Could Rory McIlroy win one Masters? He did, two years ago. 

Could McIlroy repeat? In April, he did, becoming just the fourth player to do so. 

You know the next question. Three-peat, which no one has done. Oh, how far we’ve come. One player who went back-to-back at Augusta National thinks McIlroy can do it — but Jack Nicklaus wonders about one thing.   

This week, the Golden Bear is front and center as his Muirfield Village Golf Club hosts his Memorial Tournament, where McIlroy is tied for 12th midway through the suspended third round. And on Nicklaus’ visit to the CBS booth during Saturday’s third-round play, talk got to the 2024 and ’25 Masters winner. What did Nicklaus think of his latest win? He said it was “pretty darn good” — then he looked at McIlroy’s game. 

“If you look at the leaderboard here this week,” Nicklaus said, “anything that kills Rory, it’s his double bogeys and more. He has a tendency to get himself into places where you can make more than bogey. I know he doesn’t like that; nobody likes that. 

“I said to him this week, Rory, you got plenty of places to drive the golf ball. But there are times where maybe that little cut shot or that little 3-wood or whatever it is, put the ball in play. I said, you hit it so far, it won’t make a difference. But just keep yourself in a position where you’re not going to make high scores.”

Analyst Trevor Immelman, himself a Masters winner, then asked Nicklaus if McIlroy sometimes plays too aggressively because of his strength and his skill in driving — and Nicklaus said McIlroy has “as good and as solid of a swing as there is in the game of golf.” He then talked about Muirfield Village. A few holes you can “whack it.” Others, you want just to get the ball in play. “Places where you’re going to give yourself a chance to make birdie,” Nicklaus said on the broadcast, “and if you are going to make a mistake, it’s not going to be double bogey.” 

At this point, announcer Jim Nantz then asked about the three-peat. 

And Nicklaus started his answer with a question of his own. 

“I think he’s got every opportunity in the world to take it three times. Again, is Rory going there with a little bit of discipline?” Nicklaus said on the broadcast. 

“He’s such a good player. And there’s so many great shots that he can play. I mean, you saw the shots he played a couple of years ago — 15, 17, at 7. Some of the shots that he hit to win that golf tournament, he’s got that in the bag. But you don’t have to have those shots all the time. You want to put the ball in play and be smart. Because the way he plays, if he just plays smart, he’s got a very good chance to be a three-peat.”

The Stanley Cup Final shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.

And, as you’d expect from the Golden Knights, this one got started with some theatrics, plus a little help from the city’s latest hope at quarterback, who was getting in on the festivities.

That’s right. Who better to put on siren duty than Raiders draft pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza?

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There was a big surprise when the game got underway: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb — who took a slapshot straight to the face on Thursday in Game 2 — was in the Vegas lineup, albeit with a full cage.

It goes without saying, but hockey players are just built different.

The first period was physical but ultimately scoreless, with Carolina getting more offensive opportunities, leading Vegas in shots 7-2.

Vegas captain Mark Stone found the back of the net just 36 seconds into the second period; however, it was ruled offside after a Carolina challenge.

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A few minutes later, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel found the back of the net, but Carolina challenged this goal as well after Vegas’ Ivan Barbashev made contact with Canes goalie Frederik Andersen’s head.

It was another cut-and-dried review that kept a Golden Knights tally off the board.

The first penalty of the night was a self-inflicted one, when the Hurricanes were called for too many men, and it didn’t take long for Tomas Hertl to make them pay.

Then, just moments later — 16 seconds to be exact — Mitch Marner was credited with a goal after Carolina defenseman Sean Walker tipped his shot into the back of his own net.

But, hey, those own goals are no fun; Marner wanted to get one the old-fashioned way, which he did.

What’s that, you want more?

Well, Mitch Marner — who is having the playoffs of his life — had more for you.

That’s right, Marner potted a hat trick in just six minutes and 10 seconds. That’s an NHL record.

