Ewen Murray reflects on a number of high-profile absentees at the BMW PGA Championship and looks ahead to an action-packed summer of golf. With the first five months of the golfing season behind us, our sport gets ready for a frenetic period with three majors in seven weeks, followed by golfs return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.Englands Danny Willett has tucked away The Masters, Jason Day has The Players Championship and more recently, Chris Wood claimed the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have been grouped together for the first two rounds of the Memorial tournament in Ohio this week A strong talking point at the European Tour headquarters in Surrey was the absence of several of the Tours top players, and Im not alone in being disappointed there were so many absentees.The BMW PGA has a purse of five million euros, its played at one of our historic venues, its our base and the fans - well over 100,000 of them - poured through the gates to enjoy the spring sunshine and an event that always has drama from start to finish.This years edition was no different. Although injured, Justin Rose flew over to England to show his respect for his home Tour and was genuinely disappointed he was unable to play, but what about the no shows? Im aware the top players cannot play every week, but there are some events that should be sacrosanct and the BMW PGA is one of these. Ewen Murray on Wentworth These are members who cut their teeth in Europe and have banked millions of euros in the process. That of course is mainly down to their sterling play, but there is more to it than that.Its not that long ago less than a handful of our players would be exempt from playing in the three American majors. The Tour, then under the guidance of Ken Schofield and his successor George OGrady, moved mountains for that to change.Their perseverance was eventually rewarded, but only after much hard work and lengthy negotiations. The Tour would not be what it is today without their diligence and work ethic. Their relationship with the sponsors and their involvement in improving courses has grown the affiliation Europe has with the other world tours, which could well fashion the future. European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley announced there are changes planned for Wentworth Then there is a gilt-edged sponsor in the shape of BMW. The Bavarian Motor Works hosts Tour events in its homeland, England, Italy, South Africa and China. They form a large part of the nucleus that is at the centre of our tournament calendar.The missing players at Wentworth are handsomely paid by various manufacturers to promote clubs, clothing, golf balls and other equipment. This can be done because the fans like to use what their favourite players use.Im aware the top players cannot play every week, but there are some events that should be sacrosanct and the BMW PGA is one of these. I, and many others, see it on a similar level to the Players at Sawgrass. Jason Day eased to a wire-to-wire victory at TPC Sawgrass last month I wonder what the PGA Tour commissioner, Tim Finchem, would have said had Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson decided to bypass Ponte Vedra?The worry for the future is that the fans might chose to bypass Wentworth. From next year, to be a member of the European Tour, it should be mandatory in my opinion to play in the spring showcase event.In getting that off my chest, take nothing away from this years champion, Chris Wood. 29 shots for the front nine on Sunday was a Herculean effort. Yes, there were some moments of uncertainty on the back nine, but Wentworth is a total examination of a players skill, make-up and nerve. Down the decades, even the golfing greats have come undone over that notorious stretch for home. Chris Wood claimed a narrow one-shot win at the BMW PGA Championship Chris is a popular winner. He has had several annoying injuries in past years and with that behind him, he has a good future to look forward to - and perhaps a Ryder Cup berth in Darren Clarkes side for September.As we head into this hectic major spell, the worlds top three players are in blistering form. Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth have all won their last events. Day was top at Sawgrass, McIlroy in Ireland and Spieth, with six birdies on the final nine holes, enjoyed a hometown win at the Colonial in Fort Worth.All of this adds to the anticipation and excitement of the US Open at Oakmont in Pennsylvania. This is a fearsome course where only the very best will do. Add to that the probability of searing heat and greens that run at 13+ on the stimpmeter, and this will be the ultimate test. The US Open returns to the historic Oakmont Country Club Thirteen European members made it through to the US Open last Monday at Walton Heath. Each and every one of them will hope they can emulate New Zealander Michael Campbell, who qualified there 11 years ago in last place. Days later, he held the trophy aloft at Pinehurst in North Carolina - the stuff of dreams!Royal Troon in Ayrshire hosts this years Open - a month after the years second major - and Sky Sports viewers will be treated to coverage never seen before. Sky Sports 1 HD will be dedicated entirely to The Open for 10 days.For the first time, the opening tee shots of this years Championship will be shown live in the UK and Ireland. In the run-up to the start of the 145th edition of this championship that began in 1860, practise rounds will be aired and in the evening from Thursday through to Sunday, Sky will show comprehensive highlights of the days play. Add to that, history sections and documentaries along with innovative shows will offer The Open the coverage it deserves. The Channel launches on July 11.Because of this years Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the seasons last major, the PGA Championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey, begins just 10 days after The Open is concluded.The last time we were there for this event, Phil Mickelson won on a Monday morning after storms interrupted play over the four days. Baltusrol is long and demanding and like the US Open, it will produce a fine champion. There are some significant events in between the next two majors. France celebrates the 100th playing of their Open at the magnificent Le Golf National by Guyancourt, near Versailles. This Robert Von Hagge and Hubert Chesneau masterpiece will also host the Ryder Cup in 2018.The week after, the Capital of the Highlands will take centre stage for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. The splendid Castle Stuart is the venue again after a couple of years at Royal Aberdeen and the hugely impressive Gullane, where Rickie Fowler won in dramatic fashion last year.So get ready for a fabulous summer of golf. Im sure there will be some amazing storylines in the weeks ahead. Also See: Day ready for Memorial test The Open channel on Sky Sports Golf live on Sky Sports Memorial ways to watch Asics Gel Kayano 20 . