My heart remains at Riviera Country Club, but my body is in a middle seat en route home. What better time to reflect on the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing — the good, the bad, the rumored, the mysterious.
Here are some winners, losers and questions from the opening stretch of the 2026 PGA Tour season.
WINNER: The 26-year-olds
Chris Gotterup won two of the first four events on this year’s calendar (given unusual circumstances, we’re treating the Sony as a half member of this year’s West Coast Swing), playing his best when things got most chaotic at the WM Phoenix Open and establishing himself as a fan favorite, a proven winner and arguably the best player on Tour 26 years old or below.
His current competition for that extremely unofficial title includes the guy who just won at Riviera; Jacob Bridgeman, like Gotterup, is 26. And while Gotterup took the weekend off (he missed the Genesis cut) Bridgeman beat everyone’s doors off for three days and hung on on Sunday to establish that he, too, has what it takes.
Is the PGA Tour headed back to Hawaii? Next year? Ever? It skipped Kapalua this year under controversial circumstances. Its Sony sponsorship just ran out. As the powers that be continue to reimagine the Tour’s optimal schedule, Hawaii remains a logistical challenge lacking a “big market.” How highly will Rolapp and Co. value continuity, tradition and nostalgia? We’ll see.
QUESTION: Where are the 25-year-olds?
Speaking of age, it’s jarring to browse whichever version of the world rankings you’d prefer and marvel at the lack of young stars. The 26-year-olds may be having a moment, but we’re still waiting for the emergence of the next young wave. There’s no reason to despair: Akshay Bhatia (24), the Hojgaard twins (also 24) and the Michaels (Brennan and Thorbjornsen, each 24) could all be on the brink of a breakthrough. But with Tom Kim in a bit of a rut, it feels like we’re searching for Who’s Next. (Shoutout also to Blades Brown, who stole the show for much of the week in Palm Springs.)
WINNER: The 45-year-olds
OK, I promise this whole list won’t be about age. In fact, lemme start with some hypocrisy: I wish when we talk about Justin Rose and Adam Scott that we’d focus less on their age. But it’s a useful way to pair two particularly impressive West Coast showings; Rose’s blowout win at Torrey Pines is worth extra points, of course, but Scott’s Sunday 63 to finish fourth at Riviera was nothing to scoff at, either. These guys are remarkably similar ages, they’ve had remarkably similar careers and they’re performing at remarkably similar levels at the moment. Let’s get ’em on a remarkable leaderboard at the Masters.
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LOSER: The Scandinavians
While athletes from Norway and Sweden were dominating the Winter Olympics, their PGA Tour counterparts were having a slightly tougher time on the West Coast. Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg are among the Tour’s biggest talents and fan favorites — but neither has had his best thus far this year.
Hovland had a strong start at the WM Phoenix Open (T10) but less so at Pebble Beach (T58) and Riviera (T41), where talk turned more to his training aids than his scores.
And Aberg got severely ill for a second consecutive West Coast Swing — though if there’s good news, it’s that he seems to be trending up. Going WD-MC-T37-T20 means I guess he’s headed for a Masters victory?
(In other Scandinavian news, Alex Noren went MC-MC in Palm Springs and San Diego, but his T12 at Riviera was encouraging, too. And representing Denmark, the Hojgaard twins have each showed encouraging signs; Nicolai finished T3 at the WM and was one blowup hole from contending to win.)
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QUESTION: Will Tiger Woods play the Masters?
Tiger Woods hinted that he’ll try. Then he hinted that he’ll try a second time. I don’t know if he will, but I think he’s told us the truth — if he can, he’ll do it.
