Liv Morgan sent a three-word message after attacking a male WWE star. Morgan is the reigning Women’s World Champion and is a member of The Judgment Day on RAW.
The promotion shared footage today of the champion hitting Kevin Owens with an Oblivion at a live event. Dominik Mysterio followed it up with a 619 for a near fall after his Judgment Day stablemate connected with the move. The company also asked an interesting question in the captions of the Instagram post.
Thanks for the submission!
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“Is this couple goals? 🤨”
Morgan responded to the post with a three-word message, and you can check out her message in the image below.
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“U know it 🫶🔪,” she wrote.
Morgan responded to the promotion’s post on social media today. (Source: WWE on Instagram)
Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio have been in a storyline relationship since SummerSlam 2024. Mysterio used to be in a romance storyline with Rhea Ripley, but betrayed The Eradicator in favor of Morgan at the PLE two years ago.
Rhea Ripley won the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42 but is currently out of action due to a major injury. Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer both recently returned on RAW and are chasing after Morgan’s Women’s World Championship.
Popular WWE star comments on working with Liv Morgan
Dominik Mysterio recently shared what it was like working with Liv Morgan in WWE.
In an interview with Paper Magazine, Dirty Dom noted that he enjoyed working with Morgan and hoped that they remained a storyline couple for the rest of their careers.
“Man, she’s the absolute best. She brings out the best in everybody because she’s always just so positive, very encouraging, honestly, just a joy to be around, and absolutely blessed to be able to work with her. I started off with Rhea Ripley, went on to Liv Morgan. Two of the best of the best. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about Liv, and I hope that we stay together. We work for a reason. There’s lots of gold around the Judgment Day, and it’s thanks to her,” said Dominik Mysterio.
DOMINIK MYSTERIO CELEBRATING WITH LIV MORGAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AFTER SHE BECOMES THE NEW WOMENS WORLD TITLE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #WrestleMania
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It will be fascinating to see how long Morgan can hang onto the Women’s World Championship moving forward on RAW.
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Cole Palmer stole the show as Xabi Alonso began his reign as Chelsea manager with a thrilling 4-2 Premier League win over neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Palmer was at the heart of Chelsea’s attacking play, setting up Joao Pedro for the opening goal after just 31 seconds before scoring the winner himself with a calm finish through Bernd Leno’s legs.
The 24-year-old looked almost unstoppable at times and gave Alonso an early glimpse of the attacking quality available to him.
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Chelsea’s record summer signing Morgan Rogers also marked his Premier League debut for the club with a goal. He finished from a cutback by another debutant, Maxence Lacroix, to put Chelsea ahead again.
However, Fulham refused to make Alonso’s first league match in English football an easy one.
Teenage midfielder Josh King impressed throughout the game and brought Fulham level in the first half with a powerful shot that beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post.
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Chelsea regained control through Palmer before Fulham reduced the deficit again when Gonzalo Garcia headed home from close range.
Garcia, who joined Fulham from Real Madrid during the summer, showed good movement and sharp finishing to score on his Premier League debut.
But Chelsea held on in an entertaining and open game to give Alonso a winning start and secure their first victory in the opening league match of a season since 2022-23.
## Palmer gives Alonso plenty to smile about
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Chelsea’s attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Palmer and Rogers showed early signs of being a major threat this season.
Palmer, who had a difficult previous campaign because of fatigue and injuries, quickly reminded everyone of his ability to decide big matches.
His clever flick helped create Chelsea’s opening goal, while his second-half finish showed his calmness in front of goal.
There were also positive signs that Alonso’s tactical ideas are already having an effect, with Chelsea players making several smart positional changes during attacks.
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However, Chelsea still showed weaknesses at the back.
Levi Colwill was booked after a lapse in concentration and later risked further trouble with a foul on King while already on a yellow card.
Sanchez also struggled. The goalkeeper made two poor distribution errors early in the match before being beaten at his near post by King’s equaliser.
