At the 2026 Open Championship, golf fans witnessed conflicting realities when it comes to slow play in pro golf. On the one hand, Ryan Fox put on a fast-play clinic on his way to winning on Sunday at Royal Birkdale, which Jon Rahm called “eye-opening.”
On the other, some pros suffered through rounds on Thursday and Friday that stretched to 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Ahead of this week’s LIV Golf U.K. event, Rahm tackled both seemingly contradictory ideas in his pre-tournament press conference. But he also identified the biggest issue with slow play in pro golf and suggested a simple solution.
Rahm says slow play rules need to be ‘stricter’
Rahm presented his idea for controlling pace of play on Tour when addressing a different issue entirely: new code-of-conduct policies at majors.
“Now that you bring up pace of play, I can give you an idea,” Rahm began. “If you get a warning for code of conduct on Thursday, that warning stays for the whole week and it doesn’t reset. You can be slow on Thursday; your group gets warned; you have time to catch up. Then you get put on the clock, and once you’re on the clock you get one more warning before you get penalized. So you get three possible bad times amongst many others, and then when you tee off on Friday, you start from zero again. That doesn’t seem very fair to me.”
Rahm continued by arguing that pro golf’s governing bodies should either loosen the rules on code of conduct or change the pace of play rules to make warnings last for an entire tournament instead of a single round.
“How come one which is a present issue in the game that can cause slow play and affect other people, you get so many breaks, and it’s completely looked over, and then in code of conduct, you don’t know where the line is. You have no definition of what you can or cannot do, even though we understand where the limit may be, and that warning stays with you for the whole week,” Rahm said on Tuesday. “I know the different things and why they’re doing it, but either make one of them a lot more stricter or the other one a lot looser. Whatever you choose. But it would be nice to see them on the same line. Don’t care.”
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But if Rahm were making the decision, he would choose to change the pace of play rules.
“I think make pace of play stricter,” he said.
Why Rahm thinks slow play issue has been ‘blown out of proportion’
While Rahm acknowledged that slow play is an issue in pro golf, he also argued that the problem has been overstated. Why? Because slow rounds are just a reality of tournaments with big fields and difficult setups, especially on Thursdays and Fridays.
“It gets to a point where you can only do so much, but when you have — like last week, for example, a hole like 14 where it’s reachable but the green is really hard to hit as a par-5, very few people are going to hit the green, now your ball is running off the green. It’s a difficult chip. It’s just going to take time. As people hit the fairway, slowly it will delay and delay and delay, and by the end of the day it’s going to be quite a wait. It is the nature of the game,” Rahm explained.
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He backed up his argument by noting that tournaments with smaller fields, such as the Masters, don’t typically see issues with slow play.
“I think the pace of play has been blown out of proportion a little bit as of late,” Rahm said. “I think most people only fall back to playing slower simply because the group in front is slow, and you only see a small part of the whole narrative, when the truth is I think when you have a smaller field, it rarely, rarely becomes an issue.”
Rahm praises Ryan Fox and top pros for fast pace of play
As for Fox’s lightning-fast play on Sunday at the Open, Rahm was not surprised, having played with the longtime pro many times. Though he did admit he was shocked at just how quickly Fox hit his winning birdie putt on 18.
“I think what was surprising was taking 22 seconds from the moment the last putt from Sam [Burns] goes in until Ryan hits his putt to win the championship. I think it shows more than just a fast routine, how confident and how good he was feeling that day,” Rahm said.
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He also said Fox’s success while playing fast could be “eye-opening” for the golf world and provide players of all types with a good example to follow.
“I’ve played a lot with Ryan [Fox], and obviously I’m not surprised since I know how fast he is, but I think it’s eye-opening to the world when you get to see every single shot he hits that day and how quickly he truly plays.”
But Rahm also noted that while slow players get the most attention, many of the best pros are fast players. He name-checked Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka specifically to demonstrate that Fox’s example was not out of the ordinary.
“Another player that’s incredibly fast is Rory McIlroy. Always has been. Brooks [Koepka] as well. There’s a lot of people that have won great events that are super fast. It’s just never been talked about because I think it’s easier to focus on the other side of the coin, right,” Rahm argued. “But there’s a lot of people out there that have achieved a lot being really fast.”
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While Rahm spoke at length about pace of play in his Tuesday LIV press conference, he stayed tight-lipped about LIV Golf’s tenuous future. When asked if he expected to be playing on LIV Golf in 2027, he said simply, “I’m not going to share anything that I can’t share with you guys right now.”
The 2026 3M Open kicks off Thursday morning with the first round at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Thursday, including full 3M Open TV coverage, streaming details and complete Round 1 tee times.
