This week's ANA Inspiration - the first major of 2021 - is a tournament that was fundamental to the growth of women's professional golf when it was first played in 1972, writes Iain Carter.

Mercedes look to have a proper fight on their hands in 2021. Roll on, Emilia Romagna...

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton holds off Max Verstappen's Red Bull for victory in an extraordinary finish to the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Dillian Whyte produces a fine display to stop Alexander Povetkin in their rematch in Gibraltar.

Wales clinch the Six Nations as 14-man Scotland snatch their first victory in Paris since 1999 to wreck France's title hopes.

Jonny Bairstow strikes a magnificent century and Ben Stokes a brutal 99 in an emphatic England chase of 337 to beat India in the second ODI in Pune.

Scotland are forced to replace number eight Matt Fagerson with Nick Haining on the eve of Friday's Six Nations finale against France.

This week's event sees the world's best players competing head-to-head in an event that will inspire hundreds of thousands of amateurs looking forward to a return to playing next week, writes Iain Carter.

Slow starts. Record points conceded. A sky-high penalty count. How England's Six Nations campaign fell short on multiple fronts.

Pick your starting Lions XV as Alun Wyn Jones leads the captaincy race, Johnny Sexton shines at 10 and Louis Rees-Zammit lays claim on a starting spot.

France inflict heartbreak on Wales as they seal a 32-30 victory in dramatic fashion to deny Wayne Pivac's side a Grand Slam in Paris.

Ireland produce an outstanding display to overcome an ill-disciplined England 32-18 in the Six Nations despite Bundee Aki's red card.

India set up a series decider with an eight-run win over England in an absorbing fourth Twenty20 in Ahmedabad.

The corporation is expanding out of the capital to "ensure every household gets value from the BBC".

An elusive major is still not beyond Lee Westwood but his narrow loss to Justin Thomas at the Players Championship is evidence you need mind and body working spot on to succeed, writes Iain Carter.

Justin Thomas emerges on a hectic final day to win the Players Championship by two strokes as Lee Westwood finishes runner-up.

Legendary motor racing commentator, who became as famous as the drivers themselves, dies at 97

Wales score seven tries against Italy in Rome to set up a Grand Slam chance against France in Paris next weekend.

The PGA Tour introduces an internal out-of-bounds at Sawgrass to ensure Bryson DeChambeau does not take an unusual route to the 18th green at this week's Players Championship.

Unlocking too quickly would lead to a substantial surge in infection, the UK's chief medical adviser says.

Bryson DeChambeau's victory over Lee Westwood at Bay Hill sets up this week's Players Championship which is followed by a major in each month up to July, writes Iain Carter

England's batsmen once again fail to deliver on the first day of the final Test against India in Ahmedabad.

Rapid tests will give confidence that schools can open safely, a government science adviser says.

It comes as the search continues for a person in England infected with the Brazilian variant.

The UK will soon be in a "very different world", government scientists promise after the success of the jabs.

Canary Wharf expects people to return to the office but may choose home working some of the time.

Former One Direction singer Niall Horan is an ideal ambassador to help steer golf towards towards a more enlightened path, writes Iain Carter.

England's coach and captain both refuse to lay blame on defeat by Wales on two controversial refereeing calls.

Coach Wayne Pivac reveals his pride as Wales celebrate the first silverware of his tenure with the Triple Crown clinched in Cardiff.

Wales take the Triple Crown with a bonus-point win against England after early controversy in their Six Nations match in Cardiff.

Organisers are "very confident" the events will happen this summer, as lockdown is due to be eased.

Rory McIlroy missed the cut last week for the first time in 30 PGA Tour events but while underlying statistics suggest a deterioration in form, here's why the Florida-swing offers cause for optimism.

Arrivals from "red list" countries must pay £1,750 to spend 10 days in government-sanctioned hotels.

A century from local hero Ravichandran Ashwin heaps misery on England in the second Test against India in Chennai.

England are bowled out for 134 as India open up a lead of 249 to seize control of the second Test in Chennai.

England find flashes of attacking flair to bounce back from last week's Scotland defeat and claim a 41-18 Six Nations victory against Italy.

Wales edge out 14-man Scotland in a mesmeric thriller at Murrayfield to maintain their 100% start to their Six Nations campaign.

England are given a stark reminder of the challenge of touring India by Rohit Sharma's classy 161 on day one of the second Test.

The travel firm expects holiday bookings to be 80% of usual levels thanks to the vaccine programme.

With Dustin Johnson on a relentless run, Iain Carter assesses the challenge of former world number ones Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and Brooks Koepka, who are all returning to form.

Wales overcome 14-man Ireland to win a tense 2021 Six Nations opener in Cardiff.

Scotland claim a first win at Twickenham since 1983 as fly-half Finn Russell orchestrates a shock Six Nations victory against England.

Almost all the side-effects of the two vaccines being used in the UK are mild and expected, says MHRA.

Golf's rule makers are proposing changes to help curb the length professional players can hit the ball off the tee.

The Kent variant now dominant in the UK appears to be undergoing some "worrying" new changes.

Just three permanent deals are completed by Premier League clubs on a quiet deadline day as spending in the whole transfer window is at its lowest level since 2012.

Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy followed similar protocols when dealing with an embedded ball last week but the American is under more scrutiny because reputations matter, writes Iain Carter.

