Schony Winston (with ball) peels away from the Terrafirma double team and finishes as the top NLEx local with 13 points. —PBA IMAGES
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—NLEx coach Jimmy Alapag didn’t really need a long time to get acquainted with his import DeQuan Jones, given that they were briefed about each other by a mutual friend.
After shooting 30 points, grabbing seven rebounds, issuing four assists and having three blocks in a 101-100 escape act over Terrafirma on Sunday here, Jones is simply glad that he’s experiencing the positive things that common friend, Garrius Adams, had told him when he learned that Alapag was tapped to call the shots—and gave Jones the referral.
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“So far, so good. Coach Jimmy’s living up to the hype,” Jones, whose 25 points in the first half keyed NLEx’s early assault, said. “Our common friend said that coach Jimmy’s a pleasure to play (for). He’s not only a great coach, but a great guy.”
Adams and Alapag worked together for the Sacramento Kings as player development coaches, with Alapag making the decision to fly back for home after getting the call-up to handle the Road Warriors and guide them all the way to a first PBA title.
The Road Warriors nearly threw away a sure victory after the Dyip mounted a huge comeback from 23 points down behind Maverick Ahanmisi and Juami Tiongson, who was back with the team after a three-conference stint with the San Miguel Beermen.
Terrafirma, however, couldn’t steal one from NLEx, which was glad to keep Alapag unbeaten after two starts in his homecoming.
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It was a different scenario from two nights earlier, when the Road Warriors blasted the guest team Macau Giant Pandas by 39 points. And despite a 2-0 start, Alapag believes he and his team can be better versions of themselves.
Alapag was quite ready to take accountability for that fourth quarter meltdown, another aspect he’ll need to work on as he keeps on getting his feet wet in the league where he became a legend.
“I think the biggest thing is that every game is important,” said Alapag. “The more wins that you could get, I think it puts us in a better situation going forward.
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“I think Terrafirma was great in that fourth quarter, but our guys stayed resilient and got stops when we needed to get the win,” he added.
NLEx will have little time to find out what went wrong and what positives it can hold on as it returns to action on Tuesday in Antipolo against Titan Ultra.
Terrafirma fell to 1-1.
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Ahanmisi and Tiongson, who hesitated during the final seconds instead of taking the potential winner, shared scoring for the Dyip with 19 apiece, with import Justin Strings, who muffed a triple at the buzzer, finishing with 18.
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Geo Chiu was held to five points and 15 rebounds after posting career highs of 19 and 23 in the 113-100 win over Titan Ultra. INQ
India batter Yastika Bhatia (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
India Women moved to the brink of a historic maiden Test victory at Lord’s after a dominant third day, powered by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking maiden century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an improbable 457-run target.With just four wickets separating them from scripting history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side ended the day firmly in control despite a spirited lower-order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.
Yastika scripts history at the Home of Cricket
Resuming Day 3 with a healthy first-innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable composure and elegant strokeplay, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test century to become the first-ever woman to score a Test hundred at Lord’s. Her memorable knock of 113 off 158 balls also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women’s Tests, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh provides late fireworks
Following Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with a brisk unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, taking the attack to the England bowlers. With India’s lead swelling beyond 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase down.
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Indian pacers rip through England’s top order
India’s bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest.Debutant Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier inside the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a touching guard of honour from the Indian team as she walked off.England’s problems deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali breached Alice Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable
Just when India appeared set to wrap up the match on the third evening itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers mounted a determined fightback. The duo stitched together a resilient 67-run partnership, frustrating the Indian attack and briefly keeping England’s hopes alive.The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning close-in catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off Sneh Rana’s bowling. Jones continued her resistance, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still finished the day in deep trouble at 130/6, requiring another 327 runs with only four wickets in hand.
Stan Wawrinka will arrive in Gstaad for his home event, the Swiss Open, looking to put on a good show in his farewell season. He, however, faces a tricky first opponent in the form of clay specialist Jaime Faria.
