Welcome! Where are you, you ask. I’m calling this the Weekend 9. Think of it as a spot to warm up for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ll have thoughts. We’ll have tips. We’ll have tweets. But just nine in all, though sometimes maybe more and sometimes maybe less. As for who I am? The paragraphs below tell some of the story. I can be reached at nick.piastowski@golf.com.
My golf game turns 35 on Sunday.
For my first round of the year, my brother-in-law and I are playing a muni in Hawaii, which on its website, has a reef, beach and water in the background, which is a very, very long way from a course in northern Illinois, where, in 1991, I played my first-ever round. My dad and I played with another father and son, and it was my dad’s first-ever golf, too. He was a butcher, and butcher’s days went like this: 12-hour day, eat, drink an obscene amount of Joe, smoke a pack of Marb reds, then bed; and no golf. It showed. Our combined score was 300, give or take.
We also committed a no-no on the first hole.
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We rode in a cart, and the instruction was as follows: Drive it next to your ball, hit, drive again. And we did that.
All the way until we parked atop the green.
That’s memory No. 1 — and lesson No. 1 — from 35 years of golf.
Here are eight more.
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Memory No. 2: The random playing partners, plural. I’m bending my own rules here a bit and making this more than one, because I’m positive I could make a list just of nine people I’ve randomly been paired up with and not forgotten. Let’s see. There’s the two college-age dudes who, in the summer of ’93, saw me break 50 for nine holes for the first time, then offered to buy me a beer. There’s the Austrian man who my friend and I played with in Vegas who told us how he flew only private, smoked only Cuban cigars and knew where the real fun in Sin City was, and we’ll leave that at that. There’s the PGA Tour Champions player who shot an easy par round while his wife sat in the cart and read a book. And on and on. Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts of playing — the folks you meet. Except for …
Memory No. 3: The farthest distance I ever holed out from was 175 yards, though what stroke it came on is open to debate. On hole 10 at Greenfield Park just outside of Milwaukee, I’d hit my tee shot into the trees to the right, moved it ever so slightly away from one, then rocketed it toward the bunker fronting the green, only for it to skip out and roll into the hole. Eagle! And eagles back then would get reported to the newspaper if your group vouched for it. My friend would. But the guy we were paired with? “I saw you take a drop there,” he said, “so no.”
Memory No. 4: I once got to the “zone.” Beforehand, I’d played four straight days on a friend’s trip, and I reached the point where I purposefully was swinging as hard as I could — and still found fairways and green. The 76 — with a penalty stroke that I did count that day — remains my lowest score. But I’ve never gotten back to the zone. In the years since, I’ve tried to duplicate the lead-up — and once tore a muscle in my lower back due to the combination of overuse and a lack of stretching.
Memory No. 5: I almost got in a fight. I wrote about it here, but the short version goes like this: I hit a tee shot farther than I normally do, and the group in front of me was already hot. (The reason for the latter is understandable — a person in the group behind us had, accidentally, fired a shot from a fairway over directly into the group ahead of us. These things happen, though, at Van Cortlandt in the Bronx, where the congestion equals what you’d find crossing the GW.) Anyways, the almost-fight started after a person walked back to my tee shot — and hit it into the woods. I shouted. He shouted. We got closer. But that was about it. Stupid. Very, very stupid. (But all of it did lead to asking readers a few years back to message me similar-type blowups — and I still occasionally get emails about it today.)
Memory No. 6: While playing in a high school match, my opponent once asked me if I played baseball, too. I said I did and I kept playing — and it took me a few holes to realize he didn’t care so much about my other hobbies as he did commenting on my swing. That stuck with me for the rest of the round — and for the next 30 years. Good one.
Memory No. 7: For just over six years now, I’ve worked at a golf website, and one of the questions I’ve gotten is how that’s helped my own game. It must, right? To start the answer, an editor here had warned me about what was to come: All of those tips and tricks that you read and write are going to be harder to escape from than U.S. Open rough. My scores show it. Last year, I shot another 76. And 110. That round, I’d just read something about the takeaway, and there you go.
