Golf instruction is ever-evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s series, Timeless Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice teachers and players have dispensed in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we look back to our September 1981 issue for driving accuracy tips from Ben Crenshaw.
Hitting the ball in the fairway is a skill that has lost a bit of its luster over the years, but it remains incredibly important. While it’s true that distance is a more premium skill than accuracy when it comes to the driver, that doesn’t mean you can ignore it. As legendary instructor Harvey Penick once said, “The woods are full of long hitters.”
Ben Crenshaw was a Penick disciple, and he took this advice of accuracy to heart. Although he was known for his putting prowess, his ability to keep the ball in the fairway cannot be overlooked.
Back in a 1981 issue of GOLF Magazine, Crenshaw shared some of his best advice for finding more fairways, which you can check out below.
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Crenshaw’s driving accuracy tips
During the last four years or so, I have learned to drive the ball better. I had to do that to survive on the Tour. It was clear to me that had I continued driving the ball in the old way, my future was more than a little uncertain. As late as 1976, I was likely to miss as many as 10 fairways during a single round. This forced me to take a hard look at my driving and to analyze what I could do to improve it.
In comparing myself to the great drivers of the ball, it was immediately apparent that, unlike me, they hit the ball on a lower trajectory. My ball was flying out very high, and as a result, I had a lot of trouble playing in the wind.
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There were technical reasons why I hit the ball too high and had a tendency to spray it. I’ll get into those on the next page, but here I should mention that my equipment was also hurting me. My stiff (S) shafted driver was much too flexible for me. By switching to a tipped extra-stiff (X) shaft, I not only got a lower trajectory but also more accurate drives. I’ve given up about 15 yards in making this change, but if I had to choose between my old 280 yards in the rough and my new 265 yards on the fairway, I’ll take the short grass any day, and so should you.
So, even though your first item of study should be the trajectory of your drives, if you’re hitting the ball too high or low or are inaccurate, you must also look at your equipment. You have to find a playable driver, one with which you can mishit the ball and still get it into the fairway. Your professional can help you find the driver with the right shaft and other specifications to suit your game.
I am also going to suggest what to key on when driving the ball, give some technical tricks and explain the art of targeting. So let’s go.
My swing problems and yours
GOLF Magazine
I used to set up with the ball very forward in my stance, approximately off my left instep and my head way behind the ball. I also had a gigantic turn, as well as too much lateral sway off the ball. As a result, I hit the ball too high, even though I could hit it a mile. I now play the ball off my left heel and set up more over the ball, with my right knee set slightly inward. I control my right leg better, as you can see above. This has also cut down the length of my backswing and the amount of my lateral sway. Everyone needs a little sideward motion with a tee shot, but not nearly as much as I had.
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I found in my own game that the most important principle of good driving is to trust your swing. A fuller, freer swing enables you to release the club correctly and hit straight. If you’re hitting wildly, you’re probably trying to steer the ball. The club is not traveling at its maximum through impact, and that upsets your timing. That’s when you hit off target.
Another good rule is to avoid giving yourself technical advice when you’re actually on the course; reminders such as “Keep the left arm straight” only add to your problems. Key on simple concepts, on clubhead feel or tempo. If you find a swing key when warming up that seems to help, use it, but don’t use two or three keys at once. One is enough.
About the only technical point that can help you at times is grip pressure. When you’re driving badly and getting tense as a result, lighten the pressure to the point at which you can feel the clubhead. Then go ahead and swing it.
Technical tricks
The teeing ground is defined by the outside edges of the tee markers and is two club-lengths deep. That’s important to remember. Normally, you tee up from a flat spot, because then you can put your best swing on the ball. Some tees, however, have slight slopes. If you’re forced to tee up on a ball-above-feet slope, you’ll tend to draw the ball, and fade when the ball is below your feet. So allow for these when aiming. You can use these slopes creatively. Say you need a draw or fade to work the ball around a dogleg. Try to find the appropriate slope. If you want to guard against a hook or slice, pick the slope that will have the opposite effect.
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The height of the tee also affects ball flight. Tee the ball lower on tight holes. You will get a lower-trajectory ball that gets on the ground faster and stays out of trouble better than a high ball. A lower tee also encourages a fade, which will bring the ball quickly to a stop. The converse of this is also true: Generally, a higher tee than normal encourages a high draw.
