Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
After hiring a new general manager and checking another Vikings offseason box, the one remaining one is Harrison Smith’s retirement question. He’s yet to make a decision on whether he wants to give it another shot. His potential return would shake up the safety room.
At this point, the Vikings employ four safeties for two starting jobs and a third prominent role in Brian Flores’ safety-heavy defense.
One contender is last year’s starter, Theo Jackson, but Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton thinks he should be shipped to a different organization before the upcoming season kicks off.
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He wrote, “Theo Jackson made our list of potential cut candidates after the Minnesota Vikings selected safety Jakobe Thomas in the third round of this year’s draft.”
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) and Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) celebrate after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Indeed, he’s suddenly facing some roster pressure in the Twin Cities, a year after signing a three-year deal with the club. With Joshua Metellus a certainty in the starting unit, there are 1-2 openings depending on Smith’s call.
The Vikings might want to promote special-teams ace Jay Ward after his strong finish to the 2025 campaign and the franchise didn’t use half of Jonathan Greenard’s trade compensation to acquire Jakobe Thomas to sit on the bench. Jackson might be the victim of the number’s game, especially if Smith wants to keep playing.
Moton added, “Jackson is among the Vikings’ trade candidates for the same reason. Moreover, he could garner interest from the Washington Commanders, who hired Minnesota’s former defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, Daronte Jones.”
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Nothing in the NFL matters more than the history between players and coaches, so this connection could certainly play a role should the Vikings make Jackson available. Washington’s new defensive coordinator knows Jackson’s strengths and weaknesses and how best to deploy him, while the defender knows Jones’ defensive terminology.
“Working directly under Jones, Jackson made strides as a downhill defender, logging 47 tackles (three for loss) and two sacks in 14 contests,” Moton continued. “However, Jackson gave up too much ground in coverage, allowing a 131.5 passer rating and a 71.4 percent completion rate.”
Jackson was inserted into the starting lineup following Cam Bynum’s departure in free agency, but his play left a lot to be desired. Because Smith was out early in the season, he likely had more responsibility than the coaching staff would’ve hoped for.
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell greets safety Theo Jackson (25) before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
Jackson ultimately appeared in 14 games and started 8 of them, but his snap counts declined throughout the season. In the first seven games of the year, he averaged 57.3 defensive snaps (95%), but in his remaining seven, that dropped to 23.3 (35.8%).
Ward, meanwhile, was climbing up the depth chart. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the versatile Ward having the chance to clinch the starting job ahead of Jackson. Furthermore, third-round rookie Thomas brings the downhill skillset to the table that Flores enjoys and could turn to him early in his career.
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Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about the first-year defender after the draft, “His play style jumps off the tape. He’s a very, very highly intelligent player that we were able to really dive into. Jakobe’s a good blitzer, he’s a good tackler, and I know Flo’ (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) is incredibly excited about him as a communicator and his upside football I.Q.”
The question now is whether the Vikings would rather keep Jackson even if he’s not clinching a top-three role on defense or if they like him as a depth player. The salary cap savings wouldn’t move the needle and another team would have to give up draft capital to acquire a player who disappointed in his only starting opportunity. Someone elsewhere would have to value the 27-year-old more than the Vikings.
“Regardless of Thomas’ progress through his first offseason in the pros, Minnesota may attempt to trade Jackson because of his limitations on passing downs,” Moton further noted.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the NFC wild card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The postseason appearance highlighted Flores’ aggressive defensive approach in a high-stakes environment as Minnesota faced playoff elimination on the road. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images..
At this point, a trade feels unlikely. The Vikings value safety depth, especially in Brian Flores’ scheme, and Jackson is one of the few defenders in the building who already understands the system inside and out.
Still, if Harrison Smith returns and Jakobe Thomas develops quickly, Minnesota could eventually have more safeties than available roles. In that scenario, Jackson’s experience and familiarity with Daronte Jones could make him an intriguing option for Washington. For now, though, his roster spot appears much safer than any trade speculation suggests.
