Welcome to Bag Spy, a GOLF series devoted to understanding the crucial equipment choices that define a player’s bag. With the help of players and/or their expert fitters, we dig deep beyond the photos to examine setups, specs and the thinking behind them. In this installment, GOLF Associate Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh takes you inside Si Woo Kim’s bag and new equipment setup for 2026.
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At first glance — and depending on what course you catch him — Si Woo Kim has a pretty old-school bag.
Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-iron through pitching wedge and just two wedges, a 52˚ and a 60˚. We don’t see a lot of that set-up on the PGA Tour anymore.
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But a deeper dive and conversation with Callaway Senior PGA Tour Player Development Representative Kellen Watson shows Kim actually has a unique relationship with gear. He focuses strictly on looks, and if it passes the first couple of swings, there usually won’t be much hesitancy with putting it in the bag.
“If there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson told GOLF. “The performance stuff, we’ll incrementally get exactly where we need to get to. But aesthetically, if it’s pleasing to his eye, there’s nothing bigger. If it goes through the ground perfectly, it’s going in the bag.”
Watson called Kim a “corporate dream” because he’ll put almost any club in his bag as long as it meets his eye test.
That’s notable because Kim held onto his Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond driver for two years before moving into the Quantum Triple Diamond this season.
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But he’s not afraid to try anything, and, in fact, Watson has to prevent him from trying too much.
“He gets some ideas, and he’ll just do it behind my back,” Watson said. “That’s why I try to stay in front of him all the time so we don’t allow him to do anything like that.”
Si Woo Kim and caddie Manny Villegas form an unlikely but endearing duo.
Warren Little/Getty Images
Watson also has to rely on Kim’s caddie, Manny Villegas, to help maintain Kim’s clubs. It’s usually Villegas who asks for regrips or loft/lie checks.
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“Manny’s almost playing offensive coordinator and Si Woo’s just the quarterback, just taking the play calls,” Watson said.
So far that’s been working well this season, as Kim, despite a bulky putter, had four top-11 finishes in his first four starts this season, including two top-5s. He’s 9th in the FedEx Cup standings and second in Strokes Gained: Approach with Callaway’s yet-to-be-released Apex MB ’26 irons.
Kim and Villegas, the brother of five-time Tour winner Camillo Villegas, form one of professional golf’s most unlikely player-caddie duos, but they’re also perhaps the most laidback and fun.
“I still think they should make a TV show of him and Manny, almost like there’s a sequel of ‘Rob & Big.’ I would watch that. I would watch them talk to each other all day long, every day,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s anybody there you want to be around more than Si Woo when you’re playing golf. And that just kind of goes for every day anyway. Some of it’s just because you never know what he’s going to say next.”
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Kim’s golf bag embodies much of that persona.
Keep reading below to dive into the bag of one of the PGA Tour’s best characters, Si Woo Kim.
Breaking down every club in Si Woo Kim’s bag
Ball
2022 Callaway Chrome Tour Dot
As a player who plays a fade and generally plays at a spin surplus throughout the bag, Kim is one of the many users of Callaway’s Chrome Tour Dot golf ball, a Tour-only version of the Chrome Tour X.
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“Just the higher spin guys — it’s just the flight’s a little bit better for him. The spin control is a lot better for him,” Watson said of the ball, which is also played by Xander Schauffele.
The Dot has an identical aero package to the Chrome Tour X, but it reaches a slightly lower peak height due to reduced spin. Otherwise, it flies similarly.
Players who play a fade generally are going to spin the ball more than players who draw it, so being able to retain control and wind performance with a touch lower spin, while keeping launch, speed and feel the same, is a good match for Kim.
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Callaway 2026 Chrome Tour X Golf Balls
SPEED TECHNOLOGY
Revolutionary new Tour Fast Mantle that increases distance through an optimized core/layer system.
ADVANCED SEAMLESS TOUR AERO®
Incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot.
PRECISION TOUR URETHANE COVER
Incredible feel and wedge control.
