The decision late last year by Augusta National to break with tradition and allow its first ever female members has been widely applauded with the general consensus being " about time too!"

Current world No.1 Tiger Woods described the news as "fantastic" while three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson said Condoleezza Rice is one of his favourite people to spend time with.

"Lefty" even played an Augusta practice round with the former U-S Secretary of State who impressed all watching by reportedly sinking a huge 40 foot putt on the very last hole!

Rice - along with South Carolina financier Darla Moore - remain the only female members at the private Augusta National Golf Club - as far as we're aware - and ahead of this year's Masters, club chairman Billy Payne described their joining as a joyous occasion adding "it's just awesome". He added he feels his club is a "beacon in the world of golf".

There's certainly no question that after years of intense focus on the club and its all-male policies –the admittance of two women is very much a step in the right direction but is it enough and will it indeed trigger other iconic venues to see the light of the Augusta beacon and follow suit?

This year's British Open championship venue Muirfield in Scotland for example still doesn't allow women members.

At a packed media press conference on Wednesday I asked Chairman Payne if he felt other clubs should now follow Augusta's lead. He responded that any such move would have to be their own decision while Mickelson declared he doesn't get involved in the "politics" of the game.

Here at Augusta fans out on the course are known as patrons. In truth, while the majority do fully agree it's high time to move on and adapt to the times, I did find a couple of female voices united in their belief that membership issues are down to each individual club.

That said, it's certainly not going to change the growing pressure of that majority to change. In addition to Muirfield - the world governing body of the game outside the USA - The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at Saint Andrews - is also male only.

Since its beginning in 1754, it's simply never had a female member! After almost 260 years - and following the recent example of Augusta - is the time now right for us to even dare to dream of change?

So did the "Beckham experiment" work?

In my book it was always going to be unfair to charge him with the near impossible burden of becoming America's soccer saviour.

It was simply never going to happen in a land where the beautiful game is routinely forced to play second fiddle to its more established alternatives - and I'm sure deep down Beckham himself knew this.

Realistically- his inner goal when he signed for the Galaxy would have been to make an impact and there's no question he's certainly achieved that.

Strikers Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane were both likely influenced by Beckham's move to the U.S. Other stars will follow too, with Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard already being linked with a high-profile move to LA.

Attendances are up. Galaxy jerseys went through the roof when he arrived and the league has seen seven extra franchises added since the start of 2007.

There are now 19 clubs in the Major league Soccer (MLS) and most of them have state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadia.

That's fantastic growth and Beckham can be proud of his contribution to that and the overall MLS feel-good factor, though Seattle and Portland will rightly point to their own hot-bed of soccer passsion which exists whether the former England captain is around or not.

However as far as his playing legacy's concerned it's vitally important he leads the Galaxy to victory over Houston at the weekend otherwise he's bowing out with just one title in nearly six years.

That is far from spectacular given the franchise won two MLS Cups in a four-season spell prior to Beckham's arrival.

Victory would be a fitting end to his LA career.

Certainly a far cry from his early days in California when fans and even teammate Landon Donovan questioned his commitment to the cause due to his insistence on returning to Europe for various loan deals.

I'd be surprised too if some sections of the Galaxy fans aren't disappointed by his decision not to complete the two-year deal he signed earlier this year.

I'm certain he WON"T retire. I take him at face value when he talks about "one more challenge", though I don't subscribe to the view he can have his pick of clubs. Old Father Time has seen to that ambition.

My own verdict? The popular Englishman certainly played his part and will rightly have his place in MLS history.

The game in the States continues to thrive as a result. I believe he's taken the game here to the next level. But there's still plenty of work to be done making the Beckham Experiment not quite yet mission accomplished!

As a Brit who followed this year’s Ryder Cup every step of the way – I take immense pride in the European team’s come-from-behind victory. It was a fantastic achievement, but did Jose Maria’s Olazabal’s men win it or did the U.S. blow it?