In a statement on 20 April, Bangor said the club were “unable to provide further details” while an investigation took place.
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However, the club said on Monday that an internal review has been completed and Arthurs will be available for the start of pre-season.
The forward has been part of the Bangor squad as they earned promotions through the divisions in recent seasons, initially playing for the club in the Ballymena & Provincial League, and culminating in their return to the top tier of Irish League football for the 2025-26 season.
Arthurs sits second in the all-time scoring charts for the club and the new campaign will be his ninth year with the north Down outfit.
Lee Feeney’s side finished their first campaign back in the Irish Premiership in 10th place.
On the eve of the game, the Uruguayan plane didn’t have clearance to fly from Cancun, where the team have been based, to the US, which left the squad stuck at the hotel until a solution was found, with the Uruguayan FA pinning the blame on Fifa, who in turn claimed it was an issue with the airline.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has also criticised Fifa for the impact that his nation’s war with the US has had on preparations for their first game against New Zealand tonight, having been forced to move their base to Mexico, visa issues plaguing members of their delegation and travelling fans being stripped of match tickets. “I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,” said Taremi. “This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is that football brings about peace. I feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has.”
As England continue to build up to Wednesday’s game with Croatia, Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham, claiming external criticism is way off the mark. “I know a lot gets written in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes because I just know how big an influence he is on this team, how good a teammate he is off the field,” said Henderson. “And what he gives us is just something really special, he really gives us the X-factor in our team. We all know what he can do, and how much we all love him inside the camp, and I suppose that’s the main thing.”
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Sweden’s deadly duo Isak and Gyokeres both off the mark in win over Tunisia
One of the big challenges for successive Sweden managers has been how to get the best out of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres on the same pitch, at the same time. Graham Potter’s solution against Tunisia was to play a 3-5-2 formation in which his star strikers were paired together, and it paid off with a 5-1 win in which both players got on the scoresheet – as Brighton’s Yasin Ayari scored two belters from range against his mother’s country.
The forward pair were helped by some poor Tunisian defending and goalkeeping, and there remain some question marks over their link-up play. At one point during the second half, Gyokeres should have played Isak through on goal but the Arsenal striker dallied and when he eventually passed, Isak was offside. Gyokeres’s goal might technically have been an Isak assist, but Isak was trying to score himself and the ball only ran to his strike partner when he lost control under pressure.
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So perhaps there is still something to work on to develop a thriving partnership in which they are as happy to pass to one another as to take on the shot. But for Potter and Sweden, just seeing their star duo play together is a huge boost after Isak’s season of injuries. Group F rivals Netherlands and Japan will be wary of the threat Sweden pose.
Alexander Bernhardsson (left), Benjamin Nygren (10) and Alexander Isak (9) celebrate with Viktor Gyokeres (17) (AP)
Luke Baker15 June 2026 09:11
Jordan Henderson defends England teammate Jude Bellingham: ‘We all love him’
As England continue to build up to Wednesday’s game with Croatia, Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham, claiming external criticism of the Real Madrid midfielder is way off the mark.
It has been suggested that one of the reasons Thomas Tuchel wanted veteran Henderson in his World Cup squad was his good relationship with Bellingham, who has developed a reputation externally as something of a tricky character.
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“I know a lot gets written in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes because I just know how big an influence Jude is on this team, how good a teammate he is off the field,” said Henderson.
“And what he gives us is just something really special, he really gives us the X-factor in our team.
“I do think a lot of the media and the stuff that gets written isn’t all true to be honest, or a lot of it is actually untrue. But we all know what he can do, and how much we all love him inside the camp, and I suppose that’s the main thing.”
(Getty)
Luke Baker15 June 2026 08:58
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The unwanted Premier League reality exposed by Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne’s World Cup showdown
For two ageing greats who contested an epic rivalry over years, the World Cup could provide a last duel. Not Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – or not definitely, anyway, given the number of results required to ensure that Portugal actually do meet Argentina in the Kansas City quarter-final – but Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.
