Nov 29, 2009; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) looks for more yards against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. Vikings win 36-10. Mandatory credit: Bruce Kluckhohn US PRESSWIRE.
The Minnesota Vikings’ draft was rather defense-oriented in April, while most rookies throughout franchise history who make a mark right away play offense. It’s actually quite strange — the Vikings’ best rookies of all time are running backs and wide receivers.
Need evidence? We’ve got it below. And yes, — Randy Moss leads the way.
Before the official publication, these are the honorable mentions:
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Carl Eller (LDE)
Paul Flatley (DE)
Chad Greenway (LB)
Matt Kalil (LT)
George Rose (CB)
Fran Tarkenton (QB)
Sammy White (WR)
Moss Still Owns the Franchise’s Rookie Gold Standard
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss celebrates after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Jan 9, 2005. Moss delivered one of the rivalry’s most famous postseason moments in Green Bay, turning a playoff touchdown into a celebration that still follows Vikings-Packers history forever. Mandatory Credit: Dale Guldan-USA TODAY NETWORK.
1. Randy Moss | WR | (1998)
The Stats: 69 Rec | 1,313 Yds | 17 TDs
Moss’s rookie season was not merely the best in Vikings history; it is a strong contender for the greatest rookie season in NFL history. Full stop.
His arrival in 1998 was extraordinary. The combination of size, speed, body control, and an utter disregard for defensive backs was immediately apparent and felt almost unfair to opposing defenses, who had no idea how to contain him. No clue.
Moss instantly became the face of the franchise as a rookie. Nine years before Adrian Peterson achieved something similar, Moss made the Vikings feel like his team. Every deep pass was an event.
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His 17 receiving touchdowns remain a staggering rookie record. Other rookie receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase have since surpassed his yardage, but that touchdown record stands untouched.
Moss later set the single-season receiving touchdown record with 23 for the Patriots in 2007, underscoring how pivotal his rookie year was as the genesis of a legendary career. It all started in Minnesota.
2. Adrian Peterson | RB | (2007)
The Stats: 238 Att | 1,341 Yds | 13 TDs
Despite having a competent running back, the Vikings’ decision to draft Peterson proved to be a stroke of genius. Chester Taylor was coming off a productive season, so the Vikings weren’t in dire need of a running back. However, Peterson rendered that fact irrelevant almost immediately. By the midpoint of his rookie season, he had completely taken over the starting role.
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Then came his astonishing 296-yard game.
That single-game rushing record still stands, achieved in his inaugural year. The accomplishment alone would secure his place on any such list, yet it represents only a fraction of his overall impact. Peterson became the undisputed centerpiece of the Vikings’ offense for years, particularly during a period of frequent quarterback changes.
Peterson was the bedrock from 2007 to 2015. The offense could adapt and evolve around him, but he provided Minnesota with a genuine chance to win every Sunday.
He currently ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards, trailing Barry Sanders by a mere 351 yards for fourth place.
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The Vikings announced this offseason that Peterson would be inducted into the Ring of Honor. Well deserved.
3. Justin Jefferson | WR | (2020)
The Stats: 88 Rec | 1,400 Yds | 7 TDs
Jefferson took three weeks to get going as a rookie, but once Mike Zimmer allowed him to participate fully, the fireworks began. The four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro basically never looked back, easing the pain of Stefon Diggs’s departure during the 2020 offseason.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) works through his pregame routine before facing the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov 9, 2025. Jefferson mixed focus with his usual looseness in Minneapolis, preparing for another central role in Minnesota’s offense as fans settled into their seats before kickoff that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
He’s the face of the franchise and will remain that way until someone comes up with the terrible idea to get rid of him. Jefferson logged a quiet season by his standards in 2025, but with Kyler Murray freshly arriving in Minneapolis, most think he’ll return to his normal production — 1,533 receiving yards every 17 games.
4. Chuck Foreman | RB | (1973)
The Stats: 1,163 Yds from Scrimmage | 6 TDs
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Foreman’s diverse skill set would be highly valued in today’s NFL; in fact, he might be even more impactful now than he was during his playing career.
