The PGA of America has a new CEO.

On Wednesday, the organization announced that former health insurance executive Terry Clark will take over as CEO on March 2. Derek Sprague resigned from the position on January 7 to spend more time with his family.

Clark has served as an independent director on the PGA of America’s board since 2024. He spent 20 years at United Health Group, where he rose to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. He has also served on boards for the YMCA and the Special Olympics.

“Golf is a game with a rare and enduring impact on individuals, families, and communities, and the PGA of America sits at the center of that influence,” Clark said in a statement. “Our greatest strength is our PGA of America Golf Professionals — trusted leaders in their communities who introduce, teach, and grow the game in every corner of the world. At an important moment for golf, we have the right people, the right assets, and a meaningful opportunity to lead with purpose.”

PGA of America vice president Nathan Charnes, who will become president in November, said that Clark earned the board’s trust with his long track record of judgment and leadership.

“As an independent director, Terry has developed a first-hand understanding of our strategic priorities and the critical role PGA of America Golf Professionals play at every level of the game,” Charnes said. “He brings a proven ability to lead complex organizations with clarity and rigor, while fostering collaboration and accountability across diverse stakeholders. At a time when continuity, stability, and long-term focus are essential, the Board is confident Terry is the right leader to guide the Association forward and continue advancing the game in meaningful and sustainable ways.”

Clark’s appointment comes just months after the PGA of America faced widespread criticism for its handling of the crowds and environment at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. The Bethpage crowds hurled a torrent of verbal abuse at European players, with Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica, getting the brunt of it. The episode was compounded when PGA of America president Don Rea told the BBC that American players faced the same level of abuse during the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Sprague reached out to the McIlroys to personally apologize for the week of verbal abuse after the event concluded.

The PGA of America will be under the spotlight again in May when the PGA Championship takes place at Aronimink outside of Philadelphia. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be contested in June at Hazeltine.

Now in its 91st edition, the WM Phoenix Open has a storied history. Before the tournament became the “Greatest Show on Grass” at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course in 1987, the Tour stop called the Phoenix Country Club home — a course (and club) older than Arizona’s statehood.

Phoenix Country Club was founded in 1899, while Arizona became the United States’ 48th state more than two decades later, in 1912. Located in the middle of downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Country Club remains an integral and vibrant part of the WM Phoenix Open’s history to this day, with a star-studded list of champions that includes Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Billy Casper and Johnny Miller.

The club hasn’t changed much over the years either. While it includes every modern amenity, there are no tee times. Instead, every day’s tee sheet is first-come, first-served — in person. But members can also opt to participate in nearly a dozen standing money games each week, some of which have existed for decades.

“It’s amazing — the history of the place, the amount of players, the tournament history — and yet the size of the golf course hasn’t changed,” said Phoenix Country head professional Paul Griffin. “It still holds its own to this day.”

In Episode 2 of Destination GOLF: Phoenix, our editors explore the WM Phoenix Open’s origins at Phoenix Country Club and its tenure at modern-day host, TPC Scottsdale, where it continues to be the PGA Tour’s most-attended tournament each year. We hear from the Thunderbirds, the philanthropic organization that puts on the WM Phoenix Open every year, as well as from tournament fans like you, about just what makes the WM Phoenix Open so beloved.

The grand takeaway? The tournament is truly an event unlike any other. To experience a slice of the WM Phoenix Open’s illustrious history, take a look at the second episode of Destination GOLF: Phoenix below. Missed Episode 1 on Phoenix public golf? Catch up by clicking here.

This feature video also is available on our YouTube channel. Check it out and subscribe to our channel here.

“>

DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues and RCB captain Smriti Mandhana during a press conference ahead of the WPL 2026 final T20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has a chance to lead her team to a second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title and draw level with Mumbai Indians (MI) in terms of trophies, while the Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to end their run of final defeats when the two sides meet in the final on Thursday.RCB, champions in 2024, have had a strong campaign this season. They have often responded well in difficult situations and showed consistency early, becoming the first team in WPL history to start a season with five straight wins. Throughout the tournament, different players have stepped up at key moments to shape results.In the previous match, Grace Harris played a major role with 75 against UP Warriorz, helping RCB to an eight-wicket win after a mixed season. Earlier, Gautami Naik scored 73 against Gujarat Giants, which proved crucial in a 61-run victory. RCB will now aim to win their second title and match Mumbai Indians’ tally.The RCB batting unit, including Mandhana, Harris, Georgia Voll and Richa Ghosh, has not been consistent across the season, but timely contributions have often been enough. In the bowling department, pacers Nadine de Klerk and Sayali Satghare have delivered important spells.De Klerk is currently the third-highest wicket-taker of the season with 15 wickets from eight matches, including a best of 4 for 22. Spinner Shreyanka Patil has also played a key role, highlighted by her five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants.RCB’s strength has been their ability to perform as a unit at key moments. Mandhana will hope more players contribute in the final as they take on Delhi Capitals.Delhi Capitals, led this season by Jemimah Rodrigues, are chasing their first WPL title after finishing runners-up in all the previous three editions.Their campaign has been driven largely by their bowling attack. Pacers Chinelle Henry and Nandani Sharma have made early inroads with the new ball. Nandani has taken 16 wickets this season, making her the second-highest wicket-taker, and her performances have put her in contention for higher honours.Delhi’s batting has also shown improvement in recent matches. Lizelle Lee contributed at the top in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants, while Shafali Verma found form and added a half-century stand with Lee. Laura Wolvaardt has provided stability at the top order through the season.With both batting and bowling influenced by South African players, the Capitals have benefited from a group that has played together for several years. That understanding could help them in the final as they look to end their title wait under Rodrigues, who will be hoping for a strong performance after a quiet season so far.

Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.

The easiest ways to shoot lower scores for most recreational golfers come from fixing fundamentals — and the simple ones at that. That means dialing in your grip, ball position, aim, posture, etc. It may not be fun to work on these things, but getting them in a consistent place will do wonders for your game.

Aim may be the most consequential of these fundamentals once you get to the course. If you aren’t aimed where you think you are, you’re putting yourself in a poor position before you even swing the club.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve hit a terrible shot on the course only to discover you were aimed directly where you hit it. Sometimes, our brain will play tricks on us and make you feel like you’re aimed one way, when in reality you are aligned in a totally different spot.

If that sounds like you, watch the video below. It’ll teach you an easy trick for alignment so you never have to worry about where you’re aimed again.

Try this aim trick

There are only two areas where you get to place your ball before you hit a shot (assuming you’re playing it down): the green and the tee box. When you’re on the green, you always line up your ball when you place it down, so why not do the same thing on the tee box?

When I go to tee up my ball, I always point the logo or my sharpie line down my target line. It doesn’t have to be super precise, but by having that line pointed down my target line, I can take my stance with confidence knowing I’m aimed properly.

If you want to get your ball lined up even more precisely, try choosing an intermediate target in between your ball and the distant target. I like finding a discoloration in the grass or divot and then using that as my intermediate target. With that spot picked out, I line my ball up pointing right at it.

When you are having trouble with your aim, sometimes you’ll put the ball down aimed correctly only to find that when you step up to the ball it feels all wrong. That’s ok! So long as you orient the ball correctly when you place it, you can swing away knowing you’re aimed at your target.

Advertisement

Alignment Ball

Close to 20 feet of retractable cable! The Alignment Ball will help you work on start line easily and quickly on the putting green. Built in spokes make setup easy and efficient.
Either straight putts or breaking putts, this retractable string can do it all!
Carrying Case Included.
User Guide

View Product

The 2026 Winter Olympics sports program opened with the first curling matches scheduled in Italy‘s Cortina on Wednesday night, two days before the official opening ceremony.

Several hundred spectators watched as eight teams unpacked their equipment in the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.

The matches had barely begun when a brief power outage blacked out the scoreboards for the matchups between Sweden and South Korea, Great Britain and Norway, Canada and the Czech Republic, and Estonia and Switzerland.

The officials paused the matches when the lights dimmed and flickered, and when the main lights and heat in the nearby media center went out.

However, the curlers continued sliding on the ice to stay ready, and the fans cheered when the bright lights returned soon after and play resumed.

The organizers acknowledged the brief interruption to the competition “due to an energy-related issue” and noted that it lasted approximately three minutes.

First Olympic results

The British pair of Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds started their journey with an 8-6 victory over the Norwegians. Sweden, Canada, and Estonia also won their opening matches.

The reigning Olympic champions in the mixed doubles, Italy, will begin their bid for gold against South Korea on Thursday.

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday will primarily take place at the San Siro football stadium in Milan. Three other venues will host the traditional parade of athletes, reflecting the widespread nature of this year’s Olympics.

The Games will use a variety of existing venues, stretching 350 kilometers (217 miles) across northern Italy from Cortina to Milan.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will ask the Football League for permission to play Marc Guehi in the Carabao Cup final after they breezed past Newcastle to set up a showdown with Arsenal.

The ineligible Guehi had to watch from the sidelines as City beat the Magpies 3-1 in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, completing a 5-1 aggregate win.

While fellow new boy Antoine Semenyo could play, Guehi was ineligible because he joined City after the first leg against Newcastle took place – and the rules mean the England international will be ineligible again come the final on March 22.

Guardiola acknowledged he did not expect City to be successful, but said they will make their case regardless.

“Why should he not play? Why not?” Guardiola said. “He’s our player, we pay his salary, we hired him…

“We want to ask. I said to the club we have to ask definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final of the Carabao Cup in March when he has been here a long time…

“Of course we are going to ask because it’s pure logic. (But) to change the rule, no way. But we will try.”

Omar Marmoush was the star for City as he scored the opening two goals of the night before Tijjani Reijnders added a third, all inside 35 minutes.

Guardiola would have been concerned by the number of chances Newcastle created after the break, but with Anthony Elanga’s 62nd-minute strike the only one they converted, City were never overly troubled.

The win continues City’s run of having played at Wembley at least once every season since 2010-11.

“I do not take it for granted,” Guardiola said. “I know how difficult it is. I don’t know how many semi-finals and finals we have played in the FA Cup but it’s really good, and in 10 years five Carabao Cup finals so it’s really good: top, top, top.”

Marmoush, who previously scored a hat-trick against Newcastle, once again grabbed his chance against the Magpies with Erling Haaland starting on the bench.

“He gives us a special quality,” Guardiola said of the Egyptian. “His pace, his moments in behind, and his work ethic.”

Newcastle arrived in Manchester trailing 2-0 from the opening leg and knowing a strong start was essential.

Instead, they found themselves quickly 3-0 down and effectively out of it.

“(I was) really annoyed with the first half display,” boss Eddie Howe said. “We pride ourselves on being really organised and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us. That first half we weren’t good enough individually and our duels were off and it gave us huge problems.”

To add to Howe’s worries, Anthony Gordon was forced off before half-time.

“It looks like a hamstring problem,” Howe said. “I don’t qute know how bad it was but it was enough for him to come off so that’s a big worry.”

The Maryland Freedom Caucus, a group of GOP delegates in the Maryland state legislature, made a post on social media showing a sign that appeared to have been hung by Democrat colleagues, dismissing concerns over trans athletes in women’s sports. 

The post claimed the sign was hung Wednesday, which was National Women & Girls in Sports Day. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The sign, which has a signature from the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, was hung on the offices of Democrat state delegates Eric Ebersole and Nick Allen.

The sign makes the unsubstantiated point that “trans women have no competitive advantage,” in women’s sports. In 2021, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study that said transgender women maintain an advantage over biological women even after a year of hormone therapy treatment.

EDUCATION DEPT LAUNCHES 18 TITLE IX PROBES AFTER SCOTUS HEARS ARGUMENTS IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT WOMEN’S SPORTS

Democrats who voted down a bill to protect trans athletes in sports. (Fox News)

The sign also went on to state, “anti-dignity policies put transgender youth at risk,” “banning transgender youth is illegal,” and “invasive enforcement creates fear.” 

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ebersole, Allen and the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus for a response. 

The post and apparent sign comes a day before the Maryland state legislature is set to vote on the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The bill would require “certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools and certain locker rooms to be expressly designated based on biological sex; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school for maintaining separate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports or locker rooms for students of the female sex.” 

So far, 27 states in the U.S. have similar laws in effect that enforce bans on trans athletes in girls’ sports. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

With the new ice hockey arena in Milan and the new ice rink in Cortina both finished just in time, the 25th Winter Olympics can begin.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is hosting the Olympics for the second time. Seventy years ago, in 1956, the seventh edition of the Games was held entirely in the winter sports resort in the Italian Dolomites.

What are the key dates and sports for the 2026 Winter Games?

The Games will officially open on February 6 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, better known as San Siro, where Inter and AC Milan usually play football. The arena can seat 75,000 spectators. The first competitions will begin two days before the opening ceremony, on February 4, with curling.

A total of around 2,900 athletes (47% of whom are women) from more than 90 countries will compete for a total of 116 gold, silver and bronze medals. Germany will be represented by 188 winter athletes, more than ever before at the Winter Games.

Ski mountaineering will be an Olympic sport for the first time. The competitions will mostly be held on circular courses. The athletes will climb the slope with the bottom of their skis covered in climbing skins, synthetic fabric that prevents sliding down. At the top, they will remove the skins and then ski down.

Ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and short track will take place in Milan, while women’s alpine skiing, luge, bobsleigh, skeleton and curling will be in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Other locations in northeastern Italy are also included. The biathlon in Antholz, Livigno will host freestyle skiing and snowboarding, and Bormio and Val di Fiemme will share men’s alpine skiing and ski mountaineering. This means that the Games will not be short-distance: Milan and Antholz are 350 kilometers (217 miles) apart.

The 2026 Winter Games will end on February 22 with the closing ceremony in the evocative ampitheater known as Verona Arena, which has a capacity of 12,000 and lies to the east of Milan.

Are Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed to compete?

As was the case at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, only individual athletes are allowed to compete — and only if they have no ties to the army or security services, and have not publicly spoken out in favor of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Only then are they considered “neutral.” In addition, they must have qualified for the Olympics in their respective sports. A three-member IOC review panel grants any final permission to compete.