You should also realize that choking down on the driver stiffens the shaft a little, as well as reducing the size of your arc. This is a useful technique to have on tight holes. On long holes, grip more at the end of the grip. It gives you a bigger arc, and you can truly feel the clubhead.
In addition, the golf course architect usually has a few tricks up his sleeve. The sneakiest is the misaligned tee. For example, on the sixth tee at Merion, if you align yourself parallel to the sides of the tee, you’ll hit straight out-of-bounds. Don’t fall for this one.
Targeting
There are two basic steps to targeting. First, analyze how wide or tight the target area is and where the trouble is. Second, picture in your mind the ideal drive for you on that hole — see yourself setting up, swinging, and see the ball landing in your target area. The mind directs the body, and without good thinking and visualizing, the drive can go anywhere.
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When targeting, it’s important that you recognize and compensate for the way you’re hitting the ball. I’ve played golf with amateurs who are slicing, and all day they target at the middle of the fairway and wind up in the right rough. Had they targeted more to the left, they could have played their second shots from the fairway.
It’s also vital to pick a target that you can realistically reach. If you’re a 220-yard hitter, target at a spot 220 yards out. Target farther out than that, and you’ll tend to swing too hard and ruin the shot.
When there’s trouble on one side of the hole, people say you should tee up on the same side as the trouble and hit away from it. This is excellent advice for the high handicapper. For the more skillful player, there is a second option. My teacher, Harvey Penick, used to tell me to line up at the trouble and then draw or fade the ball away from it. It still works for me.
On open holes, you have to work hard on your targeting. It’s very easy not to pick a target, and then you’ll often hit your wildest drives. Force yourself to find a focal point, even if it’s the difference in color between the edge of the fairway and the rough. In lining up, work off that point. With no focal point in the landing area or with a blind tee shot, find some distant object, such as a distinctively colored tree or a rock, a chimney or a church spire and line up on that. I should add that on wide holes there’s a great temptation to swing too hard. Resist it. Pick your spot and swing smoothly.
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Tight holes, on the other hand, literally force you to target correctly and concentrate better. The temptation here is to steer. You have to make an effort to swing freely.
Last, never be too proud to drive with a 3-wood on tight holes. Think of it as the amateur’s one-iron.
And as we prep for the second round, it’s a good time to discuss all the mock drafts out there for the upcoming Day 2. Where will some of those snubbed names go when the clock starts on Wednesday night? We’re going to round up some of the biggest second-round mocks and tell you who they project to take Veesaar, Duke sharpshooter Isaiah Evans and Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.
Man Utd have reached an agreement for a plot of land near Old Trafford, which unlocks plans for a new 100,000-seater arena.
On Monday, Manchester United announced they had secured the majority of the land to build a new 100,000-seater stadium, revealing an agreement with Indurent.
United had been in talks with Freightliner to acquire land behind the Stretford End, but talks had stalled, leading the club to look at alternative options for space around the current stadium
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A plot of land located approximately 350m north-west of Old Trafford was identified, and United believe they have secured a fair deal with Indurent, a leading provider of industrial space and a Blackstone portfolio company.
The plot of land acquired is a 25-acre triangle, located between Wharfside Way, Europa Way and John Gilbert Way. United have acquired the majority of the plot but there is still some to purchase – although club sources have said no problems are expected.
United looked at alternative land options around Old Trafford when it became clear that talks with Freightliner were not going to be successful. The Freightliner land was seen as the perfect plot to secure plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium.
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The Manchester Evening News contacted United to confirm which land the club now owns, and a graphic has been included to highlight that land, and the Freightliner-owned land behind the Stretford End.
After striking a deal with Indurent, who have sold the land in the top left corner of the graphic, United now own a significant portion of land around Old Trafford to accommodate a 100,000-seater stadium.
A club source described this week’s purchase as a “significant and tangible step forward”, which means Foster + Partners can now resume design work after sharing initial impressions last year.
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Where the new stadium will sit is a point of interest. Enough land has been acquired to build a new stadium north west of the current ground, but that would mean a new arena is constructed further away than it would have been if the Freightliner plot had been secured.
During consultations, United fans told the club about the importance of constructing a new stadium as close as possible to the current Old Trafford. For example, Tottenham retained ‘feeling’ from White Hart Lane because their new ground is just metres away.
However, Spurs played league games at Wembley for three seasons while the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was being built, and United are not expected to play their games at another venue to accommodate a similar construction.
Another question is what will happen to the current Old Trafford when a new stadium is constructed. United have considered scaling down Old Trafford to host women’s and academy games, but that would cost millions.
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United estimated that a new stadium alone would cost £2billion, but an updated estimate in 2026 could double costs. The club is already saddled with a record level of £1.3bn debt.
The project will be financed privately, and “positive conversations” with potential investors and stakeholders are ongoing. United will sell the naming rights of the new stadium to raise capital.
Earlier this year, The Sponsor compiled a European stadium naming fair market value report, which outlined that United could bank around £15m per season, equating to £150m over 10 years.
United’s deal to acquire the necessary land was a huge step forward for the project, but the work is only getting started.
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🚨 HEADLINES
🎓 Landmark decision: The NCAA Division I Cabinet has unanimously approved an age-based, five-year eligibility model to replace the existing structure that has no age restrictions. The historic change, set to take effect in 2027, will see athletes’ eligibility clocks start either when they enroll or after their 19th birthday (whichever comes first).
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🏈 Sorsby saga update: The NFL delivered a scathing lesson in accountability on Tuesday by denying Brendan Sorsby’s request to hold a Supplemental Draft. The 22-year-old, who admitted to betting on his own team and will no longer be playing for Texas Tech this fall, may still enter the standard 2027 NFL Draft.
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🏀 Coaching carousel complete: The Trail Blazers have hired longtime Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori as their next head coach, filling the NBA’s last remaining vacancy.
🏒 Ditto: The NHL’s last remaining vacancy was also filled on Tuesday when the Oilers hired Mike Babcock, who last coached in the NHL in 2019.
⚾️ What a turnaround: The first-place White Sox improved to 41-37 with Tuesday’s win over the Guardians, matching their entire win total from just two years ago when they set the modern MLB record for losses in a season (41-121).
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa was selected No. 1 overall by the Wizards on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, where nearly every team earned top marks for their selections in the first round of an absolutely loaded NBA Draft.
Top 4: Any of these freshman uber-prospects could have reasonably gone No. 1 in most years, so Washington, Utah, Memphis and Chicago should all be thrilled with the young men who are about to join their ranks.
Dybantsa (Wizards): The 6-foot-9 athletic freak and scoring machine (he led the NCAA with 25.5 points per game last season) gives Washington someone who could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators, and someone who should slot in nicely alongside veteran All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
Darryn Peterson (Jazz): The 6-foot-5 guard out of Kansas is a buttery-smooth scorer and dynamic playmaker who can shine with or without the ball, and his 6-foot-11 wingspan makes him a high-impact defender, to boot. Utah got a potential superstar as long as he can avoid the cramping issue that hindered his otherwise sensational season in Lawrence.
Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies): The most polished player in the class and reigning POY out of Duke made this an incredibly easy choice for Memphis, who get a 6-foot-8 forward that can score from the post with both footwork and power. Plus, second-generation players like him historically outperform their draft slot expectations by 26%.
Caleb Wilson (Bulls): The most gifted athlete in the draft class is 6-foot-9 with springs for legs, and when the North Carolina big is flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. That sort of defensive anchor with offensive upside is exactly what the Bulls need in the frontcourt.
Next up: Those four freshman at the top were followed by four freshman guards who went in succession, as the Clippers got Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, the Nets got Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., the Kings got Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., and the Hawks got Houston’s Kingston Flemings.
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Consider this: 11 of the 14 lottery picks were freshmen, while the other three were transfers — all of whom won the national championship with Michigan. Morez Johnson Jr. went ninth to the Mavericks (where he’ll reunite with Dusty May), Yaxel Lendeborg went 11th to the Warriors and Aday Mara went 12th to the Thunder.
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
The Swoosh strikes again: Dybantsa’s selection made him the 12th Nike athlete in the last 20 years to go No. 1 overall, or 14th if you include the Nike-owned Jordan Brand. His addition adds young dynamism to an evolving men’s basketball roster at Nike, where the future is in uncertain hands.
