The beautiful game of football has enchanted fans for generations and is the most bet on UK sport.
But which betting sites do the best job of providing a complete experience for betting on the UK’s favourite sport?
Almost all football betting sites have an extensive range of markets and offer competitive odds across the board.
We’ve looked at the fine details on all the best football betting sites and ranked the top 10 based on the quality of their product, including a review of their standout features.
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Best Football Betting Sites UK
Ranking
Football betting site
Standout feature
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Rating
Welcome offer
#1
Bet365
In-play betting
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
#2
BOYLE Sports
Accumulators
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Bet £10 on mobile get £40 free bets
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#3
Betway
Free bets
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
£30 matched bet if first acca loses
#4
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Betfred
Betting app
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Bet £10 get £50 free bets
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#5
LiveScore Bet
Free to play games
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Bet £10 get £30 free bets
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#6
BetVictor
Specials
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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N/A
#7
NetBet
Bet builders
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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Bet £10 get £20 free bets
#8
Virgin Bet
Price boosts
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★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
#9
Unibet
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Live streaming
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Bet £10 get £30 free bets
#10
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talkSPORT BET
Premier League betting
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Get up to £40 in football free bets
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Top 10 Football Betting Sites: Ranked and Reviewed
1. Bet365
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Standout feature: In-play betting
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Bet365 are the standout football betting site in the business due to the quality of its all-around package.
No operator can match its extensive football betting markets and value for odds across the board.
As the official betting partner of the Champions League, you’ll find a range of special offers and the best Champions League odds on the market.
There is also an impressive range of promotions, including enhanced odds and acca boosts.
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Bet365 provides arguably the beset in-play betting platforms online, including live streaming and a lag-free betting experience. (The Independent)
New customers can claim a flexible welcome offer, accepting £5 deposits to unlock £15 in free bets or £10 deposits to secure £30 in free bets.
Specials features including live streaming, bet builders and impressive free to play games such as Scores 6 that offers a host of prizes.
Bet365 distinguishes itself among live betting sites by giving bettors access to a huge number of unique markets and very competitive odds along with live streams of games from Europe’s biggest leagues.
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There’s no noticeable lag on odds being updated or a bets being processed on either the desktop site or app; vital traits when betting in-play.
2. BOYLE Sports
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Standout feature: Accumulators
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Football punters loves an accumulator bet on football, and that’s why BOYLE Sports is ranked so highly on our list.
BOYLE Sports have become the top pick among accumulator betting sites courtesy of their Acca Rewards and Acca Loyalty promotions.
With Acca Loyalty, customers are awarded a £5 free acca every time they place five £5 accumulators. Meanwhile, Acca Rewards allows you to either boost or insure your acca bet, so long as it has three or more legs.
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BOYLE Sports Acca Rewards is one of the best accumulator promotions on the market (The Independent)
There’s plenty more to enjoy using BOYLE Sports. The BOYLE Sports sign-up offer provides a solid quantity of free bets, while there several outstanding promotions including price boosts, early payouts and specials.
3. Betway
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Standout feature: Free bets
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Betway is impressive as a football betting site and is known to hand out no deposit free bets to regular customers, usually to use as bet builders on big Premier League games or major sporting events.
Their football product is straightforward to use, and there are ample markets and competitive odds for all competitions and leagues, including Europa League odds all the way to the final.
Betway stands out as having one of the best free bet clubs. This loyalty programme gives punters the chance to claim a free football bet each week after staking £25 on trebles, accumulators or bet builders between Saturday and Friday.
Customers then unlock £10 in free bets in two £5 denominations to use on any football market.
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4. Betfred
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout feature: Betting app
Betfred’s football betting site is impressive, both in terms of odds and range of matches/markets along with a fine array of promotions, including free bets, bet boosts and acca boosts.
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New customers can claim £50 in free bets by signing up for Betfred, all of which can be wagered on football after signing up and placing a £10 bet online.
Betfred also has an excellent football betting app, offering speed and a top user interface. You’ll find no discernible lag on the app and an easy-to-navigate layout.
5. LiveScore Bet
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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Standout feature: Free to play games
Although one of the new betting sites on the block, LiveScore Bet still matches the best football betting sites around with its complete product.
There are ample football betting markets to choose from and the odds stack up against the best in the business.
You’re never short of a promotion whether its price boosts, acca boosts, loyalty free bets or straightforward bet and get promotions.
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One of the best aspects of LiveScore Bet is its free to play game Squads.