Although, I bet The Rocket’s first goal of his lightning-quick hatty wasn’t an own goal, but hey, they count the same.

Vegas star Mitch Marner took over in the second period of Game 3 with a natural hat trick in just six minutes and ten seconds. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

What a performance. Maybe he was just doing that so that the next time the team puts him on a rally towel it actually looks like him.

After the second intermission, Andersen was pulled in favor of Brand Bussi, who made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.

Carolina was in a state of disarray in the third, and after going on a power play, Sebastian Aho slashed Marner, who was headed to the net on a short-handed breakaway.

Marner was awarded a penalty shot, but Bussi didn’t give him much to shoot at, and Marner missed his attempt on the backhand.

While it may have looked bleak after a dominant second for Vegas, in the third, Carolina dropped the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Final history to make it a game. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images))

Carolina’s Jordan Martinook got the Hurricanes on the board a little under halfway through the third period to make it 4-1.

Just moments later, Taylor Hall tacked on another one to cut Vegas’ lead to 4-2.

And, while they’re doing goals, how about you just throw a Jordan Staal tally in there?

Carolina scored those three goals in 39 seconds, the fastest three goals by a single team in Stanley Cup Final history, making what looked like a no-doubt Vegas win into a game once again.

Carolina killed off a delay-of-game penalty, which was crucial for staying in the game.

Then, Vegas’ Shea Theodore airmailed a puck into the stands for delay of game, giving Carolina a late power play.

Then — as if it couldn’t get wilder — Andrei Svechnikov tied the game on the power play and with the goalie pulled.

And with that, it was off to overtime for the second game in a row.

In the extra frame, both teams got their share of chances and opportunities to put a pin in this one and hit the craps tables, but the first overtime period didn’t yield a winner.

In the second overtime, we finally got a winner, and as wild as this game was, it was only fitting that the game-winner would be unbelievable.

That’s the same Shea Theodore, by the way, who skied the puck into the stands to set up the tying goal, and he did it after 39 minutes of ice time.

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Vegas players Brett Howden (21), Shea Theodore (center), and Mitch Marner (93) celebrate the game-winning goal in double overtime. (Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)

What. A. Game.

I think after this one, Game 4 — which will be on Tuesday in Las Vegas — is officially appointment viewing.

McTominay got the second and Adams the third and fourth following fine work from Ben Gannon-Doak, who was another positive for Clarke.

His run downfield was a big part of Adams’ fourth. The Bournemouth youngster is still raw, still searching for consistency with his final ball, but he looked sharper here.

The head coach said Gannon-Doak got so excited before the Curacao game that it ran away from him. He looks a real contender again.

Adams is a curious sort, a player Clarke cherishes but who has never evoked major support among the Tartan Army. He is a willing and hard-working striker, a selfless sort, but not a natural goalscorer.

Here, though, his partnership with Shankland looked convincing. They looked to have a burgeoning understanding. The smart money has to be on both of them to start next Saturday.

Eight goals in two games is a handsome way to enter the tournament. This preparation was never about Curacao and Bolivia, but it was about getting enough positivity to propel Scotland into Haiti week. They have that.

Clarke was reluctant to big things up in the aftermath, but he was pleased, you could tell. Four years ago he led his team into the Euros on the back of demoralising form.

It feels different now. Dangerous talk, of course, but they’re in decent fettle one week out from the biggest game of their international lives.

With training camp just seven weeks away and the regular season kicking off in about three months, the Minnesota Vikings are in the thick of the summer and subsequent rumor mill.

The team recently concluded another round of organized team activities and made a surprising front office move this week, onboarding Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks as their new general manager. Given these developments, now is an ideal time to review the Sunday Vikings rumors and weekend buzz.

Vikings Rumor Mill Has a Few Strange Turns

Rumor: Buffalo Bills-themed media thinks the Bills will be able to sign Blake Cashman from late-summer free agency after an apparent roster cut.