The top of the roster is aging, as LeBron James and Kevin Durant — on the 23rd and 19th iterations of their signature shoes, respectively — near the end of their playing careers.
Nike added reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a signature athlete last week, plucking him from Nike-owned Converse to fortify its collection of prime-aged players.
Ja Morant and Cade Cunningham headline the tier below SGA, but the former’s play has taken a step back, while the latter’s marketability remains a source of skepticism.
Further complicating matters? The presumed face of the next generation, Victor Wembanyama, is an impending sneaker free agent, per Shams Charania. Depending on the Frenchman’s decision, Dybantsa could have size 22 shoes to fill.
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⚽️ RONALDO JOINS THE PARTY
Siuuu. (Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
With his fading abilities the subject of question marks and jeers, Cristiano Ronaldo had to watch as his chief rival chased and achieved tournament history through the World Cup’s early stages. On Tuesday, the Portuguese icon made history of his own.
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Two decorated decades: Ronaldo scored two first-half goals in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, adding to the parade of superstar braces that began on Monday.
His first, a characteristically clinical finish in the match’s sixth minute, made him the first player to score in six World Cups — a feat that it’s hard to imagine anyone ever matching (Lionel Messi was shut out in the 2010 edition).
His second, carefully slotted past the keeper in the 39th minute, made him the oldest player ever with a multi-goal game in the tournament (41 years, 138 days), breaking the record set by Messi twice in the past week (38 years, 363 days).
More from Tuesday: England and Ghana played to a scoreless draw as the Black Stars joined Mexico, Spain and Argentina as the only teams who have yet to allow a goal; Croatia dismissed Panama from the tournament in a nervy 1-0 win; Colombia booked their trip to the Round of 32, beating DR Congo 1-0.
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(Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports)
Where it stands: With every team having now played two of their three group stage games, the knockout round picture is beginning to come into focus.
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Advanced: Mexico, United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia
Eliminated: Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama
Everything to play for: 36 teams (75% of the field) still have hope of advancing out of the group stage. And though such widespread uncertainty at this juncture is nothing new, the heavy proportion of those teams who will eventually secure passage into the knockouts is.
In 2022, 27 of 32 teams (84%) came into Matchday No. 3 facing an uncertain outcome. However, only 13 of those nations (48%) would ultimately advance.
In this year’s edition — where the top-eight third-place teams will advance alongside the top two teams in each group — those 36 teams are vying for 25 remaining positions, ensuring that more than two-thirds of them will fight on past the group stage.
What to watch: The group stage gets kicked up a notch beginning this afternoon, with six games per day until the preliminary round concludes on Saturday. With that in mind, here are five of the most important games to keep an eye on, headlined by Friday’s dream matchup between Kylian Mbappé’s France and Erling Haaland’s Norway.
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⛳️ THE PGA TOUR INTRODUCES PROMOTION AND RELEGATION
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp — set to take over as commissioner next year — in March before the Players Championship. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The PGA Tour unveiled a radical new competitive model on Tuesday, featuring a series of changes that will be more substantial than any in the Tour’s half-century-long history.
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Champions and Challengers: Beginning in 2028, the Tour will operate on two tracks — the Championship and Challenger Series — which will run concurrently from February through August and include a promotion/relegation system.
Championship: The top golfers’ slate includes a baseline of 15 regular-season events, each with about 120 golfers, a 36-hole cut and at least a $20 million purse. Their remaining schedule is filled out with the four majors, The Players Championship, the playoffs and an annual international team event (Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup).
Challenger: Larger fields of about 144 golfers will compete in at least 20 events, each with a minimum purse of $4 million. Of note: The exact criteria for which players will slot into each Series has yet to be determined, but to be clear, this is distinct from the Korn Ferry Tour; these will be PGA Tour golfers.
Promotion/relegation: The top 20 players in the season-long Challenger standings will be promoted to the Championship, with immediate promotion available to anyone who wins either two events or a major. The top 90 Championship players (at least) will remain on that track, while the remaining ~40 will be eligible for relegation. In the fall, several “last-chance” events will give fringe players an opportunity to play their way into the Championship.
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Plus: The postseason will be revamped to include match play, and will be contested across a rotation of courses. Further details will be revealed at the Tour Championship in August.