Chelsea will need to improve defensively if they are to challenge for the biggest trophies, but their attacking quality proved enough to secure all three points.
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## King and Garcia give Fulham hope
Despite the defeat, Fulham had plenty of positives to take from the match.
King, still only 19, was one of their best players and looked confident against Chelsea’s midfield. The England Under-21 international drove Fulham forward and nearly found a late equaliser when he dragged an effort wide.
Garcia also made an impressive start to life in England. The former Real Madrid player showed good movement and finishing ability to score his first goal for Fulham.
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He became the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Fulham since Chris David against Crystal Palace in May 2014.
Fulham will be disappointed to lose the London derby, but Alonso will be the happier manager after Chelsea’s attacking stars produced enough quality to begin the new era with victory.
South Korean police have concluded their investigation into HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk over allegations of fraudulent trading, according to a report by News1. The case is linked to the company’s initial public offering.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jung-bo said during a regular press briefing on August 24, 2026, that he had been informed the investigation related to Bang had been completed and that the necessary procedures to wrap it up were underway. When asked whether police would seek an arrest warrant for Bang again, Park said an announcement was expected soon.
The investigation centered on allegations that Bang misled early HYBE investors before the company’s 2020 IPO. At the time, HYBE was operating as Big Hit Entertainment. Investigators alleged that in 2019, Bang Si-hyuk told some investors there were no immediate plans for a public listing, or that an IPO would be delayed. Some shareholders subsequently sold their stakes to a private equity fund reportedly connected to people close to Bang.
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HYBE later proceeded with its IPO, and investigators alleged that Bang received a share of the profits generated from the sale of those stakes. Police estimated his alleged illicit gains at roughly 190 billion to 260 billion won, with different reports citing different calculations.
Bang denied the allegations, maintaining that his actions were lawful and complied with the regulations in place at the time. Police previously sought an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk twice in April, but prosecutors rejected both requests and called for additional investigation.
The latest announcement indicates that police have now completed the investigative work and are preparing to close the case, with the question of any renewed warrant request expected to be addressed soon.
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Inside the long-running investigation into Bang Si-hyuk’s HYBE IPO dealings
The investigation into Bang Si-hyuk’s alleged IPO-related misconduct has remained under scrutiny by both police and prosecutors since the probe began in late 2024. The case drew additional attention after the Securities and Futures Commission, under South Korea’s Financial Services Commission, filed a complaint concerning the alleged transactions.
At the center of the investigation is an alleged agreement involving a private equity fund. Authorities are examining whether the fund sold its HYBE shares following the company’s 2020 listing.
Additionally, they are also investigating a subsequent transfer of around 30% of the resulting profits to Bang Si-hyuk under an agreement that has not previously been disclosed. Investigators have estimated the amount involved at approximately 190 billion won, or around $129 million.
The allegations are being examined under South Korea’s Capital Markets Act. The law prohibits misleading statements and deceptive practices in financial transactions, including transactions involving shares of companies that have not yet been publicly listed.
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The investigation lasted for more than a year and involved repeated questioning of Bang Si-hyuk. Authorities reportedly questioned him five times beginning in September 2025. His first reported session took place on September 15 and lasted for more than 14 hours. He was questioned again on September 22, followed by additional sessions on November 5, 7 and 9. No further summons involving Bang were reported after late 2025.
Investigators also conducted search and seizure operations at several locations as part of the probe. These included HYBE’s headquarters and the Korea Exchange, where authorities sought materials relevant to the alleged transactions.
Bang has remained under a travel restriction since August 2025. The restriction later became a point of attention when the U.S. Embassy in South Korea reportedly asked the Korean National Police Agency on April 19, 2026, to cooperate in allowing Bang Si-hyuk to travel to the United States for BTS’s ongoing world tour.
The case has also had an impact on HYBE’s stock performance. Following reports that authorities had sought an arrest warrant for Bang, HYBE shares reversed earlier gains and fell 2.9%, while the broader KOSPI was up 1.8% over the same period.
