Sports
3 shots pros rarely attempt (and neither should you)
Amateurs have long looked to tour pros as the gold standard for how the game should be played. From swing mechanics to course strategy and even the clubs in their bag, if the best in the world do it, it must be worth copying.
While you can pick up a lot from what the pros do, Cameron McCormick, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, says that you can learn just as much from what they don’t do.
In a recent Instagram post, McCormick revealed there are three shots he routinely watches amateurs attempt during their rounds that you’ll rarely see pros execute in a tournament.
McCormick said the reason pros avoid specific shots is simple: They are risky. When millions of dollars are on the line, their job is to mitigate risk and play the shot with the best odds. Amateurs, however, often choose the flashier option because they are more focused on proving they can execute it than on understanding what the situation calls for.
“Pros aren’t playing for the highlight reel, they’re playing percentages — and you should, too,” McCormick said.
Below are the three shots McCormick said pros rarely hit — and the shots you should play instead.
The short-sided flop shot
When you find yourself short sided around the green, it can be tempting to try landing a high, soft shot up on the green. But McCormick says it’s a shot tour pros seldom select.
“Pros almost never use this shot because it introduces so much volatility in potential of outcome,” McCormick says, “They’ll only hit that shot when absolutely forced to.”
Rather than risk mis-hitting a short-sided flop shot and sending the ball sailing over the green — or worse, chunking it a few yards in front of you — McCormick says most tour pros opt for a safe, low-running shot.
“They’re going to go with a simple bump and run, using the bank [of the green] to slow the ball down,” he says.
The hero shot
We’re all familiar with this type of shot — you spot a gap in the trees, try to cut a corner or take too much club from an already tricky lie. Essentially, if the shot demands near-perfect execution just to have a chance, it’s a hero shot.
Pros prefer the conservative approach.
“[As a tour pro] I’m going to try and take two shots to get to the green and rely on my short game to get it up and down,” McCormick says.
Playing it safe puts them in position to lean on their short game — a strength for most pros — while avoiding the scramble that follows a failed attempt at the hero shot.
“Make par the hard way, rather than make a double,” McCormick says.
The full swing wedge
According to McCormick, pros avoid full-swing wedges because they’re difficult to control.
“[Hitting a full-swing wedge] introduces the chance they’re going to miss their carry distance, and they potentially could create too much spin — saucing it back off the green,” McCormick says.
“What pros do, is they defer down in their wedge; they’ll go to their next, lowest lofted wedge,” he continues. “And they learn a clock system to where they can control distance, launch angle and spin rate.”
The clock system is a repeatable method that builds feel and consistency. And when you’re as good as the pros, these short, controlled swings allow you to tailor each wedge shot to the specific lie, distance and conditions, which reduces risk and maximizes control.”
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Spain for treatment on a hamstring injury that is “more serious” than first thought.
The 41-year-old forward, who has scored 21 goals in 22 games this season in the Saudi Pro League for leaders Al-Nassr, was substituted in a 3-1 win against Al-Fayha on Saturday.
He had earlier missed a penalty.
Speaking before the side’s match against Neom on Saturday, Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would visit Madrid where “he will need treatment from his personal physiotherapist”.
“In the last game, Cristiano left with a muscle injury. After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting,” he added.
“He will need rest and recovery. We hope he will return soon to help the team.”
It is unclear whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be fit to play in Portugal’s friendlies against Mexico on 29 March and the United States on 1 April.
Ronaldo, who has scored 965 career goals, has said he will not retire until he notches his 1,000th.
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Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice’s feud will come to a head on Saturday when the two meet in an underground match at NXT Vengeance Day.
In an underground match, WWE officials remove the ropes around the squared circle and the ring turns into an impromptu mixed martial arts-style match. The only way to win is to knock out your opponent or make them submit.
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Kelani Jordan enters the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (Conor Kvatek/WWE via Getty Images)
For Jordan, she may be considered the underdog as Vice has a legitimate MMA background that could provide the edge in the matchup. However, Jordan told Fox News Digital that she’s ever confident in what she’ll be able to bring to the ring.
“I feel like I’ve been ready because I stay ready, but I reached out to Shayna Baszler to help me just learn the techniques of a martial artist,” Jordan said. “But also, she’s a former UFC fighter, so I’ve been training with her and I feel more than prepared for the match on Saturday.”
Baszler had a brief stint in UFC before she tried her hand in pro wrestling. She was a two-time NXT women’s champion and WWE women’s tag team champion before she departed the company last year.