📺 WATCHLIST: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
(Yahoo Sports)
⚽️ World Cup, Day 14
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You thought four games a day was fun? Let’s try six. First up is Canada vs. Switzerland in Vancouver (3pm ET, Fox) and Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar in Seattle(3pm, FS1). Then it’s Scotland vs. Brazil in Miami (6pm, Fox) and Morocco vs. Haiti in Atlanta (6pm, FS1) followed by Mexico vs. Czechia in Mexico City (9pm, Fox) and South Korea vs. South Africa in Guadalupe (9pm, FS1).
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Host nation bump: Mexico has already clinched Group A, while Canada has all but assured its first-ever trip to the World Cup knockout round. They’ll clinch Group B with either a win or draw against the Swiss.
🏀 NBA Draft, Day 2
30 more prospects will be selected tonight in Brooklyn (8pm, ESPN) on the second and final day of the NBA Draft.
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Still on the board: Meleek Thomas (Arkansas), Henri Veesaar (UNC), Richie Saunders (BYU) and Isaiah Evans (Duke) headline our best players still available.
More to watch:
⚾️ MLB: Yankees at Tigers (6:40pm Prime) … Tarik Skubal makes his third start since returning (incredibly quickly) from a groundbreaking new procedure to remove bone chips from his elbow.
🏀 WNBA: Mercury at Fever (7:30pm, USA); Dream at Valkyries (10pm, USA) … Five of the top 11 scorers take the floor in Indiana’s Caitlin Clark (21.3) and Kelsey Mitchell (20.9), Atlanta’s Allisha Gray (19.5) and Rhyne Howard (19.1) and Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper (19.2).
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city. Get tickets now!
🏈 NFL TRIVIA
A portrait of the Oorang Indians, one of 18 teams to play in the 1922 NFL season. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images)
104 years ago today, the NFL got its modern name, rebranding to the National Football League before its third season kicked off in the fall of 1922.
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Question: What was the league’s original name from its founding in 1920?
A) American League of Professional Football
B) American Professional Football Association
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C) All-America Football Conference
D) Association of Professional Football
Answer at the bottom.
📣 LAUNCH DAY IS HERE!
Yahoo Sports Biz, our new sports business newsletter authored by Dylan Dittrich, launches today!
What to expect: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Dylan and the rest of our growing newsletter team will break down the deals, dollars and decisions shaping your favorite sports.
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Trivia answer: B) American Professional Football Association
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
The Black Stars’ head coach Carlos Queiroz had strong words about the refereeing after two fowls from the Three Lions went unchecked, and the two sides played out a goalless draw. Meanwhile Colombia qualified for the knockout round beating DR Congo 1-0 and Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups.
If you’re in the market for a top-performing new driver but haven’t yet pulled the trigger, now is the perfect time to buy from Fairway Jockey.
For an extremely limited time, when you purchase a Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Max driver — a club that is also on sale for $220 off its regular retail price — you can get a FREE Limited Edition Project X HZRDUS aftermarket shaft upgrade. That’s a $225 value for free! There’s only one disclaimer: This offer is available only as long as what’s currently in stock lasts. That means when the inventory’s gone, the offer is gone, so get your credit card ready!
The Callaway Elyte family of clubs launched last January, and includes a number of driver models designed to benefit different aspects of a player’s game. The Triple Diamond Max capitalizes on a Tour-inspired design that encourages shape and workability, but also includes a touch more spin and forgiveness than the regular Triple Diamond model. The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Max driver is available in 9- and 10.5-degree lofts.
The Project X HZRDUS shaft is available for free in Red 60 6.0 (mid-launch, mid-spin) or Black 50 6.0, 60 6.0, 60 6.5, 70 6.0, and 70 6.5, all of which are designed to be low-launch, low-spin.
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In short: This is an epic two-part deal that you don’t want to miss! There’s no code needed, simply click the link to configure your driver and the after-market shaft options will be immediately available in the drop-down.
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Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond Max Custom Driver
Precision Meets Forgiveness
Designed specifically for tour, the Elyte Triple Diamond Max model is played by those who desire a touch more spin and forgiveness but still prefer the shape and workability of the Triple Diamond model.
The TD Max blends the footprint of Elyte (460cc) with the shape and performance characteristics of the Triple Diamond model.
