Justin Thomas is not the Lorax but he speaks for the trees.

He thinks golf courses cut down too many of them.

Thomas said as much this week in a social-media post, citing a hole on a famous course to underscore his point: the par-4 16th at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

At 400 yards from the tips, the hole plays gently downhill from the tee, followed by an approach over a gully and between goal posts of Monterey cypress trees. At least, it used to. In early September, Pebble Beach removed the tree on the right, which stood some 90 yards short of the green.

In his commentary, Thomas criticized the change while making a broader case against tree removal.

“Such a great hole,” he wrote. “Makes no sense to me why they’d do this. When are places going to realize getting rid of trees is not the answer to making courses better.”

A prominent player knocking a prominent course was always going to draw attention, especially on a subject that arouses strong opinions. Tree removal has become a familiar flashpoint in an era defined by Golden Age restorations aimed at stripping courses back to the way they used to play, tree-lined corridors included.

Sure enough, armchair architects were quick to chime in. Some backed Thomas; others bashed Pebble. Still others blamed the USGA, claiming — without evidence — that the governing body ordered the tree gone to prep the course for next year’s U.S. Open, which returns to Pebble Beach for the seventh time. Turns out some critics were barking up the wrong tree.

Thomas himself had committed an error of omission by failing to address the why. Courses remove trees for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with design philosophy. Some are agronomic: trees compete with turf for sunlight and water, they can choke off the airflow healthy grass needs, and their roots have a knack for cracking drainage pipes and cart paths. Courses plant trees for plenty of reasons, too — sometimes for strategy, but also for aesthetics, or safety, to keep golfers on tightly routed holes from getting in each other’s crossfire.

In the case of the tree on the 16th at Pebble, the USGA had nothing to do with it. A spokesperson for the government made that plain in an email to GOLF, and Pebble Beach corroborated it.

The real explanation for removing the tree, a Pebble Beach spokesperson wrote in an email, was health. The tree “had become diseased and infested beyond recovery, despite our best efforts to treat it over the past two years. It was removed upon recommendation from a local certified arborist to prevent the risk of spreading to neighboring trees.”

Courses lose trees all the time, and Pebble is no exception. This past spring, the resort replaced a Cypress tree in the 18th fairway that had been toppled in a 2014 storm. In 2002, an 80-foot Monterey cypress was planted beside the 18th green, taken from the 1st hole to replace the original, which had died of pitch canker disease.

That transplanting — digging a giant hole, maneuvering a giant root ball into a place — was something of a spectacle. But it wasn’t spread and distorted by social media.

The facts are these: The tree is gone, and it was removed because it was sick. Reasonable people can disagree as to whether the hole is better or worse without it. Pebble Beach told GOLF that it will stay in touch with its arborist about the possibility of planting something new in its place. That’s TBD. If it remains a bare spot, count on Justin Thomas being asked about it at the U.S. Open next year.

Hawthorn’s disciplined young side faces the reigning premier at the MCG, with Brisbane attempting to continue its pursuit of a historic third consecutive premiership.

When: Saturday September 19, 2026 at 5:15 pm

Where: MCG

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Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions Odds

Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions Preview

Hawthorn returns from a week’s rest after securing a home preliminary final with a disciplined 72-40 victory over minor premier Fremantle. James Sicily controlled the back half with 26 disposals, 12 intercepts and 10 marks as the Hawks restricted one of the competition’s strongest attacks. Brisbane reaches the MCG after defeating Adelaide 144-91, keeping its pursuit of a third consecutive premiership alive. Zac Bailey contributed 23 disposals and three goals, while the Lions expect Logan Morris to be available despite a calf concern late in the match. Brisbane dominated the Round 22 meeting between these teams 125-58 and has won its past seven Saturday matches at the MCG. Hawthorn’s pressure and extra recovery time should make this far closer, but Brisbane’s finals experience and scoring depth provide the stronger overall case.

The Roosters and Sharks renew their finals rivalry at Allianz Stadium, where the winner advances to face the Dolphins and the loser’s season comes to an end.

When: Saturday September 19, 2026 at 7:50 pm

Where: Allianz Stadium

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Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Odds

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Preview

The Roosters and Sharks meet at Allianz Stadium with a preliminary final against the Dolphins awaiting the winner. Sydney enters after a 19-12 loss to Penrith, its fourth consecutive defeat, but retains the core of the side that beat Cronulla twice during the regular season. Salesi Foketi returns to the starting team because Egan Butcher is unavailable following a concussion, while Angus Crichton is named on the interchange. Cronulla kept its campaign alive with a 26-16 win over North Queensland and makes only one squad change, adding Jayden Berrell to the extended bench. The Sharks won last season’s elimination final between these clubs, but the Roosters answered with victories of 34-22 and 27-8 this year. Cronulla’s edge threats remain dangerous, particularly Sione Katoa, yet Sydney’s recent record in the matchup and home setting provide the stronger platform.