Memory No. 8: Somewhere in a bird’s nest at Spring Lake Golf Course in Omaha, Neb., rests a wedding ring. Or at least that’s the theory. During a round there about a decade ago, my wife took off the ring, placed it in the cart, and we never saw it again. The clubhouse guy told us that that wasn’t the first time he’d heard of something like that happening.
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Memory No. 9: Over the past couple of months, I’ve been re-reading a few of Dr. Bob Rotella’s books in advance of an upcoming story, and this line in “Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect” has been sticking with me lately: No matter what happens with any shot you hit, accept it. Acceptance is the last step in a sound routine. I like that. I think of the golf balls that end up in divots and still playing. But I also wonder what it says about me that I can honestly say I’ve never hit a ball out of a divot, and I think you know why.
Extra! Best memory? My nephew, Mason, being told he’s going to play college golf. Best course I’ve ever played? Considering everything a course has to offer, it’s Lawsonia Links. Most scenic course at sundown? Chambers Bay. Most scenic course in the fall? Green Mountain National in Vermont. Course I’ve played the most? I think it’s a tie between a pair of munis: Whitnall Park just outside of Milwaukee and Elmwood Park in Omaha. Most interesting course I’ve played? Augusta Wind in Nebraska. I was the only player on the course — on a Saturday.
Let’s see if we can find eight more items for the Weekend 9.
3. In a couple of weeks, at the Players Championship, the thought is we’ll learn something more definite on the PGA Tour’s future schedule, and I’ve been thinking some about a Tiger Woods’ quote from last week at the Genesis Invitational. Woods, the head of the Tour’s new Future Competition Committee, said this about the work being done:
“I think it’s trying to serve literally everyone, from the player side of it, from our media partners, from all of our title sponsors, from the local communities or even changing venues and going to bigger markets.”
It’ll be interesting to see if anyone is served best, though. To that end, one of the nation’s leading sports economists told me recently that changes shouldn’t necessarily be made for the golf fan, as they’re going to keep coming back regardless. It’s the non-fans where you grow, and non-fans have already decided they don’t necessarily care about the current product’s shape.
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One takeaway for the weeks ahead
4. This story here, written by Money in Sport, should tell you something about the direction of LIV Golf. It says that the league has recently received a $266.6 million capital injection.
An instruction tip for your weekend
5. I thought the video below was good. In it, Bryson DeChambeau was asked for his best tip for amateurs playing a practice round.
His answer? Mix up where you hit shots.
“If an amateur golfer is prepping for their club championship,” DeChambeau said, “I would say the best thing to do is don’t always play from the fairway. Go hit shots out of the rough. Go hit shots out of bunkers. Go hit shots around the greens. You see that all the time with pros.
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“One thing that amateurs don’t do is hit shots out of the rough on the golf course in the practice rounds.”
Five things (!) that interest me
6. I thought the video below was interesting. Produced by the PGA Tour, it shows Ben Griffin and Ryan Gerard trying to name the top 100 players from last year’s points race.
Can you name ALL 100 players in last year’s FedExCup regular season standings?!
Play along with Ben Griffin and Ryan Gerard … the results will not disappoint. pic.twitter.com/G0ZubiUtm1
7. I also thought this story here, written by the Palm Beach Post’s James Coleman, was interesting. Coleman is a 12 handicap, and he shared how he played PGA National, the host of the Cognizant Classic, this week’s PGA Tour stop.
8. And I thought this story here, written by Today’s Golfer Ben Parsons, was interesting. It describes how an 18-hole course will be cut to nine holes to make way for a soccer team’s training ground.
9. I thought this story here was interesting, too. Written by Adam Stanley for pga.com, it describes how a PGA member coached Norway’s Olympic curling team.