The Americans were without question the better, hungrier team over the first two days and there will be many who will feel Davis Love III’s players deserved to win back the prestigious trophy.

Events during Sunday’s dramatic final round certainly conspired against them. They simply didn’t get the rub of the green when it mattered most.

Europe did what they had to. Luke Donald and Ian Poulter came out all guns blazing and both secured vital points for the holders. Rory McIlroy – despite almost missing his tee-time due to his own tardiness – recorded a crucial victory over Keegan Bradley, who had been one of the USA’s stand-out performers, which really set the pace. The momentum was with Europe and they took full advantage.

Inspired by the memory of the late, great Seve Ballesteros, Team Europe played their hearts out. But in the end I feel they were handed victory because their opponents never truly believed they could go on and seal the deal.

By getting so much blue on the scoreboard so early in Sunday’s play – the seeds of doubt were sewn in the American team. You could see the tension etched all over Love’s face.

I was out on the course in the thick of it during an historic Sunday at Medinah. Europe had its fair share of travelling support, although it didn’t compare to the raucous masses cheering on Team USA!

But was their frenetic screaming a help or hindrance? The huge crowds should have been the home team’s 13th man just as they had been four years previously in Kentucky.

Something was missing though. The U.S. team wasn’t responding in the manner they had during Sunday’s play at Valhalla in 2008. The crowds were instrumental in helping their country go on to secure a five-point victory on that occasion. Not this time around.

For me – the turning point was what happened at 17 in the Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson match.

Had Mickenson's fantastic chip shot dropped – the Ryder Cup was headed back to the States. No question. It stayed out and Rose’s remarkable putt not only kept Europe alive, it spurred him on to victory on the final hole.

I’m sure Rose himself would admit he wouldn’t sink another putt like that, with so much riding on it, in a month of Sundays!

The Europeans were galvanized by Justin’s win. The Americans were left deflated. I witnessed the mutterings of discontent among the host nation’s fans.

They wanted this win badly for their country but I could feel they sensed the inevitable. When Jim Furyk threw away his advantage against Sergio Garcia – who looked as shocked as anyone he’d won – the Americans’ fate was effectively sealed.

Sadly for the U.S. team, Tiger Woods endured another miserable Ryder Cup. He cut a forlorn figure as Europe celebrated their victory ahead of him.

He had been given the anchor role for his country, but in the end his efforts against Francesco Molinari were rendered inconsequential by what had gone on before him. This was a tournament to forget for Woods – a player who has only once been on a winning Ryder Cup team.

In conclusion – it was a thrilling contest from start to finish and the Europeans must take huge credit for their comeback, but did the best team win over three days?

Perhaps Europe’s victory was written in the stars.

Seve himself would have it no other way!

While both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy fell by the wayside during Sunday's final round at the Tour Championship - on current form there's no doubt which player carries more momentum into the Ryder Cup, and Tiger Woods knows it.

Prior to the Tour Championship, former world No. 1 Woods jokingly called current incumbent McIlroy "the great intimidator".

But during that pre-tournament press conference at East Lake, it appeared Woods was simply not comfortable with even talking about the game's top-ranked player.

He avoided getting into a debate triggered by comments from Australian great Greg Norman, who said he believed McIlroy has the capacity to intimidate Woods.

Tiger retorted with a quip about Rory's coiffure. “It must be the hair," he replied, in reference to the Northern Irishman’s resplendent locks.

This is a fantastic rivalry for golf - and the game needs it. The young pretender versus the sport's storied 14-time major winner.

The two are reasonably friendly as rivals go and seem to talk during rounds. It is apparent there is a mutual respect and fondness.

In contrast a lot of top professionals barely utter a word to each other during play as they are totally focused on their game.

That is right and proper of course, but a little friendly camaraderie every once in while wouldn't go amiss.

It is highly unlikely Woods is intimidated by McIlroy and the Northern Irishman has confirmed that himself.

But it is worth posing the question whether Woods wishes he was 23 again, with the golfing world at his feet.