For years, the Vikings have sought a running back capable of both prolific rushing and significant receiving contributions. While Dalvin Cook displayed flashes of this at his peak, Foreman embodied the complete package decades earlier.
Upon entering the NFL in 1973, he immediately appointed himself as one of the league’s most versatile backs. He then embarked on a sweet streak of five consecutive Pro Bowl selections, a testament to his dominance. By 1975, Foreman had amassed 73 receptions from Fran Tarkenton that year, placing him firmly in the MVP conversation.
Foreman is actively involved in the Vikings community and frequently interacts with fans on Twitter (X).
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5. Percy Harvin | WR | (2009)
The Stats: 925 Yds from Scrimmage | 8 TDs
The memories of Harvin remain captivating, especially as the NFL evolves into a league perfectly suited for his distinctive skill set.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) celebrates after catching a 23-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at the Metrodome on Nov 22, 2009. Harvin’s early-career burst gave Minnesota another electric offensive moment in Minneapolis, flashing the speed that quickly made him a weekly problem as a rookie. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Ironically, the Vikings rostered Harvin before the widespread adoption of versatile WRs — like Deebo Samuel. Harvin was an elusive threat against defensive backs and a game-changer on special teams. In today’s NFL, every offensive coordinator would be designing at least 12 touches per game for him.
His tenure in Minnesota, though brief and complex, was impeccably timed. Harvin joined the Vikings just months before Brett Favre, and their on-field chemistry was instantaneous.
For a period, a Super Bowl seemed within reach. The Vikings narrowly missed a championship, and Harvin was instrumental in making the 2009 team a contender.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Team Nigeria finished the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Africa’s highest-ranked nation after winning 24 medals.
Nigeria ended the Games in seventh place on the final medal table with 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals.
The performance saw Nigeria finish ahead of several traditional sporting nations, including Jamaica, Wales, Malaysia and South Africa.
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However, Nigeria’s overall medal haul was lower than its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country won 35 medals.
The 24 medals in Glasgow represent a drop of 11 medals, while the 10 gold medals were also two fewer than the 12 gold medals won in Birmingham.
Australia topped the final medal table with an impressive 70 gold medals, followed by England and Canada.
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South Africa was the second-best African nation, finishing 11th with seven gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Kenya finished 13th with three gold, four silver and five bronze medals, while Mauritius placed 15th with one gold, two silver and one bronze.
Cameroon finished 16th with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Uganda won two silver and one bronze medal to finish 27th, while Namibia placed 29th with one silver and two bronze medals.
Ghana finished 30th with one silver and one bronze.
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Other African countries that won medals were Lesotho, Zambia, Gabon, Rwanda and The Gambia.
A total of 13 African nations won at least one medal at the Games.
Although Nigeria’s medal tally was lower than in Birmingham, finishing as Africa’s number one nation once again highlights the country’s strength across different sports and its place among the Commonwealth’s leading sporting nations.
Moses Itauma has weighed in on the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time debate, naming a formidable puncher who ended his career with a 92% knockout-to-win ratio.
When it comes to discussing the most powerful heavyweights in boxing history, fans will often mention Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers and Deontay Wilder.
Foreman, too, was capable of delivering highlight-reel knockouts at the top level, as evidenced by his stoppages of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in 1973 and 1974, respectively.
As for Wilder, it could be argued that, while boasting a 95% knockout-to-win ratio, he, unlike ‘Iron’ Mike and ‘Big George’, does not have the resume of an all-time great.
In terms of raw power, though, prodigious talent Itauma has told DAZN that he believes Shavers is the greatest heavyweight puncher of all time.
While never winning a world title, the ‘Black Destroyer’ fought in an era that was brimming with world-class operators, including Hall of Famers Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes.
And while he did, of course, lose to both of those champions, Shavers nonetheless gave a tremendous account of himself on each occasion.
Two of his most notable stoppages came against Norton and Joe Bugner, with this generation’s Itauma clearly an admirer of the American’s career.
