Sports

How Jordan Spieth once found himself in an NFL Draft war room

Published

4 hours ago

23 April 2026

With the 2026 NFL Draft kicking off this week in Pittsburgh — and watched on millions of TVs around the globe — long-time NFL coach Sean Payton joined this week’s episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast to discuss exactly what it’s like in the lead-up to the draft and what happens in the team room during it.

Payton, the current head coach of the Denver Broncos, was the New Orleans Saints coach from 2006 to 2021, and he led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2009.

But the NFL Draft often aligns with Zurich Classic of New Orleans week on the PGA Tour, and one year, in 2017, Payton had some company in the Saints’ draft night war room: Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer.

On this week’s Subpar, Payton explained how that moment came to life — especially with two Texans and lifelong Dallas Cowboys fans. Payton played in the Zurich pro-am with Spieth and Palmer that year, and he extended them an invite for Thursday’s first round of the draft.

But before the draft even started, they had a little fun, too.

“I think Spieth made [caddie Michael] Greller run a 100-yard dash wearing a helmet,” Payton said. “And not a 40 — a 100.”

Payton set up the visitors with a table in the draft room, handed them draft books and let them take in the action. The Saints had the 11th pick and a big decision to make: cornerback Marshon Lattimore or quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“Lattimore was a candidate; Patrick certainly was a candidate,” Payton said. “We had been to their pro days, been to their private workouts. And if you are picking 11, the old adage is you better have 11 players you like, or you trade back … there’s been a lot of back and forth on who would have been selected.”

But the Saints never had to choose between the two. The Kansas City Chiefs swooped in at No. 10 and traded with Buffalo to take Mahomes. That meant the Saints took Lattimore.

“Right when they made that trade I knew it had to be for Patrick,” Payton said. “…Those guys had a chance to see it live.”

Lattimore was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and made four Pro Bowls in his 7 1/2 years with the Saints. Mahomes? He has three Super Bowl MVPs.

For more from Payton, including what it’s like in the lead-up to the draft, you can listen to the episode here or watch on YouTube below.

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2026 NFL Draft grades, tracker: Live Round 1 analysis for every selection made in order

Published

8 minutes ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

After a year that featured no trades heading into night one of the NFL draft, 2026 has been at the opposite end of the trade spectrum. Six first-round picks have already been moved for veteran players, with a good chance to have even more on the move throughout the weekend. That means the Jets, Giants, Browns, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Cowboys will all be doubling up Thursday night, while the Colts, Bengals, Jaguars, Falcons, Broncos, and Packers all have to wait until Friday.

The only pick that feels known at this point is No. 1 overall, where Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is pegged to become the Raiders’ franchise quarterback under new head coach Klint Kubiak. He’ll be the first Hoosier drafted in the first round since 1994 (WR Thomas Lewis to the Giants), but he won’t be the first Hoosier to ever go No. 1 overall. That honor, as everyone knows, belongs to the great Corbett Davis, who was taken first overall by the Cleveland Rams in 1938 (I swear that sentence wasn’t an AI hallucination).

While there isn’t much intrigue in this quarterback class after Mendoza, where Ty Simpson lands is still a mystery. The takes on his lone season as a starter have been all over the map. Some see him as worthy of a top-10 pick, while others wouldn’t take him on night one at all. One thing is for certain: there are not enough quarterbacks to go around, as the Cardinals, Browns, and Steelers all enter this weekend relatively empty-handed at the most valuable position.

The story of this draft that I’ll be watching for is how the NFL handles positional value. From a pure grade perspective, the top-3 players in the class are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. A running back hasn’t gone top-5 since 2018, a safety hasn’t gone top-5 since 2010 or top-10 since 2016, and a linebacker hasn’t gone top-5 since 2019. Those streaks could all fall on Thursday night.

Be sure to refresh this page throughout the weekend to get all the latest grades. If you want to do all that plus track the best available prospects and get access to every pick in the draft on one page, you can with our interactive draft tracker. And follow along with each pick, rumor and every trade in our live blog.

Grades: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Grade: A

This was a no-brainer. Mendoza was the best quarterback in college football last season. That was especially the case under pressure and in clutch situations. He’s a perfect fit for Klint Kubiak’s offense.

2. Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Grade: C-

Bailey is a solid pass-rusher who will give less athletic offensive tackles fits at the next level. He’s a hot-and-cold run defender, though, who struggles to set the edge. The Jets, unfortunately, already have one of those in Will McDonald

3. Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Grade: C+

Love is a special talent at the running back position and will immediately transform the Cardinals rushing attack. This grade isn’t an indictment of the caliber of player the Cardinals got, but the value for a team not built to contend without a quarterback. They’ll burn the most productive and cheap years for a player at a position with an already short career length.

4. Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Grade: B

Tate is exactly what the Titans don’t have on their roster: a rangy outside receiver with elite hands and crisp route-running chops. He’ll be a Cam Ward favorite from Day 1. While he doesn’t fit the physical profile of a usual top-5 pick at receiver, beggars can’t be choosers.

5. Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio St.

Grade: A+

The Giants just became the scariest edge-rushing group in the NFL and truthfully it’s not even close. Their third down packages are going to be a true sprint to the quarterback. Reese has special play strength for someone with 4.46 speed. And he’s only scratching the surface at 20-years old.

6. Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Grade: B-

Delane is the safest pick at corner in this draft class. If you can do what he did in the SEC last season, you can produce in the NFL. It’s more the desperation of having to give up a third-rounder to do so that bumps this down. It’s a position that historically teams have been able to find later in the draft as the Chiefs themselves know well.

7. Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.

Grade: A

One of the least athletic front-sevens in the NFL a season ago completes their makeover with one of the most athletic linebackers in draft history. His ability to cover ground in coverage at his size is nothing short of special. He’ll allow Dan Quinn so much flexibility on the defensive side of the ball.

8. Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Grade: B+

Tyson got the best tape grade from me of all the receivers. His size, movement skills, and body control are that of a No. 1 receiver. And he’s the one receiver in the draft class that was truly treated as such by his offense as Arizona State went his way in every big situation. I can’t give it an A, though, because of his injury history as he missed time in all four of his collegiate seasons.

9. Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Grade: A+

Fano is the cleanest offensive lineman in the draft class. He pairs high-end athleticism with technical prowess and strong hands. He’s an elite zone blocker who has the size to play anywhere along the offensive line if needed. His arm length may scare some off, but it was never a massive issue for him on tape.

10. Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Grade: A-

The Giants lock in the missing piece to their starting five with Mauigoa. He’ll kick inside to right guard for now, where he’ll be a butt-kicker in the run game. His ability to move people off the line of scrimmage is special for a player who hasn’t even turned 21 yet. Jaxson Dart is somewhere celebrating.

11. Dolphins

12. Cowboys

13. Rams

14. Ravens

15. Buccaneers

16. Jets

17. Lions

18. Vikings

19. Panthers

20. Cowboys

21. Steelers

22. Chargers

23. Eagles

24. Browns

25. Bears

26. Bills

27. 49ers

28. Texans

29. Chiefs

30. Dolphins

31. Patriots

32. Seahawks

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How my wedges became the most trusted clubs in my bag

Published

19 minutes ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Welcome to Fully Fit 2026, GOLF’s new platform for providing you with real-golfer insights into what 2026 gear might be best suited for your game. To this end, we assembled six GOLF content creators of varying abilities and ran them through the gauntlet of six full-bag fittings (driver to putter!) at six major club manufacturers in Phoenix and Carlsbad, Calif. Our hope: that you might see shades of your own game in one of our panelists’ and take some learnings and inspiration from their fitting experiences. In this installment (below), Maddi MacClurg details the one club she can’t live without from Fully Fit 2026, her Vokey SM11 wedges. You may browse each of our panelists’ full 2026 dream bags here:

I’ve never been one to chase gains through endless equipment tweaks or obsess over specs. My instinct has always leaned on a familiar expression you’ve probably heard on the range or during a friendly match: a poor craftsman blames his tools.

More often than not, that philosophy worked for me — until one day, it didn’t.

I’ve always understood the importance of getting fit and playing equipment tailored to your game, yet I still assumed most of my shortcomings were purely skill-based—a gap I could close with enough reps.

That belief shifted during a wedge fitting at the Titleist Performance Institute. It wasn’t one club in particular that stood out to me. Rather, I was surprised by how much I’d been leaving on the table by relying on “off-the-rack” wedges. I’d been fit before for basics — shaft, length, loft, lie — but I hadn’t experienced a true wedge fitting. For me, the difference was significant.

After testing the full range of grinds in the SM11, I settled on an F-Grind for my 52-degree, a D-Grind for my 56, and an S-Grind for my 60. For context, I had previously played more standard, one-size-fits-all wedge grinds that weren’t truly matched to how I use each club around the green. With this change, the improvement was immediate — especially with spin and distance control, which had been a challenge for me.

