The preseason gives young and sometimes lesser known players a time to shine.
Had it not been for the preseason, Victor Cruz might never have become a star for the New York Giants. He made the roster as an undrafted rookie with an impressive preseason, and ended up with 1,536 receiving yards for a Super Bowl championship team in his second season.
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Not everyone breaks out like Cruz did, but we’ll see some players impress their teams and either make the roster or elevate their role with a big preseason. Here are our 10 breakout candidates for the preseason:
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Preseason really is for the backups, after all, and there might be no more intriguing QB2 than Caleb Williams‘ understudy. Bagent was one of the preseason standouts a year ago, throwing for five TDs and 511 yards in the three outings, which included a standout performance against the Chiefs in the finale.
There was trade chatter this spring around Bagent, given the intriguing skills the former undrafted free agent had shown, including four emergency regular-season starts as a rookie in 2023. The Bears have balked to this point, reportedly holding out for more in return, perhaps even a Day 2 draft pick.
If Bagent lights it up again this preseason, could those trade calls return? There’s always at least one team worried about its QB situation every August, so it can’t be dismissed, even with Bagent signing an extension last year through 2027. The Bears still have Case Keenum as a veteran, and offensive coordinator Press Taylor sounded somewhat intrigued with 2026 UDFA Miller Moss.
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Even if the Bears don’t move Bagent, we’ll see him thrive again this preseason. He’s a talented thrower with some decent athleticism. —Edholm
The Jaguars saw Travis Etienne Jr. leave in free agency, and while Chris Rodriguez Jr. got a healthy two-year, $10 million deal to come to Jacksonville, he has 920 rushing yards in three seasons. Everything is lined up for Tuten to have a really nice second season.
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Tuten had just 307 rushing yards as a rookie last season, but has talent and now he should have a great opportunity to be a lead back in a good offense. Tuten’s usage in preseason will be interesting to track. If Tuten looks good in the preseason, he should enter the regular season as at least the leader in a timeshare with Rodriguez. And there’s a chance he’s a preseason star, and that’s a harbinger for a very good second season. —Schwab
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Carter had an odd rookie season. He came in with a ton of hype as the third overall pick of last year’s draft, and had only four sacks. But the pressure stats were very good. He had the most quick pressures of any player in the NFL last season.
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The best guess is Carter turns a lot of those pressures into sacks this season. There’s no better way to get off to a good start than having a strong preseason, which would be a good sight for new Giants head coach John Harbaugh. Everyone would be excited to see Carter have a big preseason heading into his second NFL season. —Schwab
On the surface, you might say that Ferguson’s rookie season was a disappointment, given that he caught only 11 passes on 25 targets in 350-plus snaps last season. Even for a slower-developing position such as tight end, the catch total is lean.
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But Ferguson also flashed quite a bit on those 11 catches, averaging 21 yards per grab and catching three TDs. The Rams continued to funnel the ball his way more and more as the season went on, and though it didn’t always result in big plays, it showed how much faith Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford had in the rising prospect.
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Ferguson also showed he could hold his own as a blocker, which was something that wasn’t viewed as a major strength entering the league. Although Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson remain options, it feels like Ferguson will get every opportunity to shine this season, and that will include some preseason flash plays. —Edholm
Everyone has been waiting for the big Downs breakout season. While he has been good, and efficient, he hasn’t passed 70% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in a season yet. With Michael Pittman Jr. off to Pittsburgh in a trade, that could change.
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Downs, at 171 pounds, might never be an every-down receiver but this is his opportunity to prove he can do it. Alec Pierce is the Colts’ No. 1 receiver after signing a massive contract, but even he could miss a lot of training camp as he recovers from ankle surgery. Downs still has to show that he can be a staple in two-receiver sets for the Colts, and he might make strides toward that in the preseason. If he can become an unquestioned full-time player, he could have a huge regular season. —Schwab
Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq
There have been some flashy TE rookies in recent years who have parlayed a strong preseason into productive first years in the NFL. Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren both looked good in August a year ago. Sadiq is a clear choice for rookie TE standout of this year’s preseason.
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Sadiq was a surprise pick to the Jets, but it was clear they badly needed to add more firepower to a limited offense. From a physical perspective, Sadiq could be a real ace for the Jets, even if he’s not a complete player nor is he guaranteed a high-volume role as a receiver in the regular season.
