Todd Pollard might be in the initial phase of managing his personal stable, but his roster has begun to build steadily after mere months.
Scrumptious joins as a late addition for the one-time aide to Annabel, positioning her as a valuable asset moving forward.
Until recently, the three-year-old filly was with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, but post her $75,000 Inglis online transaction last month, Pollard is identifying her upside, potentially on display in the Seven Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m) at Ipswich on Thursday.
“We scratched from a sticky draw yesterday at Doomben and this is a similar race although a step up in trip but this is a bit weaker than the midweek metro grade last time,” Pollard said.
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“She is a pretty handy horse and being a winner in town in Sydney, she does get hammered by the handicapper up here.
“She has been rated like she has won two-and-a-half races rather than one race.”
Her breakthrough maiden win came at Canterbury over 1250m on January 30, and she’s a $3.50 prospect for today’s Ipswich race.
Last appearance saw her seventh, beaten three lengths over 1200m at Doomben.
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“Last start in benchmark 70 grade, it was actually a pretty strong race and for a lightly raced three-year-old filly she was taking on handy opposition.
“There were horses there a couple of horses who have won six races and that was tough on a little three-year-old filly.
“She is probably looking for 1350m and, who knows, she might even get to a mile in time.”
Leading hoop Ben Thompson retains the ride on Scrumptious from draw two at Ipswich.
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Check racing betting markets for the Seven Benchmark 70 Handicap at Ipswich this Thursday.
As Manchester United continue to look for a new midfielder to sign in the summer, a new report has claimed they are about to make a £50million bid
08:49, 23 Apr 2026Updated 09:16, 23 Apr 2026
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Manchester United are considering making a £50million bid for Carlos Baleba. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the best part of a year.
The Athletic understands that’s the figure United may start their approach with. This season has not been the easiest for Baleba.
He has been substituted off on 15 occasions this season by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. He has only lasted the full 90 minutes on three occasions this campaign, including their recent 3-0 home victory over Chelsea on Tuesday.
United also heavily tracked his displays in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, where he made five appearances. He was an important player for Cameroon, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition before losing 2-0 to hosts Morocco.
One thing which could be difficult for United is the price-point. When the Reds were first interested in him, Brighton made it clear they will want £100m, similar to the transfer fee Chelsea forked out for Moises Caicedo in the summer of 2023.
In the summer, it was understood United were willing to go as high as £75m to bring him to Old Trafford. Now it’s believed the club will not want to go much higher than £50m, which may not be received too well by the Seagulls.
The Reds have also been linked with Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest ace Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. However, the Premier League quartet would not come cheap.
United are also believed to be in the market for two central midfield players to fill the void departed by Casemiro. They may also need a third if Ugarte departs the club, with the Uruguayan recently being linked with Juventus and Ajax.
These negotiations may also depend on who is in the dugout at Old Trafford come the end of the season. Michael Carrick has dragged the Reds from 7th to third since he took over the club, with United being amongst the best performers of 2026.
However, the Reds are undecided on whether he is the right man for the job and will make their decision at the end of the campaign.
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Scarce are the thoroughbreds in preparation boasting two Golden Slipper-conquering sires and dams, so Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott of Tulloch Lodge were justifiably pleased with a win from exquisitely bred filly Loera.
Out of 2013 Slipper winner Overreach by 2016 victor Capitalist, Loera was raised by her dam’s owners the Altomonte family, previous partners with Waterhouse for Overreach.
Bott, pre-partnership days employed at Tulloch Lodge during Overreach’s juvenile phase, remarked on Loera’s resemblance to her renowned mother.
“It’s very satisfying to get that important victory for her. She is a very well bred filly, and I’m delighted to be able to have the opportunity to train her from the Altomontes,” Bott said.