Squads is one of the best free to play games offering free bets for LiveScore Bet customers online. (LiveScoreBet)
This promotion allocates customers a five-a-side squad of active Premier League players, who can earn free bets or cash up to £50 if they score on match day.
In our view, it’s one of the most entertaining and innovative features out there.
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However, after months of testing, we’ve never received any more than a £1 cash reward, so don’t expect too much from this free promo.
6. BetVictor
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout feature: Football Specials
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BetVictor are one of the most trusted football betting sites around. It’s name commands respect and bettors know they’re getting a reliable product with extensive betting markets, competitive football odds and a great array of promotions.
We like their outright specials that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere, including extensive manager markets, transfer odds and trophy multiples that’ll appeal to bettors looking for alternatives to betting.
BetVictor always has a host of special odds available for betting on next manager, transfer and team markets. (BetVictor)
Their Lucky Dip feature is fairly new and has caught the eye by offering outlandish odds on popular selections.
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There’s also a Loyalty Club with up to £25 in free bets on offer each week. Existing customers can opt in to the Loyalty Club and make five bets of at least £5 throughout the week to qualify for the bonus.
7. NetBet
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout feature: Bet builders
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NetBet are not one of the major betting brands associated with betting on football, but its overall product is very impressive. Their sportsbook is simple and effective, and has built a niche around its bet builder feature that is one of the best.
Bet builders have become increasingly popular on football betting sites and NetBet have embraced the concept.
Bet builders are available on a variety of sports, with bettors able to combine up to six legs from a single event. Users can also expect regular promotions in conjunction with bet builders to unlock free bets and more.
The NetBet sign-up offer credits new customers with £20 in free bets paid out in four £5 installments on a bet builder, acca, horse racing and UFC free bets.
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Punters can also earn free bet builder tokens via NetBet’s Wheel of Fortune promotion.
8. Virgin Bet
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout feature: Price boosts
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Virgin Bet are one of the rising stars among UK football betting sites, especially when it comes to price boosts.
The bookmaker comes out swinging with a variety of odds boosts across the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League among others, punters are never short of options with offers accessible on the front page of the site.
Virgin Bet routinely offer boosts for acca and bet builders, while users will find football bet boosts with great value prices across single, double, treble and accas across the weekly.
Virgin Bet also have a strong welcome offer for new customers, where users can scored £30 in free bets after signing up and betting £10 on the sportsbook.
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9. Unibet
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout feature: Live streaming
New Unibet customers who sign up can secure a bet £10 get £30 free bets to use on their football betting site.
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Unibet’s football product is uncomplicated and allows users to bet with ease. There are ample markets and competitive odds, with solid features too.
Unibet TV is where the action happens with over 40,000 live streams each year, many of which are football matches.
Unibet streams games from across the globe on their platform, including all the major European leagues such as LaLiga and the Bundesliga featuring Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Most matches come with commentary so it’s just like watching a game on your television, only you have the option to use Unibet’s in-play betting service at the same time.
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10. talkSPORT BET
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Standout feature: Premier League markets
Although one of the newer betting sites around, talkSPORT BET still offers a solid betting product.
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There are a few bells and whistles, but it mainly focuses on providing a straightforward betting experience on the Premier League.
Premier League betting sites concentrate on English football’s top flight and few do that better than talkSPORT BET.
They regularly run Premier League-specific promotions, while punters can qualify for their Footie Rewards scheme, offering up to £10 in free bets each week, by betting on the EPL.
There’s also a free-to-play game called Footie 4 Play with up to £2,500 up for grabs for correctly predicting four Premier League scorelines.
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Best Football Betting Sites UK: How We Rate
Here are some of the key elements we look for when updating our rankings and reviews of football betting sites:
Regulation
All the best football betting sites on our list are regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
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Gambling responsibly
Safe betting sites which follow responsible gambling practices and offer responsible gambling tools are given preference.
Customer experience
We look into the customer experience on football betting sites across various platforms, judging football betting sites for their layout, usability, loading speed and customer service.
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Payment options
Football punters require a diverse range of payment options beyond debit cards and those bookies that feature on the list of Apple Pay betting sites among others, are given preference.
Promotions
A valuable sign up offer is one thing but we want to see football betting sites that take care of existing customers with free bets, price boost, money back promotions and free to play games.