The theory arose in a piece from Randy Gurzi titled: Post-June 1 Cut Candidates the Buffalo Bills Could Target.

Gurzi explained, “Blake Cashman recently turned 30, which is one of the reasons the Minnesota Vikings might be willing to shed his $9.18 million salary. As a post-June 1 cut, the Vikings would free up $7.6 million. Despite his age, Cashman has remained highly effective, recording 144 tackles in 2025.”

“Still, he’s been named a potential trade or cut candidate throughout the offseason and if that winds up being the case, the Bills would be wise to bring him in on a one-year deal as they help Kaleb Elarms-Orr develop into a consistent starter.”

Cashman is one of the Vikings’ top defenders, but that didn’t stop SI.com from envisioning an August roster release. Bizarre.

The SI.com piece is strangely framed, particularly its assertion that Cashman’s release is an obvious and expected outcome for the Vikings. That perspective is inaccurate. Cashman is a core and central figure in Brian Flores’ defense, serving as a communication czar. His contributions are a big reason why Minnesota’s linebacker unit transformed from a concern into a strength. He is not merely a backup vying for a roster spot in August.

The Vikings will undoubtedly have several players truly on the roster bubble, such as Theo Jackson, Walter Rouse, and Ben Yurosek, depending on their training camp performance. Cashman, however, should not be considered in that discussion.

Suggesting he will be a free agent in late August is a peculiar leap, indicative of a roster analysis that overlooks his actual role and importance to the Vikings.

Rumor: Internally, the Vikings are not shopping J.J. McCarthy via trade.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis said this week, “My conversations with people internally have not been about trade. They have not been about those comments. They have been about wanting to maximize every single day in the field and making sure that happens. The chips will fall how the chips will fall.”

The second that Murray signed with Minnesota three months ago, trade rumors surrounding McCarthy began to circulate. Impatient NFL media and fans, quick to assume a quarterback’s development timeline, interpreted Murray’s signing as a potential precursor to McCarthy’s departure.

But the Vikings’ brass has affirmed their belief in McCarthy and their commitment to his development. Lewis’s reporting seems more logical than Minnesota being in a rush to trade McCarthy. particularly after two of the last three seasons were ravaged by quarterback injuries and a lack of depth at the position.

Rumor: Externally, unnamed NFL executives believe McCarthy will request a trade.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora quoted one general manager this week — anonymous and not specified as current or former — who said about McCarthy, “I think he wants out of there.”

La Canfora added, “Minnesota would likely not fetch much for McCarthy under these circumstances, and it might require an injury elsewhere to create more demand. If O’Connell couldn’t get much from him and opted to sell low on him, that would resonate around the league.”

“But it also stands to reason that obvious friction between a new QB you need to win with now, and one who has to quickly come to grips with watching games and not playing them so soon after being drafted that high, is far from ideal.”

The Vikings would likely have traded McCarthy in March or April, when quarterback demand was higher, rather than waiting for pre-training-camp rumors.

While his position is currently challenging with Murray on the roster, he still has an opportunity to reclaim his starting role and solidify his future as the team’s franchise quarterback. His performance during training camp and his reaction to the coaching staff’s ultimate decision will be the signal of his staying power. Thankfully, that process and decision are not far away.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Most weeks we have no clue who will win. The oddsmakers list their educated guesses, but it’s all based on single-digit percentages. But some weeks, the storylines coalesce around a single character. At the U.S. Women’s Open, that’s Nelly Korda. 

The question Korda faces Sunday is the same one she faced Thursday morning when she played her first hole. It’s the same one she faced Tuesday morning when she gave her pre-tournament press conference. It’s very simple: 

Are you able to summon a victory the one week you need it the most?

Why does she need this one most? Because form isn’t forever. Because she’s playing the best golf of her life. Because she’s won a Gold medal but never her national championship. Because the next U.S. Women’s Open at historic Riviera isn’t on the calendar and these moments can pass by quickly if you don’t stamp your name all over them. 