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And with the 21-year-old swiftly becoming a prolific knockout artist in his own right, perhaps he will eventually be mentioned in the same breath as Shavers, Tyson, Foreman and Wilder.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a move for Victor Osimhen as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the new season.
Spurs are searching for a new striker, with manager Roberto De Zerbi keen to improve his forward line. Richarlison’s future at the club is also uncertain.
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Reports on Sunday claimed that Osimhen has emerged as a new name on Tottenham’s transfer wishlist.
The Nigerian striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several years. Chelsea were strongly interested in him two years ago, but talks broke down in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Osimhen is now at Galatasaray and is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League. According to CaughtOffside, personal terms are not expected to be a problem, with the 27-year-old said to be open to joining Tottenham.
Victor Osimhen
Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur claims Tottenham have made an opening offer of between £50 million and £55m for the Super Eagles striker.
However, Galatasaray are reportedly looking for around £65m before agreeing to sell Osimhen.
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It remains unclear whether Tottenham will make a serious move for the Nigerian, but De Zerbi is expected to push for a new striker before the transfer window closes.
The Spurs boss also admitted on Saturday that Richarlison’s future remains uncertain.
“I like him as a player, as a guy,” De Zerbi said after Richarlison scored a late winner against Chelsea in Sydney.
“He has an unbelievable attitude and behaviour, but in the end we have to respect what he wants to do. We all know what he wants to do.
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“But for me, he’s still an important player because it’s not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison. He scores goals. He scored 12 goals last season, not through luck, because he knows how to score.”
With Richarlison’s future still unclear, Osimhen could become an attractive option for Tottenham as they look for a proven goalscorer.
Crawford was in attendance to witness Zepeda’s victory, and speaking on the TNT broadcast following the bout, he praised the performance of the new champion.
“Zepeda caught me off guard. I wasn’t ready for that. I was looking for a straight come forward type fighter, but from round one I said ‘damn look at his movement.’
“Look at his footwork. His distance, his range, his angles, his faints, his jabbing, his counter ability, his punch placement. How he was controlling the fight. Roach would hit him with a good shot, but he would eat it and come right back.”
The TNT panel then discussed a potential clash between Zepeda and current unified super-featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, and Crawford made it perfectly clear what a war he thinks that could be.
“That’s CTE at its finest. You talk about a bloodbath, it’s a bloodbath waiting.”
Three-weight world champion Navarrete added the IBF super-featherweight title to his WBO crown when he defeated Eduardo Nunez back in February, and may be interested in the chance to claim gold in a fourth division by moving up to take on Zepeda.
Chelsea Green’s biggest career victory at WWE SummerSlam 2026 received an immediate reaction from someone who knows her journey better than anyone else. Shortly after Green captured the Interim Women’s Championship, her husband, Matt Cardona, took to social media to celebrate the historic moment.
The Interim WWE Women’s Championship was introduced after reigning champion Rhea Ripley suffered a torn meniscus while successfully defending her title against Jade Cargill in their rematch at Clash in Italy. Ripley had originally won the championship by defeating Cargill at WrestleMania 42, but her injury forced the sports entertainment juggernaut to crown a temporary champion until she is medically cleared to return.
Thanks for the submission!
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Following Adam Pearce’s announcement that Ripley would miss SummerSlam, WWE held a series of qualifying matches on SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, and Lash Legend all earned spots in the high-stakes Five-Way Ladder Match.
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The championship bout lived up to expectations. Late in the match, Tiffany Stratton appeared close to victory before Green shoved the ladder, sending her crashing onto the other competitors outside the ring. Moments later, B-Fab and Michin tried to stop Green and assist Cargill, only for The Queen to intervene as the action descended into complete chaos.
After Flair and Cargill neutralized one another at the top of the ladder, Green recovered while the rest of the field was down. She climbed the ladder uninterrupted and unhooked the championship to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion.
While Matt Cardona did not compete at The Biggest Party of the Summer, he shared a congratulatory message on X after watching The Hot Mess climb the ladder and secure the championship on Night Two of SummerSlam.
“Here is your winner and NNNEEEWWW @WWE Women’s Champion…my hot wife…@ImChelseaGreen!”
Chelsea Green can now call herself Interim Women’s Champion, but her reign comes with a major challenge waiting in the future. Once Rhea Ripley returns from injury, the two stars will eventually collide in a Championship Unification Match to determine the undisputed titleholder.
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On the flight home from Chicago, as he reflects on the 4-2 loss to Leeds that ended Liverpool‘s United States tour, manager Andoni Iraola will have plenty to think about.
The first-half display was arguably the best since he took charge of Liverpool, but the second was categorically their worst as they conceded four times without reply inside 25 minutes.
Iraola did make a raft of changes at the break and in the second half but that is no excuse for the way they capitulated against Daniel Farke’s side.
Their lack of squad depth and physicality was alarmingly exposed and Iraola will be concerned with the ease with which Leeds scored, albeit against an inexperienced backline that finished with Calvin Ramsay, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Kostas Tsimikas.
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With Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz making their return, Liverpool were excellent in the first half and it is important not to be too critical but perhaps Iraola will be glad in the long-run that he saw this second-half display, where Liverpool‘s set-piece deficiencies were highlighted too.
The intensity Iraola demands on the training pitch was evident in the first half but seemed non-existent after the break. Senior figures like Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa did not cover themselves in glory.
“I particularly hate this month of August because you start the competitions and you still don’t know if some of the players are going to leave and who’s going to come – there is a lot of uncertainty,” said Iraola, earlier in the week.
Iraola will meet Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson Becker and new signing Victor Munoz over the coming days at the AXA Training Centre.
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By then, the only first-team player he will have yet to meet will be Alexis Mac Allister, who has been granted extra time off following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final. Munoz, who did not play a minute in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, will return earlier to aid his integration into the squad.
However, over the course of a fortnight in America, Liverpool have had no incomings. That was in part because Iraola wanted to see the squad at his disposal before making decisions. What he saw in this defeat will play into those decisions.
“I think we learn a lot of things. Obviously it’s not the result you want but I think (it was) probably the most useful friendly we played – in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half,” said Iraola. “I think we’ve learned a lot and I think we can take good conclusions and solve some things.”
Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss the PGA Tour’s Championship Series, the Tour’s playoffs, the Women’s Open and more.
1. The 2028 schedule dominoes are starting to fall, and in the past week we learned the first batch of Championship Series events will be the Travelers Championship, the newly minted Sompo Championship — which takes over the current Napa stop with a 2028 location TBD — the Sentry and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Any learnings from this?
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): We expected the Travelers, the Sentry and the Arnold Palmer to be among the top tier. It’s the newly announced Sompo Championship that’s intriguing here, though. Securing a new sponsor following a format shakeup should be considered a big win for the PGA Tour. Where the event will be played in two years will also be of interest. Stay tuned.
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_and_awe): The Tour’s ability to get a new sponsor to buy in for a Championship Series event with a $20 million purse is noteworthy. We’ve heard the demand from sponsors is higher than initially thought and this might prove that case. The rumored move of the Sompo to Seattle in 2028 would be a big win if it comes to pass.
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Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): We’ve heard that the demand from sponsors is higher than expected, but who’s been telling us that? The Tour. Time will tell if that’s really the case. Meantime, it is an interesting change in status for what used to be the Procore, an event with such a low-wattage field that it had morphed into a kind of wine country version of the Waste Management, with live bands and food and other non-golf attractions aimed at ramping up interest. The rumored move to Seattle makes sense. A major market that doesn’t see a lot of pro golf. I’ve heard Sahalee tossed around as a potential site, but why not Chambers Bay? More interesting course. And public access, too.
2. Does a surprise Championship Series event (the Sompo) mean there could be more unpredictability than we anticipated?
Piastowski: Maybe. Let’s try to figure this out. We’re gonna get 23 to 24 events in the Championship Series, the Tour says — and that includes the Players, the four majors, the Tour Championship, an international team event (Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup) and, once every four years, the Olympics. So that’s seven or eight events. Let’s add two playoff events. That’s nine to 10 events. We know of the four above. That’s 13 to 14. The final 10? Likely candidates are the WM Phoenix Open, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational, the RBC Heritage, the Cadillac Championship, the Truist Championship and the Memorial. So … the final three could be interesting.