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Upcoming Football Matches
Live Football Matches On TV (February 26 – March 1)
Date
Game
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Time
Competition
Channel
Thursday 26th February
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Stuttgart vs Celtic
5.45pm
Europa League
TNT Sports 2
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Thursday 26th February
Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar
8pm
Conference League
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TNT Sports 3
Thursday 26th February
Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce
8pm
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Europa League
TNT Sports 1
Friday 27th February
Augsburg vs FC Koln
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7.30pm
Bundesliga
BBC iPlayer
Friday 27th February
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Harrogate Town vs Cheltenham Town
7.45pm
League Two
Sky Sports +
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Friday 27th February
Bristol City vs Watford
8pm
Championship
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Sky Sports Football
Friday 27th February
Wolves vs Aston Villa
8pm
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Premier League
Sky Sports Main Event
Saturday 28th February
Leicester City vs Norwich
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12.30pm
Championship
Sky Sports Main Event
Saturday 28th February
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Bournemouth vs Sunderland
12.30pm
Premier League
TNT Sports 1
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Saturday 28th February
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich
5.30pm
Bundesliga
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Sky Sports Football
Saturday 28th February
Leeds United vs Manchester City
5.30pm
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Premier League
Sky Sports Main Event
Saturday 28th February
Inter Milan vs Genoa
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7.45pm
Serie A
TNT Sports 1
Sunday 1st March
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Rangers vs Celtic
12pm
Scottish Premiership
Sky Sports Main Event
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Sunday 1st March
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
2pm
Premier League
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Sky Sports +
Sunday 1st March
Fulham vs Tottenham
2pm
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Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League
Sunday 1st March
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
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2pm
Premier League
Sky Sports Main Event
Sunday 1st March
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Arsenal vs Chelsea
4.30pm
Premier League
Sky Sports Main Event
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Sunday 1st March
Roma vs Juventus
7.45pm
Serie A
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TNT Sports 2
Football Odds
Check out our detailed list of football odds pages below from all the major leagues and competitions from Europe and across the world.
Responsible Gambling on Football Betting Sites
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The most important thing to remember is to gamble responsibly. When betting on football, treat it as entertainment and always assume you’ll lose.
Only bet what you can afford to lose and don’t get too carried away by free bet or casino offers.
Make sure you use the responsible betting tools offered by gambling sites such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits, time outs and self-exclusion.
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If you have gambling-related concerns, seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information:
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches kicks off Thursday with the first round at the Champion Course at PGA National. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Thursday, including full Cognizant Classic TV coverage, streaming details and Round 1 tee times.
How to watch Cognizant Classic on Thursday
Last season, Shane Lowry didn’t end his winless drought, but he did perform well on the PGA Tour. He earned two runner-up finishes amid 12 top-25 finishes. One of those top-25s came at last year’s Cognizant Classic, where he finished T11.
In two starts so far this season, Lowry has continued his steady stretch of play with a T8 at the AT&T Pebble Pro-Am and a T24 at last week’s Genesis Invititional.
Now the 2019 Open champion turns his attention back to PGA National’s Champion Course, where he hopes to secure his first Tour victory since winning the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Rory McIlroy.
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Lowry’s tournament begins on Thursday at 7:21 a.m. ET.
You can watch the first round of the Cognizant Classic on TV via Golf Channel beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive streaming coverage starting Thursday at 6:45 a.m. ET, as well as featured group and featured hole coverage all day long.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
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With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to PGA Tour Live, where you can stream the best PGA Tour events live from wherever you want.
How to watch on TV Thursday
Golf Channel will provide first-round TV coverage of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches on Thursday from 2-6 p.m. ET.
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How to stream online Thursday
You can stream the first round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage starting at 6:45 a.m. ET on Thursday in addition to featured group and hole coverage.
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The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. However, the New York Jets are rumored to be interested in trading up and potentially selecting Mendoza in the draft.
The Hoosiers quarterback was asked by sports show host Jake Asman, who said he wished Mendoza was selected by the Jets. Mendoza replied:
Thanks for the submission!
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“We’ll see what happens!”
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NFL fans reacted to Mendoza’s comments on potentially being drafted by the Jets.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
“Not even the Raiders can screw up this pick.”
Not even the Raiders can screw up this pick.
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“Jesus wouldn’t do that to him. He’s a man of god lol.”
Jesus wouldn’t do that to him. He’s a man of god lol
“I wish we would get him. He’s a nice kid. He’s gonna make an awesome quarterback in the NFL.”
I wish we would get him. He’s a nice kid. He’s gonna make an awesome quarterback in the NFL.
“Don’t jinx my Hoosier like that! He deserves better than to be a Jet.”
Don’t jinx my Hoosier like that! He deserves better than to be a Jet
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“He’s just doing that to make you happy. He knows where he’s headed.”
