Adam Scott says it was “such a silly thing to do.”

He said he’d never done it before in his career. 

He was also wondering what-if. 

Scott had finished his Cadillac Championship third round on Saturday, but a moment on Thursday lingered. Then, from the left rough on Doral’s 582-yard, par-5 8th hole, Scott hit his second shot — then backtracked after he learned that he hit the wrong ball, which is a no-no. From there, Scott took a two-stroke penalty, played his original ball and finished the hole with a double-bogey seven.    

Interestingly, the damage could have been significantly worse. Wrong balls are addressed in rule 6.3c in the Rules of Golf, which reads this way:

“In stroke play, the player must correct the mistake by continuing play with the original ball by playing it as it lies or taking relief under the Rules: The stroke made with the wrong ball and any more strokes before the mistake is corrected (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count. If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning his or her scorecard, the player is disqualified.”

After the 8th on Thursday, Scott went on to shoot a four-over 76, then fired a 71 during Friday’s second round. On Saturday, he shot a bogey-free 66, and afterward, a reporter asked Scott how he was able to rebound from the wrong-ball sequence two days earlier. 

“Yeah, I mean, it’s such a silly thing to do,” he said. “I think it’s the first time I’ve ever done it in my career. That’s probably one of those things everyone ends up doing once. But an odd set of circumstances leading up to me not checking it, which I think I’ve done thousands of times. 

“To take two lumps there was, is tough, especially as you sit here now in the weekend and thinking if you’re two better you would be doing so well in the tournament.”

He then looked at things optimistically. 

“But golf can be cruel at times, and I’ve experienced plenty of other tough things on the course, and you just have to get on with it and do the best you can,” Scott said. 

“Luckily, it was like on the 8th hole and I had the rest of the day to try and salvage something out of it.”  

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The head of the International Testing Agency (ITA), the body that manages anti-doping programme in Olympic Games and other major global events, has expressed concern at the high rate of doping cases in India and athletes getting “advance notice prior to testing” and avoiding furnishing samples if there is doping control.

ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen said in a report that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has passed on the message that if India wants to host the 2036 Games, the country needs to undergo “a lot of governance and structural reforms”.

“We’re concerned in general with the state of doping in India and we’re hearing a lot of things happening on the ground,” Cohen was quoted as saying by ‘The Athletic’, which covers sports for ‘The New York Times’.

“We also hear stories of athletes running away when there is a doping control, and we hear of advance notice (given to athletes prior to testing).” 
Besides overseeing anti-doping tests on behalf of the IOC, the Lausanne-based ITA also manages the anti-doping programme of around 50 international sports federations.

Cohen said he met with the officials of the New Delhi-based National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at the recent Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina in Italy, and he was warmed by their apparent willingness to “team up with the ITA”.

But, he also admitted that getting India to join forces with ITA won’t be an easy task as that could be perceived (by India) as an admission of failure of its (anti-doping) system. 

“I’m going to be frank: there is still some resistance to engage with the ITA, as there can be a perception in India that this is almost an admission of failure of the system, or that they’re not going to be seen as competent enough to deal with their own problems, so they have to join forces with an independent international organisation.

“There’s a bit of scepticism as to how it’s going to be perceived in the Indian community. But I think they (India) are on the right track in that it is now known that the IOA and the Ministry of Sports want to do something: they want to invest. They have the resources, so I think it’s just a matter of time,” he said.

The ITA works with an increasing number of National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) around the world to exchange intelligence and information, coordinate testing plans, and collaborate on specific cases or areas such as sample collection and education.

India has been topping the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of dope offenders for three consecutive years with the highest positivity rate among major nations.

The country is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and is aspiring to become an Olympic host in 2036 in the Gujarat capital.

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is also in the running to host the 2036 Olympics, and the host city for that edition is expected to be known before 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Last month, WADA President Witold Banka said at the sidelines of a conference on Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN) held in New Delhi that “nobody is blind” to India’s serious doping problem but acknowledged that there have been “sincere efforts” to address it.