According to information from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), 13 winter athletes from Russia and seven from Belarus are expected to participate (as of January 29, 2026). At the Summer Games in Paris in 2024, 15 athletes from Russia and 17 from Belarus were admitted as neutral athletes.

In December, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the exclusion of “neutral” Russian and Belarusian skiers from Olympic qualifications.

At the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, 216 Russians were only allowed to compete under a neutral flag, but for a different reason: the state-sponsored doping system in Russia had been uncovered. The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, four days after the end of the Games in Beijing.

Who will be responsible for security during the Games?

According to the IOC, security is “the responsibility of the host country’s authorities, who will work closely with the participating delegations.” Reportedly, around 6,000 police and other security personnel will be on duty. By comparison, more than 50,000 were deployed at the Games in Paris.

The announcement that officials from the controversial US immigration agency ICE would also be sent to the Olympic Games to ensure the safety of US guests of honor made headlines around the world. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have announced their visit, but President Donald Trump has not yet done so.

However, the US ambassador to Italy, Tilman J. Fertitta, said that the ICE officers would be deployed “only in an advisory and intelligence capacity, without patrolling or enforcement measures.”

This is likely in reference to the Homeland Security Investigations unit, which is a unit within ICE that focuses on cross-border crimes. It frequently sends officers to events like the Olympics to help with security, and they are completely seperate from those currently at the forefront of the immigration crackdown in the US. Nevertheless, the news of any ICE presence has increased tension in Italy.

How are the doping controls carried out?

As in Beijing in 2022, the IOC has commissioned the Switzerland-based International Testing Authority (ITA) to carry out doping tests in most sports. Pre-Olympic controls began at the end of October, with a further 3,000 tests planned during the Games in Milan and Cortina. For the first time, baggage checks will be carried out at airports with the aim of seizing suspicious substances.

However, the world federations for skiing, biathlon, ice hockey and curling are not cooperating with the ITA, but are organizing doping controls in their respective sports themselves.

Urine and blood samples will be stored for up to ten years so that doping offenders can still be exposed later using possible new analysis methods. The CAS will have its own office on site during the Games so that it can quickly rule on doping offenses.

Will the 2026 Games be a success?

That depends on many factors. According to the organizing committee, more than half of the tickets had already been sold by the beginning of November 2025. Prices range from €30 ($36) to €2,900 for the most expensive ticket for the closing ceremony in Verona. Atmosphere will likely play a key role in gauging the success of the Games.

For particularly popular events such as the alpine skiing competitions, only expensive tickets, or so-called hospitality packages, are still available. For €3,500 you get a ticket, brunch and other special services.

Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

It remains to be seen whether the organizers will ultimately be in the black at the end of the month. The budget for the Olympic and subsequent Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina is around €1.6 billion. According to official figures, the last Winter Games in Beijing cost €3.3 billion, but researchers at Oxford University in England calculated in a study that the cost was more than double that amount (€7.33 billion).

Advertisement

This article was originally written in German.

Lionel Messi has been linked with a surprise move to Galatasaray, a transfer that could see him play alongside Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen at the Turkish club.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently on a break from competitive football, with the new Major League Soccer season set to begin on February 21.

With the 2026 World Cup drawing closer, Messi is believed to be considering a short spell outside the United States to stay fit and sharp ahead of the tournament.

Reports in Turkey claim that talks have already taken place between Galatasaray and the Argentine star. Messi is said to be open to a four-month deal that would see him play 12 matches for the club.

However, the move would depend on a key condition. Messi is reportedly only willing to play matches in Istanbul and does not want to feature in away games. He is said to prefer playing exclusively at RAMS Park.

It is also claimed that Messi turned down an offer from Saudi club Al Hilal, as he is keen to avoid injuries before the World Cup.

Galatasaray are believed to have opened discussions with Messi and his representatives as they explore the possibility of completing the deal before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

The Turkish champions have six home matches left in the league, one home game in the Turkish Cup group stage and a home tie in the UEFA Champions League play-off against Juventus. It is unclear if Messi would be willing to play the away leg against the Italian side if the move goes through.

Galatasaray are currently assessing whether the deal is realistic, with talks said to be moving quickly.

If completed, Messi would team up with Osimhen, who has become a key player at the club. Osimhen helped Galatasaray win a domestic double in the 2024/25 season, scoring 37 goals in 47 matches across all competitions.

Messi, on his part, led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2025.

Galatasaray currently sit top of the Turkish Super Lig with 49 points, three ahead of rivals Fenerbahce, with 14 matches still to play.

The club’s president has previously hinted that a move for Messi was not impossible, insisting that Galatasaray’s financial position and growing success allow them to dream big.