PRECISION TECHNOLOGY
Provides the ultimate in consistency. Every detail in the design, manufacture, and testing of the Chrome Tour X ball has been engineered to ensure maximized performance throughout your game.
Specs Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 9.0 Actual Loft: 8.9˚ OptiFit Setting: N/-1 Weights: 7 g front, 9 g back heel, 1 g back toe Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 6-X Length: 44 15/16″ EOG Tipping: 1″ Swingweight: D3.4
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Stock Carry: 290 yards
When it comes to his driver, there isn’t much unique about Si Woo Kim’s, but it is notable given he did not switch to Callaway’s Elyte driver last season.
You would think, after Kim hung onto a Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond for two seasons, that it would have been a long and arduous testing process to get him into a new Quantum Triple Diamond for this season.
But it took Watson only three swings.
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“We did kind of a preliminary fitting at Sea Island,” Watson said. “I think we gave him the 8.5. I remember every interaction with him and Manny because they’re some of my most fun times on Tour. But I think he hit it twice. Little low spin. Nine-degree first shot, and it was like, ‘Can we play this this week?’”
The start line was also important for getting Kim to switch from his Ai Smoke, which is why you’ll see above in his specs he keeps the back weight on the heel side of the club to encourage a left start line.
Unfortunately, at the RSM Classic last fall, where Callaway annually does testing with their staff players for the new driver, the Quantum was not yet on the USGA conforming list.
But Kim got his driver in mid-November and he was one of the first to put it in play the first week of December at the Australian Open when it hit the conforming list.
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One thing that Watson struggled with, however, was getting him to test a backup driver.
“He hates to do like a backup head, and I forced him to do like a backup head today (Tuesday at Bay Hill),” Watson said. “He’s like, ‘Nothing’s wrong with this one. This one will not fail.’ I’m just making sure, dude.”
Kim moved into the updated Fujikura Ventus Black with VeloCore+ during testing with the Elyte driver as they found the slightly softer profile had a better feel for him. It also aided his timing for a fade.
“If anything, a little less catch-up in the shaft, just being just like a touch softer is probably better for him, where the club will stay behind him at impact and he can kind of hit that fade a little bit better,” Watson said.
Specs Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver 11.5 Actual Loft: 11.2˚ Lie: 57˚ OptiFit Setting: -1/N (Flat Cog) Weights: 14 g front, 5 g back Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 7-X Length: 43.125″ Tipping: 2″ Swingweight: D3.1
In some ways, the mini driver has become synonymous with Kim, as he is famous for his DODs from anywhere.
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Fairway, rough, other, you name it, Si Woo Kim has probably tried to hit a driver off the deck from it.
That was the impetus for Kim in sticking with his Paradym Ai-Smoke mini driver, because it was much easier for him to hit off the fairway.
Watson intends to show Kim the new Quantum Mini Driver soon, but wanted to get more insight from the club from Min Woo Lee and Max Greyserman, both of whom already have it in the bag.
Kim loves the ability to swing the Mini Driver flatter and not down on it like a 3-wood.
While Kim doesn’t use the 3-wood often in favor of the longer Mini Driver, when he does, he likes to be aggressive with it. It’s to the point where Watson compared his divots to Sergio Garcia, one of the best and also steepest fairway wood players of all time.
The 5-wood is a better story as Kim previously played a Rogue ST LS 5-wood since the club came out in 2022.
But in the fall, Kim wanted to shorten the club and did so while in Japan for the Baycurrent Classic. Why?
“I don’t know. I have no idea!” Watson said. Remember when Watson said he had to get between Kim and some of his “ideas?” This is why.
The club never felt the same to Kim after that. Watson built him a new 5-wood before the start of the season and the 3-wood just so he has options and doesn’t have to look for a new club in the middle of the season.