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🟠🟤 Two Golden Slipper winners in Capitalist and Overreach produced the beautiful LOERA 🥇 Bred by the Altomonte family at Corumbene Stud, she took out her maiden in super style and it won’t be her last win 🐎 💨 @clarkyhkpic.twitter.com/HV4oLRGHyG
“We had Overreach, and she was obviously very talented. This filly has got so much upside herself. She has come through two very strong races and I’m sure she can go on with it.
“Physically, they are very similar types. Loera is obviously a filly who didn’t go as early as her mother did, but I’m sure there is still plenty of talent there to progress with.”
After a debut second at Rosehill earlier this month, Loera at $2.40 dominated Wednesday’s TAB Plate (1250m), edging Graffiti Tycoon ($1.75 favourite) by three-quarters after the latter’s poor start.
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Bott ponders her campaign’s extent but will evaluate post-race and consider the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone May 16 if she’s on song.
“I don’t want to push her too far this preparation. This is her first racing campaign. But I’d love to be able to get some black type along the way for the family,” he said.
“If we can do that this preparation, if she comes through it well, we potentially could look at something through Scone or Queensland.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher has Scone ambitions for Events, the Godolphin Lonhro filly who broke through at Canterbury on Wednesday with a resilient lead effort.
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Johann Gerard-Dubord, Maher’s Sydney foreman, affirmed the patience stemmed from her evident class.
“She has always shown a bit of ability, which is why we took our time with her,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“We’d love to get a bit of black type at some stage if possible. You’ve got a race like the Denise’s Joy, which is not that far away, and that could be a nice option.
“We’ll have a chat to the Godolphin team and see what they’re thinking. It’s a good time of year, she won’t mind tracks with a bit of give, so there are plenty of options.”
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Punters should check betting sites for markets on Loera potentially in the Denise’s Joy Stakes.
Brian McDermott will lead England’s men into this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup as their new head coach.
The 56-year-old, who won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in eight years as head coach of Leeds Rhinos, takes over from Shaun Wane, who stepped down in January.
McDermott, currently working as an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, will take the England role on a part-time basis, in contrast to his full-time predecessor Wane.
The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist, which also included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.
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McDermott said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
“My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, represent the shirt with pride, and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament.
“I’ve always been hands-on and close to the detail, and that will be important in this role. My job now is to get the standards right, build belief in the group, and make sure we’re ready when it matters.”
McDermott began his career as a head coach in 2006 with Harlequins RL – now London Broncos – before taking charge of Leeds in 2010, enjoying a trophy-laden eight-year stint, during which he also coached the United States national team.
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He subsequently had spells with Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone, before becoming an assistant coach at Newcastle Knights in 2022, and then the Titans last September.
England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, with games against France and Papua New Guinea to follow.
Hull KR’s treble-winning head coach Willie Peters had told the BBC in February that he was keen to have discussions over the role, but ruled himself out of the running by accepting an offer to join new NRL side Papua New Guinea Chiefs at the end of this season.
Manchester United will need a new central midfielder when Casemiro leaves the club in the summer
Three more points at Chelsea on Saturday night mean Manchester United are that bit closer to Champions League qualification. Major signings are expected to follow should they complete the task, and central midfield represents one of the priority areas with Casemiro set to depart in the summer and a replacement required.
Aurelien Tchouameni joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, the same window which saw Casemiro complete a big-money move to Old Trafford. History could be about to repeat itself if reports are to be believed, with Tchouameni emerging as a potential replacement for the Brazilian yet again.
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United’s progress under Michael Carrick has been impressive and they only need six more points to lock in a top-five finish. Three of those five games are at home, starting with Brentford on Monday.
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Greater clarity over summer transfer strategy is expected to emerge once United establish whether Champions League football is on the menu. That hasn’t prevented speculation, however, and we have the latest developments here.
Tchouameni deal has moving parts
The departures of Casemiro and Jadon Sancho could make it simpler for United to accommodate Aurelien Tchouameni’s wages should they reach a transfer agreement with Real Madrid, according to BBC Sport. With two high earners set to leave when their contracts expire, any concerns over the wage budget are unlikely to rest on whether Barcelona take up their option on Marcus Rashford at the conclusion of his loan spell.