But Baszler returned to NXT TV this week to give Jordan a helping hand.
Kelani Jordan in action against Lola Vice during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
“One, she’s taught me all the techniques and just being able to, like, how to get out of things that Lola goes for, submissions, Lola throws a lot of kicks because she’s based in taekwondo background,” Jordan said of the help Baszler gave her. “So, I was able to learn ways to counter that but also up my offense because I’m not a specialist in submissions and Shayna is known for being the ‘submission magician.’ She helped me learn actual submissions, things that I could go for or counter for Lola. But also, she made me realize and humbled me to make sure like, OK, she’s the real deal. She definitely taught me a lot in that aspect.”
Jordan has already made Vice submit in recent weeks and suggested she could hone in on some of the frustration she’s felt with her colleague.
“Two weeks ago, Lola was able to see a different side of Kelani Jordan. Me and Lola go way back. We were in the finals of the (NXT) Breakout Tournament together,” she said. “We also had many big (premium live event) moments together. But also she was my best friend in the locker room and she kicked me out.
“I feel like when things like that happen, a different side of you comes out. I think Lola’s gonna be in for a rude awakening when she realizes, one, I’ve been training from one of the best, someone who paved the way in NXT. Also, I have a lot of vengeance to get out on her.”
Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice kick each other during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
Vengeance Day is set to take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The event will start at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on Peacock.
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The rest of the card looks like this:
- Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints for the NXT Championship.
- Izzi Dame (c) vs. Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women’s Championship.
- Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker in a street fight.
- Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox in a parking lot brawl.
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All three players were acquired in two trades with the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week.
Murphy, a right-shot defenceman, is a 13-year veteran known more for his play in his own end than his offence. Dickinson and Dach are both forwards who will add some depth on the bottom two lines.
For a little while, the recent Vikings move has been anticipated. Why not restructure Justin Jefferson? He is, after all, the franchise’s cornerstone player.
What’s similarly of note is that LT1 Christian Darrisaw has been included, as well.
Consider the update that arrives courtesy of Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network: “The Vikings are doing simple restructures on the contracts of star WR Justin Jefferson and LT Christian Darrisaw to clear salary cap space, per sources. Still work to do to get under the cap by Wednesday.”
Vikings Move Could Clear $27M
Lately, a pile of options have been on the table to get the finances sorted out for 2026.
Consider, for instance, what is already known. Veteran DTs Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen are being shown the door a year after signing reasonably pricey deals. Likewise, veteran runner Aaron Jones is going to be cut unless there’s an 11th hour trade partner. Starting edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is being mentioned as a trade option, too.
Those who are keeping score at home will note that the money saving moves have been for cuts and trades. It’s now time for restructures.
Essentially, the Vikings will shuffle money around, pushing some of the compensation for the high-end WR and high-end LT into the future. Short-term gain, long-term pain. Classic NFL move.
Per Over the Cap, the Vikings can clear north of $18 million via restructure with Jefferson. For Darrisaw, it’s more than $9 million. Combined, that’s a potential savings in 2026 sitting at $27 million. Not bad, right?
Add that total onto the cuts that haven’t occurred yet: Allen, Hargrave, and Jones. Using easy-to-digest numbers that round down means the Vikings will liberate $25 million in room through these subtractions. The expected cuts alongside the restructures could clear around $52 million, meaning Minnesota could be out of the red since the projected debt was sitting at around $45 million.
Worth remembering, as well, that TE1 T.J. Hockenson, RT1 Brian O’Neill, C1 Ryan Kelly, and several others are likely to see their deals adjusted somehow. For Hockenson, the best path is a restructure; for O’Neill, the best path is an extension; for Kelly, the likeliest path appears to be a cut.
Look for the Vikings to have somewhere around $25 million in open cap space to navigate free agency next week.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
For Daniel Berger, it’s just good to be home.
Last year during the Florida Swing, Berger finished T25, T15 and T20 in his three starts in The Sunshine State. And after tying for 32nd in a decent showing at the Cognizant Classic last week, he’s off to another (even better) start this week, as he lit up Bay Hill Club & Lodge for a nine-under 63 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday, good for a three-shot lead after Day 1.
The secret for the Florida kid and Florida resident? Easy.
“I get to drive my own car up here, slept in my own bed last week,” said Berger, who lives two hours down the road in the Jupiter, Fla., area. “This is a place I played many times. There’s many years in the past where I’ve skipped a couple of those West Coast Swing events, and this year being in the elevated events you don’t have that opportunity. So yeah, it’s just nice to be in Florida. I love it.”