LOSER: Scottie Scheffler’s Thursdays
Scottie Scheffler’s first Thursday of the season was a 63 at the American Express. So it’s particularly jarring that he’s just No. 116 on Tour in Round 1 Scoring Average. And it was strange to see him in last place when play was halted this past Thursday. Still …
WINNER: Scottie Scheffler’s other days
Considering he was in last place on Friday morning and needed to make a seven-foot curler on 18 just to stay inside the cut line, Scheffler’s T12 was another remarkable display of skill and determination. Sure, it snapped his streak of 18 consecutive Tour top-10s. But it only reinforced the idea that if you play enough rounds of golf, eventually Scheffler will rise to the top. Four tournaments in, here’s how his scoring average looks by round:
Round 1: 70.50 (116th)
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Round 2: 65.75 (2nd)
Round 3: 67.00 (7th)
Round 4: 64.50 (2nd)
(If you were wondering who could possibly beat that 64.5, Will Zalatoris has played one fourth round this year and shot 64.)
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QUESTION: So what the heck is going on with Scheffler on Thursdays?
My best guess is still some version of “nothing, really; this has just been a weird blip on the radar.” He led the Tour in first-round scoring last year, after all, and has had some funky starts in strange conditions. Let’s wait for a bigger sample size before we get panicky here.
WINNER: California kids
I’m thinking of two in particular: Collin Morikawa, who won for the first time in too long at Pebble Beach, and Jake Knapp, who just quietly put together the best stretch of golf of his life. Knapp hasn’t finished worse than T11 in five starts this year. Morikawa’s win was meaningful on several levels — because of how long it had been, because of where it took place, because of everything that went into it, because he and his wife have a baby on the way. It’s good to see West Coast kids eat up the West Coast Swing. And then of course there was another California sensation in the winner’s circle …
LOSER: Anthony Kim’s haters and doubters
I write this tongue in cheek; I think Anthony Kim‘s win showed just how many people have been on his side this entire time, rooting for something special. But he’s used a chip on his shoulder to get this far, and his shot at the haters showed he’ll keep drawing on that. Mostly it’s worth acknowledging that one of golf’s biggest moments this month happened on LIV Golf, with a one-of-a-kind comeback story capped off with an electric finish to a story a dozen years in the making.
QUESTION: What’s next for Jon Rahm, LIV and the DP World Tour?
Big picture, this is one of pro golf’s most compelling questions moving forward; LIV and the DP World Tour still seem in an uneasy coexistence and I’m curious how that will resolve. For now the DPWT has reached a temporary truce with several of its LIV members, allowing them to play both circuits and maintain Ryder Cup eligibility. But why isn’t Jon Rahm one of the players taking that deal, and is there any chance in the world he doesn’t play on next year’s European Ryder Cup team?
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WINNER: CBS golf coverage
These courses look awesome in person, they look incredible on television and CBS continues to innovate in order to dial in their coverage.
CBS is done until Augusta.
So they’ll go Pebble-Riviera-Augusta-Hilton Head. Might be the last time it happens.
Also, the little stuff continues to go a long way.
With Justin Rose up 6, shoutout to CBS going into commercial with ‘Ramble on Rose’ by the Grateful Dead. Good stuff on a few levels. The little things go a long way
There’s been plenty of discussion about moving these marquee West Coast stops to later in the PGA Tour schedule. A cold, soggy Pebble Beach followed by a cold, soggy Riviera made that case much more appealing, with fans shivering on the rope lines and golf balls plugging in greens. Two perfect weekend days capped the Genesis off in style, and wet and windy can be entertaining at Pebble, but each was still missing some of the firm, fast character it has at its best.
QUESTION: So are we doing the August West Coast thing?
I leave California more confused than I arrived. On paper it seems smart to have the best courses in the biggest spots on the PGA Tour calendar; what could be cooler than Pebble and Riviera as playoff venues? But there are issues with both sites that time of year. Pebble has a car show and a full tee sheet and it’s not near enough of a population center to draw a playoff-worthy crowd. In L.A., locals suggested that the golf-going crowd would be out of town in August and that its current spot on the calendar is actually optimal for getting people to actually attend.
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If I was in charge, my top priority would be to remove the playoff events from the hellish August humidity of Atlanta and Memphis. I don’t need them in California, though — Boston, Chicago and Seattle are calling, as are a dozen other medium-to-large cities with ideal summer days. I’m curious where they’ll land, though.
