The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 89

FROM THE SPORTS PAGES It's official: football is now a women's sport In the commentary box FTER three weeks of shouldering the A weight expectation, of the unprecedented US women's hype and soccer team national triumphed over a much-fancied Chinese team in the Women's World Cup Final on Saturday night. Over 90,000 spectators, a world record attendance for a women's sports event, viewed the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California a match decided by a penalty shootout after normal and extra time failed to produce goal. A front-page editorial in China's state newspaper, the People's Daily, saluted its heroines: "Though they lost the match, they have proven their worth and strength as the fine daughters and pride of the Chinese nation. For their super skill, indomitable unyielding fighting spirit and their historic breakthrough, they have won the high praises of the Chinese people and people throughout the world." Yu Yilei in Beijing's China Daily stressed that China's success was just a veneer that "cannot conceal the tattered developing environment for women's soccer in "Compared with men's the women's side has far more reasons to be in a comfortable surrounding, following Olympic and World Cup second places and Asian championship wins. The fact is, nevertheless, just the opposite." Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times was won over by the spectators' zeal: "We cheered like we never thought we could cheer, for ponytailed and earringed wonders we never dreamed would be giants, in a world that is changing with every kick." He recognised a ground shift occurring for women's sports: "It was about thousands of moms showing up with thousands of little girls proudly lacking in sugar and spice.

It was about thousands of dads showing up with, believe it or not, thousands of young boys. Who wore, believe it or not, star Mia. Hamm jerseys. On Saturday, nobody accused anybody of throwing like a girl." Sports Illustrated's Terry Baddoo did not believe the hype: "My feeling is that while it has rightly been enjoyed as a wonderful spectacle, those who've followed it over the last few weeks should take the tournament for just that -a lively competition between teams and players still learning the game. It's in no way a blueprint for the way soccer should be played at the highest level.

And only with that proviso can the Women's World Cup be a positive force for soccer's future as a whole in the US." CL Brandi Chastain after her winning penalty Who to look out for at this year's Open Championship at Carnoustie Scotland's Colin Montgomerie predicted "Ten to Beat" (in descending order): "Only the toughest golfers are likely to emerge that a scare of 300, the highest for 74 Tiger Woods, David Duval, Vijay Singh, unscathed at Tiger Woods, David could be all it takes to clinch golf's Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Duval, Lee Janzen, Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke, years, Open Championship at Carnoustie, such Nick Price, Jesper Parnevik, Darren Clarke, Jesper Parnevik is the course's difficulty. The pundits, Brian Watts Lewine Mair in the Daily Telegraph ultimately, the Derek Lawrenson in the Sunday Those who have "what it takes" to win: though, agreed that, winner would come from a relatively Telegraph Tiger Woods, Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard, small pack of leading players "Six golfers who could seize the Mark O'Meara, Payne Stewart, David Duval, Claret Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia Bill Elliott in the Observer Payne Stewart, Vijay Singh, Greg Mark James, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Norman, Jesper Parnevik, Ernie in the News of the World Colin Montgomerie; "Dark Nick Els, Colin Montgomerie "Five to watch at Tiger Woods, Faldo, Mark James, David Howell Graham Otway in the David Duval, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Martin Hardy in the Sunday Express Tiger, is still. favourite Sunday Times Darren Clarke SPORTS FOCUS This week: the golf publications Golfers love. before you play your. their gadgets, and approach to the green, August's Forel looks check out the digital Into a new gizmo that.

map of the hole to see is taking America's the exact yardage left golf courses by storm to go. Orie feature that -the ParView. Using will excite every club satellite systems golfer is the facility to developed by the US place your orders for military, the ParView. the 19th hole while still provides golfers with on the course. But.

wealth of informa- don't mention to the a tion direct to an inter- club secretary that the active TV screen in: system currently retalls their buggy. So" at a cool £200,000.: The omnipresent Richard Branson even. manages to get his face into the golfing magazines this month. In Golf InternatIonal's regular column, The 19th Hole Mr Virgin reveals that his present handicap is the maximum "26 at His earliest golfing: memories are of playing with the former, flying ace Douglas Bader, who lost his legs comes the in the war: "After golf, on a visit to. when he was in the Shannon with bath, I would hide his legs under the Express." bed." It is not long In to: the interview though before he is up to his Nick Harper in old tricks.

Asked where Forel, August 1999: he last played, he: (subscriptions £28.80, just can't help. tel: 01858.438822); Golf dropping in an International, ad for his airline's 1999 issue subscriptions new route. £13, 01795 414854) Castle, in Ireland 312.176 yards to go July 16 The Editor 15.