How to watch 3M Open on Thursday
Max Homa is in the midst of a return to PGA Tour relevance. A six-time Tour winner, the popular pro has fallen off track the last couple years. In 2025, he failed to make the FedEx Cup playoffs and finished outside the top 100, earning only partial Tour status for 2026.
But this year he’s looking much more like his old self. He finished T9 at the Masters in April, which moved him from 98th to 50th in FedEx Cup standings. A brief rough stretch saw him fall back to 70th. But a recent string of solid results, including a solo second at the John Deere Classic and a T28 at the Open Championship have Homa back inside the top 50 and in playoff contention.
This week he’ll try to keep his hot hand going beginning on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities.
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Homa will tee off for the opening round on Thursday at 8:18 a.m. ET alongside Jake Knapp and Corey Conners.
You can watch the first round of the 3M Open on TV via Golf Channel beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET, as well as featured group and featured hole coverage. The GOLF App will carry a simulcast of Golf Channel’s Thursday TV coverage.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 3M Open.
Golf Channel will provide first-round TV coverage of the 2026 3M Open from 4-7 p.m. ET on Thursday.
How to stream online Thursday
You can stream the first round of the 2026 3M Open via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Thursday in addition to featured group and hole coverage. You can also stream a live simulcast of Golf Channel’s TV coverage on the GOLF App.
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The Lesson Learned from Dalvin Cook, Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Camryn Bynum, and Danielle Hunter (Among Others)
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.
Hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah meant welcoming change. Go ahead and re-read the title for some examples.
Consider, as a single example, opting to move on from Dalvin Cook. The elegant, gliding runner had a productive season in 2022 within the Kevin O’Connell offense, turning 264 carries into 1,173 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Many runners would see these statistics as being excellent but the year wasn’t among Cook’s most dominant.
The point, as you may have guessed, is that welcoming a new GM means welcoming change. Being content with the status quo would have led to keeping the old boss, Mr. Adofo-Mensah.
So, keep that central, basic reality in mind: embracing change means embracing change.
Nolan Teasley is coming over from the Seattle Seahawks. He’s therefore coming out of a fantastic franchise that is miles ahead of the Vikings. Minnesota is hoping for some of the Seattle magic to get sprinkled onto the Vikings. Inevitably, there’s got to be some form of change to move toward that sunnier horizon.
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Oct 16, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t that long ago, folks, that Dalvin Cook was a key part of the mix. Moreover, homegrown talents such as Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and several others were cornerstone talents for a strong era of Minnesota football.
The team then grafted free agents such as Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, and others onto the roster to try to keep the competitive window open. Oh, and that Kirk Cousins guy should be mentioned, as well.
None of these players are still in town; they were Vikings at the beginning of the Adofo-Mensah days but didn’t finish off the Adofo-Mensah days. They were all allowed/forced to leave at some point across the old GM’s four years.
What’s of interest now is who will get similar treatment now that Mr. Teasley is calling the shots.
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Part of his job description involves being able to build out an approach to being the Vikings’ GM that’s coherent with the strong leadership that’s already in place in Kevin O’Connell, Brian Flores, Matt Daniels, Rob Brzezinski, and others. These leaders value Justin Jefferson; Teasley is to do likewise.
But then there are the areas that demand change. Or, put differently, the areas that Teasley deems in need of change. Maybe that means not extending talents such as Brian O’Neill and Blake Cashman, great ball players who are moving into the final year of their deals. What about Ivan Pace Jr., T.J. Hockenson, Tai Felton, and/or Walter Rouse? Cuts or trades are possible.
Goodness, maybe even J.J. McCarthy could be tossed into the mix. Multiple NFL teams out there would be willing to trade for him if he doesn’t secure the top quarterback spot. Nolan Teasley doesn’t appear likely to accept a low-ball offer, but the new GM is somewhat of a mystery.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) walk onto the field before a divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Nov. 23, 2025. The veteran leaders prepared for another NFC North showdown as Minnesota attempted to secure an important late-season road victory against Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Nolan Teasley isn’t going to take his machete to the roster, cutting talent aplenty before the Week 1 game against the Packers. Rather, he’ll be using the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel, making precise cuts as he slowly begins shaping the roster into his own image.
At some point, though, the new GM is going to make decisions that end up being tough for fans to accept. A lot people didn’t like saying goodbye to Dalvin Cook and yet the old GM made the decision anyhow. When does Nolan Teasley arrive at similar decisions? Will it be before the 2026 season?
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The Vikings need to shrink the roster down to 53 men by the end of August. Expect at least some surprise and maybe even a bit of pain before getting to that first iteration of the 2026 Minnesota Vikings.
