Stan James July 2009 sporting highlights

July 1-5 Las Vegas Desert Classic (darts)

Nearly 200 players have entered the Las Vegas Desert Classic which is live on Sky between 1st and 5th July held in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. This is the eighth year of the Tournament which has been won by Phil "The Power" Taylor" on four previous occasions including last year when he defeated James Wade 13-7.

July 2-5 AT & T Tournament (golf)

Tiger Woods returns to the PGA tour having failed to defend his US Open Title at Bethpage earlier in the month. This is likely to be Tiger's last tournament ahead of the Open Championship at Turnberry next month. Following the demise of Setanta this event will be shown on Eurosport.

July 4-5 Wimbledon

During the first week the Williams' sisters have dominated the Women's event and Roger Federer and Andy Murray have looked irresistible in the Men's Single's. Can anyone break the domination of the Big Four?

July 4 3rd Lions Test

The Lions have only pride to play for having lost two gruelling encounters in recent weeks. Both teams are forced to make changes following Pretoria and the Springboks will be going all-out for a clean sweep which would certainly flatter the hosts.

July 4th Coral Eclipse Stakes

The first Major clash of the generations with brilliant stanjames.com 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars meeting last year's St Leger winner Conduit who created such a favourable impression on his comeback over an inadequate 10f.

July 8-12 1st Ashes Test England v Australia

One could argue neither side is as good as the teams that competed in the remarkable summer of 2005 but it will make for wonderful viewing as Andrew Straus's side try and regain the Ashes lost so meekly down under last time.

July 8-10 Newmarket July Meeting

Aussie speedball Scenic Blast will be looking to cement his place as the best sprinter in the business following his facile win in the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Paco Boy dropping down in trip could be the best of the home team but Scenic Blast looked something special at Ascot and the additional furlong looks sure to suit.

July 12th German Grand Prix

The McLaren of Lewis Hamilton won the corresponding race last year but the World Champion has been in the doldrums for most of the year to date as fellow Brit Jenson Button has won five of the seven Grand Prix held. There were signs at Silverstone last time, however, that the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel would be a danger to the Brawn Supremacy in the second half of the season.

July 16-19 Open Championship Turnberry

Irishman Padraig Harrington is looking for a hat-trick of Claret Jugs but Tiger Woods, who missed the 2008 Championship at Birkdale through injury, remains the one to beat. Woods missed out in both The Masters and US Open earlier on in the year but will be hoping to make it third time lucky in Scotland.

July 19th-26th stanjames.com World Matchplay Darts

Phil Taylor has won nine Blackpool Titles and will be looking for his eighth Stan James sponsored success in a tournament generally regarded as the second most prestigious on the PDC circuit. Taylor was too good for James Wade in the corresponding event in 2008 and The Power will be looking to get back to winning ways following his sub-par performance in the Premier League Final back in May.

July 28-August 1st: Glorious Goodwood

Five days of spectacular horseracing action at one of the most picturesque of British tracks. The Gp 1 Sussex Stakes is normally one of the feature events of the meeting where the best milers of the Classic generation lock horns with their elders.