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Wawrinka’s 7-12 win-loss for the season is not the most impressive, but he has shown plenty of fight in his recent matches against the likes of top names like Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon and Jesper De Jong at the French Open.
That said, the Swiss player has not won back-to-back Tour matches since reaching the third round at the Australian Open all the way back in January. He will hope to turn things around at home.
Faria is a clay specialist. (Source: Getty)
Faria, on the other hand, continues his transition onto the main Tour. A five-time finalist (all clay events) on the Challenger, he is beginning to make his presence felt with solid showing on the big stage.
The Portuguese player recently put in his best Grand Slam showing, reaching the third round of the French Open with wins over Denis Shapovalov and Jan-Lennard Struff. He has not played too many Tour matches but has a positive 5-4 win-loss for 2026.
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Stan Wawrinka vs Jaime Faria head-to-head
The two have crossed paths on Tour before, so their current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.
Stan Wawrinka vs Jaime Faria odds
(Odds to be updated)
Stan Wawrinka vs Jaime Faria prediction
Stan Wawrinka will be bouyed by the home support. (Source: Getty)
At just 22, Jaime Faria has already built a reputation as a bit of a claycourt specialist. All his Challenger-level finals came on the red dirt and his biggest breakthrough on the main circuit has also come on the same surface, at the recent French Open.
Stan Wawrinka has himself enjoyed plenty of success on clay, even winning the French Open. Over the last few years though, his movement has slowed down and results have expectedly dried up on the surface.
The Swiss player still has some of the most sublime-looking groundstrokes. He, however, could struggle to keep pace with his younger opponent in the rallies. Faria likes to hit his inside-out-forehand and down-the-line backhand to keep his opponents constantly on the move, which could make like difficult for Wawrinka.
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The home hope will be buoyed by a boisterous crowd supporting him. He even has the brute strength to pull off a set, but the longer the match goes one, the more likely Faria is to get the win.
Kim earns his fourth career victory and thrusts himself back into the spotlight as one of the game’s great young players at just 24.
The victory is also an increasingly rare event on the PGA Tour as Kim won with the same Scotty Cameron blade putter he used in his first victory at the 2022 Wyndham Championship. Kim is just the second player this season to win with a blade putter, joining Matt Fitzpatrick, who has three victories.
Kim has used many different putters since his early career success, including both blades and mallets, but maintains that his best performances are with blades. This week, he was 20th in the field, picking up 3.658 strokes on the greens.
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The South Korean was also impressive off the tee this week, ranking 9th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (3.079). Kim was an early convert to Titleist’s new GTS3 driver, switching at the Valero Texas Open. In testing, Kim saw more consistent spin windows and an increase in ball speed.
While Kim likes to see the ball fall right, he actually adjusted the front weight track of his driver this week to move his start line just a touch more left, back toward neutral.
This week, Kim also chose to employ both a GTS3 5-wood and a T200 2-iron by dropping his sand wedge, something we saw Tommy Fleetwood do as well. Kim has been going back and forth between three- and four-wedge setups this season, but the three-wedge setup allows him to keep two fairway woods and either a hybrid or a utility iron. The utility iron got the call for this week’s links setup.
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For more on Kim’s detailed setup, keep reading below.
Tom Kim’s winning WITB at the Genesis Scottish Open
Driver: Titleist GTS3 9.0˚ Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Black 6-X
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MONTREAL – The Toronto Tempo held off a late-game charge from the New York Liberty on Sunday, winning 93-91 to end a four-game losing streak in their second of two games at the Bell Centre.
Marina Mabrey led the way with a game-high 30 points for the Tempo (10-13) while Sabrina Ionescu’s 28 points were not enough for the Liberty (13-11) to stage a comeback.
Toronto established control early in the first quarter and led by as many as 10 points.
New York closed the gap when an Isabelle Harrison jump shot was controversially ruled out as the shot clock hit zero. The Liberty capitalized, scoring twice in the last six seconds.
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The Tempo struggled in the opening stages of the second quarter as the Liberty fought back and tied the game at 26 after an 11-2 run.