Wedge breakdown

The first piece of my wedge setup felt comfortably familiar. My 52-degree — used primarily for full swings rather than touch shots — stayed in an F-grind, maintaining a sense of continuity. It’s one of the most predictable clubs in my bag, producing a consistent flight and dependable yardages without much need for manipulation. If anything, that reliability has become more noticeable. Time and again, it’s the club I lean on for short approach shots because it just does what I expect it to do.

Where things really started to shift was with the 56-degree D-grind, which brought a clear step forward in both versatility and forgiveness. The added bounce and sole relief made an immediate difference on softer lies and in the sand — especially compared to my previous, more standard grind setup. Just as important, I saw a noticeable increase in spin. Shots that once released unpredictably were now checking with intent, stopping quicker and doing so with more consistency, even from less-than-ideal lies.

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

View Product

Then came the 60-degree (S-grind), and with it, my short game really opened up. It’s quickly become the most versatile wedge in my bag. Designed for players who like to create shots from a variety of lies and conditions, the S-grind gave me the freedom to be more imaginative around the greens without sacrificing stability. Like my 56-degree, it also produced noticeably more spin, bringing a new level of predictability to both landing spots and rollout. I’m no longer choosing between creativity and control—now, the two work together. With this club in hand, I feel confident over every greenside shot, even under pressure.

What stood out most after putting these into play wasn’t just how each wedge performed on its own, but how naturally they began to work together. I still have a go-to club around the green, but now there’s a clear structure to the set.

With that structure came clarity. There’s less hesitation or second-guessing around the greens now—just a clear picture of the shot I want to hit. What I once saw as a purely skill-driven part of the game now feels like a blend of skill and setup, where the right tools don’t replace practice, but allow it to show up more reliably when it matters.

In the end, it’s not about chasing equipment for the sake of it. It’s about recognizing when the setup is starting to limit you and being willing to adjust.

Ready to overhaul your bag in 2026 like our Fully Fit panelists? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

“>

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Nelly Korda is freed up at the Chevron Championship. That’s bad news for the field

Published

32 minutes ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

HOUSTON — Nelly Korda’s major championship season opened with stress and everyone holding their breath.

Starting on the par-4 10th at Memorial Park, Korda faced a six-foot sliding putt for par. Miss it, and the World No. 2 would start the Chevron Championship with an inauspicious bogey and be behind the eight-ball out of the gates, leaving everyone wondering if a repeat of shaky 2025 major season was on deck. She took a deep breath and calmly rolled it in the heart. Another seven-foot par putt awaited her on her second hole of the day, the par-3 11th, and once again Korda answered the bell.

Just as the LPGA needed her to.

It’s unfair to put the tour on Korda’s shoulders. But she’s the biggest star in the women’s game and if the LPGA is going to make inroads with new audiences, it needs their biggest needle to be a draw on its biggest weeks.

The LPGA needed Nelly Korda to provide electricty this week at Memorial Park. After two gritty par saves to start her championship, Nelly Korda delivered.

She birdied No. 12 and No. 16 to turn in 2-under. Then, she hit the gas. Korda stuffed a wedge into the par-5 first to get to 3 under and then hit a 5 iron on the par-3 second hole to five feet for another birdie.

“I hit that one good,” a beaming Korda said after her round. “Those are the shots that you’re like, oh, God, I love golf.”

Another birdie followed at the third to get Korda into a tie for the early lead. After three straight pars, Korda arrived at the par-3 7th hole and hit a towering 6 iron to five feet for another birdie. A final birdie at the par-5 8th meant Korda signed for an opening round of 7 under and a two-shot lead. It was the second lowest opening round in a major of Korda’s career and her first bogey-free round in a major since the second round of the 2024 AIG Women’s Open.

A year ago, Korda was going through the early part of a “weird” and winless 2025 season. It was a campaign that saw her truly contend at only one of the five majors. It was frustrating but also served as a reminder for Korda that she already has all she needs. She has long held the key to her own success and has the support system around her to keep her stable in the downturns that naturally arrive in the world of professional golf.

“I would say that you receive a lot more criticism when you’re on top of the game, and having a tight-knit circle, you’re very grateful for the people you have around,” Korda said at last year’s CME Group Tour Championship. “The circle does get a little smaller, but I think I have an amazing circle. I would say I’m extremely, extremely lucky for the people that I have around me. At the end of the day, the life that we live and performing in front of people, it is super important to have that stability in your life.”

