Sports

Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players for John Calipari-Arkansas allegiance

Published

3 hours ago

22 March 2026

Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players for John Calipari-Arkansas allegiance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kentucky Wildcats have a long history of sending players to the NBA. But after Mark Pope’s squad fell to Iowa State on Sunday, ending its NCAA Tournament run, it was a Cyclones alum who poked fun at those former Wildcats.

Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who starred at Iowa State from 2018-20, shared a social media post that took a light-hearted shot at all the former Kentucky players now playing in the pros.

Haliburton joked that most Kentucky alum in the NBA now have allegiance with the Arkansas Razorbacks, where longtime Wildcats head coach John Calipari is now at the helm.

Here’s a look at Haliburton’s viral Kentucky post after Iowa State’s March Madness win.

MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players

Haliburton has become known for his active X account, especially in the past year — he’s been recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Early in March Madness, Haliburton made it clear he’d be posting about the games, sending a message to college basketball fans: “Make one bracket and stand on it.”

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Is Bryson the Masters favorite? Will Tiger play?

Published

8 minutes ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Bryson DeChambeau’s chances to claim a green jacket, Tiger Woods’ health and more.

Bryson DeChambeau beat Jon Rahm in a playoff to win LIV Golf South Africa and claim his second straight LIV victory in what was the league’s final tune-up before the first major of the year. With the way DeChambeau has played the last two weeks, has he taken away the title as Masters favorite? Or does that still belong to Scottie or Rory?

Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): Considering Scottie’s early-season slump and Rory’s uncertain health, I think it’s fair to say that Bryson is the early favorite at Augusta. However, if he doesn’t control his distances with his irons well (which has plagued him in recent years at the Masters), I fear his chances to claim a green jacket are slim.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): It’s gotta be Scottie still; his demise is greatly exaggerated. But the fact that DeChambeau is in the middle of this conversation now is significant — and fun. Add in a few other stars ramping up with top-tier golf (Xander, Rahm, Fitz) and there should be plenty to talk about pre-Augusta.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Vegas won’t call anyone but Scottie the favorite, and as Dylan says, Scheffler’s “slump” has consisted of three top-25 finishes that followed two top-fives and a win. Scheffler is also playing this coming week in Texas before he heads to Augusta, so he’s got one more chance to fine-tune some things. Bryson playing like this adds mega juice to any major. Few players energize a venue like him. I hope he plays well at Augusta.

LIV’s two biggest stars — DeChambeau and Rahm — battled it out in the final round in South Africa. It’s rare, on any tour, that the biggest names are the ones left standing down the stretch. Is this a meaningful player rivalry? And is that important for LIV or not?

Melton: It’s VERY important for LIV, and with smaller fields and a set schedule, they have a setup to make sure that storyline plays out on a more frequent basis. Unfortunately for the league, recent defections have thinned out the star pool, so the chances of stars battling down the stretch are smaller than the past few years.

Dethier: It’s funny, I went into the Bay Hill/Players double wondering if we were due for a Scottie-Rory showdown. That was very much not the case, and it’s almost never happened. So LIV should be thrilled that its top two dogs are tangling. Also, it’s top two dogs should be thrilled as they continue to build contract leverage…

Berhow: It’s important for LIV and it’s important for any league. I don’t think golf fans appreciate it enough when this stuff happens in major or non-majors. Think of how many times we saw Tiger and Phil play together in final pairings on major Sundays (once!) or just any pair of marquee players. Bryson and Rory in the final Masters pairing last year was one of the tastiest final major pairings we’ve had in years. The more we see it the more it continues to build these rivalries and storylines.

One week after he lost the Players Championship on the 72nd hole at TPC Sawgrass, Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back to win the Valspar on Sunday. While he’s won 10 times on the DP World Tour, this was just his third PGA Tour title. Has Fitzpatrick’s last two weeks proven he’s ready to go on a heater this summer? Or just a couple of good weeks?