Toronto got their rhythm back and, with the starters back on the court, put together a 15-4 run of their own in the last five minutes of the half.
In the third quarter, Mabrey took over. After starting the game 1-4 from the floor, the Tempo’s leading scorer scored 12 points from six shots in the frame. Dominant on both sides of the ball, Toronto’s lead went as high as 20 points.
The Liberty came flying out in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to single digits in just three minutes. New York kept chipping away and tied the game at 91 with less than a minute left. Nyara Sabally immediately replied with a layup that would end up being the game-winner, holding off the late comeback attempt.
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Tempo: Going into this game, Toronto held a 2-13 record when they were outrebounded. Not clearing the glass has cost them all season, and it almost did again in this game.
Liberty: The Liberty came off back-to-back road games, and it showed. They had no answer for Toronto’s pace in transition and were outscored on fastbreak points 24-2.
With the game winding down, Sabally made a clutch layup to give the Tempo a two-point lead, which proved to be the winning basket.
Toronto shot the deep ball well as a team, hitting 37.5 per cent of their three-point shots, nearly double the rate of the Liberty, who struggled from beyond the arc.
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Tempo: Will return to Toronto and host the Washington Mystics on Jul. 14
Liberty: Will continue their road trip against the Dallas Wings on Jul. 16.
Will Cain presents never-before-seen footage from the Fox Nation documentary, ‘UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History.’ The exclusive clip features President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White as they meticulously prepare for their iconic walkout at the White House, highlighting the unique planning and intricate details behind the historic event.
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Conor McGregor couldn’t believe his five-year return to the octagon ended the way it did on Saturday night in UFC 329 against Max Holloway.
But Joe Rogan said it was a “crazy” move that he tried in the opening round that cost him.
“He just tried a crazy move. He tried a jumping roundhouse kick,” Rogan said during the UFC broadcast after the main event ended. “… if you don’t land in a good way, with a supporting way, you put so much pressure on that knee. He landed with his knee in the worst position.”
Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts after an injury stoppage in a welterweight fight during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 11, 2026.(Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
McGregor’s kick attempt clearly hurt him, as he immediately grabbed his knee after Holloway evaded the strike. McGregor tried to keep fighting, but referee Mike Beltran called the fight after he tried another kick and clearly couldn’t land properly.
“He blew his ACL out with the very first move that he did,” Rogan suggested. “It sucks, but it’s just, you don’t do that.”
After speaking with doctors, UFC president Dana White said McGregor tore his ACL. Scans on McGregor’s knee will need to confirm the diagnosis.
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Daniel Cormier, the ex-MMA fighter-turned-broadcaster, added that McGregor’s long absence from the sport could’ve contributed to the injury.
“When you’ve been away from that for so long, and you come back in there, it’s like you’re shot out of a cannon,” Cormier explained.
“So, you see these guys that have been gone for a long time do things that doesn’t make sense. And I think that’s what happened to Conor.”
Conor McGregor kicks Max Holloway in a welterweight fight at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas.(John Locher/AP)
McGregor was dejected after Beltran called the match, and understandably so. It was the 37-year-old’s first fight since he faced off against Dustin Poirier on July 10, 2021.
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After the loss, McGregor posted a gut-wrenching tweet, saying he was completely healthy before the match.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” he wrote. “I had no injury/injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
Joe Rogan announces the fights during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 11, 2026.(Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Rogan also suggested that McGregor was trying to showcase no fear with his signature kicks with his surgically-repaired left leg. Either way, it cost the Irishman in the end.
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McGregor’s UFC career record is now 22-7 after this TKO finish.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic 5-3 in the second leg of their final qualifying round on Saturday in Lomé, Togo.
The victory gave Nigeria an 8-5 aggregate win after the Flamingos claimed a narrow 3-2 first-leg advantage in Ikenne, Ogun State, last weekend.
Coached by Akeem Busari, the Flamingos produced another impressive display to secure their place at the tournament in Morocco.