He also loves the fact he’s injury-free.
Berger injured his right ring finger at the BMW Championship in August (on one swing on the 14th hole, though he’s unsure exactly what happened) and thought it would get better on its own. It did not — not that day, nor the next. He withdrew, and the broken finger was in a splint for two months. He went nearly three months without swinging a club and didn’t return until the RSM Classic in late November, where he tied for 51st.
“Just one of those things, like the finger that I broke and where I broke it actually ended up being more of a pain in the butt than I thought it was going to be,” he said Thursday. “I thought it would be just like four, five weeks and it turned out to be three months.”
It was an unfortunate way to end what had been a strong bounce-back season. After missing all of 2023 with a back injury, Berger struggled to find his form when he got back on the course and finished 140th in the FedEx Cup standings in 2024. Last year, it started to come together, as he made 18 of 22 cuts and had strong showings at the WM Phoenix Open (T2) and RBC Heritage (T3) to finish inside the top 70 and retain his PGA Tour card.
He opened 2026 with a T6 in Hawaii and has missed just one cut, at the Genesis Invitational, so far this season.
“When you come back you’re just kind of getting back into the flow of things and getting into your routine,” he said. “I’ve played not really that poorly, just haven’t had the results. So you just kind of keep doing the same things and good things will come.”
On Thursday, Berger never made a bogey and was six under on the back nine. His 63 was also just one shy of the tournament record, which has been recorded four times. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green (5.088) and was second in putting (3.718).
He begins his second round at 11:55 a.m. ET on Friday alongside Alex Noren. He knows he still has 54 holes left though.
“It’s going to be an incredibly difficult and challenging week,” he said. “The greens are like white. So a little bit of wind, a little bit less moisture, and it’s just going to be like a U.S. Open. I think when you come to Bay Hill to play this event you know what you’re getting, and so it doesn’t shock me. You’re ready for it.”
The Minnesota Vikings may be in the market for a WR3 in 2026 next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and as of Thursday, Darnell Mooney is available.
Mooney offers speed and experience, and his availability arrives as Minnesota weighs WR depth this offseason.
The Atlanta Falcons dropped Mooney this week, casting him into the open market, where the man will have at least a few suitors.
Mooney’s Skill Set Could Fit Minnesota’s WR3 Role in 2026
This one makes plenty of sense.
Mooney Out in ATL
When the new league year opens on Wednesday, Mooney will be officially free to sign anywhere in the league.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote Thursday, “Add another receiver to the free agency pile. The Atlanta Falcons plan to release WR Darnell Mooney, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday, per sources informed of the situation. Mooney was set to count $18.4 million against the salary cap but had no guaranteed money left on his deal.”
“The Falcons will save $7.42 million on the cap with $11 million in dead money by releasing the wideout. The 28-year-old Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million contract in Atlanta after being a field-stretching weapon for four seasons in Chicago.”
Atlanta followed this same path with quarterback Kirk Cousins, a former Viking, so the Falcons will lose two notable offensive pieces in the 2026 offseason.
The Career Production
Mooney can ball when afforded targets in an offense. These are his numbers over the last six seasons:
2025: 32 Receptions | 443 Rec Yards | 1 TD | 72 Tgts
2024: 64 Receptions | 992 Rec Yards | 5 TD | 106 Tgts
2023: 31 Receptions | 414 Rec Yards | 1 TD | 61 Tgts
2022: 40 Receptions | 493 Rec Yards | 2 TD | 61 Tgts
2021: 81 Receptions | 1,055 Rec Yards | 4 TD | 140 Tgts
2020: 61 Receptions | 631 Rec Yards | 4 TD | 98 Tgts
If one assumes the Vikings will have a prolific passing offense in 2026 — maybe, maybe not — Mooney could feast as the third wide receiver. It’s what he does in a high-volume passing offense.
His next contract should pay him around $8 million per season, which would be within Minnesota’s slim 2026 budget.
Draft Sharks‘ Jared Smola mentioned Mooney on Thursday, “It’s certainly worth noting that Mooney suffered a shoulder injury in late July that sidelined him for a month and cost him the season opener. He missed another game in October with a hamstring injury.”
“Mooney was much better back in 2024, posting a 64-992-5 line on 106 targets. He ranked top-37 among 89 qualifying WRs in yards per target, yards per route, and PFF grade that year. And he finished WR39 in PPR points per game.”