He’s just doing that to make you happy. He knows where he’s headed
It’s highly unlikely the Raiders will give up the chance to draft the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, but if they do, it will need a considerable offer from the Jets.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak wants to select a “winner” in NFL draft
Fernando Mendoza helped the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record, leading them to their first championship. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the team wants “winners” like Mendoza.
“Excited to keep learning about him and it’s not just me, it’s our entire coaching staff,” Kubiak said. “I want all of our coaches to get involved, especially at that position. I want everybody’s input, but obviously he’s been successful. He had a lot of success last year. He won a national championship and that’s what you want. You want a winner.”
While Mendoza helped the Hoosiers to the National Championship, Kubiak is coming off a Super Bowl-winning campaign with the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator in 2025.
PGA National’s Champion Course, home of the Bear Trap, used to be one of the most fearsome annual tests on the PGA Tour. Not so anymore.
Over the past few years, a key course maintenance decision has taken the bite out of the course. The result? Winning scores at the Cognizant Classic have been skyrocketing.
And some PGA Tour veterans are not happy about it. Billy Horschel took to social media to announce his displeasure and explain who is to blame for the easy conditions at PGA National, while Shane Lowry opened up on the topic during his pre-tournament press conference.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Why Cognizant Classic winning scores have skyrocketed
When the Cognizant Classic, then known as the Honda Classic, moved to PGA National’s Champion Course in 2007, it immediately proved a tough challenge for the PGA Tour’s best. Look no further than the winning scores.
Mark Wilson won the inaugural PGA National Honda Classic with a final score of five under. At the 2008 Honda, Ernie Else finished at six under to take home the trophy.
From 2007-2020, only three Honda Classics ended with a winning score in double digits under par. Camilo Villegas hit 13 under in 2010, five strokes better than runner-up Anthony Kim. Rory McIlroy reached 12 under for his 2012 victory, two shots better than co-runner-up Tiger Woods. Rickie Fowler matched McIlroy’s winning score in 2017 with a four-shot margin of victory. All the other winning scores during that stretch were in the single digits under par.
But as the new decade began, something changed at PGA National. Suddenly, all of the winning scores were double digits under par. Over the past three years, the problem has gotten worse.
Chris Kirk won in a playoff in 2023, having tied Eric Cole through 72 holes with a score of 14 under. In 2024, Austin Eckroat reached 17 under to win the Cognizant. Last year, Joe Highsmith shot a 19-under 265 to capture the win.
So what gives? According to several PGA Tour players, the culprit is a course maintenance decision. While PGA National features mostly Bermuda grass on its surfaces, as many Florida courses do, in recent years, the Bermuda has been overseeded with rye grass in winter.
While the overseeding makes the course look better, it also makes it far easier for players to navigate shots from the rough than if the grass were purely Bermuda. That makes the risk of missing the greens or fairways far less severe.
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As a result, players have started going low with ease during the Cognizant Classic.
Billy Horschel puts blame on PGA National for overseeding course
Horschel, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, has plenty of experience playing PGA National on Tour. In his long career, Horschel has made 13 starts at the Cognizant Classic/Honda Classic.
In his first 11 events at PGA National, Horschel’s best score was 7 under in 2017, which earned him a T4. His next best score during that stretch was 2 under.
But in 2024, Horschel cruised to a final score of 12 under. However, unlike with McIlroy in 2012 and Fowler in 2017, who won with the same score, Horschel finished T9, five shots short of the lead.
On Wednesday, Horschel publicly shared his opinion on the recent changes at PGA National on social media.
In the replies to an X video discussing the Cognizant Classic and PGA National, Horschel responded to a user who called the overseeding of the Champion Course a “disgrace”.
In his response, Horschel laid the blame for the overseeding issue at the feet of the “owners of PGA National.” According to Horschel, the PGA Tour would prefer the course to not be overseeded, but it’s not up to them.
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“Unfortunately, not the [PGA] Tour’s fault. Owners of PGA National do it. Tour have tried to state why it shouldn’t be overseeded but end of the day it’s out of their hands,” Horschel wrote.
He continued by arguing that the PGA Tour should fight for “complete control” over host courses in the future.
“1 thing going forward that we need to do is make sure we have complete control of the setup of all Tour courses,” he wrote.
Unfortunately, not the Tour’s fault. Owners of PGA National do it. Tour have tried to state why it shouldn’t be overseeded but end of the day it’s out of their hands. 1 thing going forward that we need to do is make sure we have complete control of the setup of all Tour courses.
