GOLF

Anders Hansen of Denmark birdied the final hole to finish at 15-under-par 269 and walk away with the R2.25-million (€174,350) winner’s cheque at the final Joburg Open played at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Sunday. He sealed the deal with an impressive five-under-par 66, holding off the challenge of Andrew McLardy whose second place was his second in the three years of the tournament.

CRICKET

South Africa were caught off-guard at the MCG on Sunday. That was the explanation offered by their Twenty20 skipper Johan Botha after a major batting onslaught from the young and inexperienced Australian, David Warner. However, after Sunday the Proteas and the whole of Australia know all about Warner. The 22-year-old Aussie, who hits the ball the proverbial mile, enjoyed a dream debut. He virtually destroyed South Africa on his own and his whirlwind innings of 89 in Australia’s victory by 52 runs was described by skipper Ricky Ponting as incredible.

CRICKET

The Gestetner Diamond Eagles won their nailbiting MTN Domestic Championship semifinal match against the Nashua Dolphins by eight runs, but their good all-round bowling performance and an excellent 95 by the master blaster Loots Bosman were almost undone by a magnificent late flurry of runs by Daryn Smit who made 55 off 35 balls, and Quinton Friend who managed 25 off 19. The Dolphins finished on 245/7. The Eagles will host the Titans in Bloemfontein on Friday.

SOCCER

Kaizer Chiefs kicked off 2009 in the perfect manner when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in an engrossing Absa Premiership match at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday afternoon, catapulting them up to third on the log standings.

FOOTBALL

Manchester United thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday as the Premier League champions moved an ominous step closer to leaders Liverpool. Nemanja Vidic headed United in front in first-half stoppage time and Wayne Rooney doubled their advantage on the hour with a close-range volley. Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout in the 87th minute to lift United into third place. Alex Ferguson’s side are now just five points behind Liverpool and one behind a Chelsea side who were desperately lacking any spark and wilted alarmingly. United have two games in hand of both their main title rivals.