A Would-Be WR in Minnesota
With Mooney, the 2026 Vikings WR room would look like this:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Darnell Mooney
- Tai Felton
- Myles Price
- Dontae Fleming
- Jeshaun Jones
- Joaquin Davis
Minnesota picked Felton last year from Round 3, but hardly used him on offense. It is unclear if he’ll take a year-two leap or be relegated to a special teams role. If one assumes that Felton is sitting on a breakout campaign, Mooney isn’t needed.
But if Felton is another failed draft pick courtesy of former boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings will need a credible WR3. It’s as simple as that.
Waiting on the Nailor Verdict
The Vikings have one giant free agency mystery in 2026: Jalen Nailor.
Reports suggest that 10 teams are circling his availability next week, and if one of those clubs pays Nailor $10 million or more per season, he probably won’t return to the Vikings. Nailor has never posted over 500 yards in a season, but this offseason, the league appears to have determined that he’s a sleeper awaiting eruption.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted on Nailor this week, “More than 10 teams are eyeing Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, according to league sources. Nailor recently turned 27 and will be one of the more coveted free-agent wide receivers next week. Even though he has caught only 69 NFL passes and never reached 450 yards in a season, multiple evaluators think he has the potential to become a priority signing.”
“The Vikings don’t want to lose Nailor. The coaches — especially receivers coach Keenan McCardell — have watched him progress into one of their best developmental stories. He can absorb a complex playbook. He is a willing run blocker. He possesses vertical speed, and he displays separation ability, too.”
Minnesota can probably afford Nailor at a price point of $4 million to $8 million, but a reported four-year, $48 million deal from another team would price the Vikings out of the conversation.
Mooney is a guy Minnesota can target if Nailor leaves and Felton isn’t quite a WR3.
Feb 3, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; DePaul Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann directs his team against the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Since DePaul joined the Big East in 2005, it has experienced just one winning record in league play.
The Blue Demons finished alone in last place 10 times in their first 20 Big East years and shared the basement two other times.
With that as the backdrop, there’s more on the line than the records suggest when DePaul (16-14, 8-11) hosts Butler (15-15, 6-13) in a regular-season finale Saturday morning in Chicago.
If the Blue Demons win, they’ll clinch the No. 5 seed and a first-round bye in the Big East tournament. They’ve never had a bye or such a high seed. They’d also clinch the school’s first winning season since 2018-19.
“This program was once good,” said DePaul guard Brandon Maclin, one of four Senior Day honorees. “And then it dropped from being good. We’ve got to rebuild it back up and I believe we are the foundation to the program getting right back where it needs to be.”
Second-year boss Chris Holtmann, among the 20 finalists for the Jim Phelan Award that goes to the national coach of the year, has rebuilt the Blue Demons on defensive effort and unselfishness.
Per KenPom, DePaul entered Friday’s action ranked No. 39 in defensive efficiency (100.6 points allowed per 100 possessions) and 27th in assists per field goal (60.8%).
One area of concern? The Blue Demons have played so hard to get where they are, they might be wearing down. They made just 2 of 16 from 3-point range in Wednesday’s 19-point home loss to Villanova. “It’s crossed my mind that do we have some guys out there that have logged a lot of minutes throughout the course of the season and it’s caught up with them a little bit,” Holtmann said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to keep them fresh, which is why I kept some of those guys on the bench a little bit more (Wednesday night).
“The clean looks that we’ve had, that some of our guys have had, that they’re missing is a little bit uncharacteristic.”
Butler enters Saturday after a similarly disappointing Wednesday result at home. The Bulldogs suffered a 17-point loss to Creighton while hitting just 4 of 24 from 3-point range. Head coach Thad Matta suggested it was a new low for his squad, which has dropped eight of their last 10 games.
“It was one of those games where we didn’t have it,” Matta said after the 76-57 loss to Creighton. “The thing that bothers me most is that, you know, you sit at home and watch games at night, like, whoo, that team, there’s one that got drilled (and) they got drilled (and) they got drilled. I told my wife, ‘We haven’t done that yet. We’ve continued to fight. We’ve continued to scrape. We’ve continued to claw.’” On an individual basis, Butler’s Michael Ajayi (16.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg) and Finley Bizjack (17.0 ppg) and DePaul’s CJ Gunn (13.5 ppg) and NJ Benson (11.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg) have their last chance to put up numbers and improve their all-Big East candidacies.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Leeds United condemn boos in Man City game and demand ‘respect’ for Ramadan break in FA Cup against Norwich
Leeds United have urged supporters to show respect when players who are observing Ramadan break their fast during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Norwich City.