Kiara Romero hits a shot at the Chevron Championship — Top amateur Kiara Romero’s star potential showed in unexpected moments at Chevron

By:

Josh Schrock

That circle, and the consistency in it, have helped Nelly Korda find Nelly Korda so far this year. After constantly finishing on the wrong side of golf’s “fine line” in 2025, Korda got back to work. She refined her schedule, kept the pedal down practicing with her longtime coach David Whelan in the offseason, made sure her body was ready for the grind of another season and kept her circle the same.

All of that has seen Korda start the year with a win at the weather-shortened Tournament of Champions and then three straight runner-up finishes heading into the year’s first major. Her game and mind are where they need to be.

“With golf I feel like you can put in the work,” Korda said on Tuesday before the tournament. “Like I always say control what you can control, and am I working hard? Am I putting in the effort every single day mentally and physically? Other than that, I can’t control anything. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control what other girls do, what other girls shoot. I can’t control if I hot a good shot and I’m in a divot.

“Like there are so many things on this game that you just can’t control. I try to just take that all out of my mind and be like, Okay, I am going to focus on what I can control, and that’s it.”

Nelly Korda controlled all she could to be ready for this week. She took last week off to work more with Whelan and brought her putting coach David Angelotti out to Houston for the week. She played 18 holes on Monday and then putted on wet greens on Tuesday once the thunderstorms had passed. She saw a long, demanding golf course that played to her strengths. All that was vital to what transpired Thursday.

But Nelly Korda is also free and loose. The frustrations of last year are flushed. She’s opened the season on a tear and is now already two shots ahead on a course she just ripped apart in the opening 18 holes.

“I’m just happy,” Korda said after her round of the different feelings this year brings before praising every member of her team from Whelan to longtime caddie Jason McDede. “I think just there is a comfort and happiness inside me that makes me happy on the golf course.”

A free and easy Nelly Korda has been unleashed this week in Houston. That’s bad news for the rest of the field but exactly what the LPGA needed.

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NFL Draft 2026 team grades: Live Round 1 results, team-by-team grades

Published

45 minutes ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived. Months of scouting, planning and — for some teams — aggressive trading led to these three days. All 32 franchises will add rookies to their rosters throughout the seven-round event, and every selection is ripe for scrutiny.

Using an internal formula based on our analysts’ individual pick grades, we will hand out team-by-team grades to assess how effectively each franchise uses its draft capital. Early rounds carry more weight than later selections, and picks at the top of the board are valued more heavily than those at the back end of each round.

This page tracks how each team is building its class in real time, with team grades updating after every selection.

Individual pick grades are determined by two CBS Sports NFL Draft analysts. Mike Renner handles Rounds 1–3, while Josh Edwards takes over for Rounds 4–7.

Here are our team-by-team grades for the 2026 NFL Draft.

2026 NFL Draft essentials

Arizona Cardinals — C+

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (3)	Jeremiyah Love — RB, Notre Dame	C+
R2 (34)
R3 (65)
R4 (104)
R5 (143)
R6 (183)
R7 (217)

Selecting a running back is about as aggressive as the Cardinals could have possibly been at No. 3. They made Jeremiyah Love the first running back selected in the top five since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. They are now invested heavily into the position even though they don’t have their long-term quarterback, which makes this a “C+” pick, according to Renner. That is no knock against Love himself, though. Many analysts view him as the best player in the draft. He has superstar potential.

Atlanta Falcons

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (48)
R3 (79)
R4 (122)
R6 (215)
R7 (231)

Baltimore Ravens

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (14)
R2 (45)
R3 (80)
R4 (115)
R5 (154)
R5 (162)
R5 (173)
R5 (174)
R6 (211)
R7 (250)
R7 (253)

Buffalo Bills

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (26)
R3 (91)
R4 (126)
R5 (165)
R5 (168)
R6 (182)
R7 (220)

Carolina Panthers

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (19)
R2 (51)
R3 (83)
R4 (119)
R5 (158)
R5 (159)
R6 (200)

Chicago Bears

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (25)
R2 (57)
R2 (60)
R3 (89)
R4 (129)
R7 (239)
R7 (241)

Cincinnati Bengals

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (41)
R3 (72)
R4 (110)
R6 (189)
R6 (199)
R7 (221)
R7 (226)

Cleveland Browns

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (6)
R1 (24)
R2 (39)
R3 (70)
R4 (107)
R5 (146)
R5 (149)
R6 (206)
R7 (248)