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One potential complication, however, is Madrid’s need to secure a suitable replacement. The Manchester Evening News understands that Premier League stars Rodri and Enzo Fernandez are likely to hold the key to the move as they eye at least one marquee name before sanctioning Tchouameni’s departure.
Rodri is approaching the final year of his Manchester City contract and has long been admired in the Spanish capital. Argentina international Fernandez may also be on the market this summer, with Chelsea potentially needing to offload stars if they fail to secure Champions League football.
Barcelona exit transfer race
According to Mundo Deportivo, Brazilian wonderkid Eduardo Conceicao is not a player Barcelona want to sign right now. Palmeiras youngster Conceicao has reportedly been the subject of a United bid worth approximately £35million plus add-ons, but there is seemingly no substance to claims of meetings between the player’s representatives and Barca director of football Deco.
United could still face competition from elsewhere in the Premier League, however. The same outlet suggests Newcastle have also submitted a bid, while Manchester City are reported to have cast an eye over the 16 year old. Conceicao, a winger, grabbed two goals and two assists for Brazil in this year’s South American Under-17 championship. Much like his compatriot Estevao, who is now at Chelsea, the youngster will be unable to make the move to Europe until he reaches the age of 18.
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Man Utd are on the hunt for a new No. 6 this summer and the ideal candidate will come into the side to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
In many ways, it’s a shame Manchester United didn’t see more of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro playing alongside each other in midfield. Since January, the boy from Stockport and the experienced Brazilian have formed a complementary partnership, one that has been hiding in plain sight at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick and his coaching staff deserve credit for setting up the team in a way that has allowed the pair to thrive, helping each other along and getting protection from elsewhere as well. They have started 11 of Carrick’s 12 games in charge and have been the bedrock of a successful run.
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Mainoo has loved his time playing alongside Casemiro and is still learning from the five-time Champions League winner now, but the clock is ticking on their time together, with the former Real Madrid man set to depart at the end of this season.
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Recruitment bosses at Old Trafford have been aware that was the plan all season and have had plenty of time to draw up plans to sign a replacement. With Ruben Amorim gone, a 4-2-3-1 back on the agenda and Mainoo back in the team, the desire is to sign an elite-level No. 6 who can play alongside the homegrown academy graduate.
Casemiro fit the bill in many ways. He could do the defensive work, but brought some brawn to the engine room as well. At times, he was Mainoo’s shield, the more physical player who would try to let the younger man do his thing on the ball.
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Both players have a good passing range and it is noticeable that Mainoo’s defensive work has improved – he was outstanding in that area against Chelsea on Saturday night. They have developed an understanding of their respective strengths and the team has been set up to get the best out of both of them.
That is what United need to replicate now, with Casemiro on his way and Mainoo set to sign a new five-year contract. He turned 21 the day after the win at Chelsea and looks like being a key member of the side going forward.
Mainoo’s return to prominence is one reason why United have cooled interest in Adam Wharton. While an excellent technical footballer, he is considered similar to Mainoo in the way he progresses the ball. Neither has the physical dominance required in a Premier League engine room these days.
Elliot Anderson does tick that box and looks like he should complement Mainoo, but the best fit might be Aurelien Tchouameni, the 26-year-old France international that United are monitoring ahead of the summer window.
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Tchouameni is a key member of the Real Madrid side at the moment, but his situation could change if the La Liga giants land one of their own midfield targets, with Rodri of Manchester City and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez at the top of the list.
In an era when winning duels and individual battles are key to success in the Premier League, signing a player with Tchouameni’s physical attributes makes a lot of sense. He is also strong in the air, which is a major part of Casemiro’s game.