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But the Jets were awful on third downs and even worse in the red zone. These are two clear areas where the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Sadiq can make his money — and make his impact starting in preseason. Expect a heavy workload this August as a way of determining what Sadiq can do for the Jets’ offense come Week 1. —Edholm
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa
TeSlaa was a star of last preseason, tying for the NFL lead with three touchdown catches. He made some highlight plays during his rookie regular season too, but he wasn’t a high-volume player in the offense. He caught six touchdowns on only 16 receptions.
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The Lions have a crowded offense, and TeSlaa has to do something special to improve his playing time. He should play plenty in the preseason, and he clearly has the ability to star on that stage. If he has another big preseason, it could force the Lions to find ways to get him on the field more with increased targets. —Schwab
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Seahawks DT Rylie Mills
A play you might have forgotten amid the hoopla of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX dominance was a sack from a player with fewer than 40 NFL snaps. When Seattle drafted Mills in Round 5 last year, it was considered a wait-and-see pick while Mills was recovering from a torn ACL. He earned playing time down the stretch and was effective enough to earn Super Bowl snaps.
This was Mills walking Patriots OG Jared Wilson back into Drake Maye for a 10-yard sack, and it was just a snapshot of the player he was at Notre Dame before suffering the injury in the College Football Playoffs against Indiana. Mills had only five Super Bowl snaps, but he made them count.
Now he’s set for an expanded role in a deep, yes, but also older defensive line group. Mills has positional versatility, and his motor is always humming. I expect the Seahawks to completely remove the bubble wrap and unleash him this preseason while many veterans sit, and I expect him to be a big part of the regular season thereafter. —Edholm
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Ravens Edge Mike Green
Green entered the NFL with plenty of baggage that caused him to slip from a potential first-round spot to well into Round 2. His play as a rookie was fine, although it arguably was a shade disappointing for a second-rounder, much less for someone with the talent to go higher. Even still, it was impossible to miss Green on tape with several almost sacks — plays that I believe were indicative of future production.
There’s more room for optimism in Year 2 as Green is part of what looks to be a stronger Edge group in Baltimore, playing for a head coach in Jesse Minter who has a strong track record for making his teams’ defenses better in his first year on a staff.
With Trey Hendrickson, Calais Campbell and rookie Zion Young, the Edge competition looks strong, but there appears to be — at the least — a third-down role for Green to occupy and maybe even thrive in. Green and Young figure to receive a ton of preseason reps, and I think the second-year edge will have multiple sacks in the preseason and lock in a steady role by Week 1. —Edholm
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Bears S Dillon Thieneman
The Bears turned over their safeties in the offseason, and landed an exciting prospect by selecting Thieneman with the 25th pick of the NFL Draft. Thieneman was a playmaker at Purdue and Oregon, and his versatility is much needed in the Bears’ defense.
The Bears have some interesting players on a defense that didn’t have a great season in 2025. Thieneman could end up helping coordinator Dennis Allen’s play-calling if the rookie shows he understands the scheme and plays as fast in the NFL as he did in college. He’s going to start this season, but the preseason will go a long way in showing how creative the Bears can get with him. It’s pretty easy to envision Thieneman being one of the most exciting rookies we see in August, for a team that is trying to build on its NFC North championship season. —Schwab
The EA FC 26 Phil Foden Futties SBC has officially dropped in Ultimate Team, bringing one of the most dynamic attacking cards of the season to your squad. If you are eager to add this incredible 97-rated superstar before the challenge expires in six days, you are in the right place. In this guide, I will help you find the cheapest solution to complete every required squad without wasting your valuable coins. Let us dive into the requirements and get this elite playmaker unlocked for your club.
Completing the Phil Foden Futties SBC in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team
Tasks for the Phil Foden Futties SBC (Image via Sportskeeda/EA Sports)
Unlocking this new Futties card requires you to submit four different squads. I have put together the cheapest solution below to help you complete the SBC without emptying your coin balance. If you follow the solutions below and completely rely on Transfer Market, you would need around 170,000 in-game coins.
1) Manchester City
Requirements: Submit an 89-rated squad containing one Manchester City player and a TOTW, TOTS, or FOF card.
