their schools in England.

Championship club Whitehaven sign Wales second-row Rhodri Lloyd on a month’s loan from Super League side Wigan Warriors.

Sky Academy Ambassador and three-time European Tour winner, Nick Dougherty, presented 16-year-old Rory Doherty with a Sky Sports Living for Sport Award last week.

Could Bale join Rooney and co at Man Utd next season?

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has backed his Old Trafford to splash the cash and sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid this summer.

Bale has been heavily linked with a move to join Louis van Gaal's side in recent weeks, with Real Madrid keen to engineer a deal that would see United keeper David De Gea make a switch to the Spanish capital.

While a deal to sign the player Real Madrid paid £86m to capture from Tottenham in the summer of 2013 wouldn't be cheap, Scholes suggests a move for Bale would be money well spent.

"My feeling is that he would be perfect for Manchester United," said Scholes of Bale in his Independent column.

"Of course, as a fan of my former club I would like to see him there but, looking at it objectively, I always felt that Bale was a natural fit for United as he developed at Tottenham from a left-back into one of the best attacking footballers in the country.

"For any footballer who plays for Real Madrid in the modern era, the prospect of leaving the club must feel like a step down no matter where they go – but it does not have to be like that.

"When it comes to Gareth Bale’s career, it looks like he is approaching a decision that will shape the rest of his life as a footballer.

"He would be loved at Old Trafford. In return I believe he could turn Louis van Gaal’s team into serious title contenders next season.

"All good players need to be appreciated. Bale would be coming to United in a time of change when the team is looking for leaders, but the club is trying to move towards stability in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era."

However, there are reports in Spain that Bale will reject any proposals to make a move back to the Premier League next summer, as he has insisted he is happy in Madrid despite being jeered by sections of the home support in recent weeks.

Would United fans be happy with a swap deal that would see De Gea move to Real Madrid and Bale arrive at Old Trafford? 

Let us know at @SWorldSport.

Follow @kpsundayworld

Aaron Baddeley made the most unlikely birdie of the PGA Tour season so far towards the end of his first round at the Valero Texas Open.

Sturridge is injured yet again

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is set for yet another spell on the sidelines after reports emerged that he will miss most of April with a muscle injury.

Sturridge missed most of the second half of 2014 with a combination of fitness problems and only returned to action in late January, with his comeback helping to inspire a revival in Liverpool's season.

Yet after pulling out of the latest England squad due to injury, it has now emerged that Sturridge has suffered a fresh fitness setback and may miss Liverpool's next few crucial Premier League games, as well as their FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn at Wembley next month.

“I’m a little bit disappointed for Daniel Sturridge, because when he came to us he didn’t really feel that the slight problem he felt was really any problem at all,” revealed England manager Roy Hodgson.

“When we did the scan and it turned out that there was a problem he was absolutely devastated because he didn’t want to leave us.

“There was no option because he has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.”

The news will come as a hammer blow to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who was hoping to get his side back on track after the international break as they look to bounce back from the 2-1 home defeat against Manchester United last weekend.

Take a look at Phil Mickelson having some equipment trouble during the opening round of the Texas Open.