On paper, a midfield two of Tchouameni and Mainoo looks to tick a lot of boxes. The Frenchman brings World Cup and Champions League-winning experience, as well as a game that looks like a good fit for the Premier League. It might well be United’s dream pairing next season. Making it happen will be easier said than done.
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Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Wednesday night to move top of the Premier League table on goals scored
John Stones’ name got an airing from the away end at Turf Moor on Wednesday night but it’s the new boys of the Manchester City backline that have helped Pep Guardiola’s side to the top of the Premier League table.
While the likes of Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly have hit the headlines and the goals in recent weeks, City’s five game winning run across three competitions has seen them concede just once. And even that was after a blunder from Gianluigi Donnarumma against Arsenal last weekend.
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In a season where goal difference could prove the deciding factor and Arsenal’s defence has been lauded as best in class, City have conceded only three goals fewer than the Gunners in the league and registered just one fewer clean sheet.
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Against Burnley on Wednesday night the visitors were profligate in front of goal, missing countless chances to extend their winning margin in a result that could have given Arsenal fresh impetus given the Gunners may have feared a goal difference deficit.
But goal difference works both ways and City have found a partnership in Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi that have proved rock steady in the heart of the defence. It’s easy at times to forget that this City side is shorn of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias while Stones, now fit again, has missed huge chunks of the campaign.
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Khusanov has grown into a calm and commanding Premier League presence, with his pace a huge asset and his attitude and willingness to learn endearing him to manager and fans.
Guehi has brought added leadership to the ranks with the England international having captained Crystal Palace, while his quality on the ball has enabled City to break lines from the back.
And Stones, along with Nathan Ake, have provided an experienced hand from the sidelines when they’ve not been required on the pitch.
Early in the second half at Turf Moor Guardiola dissected a passage of play where Burnley threatened with a long ball forward and a flick on which required a timely intervention from Matheus Nunes.
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The City boss took his seat and animatedly pointed out his thoughts to Ake and Stones on the bench. Those two experienced heads could both be departing in the summer but both have played an important role this season despite limited opportunities.
Ake came into the side for Carabao Cup final and performed admirably and while injuries have limited Stones’ minutes, he’s still been an important presence at the training ground and a sounding board for the new boys to learn from.
This is a player who has done it all at City in a glittering career. He’s not played the matches he would have liked this term but has been a voice of experience behind the scenes, offering advice and encouragement to the academy prospects who step into first team training.
It was perhaps notable that as the City players took in the applause of the away end at full time, Guardiola was deep in conversation with Ake.
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The Blues have a balance at the back that is going under the radar. It could prove pivotal in the coming weeks.
Al Nassr could boast a team featuring some of the finest players on the planet next season – if Cristiano Ronaldo’s team gets their way this summer
Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, alongside several other high-profile names, could link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr next season. The Saudi Pro League side haven’t claimed the domestic championship since 2019 and have been forced to watch the recent supremacy of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.
It now seems they’re pulling out all the stops to claim the trophy next season. Al Nassr already possess a squad brimming with quality including the likes of Croatian World Cup finalist and Serie A winner Marcelo Brozovic as well as multiple Bundesliga-winning French international Kingsley Coman.
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Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, a Premier League and Champions League victor, also features alongside Ronaldo. Meanwhile the once most expensive player on the planet, and former Chelsea forward, Joao Felix, plus Inigo Martinez, who secured La Liga with Barcelona in 2025, are just some other figures who comprise their squad.
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Nevertheless, they could be poised to elevate their super team to unprecedented levels. MEN takes a closer look at the five stars who could join Al Nassr this summer.
Mo Salah
Salah shocked the football world when he revealed his desire to depart Liverpool in March after nine years. The Egyptian sits third on the club’s all-time top scorers list and has secured two Premier League titles and the Champions League at Anfield.
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Multiple offers have reportedly surfaced to acquire his services, including one from Al Nassr. The club, owned by The Public Investment Fund (PIF), is understood to have expressed interest in partnering him with Ronaldo to form a formidable attacking partnership, positioning him as the league’s latest marquee arrival.
