Tour Championship – first round

-8 MW Lee (Aus); -6 V Hovland (Nor), C Morikawa (US), C Gotterup (US); -5 R Gerard (US), A Bhatia (US), L Aberg (Swe), S Scheffler (US)

Selected others: -4 T Fleetwood (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), R Fox (NZ); -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), W Clark (US); -2 J Rose (Eng), A Fitzpatrick (Eng), R McIlroy (NI)

Full leaderboard

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood shot a four-under 66 to put himself in contention, four strokes off first-round leader Min Woo Lee at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

However, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy endured a mixed start in his bid to win a record-extending fourth Fedex Cup, bogeying two of the first four holes before fighting back on the back nine to sign for a 68.

Lee, who won last month’s Scottish Open, carded a bogey-free 62 to set the pace at eight under as he equalled his best ever round on the PGA Tour in its season-ending event at East Lake.

Australia’s Lee is two strokes clear of Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who triumphed in 2023, and American duo Collin Morikawa and Chris Gotterup.

It was a fine display from Lee, who was second from last in the BMW Championship a week ago and found himself without a partner for most of the day, with JJ Spaun withdrawing through injury after four holes.

“It was a little strange at first, just like looking for a playing partner and you’re just there by yourself,” said Lee.

“It was more just maintaining speeds and not rushing because I would just catch the group in front and wait. So I had to just slow down a little bit. It worked out.”

Ominously, world number one Scottie Scheffler ended his round with a birdie on the 18th to sit at five under, with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in the mix at four under after also making a birdie four on the concluding hole.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is at three under, with the highlight of his day arriving on the sixth hole when he rolled in a putt from over 30 feet for an eagle.

England’s Justin Rose and Alex Fitzpatrick both signed for rounds of 68 on a day when none of the 29 players in the field to complete the round went over par.

The winner on Sunday will take home the Fedex Cup and a $10m (£7.4m) prize.

Former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used to say that his phone was always charged. Is the same true of Nolan Teasley?

Presumably, the Vikings’ front office is in the process of listening and pitching. Smart teams are rewarded when they’re curious and open for business. Every so often, a good opportunity arises and the team decides to take the plunge. Maybe that means a swap gets pulled off at some point in the coming days. The Vikings must be having at least some discussion behind the scenes.

The Vikings’ Front Office & The Trade Trend Around the NFL

Pulling up the NFL’s transaction page and then toggling for trades means seeing several get across the finish line already:

• Caedan Wallace (NE/MIA)
• Daniel Faalele (NYG/JAX)
• Jaylen Reed (HOU/NE)
• Kayshon Boutte (NE/HOU)
• Deion Jones (NO/SF)
• Zamir White (SF/NO)
• Joshua Ezeuda (NYG/KC)
• Jarquez Hunter (LAR/MIA)
• Tutu Atwell (MIA/LAR)

None of the above names are game-breaking stars in the NFL. However, the point is that teams are already getting ahead of the sticks as it relates to player movement. Sometimes, that has involved setting guys free, such as the Colts showing Mekhi Blackmon the door with a cut.

A couple days ago, Kevin Patra chatted about the roster movement that’s coming.

“With clubs going from 90-man rosters to an initial 53-man crew, roughly 1,184 players will lose their jobs before Sunday’s cut-down deadline,” Patra explains. “Yes, each team will bring back players to the practice squad, and others will be re-signed over the next few weeks as IR spots are used. However, for a large chunk of players, this is the end of the line in 2026.”

Continuing to move through the piece means seeing some teams with a player(s) included into the speculation, such as J.J. McCarthy for the Vikings.

Consider that the Raiders have Aidan O’Connell included: “AOC should be a trade target for a team in need of a backup QB with starting experience. With no direct path to playing time with the additions of veteran Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, O’Connell’s time in Vegas should be coming to a close.” Do the Vikings need to upgrade at QB3?

Or, perhaps, does the Anthony Richardson swap finally occur? What about Chicago moving off of Garrett Bradbury after the addition of Logan Jones in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Vikings’ end of things could involve some mixture of buying and selling.