And what the West Coast Swing will look like next year, and the year after that, and when we’ll be gazing at golf’s glorious coastlines again.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick lauded Benjamin Sesko’s exemplary attitude after the striker emerged from the bench to net the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Everton.
The Slovenia international’s late strike marked his third goal in four appearances, maintaining Carrick’s unbeaten start across his six matches in charge.
Despite his impactful contributions, which include two winners and a crucial equaliser, the £66million summer signing is yet to secure a starting spot under Carrick.
Sesko, 22, has now scored six times in his last seven outings. Carrick acknowledged the external focus on the situation but insisted there was no issue between them.
“I get why everyone’s talking about it and making a bigger deal of it, but I’ve got a really good relationship with Ben,” Carrick stated.
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Carrick praised Sesko for his attitude (PA Wire)
“I’ve got no problem with Ben and he hasn’t got an issue. He obviously wants to play, but I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s been and the work he’s putting in and his attitude to come on and do what he’s done again.
“We’ve had some really good conversations and he’s in a really good place, and part of us is helping him take his steps in development and growing him as a player.
“Sometimes that’s little steps, sometimes that’s bigger steps and he’s taken some huge steps recently. That’s great to see.”
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Carrick also reserved praise for goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose performance secured United’s first away league clean sheet since March.
“For me a goalkeeper has to be reliable, be trustworthy,” he explained. “Instead of creating chaos, you want him to take the chaos away and calm things down. I think Senne does that.”
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side’s attempts to unsettle Lammens with a barrage of corners in the second half proved futile.
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Senne Lammens was singled out for praise by David Moyes (AFP via Getty Images)
Moyes was effusive in his praise for the United stopper, saying: “The goalie was bloody brilliant. The save he made from Michael Keane, the way he dealt with the corners.
“We hoped somewhere we’d have got a nick on one of them with the pressure we had in those situations. I thought we would get one, but we didn’t. For me he was the best player on the pitch.”
The defeat means Everton have now won just four of their 14 Premier League fixtures at their new stadium. Moyes conceded his team is still adjusting to their new surroundings.
“I think there is probably a change – other teams come here and enjoy it,” he remarked.
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“There are things about it which are different and we have to get used to. But I think our games are better than at Goodison. Our team is better this year and it wasn’t as if we were winning every game at Goodison, to be honest.”
Golf instruction is ever-evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In Timeless Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice teachers and players have dispensed in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we have an article originally published in the September 1980 issue featuring the teachings of Bobby Jones.
It’s impossible to build a Mount Rushmore of golf without including Bobby Jones. During his playing career, Jones amassed the most impressive resume assembled to that point, with four U.S. Open wins and three Open Championship wins, five U.S. Amateur titles and a British Amateur title as well. Even in the near 100 years since, few have come close to matching his CV.
Simply put: when Bobby Jones talks about the golf swing, you’d be wise to listen.
Back in the September 1980 issue of GOLF Magazine, our readers got a chance to do just that when an excerpt of Jones’ “Bobby Jones on Golf” was published in its pages, which you can read below.
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Bobby Jones’ bests swing advice
Two of golf’s most eminent instructors, Macdonald Smith and Ernest Jones, built all their teaching around the one conception, “Swing the clubhead.” There are other details to be thought of, of course, in developing anything like a sound swing, but in the end it will be found that this is the prime necessity. Those who are able to sense what it means to “swing the clubhead” will find that they can thus cover up a multitude of sins, and those who sense it not will find that no amount of striving for perfection in positioning will take its place.
In order to make easier the discovery of this sense of swinging, the club must be swung back far enough so that there will be no need for hurry or quickened effort coming down. This is the one point I have tried to stress more than anything else — the necessity for an ample backswing if one is truly to swing the clubhead. The man who allows himself only a short backswing can never be a swinger, because his abbreviated length does not allow space for a smooth acceleration to get him up to speed by the time the club reaches the ball.