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) signals the referee against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Training camp is a time of optimism for the vast majority of NFL teams. The Vikings are clearly among the teams dreaming of a big season ahead, especially if they stay healthy and get better overall production from the quarterback position.
After a month of vacation time, the Vikings coaches are back to work and preparing for 2026 training camp that opens with the rookies reporting on Sunday and the vets two days later. There will be the usual ramp-up period before things crank up in earnest with the first padded practice on Monday, August 3, before the usual full house of fans at Vikings HQ in Eagan.
The Vikings defense should be solid coming off a top-five season, but there will be several new starters, and young players are being counted on to produce, especially along the defensive line. We expect Brian Flores’ defense to perform up to recent standards.
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Quarterback Clarity Will Drive the Entire Summer
The key to a playoff season in 2026, contending for the NFC North title and possibly making a playoff run, seems to point to the offense that is loaded with supporting talent for whoever is running the show at quarterback. The QB — whether it’s Kyler Murray (most likely) or J.J. McCarthy — has to lead the offense to better production than last season when the Vikings ranked 28th in yards per game, 29th in passing offense, 23rd in rushing yards, and 26th in scoring after being a top 10 team in most offensive categories in the 14-win season of 2024.
The Vikings also led the NFL in giveaways with 30 and threw the most interceptions (21). Murray has generally been good at protecting the ball. He has a 2% career interception rate, whereas McCarthy was at 4.9% in his first season as a starter in 2025, but his numbers should improve with experience.
Let’s further break down the offense by position and identify what the team needs to do this season:
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Quarterbacks
All eyes are on Murray and McCarthy entering training camp. We’ll be watching to see how Kevin O’Connell handles the first-team reps early on, with the expectation Murray and McCarthy will basically split them for the first week or so. O’Connell will want to get Murray the lion’s share as soon as possible if it’s obvious he’s going to be the September 13 starter against the Packers.
May 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray attends the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
We know it’s not an easy offense to learn, and Murray was up and down in OTAs and minicamp as he dealt with the learning curve. He’d better get it together quickly in camp, or the door could open for McCarthy, especially if Murray struggles in the two days of joint practices with the Ravens in Week 3 of training camp.
As I’ve said during the offseason, Murray is at a career crossroads, and a big season will likely lead to another $50 million-plus-per-year contract with the Vikings or elsewhere. So the pressure is on big-time, and he needs to know this offense inside and out as quickly as he can and perform at the level expected for a first overall pick. And neither player should say a word about how many reps they’re getting. Just go to work and don’t complain.
Keeping Murray and McCarthy healthy through training camp is obviously critical since they’ve both had injury issues in recent seasons. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer should get the bulk of the playing time in the three preseason games, but the hope is neither of them plays in the regular season.
The reality is we won’t know how the QB position is shaking out in terms of overall productivity this season and prospects until after the 2026 season, as we remember well McCarthy was Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 2025 season opening win in Chicago and then his season was a roller coaster from there. And Sam Darnold was terrific in 2024 until he laid an egg in the last two games.
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Running Backs
I think the position is well-stocked with a mix of styles among Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott and the intriguing rookie speedster Demond Claiborne.
Does Jones still have the juice to be a productive starter at 31 years old? I think he does, but we’ll be watching him in camp and early regular season to see if he can play at his excellent 2024 level when he had a combined 1,548 yards rushing and receiving with seven TDs. He needs to stay on the field after missing five games last season. Mason averaged 4.8 yards per carry and should be even better if the O-line stays healthy (especially tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill). Scott did some nice things in limited duty, especially as a receiving back.
Claiborne is the wild card in this group. He brings elite speed (4.37 in the 40) and is a dual-threat player. He’ll play a lot in preseason games when Jones is held out, so he’ll have an opportunity to carve out a role for the regular season if he performs well (and possibly a bigger role in the future).
Fifth-round bulldog Max Bredeson takes on the C.J. Ham fullback role as lead blocker and special teams contributor. We’ll see how much he becomes part of this offense, but he appears to be a good fit.
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Wide Receivers
This is the strongest position on the team. Justin Jefferson is one of the two or three best in the league, and I expect a huge season from him with better QB play leading to 1,500-plus receiving yards and a lot more TDs than the two he had in 2025. Jordan Addison is one of the best No. 2 WRs but needs to avoid the drops that hurt him and the team last season. Jauan Jennings is a solid third who should make as many catches as the departed Jalen Nailor.
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) runs with the ball against Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the third quarter of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Tai Felton looked improved this offseason so we’ll see if he can make a move towards more play time and being the No. 3 at a cheaper price than Jennings in 2027. There’s some talent among the other wide receivers in camp, including Dillon Bell, Myles Price, Jeshaun Jones, and Dontae Fleming. It will be fun to watch these players in camp practices and preseason games, with the top three unlikely to play much in the three games (and Jefferson not at all).