Melton: As the cliche goes, you want to get hot at the right time — and Fitz seems like he’s peaking right when you want to. It’ll be hard to maintain this form all summer, but as far as maximizing his Masters chances go, he’s put himself in a great spot.

Dethier: The most encouraging thing about Fitzpatrick’s surge is his stellar approach play — that travels anywhere. I’d expect him to be a factor in multiple majors.

Berhow: Now he needs the major success. Sure, he won the U.S. Open at Brookline in 2022 but he’s still had just six major top 10s in 42 starts. But he was T4 and T8, respectively, in The Open and PGA last year, so maybe it’s coming. He’ll be a popular sleeper-ish pick come Masters week.

Last month at the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods offered a promising Masters update. But on Tuesday during TGL Woods said he’s “working on it,” adding, “the body doesn’t quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn’t quite bounce back. So I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it’s hard to just move around.” Has this changed your opinion on if Woods will play the Masters?

Melton: Not at all. I’m just waiting for his WD to become official so we can put this silliness to bed.

Dethier: Meh, I’d still bet he plays. But it’s clear getting to that point is anything but easy. As long as we approach his start with a proper lack of expectations (unlikely, given it’s Tiger at Augusta) we should be fine. It’s all bonus.

Berhow: I wish I was as optimistic as Dylan. I’m moving his percentage chance of playing down to about 40 percent, although he probably truly doesn’t know until the week of with how things change so quickly with his body.

Augusta National released its Taste of the Masters hosting kits last week, where you can bring parts of the Masters — the pimento, cookies or azalea cocktails, etc. — right to your living room. But what if you only get one item to select? What are you shipping to your home?

Melton: I’m quite fond of the chicken salad sandwiches. But the Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches would be a solid choice as well.

Dethier: I’ve noticed some backlash against the Masters food in recent years — gripes that it’s not that good. I dunno. I don’t care. It’s like eating pasta while walking Rome. Part of the taste is the place. Pencil me in for 50 chicken salad / pulled pork sandos and 50 more chocolate chip cookies. I’ll gun for self-control starting April 13th.

Berhow: The chocolate chip cookies are a problem. I like the egg salad and pimento and ice cream, but I could live without them. The cookies? They mean too much to me.

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Valspar Championship: Matt Fitzpatrick wins title by a shot

Published

22 minutes ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back from an agonising near miss at the Players Championship to win the Valspar Championship,

Fitzpatrick had led last week’s Players by one shot on the 17th tee but a par-bogey finish cost him as American Cameron Young closed birdie-par to snatch victory.

But Fitzpatrick earned redemption on Sunday at Palm Harbor, Florida, sinking a 14ft-putt to birdie the 18th hole and beat American David Lipsky by one shot.

The 31-year-old carded a three-under-par 68 to finish on 11 under and had to wait for two groups to complete their rounds before his third PGA Tour win was confirmed.

“To come away with a win this week is really special, considering last week’s performance as well,” said Fitzpatrick, who last won on the tour in 2023.

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t an ideal putt [on 18]. I wouldn’t say I was overly keen on it considering my putting performance but to get it done was special.”

Fitzpatrick, who won the DP World Tour Championship in November, says he will have a two-week break before preparing for next month’s Masters.

“I’m obviously very confident in my game right now but what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA Tour,” added the 2022 US Open champion.

“Particularly the Masters, there’s extra pressure on the Masters, no matter who you are. It just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors.

“I’m coming away from this week delighted with where my game’s at but there’s stuff I want to improve.”

Fellow Englishman Jordan Smith, 33, was third on nine under – his best finish on the PGA Tour.

Smith’s compatriot Marco Penge, South Korea’s Sungjae Imm who had led for three rounds, and Ameircan Xander Schauffele were all tied for fourth on eight under.