Rhythm and timing we all must have, yet no one knows how to teach either. The nearest approach to an appreciation of what they are is in this conception of swinging. The man who hits at the ball, rather than through it, has no sense of rhythm; similarly, the man who, after a short backswing, attempts to make up for lost space by a convulsive effort initiating the downstroke has no sense of rhythm.
The only one who has a chance to achieve a rhythmic, well-timed stroke is the man who, in spite of all else, swings his clubhead, and the crucial area is where the swing changes direction at the top. If the backswing can be made to flow back leisurely, and to an ample length, from where the start downward can be made without the feeling that there may not be enough time left, there is good chance of success. But a hurried backswing induces a hurried start downward, and a short backswing makes some sort of rescue measures imperative. A good golfer will not like to be guilty of either.
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Two of the important points in the swinging machinery are the wrists and hips; if the wrists do not flex easily, or if the trunk does not turn readily, a true swing cannot be accomplished. Stiff or wooden wrists shorten the backswing and otherwise destroy the feel of the clubhead. Without the supple connection of relaxed and active wrist joints, and a delicate, sensitive grip, the golf club might just as well be a broom handle with nothing on the end. The clubhead cannot be swung unless it can be felt on the end of the shaft.
So swing, swing, swing, if you want to play better golf; fight down any tautness wherever it may make its appearance; strive for relaxed muscles throughout, and encourage a feeling of laziness in the backswing and the start downward. Go back far enough, trust your swing, and then — swing the clubhead through.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard addresses reporters during a press conference following an NFL International Series matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Greenard spoke with media members after the overseas contest as the Vikings completed their international appearance during the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore passed away on Saturday, February 21, a death widely reported as a tragic suicide. And as the team’s players, coaches, staff, owners, and fans mourned Moore’s passing, Vikings defender Jonathan Greenard used his social media microphone to remind the world that players see the same tweets as you.
Greenard urged caution online while Minnesota offered support following the sudden passing of wideout Rondale Moore.
Greenard was sure to emphasize that athletes are humans, too.
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A Message Echoes across a Grieving Locker Room
Think before you type and send, Greenard says.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore participates in position drills during training camp on Jul. 29, 2025, at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Eagan, Minnesota. Moore worked through offseason practice sessions as he prepared to compete for a role in Minnesota’s receiving corps entering the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Moore Dead at 25
NFL.com reported Saturday night, “NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore, who played most recently for the Minnesota Vikings, was found dead Saturday night in Indiana, authorities said. He was 25. Police said Moore died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore was found dead in the garage of a property in his hometown of New Albany, police chief Todd Bailey said. The death remains under investigation.”
“Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin did not share additional details on the circumstances of Moore’s death but said there was no threat to the public and an autopsy would be conducted Sunday. Moore, a receiver and return specialist drafted in the second round out of Purdue University, spent his first three years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.”
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Back in the summer of 2024, Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson died in a Maryland car accident, and the tragedies have not relented for the franchise.
Greenard’s Tweets
For starters, Las Vegas Raiders safety Jamal Adams tweeted, “I’m not jumping to conclusions, but let me say this. Fans and media be quick to label a player ‘injury prone.’ We don’t choose to get hurt… sometimes shit just happens. Y’all don’t see the rehab, the pain, the mental drain it causes. That process can make you lose yourself. This shit is real. No matter how much support you get, you still gotta fight that battle alone. Prayers up for Rondale Moore and his family. He was a baller, no question.”
Greenard retweeted the Adams tweet and commented, “Ppl legit will say the most craziest things tryna be funny on this app. Then turn around wondering why the players mentals are COOKED. Players see ALL the tweets just like yall do bc WE ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE YALL. Algorithms will flood your page w BS that other ppl try to bring you down with.”
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“This isn’t all on the media but they play a part. Especially these bot pages. Use that block button and go pray for clarity on your identity fellas. We got too much life to live than to succumb to the negativity in our most vulnerable periods of time.”
It’s a familiar line of defense: fans often treat football players like Roman gladiators; they’re just humans and mortals like you.
