PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — It’s not easy these days to get Brooks Koepka’s digits.

“I just changed my phone number,” Koepka said Tuesday at the Players Championship. “Basically [it’s] only my family and anybody golf related [who] has my number right now. It’s been kind of nice.”

Still, there’s little question at this week’s Players Championship about who — or, more accurately, what — does have Koepka’s number: the famed island-green 17th.

Despite a prolific career as perhaps the best big-game hunter of golf’s modern era, Koepka has endured an unusual stretch as perhaps the most tortured golfer in the recent history of the island green.

“The 17th hole,” he said, smiling, when asked about the biggest challenge at TPC Sawgrass. “I don’t know if there’s stats on it, but I guarantee there are. One year I made an 8 and a 7. Yeah, that wasn’t very good. But that 17th hole has gotten me over the years. I’ve played good rounds here; that’s just kind of the one bugaboo that always gets me.”

Bugaboo might be an undertstatment. According to the PGA Tour’s ShotLink accounting, Koepka has played the hole nearly a full stroke over par for his career, including nine water balls and a pair of 7s in just nine tries. (For better or worse, Koepka’s bad memories of the hole might be running together: He never recorded a 8.)

The 17th has a well-documented history as a nightmare factory, but the five-time major champ says he hasn’t reached that stage of the proceedings just yet.

“No, I don’t think about it,” Koepka said. “It doesn’t haunt me. I mean my friends, they give me a bunch of crap about it. Between 17 and 12 at Augusta, it seems to be the par-3s.”

As Koepka pointed out Tuesday, at least one of the higher scores could be chalked up to bad luck on a seriously windy day in 2022.

“I think the last time we played here, I think I hit 5-iron on the hole,” he said with a chuckle. “It was the year it was blowing like crazy. Somebody hit 6-iron, I think, and came up short, so I hit 5, then it went over. I mean, it’s kind of tough to argue when it’s blowing 35.”

That said, bad conditions haven’t stopped Koepka’s pals from extracting their pound of flesh.

“Yeah, my friends bust my chops about it pretty good,” he said. “But it’s in the past. Nothing I can do about it. But I hit the green yesterday, so I was pretty pumped about that.”

Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are regarded as two of the biggest boxing legends in recent history, with their success leading to a battle between the pair at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas back in May 2015.

It was Mayweather who came out on top on that occasion by unanimous decision, but now they will meet again for the second time over a decade later when they fight at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.

With Mayweather now 49 and Pacquiao 47, both men are far past their best, and the debate has often raged on amongst boxing fans over which man was greater than the other during their prime years.

Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division world champion in history, claiming wins over fighters such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.

Heavyweight icon Tyson once weighed in with his own view on who was better between the two, as he revealed that he felt Pacquiao had achieved more.

“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. Knocked cold and came back and had some sensational fights with opponents that supersede any of the opponents that Floyd fought.”

Before Mayweather faces Pacquiao in their rematch, he is actually set to take on Tyson himself, with an exhibition between the pair scheduled to take place soon, though it appears it won’t be on the April 25 date that was originally reported.

WBA world welterweight champion Rolando Romero has delivered a prediction for Floyd Mayweather‘s rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

The two pound-for-pound legends will square off at the Sphere, Las Vegas, on September 19, with their second encounter headlining an event live on Netflix.

Their first meeting, which resulted in Mayweather winning by unanimous decision, took place in 2015 and became the most lucrative boxing event of all time.

Even back then, the former multi-division world champions were considered to be past their primes, with Pacquiao, in particular, no longer possessing the speed and ferocity he was always known for.

To his credit, though, the Filipino has amassed eight professional outings since their first encounter, with his latest assignment arriving against Mario Barrios last July.

And despite coming off a near four-year hiatus, following his defeat to Yordenis Ugas, Pacquiao was able to hold the then-WBC world welterweight champion to a contentious draw.

Mayweather, meanwhile, has not fought professionally since his 10th-round stoppage victory over Conor McGregor in 2017, yet his dominant victory over ‘Pac Man’ over two years prior has led many to predict a similar outcome for their rematch.

One of whom is Romero, who told Last Stand Podcast that he cannot see Pacquiao, at 47 years old, making any drastic changes to his original performance.

“Floyd wins. And whatever happens, happens. It’s meant to be. Whoever God wants to win is going to win.

“But what would be the difference [to] the first fight? Was there really anything different that Pacquiao could have [done]?”

Mayweather, now 49, has been involved in a series of exhibition matches since his victory over McGregor, but is now gearing up to put his 50-0 record on the line.