Specs Callaway Apex MB ’26 3-PW Shafts: KBS Tour V 125 Lofts: 19.3/21.4/24.9/28.5/32.3/36.6/40.5/44.5 Lies: 60/60.3/61.1/61.5/61.7/62.3/62.9/62.6 Length: 7-iron 37″ EOG Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)
3-iron Stock Carry: 221 7-iron Stock Carry: 174
Kim is one of a growing number of players on Callaway’s unreleased Apex MB ’26 prototype irons. He has played blades at times throughout his career, but not since his first year with Callaway in 2018.
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But when Kim first tested the new blades, like all of his other changes, the decision to switch was almost instant. Again, the swap was driven more by visuals.
Watson says the new MB has a longer blade length and a more Japanese-inspired pinched toe shape, similar to the X Forged, which was all familiar to him. Kim was one of just three staffers previously playing the Apex CB ’24, primarily due to the longer blade length.
“I think the longer the blade length for him, I think the better the results he gets,” Watson said. “For him, a longer blade length, the higher toe, the matched window of launch and spin being pretty much exactly where you need it — I think that is the determination of, is it going in play?”
In testing, Watson said the new MB “hits more of that CB kind of window” launch conditions which made the switch simple for Kim.
Looking at his specs, you’ll notice his irons are all bent 1-2 degrees strong. That’s not done for launch/spin or even turf interaction reasons. Keeping with the theme here, that’s all done to fit Kim’s eye. He’s played the stronger lofts since before he signed with Callaway in 2018.
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“If there’s something that really fits his eye — he’s a lot about aesthetics — if there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson said.
Kim’s high-spin tendencies allow him to play the blades all the way through to the 3-iron, a rarity on the modern PGA Tour where even 4-irons are starting ot become extinct.
But the 3-iron doesn’t actually get used that often and, Watson said, sometimes he’ll even be content with rolling with just 13 clubs.
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Callaway Apex MB Custom Irons
The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect.
A PURE BLADE IN A MODERN DESIGN
The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect.
PURE FORGED PERFORMANCE
The Apex MB body and face are forged as one-piece in a proprietary forging process from 1025 carbon steel, creating the purest feeling iron imaginable.
PROGRESSIVE CG DESIGN FOR ADDED CONTROL
A progressive CG throughout the set improves trajectory control. The long irons feature a lower CG that promotes towering shots that land soft into greens while the short irons utilize a higher CG for a lower trajectory with more spin for added control.
DYNAMIC SOLE DESIGN FOR ENHANCED TURF INTERACTION
These irons feature a dual chamfer on the leading edge to cut through the turf more efficiently. A trailing edge chamfer provides relief from the turf after contact for enhanced feel. This Dynamic Sole Design maintains speed through the turf and promotes consistent contact on all shots.
Specs Callaway Opus SP RAW Lofts/Grinds: 52/10S @ 51.5˚, 60/8C @ 59˚ Shafts: KBS Tour V 125 Lie: 60.8/63 Length: 35″ EOG/34.625″ EOG Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)
52˚ Stock Carry: 114 60˚ Stock Carry: 89
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Just two wedges?! Yes! just two wedges.
While the conventional wisdom for a player with strong lofted irons is to usually add more wedges, Kim plays just a couple and relies on feel to gauge the proper distance.
“I think that has more to do with the incredible set of hands that Si Woo just has,” Watson said. “I think he does more of it just with his hands. Totally feel.
“He’s more of an artist than people kind of would lead you to believe.”
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Unlike most pros on the PGA Tour, Kim doesn’t use a clock system to hit distance wedge shots.
Like the rest of the bag, Kim had little issue switching into the new Opus SPs.
“I think he picked up both of them, just put them in the bag, like, ‘Okay, you take these two. I’ll play these two,” without even the waiting,” Watson said. “It’s like… ‘Yeah… Cool.’”
SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION
A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins.
NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™
The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots.
SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE
Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom.
X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE
Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.
The flatstick has been a club holding Kim back this season as he ranks second in Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green this season, but is losing nearly seven-tenths of a stroke on the greens. While this year is one of his worst, Kim has never gained strokes putting since joining the PGA Tour in 2016.