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Solution:
One 94-rated or higher FOF card: 10,000 to 15,000 UT Coins
One 89-rated card: 1,800 to 3,300 UT Coins
Five 88-rated cards: 900 to 2,500 UT Coins each
Four 87-rated cards: 800 to 1,300 UT Coins each
Total cost: Approximately 19,500 to 36,000 UT Coins
2) England
Requirements: Submit an 89-rated squad containing one English player and a TOTW, TOTS, or FOF card.
Solution:
One 94-rated or higher FOF card: 10,000 to 15,000 UT Coins
One 89-rated card: 1,800 to 3,300 UT Coins
Five 88-rated cards: 900 to 2,500 UT Coins each
Four 87-rated cards: 800 to 1,300 UT Coins each
Total cost: Approximately 19,500 to 36,000 UT Coins
3) Premier League
Requirements: Submit a 90-rated squad containing one Premier League player and a TOTW, TOTS, or FOF card.
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Solution:
Three 90-rated or higher FOF cards: 10,000 to 15,000 UT Coins each
One 88-rated card: 900 to 2,500 UT Coins
Six 87-rated cards: 800 to 1,300 UT Coins each
One 86-rated card: 800 to 1,000 UT Coins
Total cost: Approximately 36,500 to 56,300 UT Coins per squad.
4) Top Form
Requirements: Submit a 90-rated squad containing a TOTW, TOTS, or FOF card.
Solution:
Three 90-rated or higher FOF cards: 10,000 to 15,000 UT Coins each
One 88-rated card: 900 to 2,500 UT Coins
Six 87-rated cards: 800 to 1,300 UT Coins each
One 86-rated card: 800 to 1,000 UT Coins
Total cost: Approximately 36,500 to 56,300 UT Coins per squad.
Attributes of the EA FC 26 Phil Foden Futties card (Image via Sportskeeda/EA Sports)
I can confidently say that completing the EA FC 26 Phil Foden Futties SBC is completely worth the effort and coins. When you look at the stats on this 97-rated special card, it is easy to see why he is a must-have. With 95 Pace, 95 Positioning, and 94 Shooting, he is going to be a massive threat in the attacking third. His 97 Shot Power and 94 Finishing mean he will consistently find the back of the net for you.
What truly sets this card apart is the incredible 99 Dribbling stats. He maxes out with 99 Agility, Balance, Reactions, Ball Control, and Composure. This makes him feel incredibly responsive and smooth on the ball. His passing is also elite, featuring 93 Short Passing, 92 Vision, and an impressive 96 Curve to easily split open opposing defenses.
One of the best features of this card is the versatility he offers your squad. You can play him anywhere across the midfield or attack, utilizing excellent roles like Playmaker++ at CAM or Inside Forward++ on the wings. Furthermore, having 5-Star Skill Moves and a 5-Star Weak Foot ensures he can execute any skill or take a shot perfectly from any angle.
While he comes with no PlayStyles out of the box, this is actually a massive advantage for your team building. You can add them via Evos, allowing you to completely customize the player item to perfectly fit your tactical setup. Overall, there is no debate about adding this dynamic attacker to your endgame Ultimate Team squad.
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June 14, 2010; Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA; Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel (6) talks with midfielder Wesley Sneijder (10) during Group E play against Denmark in the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via Imagn Images
Mark van Bommel was named the new head coach of Belgium’s national team.
van Bommel will take over on August 15 and lead the team through the 2028 European Championship, joined by assistant coaches Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond, per a Belgium statement released Friday.
The 49-year-old replaces Rudi Garcia, who departed the role this week at the end of his 18-month contract, having led Belgium to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, where they were knocked out by eventual winner Spain. The loss ended an unbeaten run of 18 matches stretching back to a 3-1 loss to Ukraine in March 2025.
A former Bayern Munich and Barcelona midfielder, Van Bommel has been out of a head coaching spot since 2023-24, his second season at the helm of Belgian club Royal Antwerp. In his debut campaign, he led the club to its first league title in 66 years.
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van Bommel also had coaching stints at VfL Wolfsburg (2021) and PSV Eindhoven (2018-19). He also served in assistant coaching positions for Saudia Arabia (2015-17) and Australia (2018).
“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best,” Van Bommel said.