Shane Lowry on PGA National: ‘It was a little bit too easy last year’
After a rash of withdrawals ahead of the tournament, Shane Lowry is arguably the biggest star still in the Cognizant Classic field. As a local resident, Lowry cherishes this event, its host course and the ability to sleep at home and spend time with his family during tournament week.
He explained as much in his press conference on Wednesday at the Cognizant Classic. But he also spoke in some detail about the easier course conditions in recent years.
“I like that the rough is a bit thicker this year. It was a little bit too easy last year, I thought,” Lowry began. “I don’t want to exactly see 59s around here, but yeah, I hope the scoring is a little bit more difficult this year and it plays like it used to.”
Lowry explained that that he when he first moved to Florida, he struggled adapting to playing Bermuda grass, joking, “I wish it was overseeded back then.”
Then a reporter asked Lowry how different the current PGA National setup is from its heyday of single-digit winning scores.
“Yeah, I don’t think it is that. I think it’s like probably — it’s probably going to play easier than that, which I don’t like. I’d prefer to see it — look, I’m a member of a few courses down here, and all Bermuda, and the golf courses this time of year are incredible. The Bermuda golf courses down here are unbelievable,” Lowry said.
He concluded: “I feel like it’s going to look great on TV. It’s going to be lovely and green. It’s going to be amazing. But I probably would like to see a bit more of the old traditional setup. It is what it is this week, and you just have to deal with the cards you’re given.”
West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford walks off the field after his dismissal during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between West Indies and South Africa, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
South Africa moved closer to a semifinal spot in the T20 World Cup with a commanding nine-wicket win over West Indies in their Super 8 match on Thursday at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.The Proteas combined disciplined bowling with controlled batting to register their sixth straight win, while ending West Indies’ unbeaten streak. The two points also strengthened India’s position in the group, as a South Africa loss would have complicated the hosts’ qualification scenario.
T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka bow out of the tournament; Pakistan’s hopes dim
The defeat also impacted the West Indies’ net run rate, which dropped to 1.791 from 5.350.After being asked to bat, West Indies were reduced to 83 for 7 as Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (3/30) ran through West Indies’ top and middle order. A lower-order partnership between Jason Holder (49 off 31) and Romario Shepherd (52 not out off 37) added 89 runs for the eighth wicket, helping the side recover to 176 for 8.In reply, South Africa chased down the target in 16.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 82, while Quinton de Kock made 47 and Ryan Rickelton scored 45 not out.The chase was set up in the powerplay itself, where South Africa scored 69 runs in six overs. De Kock and Markram added 95 runs in 7.5 overs, striking 16 boundaries, including six sixes. De Kock hit four sixes and four fours in his 24-ball innings before being caught by Holder at long-on. Markram brought up his fifty with a single off Gudakesh Motie and later shared an unbeaten 82-run stand with Rickelton. He finished the match with a straight boundary off Holder.“We actually bowled pretty well, obviously the powerplay was a big thing for us, to get off nicely. The partnership with Quinny [set things up],” said Markram, who was named Player of the Match.“The second innings was good to bat on, it was slightly tacky early on and the guys bowled pretty well early on.”Earlier, West Indies had started quickly. Shai Hope (16 off 6) hit Keshav Maharaj for two sixes and a four, while Brandon King (21 off 11) attacked Marco Jansen as the side reached 29 in just over two overs.Rabada removed Hope, caught behind while fishing outside off. Shimron Hetmyer (2) was dropped by Corbin Bosch at mid-on but was dismissed three balls later, miscued off Rabada. Ngidi then dismissed King and Roston Chase (2) in the fourth over, leaving West Indies at 44 for 4.Sherfane Rutherford (12) hit Bosch for a six but fell next ball, top-edging to de Kock. Ngidi’s third wicket was Rovman Powell (9), reducing the side to 71 for 6. Matthew Forde (11) later fell to Bosch after hitting a six.Holder and Shepherd then rebuilt. Holder struck 22 runs in one over off Jansen before being run out off the penultimate ball of the innings. Shepherd carried on to ensure a competitive total.“Losing so many wickets in the powerplay cost us. We were 40-50 short. Must commend the guys in the bottom half for giving us a chance, never know things could have changed,” Hope said.“The way we play our cricket, there will be a loss, aim was to get it out early. Next game will be quarter-final.”
Ohio State’s secondary conversation naturally starts with replacing Caleb Downs, but one of the most important answers might actually come from a different spot on the field. Earl Little Jr., the Florida State transfer, gives the Buckeyes a veteran defensive back with real production, real versatility, and the kind of experience that can stabilize a room during a transition year.
