Laberecke » birdie. It can be a volatile stretch coming in, but thats

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- President Dilma Rousseff appealed to Brazilians to support the World Cup, using a nationally televised address less than two days before the tournament starts to rebuke the "pessimists" who complain the country shouldnt be hosting the event. Brazils World Cup preparations have stoked countless protests from those angered by the billions spent on the event while the quality of public services in the health, education, security and transport spheres is lacking. In a pre-taped speech aired during prime time Tuesday night, Rousseff called on all Brazilians to back the national team regardless of their political persuasion or whether they fully agree with the nation hosting the event. "Im certain that in the 12 host cities, visitors are going to mix with a happy, generous and hospitable people, and be impressed by a nation full of natural beauty and which fights each day to become more equal," she said, referring to sharp drops in poverty that Brazil has seen in the past decade under Workers Party leadership. Rousseff also defended the $11.5 billion spent on the Cup. Three out of every four Brazilians polled say they are convinced that corruption has tinged the myriad works related to the Cup. An Associated Press investigation earlier this year found that big construction firms responsible for building the bulk of the stadiums, roads and other works had dramatically increased their campaign contributions since Brazil was named as the host of this years Cup. Much of that money was funneled to Rousseffs ruling Workers Party though spending also went to the opposition. In one case, top builder Andrade Gutierrez, which has helped build or renovate four stadiums, hiked campaign contributions 500-fold from one election to the next after it was determined which 12 cities would host matches. That stoked anger and increased suspicions about collusion between politicians and the big builders -- especially after reports from government auditors began to surface, indicating massive cost overruns along with allegations of price-gouging, principally in the building of stadiums. For instance, the cost of the stadium in Brasilia, a city with no major professional soccer team, has nearly tripled to $900 million from original price estimates published by the government. "Have no doubt, the accounts of the Cup are being meticulously analyzed by auditing agencies," Rousseff said. "If there exists any irregularity, those responsible will receive the maximum punishment." About half of Brazilians polled have said theyre against even hosting the World Cup and the mood is mixed about the event just days before it starts. That was once unthinkable for a nation that embodies soccer like no other, the country that has won the World Cup a record five times. However, many Cup watchers also think that if the Brazilian team gets on a roll and starts winning, the mood could quickly pivot and the nation could show the world a celebration worthy of its international reputation as a land of free-wheeling festivals and easy going, friendly people. Rousseff said that "for any nation, organizing a Cup is like taking part in a tough -- and many times painful -- game." The leader rebuked those who argue Brazil has spent too much on the Cup, saying that since 2010, the government has spent more than 200 times what it invested in stadiums on education and health care systems. Adding to fears of chaos during the Cup, subway worker unions in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were both expected to announce decisions soon on whether they would call transportation strikes for the coming days. Rousseff, whose poll numbers are slipping ahead of an October political election, concluded her speech by urging all Brazilians to rally around their team, whom she addressed directly. "Beneath those green and canary jerseys, you embody a powerful legacy of the Brazilian people. The national team represents nationality," she said. "Its above governments, parties and interests of any group." David Ortiz Jersey . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon. Xander Bogaerts Jersey . "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. 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Rose was forced to pull out of this weeks BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and he admitted he is still unable to do anything more than hit wedges and practice his short game, but he is being careful not to rush back into action.The Englishman vowed to work on returning to full fitness ahead of the second major of the year, and he believes the brute of a golf course at Oakmont will be well suited to his game. Rose is working hard to recover from a back injury I want to be 100 percent fit, ready and focused for the US Open, he told Sky Sports at Wentworth. Ill continue to work on my rehab around the clock and try to do all the right things to be fit for Oakmont. I hit a couple of wedges towards the end of the week just to try and gauge where I was, and that was encouraging. Im able to get back into my golf posture, but the important thing is for me to build the armour around my back again and make sure the core is 100 percent stable and ready to deal with the speed of hitting drivers full out.Every day Im making progress and, although its important not to rush these things, Im upbeat and positive. Justin Rose is hoping to be fit to play in the US Open after pulling out of the BMW PGA Championship with a back injury Oakmont is exactly the type of golf course I love to play, its a classic, its tough and its got a reputation for being a real brute of a golf course and I relish that. All being well, my preparations are going to be extensive and Im really going to get to know that golf course as I did before I won at Merion.I spent two or three days really trying to figure out the course at Merion and put a great game plan together and Oakmont will be no different. Rose will prepare for Oakmont the same way he did before winning the US Open at Merion in 2013 Rose also expressed his disappoinntment at having to miss the European Tours flagship event this week, particularly as he has a very good record over the West Course.ddddddddddddeing here just makes it hit home that much more, he added. Wentworth is one of my favourite venues on the European Tour, and more so because its where I grew up, so I regard it as my home tournament. Ive been second here twice, so this event is obviously a real buck for me. Ive come along to show my respect for the European Tour, and obviously this is one of the biggest events they have and BMW do such a great job of hosting this year in year out. They sponsor a number of events in America and in Asia as well, and they are a great sponsor to have for golf. Rose was unable to join Masters champion Danny Willett in the field at Wentworth Wentworth is a course that suits so many different types of players. Luke Donald has won here twice, and then you have the likes of Scott Hend, who is a bomber of the golf ball and hits it miles. Its also great to see an old sage like Lee Westwood playing well here this week.The start here is crucial. I always feel if I can go 4-2-4 over the first three, thats a magic start and it gives me the confidence to go on and build a score, and the par-five fourth is always a great birdie opportunity. Then you can make some ground on a couple of shorter par-fours, and 11 and 12 is a stretch where youre looking for more birdies. Rose has posted five top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season Then youre kind of hanging on a little bit coming in, although 16, 17 and 18 offer you opportunities but they are also swing holes, where its just as easy to make bogey as birdie. It can be a volatile stretch coming in, but thats what makes it such an exciting tournament.Rose has enjoyed a consistent season so far, with five top 10s in his 11 starts on the PGA Tour lifting him to 30th in the FedExCup standings, although he feels his putting has cost him the chance of a win. He said: Ive been playing beautiful golf this year and I feel that if I make a putt or two I can win. I feel really good about things and I think Im pacing myself nicely. The last couple of weeks have been a tiny blip, but Im trying to think it could be a blessing in disguise.Theres a huge summer coming up with the majors, the WGCs and the Olympics, and this enforced break might end up paying off for me. When something like this happens you have to frame it differently. You have to stay on top of it, stay positive and put your best foot forward.Im really excited about where my game is and I feel I dont have to make up time when I come back, Having had a couple of weeks off its given me time to think, to motivate and put a plan in place to have a great summer. Also See: Changes planned for Wentworth Spieth on top at Colonial Watch online Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '