Last week, PGA Tour player Alejandro Tosti and his caddie, Cliff Ellis, made headlines when Ellis removed his bib and abandoned Tosti’s bag in the 18th fairway — halfway through the pair’s round at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove, host of the Biltmore Championship Asheville.
Golf Channel cameras captured Tosti and Ellis having what appeared to be a brief but animated interaction just short of the 18th green right before Ellis walked off. Tosti continued his walk to the green and reportedly employed a fan from the gallery to carry his bag for the nine holes that remained in his first round. Tosti ultimately fired a 72, followed by a 71 in the second round with a new caddie, to miss the cut.
Tosti told Golfweek’s Adam Schupak that he thought Ellis had gone to a restroom on the 18th hole. What sparked their disagreement? Earlier this week, Ellis shared his side of the story with The Tee Box Golf Show.
Ellis, who had worked for Tosti since the CJ Cup in May, began by describing their relationship as “tumultuous,” though he conceded that Tosti is “a very nice, off-the-course gentleman” and “cordial to fans.”
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The two made only three cuts during their run together before Ellis walked off the course last Thursday in North Carolina.
“The whole week was just ludicrous,” Ellis said. “A lot of just off-the-wall and insane things were going on all week between him and I. Then Thursday morning we got off to a real hot start. We were on the range getting warmed up and we got into a little tussle over the placement of the bag … at the driving range. Which was just insane. So I’m like trying to call him down. Like, ‘OK, let’s stay focused on this here.’ So just the day was bad. It was just terrible.
“So as you see on that video, we’re coming up the 18th hole, which is our ninth of the day. We had 136 [yards] in, we bang this wedge in there. We couldn’t really see the green or where the ball was, but there’s a big grandstand behind there, so by the reaction of the crowd, I knew it landed close to the hole and stayed close. I knew it was something that was very makeable. And I pick the bag up. He [Tosti] looks at me and says, ‘Why is this umbrella in the bag?’ I said, ‘What if it rains? Or what if you want to use it for sun?’ Which is something he does often. He’ll pop the umbrella open for the walk and get under it so he doesn’t get in the sun. He said something like, ‘Well, it would be stupid to have it out here.’ I was like, ‘Are you planning on carrying this bag? What difference does it make to you?’”
“I just tried to brush it off,” Ellis continued. “We have a hand sign we use to say ‘Hey, let’s stay focused,’ but he goes, ‘No, I just don’t understand why you’d bring this.’ He said ‘Sounds like you’re a —’. He took a personal attack. He used a word I can’t use here on the radio. In the video you can kinda see me pointing to myself, I’m like, ‘You’re gonna call me that over this?’
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“I said, ‘I’m gonna let you walk that back real quick and we can go forward.’ Well he doubled down on it, so I said ‘You know what, I am done with you, and I’m outta here, I quit.’ He said ‘Are you kidding me?’ And I said, ‘I’m not kidding you. Who would put themselves through this?’”
Ellis says he has not heard from Tosti since the incident but would be open to caddying again for another player in the future. Tosti is currently No. 188 in the FedEx Cup fall rankings.
You can listen to Ellis’ full interview on The Tee Box Golf Show here. Ellis’ segment begins at the 37-minute mark.
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The WNBA is ready for the 2026 playoffs and has released the list of referees who will officiate the games. The league posted the list on X, and it garnered backlash from fans online.
Bethany Donaphin, Head of WNBA League Operations, released a statement online.
“We are pleased to recognize this group of officials for their on-court achievements and their dedication to their craft with a selection to work the 2026 WNBA Playoffs,” Donaphin said in a statement. “Qualifying for the postseason and serving the game at this important part of the season is a goal for WNBA officials just as it is for players and coaches.”
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One of the referees was Roy Gulbeyan, who has built quite a reputation among fans. This led them to voice their frustration over the selection of officials.
Gulbeyan has been an official for 28 years, the most of the ones selected to work in the postseason. In May 2025, he was widely discussed online after getting into a heated on-court verbal exchange with DiJonai Carrington, who was with the Dallas Wings at the time.