The American right-hander will turn 37 later this year and while there is still time for him to surpass Jack Nicklaus' record haul of 18 major wins - has he the consistency?

That elusive quality is something that Rory has mastered - especially in the last few months.

Winning the PGA Championship in South Carolina really kick-started his year; he was going for his third straight win on the PGA Tour at East Lake.

Not that Woods hasn’t been in good form. If McIlroy hadn't been around in recent weeks, Tiger could well have scooped up more silverware.

But as the focus shifts to the Ryder Cup in Illinois, what a fascinating scenario it would be if it all came down to Tiger versus Rory in Sunday’s final singles pairing.

Woods’ Ryder Cup record is not the best - he's only played in one winning U.S. team - and it is clear that's something he wants to change.

The good news for Europe is they have the hottest player in golf amid their ranks - a player universally liked, feared, respected and admired.

Woods referred to him as a "kid" at East Lake. The problem Woods and team USA have right now is this "kid" seems to be a fast learner who is only going to get better and better and he is playing a type of golf way beyond his tender years.

Roger Federer, Alex Ferguson, Mike Tyson, David Beckham and even Tiger Woods!

I’ve been fortunate and truly blessed to have interviewed some of sport's biggest names one-on-one, but for years there remained a glaring hole in my professional resume.

Or rather two glaring holes: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. I’d have taken some time with even just one of them, but the two of them together and the chance of a first ever trip to Las Vegas? Not something I was about to pass up!

While I never got to interview either of them at the peak of their playing powers, this was in a sense much better. I found both very welcoming, friendly, relaxed and very eager to talk.

What struck me was just how much winning Olympic gold means to both of them. Steffi shocked me when she said her gold back in 1988 was actually bigger in her mind than a grand slam title. Then I got to thinking ... the German has a total of 22 majors, after all, and only one Olympic gold! Or two, maybe, if you count the gold she won for her country when tennis was an exhibition event at Los Angeles ’84.

I concluded that no-one who’s won everything would want to end their career without a prestigious Olympic title.

I knew the celebrity couple rarely did this kind of thing, at least together, and having never before actually spoken to either of them I didn’t quite know what to expect. I’ve been doing this kind of thing for too long to actually get nervous, but there’s no question I was feeling a fair few butterflies! I’d done my homework though and felt well-prepared.

Both arrived early and went into make- up. Steffi emerged and, after introducing myself, we engaged in casual chat and took a trip down memory lane in recalling who she’d beaten en route to that 1988 gold. In an instant, I relaxed and when Andre arrived it was just like chatting with a pair of long-lost friends.

I only once ever recall feeling a few nerves in an interview situation before. That occasion was with Mike Tyson after a fight in Denmark. Though he’d won the fight, he hadn’t performed to the best of his abilities and looking back I don’t think he really wanted to do it. It’s to his credit that he did, of course, but some of his answers were brief to say the least!

Andre and Steffi spoke passionately throughout. I could sense their pride in their achievements, and the setting for the shoot was even more special – especially for Andre. We were recording in the special workout facility of Gil Reyes –Agassi’s fitness trainer for 17 years. They remain firm friends, and what caught my eye was the fact that every one of Andre’s 8 grand slam trophies was on display for all to see.

Golden moments: Agassi and Graf relive Olympic glory

Our 30-minute segment flew by. I know I relaxed greatly during the shoot and I feel they did too. The couple’s love for the game was all too apparent. Steffi’s command of the English language is excellent but I sensed her husband’s reassuring presence allowed her to wax lyrical about her terrific achievement in South Korea.

By the way, Andre’s memory is incredible. He was able to recall every opponent en route to taking gold at Atlanta '96. Pretty much every scoreline too. Now that’s impressive!

You can always tell when interviewees really want to be there in the first place. Andre and Steffi most definitely did. In fact, after the main half-hour slot, Andre hung around for general chit-chat off camera then agreed to record a separate 10-minute piece for us before shooting off to join his wife in picking up his other pride and joy – their children.