Other Players Agree
J.J. Watt, a teammate of Moore in Arizona, tweeted, “Can’t even begin to fathom or process this. There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in Peace Rondale.”
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Hollywood Brown: “Bro ain’t no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago. You wasn’t alone bro.. I told you I know how you feel.”
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore breaks into the open field on a touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half on Sep. 24, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Moore produced a big offensive play as the Cardinals tested Dallas’ defense in the early portion of the game. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
Kyler Murray posted on Instagram, “Just spoke to you bro. Blessed to have been able to share this life with you. I pray you’re in a better place now Ra.”
The NFL Players Association released this statement: “In moments like this, we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field. To our members: Please know that support is always within reach. Check on your teammates and prioritize your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of the many confidential resources and services available to you through the NFLPA.”
Statement from the Vikings
The Vikings issued this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore. While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings.”
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“We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time.”
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore lines up on offense during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings on Sep. 19, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Moore saw action as part of Arizona’s offensive rotation during the regular season matchup between the Cardinals and Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports.
The day after Moore’s death, former Vikings defensive back Ronyell Whitaker also passed away at the age of 46. He played for the Vikings in 2006 and 2007.
Moore was the Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year in 2018.
NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council on Tuesday announced the full schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, with 12 teams competing for the coveted title from June 12 to July 5 in England.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Hosts England will launch the tournament against Sri Lanka on June 12, marking the beginning of a nearly month-long spectacle that will culminate in the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5. India will open their campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 14.This edition will feature the largest field ever assembled in the competition. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands secured the final four spots through the qualifying tournament in Nepal, joining defending champions New Zealand, six-time winners Australia, 2016 champions West Indies, hosts England, ODI world champions India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.The group stage promises several high-profile clashes.
Group A includes heavyweights Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and tournament debutants Netherlands.
Group B features England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta described the schedule release as a significant moment for the global game.“The release of the schedule is an important milestone in the run-up to the global, premier sporting event,” Gupta said, emphasising the governing body’s continued investment in women’s cricket through expanded participation, improved pathways, enhanced production standards and increased commercial opportunities.He added that recent global events had helped elevate the women’s game and expressed confidence that the upcoming tournament would further strengthen its popularity and global reach.“The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India served as a force multiplier for the sport – breaking records, capturing imaginations and inspiring communities – and our ambition is to carry the momentum into the event in June-July,” he added.
Full Schedule of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 18:30 BST
Saturday June 13: Scotland v Ireland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 10:30 BST
Saturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Saturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Sunday June 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands, Edgbaston 10:30 BST
Sunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 16: England v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: Australia v Bangladesh, Headingley 10:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: India v Netherlands, Headingley 14:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston 18:30 BST
Thursday June 18: West Indies v Scotland, Headingley 18:30 BST
Friday June 19: New Zealand v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Saturday June 20: Australia v Netherlands, Hampshire Bowl 10:30 BST
Saturday June 20: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BST
Saturday June 20: England v Scotland, Headingley 18:30 BST
Sunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Sunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: New Zealand v Scotland, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Ireland, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley 18:30 BST
Wednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground 18:30 BST
Thursday June 25: India v Bangladesh, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Thursday June 25: South Africa v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground 18:30 BST
Friday June 26: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 18:30 BST
Saturday June 27: Pakistan v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Saturday June 27: West Indies v Ireland, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BST
Saturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval 18:30 BST
Sunday June 28: South Africa v Bangladesh, Lord’s Cricket Ground 10:30 BST
Sunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval 14:30 BST
Thursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval 18:30 BST
Sunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
You did not have to be a particularly skilled TV watcher to notice the most significant shift in the CBS Golf booth during the network’s coverage of the PGA Tour’s “West Coast Swing” — but you did have to be a persistent one.