They have met in the Community Shield, the Champions League and the Carabao Cup but theirs is primarily a Premier League battle. Now for the north-west of the United States not the north-west of England. They meet in Seattle as captains of Belgium and Egypt and arguably the Premier League’s two best players of the last decade.
There are cases for Harry Kane and Virgil van Dijk, one for Erling Haaland that is based on a much briefer stay in the division, but De Bruyne and Salah allied creativity with class, assists with goals, medals with magnificence, individual exploits with collective achievement.
Richard Jolly analyses a final showdown between two Premier League greats:
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Luke Baker15 June 2026 08:54
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi criticises Fifa over impact of USA war at World Cup
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised Fifa, with his team is having a challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions created by their nation’s war with the US.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of their clash with New Zealand this evening, while visa issues have plagued members of their delegation and travelling fans have been stripped of match tickets.
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“I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,” said Taremi. “This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is that football brings about peace. I feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has.”
(Getty)
Luke Baker15 June 2026 08:50
Uruguay blame Fifa after flight chaos hurts plans for World Cup opener
Uruguay’s national team have blamed Fifa after a chaotic start to their World Cup campaign following the delay to their travel from their Mexico base to Miami for their first match.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have travelled to Cancun for final preparations before getting their World Cup underway against Saudi Arabia on Monday but the squad were left waiting as their prepared plane didn’t have clearance to fly to the US. The problem facing the team was reportedly due to issues with paperwork for the aircraft which meant it had not been approved to take the route from Cancun to Miami.
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The Uruguayan FA maintained Fifa was responsible, while adding in a statement: “Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed. The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm.”
A Fifa statement read: “Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused.”
(Getty)
Luke Baker15 June 2026 08:38
World Cup 2026 – live updates
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
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The tournament rolls on after a goalfest on Sunday, with Uruguay’s travel chaos and Iran’s litany of issues dominating the news
Amad started Ivory Coast’s World Cup opening game against Ecuador on the bench – but the Manchester United star would go on to steal the show in Philadelphia
Amad came off the bench to score a last-minute winner to get Ivory Coast’s World Cup off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. In an entertaining game at the Philadelphia Stadium, the Manchester United star found himself on the bench with Yan Diomande given the nod to start on the right.
But nine minutes into the second-half, Amad was introduced in place of Bazoumana Toure and he went on to show his boss Emerse Fae why he no doubt believes he should be starting.
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However, before that, Amad could only watch on as Sebastian Beccacece’s side twice hit the crossbar in the opening 45 minutes before Enner Valencia struck the outside of the post at the start of the second half.
But just when it looked like both sides were going to be forced to settle for a point, Amad finally broke the deadlock in the 90th minute.
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The United winger steered the ball inside the post from the edge of the box after a strong run and cross from Wilfried Singo.
And speaking post-match, Amda said: “We needed that. We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead of us, and we need to approach them with the same mentality and try to win them.
“We had to stay focused. We knew it was going to be a difficult match because we know the Ecuadorian players – they’re physically very strong. They caused us problems, of course, but we stayed composed and remained focused.”
While team-mate Diomande admitted: “We fought hard, we succeeded, and we’re all delighted. It’s always a pleasure to represent your country.
“It’s tough and it’s stressful because we’re representing nearly 33 million people. We’re playing for our families, our friends, our loved ones, and in this kind of competition we all want to give it our all.
“We want to win every match. We want to make our mark on history, and that’s what we’re all trying to do together.”
And Ecuador coach Beccacece reflected: “In the second half, we made the necessary adjustments and were in control enough to secure at least a draw.
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“We put in a tremendous effort against a strong opponent. The final result wasn’t what we wanted, but it’s just the beginning, and we have to keep working.”
The former two-time world heavyweight champion hinted that he had big news, saying: “I think I’m going to let Dana do the speaking, let him do the announcement. It’s a massive, massive, massive announcement.”