A former Florida State safety, Little is listed at 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, and started all 12 games in 2025, finishing with 76 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and second-team All-ACC honors. He also led the Seminoles in tackles and interceptions.
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What makes Little especially important for Ohio State is not just that he is productive, but also where he can line up. Ohio State’s defensive structure has leaned heavily on the nickel spot in recent years, and that role has become less of a pure corner job and more of a hybrid assignment that has to handle coverage, run support, and post-snap movement.
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Ohio State’s 2026 defensive outlook has consistently pointed to Little as a likely nickel option, with the Buckeyes expected to move back toward more true three-safety looks with Jaylen McClain and Terry Moore also in the mix. That matters because the nickel is often the stress point in modern college defenses. It is the position offenses attack with slot receivers, tight ends, quick game, motion, and run fit conflicts. If Ohio State gets high-level play there, it raises the ceiling of the entire unit.
Little’s background fits that job well. He has the ability to play multiple spots in the secondary, along with quick processing, physicality, and the cover skills to handle corner, nickel, or safety responsibilities. That kind of skill set is exactly what Ohio State needs from a nickel defender in a defense that wants disguise and flexibility on the back end. He is not just a body filling a depth chart spot. He is a player who can help Ohio State stay multiple without sacrificing toughness.
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The biggest thing Little brings to Ohio State is reliability. Replacing a star like Downs is never about one player doing the same job. It is about distributing value across the secondary and making sure the structure still works. Little helps do that.
If he settles in at nickel the way many expect, Ohio State gets an experienced, productive defender in one of the most demanding positions on the field, and that could end up being one of the most important moves of the Buckeyes offseason.
Although Zuffa’s main broadcast partner is Paramount+, Benn’s upcoming contest will stream live on Netflix, which is especially surprising in light of his one-fight contract.
And Benn’s first fight with Zuffa will take place on 11 April, as he boxes in the co-main event before Fury’s return against Makhmudov.
The event will take place at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Benn fought bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr twice in 2025. Benn lost the first fight on points in April, marking his first pro defeat, but he won the rematch in November.
Those bouts took place at middleweight, but Benn is a natural welterweight, and it’s in that division that he will box Prograis.
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Conor Benn (left) floored Chris Eubank Jr in November, en route to avenging a loss against his rival (Getty Images)
Prograis, 37, is a former two-time world champion, having previously held the WBA and WBC super-lightweight titles. The American (30-3, 24 knockouts) will therefore move up in weight to face Benn (24-1, 14 KOs).
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Benn had called out numerous American fighters in recent months, particularly Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia. Now he finds himself paired with a US boxer, though not one of the expected names.
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“11 April can’t come soon enough,” Benn said in a press release. “Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr, means everything to me. My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I’m about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one! I’m fully locked in and ready to deliver another statement performance.”
Prograis added: “Last time I fought in London, Conor Benn was on my undercard, so this is a full-circle moment for me. But this circle will close with me teaching him a lesson on 11 April. He’s not fighting some weight-drained super-middleweight. I am in shape and will bring home this victory.”
Regis Prograis is a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight (Getty)
Benn’s move to Zuffa Boxing is curious in that he has long expressed a desire to fight for the WBC welterweight title, which Garcia took from Mario Barrios on Saturday, yet Zuffa has said it plans to move away from the traditional belt system.
In any case, even since signing with Zuffa, Benn has called for a clash with Garcia, while Stevenson holds the WBO welterweight belt.
The main event on 11 April will see former heavyweight champion Fury end his fifth retirement, as he takes on Russia’s Makhmudov. Although Fury still seems to be contracted to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, which usually airs its fights on DAZN, the upcoming event will stream live on Netflix.
Oregon and Oregon State are reportedly not going to play until at least 2028.
Reports indicate the Beavers wanted to play the game less than the Ducks—it’s hard to blame them.
On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Oregon’s 2026 expectations and how high they should be for Duck fans.
Is “natty or bust” the right mindset?
Spencer dives into 2026 true freshman Dutch Horisk, who hails from the same school as Matayo Uiagalelei.
Can he find his way into the DL rotation in 2026?
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00:00 Oregon vs. Oregon State Value 04:12 Oregon’s Matchup Benefits 06:51 Oregon State-Oregon Rivalry Uncertain 12:16 Oregon: Natty or Bust? 15:49 Dan Lanning: Top Coach Spotlight 26:37 Freshman Path to Oregon’s Trenches
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) reacts after tackling Georgia Bulldogs running back Branson Robinson (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings continued their pre-draft evaluations at the Scouting Combine, reportedly meeting with a defensive prospect who fits a clear roster need in the trenches.