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‘Very sad’ – Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal disappointment vs Man City in Carabao Cup

Published

36 minutes ago

23 March 2026

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Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has insisted his side will use the defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final as fuel for the remainder of the season. The Blues were good value for the win at Wembley Stadium having dominated the second half after an even first 45 minutes.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s mistake on the hour mark gave City the lead as he fumbled Rayan Cherki’s cross for Nico O’Reilly to head home. Moments later, the Blues added a second when Matheus Nunes’ cross was powered in by O’Reilly. When asked for his thoughts after the match, Arteta insisted his team would use the defeat as motivation.

“Very sad, a hard one to take. We know for our supporters how much it means to them,” he said. “We’re going to use it as fire in the belly. We’ll manage the energy in the right way. We’ll go through the pain and disappointment; it’s part of football.

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“We played 50 games before today? Every time we have a draw or a defeat, we have to prove it, we have to do it again. We have a recent history of how this team has responded in these moments.”

City and Arsenal are battling it out at the top of the Premier League with the Gunners boasting a nine-point advantage. However, the Blues have a game in hand over Arteta’s men and still have to face them at the Etihad Stadium next month.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Pep Guardiola insisted he would rather be in Arsenal’s position in the Premier League and played down talk of whether the Carabao Cup win could have an impact on the title race. “I would love to be nine points in front, to be honest. It’s in their hands,” he explained.

“We need time, an incredible break. I am exhausted and after we see step by step.”

When City return from the international break, they will face Liverpool in the FA Cup. The Blues then return to Premier League action on April 12 at Chelsea.

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St. John’s Dylan Darling has special March Madness moment

Published

51 minutes ago

23 March 2026

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

March Madness has a new darling.

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling found a lane and drove it. With four seconds left in the game, he blew past Kansas Jayhawks defender Elmarko Jackson and made the game-winning layup before time expired.

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Dylan Darling scores the game-winning basket

Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John’s Red Storm shoots the ball against Elmarko Jackson #13 and Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) shoots the game-winning shot against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

For the first time since 1999, the Red Storm will be headed to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

“It was ugly, but we got it done,” Darling said.

The No. 4-seeded St. John’s struggled late in the second half as Kansas pressed up the floor. St. John’s held a 10-point lead with 6:36 left in the game. But a few missed shots and a couple of turnovers and the Jayhawks were right back in the game.

Kansas star Darryn Peterson made two free throws with 13 seconds left to tie the game. The Jayhawks, who were the No. 5 seed, had four fouls to give and used them all up to get the game down to about four seconds to go. The idea was to keep the Red Storm on their toes and to keep them from setting up a decent inbounds play.

KENTUCKY SURVIVES SANTA CLARA IN OVERTIME THRILLER AFTER OTEGA OWEH’S MIRACLE BUZZER-BEATER

But Darling got the last laugh with his two-point bucket – his only points of the game. He had four assists and two steals.

Red Storm’s Zuby Ejofor and Bryce Hopkins each had 18 points to lead St. John’s.

Peterson led Kansas with 21 points. Melvin Council Jr. had 15 points and Flory Bidunga had 12 points.

St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino talks with forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo (2) in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026. (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images)

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It’s the fourth straight year that Kansas has been unable to get out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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Roberto Duran backs ‘explosive’ rising star to become world champion

Published

1 hour ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

Roberto Duran has hailed the “explosive hand speed and power” of Luis Reynaldo Nunez, a Dominican featherweight who he sees becoming a world champion.

The 26-year-old returned to action earlier this month, engineering a first-round finish after claiming a more significant points victory over Hector Andres Sosa in December.

Despite the limited nature of his opponent, Jhan Estiven Camacho, Nunez was able to showcase a brief but striking glimpse of his talent at Hotel El Panama, where a mightily-impressed Duran was watching at ringside.

The legend’s son, Roberto Duran Jr, was in Nunez’s corner, accompanying head coach Bob Santos who has previously worked with the likes of Robert Guerrero and Erislandy Lara.

Speaking with BoxingScene after Nunez’s fight, Santos recalled an encouraging conversation he shared with Duran, whose fighting career is still regarded as one of the all-time best.