David Benavidez is aiming to take over boxing over the next 12 months, but two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi believes there is one fighter he would favour to hand ‘The Mexican Monster’ his first defeat.

Benavidez made the 25lb jump up from light-heavyweight to cruiserweight and knocked out unified WBA and WBO world champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in a performance of the year candidate back in May.

Now, he looks set to challenge newly-crowned WBC ruler Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification bout in December, with the victor of that contest mandated to take on cruiserweight poster boy, Jai Opetaia.

Speaking to BoxingScene, Malignaggi admitted that Benavidez’s showing against Ramirez enhanced his interest in a possible clash with Opetaia.

“I think that this is a very tough fight to call, this is very, very difficult. Benavidez’s performance against Zurdo put me on a different level as far as going from ‘I don’t know if he can compete with a cruiserweight as big as Opetaia’ to ‘OK, he can compete with Opetaia’.

“Now, winning? I don’t know. I don’t take it as a foregone conclusion. I do think that it is now a competitive fight to where I want to see it, whereas before it was like ‘nah, you are just going to get a really good fighter like Benavidez hurt if you make him fight too heavy, and that is not fair’.”

Malignaggi would lean towards Opetaia if he were to meet the ‘The Mexican Monster’ in the ring.

“I would probably still edge Opetaia slightly, but it’s not something that would shock me if Benavidez is not only competitive but possibly wins the fight. But, it’s not one of those fights that I look at and say ‘I am changing my pick and I am picking Benavidez,’. I think that’s way too soon, man.”

Benavidez-Cieslak is expected to take place on Saturday, December 12, in Phoenix, Arizona, where a victory for the 29-year-old could tee up a 2027 Cinco De Mayo meeting with Australia’s Opetaia. 

LSU listed quarterback Sam Leavitt as doubtful on its first injury report ahead of this weekend’s game at Ole Miss. After missing Wednesday’s practice with an upper-body injury, Leavitt did participate in Thursday’s walkthrough, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. 

Leavitt did not appear to be injured in last week’s win over Louisiana Tech, where he rebounded from a three-interception first half with 366 total yards and four total touchdowns. LSU only led Louisiana Tech by a single possession last weekend at halftime, a result of turnover-filled first two quarters inside Tiger Stadium.

“Sam’s gotta do a better job taking care of the ball,” Kiffin said in the aftermath. “We made a lot of yards, and we were smooth through that at times, but obviously, the red zone is where you gotta finish drives. So maybe it was perfect for us that we needed something like that, ’cause it’s a game we play good on offense in games.”

Lane Kiffin made no mention of an injury to his most important player during this week’s media availability ahead of Saturday night’s league opener. Leavitt has thrown for 574 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions over LSU’s first two games this season, along with 135 yards rushing and five scores.

He’s struggled with injuries in the past, missing a total of seven games in the last two seasons at Arizona State. 

Sam Leavitt injury history

LSU’s backup QB situation 

LSU’s backup quarterback appears to be Landen Clark, a transfer from Elon who was the 2025 CAA Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year. Clark is technically listed as No. 3 on the depth chart, but has been first off the bench in both games this season.  He threw 18 passing touchdowns and rushed for 11 more last season at Elon. 

Also on the roster is Husan Longstreet, a USC transfer who completed 13 of 15 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown with the Trojans a year ago as a freshman. He was a five-star prospect coming out of high school, ranked the No. 32 overall player and No. 4 quarterback in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. 

What happens next?

The SEC’s availability reports are now in their third season. Schools must adhere to guidelines for three days leading up to kickoff in league contests with updates nightly, beginning on Wednesdays of game week.

Final reports are due 90 minutes before kickoff, and schools are fined for non-compliance, inaccurate or late reporting, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.

Coaches must release their initial availability report by 8 p.m. on Wednesday of each week and must update it daily with a final report coming 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Player status designations include “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” before game day. On game days, they’re to be marked as “available,” “game time decision,” or “out.”

There are consequences for non-compliance, which includes both inaccurate and late reporting, with fines to the school ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for football.