The most noticeable shift of the 2026 golf season for CBS arrived at Pebble Beach late on Sunday evening, after winner Collin Morikawa had vanished into the bliss of his first victory on U.S. soil in nearly five years — and after Morikawa’s caddie Matt Urbanek had disappeared into the night with the 18th hole flag at Pebble Beach. It arrived 50 yards off the side of the 18th fairway, down a craggly outcropping of rocks and on a beach facing a steadily rising tide.
The shift’s name was Johnson Wagner, CBS Golf’s newest on-course reporter, who’d arrived to reprise his role as golf’s preeminent stunt-double. And as he surveyed the shot from the side of 18 that had delayed the end of the golf tournament for upwards of 20 minutes, the high-velocity hum of the CBS Golf broadcast stalled into a vacuum of anticipatory silence.
With a 50-degree wedge plucked from his bag, Wagner settled his feet, steadied his grip and swung. And with that swing, we start our look into the biggest changes on CBS in 2026 — starting with the guy whose on-course heroics have taken a new tune …
5 noticeable CBS Golf changes in 2026
5. Johnson Wagner
Wagner’s addition to the CBS Golf team is, in fact, much bigger than on-course hijinks — though he earned quite a reputation for those in his time with Golf Channel and NBC. In his day job with CBS, Wagner will be the network’s third “walking reporter,” behind ace walkers Dottie Pepper and Mark Immelman. But he will moonlight doing the kind of segments that have become a golf staple over the last several years: Leaning into his experience as a pro golfer for more than two decades to recreate the biggest shots and moments of the day himself, giving fans a deeper look into their difficulty and nuance.
Wagner and CBS are still working out the particulars of those segments and how they fit into the network’s broadcasts, but they’ve already yielded plenty of entertainment. (For example, after hitting his shot from the beach, Wagner was given thirty seconds to scale the rocks at Pebble Beach before CBS cut to a break. He made it safely with five seconds to spare.)
As the new season progresses, expect Wagner’s role to expand in kind.
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4. Colt Knost moves upstairs
Colt Knost’s promotionto a spot in the CBS “super tower” precipitated Wagner’s hiring at CBS — a promotion itself precipitated by longtime analyst Ian Baker-Finch’s retirement from the CBS booth after more than two decades in TV.
Knost received the call to the bullpen to fill Baker-Finch’s seat, and though there’s no replacing Baker-Finch’s role in the CBS broadcast, Knost has already brought some of his own spin to the booth. He’ll play a vital role for CBS next to fellow analysts Frank Nobilo and Trevor Immelman, and alongside play-by-play man Jim Nantz.
3. New Drones!
The PGA Tour and CBS earned an Emmy last year for the latest expansion in drone camerawork, a new technology named “Drone AR.” The new drone added a shot tracer to CBS’s existing drone complement, allowing the network to showcase tee and approach shots in a three-dimensional axis. It was immediately popular, and quickly followed up by the “shot tracer probability” lines, which leaned on the Tour’s expansive ShotLink database to predict the outcome of a tee shot (green for good, red for bad!).
In 2026, those animations are receiving another upgrade, adding analytics to the Drone AR that help explain player tendencies, course strategy and shot intent. If you were watching at Pebble Beach, you saw the first instances of these upgrades in action — though more are expected (on each of the Tour’s network broadcasts) over the course of the 2026 season.
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2. B-2 Broadcast Graphics
If you were watching closely, you might have seen golf’s version of the B-2 bomber flying over the skies of Pebble Beach, Phoenix or Riviera over the last several weeks.
No, not an actual B-2 (though that would be inarguably sick) — but rather the PGA Tour’s new “Weather Applied Metrics”, which help visualize the impact of changing weather conditions by turning the invisible forces of airflow into fully visible, computer-generated graphics.
We’ve seen versions of the “Weather Applied Metrics” utilized in Tour broadcasts in the past, most notably around the 17th tee box at the Players Championship. But this new version of the technology is more robust and comprehensive than previous iterations, showcasing changes in wind, temperature and humidity to help viewers understand the changes each week.
More new graphic/tech implementation this week. The tour is working with Weather Applied Metrics to show wind patterns/speed.