Nevertheless, several other Saudi clubs are similarly tracking the striker’s circumstances closely, including Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Qadsiah. Questions have also been posed regarding precisely how Salah would integrate into the team at Al Nassr.
Bernardo Silva
According to Saudi publication Al-Yaum, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are locked in competition to sign the Manchester City star on a free transfer. The Portuguese playmaker arrived at City in 2017 and has featured 451 times, claiming six Premier League titles and the Champions League under Pep Guardiola.
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Following City’s confirmation of his departure at season’s end, the 31-year-old is believed to be coveted by Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Silva has been representing Portugal alongside Ronaldo at international level since March 2015.
The attacking midfielder has additionally been connected with transfers to Barcelona or Juventus, alongside clubs in the MLS. However, his associations with the Saudi Pro League run considerably deep, as in 2023, Al Hilal were believed to be assembling a package valued at £75million per season to secure the player from City.
Casemiro
Manchester United announced last month that Casemiro will depart the club when his contract expires in June. The midfielder became strongly linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia in 2023 as he dropped down the pecking order under former United manager Erik ten Hag.
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Ronaldo, who played alongside Casemiro at Real Madrid, has reportedly advocated for the transfer. Inter Miami, co-owned by United legend David Beckham, are also eager to sign Casemiro.
Brazilian heavyweights Sao Paulo are also understood to be prepared to offer the player a two-year contract with an option to work for the club following his retirement.
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Nevertheless, according to Marca, Ronaldo sees Casemiro as the defensive linchpin required to ensure Al-Nassr’s supremacy in the Saudi Pro League. The financial proposal being assembled in Riyadh is anticipated to rival almost any other offer Casemiro receives.
Antonio Rudiger
The German centre-back is entering the final months of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and is poised to become a free agent in the summer of 2026.
Rudiger moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2022. The La Liga and Champions League victor is believed to be sought after by Al-Nassr.
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However, some reports suggest that remaining with Los Blancos is a “priority” for the centre-back. The Spanish giants have reportedly tabled a one-year extension for the defender, which could complicate any move.
Diogo Costa
Al Nassr are reportedly in the hunt for a new goalkeeper after losing faith in their current options, Brazilian shot-stopper Bento and Raghed Al-Najjar, who is sidelined through injury.
The 26-year-old Costa, who has claimed two Primeira Liga titles with Porto, would represent a significant acquisition for Al Nassr, with the likes of United and City both credited with an interest in recent months.
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While Ronaldo and his teammates are said to be fronting the pursuit of the goalkeeper, Costa penned a contract extension with Porto until June 2030 in December 2025, meaning any interested party would need to splash out a substantial fee to lure him away from his current club.
Speaking to O Jogo, Costa also suggested he would like to bring the curtain down on his career in Portugal. He said: “I would truly be the most fulfilled man in the world, because, as everyone knows, my dream has always been to play here. And now the story continues and I hope there will be more games.”
While the club’s prospective squad looks like something conjured up by a Football Manager fan with a cheat code, the reality is somewhat less glamorous for the Saudi Arabian outfit.
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As of the 2024/25 season, SPL clubs are permitted to register a maximum of 10 non-Saudi players. However, while 10 can be registered, only eight non-Saudi players are permitted to feature in the matchday squad for domestic fixtures.
This means that should Al Nassr genuinely wish to assemble a superteam, compromises will inevitably need to be made, with several of their potential new recruits facing an anxious wait for regular game time.
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HOUSTON — For the first time in 2026, the LPGA is center stage, and the year’s first major comes with massive stakes.
Under the direction of new commissioner Craig Kessler, the LPGA has big plans to break through. That includes a new broadcast television deal, schedule changes, purse increases and a plan to create a stable of global stars. All this serves Kessler’s main focus: Finding a way to grab attention and hold on to it — to better satisfy the current fans who desperately want to see women’s golf elevated while harvesting a new group of supporters.