Other players listed on the availability report for LSU include wideout Phillip Wright III (Out), linebacker Jaiden Bracker (Out), running back Raycine Guillory Jr. (Out), linebacker TJ Dottery (Questionable), linebacker Tylen Singleton (Questionable), and four players under the probable designation, including Whit Weeks and Trey’Dez Green.

SEC availability designations

LSU’s next injury report is due Thursday night at 8:10 p.m. ET.

Fresh from their record-extending Asia Cup triumph, defending champions India will begin their Asian Games title defence as overwhelming favourites against hosts Japan in the women’s quarterfinals in Nagoya on Friday. India head into the continental showpiece with confidence after lifting their eighth T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last week, but the knock-out format leaves them with little margin for error. Eight teams are competing in the women’s event and the competition starts directly with the quarterfinals, meaning there are no group stage matches to provide teams with time to settle into the tournament. One defeat is enough to end a campaign.

Shafali Verma will be one of India’s key weapons after an outstanding Asia Cup, where she emerged as the team’s leading batter and finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Her consistency at the top gave India a strong start in the UAE.

Smriti Mandhana, however, endured an inconsistent campaign and will be eager to rediscover her touch as India embark on another title bid.

Much of India’s bowling will revolve around experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma and left-arm spinner Sree Charani, who has rapidly established herself as an important member of the attack.

Charani was among India’s standout performers in the Asia Cup and reached the landmark of 50 T20I wickets in only her 30th appearance. The 22-year-old’s ability to control the middle overs could prove important.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will also be looking for a better outing after an indifferent Asia Cup, with her experience in pressure situations likely to assume greater significance in a tournament where every game is a must-win.

India have plenty of bowling resources at their disposal with Nandini Sharma, Renuka Thakur and Kranti Gaud offering pace options. Deepti, Charani, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil, who has recovered from her ankle injury, give the side multiple spin choices.

The batting, too, has depth beyond the opening pair. The wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh is capable of providing impetus in the middle and lower-order.

India will hope that Shafali and Mandhana can set the platform, allowing their middle order to play with greater freedom.

Japan, playing on home soil, will be looking to make the most of the occasion against a superior opponent.

The hosts face a formidable bowling attack and will need to negotiate India’s spin options effectively while restricting their aggressive top-order batters.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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BMW PGA Championship – round one

-6 A Rai (Eng), J Lagergren (Swe); -5 R Gerard (US), A Scott (Aus), I Elvira (Spa), L Aberg (Swe)

Selected others: -4 P Reed (US), R Fox (NZ), R MacIntrye (Sco), V Hovland (Nor), T Detry (Bel); -3 R Fisher (Eng), R McIlroy (NI), D Law (Sco), A Sullivan (Eng), E Ferguson (Sco), J Dean (Eng); -2 T Hatton (Eng), JJ Spaun (US); -1 S Lowry (Ire) -1 M Wallace (Eng); E A Fitzpatrick (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng)

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While Rory McIlroy sparkled and then suffered a late stumble, Aaron Rai was a model of consistency as he shot a six-under 66 to share the first-round lead with Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Rai, who became England’s most recent major winner earlier this season, knocked in seven birdies, with the only blemish to his card arriving on the 16th, when he found the fairway bunker off the tee and ended with a bogey five.

Lagergren, whose one and only win on the DP World Tour was back in 2018, also made a fine start with an eagle on the 12th, the highlight of his round.

Six-time major winner McIlroy had got under way in sensational fashion earlier in the day until his round unravelled on the back nine.

The Northern Irishman was five under after 10 holes and in the outright lead but some erratic driving proved costly after the turn on a course he covered in 60 in Wednesday’s pro-am.

And when McIlroy also found the water on his penultimate hole, it contributed to one of his three bogeys in the final seven – leaving him at three under, three strokes adrift of the joint-leaders.

American Ryan Gerard, Australia’s Adam Scott, Spain’s Nacho Elvira and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg are at five under, while Patrick Reed, the only player above McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings, is one of 12 players at four under.

Reed, who is bidding to become only the second American after Collin Morikawa to win the Race to Dubai, is in a group two shots off the lead with Open champion Ryan Fox, Norway’s Viktor Hovland and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who made birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to conclude with a flourish.

However, it was a difficult day for Spain’s two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who carded a six-over 78.

Birdies proved difficult to come by as Rahm played alongside Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, with none of the trio picking up a single shot on the front nine.

While the English duo were able to make five birdies between them on the back nine to finish at one over, Rahm toiled to five bogeys and a double bogey as he repeatedly found trouble off the tee.

Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who outlined his reluctance to travel to Dubai for November’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship event on Wednesday, is at level par, along with his younger brother Alex.