Tight Ends
At 29 years old, T.J. Hockenson should still be a Pro Bowl-caliber player and a big intermediate target for the Vikings QBs. The Vikings need him to be back in his 2023 form before his ACL injury, when he had a career-best 95 catches for 960 yards and five TDs. It will be interesting to see how he connects with the Vikings QBs in camp and what his role looks like. I expect a big season for Hockenson, who took a pay cut and wants to re-establish himself as an elite tight end ahead of his potential free agency in 2027.
Josh Oliver remains a critical part of the blocking scheme in the run game and pass protection as one of the league’s best in these areas. He also had four TD catches last season and has proven to be a dependable receiver.
Ben Yurosek and Gavin Bartholomew will compete for the third tight end spot, but it would not be a surprise if Bredeson takes on that role in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
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Offensive Line
I have a strong feeling the offensive line will be a team strength this season and that the potentially elite tackles — Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill — will be much healthier than in recent years (they missed a combined 11 games last season). Darrisaw looks much more confident in his knee that limited him last season (after the 2024 ACL tear). He should make his first Pro Bowl this year. O’Neill is looking for an extension as he enters the last year of his contract, and like Darrisaw, he’s an excellent player when healthy.
Will Fries and Donovan Jackson are solid as starting guards, with Jackson sure to make a leap as a second-year player following a good rookie season.
The big question is at center, where the Vikings passed on signing the top free agent centers and then didn’t draft a center until taking Gavin Gerhardt in the seventh round. O’Connell apparently believes Blake Brandel can do the job as a run blocker, pass protector, and in making the line calls. He has 31 starts in his career but only a few at center last season in relief of Ryan Kelly. He seemed to do OK, and if he ups his game while the rest of the starting O-line stays healthy, the team should have one of the league’s best units.
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) gets by Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76) during the first half at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In the critical backup tackle roles, the Vikings signed restricted free agent Ryan Van Demark and drafted Caleb Tiernan, a giant at 6-8, 323 pounds, in the third round. They should be a significant upgrade over last year’s backup tackles. Tiernan also is projected to be able to play guard in the NFL.
Joe Huber showed some promise last season as a backup guard. Gerhardt and Michael Jurgens will battle for the backup center job unless the Vikings add another center to the mix, which is a possibility if they’re not confident in Brandel or the backups (despite limited cap space, currently about $14 million under top 51 rules, and it’s possible much of that is being held for Harrison Smith if he returns).
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Next Week: Looking at the defense and special teams in my training camp preview.
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
Instead, Benn twice fought stateside as a super-welterweight and then twice boxed fierce rival Chris Eubank J as a middleweight, before announcing plans to return to the welterweight division and challenge for world honours.
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On his way back down to 147lbs, Benn entered the ring against Regis Prograis earlier this year in a 150lb catchweight contest and underwhelmed, but still he has landed his title shot, with a fight against Garcia now formally confirmed.
Speaking on the Fight Your Corner Podcast, Kell Brook looked ahead to the fight and admitted that whilst he gives Benn ‘a good chance’, he feels as though the power of Garcia means that a win for the Californian is more likely.
“I give him [Benn] a good chance, but I do lean towards Garcia winning the fight, I do. In his last fight he boxed well but in the fight before, he didn’t box so good. I just think that he will rise to the occasion, they are champions and I think that we are going to see the best of both of ‘em.
“I just think that Garcia has got that get-out-of-jail card. When I boxed Shawn Porter, I went to Vegas to finish some sparring off and I was some sparring with some good kids. I put it onto this kid and had a really good spar, I was punching hard.
“We had something to eat after and I said, who is the biggest puncher you’ve been to, don’t forget I’m a lot older than Garcia, and he said, ‘I have never been hit as hard as by Ryan Garcia,’. That punch power that he has got, that snap [is impressive].”
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Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with undefeated cruiserweight Jai Opetaia expected to appear on the undercard.
Think great golf shoes have to cost $200? Think again. Today’s athletic golf shoes are packed with the comfort, traction and weather protection you’d expect from premium models, all for around $100 or less. Better yet, golf shoes have never been more comfortable, with lightweight cushioning and sneaker-inspired designs that make walking 18 holes easier than ever.
To help you decide which ones are the best for your game, we rounded up five of our favorite golf shoes for under $100 that you can buy at PGA Tour Superstore.
5 great shoes for under $100 you can buy at PGA Tour Superstore:
Known mostly for its running shoes, Asics brings that same comfort-first approach to the course with the Gel-Course Glide. Lightweight cushioning, excellent stability and dependable spiked traction make it a great option for golfers who walk the course and value all-day comfort.