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Nigeria made a bright start, with Mary Dustan opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Benin Republic responded three minutes later to make it 1-1, but the Flamingos quickly regained control.
Esther Stephen restored Nigeria’s lead in the 15th minute before Queen Joseph added a third goal five minutes later to put the Flamingos 3-1 ahead inside the opening 20 minutes.
Benin Republic fought back and kept the contest alive, but Nigeria remained composed. Queen Joseph scored her second goal of the match in the 76th minute to help seal a 5-3 victory on the day.
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The result confirmed Nigeria’s place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where the Flamingos will once again compete against the world’s best teams as they look to continue their impressive rise on the international stage.
England are through to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami, with Jude Bellingham once again proving to be the difference.
Here are the major talking points from the quarter-final clash.
Bellingham Delivers Again
Jude Bellingham was England’s hero as he scored both goals to send the Three Lions into the last four. The Real Madrid midfielder equalised just before half-time before grabbing the winner early in extra time after reacting quickest to a rebound.
The brace also saw Bellingham become the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two goals in back-to-back FIFA World Cup knockout matches. He now has six goals at the tournament.
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England Move Closer to History
Thomas Tuchel’s side are now only one victory away from reaching England’s first men’s World Cup final since their famous triumph in 1966.
England have reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the third time since lifting the trophy 60 years ago. They will face either Argentina or Switzerland for a place in the final.
Norway Miss Their Chance
Norway made an excellent start and took the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup. They also came close to restoring their advantage in the second half, but Torbjorn Heggem’s goal was ruled out by VAR after Erling Haaland pushed Elliot Anderson in the build-up.
David Moller Wolfe also struck the crossbar as Norway failed to make their chances count.
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Haaland Unable to Make the Difference
Erling Haaland entered the match as one of the tournament’s top scorers with seven goals, but England’s defence kept the Manchester City striker quiet.
His biggest disappointment came when Norway’s disallowed goal denied his side a second lead. Haaland was later substituted during extra time as England took control.
Tuchel’s Changes Pay Off
England looked tired after playing in difficult weather conditions, but Tuchel’s substitutions helped freshen up the team. Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers all made important contributions, with Rogers’ shot leading to Bellingham’s winning goal.
England will now look to continue their impressive World Cup run as they prepare for a crucial semi-final showdown with either Argentina or Switzerland.
Jannik Sinner has successfully defended his Wimbledon crown, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-3, 6- 4 to claim his second consecutive title at the All England Club.
The victory marks Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title and continues an extraordinary run that has firmly established the 24-year-old as the player to beat in men’s tennis.
It was another composed performance from the world No. 1, who recovered after losing a tightly contested first-set tiebreak before taking control of the final.
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Speaking during the trophy presentation, Sinner praised Zverev for the challenge he posed and expressed confidence that the German’s time will come.
“You reached one of your goals, winning a Grand Slam. Today you were so, so close. If you play like this, I’m very, very sure you’re going to have this one at home also.”
Reflecting on his own achievement, Sinner admitted that winning Wimbledon is something he never takes for granted.
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“There is no better place, honestly, to play tennis. You never know how many times you can come back on Sunday. I never take things for granted.”
He also thanked the Wimbledon fans and the tournament’s ball kids for helping make the championship special.
“You gave me the most special feeling a tennis player can feel. Thank you so much.”
With the victory, Sinner became just the fourth man in the Open Era to win back-to-back Wimbledon titles as the world No. 1, joining Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
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The triumph also extends his Wimbledon winning streak to 14 matches, gives him his 30th ATP title, and marks his 100th Grand Slam match victory.
Minnesota Vikings fan reacts from the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium as Tampa Bay controls a tense third-quarter stretch during the season opener in Minneapolis. On Sep. 10, 2023, the crowd watched Minnesota search for momentum against the Buccaneers while frustration mounted inside the home venue during an uneven afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Nearly every summer, the Minnesota Vikings have at least one roster cut that makes a fan think, “What? They cut that guy?” And there’s no reason to believe 2026 will be any different, especially with new general manager Nolan Teasley, who has allegiance to zero players on the current roster, in the saddle.