Offloading Jonathan Greenard means having an extra 3rd for next year. Better yet, there’s likely going to be a compensatory pick added due to the loss of Jalen Nailor. There’s then a pile of free agents moving into the final year on their deals in Minnesota, meaning 2028 looks like a strong bet for some added compensatory help.

Tossing some added talent into the edge rusher crew and/or the center spot could make a lot of sense. Maybe another arm gets added and the run game could still get tweaked. What about safety?

According to Over the Cap, the Vikings are sitting atop roughly $22 million in cap space. Partner that open room with a reasonably rotund helping of draft picks and there are going to be some options, especially since some players on the rostrer could reasonably attract attention on the trade market.

Does the emergence of Jacob Roberts and Bangally Kamara make a LB trade possible? The Vikings could bump up one of those guys while offloading somebody higher on the depth chart.

Many can quibble with the wisdom of trying to compete in 2026 rather than rebuilding, but the Vikings aren’t throwing in the towel. Instead, the plan is to get into the playoffs and make noise once there. All that needs to be determined is whether the team is actually good enough to achieve those goals.

The Vikings’ front office has a lot of work to do in the coming days. Quite possibly, that work will lead to a trade(s) getting across the finish line.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Liverpool are still pursuing Ismaila Sarr, despite seeing an initial offer of around £50m rejected by Crystal Palace.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola wants to bring in three more players before the end of the transfer window, including two who can operate in wide positions. One of those will be France winger Bradley Barcola, after PSG accepted an offer of £100m plus £20m in potential add-ons for the 23-year-old.

And while Liverpool have moved on from Yankuba Minteh following Brighton’s resistance, The Independent understands the club are not yet discouraged from a deal to bring in Sarr.

The 28-year-old Senegal international is comfortable playing on the right wing, a crucial area of the field for Liverpool to strengthen following the summer exit of Mohamed Salah.

If Liverpool bring in their targets then Cody Gakpo could still depart before the deadline on Tuesday. Gakpo has been the subject of interest from Tottenham, and The Independent understands Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is insistent that the club pursue the Dutchman, despite a summer outlay already in excess of £300m.

Asked on Thursday about Gakpo’s future, Iraola said: “When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone.”

Allianz Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and
Dolphins. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs.
Dolphins
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 5:30 pm

Where: Allianz Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins Odds

Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins Preview

The Roosters’ eight-match winning streak ended with a 25-24 loss to Wests Tigers, dropping them from first to third and tightening the race for a home qualifying final. The Dolphins strengthened their top-four position by beating Parramatta 34-16 and arrive with a settled squad. James Tedesco has again been named for Sydney after three consecutive late withdrawals, while Victor Radley is out following a head knock. The Dolphins retain the combination that handled the Eels and will draw confidence from their emphatic 48-10 win over the Roosters in Round 15. Sydney’s home record and powerful middle make this a demanding assignment, but the visitors’ speed through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako and Selwyn Cobbo can punish any defensive hesitation. The Dolphins are capable of confirming that earlier result with another upset.

Canelo Alvarez is planning on regaining his WBC super-middleweight world title when he returns to action against Christian Mbilli in October, and one of the Mexican superstar’s former sparring partners has offered his verdict on the bout.

Canelo lost the undisputed super-middleweight crown to Terence Crawford last September, only for Crawford’s retirement to lead to the vacation of all four straps and see Mbilli elevated to full WBC world champion.

Canelo was sidelined by an injury to his right elbow in that scrap and underwent surgery earlier this year, but secured his spot in a challenge for his old belt as Mbilli agreed to a lucrative fight offer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Sean Zittel, Yoenli Hernandez, who sparred Alvarez ahead of his showdown with Crawford, declared his belief that Canelo will come out on top against Mbilli and return to the 168lb throne.

“Yes, definitely [he has enough left to beat Mbilli], when he is in that training camp he focuses in on and makes sure that he is ready for his guy.

“He still has a lot in the tank, so that should be an interesting fight but I see Canelo winning.”

Canelo-Mbilli is scheduled to go ahead on Saturday, October 31st, where he will top a ‘Mexico vs. The World’ themed bill, which is already set to feature one additional world title contest, with others expected to be added soon.