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The potential legal consequences could be substantial if investigators ultimately establish violations of the Capital Markets Act. For cases involving unlawful gains of more than 5 billion won, the law can provide for a minimum prison sentence of five years, with life imprisonment possible in more serious circumstances.
Financial penalties could also be significant. Authorities may impose fines equivalent to three to five times the amount of the unlawful gains. With the total amount potentially under review reaching as much as 400 billion won, the possible financial liability could therefore be considerable.
After David Benavidez’s stellar debut in the cruiserweight ranks this year, some in the sport started to believe that he could handle a heavyweight move immediately.
Though he can still make 175 and may intend to drop back down in the future, Benavidez was quickly linked to some intriguing heavyweight fights.
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Speaking to Luis Parra, he was asked directly about challenging Oleksandr Usyk, widely regarded as the best in the division, after boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh publicly expressed his desire to see it.
“[Alalshikh] didn’t talk to me directly, [but] he was talking to the people around me and said he wanted to make that fight. But honestly, I have a lot of respect for Usyk, and I’m not ready for that right now. If he came down to cruiserweight, then yeah, we could fight at cruiserweight. But I’m not moving up.”
Despite that sentiment, it has been revealed this week by Ricardo Celis that Jose Benavidez Sr, father and trainer of David, contacted Alalshikh directly trying to make the fight against the great Ukrainian.
🚨 USYK vs DAVID BENAVIDEZ IN PLAY FOR CINCO DE MAYO 2027?
BENAVIDEZ SR REVEALS PRIVATE TURKI MESSAGES | DEMANDS USYK FIGHT FOR CINCO DE MAYO!
David Benavidez’s father shows messages sent directly to Turki Alalshikh as Team Benavidez push for David Benavidez vs Oleksandr Usyk… pic.twitter.com/iyXFOFZec4
Given that the 39-year-old pound-for-pound star wants Wilder’s name on his resume since the American was part of his generation of heavyweights, it seems unlikely that he is going to be the man to welcome Benavidez to the heavyweight ranks.
Instead, Benavidez is expected to face Michal Cieslak this December, perhaps for a vacant WBC belt, before pursuing Opetaia.
While much of the talk surrounding the Steelers has been backup quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar, the focus on Monday shifted to another player who has been notably absent this summer.
Joey Porter Jr. has been present during Steelers’ practices, but the veteran cornerback has yet to practice as he is hoping to land a new contract. Coach Mike McCarthy said that the team is at an “impasse” with Porter, who is also on the team’s physically unbale to perform list after aggravating his back during the team’s mobility test on the first day of training camp.
Along with Porter, fellow defensive back Jalen Ramsey also missed training camp as he was dealing with a knee injury. Ramsey, who was taken off the team’s PUP list on Monday, feels that it’s time something got done with regard to Porter’s contract. The Steelers’ unofficial deadline to get something done with Porter is September 13, when they host the Falcons in Week 1.
“We need the whole secondary out there,” Ramsey said, via ESPN. “They got to pay Joey Porter, and we need got some other guys that are out as well. So, the secondary has not been out there together yet, so I can’t answer that for you.”
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At this point, it’s more likely that Porter remains in Pittsburgh through 2026. But if that were to change, here’s a look at some of the possible landing spots for Porter.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas makes sense on several fronts, starting with the fact that Porter would complement what the Cowboys already have in the secondary. Porter could serve as a mentor of sorts for first-round pick Caleb Downs.
Speaking of Jones, the Cowboys’ 83-year-old owner is desperate to end Dallas’ championship drought, which is now at 31 years. That, coupled with the fact that Jones loves making splashy trades, makes this scenario even more logical.
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Chicago Bears
Chicago’s pass defense was one of its biggest weaknesses in 2025, and based on how it currently looks, that may well be the case for 2026 unless the Bears do something soon. The Bears spent a high draft pick on safety Dillon Thieneman, but he alone won’t help make up for the current injuries the unit is dealing with. Starting safety Coby Bryant (knee) and starting nickelback Kyler Gordon (calf) are currently dealing with injuries.