Lakers superstar Luka Dončić revealed he is in a custody battle with fiancée Anamaria Goltes over his two daughters and that the couple has separated. 

“I love my daughters more than anything, and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in the statement released to ESPN.

“Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić (77) looks to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 12, 2025. (Nate Billings/AP Photo)

Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorneys’ fees in California, TMZ reported Tuesday. 

Dončić then said in a statement he had recently ended his engagement to Goltes because he was unable to have his daughters with him in the U.S. during the season.

The 27-year-old Dončić and Goltes had been dating for a decade after meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. They became engaged in July 2023, and their daughters were born in November 2023 and December 2025, when Dončić left the Lakers to travel to Slovenia when younger daughter Olivia was born.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić watches game action during the first half at Intuit Dome. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)

Dončić moved from Dallas to Los Angeles in a trade for Anthony Davis in February 2025. He agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers last summer, cementing his near future in Los Angeles.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić reacts while watching a tribute video before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)

Dončić is the NBA’s leading scorer this season at 32.5 points per game, and he ranks third with 8.4 assists while grabbing 7.8 rebounds.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” with interim head coach Igor Tudor on the brink after a chaotic 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid.

More records tumbled for Spurs on an extraordinary night where back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had to be withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two terrible errors.

Defeat made Tudor the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four games in charge.

A shambolic 5-2 loss in the first leg of this last-16 tie also meant Spurs have lost six games in a row for the first time in their history.

Tudor has only been in charge for 25 days, but refused to answer questions about his future and Tottenham have been urged to act.

“Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now,” a statement from THST read.

“From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

“Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.

“At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more.”

Tudor’s bold call to hand Kinsky a first start since October backfired with only six minutes played when he scuffed an attempted crossfield pass and Marcos Llorente subsequently slotted home.

A slip by Micky van de Ven allowed Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute and 92 seconds later Kinsky’s coup de grace occurred.

Van de Ven sent the ball back to Kinsky and he miscued his pass in horror fashion, which allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball in.

Kinsky planted his face into the turf and was withdrawn after Tottenham captain Cristian Romero walked over to speak with Tudor.

Asked if Romero made the call to substitute Kinsky, Tudor responded: “My decision of course.”

Pushed on if he deserved to carry on, Tudor responded: “No comment.

“It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.

“I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain.”

Spurs showed a semblance of fight after Robin Le Normand made it 4-0 in the 22nd minute, with Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke able to score either side of a second for Alvarez after 55 minutes.

At 5-2 down, Tottenham’s Champions League campaign is all but over but Atletico boss Diego Simeone warned against complacency.

“We never know for sure if we always go through,” Simeone insisted.

“I remember the game we lost 3-0 (to Real Madrid) at Bernabeu and then we were back winning and (Karim) Benzema scored a goal and we had a chance to beat them.

“This is the Champions League and it’s made for important players. Of course all these teams have important players.”

The winter sun shone brightly, albeit briefly, for the start of the Cheltenham Festival, the highlight of the jump racing season.

More than 57,000 racegoers – from binocular-armed racing enthusiasts to city hipsters – congregated in this corner of the Cotswolds, sending opening day attendance up 3 per cent from last year.

The excitement of the smiling crowds entering Prestbury Park, many arriving after a testing six-hour journey from Ireland, was palpable, and as the first race set off – met, of course, by the rousing Cheltenham roar – there was consensus on the terraces that the festival was back to its best.

After the controversy of 2020, when huge crowds were blamed for spreading Covid, followed by price rises and squeezed-in crowds on Gold Cup day, there was a sense among some that the festival had lost its way.

But changes this year, including a 66,000 cap on attendance and a redesign in outdoor drinking areas, were warmly welcomed. Clouds above threatened but never released an expected downpour on proceedings.

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“Those lads going to Benidorm [people watching Cheltenham on television],” said Craig Jones. “Don’t tell them, but we’ve got our Cheltenham back.”

The 41-year-old quantity surveyor was standing inside the Guinness Village, where pints of the “black stuff”, along with beers and cider, were reduced this year by 30p to match 2022 prices.

Prosecco was also served for the first time, as an alternative to the £32 glasses of champagne on offer.

Also new this year, a huge tented area called “The Retreat” with a DJ, self-service bars and food outlets. Drinking restrictions were relaxed in the Club Enclosure, meaning punters didn’t have to rush pints to move in and out of the trackside area.

Mr Jones, who “voted with his feet” when he stopped coming to Cheltenham after 2023, said: “I didn’t like paying so much to get in when it was so busy. You’d be queuing for ages to get a drink, and when you had one you’d have to be careful not to get knocked over.