He then added there was “100 percent potential” that he would be fighting under the Zuffa promotion for the bout with Joshua, which will be among the biggest fights in British boxing history.
Tyson Fury with his wife Paris at UFC Freedom 250 (AP)
After the conclusion of the event, which saw Justin Gaethje stun Ilia Topuria to claim undisputed lightweight gold, White made it appear that confirmation of Fury’s deal with Zuffa was imminent.
Probed on whether Fury had signed with Zuffa, White said: “We’ll make an announcement soon.”
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The UFC president was then pressed on whether that was a yes, to which he replied: “Listen, let me reiterate. Judge me 1 January 2027 on what we’ve done this year on boxing.
“I keep talking about all these other guys talking a lot of smack – I haven’t said anything about any of these guys. I’m in my lane, I’m doing my thing.
“Just sit back and watch. We’ll make an announcement soon.”
White stated last month that he was set to be the promoter for Fury vs Joshua, something both Eddie Hearn and Queensberry’s Frank Warren denied.
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However, Fury’s new relationship with White will fuel speculation surrounding that claim, with the UFC president’s venture continuing to shake up the sport.
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With four signings already in place, Heart of Midlothian will make up to six more by the time the summer window closes and there will very likely also be one or two departures. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Cove Rangers hope to continue to take young Aberdeen players on loan next season. (Press & Journal), external
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, who is poised to join Rangers, did not reject the Ibrox club as has been claimed in 2017 but instead turned down the switch from Aberdeen because of a late shift by then chairman Dave King during contract talks. (Daily Record), external
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Hearts are unlikely to turn to two former Tynecastle stalwarts – Falkirk’s John McGlynn and Dundee’s Steven Pressley – as a replacement should head coach McInnes join Rangers – but could still shop again in the Scottish market. (Daily Record), external
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the latest Manchester United transfer news. The Reds are closing in on their first deal with Ederson set to be unveiled as a United player once a medical is completed.
The Brazilian will be one of at least two midfield signings, with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes looking a real possibility. However, United also face competition from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.
Stick with us throughout the day for all the latest!
Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., UNITED STATES; Alex Pereira walks out prior to his fight against Ciryl Gane (not pictured) during UFC Freedom 250 at White House South Lawn. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The imagery alone — the Octagon set against the backdrop of the American presidency — is enough to command global attention.
UFC Freedom 250, a reported $60 million project, was destined to be labeled a sideshow the moment the venue was announced — the White House South Lawn in Washington. It is a surreal juxtaposition: the polished, historic lawn of the American presidency serving as the stage for the raw, chaotic violence of MMA, with the UFC as the sport’s gold standard.
But to dismiss the event as merely a political stunt or a corporate play would be to ignore the reality of what took place inside the cage on Sunday night. When the lights went down, and the doors closed as President Donald Trump took it all in, the venue became secondary. What remained was a fight card that, venue aside, anchored itself as one of the most significant in the promotion’s history. Seven fights with seven KO/TKOs were a first in promotional history.
The skepticism surrounding this event was understandable. When combat sports collide with high-profile political settings, the optics often feel more like a performance than a competition. However, this event defied that narrative. The card was anchored by two high-stakes title fights that demanded to be taken seriously.
With Ilia Topuria — undefeated with 10 first-round finishes — putting his lightweight gold on the line against the relentless Justin Gaethje, a fighter known for his historic run of 15 bonuses in 15 fights, the card was built on substance.
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Add in a heavyweight interim title collision between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, with undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall awaiting the winner, and the venue became an afterthought. These are the elite of the elite. When champions of this caliber step through the door, the venue does not change the stakes of the belt or the quality of the competition.
The genius — and the calculated risk — of UFC Freedom 250 lies in its promoter. CEO Dana White has never been one to shy away from breaking tradition, and this event serves as the ultimate “Next Frontier” for the brand.