Schrock: I don’t know how unpredictable it could get. With the Heritage, Pebble, Cadillac, Memorial, Genesis, WMPO and Truist presumably filling Championship slots, we don’t have a lot of room for shock. I feel like the winds are blowing toward the 3M getting a spot, which would be a surprise of sorts.
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Sens: There’s not a lot of room left for wild surprises. What’s less obvious is which sponsors will step up. In that sense, it seems likely to be a tail-wagging-the-dog type scenario. Which event becomes part of the Championship Series will depend more on the interests of the sponsor than on the merits of the tournament itself.
3. The FedEx Cup Playoffs are just around the corner, and this week’s Wyndham Championship is the last chance for pros to play their way into the top 70. Rocket Classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen made a massive jump Sunday (69th to 38th) and others will look to do the same in North Carolina. Which bubble-boy player is most intriguing to you?
Piastowski: I’m going right to Mr. 70 at the moment — Jackson Koivun. Don’t you get the feeling he’ll make a run in the playoffs? Then get a call to the Presidents Cup team? Then get one to next year’s Ryder Cup team? Just having some fun here.
Schrock: It’s Brooks Koepka. Withdrew from the Rocket with an injury so his playoffs are in doubt. Needs a big week, if he plays, to not see his season end next week. Honorable mention to Tony Finau, who has been fighting it this year and needs something special to keep his playoff streak alive.
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Sens: I’d add Keegan Bradley to that list. Currently at 72, just outside the bubble. He may never get over the Ryder Cup, but nabbing a spot in the playoffs wouldn’t hurt his mood.
4. The PGA Tour debuted a new announcer-free stream for all four rounds of the Rocket Classic in which the focus was on player-caddie interaction, crowd reactions and natural course audio. What did you think? And what do you think could be done differently or better next time?
Piastowski: Hand raised, I didn’t tune in to this, but I think it’s extremely dependent on the PGA Tour’s “talkers.” Otherwise, it’s a bit stale. But what I very much want to see is pro golf’s version of the Manningcast. Two former pros as hosts. Fun guests. Some analysis. Action in the background.
Schrock: It seems like an interesting idea that needs more work. I could do with a lot of caddie-player convo with a walking on-course reporter and no play-by-play and desk commentator. This was fun and interesting at times but needs work.
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Sens: I think it works well in small doses, but, as Nick suggests, it depends on the players and the caddies, and which announcer voices are being silenced. Not all network commentators are created equal. Some add so little to the broadcast that I’d almost rather hear chatbots discussing the action, which, come to think of it, is probably where we’re headed anyway.
5. Shiho Kuwaki beat Esther Henseleit on the second playoff hole to win the AIG Women’s Open on Sunday in England, officially putting a bow on the women’s major season. What was your 2026 major-season takeaway for the LPGA? And which pro is most upset wondering what could have been with the major season now in the rearview?
Piastowski: Nelly Korda is great, Haeran Ryu is great, playing majors at great venues is great. I really thought Jeeno Thitikul would win a major this year, though. She did post three top 10s. A one-under on Sunday would have gotten her in the playoff. She’ll break through eventually.
Schrock: The LPGA got the major start that it wanted with Nelly ripping off the first two. They did their best to parlay that into more interest but needed more from Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Jeeno Thitikul and other star names. Haeran Ryu went on an epic heater and looked like she was poised to win three in a row before Lytham punched her on Saturday. Hull should be kicking herself after another major season without a win. She did her best to push Korda at the USWO but came up short. I thought she had a chance on Sunday at Lytham (as did 10 others) but couldn’t hit the shots down the stretch. She’s now 0-for-65 in majors, and while she still has a lot of runway in front of her, sometimes you’re just always a bridesmaid.