“He really enjoyed looking at Nunez up close, and he said, ‘That kid has some explosive hand speed and power. No doubt in my mind that he is going to be a world champion’. Who better to know than [Duran]?”

Santos added that Nunez is targeting a shot at Rafael Espinoza, who is widely regarded as the top dog at 126lbs following his two victories over Robeisy Ramirez.

Espinoza claimed his WBO world title by outpointing the Olympic gold medallist in 2023, before ending their rematch with a sixth-round finish the following year.

But while Nunez and his team are determined to test themselves against the very best, it is highly unlikely that they will secure an opportunity against the Mexican anytime soon.

Far more likely is a shot at the IBF title, which is currently held by Angelo Leo, as Nunez boasts a No.3 ranking with that particular sanctioning body.

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Oldham man becomes first person charged with tailgating after Manchester City Carabao Cup win

Published

1 hour ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

Entering a football match without a ticket has now become a criminal offence

21:19, 22 Mar 2026Updated 21:19, 22 Mar 2026

A man from Oldham has been arrested and charged over a ‘tailgating’ incident at the Man City Wembley match on Sunday afternoon (March 22). In the first charge of its kind, the man was arrested by Met Police officers following the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

It comes after entering a football match in England and Wales without a ticket became a criminal offence under new laws on March 22. The legislation was introduced because of serious disorder that tainted the European Championship final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021, when thousands of fans barged into the stadium.

The man, aged in his 20s was arrested at the final and has since been charged. Benjamin Bailey, 27, of Fifth Avenue in Oldham, Manchester, will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on May 1 in connection with the alleged offence.

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Two other men were arrested on suspicion of the same offence at Wembley and they both remain in police custody to be questioned. Those convicted of tailgating face a football banning order of up to five years, alongside a fine of up to £1,000.

The Metropolitan Police said it saw a 78 per cent reduction in offences at this year’s final. In total, 20 arrests were made, including seven for affray, one for assault of an emergency service worker, and one for racially aggravated assault. This is compared to 91 arrests at the same fixture last year.

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden, of the Met’s public order unit and match commander at Wembley, said: “So much strategic planning goes into these operations. We expect high standards and every officer delivered that today.

“Huge changes have been implemented since last year, and we will now use the success of the policing operation today as a blueprint throughout the busy summer at Wembley so fans can safely enjoy upcoming fixtures.”

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Why Valspar winner uses 10-year-old irons

Published

2 hours ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

Matt Fitzpatrick’s transformation from a grit-and-grind specialist to a bona fide ball-speed monster reached its logical conclusion this week at the Copperhead Course. Watching the Englishman navigate Innisbrook isn’t just watching a golf tournament; it’s a masterclass in data-driven precision. He doesn’t just play the course; he solves it.

At the Valspar, the “Sheffield Steel” in his bag was on full display. Fitzpatrick dominated the metrics that define the modern power game, finishing the week ranking 5th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and gaining a consistent +3.32 strokes on the field. But the real story was the surgical nature of his approach play. Ranking 2nd in SG: Approach (+5.939), hitting a staggering 72% of his greens in regulation on one of the most penal layouts on the PGA Tour.

Here is the highly specific, slightly eccentric setup that fueled Fitzpatrick’s victory.

Quick List: Matt Fitzpatrick’s gear

Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 and 18 degrees)
Irons: Ping i210 (4), Ping S55 (5-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees)
Putter: Bettinardi BB48 Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x (2019)
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Driver: Titleist GT3

Specs: 9 degrees (A1 setting) with Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Raw Orange 65 TX shaft.

There was a time when Fitzpatrick was considered a “short” hitter who relied solely on a world-class short game. That version of Matt is gone. By optimizing his move and leaning into the high speed tech of the Titleist GT3, he has climbed the distance charts, currently averaging over 300 yards off the tee. The counter-balanced Mitsubishi Orange shaft is the secret sauce here—it allows him to swing with aggressive intent while maintaining the face-angle control required to thread the needle through the Snake Pit.