For more than 10 years, Rory McIlroy failed to get the job done at Augusta National, and stayed one victory shy of the career Grand Slam. Then the dam broke. He’s now won there twice in a row. 

Lydia Ko could just accept the podium at the 2024 Olympics. She needed to be on top of the podium at the Paris Games, to not only join the LPGA Hall of Fame, but to polish off the medal slam. Silver in 2016, Bronze in 2021, it was Gold or nothing in 2024. She won the Gold. Then she won at St. Andrews a couple weeks later. 

Scottie Scheffler will have (it seems) a bunch more chances to win the U.S. Open, starting in two weeks at Shinnecock — in order to claim his career Grand Slam — but until he does it, we’ll be wondering, can he do it? When he’ll do it. IF he can do it. 

That’s how it goes with the game’s best players. They go through valleys and reach peaks all the time. It comes and goes and they understand that. But when the golf is great, how great can it be? These are the questions we ask. In press conferences, in clubhouses and in Hall of Fame speeches 20 years from now. How memorable will this stretch of Nelly Korda golf be? It starts Sunday afternoon, in a position not too dissimilar from where we were 12 months ago.

When she turned to the back nine, last year at Erin Hills, Korda was one stroke back of Maja Stark. In hindsight, all she needed was one under on the finishing stretch. She shot one over. 

“I really, really wanted it,” Korda said Saturday night, thinking back. “And the more you want it, sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous.”

She says she plays her best golf when she’s free. When she’s joking around and happy. That’s the attitude she wants to bring to the final round. But how possible is that? Her game hasn’t been perfect this week. She’s been working through different swing thoughts and advice from her team. 

When it kicks off Sunday, a journey of sorts will have narrowed to a really tight place. The biggest crowd of the week will be following her and they’ll pinch in around the 1st tee in front of the historic clubhouse. If you rewound the clock to January 1 and asked her to visualize her 2026 season, she’d imagine herself teeing off for the final round at Riviera with the lead. She’s there now, and it’s no accident. The days between Jan. 1 and June 7, at least golf-wise, have been nearly perfect. Three wins, three second-place finishes, top 10 everywhere. It’s indisputably the best golf of her life and some of the best golf we’ve ever seen.

But what if it doesn’t end in a victory? 

Manchester United look likely to net a valuable transfer boost for no work at all as Michael Carrick’s first summer in charge gets up and running

Michael Carrick’s inaugural summer as Manchester United boss is rapidly becoming the club’s most active in recent years. World Cup 2026 risks slowing matters down, but the club is already taking steps to prevent the tournament from hindering their activity.

It’s not only at Old Trafford where developments are working in United’s favour, either. The club is poised to gain from one transfer occurring well outside Manchester, which could deliver some significant funds for Carrick’s squad overhaul.

One target has also commented on speculation connecting him with a switch to United as the window intensifies. MEN Sport examines the latest developments as another frantic summer of activity approaches.

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Frenkie enraged by United rumours

Frenkie de Jong has revealed his frustration after feeling pressured to leave Barcelona and join United in the past. Persistent speculation linked the Netherlands midfielder with a switch to Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s appointment in 2022, though De Jong rode out the uncertainty and remains a valued member at the Camp Nou.

The relentless rumours surrounding a transfer to Manchester prompted De Jong to stop speaking with the media. That silence only lifted this year when he penned a fresh contract until 2029 and he has now discussed his irritation at feeling like he was being forced out of Barca.

Asked whether he held the media responsible for not forging a stronger rapport with the supporters, he told SPORT: “A little, yes. That’s why I think I made a mistake by ceasing to speak to the press.

“There was a time when they pressured me to leave the club and there came a point when I was very angry and didn’t want to talk anymore. But that’s what I was saying before: people only hear opinions or things through the press and newspapers, and they don’t listen to you.”