10. Let’s do 10 items! I also thought this story here was interesting. Written by Matt de Neef for escapecollective.com, it describes how pro cyclists are turning to golf.
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What golf is on TV this weekend?
11. Let’s do 11 items! Here’s a rundown of golf on TV this weekend:
– Friday
9:30 p.m. (Thursday)-2:30 a.m. ET: HSBC Women’s World Championship second round, Golf Channel
5:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. ET: Investec South African Open Championship second round, Golf Channel
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2 p.m.-6 p.m. ET: Cognizant Classic second round, Golf Channel
– Saturday
9:30 p.m. (Friday)-2:30 a.m. ET: HSBC Women’s World Championship third round, Golf Channel
5:30 a.m.-10 a.m. ET: Investec South African Open Championship third round, Golf Channel
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1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET: Cognizant Classic third round, Golf Channel
3 p.m.-6 p.m. ET: Cognizant Classic third round, NBC
– Sunday
9:30 p.m. (Friday)-2:30 a.m. ET: HSBC Women’s World Championship final round, Golf Channel
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4:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. ET: Investec South African Open Championship final round, Golf Channel
1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET: Cognizant Classic final round, Golf Channel
3 p.m.-6 p.m. ET: Cognizant Classic final round, NBC
Good news for your weekend
12. Let’s do a dozen items!
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The video below, featuring Lucas Glover, should make your weekend.
Really cool gesture by Lucas Glover.
This young fan at tonight’s TGL match had every autograph from Atlanta Drive and LA Golf Club except Collin Morikawa. Lucas Glover noticed, went to find Morikawa, and returned with the final signature. pic.twitter.com/P66ZKiqXQt
In doing so, ‘Bud’ became a three-division undisputed champion against Canelo, who had unified all four major titles at 168lbs earlier that year.
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The Mexican therefore entered their showdown as a slight favourite, having established himself at the weight with previous victories over the likes of Caleb Plant and Callum Smith.
Prior to confirming his exit from the sport, the unbeaten technician had reportedly been exploring a potential rematch with Canelo, whose next outing has since been slated for September of this year.
Not only that, but while extending his partnership with boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the 35-year-old is set to secure a world title shot in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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But despite looking forward to enhancing his legacy, Canelo has told Ring Magazine that, without being given the opportunity to exact his revenge, he cannot quite bring himself to give Crawford all the credit he deserves.
“I always give [Crawford] credit, but we need to run it back.
“After the fight I said, ‘We need to run back this fight’, because I don’t feel I really won and I need to make this fight happen again. [If the rematch happens], it’s going to be different.
“For him to deserve all the credit, he needs to give me the rematch. But he decided to retire, and we need to accept that and move forward.”
While an opponent is yet to be confirmed, it appears likely that Canelo will face a world champion at 168lbs later this year.
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Potential options include Christian Mbilli and Jose Armando Resendiz, who respectively hold the WBC and WBA titles, while Crawford’s old IBF and WBO belts remain up for grabs.
Four-time super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch has continuously flirted with a return to the fight game since his retirement in 2014.
Froch hung up the gloves after a legendary knockout of George Groves at Wembley Stadium settled their fierce rivalry and allowed him to walk away from boxing off the back of a phenomenal win.
There could now be an opportunity for the Nottingham-born fan-favourite to make a move into the bare knuckle scene.
In an interview with Boxing Social, BKB CEO David Tetreault unveiled that he has held talks with Froch regarding a move into bare knuckle boxing.
“We have had conversations with Carl, we have. Carl was at one of our events just this past summer and there is an open door there.”
Should Froch opt to compete over at BKB, the reigning middleweight and super-middleweight BKB champion, and thus assumed target, is Colorado-based Lorawnt T Nelson, who boasted a 5-4 pro boxing record before taking off the gloves.