This Odyssey O-Works 3T is new this season and Kim loves the look of it, but this week, he’s testing out a new Odyssey prototype TRTL mallet putter.
Si Woo Kim doing some work with an Odyssey Prototype TRTL mallet putter.
This is similar to the proto Mini Woo Lee switched to at Pebble and finished T2. Four interchangeable weights on the corners, but Si Woo has some big ole strips of lead tape across the bottom center.… pic.twitter.com/u5hJu2uv6I
It’s the same putter that Min Woo Lee is using and it obviously passed the eye test for Kim to consider using it this week. The specs match his current O-Works 3T.
Putter has been a revolving door the past two seasons for Kim after he stopped using an Odyssey 2-Ball 10 Broomstick.
Watson doesn’t know exactly why the run with the broom came to an end — nobody does, he said — but he has his guesses.
“He might have been getting sick of the look and just wanted to look at something different,” Watson said. “That would be my answer… and that wouldn’t be odd as an answer to the question about Si Woo with anything.”
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Will the new TRTL be the next one to have staying power? We’ll see if it even makes it to the bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025.(Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026.(IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones was an obvious cut candidate entering this year’s offseason, but the franchise and the player agreed on a revised deal to keep him around for a third season. That ruined another organization’s plans.
It turns out, the Washington Commanders were interested in his services for the upcoming season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed in his pre-draft nuggets, “Even if Love does not wind up going No. 3, he will not slide far. The Commanders at No. 7 would seem to be his floor. Last spring, the Commanders planned to pursue Aaron Jones Sr. before he returned to the Vikings.”
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Jones’ exit was a foregone conclusion at one point, and even reports about his release surfaced. Too tasty were the $7.75 million in cap space the club could have saved by releasing the ball-carrier.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) finds a gap and charges forward for yardage during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons on Sep 14, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The veteran back has been instrumental in establishing Minnesota’s run game balance early this season, providing consistent production and leadership for a young offense. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Ultimately, Jones took a pay cut and avoided a move. The difference between a pay cut and potential savings ended up too insignificant for a divorce to make sense for Minnesota. Finding a replacement would’ve cost more and perhaps still be a downgrade.
Schefter added about Washington’s possible draft plans: “This offseason, Washington added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford to join Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but the team still does not have much money invested in the position. If the opportunity presents itself, some expect the Commanders would rush to turn in the card for Love, giving Washington a great offensive tandem with him and Jayden Daniels.”
Jeremiyah Love, the crown jewel of this year’s running back class, might be off the board before the Commanders are on the clock, but if he’s there, the prospects of pairing the dynamic runner with quarterback Jayden Daniels are intriguing.
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The Vikings were considered a potential destination for Love throughout the 2025 season, but the strong finish with a five-game winning streak ended that speculation.
Instead, it’ll continue to be a timeshare between last year’s trade acquisition, Jordan Mason, and 2024 free-agent addition Jones. The reality that both enter the season with free agency looming next March could put running back on this year’s draft menu.
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reacts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
In addition to the short-term contract, his age rules out any long-term plans. At 31, a significant decline could happen at any point, especially for a player who has dealt with injuries for years. A hamstring injury cost him five games last year.
Still, he was solid in 2025, ranking in the middle of the pack in EPA/rush (23rd/49 eligible RBs), success rate (16th/49), and TFL percentage (19th/49). The counting numbers showed 548 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with a receiving output of 199 yards and one score.
Jones is one of the premier third-down backs in the league, as he brings a rare combination of sure hands and blocking talent to the table. Most receiving backs are smaller and lack the oomph in pass protection.
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He’s also a key component in the leadership structure. When the club and the runner agreed on a new deal, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero noted, “The Vikings never wanted to let go of Aaron Jones, who is a strong locker room presence and still effective when healthy at age 31. The sides worked towards a new deal and found common ground to keep in purple for another season.”