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control
GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.
For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control.
Seamless Thermoform Crown
A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence.
Split Mass Construction
A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact.
Advanced Aerodynamics
GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.

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Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi35 (Bonded)

Specs: 15 and 18 degrees with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 75 TX and Tensei 1K Orange 80TX

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

PROVEN RECIPE

TaylorMade Fairways have dominated on Tour for over a decade because of their unique performance recipe, which enables maximum distance and versatility.
The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want the most advanced technology while still prioritizing versatility and control with amazing distance.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

Utilizing a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight (8g x1) provides the golfer a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight.
4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight and is available in all lofts.

REFINED ATTRIBUTES, BIG CHANGES

Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all the performance attributes and discovered new methods to enhance performance and confidence.
Sit points, lie angles, address views, and center of gravity locations were all updated based on Tour feedback and the expertise of leading fitters worldwide, ensuring the optimal fairway across skill levels.

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Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to provide straighter shots on mishits.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to maximize performance by increasing discretionary weight.

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Irons: Ping i210 (4), Ping S55 (5-9)

Matt Fitzpatrick is stil in his trusty Ping S55 irons with Ping CFS X shafts. — Matt Fitzpatrick is stil in his trusty Ping S55 irons with Ping CFS X shafts
Getty Images

Specs: PING CFS X shafts.

In an industry obsessed with the “new,” Fitzpatrick is a refreshing anomaly. His choice to stick with the Ping S55 irons—a model that debuted over a decade ago—is the ultimate testament to performance over marketing. Fitz has ventured into other sets over the years but he’s told me that these offer the best combo of forgiveness and responsiveness that hes found, all while maintaining the spin he requires as a lower hitter.

These irons are workaholic blades that offer the specific turf interaction he demands. His steady striking this week and last proves that when you find a set that speaks your language, you don’t trade them in just because the calendar flipped. The Ping CFS shafts (Control, Feel, Stability) are a lighter 105-115G shaft that are proprietary to Ping. IMO it’s an interesting case study on OEM specific shafts, Ping has a tremendous amount of success in this regard, Lee Westwood has also been a “Ping shaft guy” for years using their JZ Stiff for almost three decades.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10

Specs: 46.10F, 52.12F (True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100 shafts); 56.08M, 60.08M (Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 shafts)

The bag is rounded out by a specific blend of Vokey SM10 wedges, featuring the “M” grind on his higher lofts for the versatility he’s famous for around the greens. These specialized grinds allow him to manipulate the face on the tight, grainy lies common in Florida.

Putter: Bettinardi BB48 Prototype

Despite a season of statistical fluctuations, his Bettinardi BB48 Prototype caught fire at Innisbrook, where he ranked 1st in the field in scrambling. When a player with Fitzpatrick’s ball-striking starts rolling and short-gaming it, the rest of the field is in for a fight.

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x (2019)

Fitzpatrick continues to trust the 2019 iteration of the Pro V1x. For a player who tracks every data point, this specific model provides the exact spin window and flight height he has built his entire yardage book around.

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip

Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord Grip

OUR VAN ACCESS: The winningest cord grip on Tour. The Tour Velvet Cord Midsize was trusted to win two majors in 2019. It features Brushed Cotton Cord Technology (BCT) – a woven cotton twill fiber material that increases traction and performance in all weather conditions.

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Want to overhaul your bag for 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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Koneru Humpy Withdraws From FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament Owing To West Asia Conflict

Published

2 hours ago

23 March 2026

NewsAdmin

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on Sunday decided to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, citing concerns over her personal safety despite assurances from the organisers in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict. The Candidates, which will decide the challengers for the world championship crowns currently held by D Gukesh (men) and Ju Wenjun (women), is scheduled to begin in Paphos, Cyprus on March 28. The former world champion said the decision, though difficult, was necessary given the prevailing circumstances.