Dallas Cowboys

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (20)
R1 (22)
R2 (55)
R3 (92)
R4 (112)
R5 (152)
R5 (177)
R5 (180)
R7 (218)

Denver Broncos

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (62)
R4 (108)
R4 (111)
R5 (170)
R7 (246)
R7 (256)
R7 (257)

Detroit Lions

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (17)
R2 (50)
R4 (118)
R4 (128)
R5 (157)
R5 (181)
R6 (205)
R6 (213)
R7 (222)

Green Bay Packers

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (52)
R3 (84)
R4 (120)
R4 (153)
R5 (160)
R6 (201)
R7 (236)
R7 (255)

Houston Texans

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (28)
R2 (38)
R2 (59)
R3 (69)
R4 (106)
R5 (141)
R5 (167)
R7 (243)

Indianapolis Colts

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (47)
R3 (78)
R4 (113)
R5 (156)
R6 (214)
R7 (249)
R7 (254)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick	Player	Grade
R2 (56)
R3 (81)
R3 (88)
R3 (100)
R4 (124)
R5 (164)
R5 (166)
R6 (203)
R7 (233)
R7 (240)
R7 (245)

Kansas City Chiefs

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (9)
R1 (29)
R2 (40)
R3 (74)
R4 (109)
R5 (148)
R5 (169)
R5 (176)
R6 (210)

Las Vegas Raiders — A

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (1)	Fernando Mendoza — QB, Indiana	A
R2 (36)
R3 (67)
R4 (102)
R4 (117)
R4 (134)
R5 (175)
R6 (185)
R6 (208)
R7 (219)

It would have been the surprise of all surprises if the Raiders did anything with the No. 1 pick other than select Fernando Mendoza. There is no drama here, and as such, it’s an “A” for Las Vegas right out of the gate. Klint Kubiak has his quarterback of the future.

Los Angeles Chargers

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (22)
R2 (55)
R3 (86)
R4 (123)
R6 (203)

Los Angeles Rams

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (13)
R2 (61)
R3 (93)
R6 (207)
R7 (232)
R7 (251)
R7 (252)

Miami Dolphins

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (11)
R1 (30)
R2 (43)
R3 (75)
R3 (87)
R3 (90)
R3 (94)
R4 (130)
R5 (151)
R7 (227)
R7 (238)

Minnesota Vikings

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (18)
R2 (49)
R3 (82)
R3 (97)
R5 (163)
R6 (196)
R7 (234)
R7 (235)
R7 (244)

New England Patriots

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (31)
R2 (63)
R3 (95)
R4 (125)
R4 (131)
R5 (171)
R6 (191)
R6 (198)
R6 (202)
R6 (212)
R7 (247)

New Orleans Saints

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (8)
R2 (42)
R3 (73)
R4 (132)
R4 (136)
R5 (150)
R5 (172)
R6 (190)

New York Giants

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (5)
R1 (10)
R2 (37)
R4 (105)
R5 (145)
R6 (186)
R6 (192)
R6 (193)

New York Jets — C-

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (2)	David Bailey — EDGE, Texas Tech	C-
R1 (16)
R2 (33)
R2 (44)
R4 (103)
R4 (140)
R5 (179)
R7 (228)
R7 (242)

The debate between David Bailey and Arvell Reese at No. 2 is settled. New York went with the Texas Tech edge rusher, whose projected ability to step right in as a ready-made prospect makes him a big weapon for Aaron Glenn in what is a prove-it year for the Jets coach. The only problem, though, is that his run defense ability lags behind his pass-rushing skills. And because the Jets already have an inconsistent run defender on the edge in Will McDonald, Renner gives the pick a “C-.”

Philadelphia Eagles

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (23)
R2 (54)
R3 (68)
R3 (98)
R4 (114)
R4 (137)
R5 (178)
R6 (197)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (21)
R2 (53)
R3 (76)
R3 (85)
R3 (99)
R4 (121)
R4 (135)
R5 (161)
R6 (216)
R7 (224)
R7 (230)
R7 (237)

San Francisco 49ers

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (27)
R2 (58)
R4 (127)
R4 (133)
R4 (138)
R4 (139)

Seattle Seahawks

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (32)
R2 (64)
R3 (96)
R6 (188)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (22)
R2 (46)
R2 (55)
R3 (77)
R5 (155)
R6 (195)
R7 (229)

Tennessee Titans — B

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (4)	Carnell Tate — WR, Ohio State	B
R2 (35)
R3 (66)
R4 (101)
R5 (142)
R5 (144)
R6 (184)
R6 (194)
R7 (225)

It is no surprise to see Carnell Tate go in the top 10, but few would have thought the Titans would be the team to grab him. That does not make it a bad pick for Tennessee, though. With Jeremiyah Love off the board, the Titans switched their focus from running back to wide receiver in the search for weapons to pair with Cam Ward. That’s precisely what they got in Tate, who could be the second-year quarterback’s favorite target as a rookie.