1 thing we really like: They have a unique look and the soft, responsive fit is comfortable from the first tee to the final putt.
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All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team.
If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
The GEL-COURSE™ Glide golf shoe provides improved traction and cushioning for the fairway with a low-profile, yet sophisticated design. The upper is designed with a seamless toe section and an integrated quarter-panel to reduce forefoot irritation, while the internal heel counter adds greater rearfoot stability. This technology is complemented with GEL® technology in the heel and a FLYTEFOAM® technology application in the midsole to supply a blend of lightweight comfort and ample cushioning. Excellent for increasing stability, this shoe incorporates a supportive midfoot paneling and an internal molded heel counter, while the outsole is constructed with a spiked pattern to boost traction throughout the course. With an insole that provides additional cushioning and ventilation, the GEL-COURSE™ Glide golf shoe equips you with the tools to assist in nailing powerful drives down the fairway and sinking putts. Product Details: Seamless Construction The use of seamless materials reduces the potential for irritation and friction caused by traditional stitches and seams. FLYTEFOAM® Technology Provides lightweight cushioning. Seamless toe panel GEL® Technology Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption Rearfoot GEL® technology cushioning system Attenuates shock during impact phase and allows for a smooth transition to midstance. Spike Patterned Outsole Increased durability and traction on all surface. FLYTEFOAM® Midsole Technology Our FLYTEFOAM® technology provides exceptional bounce back and responsiveness no matter the distance, utilizing organic super fibers to help reduce packing out that traditionally happens with softer, low density foams.
The FootJoy Fuel blends modern sneaker styling with golf-specific performance. Lightweight, stable and waterproof, it’s a versatile shoe that delivers the comfort you want with the traction and support you need for every round. (Buying last year’s style is a great way to save extra money.)
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1 thing we really like: The lightweight EVA cushioning provides excellent comfort.
Traditional styling meets All Day Comfort. FJ Traditions offer complete traction and can be easily maintained round after round. Lightweight comfort and super-cushioned foam deliver an incredibly flexible and comfortable ride. FJ, The #1 Shoe in Golf. Overview: Premium Prohide Leather Waterproof Construction Modern Silhouette Laser Street Last Style #57953 Product Details: 1-Year Waterproof Warranty: FJ warrants that this golf shoe will be waterproof in normal use for one year (U.S. Warranty). Fashionable Leather: Premium prohide leather offers outstanding waterproof comfort, breathability, and durability. Lightweight Construction: A foam midsole provides lightweight comfort. Complete Support: A molded high density EVA Fit-Bed® ensures all-day underfoot comfort. Insert System: The insert system refers to the type of receptacle found on the sole of your golf shoes. This model utilizes the Fast Twist 3.0 cleat system with Pulsar spikes. The Fast Twist 3.0 cleat system is the most advanced insert system on the market. The lower profile design offers improved comfort while still securing each cleat with consistent torque for maximum comfort. Laser Street Fit: Offers a full rounded toe character, standard fit across forefoot and instep, with a slightly narrow heel.
The adidas Adipower ’26 Spikeless combines athletic styling with all-day wearability. A comfortable leather upper, responsive Repetitor cushioning and Traxion outsole provide the stability and grip golfers need, all in a sharp spikeless design.
1 thing we really like: The Repetitor cushioning keeps every step feeling comfortable and responsive, making these a great choice for golfers who walk.
Inspired by power design DNA from past models, the Adipower 26 Spikeless Golf Shoes are designed for golfers who demand more from their footwear, providing a contemporary touch to your golf attire. Whether perfecting your swing or navigating the course, these shoes blend style and performance. The Repetitor cushioning technology provides consistent energy return, helping you stay comfortable throughout your round. These shoes provide a snug fit and breathability for long days on the turf. The rubber outsole with Traxion technology helps you grip the course, allowing you to move with ease and stability. With bold adidas branding, including the iconic 3-Stripes on a leather upper, these shoes are as stylish as they are functional. ADIPOWER 26 Spikeless Regular fit Power Lacing system with TPU saddle Full-grain waterproof leather upper REPETITOR midsole Molded INSITE sockliner
The PUMA IGNITE Elevate X blends modern sneaker style with golf-ready performance, and it’s currently on sale for under $100. Featuring responsive Ignite foam cushioning and Floatplate stability technology, it’s built to keep you comfortable while delivering a stable platform throughout your swing. What more could you want?
1 thing we really like: Outstanding stability. The Floatplate tech creates a more planted feel while swinging a club.