The Dutch native takes over a Belgium side currently ranked eighth in FIFA’s world rankings. He will be asked to end Belgium’s disappointing run of early exits at the next European Championships, where they have not progressed beyond the quarterfinals since the 1996 expansion. In the two most recent tournaments, the team has lost in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.
“Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are,” Van Bommell said.” We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I am looking forward to meeting the players, the staff and the supporters, and beginning this new chapter together.”
Post-fight, ‘The Gypsy King’ was asked if it was now time to announce a long-awaited fight against Joshua.
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“Let me tell you something, I got through my own test tonight, let’s see if he gets through his test. Then the biggest test of all is how big his balls are, if he’ll get in the ring with the big GK. I think he’s a big s**thouse. You saw him at Tottenham in front of 70,000 people – he didn’t have the guts to get in the ring and face me, so let’s see if he ever does.”
Fury has no intention of now travelling to Saudi Arabia to be ringside for ‘AJ’s fight against Kristan Prenga tomorrow night, but said he hopes the fight is signed next week, though still said the location is up in the air.
“Hopefully the big fight’s signed next week and we’ll head wherever we’re gonna head. Who the f**k knows. It’s gonna be in Vegas, New York, Ireland, London… Who knows where the fight’s gonna be – it might even be here in Pattaya, Thailand.”
Asked how it plays out, Fury said:
“It’d have gone pretty much the same way – I’d have jabbed his head off and chinned him.”
All eyes now turn to Joshua and Prenga. If there is no upset, serious cuts or injuries, the biggest fight in boxing is expected to take place in November.
Jun 8, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Armon Watts (96) performs a drill during mandatory mini camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday, the Vikings will begin getting back to TCO Performance Center. So, take your eyes off of what Scottie Scheffler is doing at the 3M Open and check out what’s taking place at Vikings Territory.
These past several weeks have been unusually slow around the Vikings (and NFL more broadly). Some of the slowness was due to what took place back in March. Several cap levers got pulled — restructures and such — before what was a very quiet free agency. The frenzy never arrived, permanently stuck in the fizzle portion even as Kyler Murray got signed. What’s coming up now that the faucet of Vikings news is about to be opened? Better yet, what is on offer here at Vikings Territory?
On Vikings Territory & Vikings Training Camp
Begin with some dates to know:
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Sunday, July 26th: Rookies Return to TCO
Tuesday, July 28th: Veterans Return to TCO
All eyes will be on the players. Do note, though, that the team’s leaders will be stepping in front of the Minnesota media. Oh, and the preseason gets rolling in short order, beginning with the Giants before hosting the Ravens and then finishing off with the Broncos. As a result, Vikings Territory will be able to get an insight or two to pass along to our readers.
Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman (93) performs a drill during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
In a lot of ways, folks, the point of this piece is about precisely that: the readers.
Many are forecasting doom and gloom, largely due to AI running amok. No doubt, publishers are facing strong headwinds as the internet continues to evolve. We here at Vikings Territory aren’t immune. Being in the click business means that we feel it when things change in a way that diminishes clicks.
If it’s meaningful to you, note that VT is a Minnesota-based company. Joe Johnson was the owner prior to passing away. His sister and brother in law have since taken over, keeping the local small business going. Supporting us means supporting a business that is your neighbor.
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What makes that all-too-tidy story a touch more complicated is that we’re quite an international crew. I’m Canadian (and very happy to be so!). More broadly, we boast writers from around the world (Germany, England, Brazil). Some of our writers are national and/or local to the United States and/or the Twin Cities area. Ideally, there’s the best of both worlds under one roof.
Folks, we don’t have huge companies standing behind us to funnel clicks into Vikings Territory. We don’t have the largest budget or any slick tricks. What isn’t lacking, though, is a desire to create reasonably sturdy Vikings writing.
Even more promising, perhaps, is that we’ve been getting credentialed access more and more, allowing us to deliver first-hand insight to our readers.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, IRELAND; Football fans cheer before a NFL International Series game between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters via Imagn Images.
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Regardless of homepage settings, make us a regular part of your reading habits. Check up on us when there’s a desire to see what’s going on around the Minnesota Vikings.
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July 3, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Australia’s Cristian Volpato celebrates with team mates after Egypt’s Mohamed Hany scored an own goal and Australia’s first. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Midfielder Cristian Volpato, who played for Australia at the World Cup, allegedly tested positive for cocaine after being stopped for speeding twice in Sydney, according to multiple media reports.