Just before we all went our separate ways, Andre gazed out of the window of the Reyes gym. His eyes were focused on the court that was just yards away. Had I brought my racket with me I may well have asked for a hit with one of the game’s all-time greats.

I really do think he would have accepted my challenge too. Who knows, maybe we can leave that for next time we meet!

I'd say American golf has much to be proud of right now, ahead of this week's British Open.

Tiger Woods may have continued his own personal major drought at last month's U.S. Open, and Phil Mickelson looked as far away as ever from winning it, but the stage was cleared for another crop of young talent from the States to shine. And how!

Webb Simpson's triumph was significant not just because at the age of 26 it was his first major, but because it was the third straight grand slam title won by an American player - and in a Ryder Cup year that's one huge boost to team captain Davis Love III.

The spectacular success of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy at Congressional last year looks but a distant memory given his current form, while world No. 1 Luke Donald, No. 3 Lee Westwood and another highly-rated Brit, Justin Rose, continue to fall short on the biggest of golfing stages. But, in my view, that convincing victory in Maryland for young Rory only served to galvanize Americans playing in their own backyard.

Keegan Bradley responded by taking the PGA Championship in Atlanta, Bubba Watson promptly won his first green jacket at the Masters in April and Simpson followed suit at San Francisco's Olympic Club.

Factor in, too, the incredible young talent amid the nation's amateur ranks at the June tournament. Jordan Spieth, Beau Hossler and Patrick Cantlay, who has since turned pro and joined up with Woods' agent, all performed impressively at the season's second major. At one point in the second round, the 17-year-old Hossler actually led the tournament!

Hossler really caught the eye and was the pick of the bunch for me out of what's already another highly-talented batch of U.S. college stars. Even though he didn't end up as low amateur (that accolade went to 18-year-old Spieth) it was Beau's performance on and off the course that most impressed me.

He'll be disappointed, I know, to fall away during the final round after running out of steam down the stretch, but he has so much to be proud of.

In short, he was a breath of fresh air. I like the way his devoted mother followed every step of the way out there in the heat of battle. I like the way he played fearless, confident golf rubbing shoulders with the game's elite. But I especially like the manner in which he conducted himself at all those press conferences.

There was no convoluted breakdown of his round from young Beau. No lengthy reflections on where he needs to improve moving forward. No, what he wanted to focus on was the free laundry service in the players' locker room – a perk he was entitled to for making it through to the weekend rounds.

Or how about signing autographs Beau Hossler-style?!

With literally dozens clamoring for him to put to paper on their behalf or sign their recently-purchased hat, Hossler happily agreed to meet all requests. The one proviso? Gotta finish that ice cream bar! An image that will live long in the memory. Beau Hossler, onetime leader of the U.S. Open, signing his autographs with one hand clutching his post-round snack!

Don't think he can't play either. The general consensus from those in the know is he can. Out on the course the words "this kid's got game" were heard plenty of times.

Right now he remains in high school in Southern California. But not for much longer. He's committed to attend the University of Texas' coveted golf program. After that, it's all down to him. But one thing that is for sure - the golfing world will be watching!

While Simpson will not be playing at Royal Lytham this week due to the imminent birth of his second child, I'm expecting the American contingent to put in another strong showing.

There's a newfound confidence among the country's golfers and I feel that will prove a key factor once again. And don't forget the last two Opens played on the English course have both been won by players from the U.S. - Tom Lehman in 1996 and David Duval in 2001.

America's proud golfing heritage remains very much intact. In fact, you might say the future's never looked healthier.

It could have been the week the famed Augusta National made history. It could have been the week the club announced its first female member - nearly 80 years since its inception back in late 1932.

Instead, current chairman Billy Payne stuck to his guns and refused to discuss whether tournament sponsor IBM's new CEO Virginia Rometty would be considered for membership just like her four male predecessors.

