Are the Royal and Ancient about to spring a surprise and award the 2022 Open to Royal Liverpool? A decision is expected later this month and Royal Lytham, which has hosted just one Open since 2001, is the firm favourite.

But there are influential voices inside St Andrews HQ who believe that Lytham is too cramped to host a modern Open, so Royal Liverpool is being heavily considered for a move up the pecking order from a later date.

If chosen, it would complete a remarkable renaissance for the Wirral links, which only returned to the Open rota in 2006 following a 39-year absence. That edition and the one that followed in 2014 — won by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy respectively — were such spectacular successes that the venue has become a firm favourite.

Rory McIlroy celebrates 2014 triumph at Royal Liverpool, which could host the Open in 2022

Such has been the growth of the game’s oldest championship in recent years, with attendances topping 220,000 people when it is staged in the north west of England, there is speculation that the R&A will trim their current rota of 10 courses to weed out the venues struggling to cope.

This would certainly be bad news for Lytham and perhaps also Turnberry, which has been overlooked since 2009 and is presently considered toxic for another reason, since it is owned by controversial US President, Donald Trump.

This year the event will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, with a guarantee of two more visits in the foreseeable future. It would make economic sense for the R&A to pour financial resources into the venues that meet all the criteria and shed a couple.

Royal Lytham is the firm favourite for 2022 as it has hosted just one Open since 2001

Lytham, though, would be a massive loss, having hosted some of the great Opens over the years, including an emotional triumph half a century ago for Tony Jacklin and two victories for Seve Ballesteros in 1979 and 1988.

In the last four years alone, the majestic Lancashire links has hosted a Walker Cup won by the home side, a women’s Open won last year by England’s Georgia Hall and in July will host the Senior Open.

But has it now fallen from favour when it comes to the biggest event of all? A lot to ponder, therefore, for the powers that be. We should learn more from the R&A in the next fortnight or so.

Don’t act up Sergio, just say sorry

The golf equivalent of Liam Neeson will slink into Tinseltown this week with much explaining to do following his appalling act of self-destruction in Saudi Arabia. If you are wondering why the European Tour did not ban Sergio Garcia for his bunker tantrums and vandalism of the greens, here’s your answer, as he jumps ship to America until July.

When Europe aligns forces with the PGA Tour, which it surely must do to some degree over the next decade, a ban that would mean something could be imposed. But now the superstars can basically do what they like as they play one tour off against the other.

Garcia will be helped at the Genesis Open, staged at the storied Riviera on Sunset Boulevard, by the fact that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will garner much of the attention.

But, let’s hope the moody Spaniard shows some genuine contrition for his shameful acts, beyond the stock cliche of ‘we’re all human, we all make mistakes and we learn from them’. You’re 39, mate. You clearly haven’t learned.

The golf equivalent of Liam Neeson will slink into Tinseltown this week – Sergio Garcia

Gareth Bale moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013, but apparently hasn’t picked up much of the local language in the past six years.

According to Marca, his Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo claims that Bale still only speaks English. 

This news comes alongside growing concerns over Bale’s future at the club, with the Welshman saying he is happy there despite unrest from some fans. 

Marcelo says he only says ‘hi, hello, and good wine’ to his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale

Speculation over whether Gareth Bale will soon leave the Real Madrid is growing once again

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kiko Casilla, Marcelo says he is now lonely in the dressing room.

‘Now I have no one by my side, I have Bale on the other side, but Bale does not speak, he only speaks English, we speak with gestures and say “hi, hello and good wine.”‘

Gareth Bale recently scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid, however his future is still uncertain as he has not yet filled Ronaldo’s boots since the star left for Juventus.  

Recently, Sport claimed that Bale’s ‘introverted personality doesn’t fit well with the rest of the group,’ at the club. 

Marcelo says team-mate Bale doesn’t speak, and that they only communicate in gestures

If Bale doesn’t speak any Spanish, then it’s easy to see why he would not mesh with some of his team-mates.  

Bale now has competition for his role from Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius Junior, and speculation over whether he will be forced to find a new club is growing once again, as it has done several times over his years in Madrid. 

Manchester United have consistently been linked with bringing Bale back to the Premier League of late.  

Gareth Bale recently scored his 100th goal for the club, but fans still seem to be unhappy

Bale has given Real Madrid fans unforgettable moments, including an amazing Champions League final goal and a memorable performance in the Copa del Rey final, however fans have grown frustrated with the number of injuries the 29-year-old seems to pick up.

They are also quick to jump on mistakes, criticising him for a recent missed chance against Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last week.  

The BHA were under growing pressure to re-start racing on Wednesday as their veterinary committee met on Monday night to discuss the equine influenza crisis.

Racing’s ruling body announced a six-day shutdown of the sport last Wednesday after three horses tested positive for the highly contagious virus at the Cheshire stable of Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain.

A total of six horses have now tested positive at the McCain yard and they were joined late on Sunday by four in the Newmarket stable of trainer Simon Crisford.

Four horses trained by Simon Crisford at Kremlin House Stables tested positive for equine flu

But there was a growing clamour for the BHA to come up with a strategy that would allow at least a partial resumption.

Trainers including Nigel Twiston-Davies and Colin Tizzard have questioned the BHA strategy, and prominent owner Dai Walters claimed they had ‘lit a fire they can’t put out’.

Authorities in Ireland, where there have been flu outbreaks but not in active racing yards, have lifted a temporary ban imposed on runners from Britain.

Three horses tested positive for the contagious virus at the Cheshire stable of Donald McCain

The veterinary committee could sanction a restart while keeping in lockdown some stables considered at particular risk. The infected stables of Crisford and McCain face prolonged closure.

Around 700 tests a day are being conducted, with the Animal Health Trust prioritising horses considered most at risk. That includes the stables that had runners last Wednesday at Ayr, where McCain’s Raise A Spark ran and subsequently tested positive.

The positive tests at Crisford’s stable have placed British Flat racing on high alert. It is potentially a more serious outbreak than at McCain’s self-contained stable, because Crisford works in the heart of Newmarket and close to the famous training grounds. His horses have now been isolated.

Crisford’s stable had been identified for testing because he ran Sajanjl at Newcastle on February 5, a meeting which subsequently produced a ‘suspicious’ but ultimately negative test for a runner from the Rebecca Menzies stable.

Trainers including Colin Tizzard (pictured) have questioned the BHA strategy

However, it was four stable-mates, rather than Sajanjl, which tested positive.

Crisford said: ‘None of the four horses that have returned positive tests for equine influenza displayed any clinical signs of respiratory illness, including nasal discharge and elevated temperatures, prior to the mandatory swabbing that was undertaken last Friday.

‘The swabbing occurred following Sajanjl’s race at Newcastle last Tuesday and she has tested negative. There is no obvious connection between Sajanjl and the four identified horses.

‘All horses at Kremlin House Stables, totalling 92 boxes, undergo a strict vaccination check and programme on their arrival. All four identified horses have been vaccinated within the last six months, along with the rest of the yard and in line with protocol.’

In a statement, the BHA said: ‘Newmarket is an important centre for racing, as well as a hub for the breeding industry.

‘The BHA is particularly mindful of the potential consequences of the handling of this outbreak for the breeding industry. We are working with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association and wider Newmarket community to attempt to contain the issue.’