Elevate X, simply put, Built Different. Unlock your style and performance with the latest innovation in the spikeless game. IGNITE Elevate X delivers off-course style with on-course performance. IGNITE foam keeps you comfortable all day. FLOATPLATE Technology redefines stability for a powerful, controlled swing. Details: IGNITE FOAM FLOATPLATE EXOSHELL CRYSTAL RUBBER 1-YEAR WATERPROOF SKU: 310221
The New Balance Fresh Foam Contend v2 is built with walkers in mind. Plush Fresh Foam cushioning, excellent arch support, and a lightweight spikeless outsole combine to deliver exceptional comfort and stability from the first tee to the clubhouse.
1 thing we really like: Fresh Foam is a staple among runners and walkers who long for added cushioning and comfort. Great seeing it in golf shoes for those who walk!
The ultimate walking shoe! The Fresh Foam Contend v2 utilizes an innovative Fresh Foam® midsole that provides superior medial arch & heel support to promote proper alignment & stability while walking the course. Smart rubber spikeless outsole has pressure mapping colors to highlight key performance zones 10mm drop* Fresh Foam® innovative midsole provides ultra-cush, cloud-like feel Molded CUSH+® insole for superior comfort Welded forefoot water-guard for extra protection 2 year waterproof warranty* Weight: 8.9 oz
Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United training but a key decision was made during his time away from the club
11:58, 23 Jul 2026Updated 12:10, 23 Jul 2026
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Marcus Rashford will face an awkward reality when he returns to Manchester United as he is currently without a squad number. He last played for United in December 2024, subsequently spending time away on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
The 28-year-old showed signs of returning to his best form at Villa before being loaned to Barcelona last summer. Rashford scored and assisted 14 goals apiece in all competitions as the Catalan club won La Liga but Barcelona opted not to trigger their £26million buy option. A further £40m release clause has also since expired for other sides.
Rashford is set to report back to United training after his summer break. The England international was part of the squad that earned a World Cup bronze medal, making six tournament appearances, including three starts.
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Despite falling out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford’s camp have held positive talks with United over returning for pre-season. However, the forward faces a potentially awkward conversation with the United hierarchy over finding a new squad number after losing the number 10 shirt during his time away from Old Trafford.
The iconic number 10 was given to Matheus Cunha after his move from Wolves last year. It had been Rashford’s number since 2018, following in the footsteps of many United heroes such as Wayne Rooney.
Rashford initially wore number 39 when he made his first team breakthrough in the 2015/16 campaign. He was subsequently handed the number 19 shirt for the next two seasons before being given the prestigious number 10.
In 2018, Rashford tweeted about his new number: “Wearing the shirt worn by United legends, honoured.” United boss Jose Mourinho explained the reason for giving the then-20-year-old the iconic shirt number.
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“He wanted it,” Mourinho told MUTV in 2018. “He always wanted it. Of course, he respected the big Rooney and then Zlatan wanted to have it.
“Of course, he was in the shadow, waiting for the opportunity and now the shirt is empty. It’s something fantastic for the kid, let’s give the shirt to him”
In his time away from Old Trafford, Rashford wore nine for Villa, a number he previously wore for United’s academy sides. He also sported the number 14 shirt during his season with Barcelona.
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Both numbers from his respective loan spells are currently up for grabs at United. Aside from nine and 14, numbers 20, 21 and 24 are also available to Rashford within the top 25 slots.
However, in terms of his other old United numbers, Bryan Mbeumo occupies 19 and youngster Tyler Fletcher wears 39 in Michael Carrick’s squad. Summer signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tieleman have taken 17 and 18, respectively, while new backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow will wear number 12.
Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
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Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.
NEW DELHI: India’s fast-bowling production line has unearthed another exciting prospect, with Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma making his international debut in the opening T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday.The 24-year-old received his maiden India cap after a remarkable rise through domestic cricket and the IPL, as captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field first in the opening match of the three-game series.Speaking after the toss, Iyer explained the decision to bowl first, citing the expected bounce on the Harare surface.“We are going to bowl first. This is my first time here, so I don’t know how the wicket is going to play. But looking at the practice wickets, there was a decent amount of bounce,” Iyer said.India opted for a balanced attack comprising three seamers and one specialist spinner, handing Ashok the opportunity to begin his international journey alongside fellow speedster Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
India Playing XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav.
Ashok Sharma: From a Rajasthan village to the India cap
Ashok’s journey to the national team is a story of perseverance and family sacrifice.Hailing from Rampura, a small village near Jaipur, Ashok grew up with limited cricketing opportunities. His father is a farmer, and the family’s financial situation meant they could only support one son in pursuing cricket seriously.His elder brother, Akshay Sharma, who had himself played district-level cricket, put his own ambitions aside so that Ashok could continue chasing his dream.Years of hard work eventually paid off as Ashok emerged as one of India’s fastest-rising pacers during the 2025-26 domestic season.
