HOW extraordinary that 40 years after the only major to be won by a left-hander the US Masters had three lefties in the top three.

Len Mattiace, beaten by Mike Weir in the play-off, is apparently a natural left-hander who chooses to play the other way round.

It has long been felt that Phil Mickelson would be the first left-hander to triumph since New Zealander Bob Charles won the 1963 Open.

But the suspicion remains that he hasn't quite got what it takes after finishing third for the third successive year.

He can certainly putt, as could Charles, and it was Weir's wonderful holing out from seven or eight feet which won him the title.

So why have there been so few outstanding left-handed golfers? Experts say it's something to do with them having better hand-eye co-ordination against a moving ball, which is why the Brian Laras and David Gowers of this world make batting look so easy, while Rod Laver and John McEnroe were among the greatest of tennis players.

Other than when Tiger turns it into a procession, the Masters always produces drama worthy of its almost theatrical setting, and it is nonsense to talk of the US Players' Championship becoming the fifth major.

There should be only two majors - the Masters and THE Open.

It is rare for either to produce a fluke winner and while I'm not sure about Mattiace, I can see Weir winning again.

After pitching in and holing some outrageous putts, Mattiace found himself on the last tee with the Masters in his pocket.

Then his nerve failed him, but Weir's held remarkably firm and he deserved to win.

DURHAM have always maintained there was a contingency plan in place in case Zimbabwe failed to show up for the inaugural Test at the Riverside.

Although it was kept under wraps, either Pakistan or New Zealand would have provided the opposition and, sadly, either would have offered a better game.

We should all rejoice for Zimbabwe's sake that they have confirmed they are coming, but take away Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Stuart Carlisle and the rest are not even household names in their own kitchens.

Streak took a hat-trick as a 16-year-old against Durham at Bulawayo on their pre-season tour in 1992 and later came over for a season with Durham City.

As his country's new captain he will certainly be out to impress, so let's hope he has a few rising stars among his unknown warriors.

JUST when we thought the pantomime season was well behind us, Frank Bruno announces that he wants to fight Audley Harrison.

Perhaps they could dress up as Mother Goose and Widow Twanky.

Herbie Hide, that most unlikely of former world champions, came out of retirement this week, so the British heavyweight scene looks like being a haven of comic capers.

Such are our sadistic tastes that there is a huge interest in this sort of thing, of course. That's why East Enders is so popular.

Unsurprisingly, the boxing board recently clamped down on so-called celebrities boxing each other lest they suffer the sort of damage inflicted on Michael Watson 12 years ago.

Bruno should remember that he was told to give up because of a detached retina, and he should look not to Harrison for inspiration, but to the heroic Watson.

It was only a few weeks ago, during his London Marathon training, that Watson found he could walk without leaning on the carer who has been by his side this week. Tomorrow he will complete the marathon six days after Paula Radcliffe breasted the tape, and while the superlatives for Paula have been exhausted, Michael's is the greater triumph.

But God forbid that he ever talks of boxing again, other than with the same mischievous grin as Muhammad Ali.

TALKING of so-called celebrities, it seems clear that Roy Keane is winding down his football career so that he can host some kind of television show.

Not content with elevating Ian Wright to a ludicrous status, we now have to do something similar with Phil Tufnell, who has suddenly left Middlesex in the lurch to pursue a media career.

Other than a talent for bowling left-arm spin, which he has shamefully failed to exploit to England's full advantage, what has Tufnell got to offer?

Clearly it is those who create more headlines by stepping out of line than through their sporting achievements who get on in this crazy country. McEnroe I can just about accept because he is intelligent and worth listening to. But Tufnell and Wright? Do me a favour.

Published: 18/04/2003