Snooker: Rory McLeod won a title carrying ranking points for the first time by beating Tian Pengfei 4-2 in the final of the Ruhr Open in Mulheim, Germany. World no. 61 McLeod beat 70th-ranked Pengfei in a surprise final at the season’s third Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour event. Leicester-based 44-year-old McLeod collected the €25,000 top prize after winning seven matches. His only previous pro title came at the qualifying event for the Masters in 2009.
Golf: Rory McIlroy will continue to host the Irish Open for the next three years on behalf of his foundation, with Dubai Duty Free also extending its sponsorship until 2018. The prize fund for next year’s tournament at The K Club over May 19-22 will increase by 60 per cent, rising from €2.5 million to €4 million. Four-time major winner McIlroy, who missed the cut at Royal County Down earlier this year, said: “The Irish Open has always meant so much to me, so I am really excited to announce my commitment to host the tournament, on behalf of the Rory Foundation, for the next three years. I am sure The K Club – on the 10th anniversary as host of the 2006 Ryder Cup – will be an excellent venue for the 2016 Irish Open.”
Cricket: England fast bowler Steven Finn has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan through injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced. The 26-year-old is suffering from a stress injury to his left foot and will play no part in the opening match in Abu Dhabi, which begins today. Finn first felt pain in his foot after bowling in England’s second warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah four days ago but was able to take a full part in nets in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Tennis: Garbine Muguruza has withdrawn from this week’s Hong Kong Open due to a lingering ankle injury, organisers said. Muguruza, who turned 22 last week, claimed the biggest title of her fledgling career by beating Timea Bacsinszky 7-5 6-4 on Sunday to win the China Open, rising to fourth in the rankings, a point behind third-placed Russian Maria Sharapova. Muguruza’s run to the final in Wuhan, where she lost to Venus Williams, and her success in Beijing meant she reached finals in back-to-back weeks for the first time. Her withdrawal in Hong Kong follows those of Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard and Sabine Lisicki, who are also injured.