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Sens: Hull is a great personality and a compelling player. But I sense a bit of a Rickie Fowler phenomenon to her stardom, where her popularity outstrips her actual performance. She has three career wins on the LPGA Tour. That’s a fine accomplishment. But the sky-high expectations around her in the majors are a tad unrealistic. As for what might have been … Haeran Ryu can’t possibly be disappointed with her major campaign. But I’d understand her feeling wistful after this past weekend, when a chance for what would have been a historic three straight eluded her.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has expressed his anguish over Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC’s decision to pull out of the upcoming season, describing the development as “a punch in the gut” and urging the club’s management to reconsider.
Jamshedpur FC, winners of the ISL Winners’ Shield in the 2021-22 season, had announced their withdrawal from the ISL on July 31 just hours after missing the deadline for payment of participation fee for the upcoming season, beginning September 4.
In a post on Instagram, the club had confirmed that it would not participate in the ISL from the 2026-27 season onwards. The upcoming season will now feature 13 teams.
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“To know that Jamshedpur has folded first team operations is a punch to the gut. The players and staff will be without clubs, and they might find one by the end of it all. The League will have a team less, but the season will go on,” wrote Chhetri, India’s all-time top goalscorer, most-capped player, and the fourth-highest international goalscorer in men’s football history.
“However, not having the TATA group involved in the top tier of Indian football – that would be a disaster with no alternative,” he added.
Jamshedpur FC, which made its ISL debut in 2017, however said in its statement that Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL) would continue to promote and develop the sport at the grassroots level despite the club’s withdrawal from the league.
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Chhetri lauded the Tata Group for its contribution to Indian football, first through the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and later by establishing and nurturing Jamshedpur FC.
“It takes a lot to be a stakeholder in Indian football. It has been like that for some time now. But when everything around looks like it will crumble, you bank on family to hold on to each other. And more often than not, it is the elders in the house that you turn to, for assurance. All of you at the TATA Group, through TFA first, and then @JamshedpurFC , have been one of our pillars.”
The decision to withdraw is understood to have been influenced by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) directive requiring clubs to pay an administrative fee of Rs 1.1 crore in two instalments. According to sources, the club’s board of directors has also decided to wind up the senior team for the time being.
“I understand that some tough decisions in sport are down to what makes sense in the board room. But I can only request and hope that the think tank at TATA picks their heart over head and reconsiders this call. It might be a poor business decision, but it will be the one Indian football needs the most at this hour,” added the Bengaluru FC stalwart.
It marks yet another win for TaylorMade’s Spider line of mallet putters — and TaylorMade overall as the former Stanford standout plays a full bag of TM gear. Thorbjornsen stroked the final putt with a Spider Tour X double bend, a putter he switched to earlier this season after beginning his PGA Tour career with a Spider Tour Short Slant.
“You can see how structured his practice is now; the drills, the process,” TaylorMade Tour Rep Adrian Rietveld told GOLF earlier this season during a deep dive of Thorbjornsen’s setup. “He’s gone from a talented putter to more of a student of the game.”
Putter wasn’t the only major change Thorbjornsen made this season. This spring, he moved from a full set of TaylorMade P7MC irons with a P770 3-iron to more of a combo set with TaylorMade P7MBs replacing the 5-PW.
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Thorbjornsen ranked first in greens in regulation this week, missing just nine at Detroit Golf Club, and picked up +3.668 shots on the field on approach.
“The main reason for that is to start to learn how to hit these off-speed shots,” Rietveld said. “I thought that’s actually a better golf ball for him through the bag. And he should be able to incorporate more of these off-speed shots and should be able to incorporate a wedge game that’s required for a top-10 player in the world.”
In his short time on Tour, Thorbjornsen’s bag has morphed into the prototypical setup for the modern bomber player, complete with a backweighted “LS” driver and a mini driver as a secondary option off the tee. Thorbjornsen plays the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver instead of a 3-wood.
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“Being a 180-plus ball speed guy, the mini driver is kind of a safety for that,” Rietveld said. “When he doesn’t feel comfortable with driver, it becomes almost like a 300-yard club to get him in play and keep him in the tournament.”