Professional golfer Andrea Pavan withdrew from the DP World Tour’s Investec South African Open due to injuries he sustained in a freak elevator accident.
Pavan, 36, was hospitalized and “thankful to be alive” after he fell down an elevator shaft in the building he was staying in near Cape Town, South Africa, for the tournament, according to Monday Q Info.
“By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids,” Pavan’s former Texas A&M coach, J.T. Higgins, told the Golf Channel. Higgins hadn’t spoken to Pavan yet, but he was updated on his condition.
Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026.(Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
Golf Channel learned through sources within Pavan’s inner circle the golfer had called for an elevator within the building where he was staying. However, when the doors to the elevator opened, a cab had not come up.
Pavan didn’t realize that as he stepped through the doors and fell three stories below.
Pavan sustained multiple injuries, including to his back and shoulder. He underwent “extensive surgeries” Wednesday night to repair the damage.
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Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 golf tournament at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026.(Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
No known recovery timeline for Pavan has been released.
The Italian golfer has eight professional wins in his career, including two on the DP World Tour. His latest was in 2019 when he took home the BMW International Open.
Pavan defeated Matt Fitzpatrick, a fixture on the PGA Tour, in a playoff at the event.
Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the 16th hole at the Qatar Masters 2026 at Doha Golf Club Feb. 6, 2026, in Doha, Qatar.(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
During this season, Pavan has tallied two top 15 finishes, which includes a tie for ninth at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship earlier this month.
Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
***
The recent blizzards slamming into the Northeast have me dreaming of warmer days, which, in reality, aren’t too far away.
But even once the snow melts and the golf courses reopen, there will still be some cold mornings and spring days where bundling up will still be essential.
Fortunately, I — not realizing just how bad Winter Storm Hernando was going to be when I left — slipped away to South Carolina last weekend for some bonus golf. But even destinations South of the Mason-Dixon line aren’t immune to the power of Old Man Winter.
While the first two days of the trip were in the 70s, the last two days, temperatures dropped significantly, barely reaching highs of 50 and sub-freezing in the mornings. My days of reporting the weather on TV are behind me, but I’m venturing to guess the harsh drop had something to do with the storm battering the I-95 corridor some 600 miles to the North.
Shorts quickly gave way to sweaters and rain pants for the third day, which not only saw temperatures in the 40s, but also 20-30 mph winds. That’s when I was really glad I had a G-Tech Sport 4.0 Hand Warmer.
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Now, one thing you need to understand about me is that while I run pretty hot — it’s not uncommon for me to wear shorts and a light pullover in the 50s with no wind — my hands don’t get the same memo. Back in high school, I used to have to do a lap around a driving range before playing a cold-weather tournament to get the blood flowing to my hands.
Even as I shed layers when I start walking and the round gets going, I still have trouble getting and keeping my hands warm. We all know what it’s like to catch a shot thin with cold hands in cold weather, too.
That’s where the G-Tech Sport 4.0 Hand Warmer comes in handy.
What is a G-Tech hand warmer?
Akshay Bhatia used a G-Tech hand warmer at Pebble Beach.
Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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We’ve all seen the fanny-pack style hand warmers NFL players use to put their hands in between plays, but easily stay out of the way during them. I call them “Quarterback Warmers.”
G-Tech took the concept and added electric heat powered by a battery that’s sealed off from the elements by a waterproof zipper, allowing it to be used in all conditions.
It’s super easy to use and heats up extraordinarily fast to the point where you could turn it on, hit a golf shot and by the time you put your hands back in, it’s already heated up.
The 4.0 version has new batteries that not only support USB-A and USB-C charging, but they can also charge other devices (like your phone) too. They also display the charging level on the front so you always know when you need more juice.
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You also won’t have to worry about running out of charge on the course with a 12-plus hours of battery life, thanks to a new optimized circuit board and software within the pouch. It also has new 3M Insulation.