Golf fans have witnessed the Tour’s shape-shifting schedule from up close in 2026, with The Sentry’s late cancellation in Maui and the return of the Cadillac Championship at Doral as part of March’s Florida Swing.
Those changes have had downstream effects on the Tour’s broadcasters, which have jockeyed their 2026 television schedules to accommodate the shifts. First, CBS will scoop the Cadillac from Doral, picking up a tournament at a venue where the network holds a half-century of broadcasting history. In exchange for that addition (and NBC’s loss of the Sentry), CBS will trade the Travelers Championship to NBC, helping to even out the regular-season Tour schedule.
There’s also a change on the PGA Tour’s postseason broadcast schedule. As part of the every-other-year cadence of the Tour’s broadcast rights, CBS will pick up this year’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, with coverage continuing through the Tour Championship at the end of August.
Golf rewards early dedication. Most elite players are prodigious talents who started young and stayed committed, progressing from the junior circuit to college programs and then on to the professional game. Of course, a few take detours. But there’s one main road, and it’s long and narrow.
Golf course architecture could hardly be more different. For every great designer who took to doodling golf holes when they were still in diapers, there are others who fell sideways into the field. Alister MacKenzie was a surgeon in the British army long before he routed his first course. Kye Goalby worked in finance. Bill Coore studied classics in college, with an eye toward becoming a professor.
Then there’s Mike Koprowski, among the most unlikely stories of them all.
Though Koprowski played golf in high school, he never considered the game as a career. At the University of Notre Dame, he enrolled in ROTC and, after graduation, served as an Air Force intelligence officer overseas. He went on to stack degrees from Duke and Harvard and built a résumé in public policy and education. Golf architecture filled a quieter corner of his mind: a fascination, not a plan, and certainly not a way to make a living.
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Eventually, in a move that felt equal parts reckless and inevitable, Koprowski turned his back on Beltway stability and cold-emailed the architect Kyle Franz, which led to an apprenticeship in the Sandhills outside Pinehurst. He learned the craft from the dirt up — shaping, clearing, studying soils — and, before long, did something even bolder: He bought a rumpled stretch of sandy ground outside Columbia, S.C., and set about building his own course.
The result is Broomsedge, set on 197 acres of blowy terrain, its fairways stitched between native grasses and sandy scrapes. It is, by any measure, an improbable achievement.
A few weeks ago, the Destination Golf podcast team visited Broomsedge, where we recorded an on-course episode with Koprowski. You’ve heard of playing lessons. This was a playing interview. During the round, Koprowski talked about his unlikely path into architecture and the hard lessons that came with betting on himself. There were moments, he admitted, when the bank balance was bleak and his pie-in-the-sky project appeared doomed. But the vision held.
Others have taken notice. With Broomsedge up and running to rave reviews, Koprowski is fielding opportunities for additional work. One project, Candyroot — a destination resort in the works at the edge of the Carolina sandbelt — is still under wraps, with details to be unveiled soon. For a guy who once wondered how anyone breaks into this business without inherited land or inherited wealth, the irony isn’t lost.
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Koprowski says he almost has to pinch himself when someone asks him to price out his services.
“I have a really hard time knowing what I should charge, because I’m having so much fun, I’d probably do it for free,” he says.
As for advice to aspiring architects? It’s disarmingly simple. Read books on design. Travel to see as many great courses as you can. Study the ground. And then, he says, offering counsel that applies well beyond golf, “throw caution to the wind.”
Life, after all, is like a twilight golf. You only go around once. You can watch the entire episode on Spotify here.
NEW DELHI: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stirred debate at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after urging Pakistan to make a bold selection call ahead of their must-win Super 8 clash against England in Pallekele on Tuesday. Taking to social media, Ashwin advised Pakistan to promote Fakhar Zaman to the middle order if they are serious about staying alive in the tournament.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“If Pakistan are serious about this World Cup campaign, they need to think about giving Fakhar Zaman a go in the middle order,” Ashwin wrote on X. He emphasised Fakhar’s ability to counter England’s spin threat, particularly leg-spinner Adil Rashid and left-arm spinner Liam Dawson.