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs for a gain against the Green Bay Packers during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
The pairing between Mason and Jones is a good fit on paper, as Jones is the more shifty technician, while Mason brings the size and power to run over defenders. Adding a rookie in the draft could complete the running back room for the upcoming season. Depth rusher Zavier Scott remains from last year, while 2022 draftee Ty Chandler was not retained in free agency.
Jones will wear the purple colors in the 2026 season and it’s good to know that at least one other team was interested in his services. The veteran is just one year removed from a season with over 1,500 scrimmage yards.
England great Gary Lineker has backed Arsenal to notch their first Premier League title in 22 years despite recently crashing to a 2-1 league loss at Manchester City.
Earlier this Sunday (April 19), the Gunners tasted their fourth defeat in six matches across all competitions at Etihad Stadium. Rayan Cherki opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Kai Havertz’s equaliser two minutes later. Erling Haaland’s goal in the 65th minute ultimately prove to be the difference between the two footballing giants.
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After losing to Pep Guardiola’s side, Arsenal are still atop the Premier League table with 70 points from 33 matches. On the other hand, Manchester City are in second place with 67 points from 32 games, and could dethrone the Gunners after beating Burnley on Wednesday (April 22).
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Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker provided his two cents on Mikel Arteta’s side and their ongoing quest to end their Premier League title drought. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker said (h/t Mirror):
“It’s not impossible that it’ll be down to goal difference and it is very, very close. It’s great for the neutrals because you want it to go as close as you can right at the death, so in that sense it was good. I feel a little bit for Arsenal, they’re going through it a little bit but they’re still in the semi-final of the Champions League, they’ve got plenty to play for, they can still win the Premier League title.”
The 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner added:
“A lot of people will go, ‘Arsenal have choked’, it could still be a memorable season for them, I’m not going to jump on that bandwagon that they’re going to throw it away, it’s too soon to say that. They did show something, even though it didn’t go their way, it could have been different.”
Arteta’s club will face Newcastle United in the league on Saturday before taking on Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League tie on April 29.
Arsenal star targeted by European giants
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli’s entourage has met with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sporting director Luis Campos of late. He is believed to be a summer target for the Parisians.
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Martinelli, 24, could be sold by the north London outfit this summer as his contract will expire in June 2027. He has also struggled to start Premier League games this season, scoring one goal in just 10 starts so far.
Overall, the Brazilian attacker has bagged 62 goals and provided 35 assists in 272 overall appearances for the Emirates Stadium outfit so far.
The Chiefs were on the losing side – Fin Smith dancing around England team-mate Immanuel Feyi -Waboso on the final play of the game for the winning score – but a superb toe-to-toe contest in front of a sun-bathed, 12,000-strong crowd was prime sporting ‘product’.
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Northampton caught the mood as well.
Henry Pollock unveiled a new try celebration, lobbing the ball in the air before ‘shooting’ it down with a mimed rifle. Number eight Callum Chick showed a fine bit of slipper, landing a 50:22. Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson seemed to motion to ask the home fans to find the knock-on in Smith’s game-winning score after the visitors had had an earlier try ruled out.
Tom Litchfield’s performance at outside centre will give Dowson more reason to smile.
The 24-year-old made the most metres of any of the Saints backline in their win over Saracens at Tottenham Stadium last time out in the league and was a muscular, intelligent presence once again.
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The result, combined with Bristol’s win over Gloucester on Friday night, adds some much-needed intrigue to the top-four conundrum.
The Bears are four points off Exeter.
Northampton sit top of the pile still, but the fixture list will test their grip on the summit.
They host second-placed Bath next (albeit the visitors seem set to rest some stars with a looming Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Begles), before travelling to in-form Leicester and then hosting Bristol.
The youngest Indian Premier League (IPL) sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, had his heart broken after his team, the Rajasthan Royals were beaten by the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Sooryavanshi, who gave the team another blazing start at the top, scoring 46 runs off 28 balls, wasn’t happy to see his side suffering a defeat despite being well ahead at one point in the game. Seeing Rinku Singh inspire KKR to their first win of the season, Sooryavanshi was absolutely distraught on the sidelines.