De Jong proceeded to highlight Barca’s fragile financial circumstances in recent years as a key reason behind the exit speculation: “Barca was in a bit of a difficult financial situation, and, well, there are always teams that call players to ask if they want to come or not.

“And I always said no. So there was no option. What happened that summer is that, even though I said no, some teams came to the club and offered money for me. And within Barca – not everyone, but some people – thought they were good offers and wanted to sell me.”

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Greenwood move could land United £19m

Two years after his Old Trafford departure, Mason Greenwood’s next transfer appears set to generate a major profit for United. Marseille paid £26.6million to acquire the forward in 2024 and he could bring his former club a comparable sum should he join Fenerbahce as anticipated.

United secured a 40 per cent sell-on clause when Greenwood moved to the south of France. Les Olympiens are now said to be demanding at least £43m for the player, which would equal a £19m pay-out for United.

Much hinges on the result of this weekend’s presidential ballot, with Aziz Yildirim and Hakan Safi largely regarded as the two leading candidates. Safi has even gone as far as suggesting a four-year deal has already been struck with Greenwood, ready to be finalised should he emerge victorious on Sunday.

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“We have signed a four-year agreement with Mason Greenwood,” he said. “He has proven himself at the highest level of European football.

“He has agreed to join Fenerbahce during the most valuable and productive years of his career. I said I would bring a star player. Today, I am experiencing the justified pride of keeping my promise.”

Greenwood was suspended by United and later departed following allegations of sexual assault. He firmly denied the charges, which were subsequently dropped.

In a favourable outcome for United either way, it’s understood former Fener chief Yildirim will likewise pursue the signing of Greenwood should he regain his previous position. That ought to give Carrick assurance the transfer funds will arrive in the club’s coffers at some point this summer.

Greenwood has seemingly fuelled speculation of a switch himself after it was claimed he began following Safi on Instagram. The result of Fenerbahce’s presidential election on Sunday may consequently serve merely as a prelude to United banking a substantial sum in the weeks ahead.

Jose Benavidez Sr has given a damning assessment of Canelo Alvarez’s future in the sport, believing WBC champion Christian Mbilli could send him into retirement.

The pair will square off for Mbilli’s world super-middleweight title on September 12, offering Canelo the chance to reclaim one of his belts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It was a unanimous decision victory for Terence Crawford that relieved Alvarez of his undisputed crown last September, with the Mexican subsequently undergoing elbow surgery.

At this stage, many suspect that the 35-year-old is significantly past his best, perhaps only one or two fights away from calling time on his decorated career.

Most, however, would still consider him a clear favourite against Mbilli, who was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement last year.

The Frenchman had retained his ‘interim’ title with a 10-round draw against Lester Martinez, featuring on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford in Las Vegas.

Canelo, meanwhile, has long been competing at the top level while, to some extent, being accused of ducking three-weight world champion David Benavidez.

Speaking with Fight Hub TV, Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose, shared his thoughts on the four-division world champion’s upcoming assignment against Mbilli.

“I think his era is done – reflexes, speed, power [and his] legs are not there, so we see Canelo declining little by little.

“It could be another loss for him [against Mbilli]. Mbilli’s a little bit fresher, but I don’t think he’s an elite fighter.

“At the end of the day, they’re trying to put [Canelo in with] fighters he can beat.”

While giving Mbilli some semblance of a chance, it seems Benavidez is more convinced that the 31-year-old has been carefully selected as a beatable opponent for Canelo.

For 13 years, Norway Chess remained one of the few elite titles that Indian players could not conquer. From Viswanathan Anand to the new generation led by world champion D Gukesh, several Indian grandmasters had challenged for the crown but fallen short.

That long wait finally ended on Saturday in Oslo when R Praggnanandhaa produced a remarkable comeback campaign to become the first Indian to win the prestigious tournament.

The 20-year-old Chennai Grandmaster entered the final round in third place, needing a classical victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer and favourable results elsewhere.