While you’re wearing it, it’s just like any other waist-strapped hand warmer that you put either in front of or behind you, but you can grab on to the heated bar inside for a nice warm-up.
The heat has three settings, with red being for sub-freezing temperatures, green being the economy mode for long battery life, and orange being in between. I found myself using green the most while it wasn’t THAT cold, all things considered, but all three settings got warm pretty fast.
Playing golf with a G-Tech hand warmer
I like to move my hand warmer around to my back to hit a shot.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
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When you’re actually on the golf course, you basically have two choices on how to use your G-Tech hand warmer: When it’s time to hit your shot, you can simply unbuckle the adjustable strap and hang it on your bag while you make a swing, or you can flip it around to your backside, out of the way of your arms.
Both options work just fine. During the cold weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am two weeks ago, we saw 54-hole leader Akshay Bhatia taking off his G-Tech hand warmer and hanging it on his bag to hit his shot.
I found that flipping the hand warmer around to my back was enough to get it out of the way and not impede my swing.
I also have one big tip for players who like to walk when you use these hand warmers: carry your bag.
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Over the years, I’ve become a card-carrying member of the push cart mafia, but when it’s cold and I want to use a hand warmer, it’s much better to hoof it and throw a lightweight bag over your shoulder.
It’s easier to use the hand warmer when you walk and carry.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Why? Because when you’re carrying a double-strap bag, both of your hands are free to take advantage of the hand warmer. Trying to push a cart with both of your hands in the warmer is a bit awkward.
If you like to ride, then the G-Tech hand warmer will be awesome for keeping you warm in the open air as you zoom down the fairways.
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Bottom Line
Sport 4.0
Embrace the unrivaled power of G-Tech’s Heated Hand Pouch, meticulously crafted to deliver the ultimate hand comfort for all outdoor enthusiasts. Harnessing our patented heating technology, this hand warmer stands as the epitome of innovation, offering the hottest and fastest warmth in the industry.
Stay Warm. Stay Active: Specifically designed for those who don’t let cold weather hinder their passion. Whether you’re a golfer, skier, hunter, or athlete, our hand warmer ensures your hands stay cozy throughout.
Marathon Warmth: Equipped with a long-lasting battery, expect up to 12+ hours of consistent, unwavering heat.
Winter’s No Match: With its weather-resistant and ultra-fast heating capabilities, say goodbye to the biting cold and hello to endless warmth.
Built for Champions: Trusted by the top names in NFL, PGA, and other professional sports circuits. Your performance deserves nothing less than the best.
This G-Tech hand warmer is going to be the difference between wanting to play and not on some days.
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That said, I could see myself using this in plenty of other places too, such as a football game or even doing work in my garage workshop while it’s still cold out.
But most importantly, this is going to keep my hands warm, which will make playing cold-weather golf significantly more enjoyable for me. No more cold stingers!
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Getting more speed in your swing is a popular goal for lots of recreational golfers. But for many of them, the distance gains they crave are achievable simply by hitting the center of the clubface more frequently.
LPGA pros are a prime example of this. Despite the fact that their swing speeds are not outrageously fast, they can all generate plenty of distance by virtue of the quality of their strikes. For most recreational players, this blueprint is a good one to follow. One of the easiest ways to promote a solid strike on the ball is by swinging with better tempo.
At the GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher Summit a couple of years back, instructor EA Tischler explained a great feel that recreational players can use to find this smooth tempo.
“You’re going to go to the top of the backswing,” Tischler said. “And once you get there you’re going to count to three. Then, you’re just going to transition and swing through, feeling like you;re staying on cruise control.”
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Tischler stressed that although it’s important to accelerate through the ball, having that thought in mind when swinging can lead to a poor transition and bad sequencing.
“We don’t want to feel like we are accelerating through the ball too much,” Tischler said. “You always hear that, but that’s mainly so you don’t end up decelerating.”