It goes without saying that Porter’s arrival in Chicago would strengthen the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. Adding to the likelihood of this scenario is that Khan and Bears GM Ryan Poles have a history of making notable transactions.
Carolina Panthers
The Steelers could trade Porter to a team that also has an interesting situation with one of their cornerbacks. Veteran cornerback Mike Jackson is entering the final year of a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Jackson outperformed his contract last season and is likely looking for a better deal for 2026 and beyond.
In this scenario, it’s possible that the two teams could swap cornerbacks. The Steelers would be getting an adequate and cheaper replacement for Porter, while the Panthers would have one of the league’s best cornerback duos in Porter and Jaycee Horn, who, like Porter, is the son of a notable former NFL player.
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Pittsburgh would also be getting something else (likely a draft pick) in this scenario, given Porter’s stature as one of the league’s top young cornerbacks.
New York Giants
The Giants‘ have heightened expectations this season that are likely buoyed by John Harbaugh’s offseason arrival. But if New York really wants to have realistic hopes of competing in 2026, they need to strengthen a few areas of their team, which includes the secondary.
Porter’s addition would be a big boost for the Giants, who play in a division that includes opposing quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and Jayden Daniels. Harbaugh, who coached against Porter the previous three seasons, knows firsthand how disruptive Porter can be for an opposing offense.
Like the Panthers and Giants, the Saints are another NFC team that is looking to take the next step in 2026. After a slow start, the Saints enjoyed a strong finish to the 2025 season, including four straight wins under new coach Kelln Moore.
The Saints could use a player of Porter’s caliber in their secondary to increase their odds of winning what is the NFL’s most wide-open division. With that in mind, it’s possible that Saints veteran GM Mickey Loomis could work something out with Khan — a New Orleans native whose first NFL job was with the Saints — if he feels that Porter can help the Saints snap their five-year playoff drought.
Green Bay Packers
Yet another NFC team with high expectations that is looking to separate itself from the pack (pun intended). The Packers showed last year that they are willing to swing big when they traded for Parsons. It’s worth wondering whether Green Bay is considering a similar move now to add another notable player to its defense.
Like the Steelers, the Packers are a franchise that measures itself only by championships. After falling short in the playoffs once again in 2025, the Packers are desperate to make a serious playoff push in 2026. That’s why the Packers should be considered as a legitimate landing spot if Porter ends up on the trading block.
The exact number of runners Ciaron Maher will deploy in this Saturday’s $200,000 H D F McNeil Stakes is not yet confirmed, however, one colt who is a definite starter is Seraphox.
This Harry Angel colt is slated to commence a racing campaign that has been meticulously planned with the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in October as its primary target, with the 1200-metre Group 3 event at Caulfield serving as the initial step.
Maher’s stablemate Unit Five, a scratching from Sandown last Saturday, is expected to be a rival. Additionally, Maher has entered Tornado Valley and Milsons Point, both of whom competed over 1400m at Sandown last Saturday, though their final decisions are pending.
Jack Turnbull, the assistant trainer for Maher, confirmed Seraphox’s participation, identifying the McNeil Stakes as the perfect launching pad for his pursuit of the 1600m Caulfield Guineas on October 10.
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“We see him as a 1400-metre horse, miler and he’s on a Guineas path,” Turnbull stated.
“He’s forward and ready to run a bit of a race, but I’d say he’ll be midfield and running on.”
“He’ll be competitive but he’s probably not going to be as sharp as some of the others in that race.”
Alongside his Maher stablemates, Seraphox’s potential competitors include the Group 1 winning Kiwi galloper Seize The Day, the promising colt American Eagle, Todman Stakes placegetter Wolf Gap, Sydney colt Confederation, and Anzac Day Stakes winner Blind Raise.
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Seraphox’s record includes a third place in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes, his first outing in Victoria after a Warwick Farm maiden victory. This followed a debut seventh in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, reflecting the high opinion Maher’s stable has always held of Seraphox.