The PM sets the date he hopes England's lockdown will begin to ease, but warns of a "perilous situation".

Europe captain Padraig Harrington talks about Ryder Cup preparations, Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton's form and the emergence of a junior Woods.

People aged 25 to 34 face the highest risk of redundancy as Covid pushes up the jobless rate to 5%.

Chelsea sack manager Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge, with former Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel expected to replace him.

Boris Johnson says England's measures will be reviewed once the priority groups have had the vaccine.

Europe captain Padraig Harrington warns that some of Europe's older players may miss out on the delayed Ryder Cup but with qualifying resuming this week, Iain Carter predicts who will be in the 12.

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is beaten 6-3 by John Higgins in a remarkable Masters quarter-final.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says 2.3 million people in the UK have now had a Covid-19 vaccine dose.

India reach 96-2 after Steve Smith's 131 helps Australia's post 338 on day two of the third Test in Sydney.

Modest and likeable off the pitch but a fast-bowling demon on it - the story of India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Virgin Holidays joins Tui and Thomas Cook in cancelling holidays after latest coronavirus restrictions.

Boris Johnson will make a televised address at 20:00 GMT to outline further steps as virus cases rise.

Tyson Fury says he could beat Anthony Joshua inside two rounds if a fight between the pair can be agreed.

Boris Johnson says more areas may need tougher rules, as Labour urges England-wide curbs within 24 hours.

UK markets close for Christmas in upbeat mood, hours before the Brexit trade deal is announced.

Talks are continuing in Brussels, with less than 10 days to go until the UK leaves EU trading rules.

Holders Manchester City score four goals to pile on the misery for Arsenal and reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Despite the Covid-enforced cancellation of The Open and Ryder Cup postponement, golf in 2020 provided welcome cheer in this largely miserable year, writes Iain Carter.

How has a new coronavirus variant become the most common form of the virus in parts of England?

Family mixing at Christmas will be much reduced and scrapped completely for parts of the South East.

Mexican Sergio Perez signs to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen next year.

The PM and the EU Commission head speak again by phone, and acknowledge differences remain.

Officials from the four UK nations discuss the plans, as top medical journals call them a "blunder".

Lee Westwood's longevity and continued excellence in a sport that grows ever more youthful is quite staggering, writes Iain Carter.

Lee Westwood wins the Race to Dubai after an extraordinary finish to the European Tour season at the DP World Tour Championship.

Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua floors Kubrat Pulev four times on his way to a knockout win.

Granit Xhaka is sent off for violent conduct as a desperately poor Arsenal side are stunned at home by Premier League strugglers Burnley.

Boris Johnson urges Brussels to make a "big change" as the deadline set by the two sides approaches.

England recall Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow but rest Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for the two Tests in Sri Lanka next month.

Boris Johnson says negotiations with the EU will continue, but are "not yet there at all".

Boris Johnson says the UK must be able to follow its own rules, as he arrives in Brussels for talks.

Boris Johnson seeks a last minute breakthrough in stalled talks over a UK-EU trade agreement.

Boris Johnson says "hope springs eternal" ahead of a meeting with the European Commission president.

A major in December, being played over two courses, with an average age for the 156 players of 26 all adds up to a unique US Women's Open, writes Iain Carter.

The UK and EU say "significant differences" still remain as the leaders prepare to talk face-to-face.

Anthony Joshua is adopting "a gladiator mentality" as he prepares to put his world heavyweight titles on the line.

The European Tour deserves huge praise for crafting a season out of the ruins of 2020's coronavirus-dominated year, writes Iain Carter.

EU sources say the two sides are nearing an agreement on access to UK waters by EU fishing fleets.

Racing Point's Sergio Perez takes his first F1 victory in the Sakhir GP as Mercedes fumble what should have been a debut win for George Russell.

Owen Farrell finally finds his kicking boots to land a sudden-death penalty to subdue a stand-in France and win the Autumn Nations Cup at Twickenham.

Valtteri Bottas edges Mercedes new-boy George Russell to pole position at the Sakhir Grand Prix.

Alok Sharma says he expects the doses to arrive for the start of the UK's vaccination programme.

A BBC Sport poll suggests football fans are divided on whether they should be allowed to return to matches before a Covid-19 vaccine is available.

After being barred from most matches since March, some supporters in England will return to stadiums on Wednesday.

Pubs and restaurants will have to shut at 6pm and will not be able to serve alcoholic drinks.

Without the febrile atmosphere of the Principality Stadium, Wales go into Saturday's meeting hoping for, rather than believing in, victory.

Former captain Gwyn Jones believes Wales are "miles behind" England as the teams prepare to meet in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday.

England will return to a regional approach from 2 December but the tiers will be "tougher", the PM says.

Up to 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events in the lowest-risk areas when the four-week national lockdown in England ends.

The airline is selling thousands of items, including memorabilia from its retired 747 aircraft.

After Dustin Johnson's obvious Masters win, Robert Streb's PGA Tour win last week shows freakish results can still happen in golf, writes Iain Carter.

Tottenham move top of the Premier League as Jose Mourinho's side claim a hard-fought victory over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Drop plans to rewrite withdrawal agreement by end of month or risk scuppering trade deal, UK is told.