ANTIQUES SHOPS

Mickelson struggles from the start again

7:30pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2011

Phil Mickelson struggled from the off for a second straight year at the US Open as his opening drive was lost high up in the branches of a tree.

Mickelson began by losing a ball in the water last year, and his hopes of winning a US Open title took another early hit as he was made to make the long walk back to the tee. The Olympic Club is tough enough without that happening and, although he made birdie with his second ball, the left-hander started with three successive bogeys and was soon four over par.

Mickelson was playing with Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson and while Woods impressed with his ball-striking again to be level par after 12 holes, Masters champion Watson was another really struggling as he slipped to five over and eight behind the early leader, fellow American Jason Bohn.

Bohn, twice a winner on the PGA Tour and with a round of 58 to his name on the Canadian circuit, birdied the first, seventh and 11th in a dream start to only his second US Open.

That put him one ahead of another qualifier, Michael Thompson, and Spain's Dubai Desert Classic winner Rafael Cabrera-Bello.

Scot Marc Warren - playing in his first major at the age of 31 - kicked off with a birdie on the 449-yard ninth and remained part of the group on one under after seven holes.

Dubliner Padraig Harrington was alongside him, but then ran up a double bogey seven at the monstrous 670-yard 16th, the longest hole in major history.

Harrington did hit straight back with his third birdie of the day, however, and at level par was on the same mark as not only Woods, but also England's Robert Rock.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were among the later starters, with organisers having decided to put the world's top three in the same group for the second year running.

Welsh Cavalry campaign goes to Downing Street

4:12pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News By Will Bain

DEFIANT supporters of the Welsh Cavalry took their fight to save the regiment to Downing Street today.

Armed with a petition with more than 3,000 signatures, supporters of the regiment, officially known as the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards, attended a rally and photo call in Parliament Square, before advancing to No.10.

The regiment, which traces its history back for more than 300 years, is under threat of disbandment or amalgamation with another regiment as part of the upcoming strategic defence review, with job cuts possible as the army is cut from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020.

Chris Gibbons, 54, from Magor, served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards for 22 years, seeing active service in Northerrn Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq during the first Gulf war.

Speaking to the Argus from Parliament Square, Mr Gibbons, said: "Fifty-five of us came down on the coach from Cardiff and there was another 50 or so who made their own way down here.

"I want the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary to think again about disbanding this historic regiment. They are putting a lot of people’s jobs and their families under huge pressure.

"I am proud to have served this regiment and I am not prepared to see it become part of history."

Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East who attended the rally , said: "A lot of people have contacted me who are very concerned about the future of the regiment and the strength of feeling has been obvious."

Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, said: “Any plans to destroy the identity and proud history of one of Wales’ oldest army regiments due to the Tory-led government’s cuts would be a massive blow to Wales.

“I met with Guards from Gwent during today’s rally at Westminster and I stand full-square behind them.”