Washington Commanders

Pick	Player	Grade
R1 (7)
R3 (71)
R5 (147)
R6 (187)
R6 (209)
R7 (223)

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Aryna Sabalenka extends Winning run in Madrid

Published

58 minutes ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Aryna Sabalenka extends Winning run in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka beat Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-3 to continue her run in Madrid.

The first set was close, with Sabalenka edging it 7-5, and she followed it by taking control in the second to close out the match in straight sets.

The win makes it 13 in a row for Sabalenka, and seven straight in Madrid. She is a three-time champion at the event and has now reached the final four times. Her form this season has been strong, with a 24-1 record in 2026, building on her Sunshine Double earlier in the year.

After the match, she was asked about her new puppy, Ash.

“Ash is definitely the cutest dog that I ever had. We love him so much. He loves us so much. He loves everyone. I feel like he’s like the tour dog. He goes to the gym. He runs to the players. He gets his cuddles. I feel like it’s like a mental support for everyone.”

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James McClean: Derry City midfielder seeks career-saving surgery on hip problem

Published

1 hour ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

James McClean admits his career is in jeopardy due to a long-standing hip injury and will explore the possibility of surgery to fix the problem.

The 37-year-old returned to Derry City this season, but says the Brandywell’s astroturf surface has acerbated the issue and received medical advice that he “has no business being on a football pitch”.

The Candystripes’ surface is in the process of being replaced with the grass surface at Derry GAA’s Celtic Park set to host at least five games until it is ready, beginning with Friday’s Premier Division clash against Shamrock Rovers [20:00 BST].

McClean, who was sent off for two yellows in the 2-2 draw against Dundalk on 10 April, is theoretically free to play, but is focused on what could be a “last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery”.

“I was told by a specialist 10 days ago that my body currently ‘has no business being on a football pitch’ due to the severity of the damage to my hip,” he posted on social media.

“I respect his honesty and his expert opinion, but I have never been one to lay down without a fight.

“Tomorrow’s appointment is a last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery – if it’s even a possibility – one which will allow me to do what I have dreamt of doing, and that’s being able to contribute while in an acceptable physical state to do so. That is playing for a club I love in Derry City.”

The former Republic of Ireland international, who spent 15 years at English and Welsh clubs after first leaving the Brandywell in 2011, said he wanted to set the record straight about the “hell” he has gone through due the hip problem.

“For the past few years, I have been playing through difficulties with my hip and though I have managed and played through the pain, the impact of training and playing on astro has sped up the damage much faster than I ever anticipated,” he explained.

“The past six weeks have been hell – pain is something I have been able to get on with and play with throughout my career, but it is the restriction and not being able to move which is what I am struggling with physically obviously, but also mentally.”

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South Carolina lands 5-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards

Published

1 hour ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

High School Basketball: McDonalds All American Jam Fest

Mar 30, 2026; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Oliviyah Edwards hangs upside down from the rim as she celebrates after dunking the ball during the McDonalds All American Jam Fest at Millennium High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards of Washington committed to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class on Thursday.

The 6-foot-3 Edwards reopened her recruitment earlier this month after originally signing with Tennessee in November.

The No. 5-ranked prospect by the 247Sports composite joins Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley’s No. 2-ranked incoming class.

“I chose South Carolina because it felt like home,” Edwards told ESPN. “Coach Staley, the staff and the team showed me a level of love and belief that stood out. I know I’ll be pushed every single day, and being surrounded by that kind of energy and support means everything to me.”

The McDonald’s All-American also considered Southern California, LSU, Florida and Washington.

Edwards averaged 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game last season at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash.

–Field Level Media

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MLB Roundup: Torkelson walk-off homer lifts Tigers over Brewers

Published

2 hours ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Spencer Torkelson hit a walk-off home run and Riley Greene had two hits, including a two-run homer, to rally the Detroit Tigers to a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.