He delivered under pressure, defeated Keymer, and finished with 18 points to secure a historic title that had previously eluded every Indian player.

Prag’s slow start ends in triumph

Praggnanandhaa’s road to the title was far from straightforward. Playing in Norway Chess for only the second time, he struggled to find momentum during the opening rounds and spent much of the first half of the tournament chasing the leaders.

His campaign began with a loss to Magnus Carlsen before he bounced back with an Armageddon victory over D Gukesh. He then suffered another setback against American Grandmaster Wesley So, leaving him with ground to make up in a tightly contested field.

However, the turning point came midway through the tournament. Praggnanandhaa defeated Alireza Firouzja in a crucial classical encounter before registering one of the biggest wins of his career against Carlsen.

From there, the Indian star became unstoppable. He defeated Firouzja again, overcame Carlsen for a second time in classical chess and entered the final round knowing the title was still within reach.

His victory over Vincent Keymer, coupled with Wesley So’s inability to secure a classical win against Firouzja, completed one of the most impressive late surges seen in the tournament’s history.

The four-match winning streak at the end of the event proved decisive as Praggnanandhaa climbed from outside the top two to the top of the standings and etched his name into the record books.

Praggnanandhaa match results in Norway Chess 2026:

The Carlsen statement

Every champion needs a defining moment, and Praggnanandhaa’s came against the greatest player of his generation.

Magnus Carlsen has dominated Norway Chess since its inception, winning the tournament seven times and rarely allowing rivals to gain the upper hand on home soil. Yet Praggnanandhaa achieved something few players have managed. He defeated the world No. 1 twice in classical games during the same tournament.

The first victory halted Carlsen’s momentum and reignited Praggnanandhaa’s title challenge. The second was even more significant, arriving during the closing stages when every point carried enormous weight in the championship race.

Winning once against Carlsen is considered a major achievement in modern chess. Defeating him twice in classical games at an event he has long treated as his personal fortress elevated Praggnanandhaa’s performance into the realm of the extraordinary.

A breakthrough year in 2025

Praggnanandhaa’s foundation for Norway Chess success was laid in 2025, arguably the best year of his career until then.

He began the year by winning the Tata Steel Masters, one of the most prestigious events on the chess calendar. After finishing tied with D Gukesh in the standings, Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious in the playoff to claim the title.

His momentum continued throughout the season. He won the Superbet Chess Classic Romania, finished among the leaders at the UzChess Cup, reached the Grand Chess Tour Finals, and produced a strong showing at the Grand Swiss to qualify for the Candidates Tournament.

Across the major classical tournaments in 2025, Praggnanandhaa played 93 games, winning 31, losing only 16 and drawing 46. His score of 54 points from 93 games showcased his remarkable consistency against elite opposition.

Staying among the elite in 2026

For Praggnanandhaa, the first half of 2026 was less about winning titles and more about maintaining elite-level consistency.

He competed in the Candidates Tournament, remained competitive at Tata Steel Masters and Grand Chess Tour Romania, and continued facing the strongest opposition in the world on a regular basis.

Although his 2026 classical record featured more draws, he remained firmly among the world’s elite and regularly occupied places near the top of tournament standings before finally shaking hands with history in Oslo.

R Praggnanandhaa tournament-wise performance (2025–2026)

India’s record in Norway Chess

Before 2026, Norway Chess was a story of agonising near-misses for India. Across 13 seasons, the nation’s best performance came under the legendary Viswanathan Anand, who finished second overall in 2015 behind Veselin Topalov. Anand also claimed a brilliant third-place finish in 2022.

As a new generation emerged, D Gukesh took up the mantle, securing back-to-back third-place finishes in 2024 and 2025 — the latter ending in final-day heartbreak against Fabiano Caruana. Praggnanandhaa also finished fourth in 2024.

The pattern finally shattered in 2026, when the 20-year-old Praggnanandhaa mounted an incredible four-win comeback streak to become India’s first-ever Norway Chess champion.