While Carrington was making her argument, Gulbeyan had a security guard step in between them. The current Chicago Sky guard called him out on X after the incident.
“security… , when i’m literally having a civil conversation is insane . mind you , he called the “sEcUrItY” over there… #Mircoagression,” she posted.
Looking at the WNBA Playoff Picture
The first round of the playoffs is set to start on Sunday. The first game will be between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty. New York had a 2-1 advantage across their three regular-season matchups.
All eyes turn to the showdown between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever, where top MVP candidates A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark square off. The third playoff game will be the Atlanta Dream against the Washington Mystics.
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The Golden State Valkyries will make their second straight postseason appearance and will face the Dallas Wings in a best-of-seven series.
Manchester City could be facing legal action from their Premier League rivals having been found guilty of breaking 114 financial regulations
Premier League clubs are planning potential legal action against Manchester City following their guilty verdict on 114 financial rule breaches. With the club earning huge success during the nine-year period they are accused of breaching regulations, others in England look to be after financial compensation.
City claimed eight Premier League titles since the 2011/12 campaign, when they famously snatched the crown from Manchester United on the final day of the season. Domestic cup competitions and one Champions League have also been claimed since 2009 with the legitimacy of those triumphs now under scrutiny.
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And the Premier League sides that were potentially impacted negatively want repercussions, as per The Athletic. They have claimed legal action is being planned by City’s domestic rivals with one scenario seeing all those impacted coming together to form a class action.
United, specifically, have already been looking into their options and the knock-on effects of City’s misconduct on their own success and finances, as per another report from The Athletic.
An appeal from City is anticipated first, however, with any action from rival clubs expected to follow that process. It has been further suggested that United have been specifically scrutinising the seasons in which they were most adversely affected.
Topping that list would undoubtedly be the 2011/12 campaign, when Sergio Aguero’s iconic last-gasp goal wrested the title away from United.
City’s remarkable 100-point season, during which United finished as runners-up, also fell within the nine-year period in which City are accused of committing financial breaches.
The same situation occurred during the campaign without supporters following the Covid-19 pandemic, though this came after 2018, which marks the final season under the club’s investigation period.
Missing out on those trophies would almost certainly have carried financial consequences for the club in areas such as prize money and Club World Cup qualification.
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United legend Rio Ferdinand has already expressed his views emphatically on what he hopes will transpire through several posts on social media platform X.
He first said: Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet [eyes emoji. He also called for medals to be awarded to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who were at the helm during seasons where United finished runners-up to City.
He wrapped up his demands by declaring: “Seriously tho…. Ryan Giggs should have 14 Premier League titles [nine laughing face emojis]. Come on @premierleague.”
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City remain the sole party involved to issue a public statement on the issue, with the Premier League declining to comment while the matter continues due to City’s appeal.
Through a spokesperson, City said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
Ejike Ugboaja calls for fair NBBF Election as Leadership battle heats Up
Former D’Tigers player Ejike Ugboaja has declared his intention to become the next president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, while calling for a fair and transparent election as the federation prepares for a major leadership change.
Ugboaja formally declared his intention to contest for the NBBF presidency on Thursday and questioned the way stakeholders are being informed about the electoral process.
“How can you organise a congress without properly communicating with some of the biggest stakeholders?” Ugboaja said, arguing that those who have contributed to Nigerian basketball deserve to be involved in decisions affecting the sport.
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He also raised concerns over reported changes involving some state basketball associations ahead of the election, saying such developments could affect the fairness of the contest.
“My position is simple: we need a fair election,” he said.
The federation has announced October 15, 2026, as the date for its elective congress in Abuja to elect a new administration expected to take over after the current board’s tenure.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz recovers after falling during the men’s singles quarter-final tennis match against USA’s Ben Shelton on day ten of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 9, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP via Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz has called for a change to late-night scheduling at Grand Slam tournaments after his US Open quarter-final against Ben Shelton ended at 3:33 am.
Speaking to reporters in London on Thursday, September 24, ahead of the Laver Cup, the seven-time Grand Slam champion said the current scheduling can go too far.
“I think it’s too much,” Alcaraz said.