Turnbull nominated Seraphox and Tornado Valley as the stable’s top two contenders for the Guineas heading into the spring. Magic Millions winner Unit Five is set for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.
Although the son of Supido will face a tougher field at Caulfield than he might have under the 59.5kg weight on Saturday’s Heavy track over 1000m, Turnbull noted that a number of factors made the Caulfield race a more appealing choice.
“How the track was, the way it’s been playing, the weight and having the option of the McNeil,” Turnbull explained as reasons for the strategic decision.
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“He had a fair while off after that Magics prep and he’s come back really well, so we’re looking forward to getting back to the races.”
If you’re interested in the H D F McNeil Stakes, consider checking out Australian betting sites for the latest racing odds.
It was arguably a career-best performance, in fact, that saw Stevenson become a four-division world champion and cement himself as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound stars.
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Since announcing his landmark promotional deal, though, the American has seemingly progressed no closer to securing an opponent for later this year.
One would suspect that he is planning on fighting once more in 2026, yet there has been no mention of a date or location for his next outing.
In terms of an opponent for 2027, however, the WBO super-lightweight champion could be tempted by a unification match with WBC counterpart Dalton Smith.
The Sheffield man claimed his world title with a fifth-round finish over Subriel Matias in January, but must now make a mandatory defence against former champion Alberto Puello.
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Should he emerge victorious on October 24, then Smith has told talkSPORT that he would be eager to face Stevenson next year.
“All respect to Shakur. I’ve known him [since] the amateurs … He’s always praised me, always given me respect, and I’ll always do that for him.
“He’s one hell of a fighter but, if we can get a fight made, of course I’m grabbing it with both hands. I’ve got the big belief that I’m going to beat him.
“That’s a fight, for me, that rolls back the Ricky Hatton-[Floyd] Mayweather days. You want that big American name so, for me, getting that over here [the UK] or in [Las] Vegas would be a dream come true.”
While Stevenson still holds the WBO title, it remains to be seen whether he will defend the belt or even continue to campaign at 140lbs.
India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended with a 3-5 defeat against Argentina (Image: IANS)
India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 came to an end on Monday after a 5-3 defeat against Argentina in their final Pool E match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium.India head coach Craig Fulton admitted that his team’s slow start and inability to handle the pressure of a must-win game proved costly as Argentina took control early and held on despite a late Indian fightback.“It was a difficult day today. We didn’t want to end like that. We started poorly, but the second quarter was much better. The third quarter wasn’t good, but then we scored three goals in the last quarter and could have scored the fourth one too from a corner,” Fulton told PTI after the defeat.“Overall, it was a really strange game. We played at a high level in tournament, but in the big games we have to do better,” he added.Fulton also acknowledged that the qualification permutations surrounding India’s semifinal hopes affected the team’s performance.“There were a lot of permutations going into this game that got the better of us. In the last 10 minutes, we played better hockey. That was a little too late,” he said.
Argentina make India pay for slow start
India’s problems began almost immediately as Argentina scored just 41 seconds into the contest. Joaquin Toscani found the net from a tight angle to give Argentina an early lead. The world No. 7 side doubled its advantage in the 16th minute when Nicolas della Torre converted a penalty corner.India responded through Sukhjeet Singh, who pulled one back in the 10th minute with a field goal after a well-worked move involving Abhishek. India had spells of possession in the second quarter but struggled to make the most of their opportunities in the final third. Neither side managed to score in the second quarter, leaving Argentina 2-1 ahead at half-time.