For more on Thorbjornsen’s detailed setup, keep reading below.
Michael Thorbjornsen’s winning WITB at the 2026 Rocket Classic
TaylorMade
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS 9.0 Actual Loft: 9.75° FCT Setting: 1 click higher (1˚ degree sleeve) TAS Weights: 3g front, 8g Back Lie: 58.5° Face: W/ Fiducials Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black Velo+ 7X Length: 45.25″ EOG Tipping: 1″ Swingweight: D4
Traditional address shape based on feedback from world-class players helps create confidence on every shot.
Qi4D LS is the lowest spinning option in the Qi4D lineup.
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Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.
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Inspired by one of the most iconic models in TaylorMade history, the R7 Quad Mini Driver pays homage to what’s come before, while creating its own modern identity in the same breath. It’s that very modern design that incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies to give golfers versatility and playability.
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The new quad weighting system features four movable weights (13g x2, 4g x2) that provide the ultimate in spin management and shot shape control. Forward CG creates a penetrating flight best suited for maximizing distance whereas rear CG helps prioritize control and ease of use from the deck. Shot shape can also be fine-tuned helping create the most optimal flight. Additional weights can be purchased for a wider range of adjustability.
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A new satin Infinity Carbon Crown has been added to the R7 Quad Mini Driver chassis creating a stunning look while saving weight for better mass optimization. The cosmetic package is clean, elegant, and confidence-inspiring.
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Direct input from Tour inspired the new shape of P•7MB, crafted for ultimate workability. The new design uses a shorter blade length, narrower sole width, and progressive offset design.
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A seamless blend of traditional muscle back iron performance with a contemporary look and design. The updated back bar now uses symmetrical geometry to create a timeless look both in the playing position and in the bag.
COMPACT GRAIN FORGING
1025 carbon steel is 5X forged using a 2,000-ton press engineered to produce a tighter, more compact grain structure with fewer defects. It is designed to provide the most solid, consistent feel possible.
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Precision is paramount. Machining the face ensures precision and quality with our mostaggressive MX9 score line geometry for exacting shot making.
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Incredible feel is a must for having a great wedge game. MG5 has been forged from soft carbon steel and designed with geometry to provide excellent feel with great feedback.
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MG5 uses all-new, more aggressive grooves designed to maximize spin. Saw-milled grooves produce tighter tolerances allowing engineers to design steeper walls and sharper radii intended to maximize spin in both dry and damp conditions.
PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS
RAW face with Spin Tread technology channels away moisture to help retain spin. The same way that tire treads help your car stay connected to the road, laser-etched channels redirect water at impact and creates more friction between the club face and golf ball to maintain spin in wet conditions.
CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS CONSISTENCY
Crafted by hand and then milled to perfection. Each wedge and sole grind are precision-milled to eliminate the natural human error that comes with hand polishing. Our grinds deliver unmatched consistency and craftsmanship that players can count on every time.
CHARCOAL FINISH
MG5 debuts a sleek, sophisticated charcoal finish that reduces glare and enhances its aesthetic appeal in the bag.
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Black Loft: 2˚ Lie: 72˚ Length: 35.5″ Hosel: Double Bend Alignment aid: True Path Mid Line Insert: 80/20 Pure Roll Headweight: 534g Swingweight: E5 Grip: TaylorMade Pistol
TORCHED PVD FINISH
The durable PVD coating creates a beautiful high-quality finish.
THIN WALL UNDERCUT CONSTRUCTION
We’ve engineered a super stable structure by removing excess weight to create high MOI and legendary Spider performance.
CG LOCATION PROGRESSION
Each Spider Torched model features different CG locations for optimal putter fitting.
HYBRAR ECHO® DAMPENER
HYBRAR is behind the face to dampen unwanted vibrations, delivering premium sound and feel on every putt with the best possible sensation.