Instead of feeling like you speed everything up from the top, try taking a quick pause to collect yourself and then start the transition. By doing that a few times when you practice, you’ll get your swing on cruise control early and have much better tempo and ball striking.
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Divot Board
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Instant Feedback for Faster LearningResearch shows that immediate feedback can accelerate learning by 50–70%. The Divot Board provides real-time feedback on your swing so you can make quick adjustments and refine your technique instantly.
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Using a Divot Board consistently will transform your practice routine. It’s the easiest way to gain awareness, develop better ball striking, and see results faster.
The opening day of on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis presented defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Some prospects uplifted their stock with standout efforts while others caused teams to go back and look at their college film with a fine tooth comb.
Here are some of the intriguing things from Thursday’s on-field drills for the linebacker position, beginning with the measurements and testing numbers of the top prospects in CBS Sports’ top 50 rankings, courtesy of NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner:
Ohio State first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Sonny Styles entered the combine as a projected top-10 pick, and after displaying jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism with a 43.5-inch vertical, he may be making a case to go in the top five in April, positional value be damned. NFL Media reported fellow linebackers were rooting him on and jumping in unison during his attempt. He blew away his positional peers.
His 11-foot-2 broad jump put an exclamation point on his elite athleticism. Styles recorded the highest vertical jump by a player 6-foot-4 or taller since at least 2003, when NFL Network began collecting combine data.
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His combine performance was so explosive that he tested similarly to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, the artist formerly known as Megatron.
That helped him generate a nearly perfect Relative Athletic Score, ranking as the No. 4 linebacker in the metric since 1987.
Anthony Hill Jr. is similar to Arvell Reese as a linebacker with edge-rush experience, though he is not quite on the same level as Reese or Styles. Still, he acquitted himself well Thursday. A 4.51-second 40-yard dash at Hill’s size is a strong result, and his 9.93 Relative Athletic Score reflects an excellent day in Indianapolis.
He remains a tier below Styles, who delivered a historic performance, but Hill’s showing was strong enough to earn a B+.
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Grade: B
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Jake Golday measured and jumped well at the combine. He did not get out of the blocks quickly in the 40-yard dash, as reflected in his early split times, but he showcased strong closing speed to finish with a 4.62. Overall, Golday helped himself Thursday.
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Grade: N/A — Josiah Trotter opted out of doing on-field drills on Thursday.
Texas Tech‘s Jacob Rodriguez was the most decorated linebacker in college football in 2025. He earned the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), the Dick Butkus Award (top linebacker), the Vince Lombardi Award (top lineman), unanimous All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
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His tape is outstanding, and he moved smoothly during Thursday’s workouts in Indianapolis, posting a 38.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. Rodriguez’s measurables were decent, but the way he moves — combined with his production at Texas Tech — earns him a B grade.
Eric Gentry is a certified freak. He is both the tallest linebacker and owns the largest wingspan recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine since NFL Media began tracking data in 2003. A creative defensive coordinator could have plenty of fun deploying him at the next level.
Brady Tkachuk has found himself in a rather awkward position.
Days after crushing the hearts of Canadians by helping the United States win a gold medal over its northern neighbor, Tkachuk is back with his Senators, who play in Canada’s capital of Ottawa, for a playoff push.
A TikTok posted by the White House probably didn’t help matters because it featured footage of Tkachuk’s conference at a 4 Nations game last year that was doctored by artificial intelligence to make it appear as if he spoke disparagingly of Canada and its citizens.
Brady Tkachuk of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game against Canada at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
“They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup-eating f—- a lesson,” Tkachuk allegedly says in the video. Tkachuk and his brother, Matthew, were part of three fights in nine seconds against Canada last year.
Tkachuk celebrated his gold medal in Washington, D.C., but was not pleased with the video.
“Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving. I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I know that those words would never come out of my mouth. So, I can’t do anything about it,” Tkachuk told reporters Thursday ahead of his NHL return, via ESPN.
