Names In The News

World No. 1 RORY MCILROY "was named the U.S. PGA Tour’s Player of the Year after a season in which he captured his second career major championship among four victories." JOHN HUH, winner of the Mayakoba Classic, "was named Rookie of the Year." McIlroy "was selected over JASON DUFNER, BRANDT SNEDEKER, BUBBA WATSON and TIGER WOODS, who has won the award 10 times in his career" (BLOOMBERG, 12/4). ... German Hockey League (DEL) club Adler Mannheim has signed NHL Buffalo Sabres forward JASON POMINVILLE during the league's lockout. The 30-year-old Canadian has played in 586 NHL games (SID, 12/4). ... Int'l Triathlon Union President and IOC Member MARISOL CASADO and ITU Sport Dir GERGELY MARKUS this week met with IOC President JACQUES ROGGE and IOC Dir General CHRISTOPHE DE KEPPER in Lausanne, Switzerland to discuss the future of ITU triathlon (ITU). ... RAFAEL NADAL "has targeted a return to full fitness by April after dismissing his chances of making a winning comeback to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open." He "intends to compete at the Mubadala Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi," UAE later this month and then "play at the season's first major in Melbourne in January" (PA, 12/4). ... The speedboat DAVID BECKHAM "piloted up the River Thames in London during the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony has failed to sell at auction." Not a single buyer "could be found for the vessel at an auction" (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES, 12/4).

FOOTBALL NAMES: ManU legend DENIS LAW is the latest former player to be appointed an official Manchester United ambassador. Law will attend various events and functions on behalf of the club, promoting the work it does within the community (ManU). ... La Liga Athletic Bilbao striker LLORENTE has revealed he will leave the club after this season. Llorente said, "I am leaving in June and there is no going back" (ECO DIARIO, 12/4).

IN AUSTRALIA: Surfer JORDAN MERCER "has outed herself as one of the six elite athletes suspended for alleged misconduct as she fights to lift the ban and get back on the beach." The 19-year-old daughter of former ironman champion DARREN MERCER "was temporarily suspended by Surf Life Saving Australia while it investigates allegations of sexual assault and cocaine use at the world surf lifesaving championships in Adelaide last month" (GOLD COAST BULLETIN, 12/5). ... Former Australian field hockey player and coach RIC CHARLESWORTH "was on Tuesday roped in as coach of the Mumbai franchise for the upcoming Hockey India League starting next year" (PTI, 12/4).