The decision-makers met with Clemson defensive tackle Demonte Capehart, the player announced at the Combine. He’s scheduled to fly off the board on Day 3 of the NFL Draft in a couple of months.
Capehart spent six years at Clemson and appeared in 57 games with the ACC program. In those appearances, he logged 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He can provide strength and power in the middle of the defensive front.
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In a recent report, Draft Huddle summarized his skill set, “DeMonte Capehart is a large, experienced interior defensive tackle with strong anchor ability, rotational experience, and a power-driven play style developed within Clemson’s defensive line system. He wins with size, strength, and gap discipline rather than elite explosiveness or pass-rush production. While his limited statistical output and pass-rush ceiling cap his overall upside, his durability, frame, and interior toughness provide a reliable floor as a rotational NFL defensive tackle in a multi-front defensive scheme.”
Clemson defensive linemen, top to bottom, Cade Denhoff (44), Vic Burley (45) DeMonte Capehart (19), and defensive end Jahiem Lawson (15) play Troy during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 6, 2025.
According to PFF, Capehart produced an elite run-stopping rate of 8.6%. His play in the ground game is undoubtedly his best attribute.
And that’s where the Vikings enter the conversation. The defense led by defensive magician Brian Flores lacks some oomph in that area.
Last season, Flores coordinated one of the league’s elite units, but the ground game left some room for improvement. The Vikings ranked 9th in run DVOA and 14th in rush EPA. Sure, that’s not bad by any means, but it didn’t quite match the success against the pass.
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There were also a couple of alarming games in which opponents ran over them with little resistance. Contests against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers come to mind when backup-caliber runners (Kimani Vidal, Kenneth Gainwell, and Emmanuel Wilson) were unstoppable.
Minnesota’s defensive line room still includes the two expensive veterans the franchise added a year ago. There’s a decent chance that one of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen won’t be on the team when the Draft kicks off, however. Too enticing are the potential salary-cap savings for a team in the red.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (61) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, Jalen Redmond is widely expected to return for another year after his breakout campaign. Behind that top trio, the Vikings employ 2024 and 2025 draftees Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who have played rotational roles.
Pre-draft meetings at the Combine do not automatically signal strong draft interest, but they are a key part of a team’s evaluation process. Franchises typically use these conversations to gauge football IQ, personality, and scheme fit as much as on-field production. For a veteran college player like Capehart, who has extensive experience in a high-level defensive system at Clemson, those interviews can be especially important.
The Vikings, in particular, have shown a willingness in recent drafts to target interior defenders on Day 3 who can contribute early while developing into more consistent contributors over time.
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Adding another Day 3 pick could complete the room, especially if that guy can perform against the run. Capehart fits that profile and could be on Minnesota’s list of intriguing players. He is expected to perform well at the Combine to boost his stock.
Nick Fuentes reacted publicly on X after Candace Owens claimed Charlie Kirk had a “third eye” and said they had discussed astral projection.
Owens made the remarks during a livestream on February 5, 2026, titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk. In the broadcast, she discussed conversations she said she had with Kirk about supernatural experiences, including what she described as his “third eye,” sleep paralysis, and astral projection.
After clips from the livestream circulated online, Fuentes responded later that month. On February 25, 2026, the fan-run X account Fuentes Updates posted a summary of his reaction. The post stated:
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“Once Candace Owens said she can astral project, Nick started getting freaked out 😳 ‘IS SHE IN HERE RIGHT NOW???’”
The quoted remark was presented as Fuentes’ immediate response to Owens’ claim that she could astral project. No additional written explanation was included in the post cited. His reaction focused specifically on her assertion about astral projection rather than the broader set of claims discussed in the livestream.
Candace Owen’s YouTube podcast served as the backdrop to the exchange. During that episode, she described past discussions with Charlie Kirk that she said involved paranormal and metaphysical topics.
Those comments drew attention on social media in the weeks that followed, including the February 25, 2026, post referencing Fuentes’ reaction.
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Candace Owens’ claims about a “third eye” and astral projection
In the February 5, 2026, livestream titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk, Owens detailed conversations she said she had with Kirk regarding what she described as unusual childhood experiences and metaphysical subjects.
She stated:
“Charlie and I spoke a lot about his third eye. That’s why that sentence caught my attention in the article. He spoke about the street lamps that would go off when he would run, about the special school that he had to go to.”