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MCC Swing Grip The MCC (New Decade MultiCompound) is an innovative hybrid grip that fuses the positive performance of rubber and cord. The MCC boasts the Golf Pride® exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord in the upper hand area for firm all-weather control, and a performance rubber material in the lower hand for ultimate feel and responsiveness. LARGER LOWER HAND The larger outside diameter simulates the feel of building up the grip with four extra wraps. This reduced taper encourages lighter grip pressure, promoting less tension in the hands and creating more fluidity and power throughout the swing. ALL-WEATHER CONTROL Our exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord fuses moisture-wicking cotton fibers into a new soft rubber material for added stability in any condition. MAXIMUM SURFACE TEXTURE Engineered for softer feel and strategically placed for high traction. A soft micro-texture increases traction and comfort, while texture placement is ideal for maximum hand coverage. Specifications: Grip Size: Standard, Midsize Cord Size: 60 Round
It’s Time to Switch The best players in the world, like 2025 champion in Augusta and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have already made the switch to the fastest ever TP5. It’s time for you to make the switch, too. What Is Microcoating? No two golf balls are the same, but the all-new TP5 sets out to solve an invisible problem through our revolutionary microcoating finish process. Uneven paint and excess pooling in the dimples can compromise distance and accuracy. Microcoating uses precision application technology to ensure uniform coverage across the ball’s entire surface. Click on the video for a deep dive. Thinner than a Human Hair Microcoating is thinner than a human hair and delivers measurable performance advantages: more consistent ball flight, optimized distance, and tight left-to-right dispersion. The Fastest TP5 Ever TP5 has long been our softest five-layer Tour ball, but now it’s faster than ever. Employing our largest Tour core to date, the TP5 retains more energy at impact, which results in faster ball speeds and more distance at the top of your bag. Tour Flight The reengineered Tour Flight Dimple Pattern features new dimples that when combined with microcoating, promote a more predictable, penetrating ball flight with optimized peak height performance and increased accuracy. Hyper Focus TP5 Stripe employs an all-new Tour Stripe with 360° ClearPath Alignment™, tighter feedback lines and a performance dot that allows you to achieve hyper focus on the green and hole more putts.
Chenie Tagaod (right) scores off Jewel Encarnacion. —PVL IMAGES
Inspired by her family that made the trip to South Cotabato from Tagum City, Chenie Tagaod left everything on the floor and helped deliver Akari’s first PVL on Tour win on Saturday night at Polomolok Gymnasium.
Tagaod soared for the game-winning kill before dropping to the floor with cramps, as Akari staved off an undermanned but resilient Choco Mucho squad, 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22.
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The sophomore spiker, drafted by Akari last year, offered her 19-point outing to her father and sibling.
“I’m really inspired because I got to see my dad and my sibling in the crowd today,” the standout out of Far Eastern U said in Filipino. “I hope I made them proud.”
Embracing a bigger role this time, Tagaod poured in 11 attacks, six blocks and two aces in wanting to make the people from Mindanao proud.
“I’m very happy that I was able to show the Bisaya community the talent we have,” Tagaod went on. “To everyone dreaming of playing in the PVL, just keep making sacrifices and working hard. Your efforts will pay off.”
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Akari bounced back from a tough outing against ZUS Coffee in Ilagan, Isabela last July 8, and will head to Lanao Del Norte on August 15 against PLDT now full of confidence.
“We really worked hard in training, so we expected to perform well. As you saw, a lot of us were dealing with cramps, but we kept fighting until the end,” Tagaod said.
Akari coach Tina Salak praised Tagaod and other Akari veterans Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, and Faith Nisperos for stepping up to the challenge, as they made up for the absence of Alas Pilipinas players Justine Jazareno, playmaker Mars Alba, and middle blocker Fifi Sharma, who are all playing in the SEA V Cup.
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“That’s exactly what we wanted—to give the team valuable exposure, build chemistry, and continue growing together,” Salak said, also in Filipino. “The PVL On Tour has been a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better on the court.
“I also have to give credit to our veterans for leading the team so well,” she also said. “Our stay here was definitely worth it. We gained so much experience and learned a lot about ourselves as a team and as individuals.” INQ
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