Loud boos were heard when play was paused to allow fasting players to take on fluids and energy supplements during last weekend’s match against Manchester City at Elland Road.
The club said the booing was “disappointing and unexpected”, but added there were “several mitigating circumstances”, including their own failure to properly explain the interruption to fans before it happened.
“To be clear, Leeds United explicitly condemn any supporters in the home or away sections who actively boo players observing Ramadan and use the protocol in place to break their fast,” said the Premier League club in a statement issued on Friday.
Leeds said they should have been “more proactive with our communications in advance of the Manchester City fixture, to explain to supporters that this was going to happen”, as “this was the first time a game at Elland Road has ever been paused to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast”.
The club added: “There was a clear lack of awareness by some attending the fixture. Whilst we displayed a message on our big screen at Elland Road to explain why the game had been paused, this was not visible for approximately 25% of the stadium.”
As a further explanation to why some fans may have reacted as they did, Leeds pointed to an incident during the away fixture against Manchester City in November, when Farke accused goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and allow Pep Guardiola’s side to hold a tactical timeout on the touchline.
Leeds say it is important “for respect to be shown” when the Norwich game pauses for players observing Ramadan to break their fast – including the club’s striker Joel Piroe – following sunset on Sunday.
Sunset, which is when Muslims break their daily fast during Ramadan, is expected to fall around the 75th minute of a game that kicks off at 16:30 GMT.
Leeds also condemned discriminatory and tragedy chanting at football grounds, as well as continuing taunts referencing Leeds-born Jimmy Savile, one of the UK’s most prolific sexual predators, aimed at the club’s supporters by opposition fans.
“Football still has a long way to go in eradicating stains on the game, including racism, homophobia, tragedy chanting and the sickening Jimmy Savile taunts our own supporters are subjected to at every match from opposition fans,” Leeds said.
“As a club, we will continue to work to ensure that in time, these issues cease to exist. On Sunday against Norwich City, there is an opportunity to show the very best of Leeds United, and that everyone is welcome at Elland Road.”
After anticipation, expectation and then litigation, hope of seeing Jaron Ennis fight Vergil Ortiz Jr anytime soon has seemingly ended, but despite that disappointment, ‘Boots’ may well end up challenging for world honours in a replacement fight.
Ennis and Ortiz have been linked to a showdown for years now, but in recent months it seemed as though the super-welterweight rivals would finally go toe-to-toe, in one of the most in-demand clashes of 2026.
Then, Ortiz filed a lawsuit against his own promoter, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, in order to get out of his contract and proceed with the Ennis fight as part of a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing.
Last month, Golden Boy were granted a temporary restraining order against Ortiz, restricting his ability to negotiate with other promoters and fight Ennis. That legal battle has now been sent to arbitration, with the arbitrator ordered to settle the matter by September 2.
As a result, Ortiz’s career has been put on hold, whilst Ennis has been forced to look for a short-notice fight, having been preparing for a proposed April 18 fight date.
IBF super-welterweight world champion Josh Kelly seems to be one option for the Philadelphia phenomenon, but unified WBA and WBO titleholder, Xander Zayas, told Brendan Tobin that he would also be willing to face Ennis next.
“We are seeing what is happening with Vergil and Boots, if they are going to make the fight happen. If not, are any of those guys going to be available for the date that I have set, that is what it comes down to.”
Zayas has previously confirmed that he has already agreed a fight date, venue and broadcaster for an event on home soil in Puerto Rico. In order for a fight with Boots to take place, those plans may need to be ditched.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence early Friday morning in Scottsdale, Ariz., police said.
Officers conducted a traffic stop in Scottsdale at roughly 1 a.m. and after an investigation, Brooks was arrested. He was taken to jail and released following the booking process around 3:30 a.m.
The 30-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., hasn’t played since Feb. 21 because of a fractured left hand. He’s expected to be out until at least late March after having surgery.
“We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information,” the Suns said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”
The Suns played the Chicago Bulls at home on Thursday night just hours before his arrest, losing 105-103.
Before the injury, Brooks was having the best season of his NBA career, averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game. He came to the Suns as part of the trade that sent 15-time all-star Kevin Durant to the Rockets during the off-season.
TMZ first reported news of the arrest.
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