He blasted the solo shot to left-center off reliever Abner Uribe (1-1). It was the second straight game that Torkelson homered.

Detroit tied the game at 4 in the eighth inning off Jahmai Jones’ second home run of the year.

Reliever Brant Hurter (2-0) shut down Milwaukee in the ninth to set up the Tigers’ win.

The Brewers rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the seventh. Blake Perkins tied the game with a double off of Tarik Skubal that scored Gary Sanchez and Luis Matos. David Hamilton then put the Brewers up 4-3 when his single off reliever Tyler Holton brought home Perkins.

Skubal had been dominant early in the game, retiring the first 11 batters and throwing strikes on 24 of his first 26 pitches. He finished allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out five.

Greene gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the first with his homer into left-center that scored Kevin McGonigle from third.

William Contreras doubled in the fourth inning and scored when Gary Sanchez drove him in on a double to right.

The Tigers went up 3-1 in the seventh when Dillon Dingler’s grounder drove in Colt Keith.

WASHINGTON — JR Ritchie allowed a home run to James Wood on his first major league pitch, then rebounded to allow one more run over seven innings and lead Atlanta over Washington for its eighth win in nine games.

Ozzie Albies homered and had four RBIs for the Braves, who broke a 2-2 tie with four runs in the seventh.

A 22-year-old right-hander selected 35th overall in the 2022 amateur draft, Ritchie (1-0) struck out seven, walked two and threw 54 of 89 pitches for strikes. He averaged 94.4 mph with 24 fastballs and also mixed in 25 curves, 19 changeups, 10 sliders, seven cutters and four sinkers.

Wood homered on a fastball over the middle of the strike zone, his National League-leading 10th home run of the season, and CJ Abrams went deep on a changeup below the strike zone in the fourth. Washington did not get a hit after Daylen Lile’s two-out single in the fourth.

Ritchie started the season at Triple-A Gwinnett and went 3-1 with a 0.99 ERA in five starts. Atlanta selected the contracts of Richie and right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the Stripers before the game, optioned right-hander Didier Fuentes to Gwinnett and placed left-hander Dylan Dodd on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday because of left spine inflammation.

Ritchie became the first Braves pitcher to allow two runs or fewer over seven-plus innings in his debut since Matt Wisler in 2015.

CUBS 8, PHILLIES 7, 10 INNINGS

CHICAGO — Dansby Swanson had his first game-ending hit in five years, and Chicago rebounded from a pair of blown leads to beat Philadelphiain 10 innings for their ninth straight win and the Phillies’ ninth loss in a row.

Chicago led 6-2 before Philadelphia closed with three runs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa had a tying single off Jacob Webb in the eighth, Seiya Suzuki put Chicago back ahead 7-6 when he homered against Brad Keller in the bottom half and pinch-hitter Adolis García retied the score when he went deep off Caleb Theilbar in the ninth.

Swanson’s opposite-field, one-out single to right-center off Tanner Banks (0-2) drove in automatic runner Ian Happ from third for Swanson’s first walk-off hit with the Cubs, giving the win to Javier Assad (2-1).

Chicago had a season-high 18 hits and is on its longest winning streak since taking 11 in a row from July 31 through Aug. 12 in 2016 – the year the Cubs won their first World Series since 1908.

Philadelphia has lost nine straight for the first time since Sept. 20-28, 2018. The Phillies haven’t lost 10 in a row since an 11-game skid from Sept. 4-14, 1999.

SAN FRANCISCO — Tyer Glasnow and Tanner Scott combined on a one-hitter and Los Angeles avoided a three-game series sweep with a win over San Francisco.

Kyle Tucker and Hyeseong Kim had two hits apiece as the NL West-leading Dodgers won for the second time in six games. Kim and Dalton Rushing each had an RBI. Shohei Ohtani finished 0 for 5 with two strikeouts.

Glasnow (3-0), who has never pitched a complete game in the majors, struck out nine and allowed one hit and a walk in eight innings. The 32-year-old right-hander threw 105 pitches, 69 for strikes, and retired the final 14 batters he faced.

Scott got the final three outs in his first save of the season as the Dodgers notched their second shutout of the season.

WHITE SOX 4, DIAMONDBACKS 1

PHOENIX — Andrew Benintendi hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning that lifted Chicago over Arizona for their third win in four games.