White understands that in the modern attention economy, curiosity is a currency as valuable as gate receipts. By choosing the White House, he ensured that millions of casual viewers who have never watched a UFC event would stop, stare and tune in via Paramount+.
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White is not just a matchmaker; he is a brand architect who thrives on friction. He knew the venue would be polarized, and he knew the coverage would be intense.
By weaponizing that polarization, he expanded the UFC’s footprint into the cultural mainstream in a way that a standard pay-per-view never could. This card wasn’t just about capturing the die-hard MMA fan; it was about capturing the viewer who was watching only because of the absurdity of the location.
The card, however, was not just a branding exercise — it delivered inside the cage. The action began with three straight knockouts. Middleweight Bo Nickal secured a TKO against Kyle Daukaus after Diego Lopes made quick work of Steve Garcia with ground-and-pound in Round 2 of their featherweight fight.
At lightweight, Mauricio Ruffy finished Michael Chandler with strikes just before Round 1 ended in a one-sided fight to the jubilation of the crowd surrounding The Ellipse, a park across from the White House.
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The performance earned compliments from President Trump, who sat front row with White. At heavyweight, Josh Hokit delivered a dominant performance over former UFC interim heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis, securing a second-round TKO to keep his undefeated record intact. Meanwhile, former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley secured a TKO over Aiemann Zahabi to remain in the bantamweight title hunt, earning his second straight win.
In the main and co-main events, chaos reigned. Topuria’s undefeated run ended in a doctor’s stoppage between the fourth and fifth rounds, crowning Gaethje the new lightweight champion. In the co-main, Pereira suffered a vicious TKO loss in the second round, Gane halting Pereira’s bid to become a three-division titleholder.
So, was UFC Freedom 250 a spectacle or a legitimate sporting event?
The answer is that it was both, and that is precisely the point. The UFC has reached a level of maturity where it no longer needs the shelter of traditional arenas to be seen as a professional organization. It has become a global cultural juggernaut that can force the world to adapt to its environment, rather than the other way around.
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If this event is viewed as a success, it raises a question: What is the next frontier? If the White House is not off-limits, then perhaps nowhere is. UFC Freedom 250 will be remembered not for where it happened, but for the fact that the nearly 33-year-old organization had grown so large that the venue became an afterthought.
Welcome to U.S. Open week, where we’re heading to Shinnecock Hills on Long Island for the sixth time in the history of golf’s national championship. What’s your biggest U.S. Open storyline you can’t wait to see unfold?
James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): I love Shinnecock, and I love that the U.S. Open goes there even though it makes no earthly sense, logistically speaking. I’m can’t wait to learn from the best golfers alive why it is so different from the rest of the golf courses they play every year. Normally, I’m not a course guy, but here I am.
Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): Can Scottie Scheffler complete the career grand slam? It would be quite the achievement if he can get it done before turning 30. I can’t wait to see him tackle Shinnecock.
Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I’m with Zephyr on this one. Scottie Scheffler’s first crack at the career grand slam trumps all. But we were given a U.S. Open eve surprise Sunday morning with the WD of Brooks Koepka in Canada. We wish Brooks a speedy recovery, and we’re awaiting news on what it means for his U.S. Open availability. But he was a big storyline before the injury news arose, coming into Shinnecock with trending form and holding the belt as the 2018 U.S. Open winner at Shinnecock.
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The top-ranked players in the world, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, haven’t finished outside the top 20 in a tournament since March (both at the Players). How does Shinnecock Hills set up for them? And who are you picking to have the better week?
Colgan: I’d think it sets up very well for both of them, particularly considering Scheffler and McIlroy are two of the best iron players alive. Shinnecock has been altered since its last U.S. Open — it is wider and more forgiving off the tee now — but it is no less difficult to shoot a good score. It seems these changes will make Shinnecock even more of a second-shot golf course than it was already, which is to say it will benefit those like Scheffler and McIlroy above the more pedestrian ball-strikers. If I were picking one of them, I’d lean toward Scheffler, just because he’s more accurate with the driver, and even a rare missed fairway this week could make the difference.