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When asked if he enjoyed the video, he repeated his sentiments.
Brady Tkachuk (top) of the U.S. fights Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) during first-period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
“It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying,” he added. “I would never say that. That’s not who I am. So, I guess I don’t like that video because that would never come out of my mouth and never had that thought.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some have also accused Tkachuk of saying, “Close the northern border” while on the phone with President Donald Trump after the team won gold.
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“I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, it’s not my voice or something that I never say,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t know how that took a storm on its own when I give everything I have here.
“It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.”
Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after their game against Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb. 22, 2026.(Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) and the Tennessee defense celebrate after a play stopping the New Mexico State offense in an NCAA college football game on November 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
We are at the NFL Combine stage of the pre-draft process, where the Vikings brain trust will watch this year’s potential draftees perform physical and mental tests in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts. The chance for players to give their draft stock a boost by showing elite traits or proving fitness if there have been injury issues.
Seven Names That Match Minnesota’s Biggest 2026 Draft Priorities
I have picked out seven prospects who should be high on the Vikings’ agenda and worth extra attention this weekend. Mainly focusing on defense, the area of the team that I think is a priority in this draft, but also a couple of players on offense, too.
Caleb Banks (DT), Florida
Many are focusing on the Vikings’ secondary in this draft, but my early draft crush has been Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The Gators DT can be a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line.
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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size. An impressive display at The Combine can confirm his round one status. Given the history of injuries, the medical side will be closely monitored.
Dillon Thieneman (S), Oregon
Dillon Thieneman has been earmarked as the Harrison Smith replacement should Minnesota choose to do that through the draft rather than free agency. Brian Flores’ defense demands safeties who can blitz, drop into coverage, and diagnose plays pre-snap — Thieneman does all of this while reading the field like a veteran at 21 years old.
Thieneman’s draft projection is hovering around the early Day 2 and late first-round range. His Combine performance may dictate where the Vikings have to go to get him, should they want to.
Jermod McCoy (CB), Tennessee
The search for an outside CB ready to shut down WR1s has been a long one for Minnesota. Jermod McCoy can provide that while also being a ball hawk. He’d likely be well out of reach for the Vikings at 18 if it weren’t for the fact that McCoy tore his ACL in a preseason workout and missed the entire 2025 season.
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Interestingly, McCoy won’t work out at The Combine, which leaves more mystery around his recovery. Teams will look closely at his medical reports, which will be one of the big stories of the weekend.
Avieon Terrell (CB), Clemson
A CB in a different mold to McCoy, Avieon Terrell is an undersized but feisty corner who also has a knack for taking the ball away. Terrell – younger brother of Falcons All-Pro A.J. Terrell – has inside/outside versatility but would probably find more success playing in the slot in the NFL.
Nov 1, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts to a pass interference call during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devil at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images
He will hope to impress with his elite quickness and short-area burst, convincing a team like Minnesota he is worth a mid-first-round pick.
Kenyon Sadiq (TE), Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq provided Oregon with a big play whenever it needed one last season. A dependable threat on third down or in the red zone, Sadiq is the top-rated TE in this year’s draft. He caught a team-high 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, showing a penchant for getting open at various levels.
Sadiq is big and strong and moves as well as any tight end in this class. A good 40 time will put Sadiq’s draft over the top and start a serious conversation over whether he’s an option to replace the highly paid TJ Hockenson.
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Colton Hood (CB), Tennessee
Another option to be the lockdown CB the Vikings need is McCoy’s teammate at Tennessee, Colton Hood. At 6’0, and 195 lbs, Hood has an enticing blend of explosiveness, corrective twitch, proportional length, and physicality.
He had the opportunity to step up in McCoy’s absence and did just that. An impressive outing at The Combine can secure him first-round status and put him firmly on the Vikings’ radar.