Volpato, 22, is a dual citizen of Italy and Australia who switched allegiances to the Socceroos just before this year’s World Cup. He first was stopped for speeding at approximately 11:05 p.m. local time on Thursday on the Anzac Bridge in Sydney, per a statement by the New South Wales (NSW) police.
A roadside breath test on Volpato came back negative, and he was issued an infringement notice for driving more than 20km/h (12.4 mph) over the speed limit.
Just over two hours later, Volpato was stopped again on the same bridge, with the police allegedly clocking him at 50km (30 miles) an hour over the designated speed limit.
In the second incident, another roadside breath test allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine, with a secondary sample of oral fluid taken for further analysis.
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Volpato also was given a second infringement notice for excess speed and had his international driver’s license suspended for six months, per the NSW police.
The NSW police said their inquiries will continue.
“Football Australia is aware of allegations involving one of our players,” the Australian soccer federation said in a statement. “We have been in contact with the player and continue to monitor the matter and support the player throughout this process.”
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Volpato was born in Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
Having played for Italy’s junior national teams since 2022, Volpato changed his national eligibility to Australia in May before the 2026 FIFA World Cup teams were revealed. Per FIFA rules, the switch was legal because Volpato never played a competitive match for Italy’s senior team.
Volpato had four shots in three appearances for the Socceroos in this year’s World Cup.
Australia was competing in their sixth straight World Cup. After reaching the Round of 16 in 2022 for the second time in their history, Australia were eliminated on penalties by Egypt in the round of 32 this time around.
Man Utd stepped up their pre-season preperations with a superb performance in a 5-0 win against Rosenborg.
Michael Carrick praised Manchester United’s young guns for expressing themselves on the pitch after they turned on the style to beat Rosenborg 5-0 in a pre-season friendly in Norway.
Carrick again started with a strong side in Trondheim, but introduced two youngsters at the break in full-backs Jaydan Kamason and Harry Amass. Kamason laid on two assists, while Amass registered an assist and a goal.
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Eight more youngsters followed on the hour mark, with Fletcher twins Jack and Tyler catching the eye in midfield. Jacob Devaney again came on at centre-back and netted from a corner, while winger Ethan Williams rounded off the scoring.
The youngsters had looked good in the second half against Wrexham last week without finding a goal, but they were ruthless against Rosenborg and played some excellent football.
“That’s the best place to be as a footballer, when you’re in that zone and you’re confident, and that’s that’s my job to try and get the players in that frame of mind,” said Carrick.
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“The senior players at this stage, they’re finding their way, but you can see they’re in a good place and kind of getting used to having good results over a period of time, which is good.
“And the younger players, when you see them expressing themselves and being themselves and keep pushing themselves to be better, I think some of the play in the second half was really, really good, and I was delighted to see that from them.
“They’ve all got potential in different ways, and you want them to fulfil it and keep pushing themselves, and they certainly did that.”
Radek Vitek got the longest of any United player, lasting just over 70 minutes before being replaced by Dermot Mee, and Carrick was pleased the defensive effort.
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“Radek got good minutes. Just over 70, so really, really pleased with what he did today,” said the United boss. “And Dermot coming on and towards the end was nice to get him on the pitch, so I thought we defended pretty well as a team for the most part.
“A couple of little bits earlier on that we had to work out, but I thought we defended well as a team and protected the goalkeepers largely. Clean sheets is a beautiful thing.”
United have now played two pre-season friendlies and will return to Carrington for another week of training in Manchester.
They are back in action on Saturday, August 1, when they face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm and Carrick is happy with the progression he is seeing.
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“I think we’re in a good place,” he said. “There are four weeks to go until the start, and gradually getting some boys back from the World Cup as we progress.
“But I think a little bit of patience and time and trying to keep ahead, and as I say, keeping everyone fit. But moving forward is a really good direction to go in, and as it stands right now, I think we’re in a pretty good place, so the boys will get better as we go.”
Manchester United 2026/27 Away Kit
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Manchester United have launched their new away kit for the 2026/27 season. Inspired by the legendary 1988 kit, the blue jersey features wavy stripes that echo the River Irwell.