With the score 1-1, Chase Meidroth drew a four-pitch walk from Paul Sewald (0-3) and moved up on Tristan Peters’ sacrifice. Pinch-hitter Edgar Quero walked and Benintendi, who is hitting .216, followed by driving a 2-2 fastball 410 feet into the swimming pool area in right-center for his second homer this season.

Grant Taylor (1-0) stranded runners at second and third by striking out Jose Fernandez to end the seventh, then worked around a leadoff single in the eighth to pitch 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Seranthony Domínguez pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

DENVER — Gavin Sheets hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning and Miguel Andujar had three RBIs as San Diego rallied to beat Colorado.

The Padres trailed 8-5 entering the ninth inning before Xander Bogaerts and Andujar hit RBI singles, cutting the deficit to a run. Then, with runners on first and third, Sheets launched a slider from Victor Vodnik 379 feet over the right field wall for his third homer of the season. The game-winning swing came on Sheets’ 30th birthday.

It was the second blown save of the season for Vodnik (0-2).

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Football gossip: Fernandez, Van de Ven, Martinez, Sancho, Anderson, Diomande, Terzic, Leao, Ponomarenko

Published

2 hours ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Enzo Fernandez is wanted by Manchester City, Aston Villa have identified James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United are keen on Micky van de Ven and Carlos Baleba.

Manchester City are considering a move for 25-year-old Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Aston Villa are interested in Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez if the 33-year-old Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave. (Times – subscription required), external

Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao, 26, who is valued at about £60m. (Mail), external

Manchester United are monitoring Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, 25, along with Brighton‘s 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Manchester City are in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, despite interest from clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sky Sports, external)

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal. (Sky Sport – in German, external)

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande’s agents have already held discussions with Liverpool and Paris St-Germain, but RB Leipzig are keen on keeping the 19-year-old at the club for at least one more season. (Bild – in German, external)

Brighton centre-back Igor Julio could be set for a return to Brazil with Cruzeiro exploring the situation of the 28-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at West Ham. (ESPN – in Portuguese, external)

Athletic Club are set to appoint former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as their manager to replace Ernesto Valverde. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish, external ), external

Wolves, Bournemouth and Sunderland are among the clubs interested in signing 25-year-old Queens Park Rangers and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell. (Football Insider, external)

Brentford have taken a strong interest in Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine striker Matviy Ponomarenko, 20, as a potential replacement for 24-year-old Brazilian Igor Thiago, who could be a summer target for Chelsea and Tottenham. (Teamtalk, external)

Nottingham Forest will attempt to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer after having a bid of £25m for the 22-year-old Belgian rejected by the Scottish club in February. (Teamtalk, external)

Tottenham are in talks with Sebastian Kehl over becoming their new co-sporting director after the 46-year-old German left Borussia Dortmund last month. (Sun), external

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Austin Reaves is upgraded to questionable for Lakers in first-round Game 3 against Rockets

Published

2 hours ago

24 April 2026

NewsAdmin

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers made the designation on their high-scoring guard Thursday while the team flew to Houston. Los Angeles has a surprising 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 on Friday night despite playing without Luka Doncic and Reaves, its top two scorers.

Reaves hasn’t played since he strained his oblique muscles and Doncic strained his hamstring in a game at Oklahoma City on April 2, but Reaves returned to on-court basketball activities over the past few days. Before the Lakers’ flight, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured starters’ return to play.

Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds during an impressive regular season for the Lakers, although he played in only 51 games due to two lengthy injury absences. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former undrafted free agent cemented his status as a prolific secondary scorer and dependable offensive facilitator while the Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific Division.

But Reaves and NBA scoring champion Doncic were both injured during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Thunder three weeks ago.

Doncic is still out for Game 3, but Redick said earlier this week that the Slovenian superstar is expected to begin initial on-court work soon. The Lakers haven’t publicly speculated on the date of either guard’s return.

After losing three straight games following the injuries, the Lakers have regrouped and won five in a row. Los Angeles stunned the NBA by claiming the first two games of its first-round series at home over the Rockets, who were perceived as the strong favorites in the series due to the Lakers’ injury problems.

Although 41-year-old LeBron James is leading the way, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart also have stepped up impressively in the absence of the Lakers’ starting backcourt. Kennard scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, and Smart scored 25 points with five 3-pointers in Game 2 while leading Los Angeles’ impressive defensive effort against Kevin Durant, who managed only three points after halftime.

Reaves will be eligible for a big new contract this summer if he declines his option for next season, as expected. Both Reaves and team officials have said they believe the guard will remain with the Lakers, his favorite team since childhood.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

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