Meanwhile, Hernandez defeated Francisco Daniel Veron in a career-best success on Saturday and the Cuban is set to be mandated for a shot at Denzel Bentley’s WBO middleweight title, although Bentley will be permitted one voluntary defence before that fight is enforced.

Shakur Stevenson has shunned a move up to welterweight this year, but one man who could be able tempt him up to 147lbs is legendary eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao. Now, former opponent, Teofimo Lopez, has offered his thoughts on a potential fight between the pair.

Pacquiao was being linked to a professional rematch with Floyd Mayweather and then a surprise shot at Liam Paro’s IBF welterweight world title, where a win would have seen ‘Pac Man’ break his own record as the oldest 147lb champion of all time.

However, it seems as though both of those opportunities are no longer available, with Mayweather tied up in legal issues and Paro moving on to a potential unification with Devin Haney or an all-Australian bout with George Kambosos Jnr.

As a result, with both Stevenson and Pacquiao currently looking for an opponent, rumours have began to emerge suggesting that the two could collide.

When asked about the match-up by Ariel Helwani, Lopez stated that he believes Pacquiao still ‘has enough in the tank to give Stevenson a good fight’.

“[That is] not bad, no. Two southpaws. Manny looked great when he fought [Mario] Barrios. I believe that he should have won that. It should have been Ryan [Garcia] vs. Manny Pacquiao for the WBC Teofimo Lopez delivers verdict on potential Manny Pacquiao vs Shakur Stevenson fight.

“It’s a great technical fight, I think that Pacquiao still has enough in the tank to give him a tough fight, if that’s the case and they do meet in the ring.”

Stevenson has recently signed with Zuffa Boxing and has also been mentioned for a clash with fellow super-lightweight world champion, Gary Antuanne Russell, in recent weeks.

“The toughest opponent is old man par.” So said Bobby Jones nearly a century ago. Times have changed.

Today’s young stars beat par with ease, routinely taking rounds deep into the red. They look for motivation in another opponent, but their greatest adversaries are also their peers.

“It’s pretty amazing what the young guys are doing,” Tommy Morrison said on a recent episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast.

At 22, Morrison is a young guy himself who has rocketed to success since making his Korn Ferry Tour debut this year. He tied for 10th in his first start, followed that with a fifth and a runner-up finish before breaking through with a victory at the Evans Scholars Invitational. He added another runner-up finish the following week.

Morrison has watched plenty of his twentysomething peers make noise, too. Ben James shot a 61 in the final round of the Wyndham Championship to finish third. Michael Thorbjornsen captured his first PGA Tour win this month at the Rocket Classic. And then there’s Jackson Koivun, who won on Tour in just his third start as a professional.

Morrison said the youth movement didn’t surprise him, given how competitive college golf has become.

But seeing his peers actually go out and do it at the highest level is another matter.

“It has definitely inspired me,” he said. “Especially watching Frankie (Harris) shoot 59 and win.” That was at the Pinnacle Bank Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this month.

It’s not just the youngsters who are feeling motivated. Precocious showings of that kind have lit a fire under members of the Tour’s older guard, too.

Morrison recalled a recent conversation with Xander Schauffele, who told him, “I’d be lying if I said Jackson winning on Tour didn’t motivate me.”

For all their success, though, there’s still plenty left to prove. At the 2027 Masters, not a single player under 30 will have won a major. The youngest major champion in the field will be 30-year-old Collin Morikawa.

Morrison wouldn’t be surprised if that changes soon.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if a younger guy got it,” he said.

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Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

North Queensland returns from a bye knowing a victory could secure its finals place, depending on Canterbury’s result against Penrith. The Cowboys last played in Round 24, when they were edged 32-30 by Parramatta, and the extra preparation should help after that demanding contest. Wests Tigers arrives with renewed belief following a 25-24 upset of the Roosters. Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai return for North Queensland, although Murray Taulagi is sidelined by concussion. The Tigers lose Alex Twal to concussion, with Sunia Turuva and Ethan Roberts included on the interchange. Wests dominated the Round 2 meeting 44-16 and carries genuine attacking threats, but the Cowboys’ rest advantage, home conditions and stronger finals motivation should allow their returning playmakers to dictate the decisive periods.

Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

• In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
• Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
• The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
• Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
• Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals