New world record for Davies

GOLF

Laura Davies, the world No 1, has broken her own world record for the longest drive by a woman. One of three runways at Philadelphia's international airport was closed for 30 minutes to allow Davies to hit a ball 376 yards, surpassing her mark of 341 set in Hawaii in 1988.

Davies, who has averaged 269.1 yards a drive on the course this year, hit 10 shots off a grass tee adjacent to the runway, which is 5,460 yards long.

Meanwhile, amateur golfers are to get the chance to out-fire the British player next month. She has agreed to take part in a long-driving competition during the Ford Classic at Chart Hills in Kent from 18 to 21 May - her first appearance of the season on the European Tour.

The winner of the Ford title in 1988, and already successful in an event in the United States this season, Davies will be aiming to maintain her record of having won in Europe every year for the last decade.