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“It’s better now. There’s space, no queues, and just a really good atmosphere so far with a good dynamic of racing fans and people here for the day out.”

Tom Robinson, who arrived for the opening day with 20 others from Melksham in Wiltshire, agreed.

“It feels good this year,” the 38-year-old said. “We accept the money situation; it’s a highlight in the calendar and you save up money all year for it, so for me it’s a bit irrelevant – but the numbers this year are good. I’ve been here when it’s been way too busy, and it can take away from the experience, but it’s just right today.”

His brother Miles Robinson, 35, added: “The relaxation of restrictions on drinks make the festival more accessible, and there’s no rushing your drink and getting drunk just to get outside and watch a race.”

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There was one queue inside the festival at lunchtime. It was for the burger outlet on the edge of the Guinness Village, where a Cheltenham Blue cost £13.95. Richard Price, 78, from Taunton, who went for a £11.45 burger, said: “I’ve been coming since 1981, and although much has changed, I remember it being so quiet and driving in with no traffic, the event is still a great experience for everyone.”

Behind the Guinness Village, where a band singer asked the crowd “are you drunk yet” at 1.45pm, a more relaxed atmosphere was contained within the Orchard area, where there were boutique shops, spa treatments and upmarket drinks on offer.

One of the new additions was English sparkling wine producer Chapel Down. The Kent-based vineyard has seen demand double in a decade, and with a presence at Ascot and Newbury races, Susie Goldsmith, head of PR, said Cheltenham was a “natural step” in the company’s offering within the sporting calendar.

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Among those inside the tented bar was Bradley Larimore, managing director of Derby-based PMB Pallets, who bought a three litre bottle of Brut, priced at £290, for his business clients.

“I love coming here every year,” he said. “It’s a great occasion to network with businessmen and women, while also enjoying the atmosphere of the day. The money side of it doesn’t bother me, it’s all worth it.”

The official attendance for the opening day was 57,242, up from 55,498 last year, providing bosses with a boost on a week they expect around 250,000.

Among the youngest at the festival was six-month-old Logan, whose parents James Purchase and Abbie Watson watched a race from the outdoor screens within the venue. They praised its child-friendly facilities, including a spacious changing area and parking close to the entrance.

“Cheltenham is Cheltenham,” said Mr Purchase, 38. “It’s the event of the year for racing enthusiasts, but really it’s a place for everyone to come to enjoy.”

There was one downside to the opening day, with horse Hansard suffering a fatal injury during the Singer Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase – however, it failed to spoil an enjoyable day for most.

The previous Golden Slipper market leader Hidrix receives blinkers and retains top jockey James McDonald for his Randwick Todman Stakes mission.

McDonald had been on Confederation, Hidrix’s barnmate, for victories in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) by Hidrix and the Silver Slipper (1100m); Saturday sees him debut atop Hidrix in competitive action, Confederation notwithstanding.

“There’s not too much to read into it in terms of James,” trainer Chris Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth said.

“He has ridden Confederation twice and knows the horse well. We want to afford James the best opportunity to ride our best opportunity in the Slipper, so it’s probably important he rides Hidrix.

“He galloped him on Tuesday with the blinkers on and he worked really well.

“The horse is good, jockey is good, just the draw is the negative.”

Barrier nine of 11 falls to Hidrix, Confederation getting the berth directly outward after scratching from Canberra’s Black Opal Stakes (1200m) Sunday.

Exempt from pressure in the Todman Stakes (1200m) thanks to Golden Slipper field entry, the team experiments freely with blinkers.

“They’re just to help sharpen him up a little bit,” he said of the blinkers.

“Slippers aren’t easy to win, and we want him to have that killer punch. Ultimately, we’d rather have it work out now than working it out in the grand final.”

McDonald rides Chayan for owners Annabel and Rob Archibald in the 1200m Reisling Stakes; after Melbourne sojourns – second Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude (1100m), seventh wide in Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) – she returns.

“She just couldn’t draw a barrier at either start,” Annabel Archibald said.

“First start, she was very good, but she was just no hope with the run she had in the Diamond.

“With two-year-olds, it’s always one run at a time and that was a pretty tough run she had . . . but she seems to have come through it pretty well.”

Gate nine challenges Chayan, yet she probes Melbourne two-year-old lines post Stretan Ruler’s Silver Slipper rout from Pakenham weeks ago.

The Todman Stakes caps Stretan Ruler’s Golden Slipper lead-up; he’s second pick behind Paradoxium of Wyong Magic Millions fame.

Discover prime betting sites for Todman Stakes betting markets.