“After deep reflection, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament,” Humpy said in a statement on ‘X’.

After deep reflection, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
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No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current…

— Koneru Humpy (@humpy_koneru) March 22, 2026

“No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances.

“This is a painful but necessary decision, and I stand by it.” Humpy’s withdrawal comes as a setback for India, as she was among the leading contenders in the tournament that determines the challenger for the women’s world championship title.

Earlier this week, Humpy had said that she was hesitant to travel and was considering withdrawing from the tournament.

This came after a British air base in Cyprus endured a drone attack earlier this month, raising fears that the conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, could seriously affect the security at the island as well.

Cyprus, which is the third largest island on the Mediterranean sea, is situated south of Turkey and is a member of the European Union.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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La Liga: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid preview and live streaming details | Football News

Published

2 hours ago

22 March 2026

NewsAdmin

La Liga heads into the March international break with a blockbuster clash on the horizon, as Real Madrid welcome Atlético Madrid for a high-stakes derby on Sunday night.

Real Madrid appear to have rediscovered their rhythm at the perfect time, riding high after an impressive Champions League triumph over Manchester City. A dominant first-leg display followed by a composed away win has reignited belief within the squad.

Atlético Madrid, however, arrive with equal confidence after cruising past Tottenham Hotspur in Europe. Diego Simeone’s side now turn their focus to domestic action, aiming to continue their strong run and extend their recent dominance in this fierce rivalry.

With both teams in top form and crucial points at stake, the latest Madrid derby promises to be a gripping encounter that could have major implications in the title race.

Real Madrid team news

Thibaut Courtois has become the latest player sidelined for Real Madrid, adding to an already growing injury list that includes Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos and Rodrygo ahead of the derby.

There is, however, some positive news for Los Blancos, with Álvaro Carreras, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio expected to return to contention. The biggest potential boost could come from Jude Bellingham, who might make his first appearance since February 1, although a place in the starting XI seems unlikely.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé has already made his comeback with a brief cameo earlier in the week and is now set to return to the starting lineup as he looks to continue his impressive goal-scoring form.

Young talent Thiago Pitarch is expected to retain his spot after making the most of his chances, while Arda Güler could be preferred over Eduardo Camavinga in a flexible midfield setup under Álvaro Arbeloa.

Atletico team news

Diego Simeone could be forced into a midfield reshuffle for Atlético Madrid, with injuries to Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza. As a result, the adaptable Marcos Llorente is expected to slot into a deeper role alongside Johnny Cardoso in the midfield pivot.

This adjustment should allow Nahuel Molina to retain his place at right-back, especially after scoring a stunning goal in the previous match. Like their city rivals, Atlético could also be without their first-choice goalkeeper, as Jan Oblak faces a late fitness check after sitting out the last two games.

If Oblak is not risked, Juan Musso, who has impressed during the Copa del Rey campaign, may continue between the posts.

In attack, Antoine Griezmann has returned to top form and is likely to start, potentially ahead of Alexander Sørloth, alongside the in-form Julián Álvarez.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid probable starting eleven:

Real Madrid starting 11: Lunin; Alexander-Arnlold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Pitarch, Tchouaméni, Güler; Mbappé, Vinicius Jr.

Atletico starting 11: Musso; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez.

La Liga: Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid Live Telecast and Streaming Details

When will the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid be played?

The La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will be played on March 23 (according to IST).

What time will the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid begin on March 23?

The La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will start at 1:30 AM IST.

What will be the venue for the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid?

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.

Where will the live telecast of the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid be available in India?

The live telecast of the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will not be available in India.

Where will the live streaming of the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid be available in India?

The live streaming of the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will be available on the FanCode app and website in India.