In a video that has surfaced on social media, the teenage opener could be seen hiding his face with his cap, wiping tears as he saw his team lose out on two points from a winning position. The 15-year-old had to be consoled at that point.
Yesterday Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was spotted crying after the game… This guy is unbelievable! Whether he gets out early or the team loses, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Honestly, that’s that 15-year-old mindset I know I would’ve been doing the exact same thing at that age! … pic.twitter.com/Ug6X4gVqks
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised young Sooryavanshi after another impressive outing against the Kolkata franchise, saying the emerging batter continues to prove a growing theory that he tends to rise especially when facing big-name bowlers.
Pathan noted that Sooryavanshi once again showed his talent against quality opposition, reinforcing the belief that he is a “special player” with a bright future ahead.
He added that the youngster has the potential to stay at the top level for many years if he continues developing at this pace and temperament.
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“The theory of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needing big-name bowlers in the opposition is proving true again 😉 This kid is a special player with many years at the top level ahead of him,” Pathan wrote in an X post.
Sooryavanshi is the fourth-highest run-getter this season, scoring 246 runs in six matches at an average of 41.00 and a strike rate of 236.53, including two fifties and a best score of 78.
In his 13 IPL matches, he has made 498 runs at an average of 38.30, with a strike rate of 220.35, including a century and three fifties, with 42 fours and 44 sixes in 226 balls.
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The fantasy baseball season is in full swing and some of the top players in MLB are flashing their value early in the season. Stars like Shohei Ohtani are living up to sky-high expectations, while others are showing breakout potential. Some managers have been tasked with replacing production due to injuries, which could hamper long-term output.
Whether you’re eyeing potential buy-low targets, or holding out hope on star talent, injury stashes hold persistent value amongst lineups. Let’s look at four of the most valuable injury stashes for fantasy managers to monitor at this point of the season:
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Gerrit Cole – New York Yankees (SP)
Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole against the Chicago Cubs during spring training at Sloan Park. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Gerrit Cole is looking more and more like a short-term stash as the season progresses, working his way back from Tommy John surgery that kept him sidelined for the entire 2025 season. The former Cy Young winner last suited up in 2024, carving out 17 starts. Cole recorded his first rehab session earlier this month and is reportedly targeting a potential June return. Cole’s injury hampered his ADP coming into the 2026 season, and he should have no problem exceeding expectations upon returning to the bullpen. Fantasy managers should remain bullish on a bounce-back campaign from Cole this season.
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Jeremy Pena – Houston Astros (SS)
The Houston Astros have been ravaged by injury to start the 2026 season. Shortstop Jeremy Pena, who entered the year dealing with a finger fracture, was placed on IL last week following yet another knock. The All-Star suffered a grade-1 hamstring strain and is without a specific timetable for return. He’s appeared in just 10 games this season, and will be sidelined for at least two more weeks. Like Cole, Pena’s more of a short-term stash and shouldn’t garner significant concern from managers. His trend of absences could raise red flags for some, but his fantasy value remains undeniable.
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Corbin Burnes – Arizona Diamondbacks (SP)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Burnes (39) pitches against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field in Phoenix on June 1, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes is working his way back from injury after a shortened 2025 campaign. The Cy Young winner carved out 11 starts, posting an encouraging 2.66 ERA with 63 strikeouts. Entering the 2026 season, he’s sustained encouraging updates after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year and has received a potential timeline for return as his rehab ramps up. Burnes is reportedly targeting a return near the All-Star break in mid-July. Still, encouraging updates and a consistent trend of production will help managers uphold faith in a Burnes stash.
Christian Yelich – Milwaukee Brewers (LF/DH)
The injury concerns are quickly piling up for the Milwaukee Brewers, with All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich set to miss time. The 2018 National League MVP was placed on IL last week after suffering a groin strain and could miss extended time. Reports indicate that Yelich is initially believed to be sidelined for a month, though the three-time All-Star couldn’t offer a specific timeline. Managers should remain confident in Yelich as a stash, considering his efficiency to start the 2026 campaign, hitting .314 over 15 appearances thus far.