So, to get you thinking about stunning possible roster cuts, here’s the list for 2026 in alphabetical order.
Training Camp Could Put Familiar Names in Trouble
Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew works through drills at Lucas Oil Stadium during the 2025 NFL Combine, displaying his movement skills for evaluators from around the league. On Feb. 28, 2025, Bartholomew completes another testing segment as teams study his athletic profile ahead of the spring draft process in Indianapolis that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Gavin Bartholomew | TE
The Vikings used a 6th-Round pick on Bartholomew in a draft when they had so very few picks after the expensive Dallas Turner trade in 2024. Every pick had to make an impact to offset the lack of rookies joining the depth chart.
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The result? Barothomew missed the entire 2025 season with a lower back injury. He didn’t play a single snap on offense or special teams as a rookie.
Fast forward to 2026, and the man has something to prove. He must show that he belongs on the depth chart, specifically that undrafted free agent Ben Yurosek didn’t steal his job. In theory, Minnesota could keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster, but if it retains the customary three, training camp is a battle between Bartholomew and Yurosek at TE3.
And Bartholomew could lose.
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Tai Felton | WR
Felton’s roster spot with the team could hinge on the dynamics at training camp.
Drafted by the Vikings in the 3rd Round just over a year ago, the wide receiver’s presence in the offense largely vanished once the regular season began, and his minimal involvement in passing plays was perplexing. Such an outcome cannot be repeated in his second year.
With the addition of undrafted rookie Dillon Bell, the Vikings now have another young receiver to evaluate. Should Bell impress during camp, Minnesota may no longer consider Felton’s draft status a guarantee for a roster spot.
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Our Brevan Bane noted on Felton last month, “Now that the Vikings have signed WR Jauan Jennings to be WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, things are looking a bit murky for Tai Felton. Maybe, he’s still in the long-term plans since Jennings is on a one year deal.”
“However, it’s not a great look for those that have high hopes for Felton to be a major piece of the Vikings’ offense. Tai Felton is a speedster, posing a real threat to take the top off of defenses whenever he’s on the field. At least, he was that in college.”
Thankfully for Felton, if the Vikings cut him, another team would surely give him a look. Speed kills.
“Felton couldn’t even manage to get the WR4 role coming out of training camp in his rookie year, as the Vikings would re-acquire WR Adam Thielen via trade with the Panthers, who would split reps with Jalen Nailor,” Bane added.
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“Felton only played 40 total snaps at receiver in 2025 for the Vikings, with 293 coming on special teams. The Vikings likely do value Felton’s special teams ability, and to be fair, that is how Adam Thielen got his start in Minnesota.”
Ivan Pace Jr. | LB
Pace enters training camp with substantially less job security than previous Julys.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. reacts during second-half action against the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Wild Card game at State Farm Stadium. On Jan. 13, 2025, Pace responds after another defensive snap as Minnesota battles through a high-pressure postseason matchup in Glendale with its season hanging in the balance. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
The Vikings benched him for Eric Wilson in 2025, a move that led to Wilson playing at a Pro Bowl level. Although Minnesota later re-signed Pace, his contract offers little protection; releasing him would incur no dead-cap hit.
The situation could become even more precarious with rookie Jake Golday. If Golday reveals he’s ready for regular season play, Pace might find himself off the roster before Week 1.
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Ultimately, Pace’s fate hinges on his tackling ability. He was an efficient tackler in his first two seasons, but that aspect of his game disappeared in 2025. He must prove that his previous form is still intact.