Game-Changing Technologies of Elyte
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Shaped for Speed: The all-new Elyte Triple Diamond Max shape provides enhanced aerodynamics for elite speed throughout the entire golf swing.
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A mouthwatering title fight hits New York City this weekend, as Xander Zayas takes on Jaron “Boots” Ennis at the top of the super-welterweight division.
Boots is one of boxing’s most highly-toured stars, and the American enters this bout as the challenger – unbeaten like champion Zayas, who defends the WBO and WBA belts here.
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Puerto Rica’s Zayas last fought in January, earning a split-decision win over Abass Baraou to extend his record to 23-0 (13 KOs), while the 23-year-old’s opponent this weekend has an even more impressive record; Ennis, 28, will enter the bout at 35-0 (31 KOs), having stopped Uisma Lima in the first round in October.
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Meanwhile, the undercard features the next outing for Ben Whittaker, as the controversial British star takes on Richard Rivera.
Here’s all you need to know:
When is the fight?
Zayas vs Ennis will take place on Saturday 27 June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City. The broadcast will begin at 1.30am BST on Sunday (5.30pm PT / 7.30pm CT / 8.30pm ET on Saturday), with main-event ring walks following at 3.45am BST on Sunday (7.45pm PT / 9.45pm CT / 10.45pm ET on Saturday).
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How can I watch it?
The event will stream live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view worldwide, at a cost of £24.99 / $74.99. You do not need to be a DAZN subscriber to purchase the event, but plans are available here, starting at £15.99 per month.
Odds
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis after a 2022 victory in California (Getty)
Zayas – 7/2
Ennis – 2/9
Draw – 14/1
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Via Betway. Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers. The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Undercard
Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion
Xander Zayas (C) vs Jaron Ennis (WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles)
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Emiliano Vargas vs Bryce Mills (super-lightweight)
Ben Whittaker vs Richard Rivera (light-heavyweight)
Controversial British star Ben Whittaker (Getty)
Jahi Tucker vs Euri Cedeno (middleweight)
Quincey Williams vs Jerome Baxter (welterweight)
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Dennis Thompson vs Edwin Rodriguez (super-bantamweight)
Juanma Lopez de Jesus vs Alberto Motos (super-flyweight)
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Georgia Bulldogs have finished the college baseball as the No. 3 team in the country in the final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. Georgia won the SEC (regular season and SEC Tournament) and went 53-14 during a historic year for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s NCAA Tournament started with the Dawgs and manager Wes Johnson winning the Athens Regional. Georgia defeated the No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Athens Super Regional to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.
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The Bulldogs won their opening College World Series game against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns before falling to the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners. Georgia bounced back to defeat and eliminate Texas, but the Bulldogs lost their following game to Oklahoma, who went on to defeat the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels in the national championship series.
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Georgia’s season ended in disappointment, but their Bulldogs can be proud of their postseason run. Georgia ended up as a one of the final four teams in the College World Series. UGA finishes the season with top-10 wins over No. 5 Texas (two), No. 7 Ole Miss (two), No. 8 Troy and No. 9 Auburn (two). Georgia went 7-5 against top-10 opponents.
Impressively, national champion Oklahoma was unranked entering the NCAA Tournament. It is safe to say the Sooners proved their doubters wrong.
Final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll for 2026 season
Arizona State 66; Oklahoma State 53; Jacksonville State 37; UC Santa Barbara 20; Kentucky 10; Liberty 9; Cincinnati 9; Tennessee 8; Wake Forest 6; Miami (FL) 6; Mercer 5; East Carolina 4; Coastal Carolina 4; Louisiana 3; North Carolina State 1;
FIFA will consider keeping hydration breaks for future World Cups despite backlash to the extra stoppages in play at this year’s tournament.
Gianni Infantino, the soccer body’s president, defended the decision to introduce breaks – which come midway through each half – at this World Cup and said Tuesday they may be providing more entertainment for fans.
He said FIFA would analyze what it will do in future tournaments “based on this experience.” But after criticism that the breaks were a stealth way to insert advertising or American-style timeouts, Infantino suggested the stoppages have been positive.