Record-breaking domestic season and IPL breakthrough
Ashok announced himself on the national stage in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets in just 10 matches. His ability to consistently bowl hard lengths at speeds exceeding 150 kmph quickly attracted the attention of IPL franchises.Gujarat Titans secured his services for Rs 90 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, a move that proved to be an inspired investment.Working under head coach Ashish Nehra, Ashok impressed with his raw pace and steep bounce throughout the season. His standout moment came against Rajasthan Royals when he clocked 154.2 kmph to bowl the fastest delivery of IPL 2026, sending down a thunderbolt to Dhruv Jurel at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Despite playing only six matches, the right-arm pacer claimed six wickets and consistently troubled batters with his express pace.
London, July 23 (IANS) The Oval has been confirmed as the venue for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2027 will be played at The Oval, with the title clash scheduled from June 9 to 13. The venue will host the prestigious match for the second time after previously staging the 2023 final.The decision follows the ICC Annual Conference in 2025, where the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) secured the hosting rights for the next three WTC Finals—2027, 2029 and 2031. England has now become the home of the championship decider, having hosted every WTC Final since the competition was introduced.The inaugural WTC Final took place in Southampton in 2021, where New Zealand defeated India to become the first champions. Australia then lifted the mace after beating India at The Oval in 2023, while South Africa claimed their maiden WTC title at Lord’s in 2025 with a five-wicket victory over Australia.
2027 final to coincide with 150 years of Test Cricket
The 2027 WTC Final will conclude the fourth cycle of the championship and will carry added significance as it coincides with the 150th anniversary of Test cricket, making it one of the landmark events in the history of the longest format.ECB Managing Director of Competitions and Major Events Neil Snowball welcomed the confirmation, saying England was proud to continue hosting the pinnacle event of Test cricket and provide a fitting stage for the world’s top two Test teams. Speaking on the announcement, ICC General Manager, Events & Operations, Gaurav Saxena, said: “The ICC World Test Championship Final has established itself as one of the most prestigious occasions in the global cricket calendar, bringing together the two best Test teams in the world after two years of sustained excellence and consistency.“The 2027 World Test Championship Final will hold special significance as cricket celebrates 150 years of Test cricket. The Oval has played a proud role in the history of our sport and has hosted some of its most memorable moments. We look forward to working closely with the ECB to deliver another world-class event that celebrates the enduring legacy of Test cricket and creates lasting memories for fans around the world.”Neil Snowball, ECB Managing Director, Competitions and Major Events, said: “We are honoured to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals in England and Wales, and we’re pleased to confirm that The Oval will play host again next year. The 2023 final at The Oval was a huge hit with broadcasters and fans, and I’ve no doubt that next year’s event will be extra special again.”
Australia lead current WTC standings
Australia currently sit at the top of the World Test Championship standings with 87.50 percentage points, while defending champions South Africa are second with 75.00. New Zealand occupy third place, followed by Bangladesh and India in fourth and fifth respectively. Sri Lanka are sixth, with England, the West Indies and Pakistan completing the standings in seventh, eighth and ninth.
Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
Does your golf glove double as skincare? If not, it sounds like it may be lagging behind in the technology department, because not only do Callaway’s women-specific Aura gloves provide all the grip and palm protection you need throughout your round, they also nourish your skin.
That one-two punch is an intriguing idea for a must-have accessory, and I was excited to try the glove during a recent round. After testing the Aura for a full 18 holes, here’s my report on everything I loved about it.
The fit
There is one essential thing a glove needs in order to be a functional accessory, and that is a snug, comfortable fit. The Aura passes the test with flying colors. It feels luxurious right off the bat, thanks to the inclusion of “Umorfil Beauty Fiber” material on the top of the hand, and Cabretta leather on the palm, fingers and thumb. The Velcro wrap closure extends all the way across the wrist, making the glove feel nice and secure.
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The feel
The Umorfil Beauty Fiber material on the top of the hand is moisture-wicking, cool to the touch and offers UV protection. Perhaps most importantly, it really does feel silky and elevated in comparison to other gloves I’ve worn. The material is infused with bio-tech recycled polymers, ocean collagen peptides and rayon. The result? Light, stretchy and breathable hand-feel that offers complete freedom of movement.
The performance
The glove’s performance was exactly as I’d hoped for in terms of grip, fit and comfort. But one thing I did notice was that I didn’t even feel the need to take the glove off between shots — and that’s saying something when the temperature soared above 100 degrees during my round. Sweaty hands were a non-issue, too — another remarkable feature.