Open champion (and speed golfer in disguise) Ryan Fox has captured the hearts of golf fans worldwide with his unique swing and play style. His no-nonsense pre-shot routine and rapid pace of play are refreshing qualities for a pro golfer in an age where overthinking and over-analysis routinely lead to five-hour rounds, all while his unorthodox (yet highly effective) swing has caught everyone’s attention.
After watching the Kiwi claim the Claret Jug last weekend, I got to thinking about four factors that undoubtedly helped him on his quest to become a major champion. Check them out below and apply them to your own game. They may just help you shoot lower scores.
1. Grit
Fox showed big cajones throughout the tournament — especially down the stretch on Sunday at Royal Birkdale. He played with confidence when the pressure peaked, being fearless instead of fearful.
How about you? Does your practice include anxiety, pressure and a little fear? Or is every session relaxed?
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If you want to perform under pressure, you need to practice under pressure. Add a bit of stress and discomfort to your practice sessions. Challenge yourself with pressure drills, consequences and uncomfortable situations. Building grit in practice helps you stay composed when things get tough on the course.
Want more science-backed strategies and real-world ideas to help your practice transfer to the golf course? Check out my practice program here.
2. Calm aggressiveness
It’d be wise for you to cool your jets on the idea of being “relaxed” on the golf course. When it’s time to perform, great competitors aren’t relaxed. They’re calm, focused and fully engaged.
The Navy SEALs have a mantra worth embracing: “Calm is contagious.” It’s something that Fox certainly exhibited on his back-nine charge at Birkdale.
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When you’re on the course, stay calm, alert and aware. Think of a lion on the hunt. They’re composed, intentional and completely committed to the outcome. But don’t mistake being calm for being passive. It means having complete control while applying relentless intent.
Find the calm within … and then keep your foot on the gas until the ball finds the bottom of the cup.
3. Toughness
Legendary University of Oregon track & field coach Bill Bowerman didn’t like being called “coach.” Instead, he preferred the title “Professor of Competitive Response.”
Bowerman understood that success wasn’t just about speed, strength or talent. It was about how athletes responded to adversity. And in golf (at every level) adversity is lurking behind just about every tree, bunker and water hazard. The question is: Are you ready to respond in ways that boost performance rather than bust it? The next time you tee it up, embrace the Four A’s of Competitive Response.
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First, acknowledge what happened. Don’t waste energy whining, complaining or wishing it hadn’t. Simply recognize reality for what it is.
Next, accept the outcome, the good, the bad, or the ugly. There are no time machines on the golf course. The only shot that matters is the one in front of you, not the one you just hit.
Then adjust. If you can’t change the situation, what are your options? You can complain (no one wants to hear it), or you can adjust to the circumstances and make the best possible decision with what you’ve got.
Finally, adapt. Great golfers, and great performers in any field, are exceptional adapters. Too many players cling to mental and physical patterns that no longer serve them. Assess the current situation (there’s another “A” for you), then adapt accordingly.
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4. Focus on the goal
Allow the iconic author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson to rescue your golf game. Thompson coined the term “fear and loathing” in the political arena, but there’s another concept woven throughout his work that’s highly relevant to golf: an unwavering determination to pursue what matters.
Far too often we’re distracted by the obstacles that golf places in our path. And there are plenty of them. Trees. Bunkers. Water. Bad bounces. Tough breaks. Self-doubt. The best players, however, never lose sight of the goal. Their objectives remain crystal clear, regardless of the obstacles.
Becoming Champion Golfer of the Year was the goal for Fox. What’s yours? And what’s really standing in your way? Are the obstacles truly immovable? Or are you simply not yet willing to do what’s required to achieve your goal?
When it’s time to compete, don’t confuse kindness with competitiveness. The best performers know how to flip the switch. They become relentless, decisive, and unapologetically committed to the task at hand.
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Fox did so at Royal Birkdale — and he’s a major champion because of it.
Christopher Smith is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, Guinness World Record speed golfer and four-time Oregon Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year.