“Maybe the coach can reassess certain situations, correct certain mistakes. The players get a little rest and come back in full speed. Well, is that bad necessarily? Maybe it’s good,” Infantino said. “And we see as well the intensity of the games. We’ve never seen 90 minutes in a tournament like this played in such an intensity.
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“Until the last second of the match, players attack and so on,” he continued. “And maybe, maybe not, but maybe it’s also a bit thanks to this little break that the players have and after they can go back on the field and show what they can do.”
The World Cup has certainly delivered in terms of entertainment, with goals scored at a record pace and big performances from soccer greats like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. There have also been shocks provided by debutants Cape Verde and Curacao, despite fears the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 would dilute the quality.
But the biggest criticism has been the introduction of hydration breaks for all matches regardless of venue or location.
Loud jeers have greeted the stoppages, around 22 minutes into each half, especially at games played in stadiums with roofs and air conditioning, such as Atlanta.
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Infantino said it was necessary for sporting equity.
“If we were to use hydration breaks only in those matches where it was too hot and not in the other matches, we would give an advantage or a disadvantage to some of the coaches or some of the teams,” he said. “Why would the coach have the opportunity to influence the game in one match just because it’s hot and in another match where it’s a bit less hot, he wouldn’t have this opportunity?”
Infantino also insisted FIFA was making no extra money as a result of networks cutting to commercials because contracts had been signed before the decision to introduce hydration breaks.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts from the sideline during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The moment occurred on Dec. 10, 2023, in Paradise, Nevada, as O’Connell guided Minnesota through a tense late-season road contest with playoff implications beginning to emerge. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Did it feel like the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason and free agency, in particular, were a bit quieter than normal? Your observation was correct. CBS Sports ranked each NFL team last week by offseason spending, and Minnesota checked in at No. 32 — the fewest dollars spent.
It’s a new era in Minnesota with general manager Nolan Teasley in the saddle and a freshly reset salary cap.
“Quiet” Offseason Was Deliberate for Vikings
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts after an Aaron Jones touchdown against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Oct. 20, 2024, O’Connell celebrated an early scoring drive as Minnesota battled a division rival in Minneapolis. The head coach continued guiding one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses during the season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
CBS Sports on Vikings’ Spending
The Vikings were fiscally restrained, and the numbers prove it.
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Garrett Podell wrote this week, “The Minnesota Vikings were up against it from a salary cap perspective entering free agency, which hindered how active they were this offseason. Minnesota began around $43 million over the salary cap, but was able to clear up space with the retirement of offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, plus contract restructures for wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy.”
“Trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles also helped decrease the Vikings’ financial issues. Cutting defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were also subtractions the Vikings needed to make to their roster this offseason.”
The Vikings went on an absolute spending barrage in 2024 and 2025; the 2026 offseason was markedly different.
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“While they weren’t big spenders, their most expensive free agent signing on an average per year basis — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings — fills a key need. Minnesota lost speedster Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders, but Jennings can certainly make up for some of the production lost in Nailor’s departure,” Podell added.
“Since 2024, Jennings’ 83 receiving first downs rank 28th in the NFL. Once 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned from injury in Week 11 in 2025, Jennings’ six receiving touchdowns from Week 11 to the end of the regular season were tied for the second most in the entire league. He’ll be a prime secondary weapon for whomever emerges in the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.”
Who’d They Get?
Because the Vikings ventured into free agency without an official general manager — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired about a week before the Super Bowl, and Rob Brzezinski took over in the interim — onlookers didn’t know what to expect from free agency.
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Well, Minnesota played it cool — aside from landing a new quarterback in Murray. Here’s the haul of notable additions:
Eric Johnson (DT)
Isaiahh Loudermilk (DT)
James Pierre (CB)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Johnny Hekker (P)
Kyler Murray (QB)
Ryan Van Demark (OT)
Because Murray and Jennings have big-name offensive appeal, it didn’t feel like Minnesota was totally quiet. Yet, compared to the rest of the NFL, the spending was puny.
The Cap Is Reset
The Vikings pressed pause on the remote control this offseason, compared to their spending in 2024 and 2025. Theoretically, they could’ve pursued high-profile free agents like Tyler Linderbaum or Trey Hendrickson — moves that would have generated considerable buzz — but the team chose a different path.