T20 World Cup: Sahibzada Farman press conference ahead of Pakistan vs England
“He can sweep and use his feet against Rashid and Dawson to inflict some serious damage through the middle overs. This was Nepal’s success formulae against Rashid and there are some key learning’s that the other teams can try to imbibe. Access the square boundaries to earn balls in the step hit zone,” Ashwin added.Ashwin pointed to Nepal’s success against Rashid, even sharing a wagon wheel graphic to illustrate how accessing square boundaries and using footwork disrupted England’s control in the middle overs.The suggestion comes as spin is expected to dominate at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, where slowing surfaces have already influenced results. England’s spinners, supported by pacer Jofra Archer, played a decisive role in their commanding win over Sri Lanka, while their batting has found unlikely heroes.Despite inconsistent performances from senior players like Jos Buttler, England have continued to win, with captain Harry Brook backing his experienced core to deliver soon. Opener Phil Salt has also rediscovered form at a crucial time.Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, face a far more precarious situation. Their opening Super 8 match against New Zealand was washed out, leaving them with little margin for error. While their spin attack offers variety, their batting has struggled for consistency beyond leading scorer Sahibzada Farhan.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation, led by Fouzi Lekjaa, has opened talks with former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández to become the new head coach of the Atlas Lions.
Morocco and Walid Regragui parted ways last week after the national team failed to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. The team went into the tournament with high hopes but could not secure the continental title.
People close to the federation say negotiations with Xavi are moving forward, with the former Spain midfielder viewed as a top choice to lead the team into a new phase.
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If both parties reach an agreement, Xavi is expected to guide Morocco to the next FIFA World Cup in the summer. The federation wants to build on the country’s recent progress in world football and keep Morocco among the strong teams on the global stage.
Great Britain’s Menna Fitzpatrick will compete in the Winter Paralympics, almost three months after suffering a significant knee injury.
Para-alpine skier Fitzpatrick, Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian with six medals, sustained the injury in training in December but opted against surgery in a bid to compete at the Milan-Cortina Games, which start on 6 March.
The 27-year-old and her guide, Katie Guest, are among the second wave of athletes named in the GB team., external
Fred Warburton and guide James Hannan, Sam Cozens and guide Adam Hall, Hester Poole and guide Ali Hall, and Dominic Allen also make the Para-alpine team.
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Snowboarder Davy Zyw has been included and is thought to be the first snowsport athlete with motor neurone disease (MND) to compete at the Games.
In doing so, the 27-year-old became a three-division world champion and cemented himself as a top 10 pound-for-pound star, with many considering him the flagship fighter at 147lbs.
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But despite having only just made his mark on the welterweight division, Haney must now turn his attention towards a selection of fearsome rivals.
Top of his list, according to Bill, is Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who was stripped of his WBA lightweight title last month following a series of domestic violence charges. Even if the controversial Davis returns to the sport, he would face a big size disadvantage against Haney.
Elsewhere on the list is WBO super-lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, yet the four-division world champion has said he would only fight Haney at a catchweight of 144lbs, or at welterweight with a 10lbs rehydration clause.
Even so, it appears the American has afforded himself plenty of alternative options, with Bill Haney revealing several of them to ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT.
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“I think ‘Tank’ is at the top of [Devin’s list], maybe Shakur is next.
“Jaron Ennis; Conor Benn might be on there towards the bottom. I think Ryan Garcia is No.10; Brian Norman was on there.
“Keyshawn Davis is on there too. He can get it too.”
With Ennis campaigning at 154lbs and aiming for his own intriguing contest with Vergil Ortiz Jr before targeting belts, Haney is unlikely to deliver on that particular fight just yet.
Potential bouts with Garcia, Keyshawn Davis and Benn, however, could soon become far more realistic, especially now that Garcia offers a unification as well as a storyline from their first controversial encounter.
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