Myles Price | WR
Refer to the WR situation above. Suppose the Vikings keep Felton and Bell. That would spell trouble for Price, who’s “only” specialty at the moment is returning kicks and punts. Minnesota just drafted running back Demond Claiborne, and believe it or not, he has the speed to perform both jobs if called upon.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price returns a kickoff against New England at U.S. Bank Stadium, accelerating into open space during fourth-quarter preseason action. On Aug. 16, 2025, Price showcases his burst and vision as Minnesota evaluates his special teams value and potential offensive role against the Patriots in Minneapolis that summer afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
It’s not difficult to replace a return man, and if the Vikings value a roster spot for another wide receiver, Price’s limited utility on offense could send him to the practice squad or outright free agency.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Three years isn’t a particularly long time unless you’re 24 and the golf world has spent much of it wondering what happened to your game.
Tom Kim arrived as a teenage sensation, turning professional at 15 and winning three times on the PGA Tour before he was old enough to legally rent a car. With a sparkling personality to match his game, he emerged as a fan favorite and seemed destined to become one of golf’s next global stars. Then came putting woes, an illness, a victory drought and, inevitably, questions.
On Sunday at the Genesis Scottish Open, Kim answered them emphatically, closing with a six-under 64 to finish at 17 under, two shots clear of Min Woo Lee for his first PGA Tour victory since the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open — one that made Kim just the fourth non-American player to win four PGA Tour events before the age of 25. The other three? Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, and Hideki Matsuyama.
“I’m trying to wrap my mind over it,” an emotional Kim said afterward. “The round I played today really has been a lot of work.”
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Long regarded as one of the game’s brightest young talents, Kim saw his game slip over the past two seasons, a slide often attributed to a balky putter. After ranking among the Tour’s better performers on the greens early in his career, he slipped to 102nd in Strokes Gained: Putting. In 2024, he also withdrew from the Players Championship after falling ill with a mysterious illness that forced him to step away from the game.
Kim didn’t disappear entirely. His fiery play and emotional celebrations energized the International Team in two Presidents Cups. He also found himself in the prime-time spotlight as a member of Tiger Woods’ TGL squad. But when Sunday afternoons rolled around, Kim wasn’t showing up much on TV.
Signs of a resurgence became evident this year. A return to a familiar Scotty Cameron putter coincided with a tie for 15th at the RBC Canadian Open, followed by a third-place finish at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. If Kim’s game was rounding into shape, there was no better place for him to showcase it than at the Renaissance Club in Scotland, where he had already made happy memories. In 2022, he finished T-3 for his first top-10 on Tour, and added another strong showing with a T-17 last year.
“It’s really cool not just to win but to win this event,” Kim said. “This is where I had no status and I finished third to really give myself a chance and get myself out here. I’m at a loss for words.”
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Given his role as a TGL staple, it was fitting that the first text Kim received after getting back in the winner’s circle was from Woods.
“Obviously playing TGL, being on Tiger’s team and being able to really ask him a lot of questions on certain things and he’s been really helpful a lot of the time,” Kim said after his win. “You know, this was my first win in three years and the first person that text me was Tiger Woods. It just shows you the type of person he is, how much he cares.”
Kim’s long road back was extended even further by a marathon Sunday. Though he was playing in the second-to-last group, he began the day shortly after sunrise to complete a third round that had been cut short by fog on Saturday. With clear, calm conditions replacing Saturday’s soupy air, he opened with a birdie and added two more before the turn.
In trying to keep pace with the modern power game during his winless stretch, Kim had sacrificed some of the precision that once defined his play. At the Renaissance Club, that version of Kim was back, carving up the course with the tidy tee-to-green game. Of the key shots, none was more crucial than a flushed four-iron from 205 yards on the par-4 16th, which settled five feet from the hole. Kim poured in the birdie putt to keep up a pace that his challengers couldn’t match.
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Playing partners Chris Gotterup and Robert MacIntyre faltered early, while Rory McIlroy, after a third-round 73 that dulled his chances, matched Kim’s low round of the day, a 64, but never got close enough to apply serious pressure.
Kim’s victory also stood in contrast to that of one of his closest friends on Tour. Kim and Scottie Scheffler, who share a June 21 birthday and regularly play practice rounds together in Dallas, arrived in Scotland on very different trajectories. Scheffler missed the cut, his first in 78. Kim left with the trophy.
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