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He then suggested that tournaments should consider setting a maximum finish time of 11pm.
“I would like to change the schedule a little with a maximum finish at 11 p.m., or whatever would be better.”
Alcaraz’s comments came after his five-set US Open quarter-final defeat to Shelton became the latest finish in the tournament’s history, ending at 3:33 am in New York.
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The Spaniard also pointed out that late finishes can affect the atmosphere inside the stadium, noting that more fans could have watched the match if it had been played earlier.
There were fireworks and flames on a balmy September night and, perhaps, at the end of an encounter that nonetheless produced the expected result, something resembling hope for Harlequins. 12 months ago, almost to the day, a club soon shown to be in turmoil were beaten by a below-their-best Bath in a performance that rather set the tone for a season of tumult and trouble. Handed the same tough task to open another Prem season and more than a dollop of misfortune beforehand, there was just enough pluck and punch to suggest brighter times may be to come – even if the hosts cannot yet compete with this division’s best.
It did not help, of course, to be down four figures like Marcus Smith, Alex Dombrandt, Fin Baxter and new recruit George Furbank – comfort can be taken from the fact that all bar Dombrandt are expected back in the next couple of weeks. To have lost both Smith and Furbank during the course of their final preseason game was a tough break indeed given both the leadership and quality they provide – and there were encouraging signs of a sort in their absence with a Santiago Carreras wonder-try that caused a 14-point swing the real difference between the teams.
Harlequins battled hard (Getty)
The spunk, spice and spite about their side’s performance would have pleased a Stoop crowd that increasingly grew unfaithful last year – even if a few nagging concerns about the state of what feels a strangely shallow squad remain. Indeed, the eventual margin of defeat remained unchanged; in pure accounting on the table, a pointless outing for the hosts. There is much, much more work to be done. “There were moments today that last year Bath would have run in three tries really quickly,” head coach Jason Gilmore said. “We created a lot of line breaks out there and then were just a bit impatient. I’m proud of the boys efforts and we definitely competed hard, but disappointed that we blew a few chances.”
It was one of those bitty games of rugby characteristic of these opening skirmishes of the season, one in which the ball seemed to spend as much time on the deck as safely in the grasp. Indeed, both of Harlequins’ first half scores found the bounce of the ball looking kindly upon them – first Will Porter after a lineout and then Oscar Beard from an aerial contest making the most of a friendly ricochet, with the second score finished off by a long-striding Chandler Cunningham-South.
Yet things always looked closer to clicking for Bath. Dan du Preez, lured south from Sale to fill an Alfie Barbeary-shaped hole at the base of the scrum, had given them an early lead with a punchy short-range try, and Joe Cokanasiga was similarly muscular as he cut a sharp angle on Tom Carr-Smith’s shoulder. Their third try, meanwhile, was a moment of magic – Carreras jutting out a leg to intercept what should have been a scoring pass to Beard, before dashing beneath his flick up and under the posts.
“He’s done some things in training that are amazing,” Bath boss Johann van Graan explained. “In my view, that is try of the season for us in round one. That decision, firstly, to use his foot, and then the skill level to kick it up, gather on the touchline, keep his head and finish it. What a moment and what a player.”
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The Argentina playmaker had struggled to show the best of himself during his first season at the Rec but here was a reminder of the quality lurking in Johann van Graan’s ranks. When they had come here last year, the Bath boss had been forced to deploy Max Ojomoh in the No 10 shirt but if the playmaking partnership of Carreras and Finn Russell find their groove under new attack coach Mike Prendergast, Bath may look a complete attacking proposition again. Re-finding the scalpel to go with the bludgeon that took them to two semi-finals last season may prove the difference this.
That up-front heft remains, mind, even without Thomas du Toit, Barbeary and a couple of other departees. Dan Frost was the beneficiary of a driving maul to bag a bonus point before half time. But Harlequins stuck in there, upping their own physicality in a manner they had failed to at times last year. Pedro Delgado gave them hope and compatriot Guido Petti should really have given them more, only to be turtled by two Bath tacklers as he strove for the line.
(Getty)
It proved costly as Bath regained their grip on the contest. Ewan Richards and the rest of a power-packed bench produced a rumbling mass that Harlequins could not stop. There may be a bit of pain yet before they turn the promise into points.
James Pater scored a hat-trick for Northampton (PA)
Tommy Freeman also crossed thrice in a fine start to the season for the defending champions – though Werner Kok snatched a bonus point for the Red Bulls at the last to root Harlequins to the bottom.
Christian Eriksen has agreed to terminate his contract with German soccer club Wolfsburg, nearly four months after the Danish midfielder collapsed on the field for the second time in his career, the team said Wednesday.
The 34-year-old Eriksen hasn’t played since he collapsed after clutching his chest during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine in Odense, Denmark on June 7. His contract had been due to run until the end of June 2027.
“At the moment, it is important for me to be close to my family in Denmark. I’m pleased that we were able to find a solution together,” Eriksen said in a statement issued by the club. “It was a great pleasure for me to play for you, and I will look back fondly on this period.”
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The incident in June brought back memories of Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at the European Championship five years earlier, as players formed a circle around him while he received medical attention. He was able to walk off the field by himself and was taken to a hospital.
(Photo by Bo Amstrup / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images) / Denmark OUT
Eriksen said in June he was “doing well” and that an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted to support his heart after the 2021 incident had done its job. He had been undergoing rehabilitation in Denmark since.
The former Manchester United and Tottenham player had joined Wolfsburg as a free agent before the 2025-26 season, which ended with the team being relegated from the Bundesliga.
Head coach Mike Babcock confirmed on Friday that Dickinson re-aggravated a foot injury that he had been dealing with during last year’s playoffs.
Dickinson left practice back on Sept. 18 and was hobbling as he got off the ice.
“It’s the same thing(from playoffs). He tweaked it,” Babcock told reporters. “I thought it was coming good, but yesterday was a tough day”
The 31-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Oilers with a $4 million cap hit back in June and was expected to be a part of the team’s bottom six.
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Dickinson had seven goals and 10 assists in 64 games last season, marking his second straight campaign in which he failed to reach 20 points.
The Georgetown, Ont., native began the season with the Chicago Blackhawks, but was traded to the Oilers halfway through the year alongside Colton Dach for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round pick.
Jared Macaluso rushed for 175 yards on 17 carries and caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Owen Curran in the first quarter to lead the East Catholic high school football team to its 8-6 win over Bristol Eastern. Macaluso’s two-point conversion run proved to be the difference.
Defensively, East Catholic (3-0) was led by Parker Barnes’ 15 tackles and Nick Galatie’s 13 tackles and one sack.
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Jacob Kingsley scored on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. for Bristol Eastern (0-3).
EAST CATHOLIC 8 0 0 0 – 8 BRISTOL EASTERN 0 0 6 0 – 6 EC – Jared Macaluso 4 pass from Owen Curran. (Macaluso Run) BE – Jacob Kingsley 6 run (conversion failed)
The current generation of City fans only know about success, but those from yesteryear know all about watching their side playing in the old Division Two.
Their promotion via the play-offs at the end of the 1998-99 season came after facing the likes of York City, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield in the league.
Fast forward almost three decades, City now possess one of the best strikers in the world in Erling Haaland, who reached 100 Premier League goals faster than anyone in the competition’s history.
City sit top of the table after winning all five of their league games so far and their first game after the international break is a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield.
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City fan Matt said on 5 Live: “I think I need therapy now. It has escalated over the last few hours. It’s so hard to be a die-hard Blue. The decision is made, yet we haven’t appealed it or really made a statement yet.
“I was there when Paul Dickov scored back in Division Two. We celebrated that success and went on to do incredible things. We have a song about going down with a billion in the bank.
“If we get titles taken off us, point deductions, we come out of this league, then we will fight until the end. I can’t wait to see Erling Haaland bag a hat-trick against Grimsby.
“You go through the good times and the hard times. We have to go to Liverpool and it’s going to be very interesting to see how we react. We boo the Champions League anthem, well what about the Premier League?”
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