It was a packed press conference at the National on Wednesday when the chairman gave his annual address to the world's media. I counted maybe five different attempts - including my own - to get Mr. Payne to elaborate further on his stance that the club simply doesn't comment on membership matters. But to no avail.

So what's next? Will this hot topic of debate go away or will it remain on the table? There are thousands of people out there on the course every day, many of them women.

People I spoke to suggested that we're now in 2012 and it's time for change, but in terms of visible protests - like the one witnessed outside the club back in 2003 - there was nothing doing.

The fact remains that Augusta National is a private club. We assume there are no female members but we don't know that for sure. How could we if the club retains the right to not discuss the matter?

Ideally we would and perhaps should be hearing from Mrs. Rometty on this matter but as of right now - there was no comment from herself or IBM.

One thing I do know is that Augusta does things on its own timetable and won't be pressured into anything. It took the club until 1990 before it accepted its first ever African-American member and it would have surprised me greatly if the National had chosen this of all weeks to announce a first female member.

Quite simply, nothing to distract from the smooth running of the tournament will be tolerated.

Indeed when and if the day comes, it may well be the case that there IS no big announcement.

Oh and by the way, keep an eye out for Mrs. Rometty this weekend. If she's at Augusta for Sunday's final round and she's dressed in a green jacket THEN we'll know history has indeed been made!

When Northern Irishman Darren Clarke deservedly won this year's British Open, the spotlight once again fell on America's under-achieving stars.

With Tiger Woods winless in majors since June 2008 and Phil Mickelson's last grand slam title coming in April 2010, the pressure on this current generation of U.S. players was immense going into last month's PGA Championship and the PGA Tour's big-money end-of-season series in September. 

But I have to say they've risen to the challenge in highly-impressive fashion. Keegan Bradley started the ball rolling by claiming his first major title, and Bill Haas has topped it off by winning the deciding Tour Championship and the $10 million FedEx Cup jackpot on Sunday.

Haas is the latest American in his twenties to prove he's got what it takes when under the most extreme pressure. His coolness when the heat was on during his dramatic playoff victory in Atlanta had to be witnessed first-hand to be believed.

He needed three extra holes before he finally saw off the challenge of U.S. Ryder Cup star Hunter Mahan to win the staggering amount of $11.44 million - his reward for four impeccable rounds in the 60s, which made him the fourth different winner in the five-year history of the highly-lucrative series.

The line-up for the tournament at East Lake saw an elite field of the 30 players who'd qualified. Among them were three from Europe, including two Brits. Sadly for Justin Rose, who went into the final event third in the standings, he failed to build on his excellent success the previous week in Chicago.

But what of world number one Luke Donald, the Englishman who badly needs a major under his belt? I spoke with Luke at the start of the week. He was one of the top-five players in the points standings and therefore able to control his own destiny.

There's no doubt Donald is a formidable model of consistency when playing in the U.S. He now has 13 top-10 finishes in 18 starts on the PGA Tour and, while he again had a good few days here, for the second straight year at this event he fell short in the heat of battle as he tied for third.

For his legions of fans, there must be concerns as to why the Englishman can't go on and close out the win from the positions of strength into which he routinely gets himself.

There's no question in my mind that American players on their own tour in their own backyard remain very hard to beat. Look at Jim Furyk last year. He too held off Donald, and this time we saw Mahan and Haas doing the same.

Bradley's achievement of winning his first major at his first appearance, in his mid-twenties, was incredible. He too had an impressive showing at East Lake and led after round one before falling back a little. Bradley has proved himself already, though, at the highest level and is clearly one to watch moving forward.

Team USA will soon fly off Down Under to compete in this year's Presidents Cup in Australia. Confidence is sure to be high ahead of the clash with the Internationals in Melbourne. The likes of Bradley and now Haas have given their country a huge boost at a time it was badly needed and I, for one, can't wait for next year's Ryder Cup on U.S soil.

"Let's go Rory! Let's go Rory!"  The chants here at the Congressional Country Club over the weekend said it all.