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Sports

A week after heartbreak, Matt Fitzpatrick roars to Valspar victory

Published

2 hours ago

22 March 2026

NewsAdmin

A week after he bogeyed the 72nd hole to lose the Players Championship by a single shot, Matthew Fitzpatrick flipped the script with a fist-pumping final-hole birdie to win the Valspar Championship by one.

Fitzpatrick — who’d never birdied No. 18 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course in 11 previous tries — found the fairway at the finisher and hit his approach to 13 feet, setting up a look at 3. He poured that putt in the center of the hole, punctuating the moment with an emphatic uppercut that electrified the surrounding crowd.

When David Lipsky’s birdie try finished just below the hole some 10 minutes later, Fitzpatrick’s win was official.

“I think the big thing was I felt like I was playing well,” Fitzpatrick said of his Players Championship bounceback. “I was playing well going into this week, obviously wanted to continue that and I felt like I had confidence in myself to do so. Then obviously to do that over four rounds was special this week.”

He was sitting in the white-walled scoring trailer when he got the news and then fired off emotional FaceTimes to his wife and parents before speaking to NBC’s Kira Dixon.

“I’ve not seen [his wife] Katherine for three weeks, so I’m so excited to get back and see her; and my parents are coming out in a week or so as well. Yeah, it’s just such special people in my life and, yeah, just so excited to share this with ’em,” he said in that interview.

Fitzpatrick’s most recent worldwide win came at the DP World Tour Championship last fall, but this was his first PGA Tour win in nearly three years — since the 2023 RBC Heritage.

“Any win is fantastic. To me, just getting over the line is always difficult,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s so hard to win out here. Three wins now out here is something that, you know, I want obviously plenty more, and more and more big wins. So, yeah, to win this week is a big stepping stone for moving forward.”

A Fitzpatrick-Lipsky showdown was hardly the expected final-round storyline. Sunday’s final pairing had set up an unlikely duel between Brandt Snedeker, the 45-year-old Presidents Cup captain with conditional PGA Tour status, and Sungjae Im, who’d been out for months with boot camp and injury. The two were a combined zero-for-six in made cuts this season. Im held a two-shot lead over Snedeker and Lipsky, with Fitzpatrick lurking one shot further back.

But Im was out of sorts early, making five bogeys and five pars in his opening 10 holes as the rest of the contenders blew by him, making him the fourth consecutive Florida Swing 54-hole leader to yield in the final round. Snedeker stumbled on the back nine; he was even par through 11 holes but five over the rest of the way to drop to T18.

“This golf course, it’s a perfectly designed golf course, if you get out of position it’s going to punish you. All those putts I’ve been making all week dried up today,” Snedeker said. “It’s frustrating, it sucks, and all the good stuff this week kind of feels like I threw it away today. But that’s part of golf, that’s why I love this challenge, and I’ll come back next week and try to figure out what I did wrong and try to fix it.”

That left the door open for Fitzpatrick, who somehow survived Saturday and Sunday bogey-free. His final round was hardly perfect; he failed to birdie any of the course’s four gettable par-5s. But he gutted out several clutch par saves, kept a clean card and set up late birdies at 15 and 18 to seal the deal.

“I felt frustrated all day that I had not made anything. Obviously to make something there on 15, and hole the long one there on 18 to in the end to secure the win was an amazing feeling,” he said.

Jordan Smith finished solo third after one of the rounds of the day, a five-under 66, that got him to the clubhouse lead at nine under.

Xander Schauffele shot 65 to finish T4 a week after his third-place finish at the Players; he ended up tied with Im and Marco Penge, who logged the first top 10 of his season.

“Just relax, probably take a few days off into next week,” said Schauffele, who’s in good form entering major championship season. “Then kind of gear back up for Augusta.”

Patrick Cantlay was part of a group that finished T7; it was his first top 10 since last August … Jordan Spieth finished T11, his third top-12 in four starts … Gary Woodland finished T14 a week after an emotional interview as he continues to battle both physical and emotional health … Brooks Koepka finished T18, his third consecutive top-20 since returning to the PGA Tour.