Spain’s Ferran Torres (7) kisses the trophy after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Ferran Torres scored what will almost certainly be remembered as the most important goal of his career when his extra-time strike secured Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina. Days later, however, the Barcelona forward found himself smiling for a very different reason after Princess Leonor reminded him of a promise he had made before the tournament.Spain’s World Cup-winning squad received an official welcome from the Spanish royal family at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid following their triumphant return from North America, where Luis de la Fuente’s side defeated defending champions Argentina through Torres’ decisive 106th-minute winner at the New York New Jersey Stadium.The reception featured King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía greeting each member of the squad individually. While the occasion celebrated Spain’s historic triumph, one brief exchange between Princess Leonor and Torres quickly became one of the day’s most talked-about moments after videos circulated widely across social media.
Princess Leonor remembers Torres’ World Cup promise
As Torres approached the royal family during the greeting line, Princess Leonor, wearing a custom Spain jersey featuring the number 26 in tribute to the 2026 World Cup, surprised the striker with an unexpected question, proving she had clearly followed the team’s journey closely enough to remember such a specific promise.Once lip-read and later reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, the heir to the Spanish throne asked the Barcelona forward: “Weren’t you going to shave off all your hair?”Caught slightly off guard, Torres immediately smiled before replying: “No, no!”The light-hearted exchange prompted laughter from Princess Leonor and quickly became one of the most widely shared clips from Spain’s celebrations.According to Marca, Leonor’s playful remark referred to a public promise Torres had made before the World Cup, when he vowed to shave off all of his hair if Spain went on to lift the trophy.Although Torres fulfilled the far more important part of that prediction by helping Spain become world champions, the dramatic haircut now appears unlikely to happen.
Spain’s Ferran Torres celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Torres’ winning goal against Argentina ensured his name became permanently etched into Spanish football history.After a tense final that remained goalless through regular time, Spain finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute of extra time when Torres converted from close range to seal a 1-0 victory and deliver La Roja’s second men’s World Cup title.The goal completed a dominant performance from Spain, who controlled possession throughout the contest and prevented Lionel Messi’s Argentina from registering a single shot on target during normal time before lifting the trophy.
Spain’s Ferran Torres (7) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
For Torres, it represented arguably the defining moment of his professional career, scoring the goal that brought the World Cup back to Spain 16 years after the country’s first triumph in South Africa.
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Several Spain stars still have promises to fulfil
While Torres appears to have backed away from his promise, several of his Spain teammates are still expected to honour unusual pledges made before the tournament.According to reports, Marc Cucurella, Alex Baena, Borja Iglesias and Yeremy Pino have committed to getting tattoos of head coach Luis de la Fuente’s face following Spain’s triumph.Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal promised to grow a beard and moustache for three weeks and also pledged to give away 100 pairs of earphones to supporters through a fan draw.Midfielders Gavi and Pedri are also expected to fulfil their own bets by dyeing their hair in bold new colours.Whether every promise is eventually carried out remains to be seen, but Princess Leonor’s well-timed reminder ensured at least one of Spain’s World Cup wagers returned to the spotlight.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Tennis Canada announced Friday that neither headliner will compete in Montreal after both players were included on the entry list for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament at IGA Stadium from Aug. 1-13.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz had already been left off the player list as he continues to recover from a right wrist injury that forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon.
French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev will now be the tournament’s top seed.
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Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime will be seeded second, making him the highest-seeded Canadian in the tournament’s history.
Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz — the three biggest draws in men’s tennis — also missed last year’s event in Toronto, when the 12-day tournament began just two weeks after Wimbledon. Tournament officials expected fewer withdrawals this year, with the event starting three weeks after the All England Club finals.
“After carefully considering all the factors together with my team, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Montreal,” Sinner said in a statement provided by Tennis Canada.
“It is never easy to miss such an important event, but we believe this is the right decision to prioritize my health. I’m disappointed not to be there, but I look forward to returning to Montreal in the future.”
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The 24-year-old Italian and the 39-year-old Djokovic could return to action at the Cincinnati Open, with main-draw play beginning the day the National Bank Open ends, before the U.S. Open in late August.
Letton-Jones, from Y Felinheli in Gwynedd, has albinism, a congenital condition that severely affects her sight, so she has to count her strokes to know when she is approaching the wall of the swimming pool.
That has not stopped Letton-Jones from following her dream to reach the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
After narrowly missing out on the Paris Games in 2024, the teenager was invited onto the Aquatics GB Para-swimming world-class programme.
Letton-Jones won silver in the women’s 100m backstroke S12 on her World Para-swimming championships debut in 2025.
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