Melton: I’ll lean slightly toward Scottie on this one. As the best iron player in the world, the test Shinnecock presents should set up perfectly for his skillset. He seems to like the USGA setups for this championship, too, having finished inside the top 10 in all but one U.S. Open since he’s been out on Tour.
Hirsh: I think Scheffler is going to have the better week just because, as silly as it sounds, he’s due. He’s a machine in U.S. Opens even though he hasn’t recorded a win. What better place to do it than one of the most historic venues of the sport. He’s also been a top-5 machine this season but has just one win in his first start of the year.
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For those unfamiliar with Shinneock Hills, why is it known as such a quality U.S. Open test? What does it demand from players and what are you watching for as soon as the tournament gets underway?
Colgan: As someone who played there in nonstop 35 mph winds a few weeks ago, I can answer this question from memory. What makes Shinnecock great is that there is nowhere to miss. The greens and fairways might be large, but the actual spaces that allow you to safely advance your ball are minuscule. When the course is playing firm and fast (which it will be), spin control and land movement will be at a premium. In other words, it’s freaking impossible in the best of conditions … and only a player with an otherworldly sense of accuracy and confidence will be able to survive a U.S. Open.
Melton: Having never stepped on property, I can’t give a very nuanced breakdown on why Shinnecock is great, but from the stories I’ve heard I can say this: It’s damn hard. Perfect for a U.S. Open.
Hirsh: James you played? How rude of you not to invite Zephyr and I.
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The scene outside the clubhouse at Shinnecock.
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The last time the tournament was played here, in 2018, Brooks Koepka beat Tommy Fleetwood by one to win his second straight U.S. Open. The leaderboard that year was stacked, too — guys like DJ, Reed, Finau, Hatton, Xander and Rose all finished in the top 10. Any learnings we can take from that tournament as we head into this week?
Colgan: Yeah, the lesson is that there probably won’t be a fluke winner here. Only the biggest of big dawgs will be in contention.
Melton: Famous last words, Jimmy. I hope you are correct! And for what we can expect? I’ll say it again: It’s gonna play hard.
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Hirsh: My learning is that, amazing, all but two of those guys are legit contenders. Fleetwood is now a PGA Tour winner, Reed is in good form, albeit he’s played only the PGA since the Masters. Rose is having one of the best seasons of his career. Hatton and Schauffele need no explanation. The only question marks would be DJ and Koepka with his injury.
LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau hasn’t made a major cut this season. Does that change this week? Where does Bryson finish, and who are you picking for low LIV player?
Colgan: I don’t love how DeChambeau’s bomb-and-gauge strategy sets up for Shinnecock, especially after McIlroy and Scheffler indicated the wider-than-usual fairways have set up to make it extra penal on those who miss the fairway. I think Bryson is a shoe-in to make the cut, but I’m more skeptical on his odds at a third U.S. Open victory here given the setup.
Melton: I think he makes the cut, but I don’t think he’ll be a serious contender on the weekend. You’ve got to be firing on all cylinders to compete at a U.S. Open, and this year he just hasn’t been in that sort of form.
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Hirsh: I don’t think he makes the cut. I think he’s in his own head. I expect Jon Rahm to play well and finish as the low LIV player.
Bud Cauley won the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, although big-name players like Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood and Wyndham Clark all had solid weeks. How much U.S. Open stock are you putting in players trending in the proper direction right now, and who is the hottest player entering the week?
Colgan: Putting some stock in it! It’s funny how recent form can help avoid a Big Mistake at a major championship. And the U.S. Open feels like a place you’d like to avoid a Big Mistake.
Melton: Form is always nice, and no one has more of it right now than Wyndham Clark with a win, a top-three and another solid showing in Canada over the last several weeks. I’d keep an eye on him as we head to Shinnecock.