What’s better than a hard fought win on the diamond? Putting one on your beloved’s finger, if you ask Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges.
Hedges not only helped the Guardians defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 8-4, on Sunday – he got engaged to his girlfriend, Lexi Dickson, at Progressive Field.
Hedges got down on one knee on the grass, as a message flashed across the Jumbotron at the stadium in Cleveland, while his teammates were watching. Dickson was shocked and emotional, eventually telling Hedges, “Yes!” before hearing cheers from those looking on.
Austin Hedges and his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson celebrate their engagement after the Cleveland Guardians’ 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026.(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Hedges told reporters that he’s had the ring for his girlfriend of almost two years since spring training, but he didn’t have this plan until “only a couple weeks ago.”
“I was really hoping we won the game,” he told Cleveland.com. “I was going to do it regardless, but I really wanted to win that game to make it extra special.”
The message on the video board read, “Lexi, will you marry me?” which prompted Hedges to get down on one knee.
“There were a lot of nerves, a lot of nerves,” Hedges, 33, explained. “I’m always nervous for baseball games…and just trying to stay present, knowing that there were some activities after. But it’s a special day. Special to be able to soak it all in.”
Dickson, sporting a black, custom jacket with Hedges’ number and pictures of her now-fiancé on the back, flashed her ring around for Guardians players and friends and family who took pictures on the field.
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges proposed to his fiancée Lexi Dickinson on the field after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026.(David Dermer/Imagn Images)
It wasn’t the best of days for Hedges at the plate, going 0-for-4, though he did have a run scored. But a win to move to 13-10 on the season is all that matters to him at the end of the day.
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As for the after party, Hedges and Dickson were planning a lowkey Sunday night to decompress after such an adrenaline-filled afternoon.
“Go to dinner and then just have a night to ourselves and enjoy it,” Hedges said the plan was.
Austin Hedges of the Cleveland Guardians proposes to his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson after the team’s 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 19, 2026.(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
That’s probably the right move for Hedges, who has the Houston Astros coming to town to start a three-game series at Progressive Field on Monday night.
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But he and Dickson get a chance to enjoy their first night as an engaged couple in the next chapter of their baseball love story.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has said that he has a good relationship with his players. However, he insisted that it is not a ‘buddy-like relationship’, hinting that he commands respect from his players in the dressing room.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game against Alaves, Arbeloa said that the atmosphere inside the dressing room remains good despite the form this season. He believes that maagers need to have good relations with the players, or else they will not be able to be successful at the club.
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“My relationship with the dressing room? I don’t have that kind of friendly, buddy-like relationship. I think I’ve had a good relationship. I don’t understand football any other way. And that doesn’t mean you’re not demanding, that you can’t push them…
“It’s a relationship you have to accept when you’re a player. Even in difficult times, there’s always been a good atmosphere in the dressing room. For me, I think that’s a good thing and how a dressing room should be.” (via MadridXtra)
Talking about the club’s season, Arbeloa admitted that Los Blancos cannot go two seasons without trophies. He is confident that they can push for the league title until the end and said:
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“Real Madrid are the club where things usually go right. There are times when things don’t, but the mentality of this club is always to look to the future. At Real Madrid, losing isn’t acceptable, but neither is winning, because we know the demands of this club and we always have to look to the future to win. We have to win the seven remaining matches.” (via Madrid Universal)
Real Madrid nine points behind Barcelona in the table with seven matches left in the season.
Alvaro Arbeloa not thinking about his future at Real Madrid
Real Madrid crashed out of the UEFA Champions League earlier this week and reports suggested that the club were set to part ways with Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spaniard was quizzed about the rumors and he was quick to sidestep the question.