There was a sense the 2011 U.S. Open would prove historic after Rory McIlroy posted a blistering score on the first day, but his play over the following days was sumptuous in quality and magnetic in attraction for golf fans. A fervently patriotic American crowd were charmed, amazed and captivated by the feats of the Northern Irish youngster.

His achievements with club and ball were too compelling to be ignored, his manner and mental strength - following his last-day collapse in Augusta - too admirable not to be applauded. A new golfing dynasty has surely been launched.

McIlroy first signaled his potential for true golfing greatness when he shot an opening round nine under par 63 in the first round of last year's British Open at St Andrews, and though he followed that up with an 80, a glimpse of his genius has been seen.

He shone again at the Augusta National before, in a strange quirk of fate, his final-round Masters' meltdown provided a blessing in disguise. His mental resolve following this disappoint providing surely the last piece of the champion player's jigsaw puzzle.

The 22 year old said as much. His learning curve was also enhanced by his recent trip to Haiti where he humbly admitted nobody's even heard of him there let alone see him play. That trip and all-round experience was a true eye-opener for McIlroy as he witnessed firsthand the suffering of people trying to re-build their lives in the wake of tragedy and disaster.

It gave him perspective on life, prompting him to conclude that in comparison, it really wasn't such a big deal to blow a chance of winning the coveted green jacket.

Rory said all along in the buildup to this major the disappointment of Augusta was firmly behind him, some may have doubted his resolve, but any such critics are now eating their words.

McIlroy is the heir apparent to Tiger Woods and the U.S. Open was his official unveiling. Golf's young prince is already on his way to becoming the game's undisputed king. A truly regal performance from start to finish which gave Woods plenty to ponder from the sidelines.

Tiger will one day return to the peak of his playing powers, but it is difficult to know when. When he does there's a ready-made heavyweight rival lying in wait and who isn't licking their lips in anticipation of one huge rivalry taking shape in the coming months and years. Woods currently has 14 majors to his name. McIlroy now has one. The clash of the titans is underway. Bring it on!

I've covered FIFA World Cup football finals, UEFA Champions League finals and a fair few other high-profile tournaments in my time, but I was not quite sure what to expect when I was asked to attend my first ever NBA All- Star weekend here in Southern California.

Of course, I had a reasonable idea in one respect given the location of the event - Los Angeles, Hollywood. And we all know that nobody does showbiz or razzamataz quite like the Americans. There was a celeb sighting pretty much every which way you looked and the legions of young fans following Canadian singing sensation Justin Bieber were not disappointed with his appearance on court during the All- Star Celebrity game.

On the near five-hour flight though from CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, I got to thinking. Was this event kind of like the Superbowl of basketball? I swiftly concluded no, how can it be? But that was before I heard some of the big-name players have their say before Sunday's big game at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

The race for the NBA title is far more serious stuff I initially thought but at the same time you can't ignore the fact that when East meets West there's more than a fair share of bragging rights up for grabs! Make no mistake, these players want to win badly. They're not just here to make up the numbers!

The first mega-star I spoke to as part of a packed media day, Friday was a certain LA Laker and local hero Kobe Bryant. After due consideration, he concluded: "It won't ever be the size of the Superbowl but this has turned into one big show. There's a lot going on." Fair enough I thought. Kind of what I believe too, but then this from Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics who was adamant that "it's a huge huge event. This is right out there. It's bigger than the NBA finals. This is huge for the game of basketball because everyone around the world gets to enjoy the greatest players together." Kevin Garnett - another Boston star - weighed in too. " It's like our Oscars or Grammys if you will."

After full and final consideration, I was forced to go with the viewpoints of Pierce and Garnett. This is the nearest thing basketball has to the Superbowl on so many levels and this event gets bigger and bigger too. The game was available to more fans worldwide than ever before. Shown on Television in 215 countries and territories and it seems the world's media has embraced it like never before with more than 460 International press members converging on the "City of Angels" to cover every step of the action.

There's no question in my mind that the East's battle with the West matters....and it matters like never before.