Pirate Galaxy » Thornton v Phil TaylorThornton

Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have led tributes from the world of golf to Muhammad Ali following the death of the boxing legend at the age of 74. Nicklaus crossed paths with his fellow sporting icon many times over their careers, and the Golden Bear was the proud recipient of the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award in December last year.The award, promoted by prominent magazine Sports Illustrated, honoured Nicklaus for his sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy and celebrated not only his remarkable golfing career, but also his charitable work.Alis passing was announced during The Memorial, a tournament hosted by Nicklaus at his home club of Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, and the 18-time major champion expressed his long-time admiration for The Greatest. The Greatest meets the Greatest: Nicklaus enjoyed some playful sparring with Ali at Valhalla in 1996 Nicklaus released a statement which read: It is an understatement to say that the hearts of the sports world are heavy with the loss of Muhammad Ali. He transcended not only the sport of boxing, but sports in general.He long ago established a legacy that crossed any boundaries of competition or the borders of just our country. He was a global icon.I was incredibly honoured and humbled to receive an award in December bearing his name. That night I told a story about how the walls in my home are not for plaques and trophies, but rather for photos of my kids and grandkids. Tiger Woods described Ali as a champion Yet there is one special photo in my office, and that is of Muhammad and me playfully sparring at the PGA Championship in 1996 at Valhalla in his hometown of Louisville. I have always been a great fan of Muhammad, because I admired the champion he was in the ring and the champion he became out of the ring for so many causes.I hope on a day when we mourn the loss of the Champ - the greatest of all time - we can reflect and appreciate his many contributions past and present, and ensure that generations going forward will admire and be inspired by all that Muhammad Ali accomplished.Tiger Woods was one of the first to pay his respects on social media in a post on his Twitter account which read: Youll always be The Greatest for more than just what you did in the ring. A champion to so many people in so many ways. Justin Rose met Ali ahead of the 2008 Ryder Cup Nicklaus long-time friend and rival Gary Player added: Muhammad Ali was simply the best. He was both brilliant and controversial. He inspired and empowered athletes all over the world. He was the GOAT of boxing. We should all celebrate his legacy. Rest in peace.Justin Rose was part of the European Ryder Cup team that were photographed alongside Ali ahead of the contest at Valhalla in 2008, and he tweeted: Had the pleasure of meeting the Greatest at the Ryder Cup. An amazing and inspirational gentleman. RIP Muhammad Ali. Also See: Olympic concerns for Day Poulter out for months Golf live on Sky Sports 4 World Rankings Alex English Nuggets Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Nikola Jokic Nuggets Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. http://www.authenticnuggetsproshop.com/Thomas-Welsh-Jersey/ . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Michael Porter Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Jarred Vanderbilt Nuggets Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off.Premier League Darts swings by Nottingham this week but does Wayne Mardle expect any underdogs to steal from the darting rich to to give to the poor? Sky Live: PL Darts Thursday, 7pm, Sky Sports 1 Michael van Gerwen is in red-hot form and looks difficult to stop, while Phil Taylor is finding his rhythm and Gary Anderson plays his protege Michael Smith in their first major match-up. Tune in on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 at 7pm.Heres what Sky Sports expert Mardle expects to happen... Gary Anderson v Michael SmithSmith will play well in this game. After winning last week he will feel like hes a part of the Premier League, he will feel better about himself.Whats happened to Gary? Last week he was playing to a standard where I thought, Its time to get your darts out, Wayne. Gary Anderson is struggling for form Anderson had no rhythm, he was releasing them wrong, you could see his hand was following through. Darts is about feel, you need a touch, and he doesnt have it at the moment.Prediction: I cant back Anderson with any confidence so Im going for a draw in a very tight game.Peter Wright v Adrian LewisLewis is doing my head in! I was chatting with him and he told me hes throwing with passion, hes playing great, hes in a lovely rhythm. Last week, he looked like he had nothing.Lewis loses his zest and his va-va-voom so quickly. I think this is an important game for Lewis because if he loses again, he could be in the same situation as last year. He wont be eliminated, he will make the cut, but he could be cut adrift from those who are making a run for the play-offs. Peter Wright brought the house down in Dublin after checking out on 161 This is Lewis 11th Premier League season and hes only made the play-offs twice, thats shocking for someone so talented.Prediction: Im going to go with Wright, just. Its more likely to be a draw than a Lewis win.Raymond van Barneveld v James WadeThis is just so tough to call. I was looking at the odds but they didnt tell me anything. Barney, you dont know what youre going to get. Wade has scored well but his doubles have let him down. We take a look back to 2007 and our first ever trip to Nottingham Barney, against Smith last week, was really poor and he can panic or worry.dddddddddddd Does anyone really want to play James for a living?Prediction: Im going to go with Wade. Hes just a little bit more reliable.Robert Thornton v Phil TaylorThornton played poorly over the weekend at the UK Open and Phil has looked excellent. This could be 7-1 or 7-2. Phil Taylor reacts to last weeks victory Phil shows no remorse, he just wants to annihilate you. Remember that legs count, not just results. Thornton doesnt seem to be over his chest infection - hes well enough to stand up there, but Im not sure hes well enough to compete.Prediction: Id be surprised if Robert gets to four legs.Dave Chisnall v Michael van GerwenI keep saying it to you, I cant choose anyone else to win except Van Gerwen. I just cant do it.Chizzy will be looking to win it but hell want to go in there, relax, and play. Thats not easy to do when youre playing the worlds best player. You dont need to beat Van Gerwen at this stage of the competition but you dont want to lose heavily. The debate has started. Is Michael van Gerwen the greatest darts player ever? In my opinion, if Chisnall can get a draw that would be great. Michael is beatable but the planets have to align. Michael is full of it, when he wants to play well he does just that.Prediction: I dont see Michael getting beaten. Just like Peter Wright last week, Chisnall will play well but it wont be good enough. ' ' '