He said that the decision was not in his hands, but he has not received any communication from the club that suggests he will be leaving at the end of the season. He said:
“It’s not my decision to make. I’m not worried about my future at all. I’m worried about these seven matches, and especially tomorrow’s. These are club decisions. I have direct communication with the club every week and we have a great relationship, but the only future I’m concerned about is tomorrow. These seven matches are more important than they might seem. We have to prove ourselves tomorrow.” (via Madrid Universal)
Arbeloa was appointed by Real Madrid in January following the exit of Xabi Alonso. He has taken charge of 21 matches, winning 13 and losing seven times.
Rangers International came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 in a tense Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 35 Oriental derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The match started slowly, but Rangers soon began to control the game. Ikechukwu Mgbemena tested Enyimba goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga with a long-range effort.
The home side continued to push forward, with Oputa Chibueze delivering dangerous crosses and Waheed Adebayo trying his luck from outside the box.
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Despite the pressure, clear chances were few. Adebayo missed a big chance after beating several defenders, while Enyimba’s Williams Wonah made a strong run but was stopped at close range.
Enyimba took the lead early in the second half against the run of play. Wonah scored from distance with their first shot on target, the first time Rangers had gone behind at home this season.
Rangers reacted quickly. Chidozie Iwundu, who had earlier hit the post from a free-kick, scored the equaliser in the 61st minute after a poor clearance by Enyimba. It was his ninth goal of the season.
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The comeback was completed when substitute Igwilo Chimobi sent in a cross, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi headed home to give Rangers the lead.
Adebayo missed a late chance to make it 3-1, but Rangers held on to secure the win and end a three-match winless run.
The victory moves Rangers to the top of the NPFL table with 59 points.
Enyimba, whose three-game unbeaten run ended, remain 12th with 43 points. Rangers will next travel to face Bayelsa United, while Enyimba will host Remo Stars in their next match.
Apr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers (48) delivers during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers will try to build on one of the best starts of his career when he takes the mound Monday night against the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.
Detmers (1-1, 3.57 ERA) comes off a 7-1 victory over the Yankees in New York last Tuesday. He allowed one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings while striking out nine, including reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge twice.
Detmers, who had a scheduled Sunday start against San Diego pushed back a day to recuperate, left after throwing 99 pitches, 69 for strikes.
“He pitched great,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told the Orange County Register. “Using all his pitches, mixing it up. I thought (catcher Logan O’Hoppe) did a great job mixing it up with that. He pitched to all quadrants of the strike zone and attacked and kept them on their heels. It was awesome.”
“It was one of those games where everything felt good,” Detmers said. “Heater command was pretty good, but the changeup was really good. I was able to get the changeup in the zone, get some swings and misses, and it kind of freed everything else up.”
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Four of his nine strikeouts came on changeups that hovered around 85 mph.
“That changeup is the best I’ve seen from him,” said teammate Mike Trout, who got a good view of it from center field.
Detmers is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against Toronto. He will face a Blue Jays team that has struggled offensively but erupted for eight first-inning runs Sunday in a 10-4 victory at Arizona.
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Toronto, which had scored a total of seven runs in four straight losses heading into the contest, started the game with eight straight batters reaching base, tying a franchise record accomplished twice before.
The first seven batters all reached base with hits, including Kazuma Okamoto’s two-run double and Nathan Lukes’ bases-loaded double to cap the outburst. Toronto had been just 1-for-20 with the bases loaded.
“That’s what we were missing, stringing the hits together and then hitting with runners in scoring position at that time,” Lukes said. “It was huge. It’s that little nudge that we needed, and we’ve just got to use it going forward.”
Toronto manager John Schneider credited a better approach at the plate for the big offensive turnaround.
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“I feel like for the past week or so, there have been pitchers pitching us deliberately on the edges and us not making great quality of contact,” Schneider said. “Today, I thought we did a really good job of forcing (Arizona starter Ryne Nelson) into the middle of the zone, whether it was early or later in the count. That’s what we’re talking about, having a little bit of intent when it is where you can handle it.”
Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (0-0, 1.74) is 1-2 with a 3.49 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, and has struggled in four career starts at Angel Stadium, compiling a 0-2 record and 4.98 ERA.
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