Candace Owens added that they discussed the testing they both underwent during childhood. Owens further said:
“We spoke about the fact that we could both astral project. You know all of this, of course, you have his phone.”
She also referenced sleep paralysis and similar experiences, stating:
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“When we learned that not everybody does that naturally. Sleep paralysis, you name it. We had conversations about it.”
Third eye must mean something totally different
In addition to her livestream statements, Candace Owens had previously made similar remarks in an earlier podcast episode published on October 8, 2025. In that episode, she described what she called a vivid dream involving Kirk, stating that he appeared to her and told her he had been betrayed. She said:
“I had a vivid dream this weekend and Charlie came to me and he told me that he was betrayed.”
Candace Ownes further added:
“You don’t have to believe that, but I do believe that… I also felt in the dream that it is soon going to be revealed… that there is nothing and no one that is going to stop the truth from coming out and it is going to have international consequences.”
She concluded that statement by adding:
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“Take that to the bank. Quote me on that. Women tend to have a stronger intuition about people, I would say.”
Charlie Kirk’s passing on September 10, 2025, marked a widely noted moment within conservative political media. Since then, public discussion surrounding his life and work has continued, with Candace Owens’ recent claims and the reaction that followed becoming part of that broader conversation.
It has been quite the season for the Bruins, both on and off the court.
Most of the headlines this season, beyond the gym, have involved head coach Mick Cronin.
From questioning his squad’s toughness to kicking Steven Jamerson out of a game to doubting his team’s potential, the seventh-year coach has been borderline embarrassing.
Through it all, though, UCLA has persevered and seems to be peaking at the right time.
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The Bruins’ tournament resume got a big boost this week after knocking off Illinois on Saturday and dismantling USC on Tuesday night.
Donovan Dent had a big week. Against Illinois, he played 42 minutes, finishing with 14 points, including the game-winner to cap the upset.
He followed that up with a 30-point performance against the crosstown rivals.
More impressively, over the last two wins, he has dished out 22 assists without turning the ball over in 80 minutes of court time.
The two-game winning streak has improved UCLA’s record to 11-6 in Big Ten play and 19-9 overall.
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Winners of seven of their last 10 games, the Bruins seem to have righted some of their woes following a tough two-game swing through the State of Michigan.
The trip to the Great Lakes State is certainly no picnic this season as both the Wolverines and Spartans look like legitimate challengers in March.
But a pair of lopsided losses by an average of 26.5 points in the two contests could have signaled the end for UCLA.
Instead, the Bruins got themselves off the mat with a pair of impressive performances.
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Donovan Dent’s shooting should open things up for Trent Perry | UCLA Athletics
This UCLA team enters March with seven of its nine losses coming against Quad 1 opponents, and only one of them at Pauley Pavilion.
If Dent can start finding his shooting stroke consistently—especially on threes—it will be a big lift for the Bruin offense.
The senior point guard has connected on only 24.1% of his triples this season.
That makes his performance against the Trojans all the more promising, as he knocked down five of six from distance.
He ranks fifth in the nation with 7.2 assists per game, but his threat to score from outside will open things up more for the likes of Tyler Bilodeau and Trent Perry.
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Perry has stepped up recently as the sophomore guard has reached double figures in nine of his last 10 games, while averaging 15.2 points per outing during that stretch.
UCLA’s offense is averaging 78.0 points per game, ranking 136th nationally, but 77.6% of the team’s scoring has come from five players.
The Bruins could use more production from their bench down the stretch.
UCLA does not have any bad losses this season, with a neutral-site loss at the hands of California being the worst on the resume.
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UCLA’s early-season loss to Cal could prove costly| Jan Kim Lim / UCLA Athletics
That loss could loom large down the stretch as the Bears are a fellow bubble team and the head-to-head result could come into play.
The homecourt overtime loss to Indiana would fall into that same category. But UCLA has a chance to erase all bubble talk with a strong finish to the regular season.
Each of the final three games on the schedule would be Quad 1 wins today.
Trips to Minnesota and USC sandwiched around a visit from Nebraska give UCLA the chance to make a statement before they head to Chicago for the Big Ten Tournament.
The Bruins need to continue their current surge. They are right smack dab in the midst of the huge NCAA bubble, but the opportunity is there to separate themselves from the pack.
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UCLA had high expectations heading into the season, and they still have time to deliver on them. This is a talented team with the potential to make a lot of noise in March if they click.
The Bruins seem to be getting hot at the right time, but just how hot remains to be seen.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).