Nick Singleton (RB), Penn State
The Vikings need a young, exciting prospect at RB, but with Jeremiyah Love likely to go in the top 10. The next group of RBs is, at best, Day 2 prospects. One player who can boost his draft stock at The Combine is Penn State’s Nick Singleton.
Penn State has a history of producing freak athletes, and Singleton is the latest at 220 lbs while expected to run in the low 4.4s on top of a massive broad jump. With three Day 2 picks to play with, that sort of performance will put Singleton in the Vikings’ eyeline.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils will host No. 11-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Blue Devils are looking to extend their winning streak to six, while the Cavaliers are aiming to reach 10.
With the game occurring at Noon, let’s look at the prediction, venue, odds and tips for today’s game.
Duke vs. Virginia Prediction
Here’s a look at the odds and forecasts for the showdown:
KenPom: Duke 75-65
BartTorvik: Duke 74-65
ESPN BPI: Duke +12.5
KenPom and BartTorvik have the Blue Devils winning by ten and nine points, respectively. They’re currently the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and will be a tough team to beat in March Madness.
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Duke vs. Virginia Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are having arguably their best season since Coach K announced his retirement. Cameron Boozer and Co. have lost just two games this season, with both coming against Top 20-ranked opponents. They lost by three points or less.
The Blue Devils are led by freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, the son of former Duke great Carlos Boozer. The younger Boozer is widely projected as a Top 3 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, and he’s been on a tear lately. The Cavaliers will have to contain him in the post and pay attention to a supporting cast stacked with future NBA talent.
The Virginia Cavaliers enter today’s game as one of the in-form teams in college basketball. They’re on a nine-game winning streak with a vast majority of those wins coming by comfortable margins.
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The Cavaliers are filled with experienced collegiate players out for one last national championship hurrah. Their 86-83 win over Miami last weekend featured three freshmen, one junior and four seniors. That’s in contrast to a Duke team that’s become a hub for high-profile freshmen in recent years.
Today’s game has all the markings of a late-season classic with both teams looking to close out February with a statement win. Ultimately, it could come down to the better-coached team and the set of players that want it more.
Where to watch Duke vs. Virginia
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: Noon ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina
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The jockey Thomas Stockdale wants to keep the high of becoming a dad for the first time going by landing a major prize at Flemington.
Partnering Simon Zahra’s Onavuitton in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Stockdale recognizes the difficulty of the three-year-old event, which is known for occasional shocks.
Stockdale, married to Lily (daughter of ex-rider Peter Mertens), had son Ronnie born Sunday, with fatherhood’s energy rush lingering.
“They got home on Tuesday, and I’ve been pretty much running on adrenalin since,” Stockdale said.
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Family joys notwithstanding, the priority is Saturday’s ride for Stockdale’s greatest career success to date.
This year he won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Unit Five at Gold Coast, though a Group 1 in his newborn’s birth week would top that.
Onavuitton sits at $26 betting against favourites Observer ($2.30), Sixties ($2.90) and Planet Red ($4.80), but past Australian Guineas results feature Lunar Fox ($301, 2021) and Feroce ($14 last year).
Onavuitton’s four outings include third in Flemington’s Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last March.
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He claimed a Cranbourne maiden recently, then placed fourth behind Observer in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield February 7.
“We were happy with his run,” Stockdale said.
“He was a month between runs, and they never sat up in the race. They ran along at a good clip the whole way and Observer, he’s a class horse.
“I thought he did a good job to keep rolling along on the hot speed like he did, especially off the gap between runs.
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“He would have benefitted off it, and if you take the top three out and it’s a very even race.
“He always puts his best foot forward and his run in the Sires’ at Flemington was good and I think getting back to the bigger track at Flemington is only going to help him, especially stepping up to the mile.
“It’s a race that can throw up a rough result and Simon’s team is flying, they’re getting result after result and I’m confident they will have him in tip-top order on Saturday.”
For the best value, visit betting sites with racing betting markets for the Australian Guineas.
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