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Hirsh: Definitely putting stock in it. Speaking of Clark, he won the month before his breakthrough at the 2023 U.S. Open. Clark is hot again this year, but god it feels like Tommy Fleetwood could contend and get it done this week. Knocking on the door the last two weeks after a putter change — and clinging to one of the great major championship rounds we’ve seen anywhere in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock. That would be an awesome win.
Ciryl Gane kept the UFC Freedom 250 knockout parade going on Sunday, stopping former two-division champion Alex Pereira in the second round in what was a brilliant performance to win the interim heavyweight championship for the second time in his career.
Pereira immediately opened with a big head kick, sending an early message to Gane. Pereira also worked some low calf kicks as Gane tried to close the distance with jabs that weren’t connecting. Gane instead switched to leg kicks and front kicks to try and change the pace of the fight. Gane then shot for the first takedown attempt of the fight, which Pereira easily shrugged off.
Gane continued to pick up his offense, mixing in various shots, including his jab finally working to set up the straight left hand. Both men continued to land some good leg kicks before another head kick attempt from Pereira missed by inches, but a big Pereira right hand landed moments later to close the round.
Gane continued to fire kicks and then landed a big counter jab that dropped Pereira. Gane followed up with heavy shots and elbows as Pereira looked for a desperation takedown, but somehow Pereira survived.
Gane continued to bring the assault to Pereira, putting him on wobbly legs over and over as referee Herb Dean seemed close to stopping the fight.
As Pereira stumbled back into the Octagon fence, Gane fired more big shots. This time, as Pereira slumped against the Octagon wall, Dean jumped in to halt the fight at the 1:27 mark of Round 2.
The performance was arguably the best of Gane’s career, as he took on a legend and looked to be the better man from the early moments of the fight with a more dynamic attack.
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“We worked on it, we did a really great job with my team,” Gane said after the win. “I’m really proud of myself and my team. … We knew that was possible to do. We knew that.”
Gane is now positioned for a rematch with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. In Gane’s first fight with Aspinall, he was performing tremendously before the fight was halted after Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes, leaving Aspinall sidelined ever since.
“We will see,” Gane said of a rematch. “Next, let’s do it in Paris in September.”
For Pereira, his attempt to win UFC gold in a third division came up short in brutal fashion.
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“This was the risk, you know? If I hadn’t taken a risk every time I fought, I wouldn’t be here today,” Pereira said before addressing whether his future was at heavyweight or a return to light heavyweight. “… I don’t know, we’re going to sit down and look at it. The same way we lost at middleweight, we’re going to sit down with my team and talk about it.”
Brighton’s Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden proved too strong for Tunisia and sealed a 5-1 win in their World Cup opener.
Isak put his injury-wrecked first season with Liverpool behind him, grabbing Sweden’s second goal before seizing on a defensive mishap to provide Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres with the third.
Tunisia cruised through qualifying without conceding a goal, but were behind inside seven minutes in Monterrey as they failed to deal with a ball over the top.
Goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh beat Isak to the ball and Gyokeres’ follow-up was blocked, but Ayari – who has a Tunisian mother but opted for the country of his birth – rifled in from outside the box.
Brighton’s Yasin Ayari scored a brace against Tunisia (Getty)
Elias Saad forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt at the other end, but Sweden doubled their advantage just before the half hour, a counterattack releasing Isak on the left before he cut inside and found the far corner past the flailing Chamakh who misjudged his dive.
The Swedes looked comfortable but their advantage was halved just before the break, Omar Rekik heading in a cross from Hannibal Mejbri.
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Sweden stretched their advantage just before the hour as they seized on another Tunisian error, Isak catching the dawdling captain Ellyes Skhiri in possession outside the box and fed Gyokeres who had plenty of time and space to fire home.
Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal seconds after arriving as a substitute with VAR overturning an original offside decision after ruling a slight flick by Isak played him onside, Ayari then fired in his second as the ball again broke loose outside the box in the closing seconds.
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