Making that climb is easier said than done.
Perhaps no tournament better underscores the challenges facing the LPGA and women’s golf than this week’s Chevron Championship. It’s the year’s first major, but one that has lacked a significant identity. It was elevated to major status in 1983 but has gone through numerous name changes and moved from Mission Hills to the Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, in 2023. The only things that have stayed the same are the iconic jump into Poppie’s Pond and the winning robe, and even that has had to be shoehorned in since the move.
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The move to Texas didn’t help with this unique crisis, as the course at Carlton Woods and the event’s broadcast failed to make it feel like the major it’s billed as. As the LPGA has looked to grow and expand, the Chevron Championship has found itself at a crossroads. It has a rich history, and Chevron has invested in the event, but it hasn’t fully cemented a major championship identity that the LPGA needs for the first big tournament of the season. The Masters signals the start of men’s major season and serves as a launching pad for the rest of the pro golf year. Women’s golf needs the Chevron Championship, or a different tournament, to be something similar.
That’s why this week looms as a massive test for the Chevron Championship and the LPGA.
After three underwhelming years at Carlton Woods, the LPGA and Chevron made the decision to move the tournament from the Houston suburbs to Memorial Park, a muni in the heart of the city that also hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open. The move to Memorial Park was universally praised. Moving the event into the city should make it easier to boost attendance, giving it a bigger feel, and Memorial Park is a far more interesting course, with tricky greens that demand precision and a memorable finishing stretch.
But the move to Memorial Park also further underscores the ongoing identity crisis. What makes the U.S. Women’s Open, AIG Women’s Open and KPMG Women’s PGA exciting is the rotation of venues those majors run through. It’s hard for a non-iconic course to take root as a standalone major venue. On the men’s side, the only constant is Augusta National. If a major is going to come back to the same place every year, the course has to be a central figure in the story. It has to be something fans are familiar with and want to return to every year.
In order for the Memorial Park move to pay dividends, it’s going to need the help of one of Kessler’s first big swings as commissioner: the enhanced broadcast.
Thanks to a deal with FM, Golf Channel and Trackman, LPGA broadcasts will have a 50 percent increase in cameras, three times as many microphones, quadruple the number of shot-tracing capabilities, more slow-motion cameras and drones. The LPGA rolled out the enhanced broadcast features at Sharon Heights earlier this year, and its debut was a clear win. There were kinks to work out and improvements to make, but the changes were noticeable and welcome.
This week is the real test for those enhancements and broadcast partner NBC’s willingness to give this event the major shine. It’s incumbent on the broadcast to use all of the bells and whistles for greater storytelling, to highlight the intricacies of the Tom Doak course and create major tension. It’s not enough to say it’s a major; you have to make the viewer feel it.
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All of that leads to the one thing that’s out of the LPGA’s control this week, but that is most vital in giving this major the juice it needs: the stars have to show up.
Back in November, Kessler said there’s “no silver bullet” to building stars. While that may be true, if you want to create inroads and build the audience, the needles have to be front and center on your biggest weeks.
That starts, and maybe ends, with Nelly Korda.
Just as men’s golf has become dominated by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, the LPGA needs Korda to do the same. After winning seven times in 2024, Korda went winless in what she called a “weird” 2025. She changed her schedule and preparation this year and has gone 1-2-2-T2 in four starts. The World No. 2 arrived in Houston after taking a week off and seems to be feeling free and easy as the first major arrives. Plenty of signs point to this being a Korda week, and that would be a welcome sight as the LPGA goes under the spotlight and the major season begins.
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Outside of Korda in 2024, the Chevron Championship has seen several first-time major winners in recent years. Building a base of major champions is good for the depth of the league, but if you’re looking to create a bigger fan base, the best path is to have your stars — Korda, Charley Hull, Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko — in the mix entering the weekend, have them bring the eyeballs and then let them and the enhanced broadcast be the entry point to the rest of the tour.