Argentina pull away in third quarter
India needed a strong second-half response but instead found themselves further behind. Three minutes into the third quarter, Tomas Domene capitalised on a midfield dispossession to make it 3-1. India earned several penalty corners as they searched for a way back, but captain Harmanpreet Singh could not find a breakthrough.Argentina then received a penalty stroke just before the end of the quarter after an Indian defensive error. Domene made no mistake from the spot, completing his second goal of the match and putting Argentina 4-1 ahead. The deficit became even steeper in the fourth quarter when Lucas Toscani scored in the 53rd minute to make it 5-1.India finally found their attacking rhythm late in the match. Sukhjeet Singh scored his second goal in the 58th minute with a clever deflection before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke two minutes later to reduce the deficit to 5-3.India then earned another penalty corner in the dying seconds, but Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago made the crucial save as the final hooter sounded. With their semifinal campaign over, India will now turn their attention to the classification playoff, where they will face co-hosts Belgium in the seventh-place match on Friday, August 28. India finished at the bottom of Pool E without a point, having also suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Netherlands.For Fulton, however, the immediate focus will be on addressing India’s struggles in high-pressure encounters.“We played at a high level in tournament, but in the big games we have to do better,” the coach said, summing up a disappointing end to India’s World Cup campaign.
It has been a trying few years for the 2019 U.S. Open champion, who underwent brain surgery in 2023 to remove a tumor and has been battling PTSD in the years since the operation. During an interview with Golf Channel in March, Woodland unburdened himself as he detailed how difficult it has been for him to compete on the PGA Tour while dealing with PTSD. Woodland said that going public with his diagnosis felt like lifting “1,000 pounds off his back.” Two weeks later, he won the Texas Children’s Houston Open to lift his first trophy since that Father’s Day in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
“Anybody that is struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up,” a choked-up Woodland said moments after his final putt dropped in Houston.
“It’s just another day, right, that I’ve got to keep healing. Today was a good day. But I’m going to keep fighting. I’ve got a big fight ahead of me and I’m going to keep going, but I’m proud of myself right now.”
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Sunday at the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club was another day for Woodland to be proud of how far he has come, and of the fight and determination he has shown to chase his dreams despite the daily battle he fights with PTSD.
Woodland entered the PGA Tour’s second FedEx Cup Playoff event on the outside of the top 30 looking in. Woodland hasn’t made it to East Lake since 2019 and needed a good week in St. Louis to snap that drought. He opened with rounds of 64 and 65 to jump into contention, but an even-par 70 on Saturday put him behind 54-hole leader Wyndham Clark heading into the final round. While Woodland hoped for a Sunday charge to catch Clark, what he really eyed was a final round where he could calm his nerves and play well enough to finish inside the top 30 and punch his ticket to East Lake.
Clark stumbled early on Sunday, and Woodland found himself one shot off the lead on the 9th hole. Then, he cold-topped his drive into the water and wound up making a double-bogey 6, which dropped him down the leaderboard. While Clark, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay battled for the trophy on the back nine with Clark eventually winning, Woodland focused on staying calm and in the moment and checking off another milestone in his comeback. He made eight straight pars to begin the back nine and then lost his drive on 18 well to the left. He sent his approach over the back of the green and then chipped to 10 feet. Woodland settled over the 10-foot par putt, knowing a make would extend his season for one more week. He rolled it right in the heart, and as his ball disappeared, Woodland gave a small fist pump, exhaled and looked to the sky as tears welled in his eyes.
“I don’t really have words right now,” an emotional Woodland told CBS’ Amanda Balionis on Sunday after jumping to No. 18 in the FedEx Cup standings. “It took a lot out there. I learned a lot from yesterday. Yesterday there was a lot of noise, a lot of energy, drones. I tried to block it all out and I just couldn’t do it. Today I tried to embrace it, tried to enjoy it. I’ve had a really good year. Through all of the hardships that I had, I’m proud of where I’m at and I just tried to enjoy it today.
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“I’m really proud of myself.”
Woodland praised the St. Louis crowd for the energy they brought all week, but noted that the amplified atmosphere was difficult for him to navigate.
“Every time we’ve been here these fans have been absolutely amazing,” Woodland said. “But it was just a lot going on yesterday. There were drones over my head, and with where I’m at right now, when I hear that stuff, I got to back away and make sure that’s not a threat, and that’s a tough situation. I tried to block it out, and today I knew I couldn’t do that again. Today I tried to embrace it, tried to be proud of myself, tried to enjoy it. And I did a lot better job of that today.”
