GOLF: YE Yang reckons his two-shot victory at the Volvo China Open will go a long way to relieving the pressure after last year's USPGA triumph.

The 38-year-old produced a chipping and putting master-class as a one-under-par 71 final round edged out Welsh duo Rhys Davies and Stephen Dodd.

Graeme McDowell was the best of the Irish, tied for eighth place, while Damien McGrane (t17th), Shane Lowry (t23rd), Peter Lawrie (t28th), Gareth Maybin (t45th) and Paul McGinley (t53rd) all struggled.

Fagan claims 10k

ATHLETICS: Martin Fagan had to shell out €2,000 just to get to the starting line for yesterday's Spar Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, but felt it was money well spent after becoming the first Irish athlete to win the men's event.

His outlay was due to the travel chaos that faced him after he arrived in New York last Thursday, but he won in 29:15.

Meanwhile, Joanne Cuddihy won over 400m in Melbourne in 51:94, while Mark Christie ran a lifetime best to win the 5,000m at the Auburn University invitational in 13:41.79.

Niland makes final

TENNIS: Ireland's Conor Niland reeled off two straight set wins to power into the final round of qualifying in the ATP Challenger Tour event in Tallahassee, Florida.

Niland followed up his defeat of American Marcus Fugate 6-4 6-2 by beating Canada's Chris Klingeman 6-3 6-2.

Boyne retain Cup

RUGBY: A powerful second-half display saw Boyne retain the Provincial Towns Cup over a brave Tullamore side at Naas.

Boyne won 32-25 but a superb defensive performance in the second half was enough for them to claim the title.

BOXING: Argentine Sergio Martinez recovered from a knockdown to defeat champion Kelly Pavlik and win the WBO and WBC middleweight titles.

CYCLING: Cathal McCarthy soloed to victory in the Tommy Sheehan Memorial Trophy held in Carrick-on-Suir yesterday.

NBA playoffs: Dallas 100 San Antonio 94 (Dallas lead best-of-seven series 1-0), Orlando 98 Charlotte 89 (Orlando lead best-of-seven series 1-0), LA lakers 87 Oklahoma City 79 (LA Lakers lead best-of-seven series 1-0)

MLB: NY Yankees 5 Texas 2, Cleveland 7 Chicago White Sox 4, Toronto 1 LA Angels 3, Boston 1 Tampa Bay 7, Atlanta 4 Colorado 3, Washington 7 Milwaukee 11, Philadelphia 0 Florida 2, Pittsburgh 5 Cincinnati 3, Minnesota 5 Kansas City 10, Chicago Cubs 2 (10 innings) Houston 3, Oakland 3 Baltimore 8, San Diego 5 Arizona 3, Seattle 2 Detroit 4, LA Dodgers 2 San Francisco 1, St Louis 5 NY Mets 3