That’s the formula for success for the LPGA and Chevron Championship. We’re about to see if they find it this week.
An envoy for President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup this summer.
The Financial Times reported the plan is an effort to repair the relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured after the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding the war with Iran.
United States special envoy Paolo Zampolli suggested the idea to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025.(Emilee Chinn/FIFA)
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament,” Zampolli told the outlet. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Italy had a chance to be in the World Cup already, but it lost in a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff final.
Italy became the first World Cup-winning team to miss three consecutive tournaments after the 4-1 penalty shootout loss earlier this month.
“We still don’t believe it that we’re out and that it happened in this manner,” Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola told reporters at the time, according to the New York Post.
“It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
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While Zampolli told Infantino about his proposed plan, FIFA’s president said Iran “for sure” will play in the World Cup despite the conflict involving the U.S.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates after scoring a goal during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A game against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium in Tehran March 25, 2025.(Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” Infantino said during the CNBC Invest in America Forum earlier this month in Washington, D.C.
“We hope that, by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Infantino visited the Iranian national team in Turkey, which is where it has its training camp.
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All three of Iran’s group stage games are scheduled to be played in the U.S. That remains the case after Iranian government officials suggested to FIFA that their games be moved to Mexico because they could not travel to the U.S.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed FIFA’s rejection of Iran’s request, and it is insisting Iran play where it’s scheduled — SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field in Seattle. Iran said earlier this month it would only decide on its team’s participation once it heard from FIFA regarding its relocation request.
Iran is scheduled to play at SoFi Stadium against New Zealand June 16 to begin its tournament. It will also play Belgium at the stadium before finishing group play against Mo Salah and Egypt in Seattle June 26.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends an international friendly between Mexico and Portugal at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City March 28, 2026.(Antonio Torres/FIFA/Getty Images)
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last month that Iran would be welcome to compete in the World Cup as scheduled, though it might not be “appropriate” considering the conflict.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” he wrote.
Trump also told Politico, “I really don’t care,” when asked about Iran’s participation in the tournament. Infantino, who has a strong relationship with Trump, said Trump has “reiterated” to him that the U.S. welcomes Iran’s team to compete.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New photos of New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini have been leaked online amid their alleged affair scandal. After Page Six shared exclusive snippets of them spending time together at a luxury private resort in Sedona last month, fresh photos from that time have raised more questions about this situation.
In the new photos shared, we see Vrabel and Russini having breakfast together. According to the article, several eyewitnesses claimed that they dined alone, but sources close to the insider claimed that a group of friends joined them.
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On X, NFL analyst Tony Farmer shared his thoughts on these new leaks of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini.
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“That’s Vrabel! Same shirt as the prior published photos. Not a girls trip. Not “laughable” to suggest it’s not innocent. This is breakfast guys, that means the sleepover is confirmed,” Farmer wrote.
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After receiving extensive backlash for the scandal, Dianna Russini decided to resign from her position at The Athletic earlier this month. In her resignation letter, she stated that she’s doing so to avoid it hampering the career that she’s built and denied the affair allegations.
“I have decided to step down aside now- before my current contract expires on June 30,” Russini wrote. “I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to let it further oxygen or let it define me or my career.”
Mike Vrabel dodges a question about Dianna Russini’s resignation
After days of silence, Mike Vrabel finally addressed the affair allegations with Dianna Russini during a press conference on Tuesday. He was asked to share his thoughts on the insider’s resignation from The Athletic.
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However, the Patriots coach decided to dodge answering this question.
“I appreciate and respect every single question,” Vrabel said. “But I’m not going to be able to comment on anything as it relates to that. I appreciate your job and what you guys have got to do, but I have to make my comments and what I answer about our football team.”
The NFL has also come forward to state that it will not review and investigate the Vrabel and Russini situation.
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