ALASTAIR FORSYTH has earned a place at next week's US Open in San Diego.

The 32-year-old Glaswegian finished joint top with Ross Fisher when 42 players battled it out in the European qualifier at Walton Heath for seven spots at Torrey Pines.

The Madeira Open champion put together rounds of 69 and 68 and beamed: "My one previous American major was the 2003 PGA at Oak Hill and I found that really, really hard," said Forsyth. "But I like to think I am far better player now."

Forsyth is now the only Scot in the world's top 100 (95th) after Colin Montgomerie slipped out for the first time in 15 years.

ATHLETICS: Five-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson will return his final gold medal won in the 2000 Sydney Games 4x400m relay after team-mate Antonio Pettigrew admitted taking drugs.

"I feel cheated, betrayed and let down," said Johnson.

RUGBY: Scotland coach Frank Hadden says his side MUST win the two Tests against Argentina, starting on Saturday in Rosario.

He said: "First, I thought this could be a development opportunity, but we understand World Cup places now depend on world ranking, so these are not isolated matches."

TENNIS: Top seed Maria Sharapova fell to fellow Russian Dinara Safina 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 for a shock French Open fourth round exit.

Scot Jamie Murray and mixed doubles partner Liezel Huber are in the quarter-finals after a walkover win in their clash with Yan Zi and Mark Knowles.

Murray and Huber will meet either Vladimira Uhlirova and Mariusz Fyrstenberg or third seeds Victoria Azarenka and Bob Bryan in the last eight.

In the men's quarters, Roger Federer faces Chilean Fernando Gonzalez after a routine win over Julien Benneteau, while Nicolas Almagro, conqueror of Andy Murray, takes on fellow clay court specialist Rafael Nadal on centre court at the Roland Garros today.