So does wearing this glove actually constitute “skincare”? Playing one round in one probably isn’t enough for me to make that call. But when I did ultimately take off the glove, the skin on my hand still felt smooth and hydrated — and that’s not always the case after completing a full round of golf!
In short, this glove’s many positive attributes make it a very welcome addition to my bag, and it’s definitely a glove I’ll be reaching for in rounds to come. Ready to try one for yourself? Click on the link below to order yours now.
The Callaway Aura Golf Glove is designed for women fusing performance with skincare. Featuring Coolagen™, a blend of Umorfil® beauty fiber with ocean collagen peptides, and 30+ UPF protection for soft feel, skin nourishment, and sun protection. FEATURES AND BENEFITS Umorfil® Beauty Fiber® – a skin-loving, moisture-wicking material infused with bio-tech recycled polymers, ocean collagen peptides, and rayon to offer a silky touch with lasting skincare benefits. Cabretta leather – luxuriously soft and placed throughout the palm, fingers, and thumb for an impeccable grip and flawless feel. Advanced thermoregulation & UPF protection – helps keep hands comfortably cool while providing 30+ UPF defense. Innovative wrap closure – a refined design for a secure, tailored fit.
No college football team is a bigger favorite to win its conference than the Miami Hurricanes. One season after losing to Indiana in the CFP national championship game, the Hurricanes are -136 favorites to win the ACC. No other team in the country is shorter than -105 to win its conference. According to DraftKings, SMU (+700), Louisville (+800) and Clemson (+1400) are Miami’s top challengers to lift the ACC trophy.
But should the Hurricanes be such big favorites to win the conference? Remember, this is a program that has never won the ACC title since joining the conference in 2004 and didn’t even qualify for the ACC championship game last year. In addition, Miami has to replace pass rush demons Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, four offensive line stalwarts and quarterback Carson Beck.
With multiple months until this season’s conference title game, there’s no reason to ride with the Hurricanes at a short price. There’s another team that provides better value.
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The case for SMU
On the final day of the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte last week, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee started unbuttoning his white dress shirt in front of a gaggle of reporters. He was not uncomfortably hot or trying to do his best Clark Kent-to-Superman impression. Instead Lashlee was trying to unveil what was underneath: a white t-shirt that read JENNINGS FOR HEISMAN.
Indeed, the case for the Mustangs to win the ACC begins with quarterback Kevin Jennings. The fifth-year senior from Dallas is one of the winningest and most prolific signal callers in the country returning this season, which makes him a contender for the stiff-arm statuette. He is 18-6 over the last two seasons, and those 18 wins rank third in the nation. Over that time, he has passed for 6,886 yards (third in the FBS) and 49 touchdowns (tied for eighth).
Behind Jennings, the Mustangs reached the College Football Playoff two years ago and just missed out on the ACC Championship Game last season after losing a convoluted tiebreaker.
Jennings could be the difference for a team that was close last year. Though the Mustangs went 9-4, they led in the fourth quarter in all four losses, and three of their four defeats came on the final play of the game. Most notably, they beat eventual CFP runner-up Miami 26-20 in Dallas.
But more than being an experienced playmaker at the game’s most important position, Jennings also gives SMU continuity. That means something in a conference in which 11 of the 17 teams will have a new face behind center. That includes the other four teams listed as contenders to win the conference: Miami, Louisville, Clemson and Virginia.
Jennings won’t need to be a one-man show for the Mustangs. He will have four starters back from the offensive line, led by All-ACC tackle PJ Williams. That should help improve a running game that took a step back in 2025 (133.8 yards per game, 95th in the country).
SMU is not without some warts. The defense, which ranked 88th in the FBS last season in yards per game (395.1), needs to return to its 2024 level when it was 26th in the country (326.0), and it will have to do so with just four returning starters. Also, Jennings, who has thrown 14 interceptions over the last two seasons, has to stay away from making the big mistakes.
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But Lashlee and the program’s strong NIL pull have been successful at bringing talent to Dallas (through both the high school and transfer portal avenues), which should help address at least some of the holes on both sides of the ball.
The ACC schedule also works in the Mustangs’ favor. SMU avoids Miami, NC State and Clemson. The slate is front-loaded with a Monday night season opener at Florida State and a Week 3 matchup at Louisville. Even a split of those games could be enough to get the Mustangs to Charlotte in early December.
The Hurricanes are heavy favorites to not only get to Charlotte but lift the ACC trophy, which is understandable given last season. But SMU is more than four times the price of Miami in futures markets, which makes the Mustangs the value play in the conference.
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“We’ve been good,” Lashlee said at the ACC Kickoff. “But we’re in pursuit of great.”
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