Rather than front-loading massive cap hits into future seasons (2027-2030), the Vikings prioritized value. They secured Murray on a teensy contract, added the aforementioned veterans at reasonable prices, and largely steered clear of bidding wars.
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Minnesota owner Mark Wilf and general manager Nolan Teasley speak during an introductory press conference at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. On June 3, 2026, Teasley discussed his vision for the franchise and outlined plans for collaboration throughout football operations. The event marked his first public appearance as general manager. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The strategy contrasts sharply with that of many other NFL teams. The Eagles, for example, are known for pushing cap obligations into future years, a tactic the New Orleans Saints also employed for an extended period. While effective in the short term, this approach eventually leads to substantial financial reckoning.
It appears Minnesota decided that 2026 was the opportune time to rectify its financial outlook.
While this offseason has been quieter, the Vikings’ cap health has improved. By 2027, they anticipate having substantial financial flexibility, avoiding the cap disasters that often plague teams employing more aggressive spending habits.
Heading into 2027, the books will be relatively clean.
Any More on the Way?
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Minnesota has just over $13 million in cap space — from spending judiciously. The roster is largely in good shape, but as always, a couple of enhancements could be in order.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd appears during a road game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. On Dec. 13, 2021, Floyd continued another productive season as one of the Rams’ primary pass rushers. The veteran edge defender played an important role on a defense that later won the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
At the top of the list, the purple team needs an OLB3 if rookie Jake Golday isn’t ready to fill a hybrid ILB-OLB role as a rookie, or if the tentative plan to convert DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to OLB doesn’t take flight. Free agents like Jadeveon Clowney, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and others are waiting on the wire for a phone call.
Otherwise, the Vikings could sign an extra guard or safety for depth if Harrison Smith doesn’t return or OT Walter Rouse isn’t converted to guard.
The Vikings’ regular season begins in 81 days.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
National record holder decathlete Tejaswin Shankar will be considered for this year’s Asian Games despite not competing in the National Inter-State Senior Championships which begins here on Wednesday as he has been granted exemption from the meet, a top official of the national federation said on Tuesday.
Tejaswin, who rewrote his own national record during the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month, has been named in the 32-member Indian team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (July 23 to August 2). He has sought exemption from the National Inter-State Senior Championships and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) granted him exemption.
“Yes, he has sought exemption from the National Inter-State in writing and we have granted it. He will be considered for the Asian Games,” AFI Planning Commission chairman Lait Bhanot told PTI ahead of the championships here.
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“The gruelling 10-event decathlon is such an event which an athlete cannot compete twice within one month. You need a long period of recovery time, otherwise he will get injured.”
Tejaswin had won a bronze medal in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The AFI had earlier announced that National Inter-State will be the only selection trial for the Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan in September-October.
Bhanot also said that national 100m record holder Gurindervir Singh, who has also been named in the Indian Commonwealth Games team, has sought exemption from the National Inter-State and the AFI will take a call on that.
“Gurindervir has also sought exemption and the AFI is yet to take a call on that. We will do that. In any case, the Asian Games team will be named on the final day of the National Inter-State (on June 28).
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“The selection committee is the final authority to take a call on whether an athlete will be selected or not,” he said.
“Of course, he (Gurindervir) will have to compete before the Asian Games and qualify if he has to be in the Asian Games team.”
The Asian Games qualification time for men’s 100m is 10.16 seconds, and Gurindervir had lowered the national record to 10.09 seconds in the Federation Cup last month.
Bhanot also confirmed that national record holder 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable is not in a position to compete after undergoing an ACL surgery last year.
‘Nothing wrong in Animesh Kujur competing for Odisha’
There were allegations that the No Objection Certificate issued to 200m national record holder Kujur, who originally belonged to Chhattisgarh, by Odisha to represent the state has lapsed, but Bhanot does not see any problem in it.
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“As regarding the migration (of an athlete) from one state to another, both the states have to agree. In case any state is not agreeing, then the athlete can give representation to the AFI which is free to take decision whether the migration is allowed or not,” Bhanot said.
“And once he (Kujur) has gone to Odisha, then if he wants to go back to any other state, there must be some strong reason and the same process needs to be followed again.
“So one time migration is given, it is permanently till the time he does not ask for the migration to some other state.
;)
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