Woodland now has one win, six top-10s and eight top-25s on the season. He missed four of his first six cuts to start the year, but the interview with Golf Channel at the Players helped turn the tide. Next came the win in Houston, which was proof that Woodland could still chase his dreams while dealing with his new reality. The fact that he’s still playing this week in Atlanta says even more.
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“I’m going to say it’s impressive from where I’ve been, for sure,” Woodland said. “There’s definitely weeks out here where I didn’t even think I would be here this week. To get to next week, I haven’t done it in six years, with everything I battled this year, I’m super proud of myself, I can tell you that.”
Asked what was going through his head when his closing par putt rolled into the center of the cup, Woodland offered a big smile, that of a man who fights a daily battle and does so because he refuses to give up on his dreams.
“That it’s over with,” Woodland said.
It was. But it will start again on Thursday in Atlanta. That’s another challenge Woodland will be ready to embrace.
Robert Sanchez: An early kicking error gifted Fulham a corner. He should have saved King’s equaliser at his near post, while his initial save for Fulham‘s second was parried into a dangerous area, allowing Garcia to score. 3
Josh Acheampong: The 20-year-old produced a fine double clearance and block in the 27th minute and looked solid throughout. 6
Maxence Lacroix: Remarkably involved in both of Chelsea‘s first two goals, with his headed clearance leading to the opener and his run down the right and cut-back setting up Rogers. 7
Levi Colwill: An early mistake left him fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after a foul on Bobb. He was also partly at fault for Fulham‘s second goal after failing to clear a deep cross. 5
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Malo Gusto: The wing-back was a surprise selection amid Chelsea‘s injury problems, but his passing lacked conviction at times. 5
Romeo Lavia: Booked early on after a late challenge on Bassey. He grew into the game, however, going close from a corner and moving the ball well through midfield. 5
Reece James: Saw a miscued effort saved in the first half but gradually grew into the game and helped Chelsea gain control. 6
Jorrel Hato: Operating in an unfamiliar wing-back role, the defender produced a promising early dribble and adapted well. 6
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Cole Palmer: Simply the best player on the pitch. Palmer was creative, physically impressive and produced several superb dribbles before scoring an excellent third goal. He looks refreshed after the summer break. 9
Morgan Rogers: An outstanding debut. Pressed aggressively, had a shot blocked, played in Joao Pedro and then capped his display by scoring Chelsea‘s second with a far-post finish. 8
Joao Pedro: Opened the scoring after 31 seconds with a deft finish over Leno. He also exploited Fulham‘s high defensive line intelligently to set up Palmer’s goal. 8
Subs:
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Enzo Fernandez (on 65, Lavia): The Argentine was booed by the home fans on every touch of the ball and might not have featured had Moises Caicedo been fit. Still, Fernandez moved the ball around the pitch and fought for possession. 6
Pep Chavarria (on 65, Hato): It was a back-to-the-wall job for the wing-back but he did little of note on his brief debut cameo. 5
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin says he is “not interested” in replacing Gianni Infantino but warned the under-fire FIFA president must quit or face a leadership challenge.
But Ceferin ruled himself out of a bid to take Infantino’s place, the 58-year-old Slovenian on Monday telling The Rest is Politics podcast: “I’m not interested because of two reasons.
“One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point … it’s time to also enjoy life a bit.
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“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”
Ceferin has been vocal in his criticism since Infantino revealed his controversial plans to seek private investment in a company to run FIFA tournaments.
He now believes Infantino’s previously impregnable position is under threat, with Ceferin forecasting the Swiss will have to stand down or face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election at the next FIFA Congress, in Morocco in March.
Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
But Ceferin, who revealed he has not spoken to Infantino since the start of the controversy, insisted the current situation was very different.
“There are two options,” he said.
“One option is that he (Infantino) realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.
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“And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered two of the most likely challengers for Infantino’s position.
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