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Mexico Mid Runner Onitsuka Tiger . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. http://www.kliqplan.com/ . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Asics Aaron . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Asics Nimbus 17 Sale . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. LOS ANGELES -- To suggest Maya Moore has a keen sense of the moment is not to say she isnt playing her tail off constantly. Because she is.Yet in a career full of big moments in big games, this chaser (and usually catcher) of championships senses the times when something extra special is needed.In those moments, there is so much to think about, so I try to be locked in all the time, Moore said after Minnesotas season-saving 85-79 victory Sunday over Los Angeles in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. Sometimes, though, you look up and say, We need this moment. Were fighting, were battling, and Im just conditioned to step up in those moments.That all sounds cliché, but it actually looks breathtaking every time Moore does it. In a game with so much emotion from tipoff at Staples Center, Moore and the Lynx did not let themselves have another subpar effort, as was the case Friday in Game 3.The Lynx led most of the game. When the Sparks made surges, the Lynx answered. Moore, in particular, had some huge answers. She bounced back from nine points in Fridays loss with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists Sunday.Was anyone surprised? Of course not. This is what Moore does. She has averaged 19.4 points in 46 career playoff games, just a notch up from the 18.6 she has averaged in 203 regular-season games. Moore is consistently great, but the higher the stakes, the better she is.As Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve put it, Mayas greedy. Shes never satisfied. She wants more championships.Reeve, though, also sees the stuff Moore doesnt do right. Thats her job as a coach. But Reeve said Moore has an unshakeable faith that shes always going to make the next play. Even games such as Fridays dont rattle Moore at all. What does rattle her?I havent seen her be rattled, Reeve said. [Alana] Beard would rattle me. Her defense would rattle the hell out of me. Id have been turning it over every darned time. So I guess if Beard cant do it, I dont know.For the second season in a row, Moore and the defending champion Lynx will play a Game 5 at home at Target Center. By this point last year, they had worn out the Indiana Fever, and they won the decisive game handily. The Sparks dont seem to be physically tired, but missing out on the chance to win a championship at home Sunday will be a mental challenge for Los Angeles to overcome.Even so, this series going the distance is what pretty much everyone expected from the top two teams in the league. The new playoff format, which got rid of conference affiliation, allowed these two West teams to be on opposite sides of the postseason bracket. It has produced a thrilling WNBA Finals that have included a buzzer-beatinng victory by the Sparks in Game 1, decisive wins by the Lynx in Game 2 and the Sparks in Game 3, and a can-you-feel-your-pulse-racing Lynx triumph in Game 4.ddddddddddddIts been dramatic. Its been stressful. But its been great if youre a fan of basketball, Moore said of this series. I think youre going to see the best in Game 5.Moore is a big reason there will be a Game 5, and the closing minutes of the third quarter were a microcosm of what she has done so much of in her career. Chelsea Gray, who with 20 points had a fantastic game off the bench for the Sparks, hit a 3-pointer with 2 minutes, 29 seconds left in the period. Kristi Toliver followed with another 3 at the 1:43 mark to cut Minnesotas lead to one. The fans at Staples Center were going bonkers.But Moore answered with her own 3-pointer. Gray hit another 3. Then Moore hit another. After a Lynx defensive stop, Moore hit two free throws.Anything you can do, I can do better ...That maintained the Lynxs lead at six points going into the final 10 minutes. The last quarter was operatic all on its own, with both teams and the crowd at a fever pitch, the Lynx trying desperately to stay alive and the Sparks just as desperate to slam the door shut on the championship.The Sparks finally were able to tie the score on Candace Parkers driving layup with 6:01 left. Then consecutive turnovers by the Sparks led to baskets from Lindsay Whalen, with Moore assisting on one.Los Angeles cut the lead to two points twice in the final 2:08 but couldnt close the gap. Parker was called for a foul against Rebekkah Brunson with 12.5 seconds left -- on a play that could have been called a clean block. Brunson, who was in foul trouble a lot of the game, hit both clutch free throws. Moore finished the game with four more free throws.For the Sparks, who have taken some gut-punch losses in the playoffs over the years, this was really tough. They made mistakes with shot selection at some crucial times. They had some very costly turnovers late. They were beaten on the boards 41-25 and sent the Lynx to the foul line 27 times, with Minnesota making 24.However, Los Angeles matched the Lynx in terms of playing hard. Coach Brian Agler stressed that there was no lack of effort from his team. But ultimately, it was just too much Moore, and that kept the Sparks from winning their first championship since 2002. It also gives the Lynx a chance to win their fourth title and second in a row.We needed every bit of what Maya did, Reeve said. It wasnt easy. But Maya just makes plays. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys 2018 Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale China Jerseys NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Authentic Jerseys ' ' '