He had also said India is the biggest producer of Performance Enhancing Drug (PEDs) and steroids in the world.

ITA was created in 2018 as a non-profit foundation under the supervision of the WADA and the IOC to promote independence, expertise and transparency in the global fight against doping.

Liverpool will reportedly be without Alexander Isak for the Premier League clash against Manchester United this Sunday

Liverpool will reportedly be without Alexander Isak for the Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend. The Anfield side will make the journey to Old Trafford to take on the Reds as the fierce rivals go head-to-head in the race to secure Champions League qualification.

Isak arrived at Liverpool last summer in a transfer reportedly valued at £125million, though has been forced to spend the majority of his first campaign on Merseyside on the sidelines through injury.

The Sweden international only made his return to action in April following a four-month absence with a fractured fibula and an ankle problem, which required surgery before he could make a complete recovery.

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The Sun have reported that Isak is unlikely to be available for Liverpool’s clash against United owing to a fresh fitness concern.

READ MORE: Man United may already have answer to Andre Onana transfer dilemmaREAD MORE: Manchester United are losing a star player just when they need him most

The report suggests that Isak has been ruled out for the trip to Old Trafford with a groin problem, with the setback believed to have occurred during training this week.

Should Isak be unavailable for Liverpool, it leaves Reds head coach Arne Slot without a senior striker in the squad that will face United.

Liverpool’s summer signing Hugo Ekitike is already sidelined after sustaining an Achilles injury last month, while Mohamed Salah will also be absent, currently recovering from a muscle problem he picked up last week against Crystal Palace.

Liverpool are also facing a nervous wait to determine whether Alisson Becker will be fit to face United, with second-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili remaining on the sidelines.

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“Alisson hasn’t trained with us yet, I will find out today if he can today or start of next week,” Slot said. “Very close but we don’t take risks.

“We don’t want to do that with any player. There’s a difference between a keeper and a player, they need to run more.

“So if the issue with an outfield player is when they are out it is the fitness levels, so there is a different issue with goalkeepers.”

Milos Kerkez has also emerged as an injury concern for Liverpool, though Slot has expressed his hope of having the full-back back in training ahead of the visit to Old Trafford.

“Milos has had some niggles,” said Slot. “He left the training pitch the day before yesterday but I expect him to train either today or tomorrow.”

Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are all ruled out for Liverpool due to long-term injuries.

Ever-consistent filly Gold Coast Belle is set to chase black-type recognition in her upcoming stakes tilt at Bendigo.

Having claimed three wins and twice finished second in five starts, she heads to the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) scheduled for Saturday.

Horses such as Wonder Boy, War Machine, Waltz On By, Annavisto, Riddle Me That, Milwaukee and Silent Sedition have all lifted the Bendigo Guineas and advanced their careers significantly.

Gold Coast Belle received an acceptance into the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday too, yet trainer Danny O’Brien confirmed Bendigo as the primary plan.

“We accepted with Gold Coast Bell and Adelaide in case she drew really poorly at Bendigo, but she’s drawn OK there,” O’Brien said.

“She’ll come into seven or eight when the barriers sort themselves out, and she’s in good shape, so it looks in a race that should be really competitive in.”

Her preparation opened with a maiden victory at Seymour, succeeded by a runner-up effort at Sandown on the Hillside layout.

She then won at Sandown Lakeside and followed up with an impressive 1400m success at Caulfield on April 11.

O’Brien highlighted Gold Coast Belle’s ongoing development.

“She’s just one of those fillies that’s just continued to thrive the deeper she has got into the prep,” O’Brien said.

“Each time she’s gone to the races, she’s looked a better horse, and she was dominant the other day, and she certainly hasn’t gone backwards.

“She’s a good style filly.”

The trainer explained that her Bendigo run will influence what comes next, perhaps a Queensland winter venture.

“It’s still open-ended, but we’ll get through the weekend,” O’Brien said.

“There is either that or the temptation may be to give her a break and have a really good look at the spring.”

Danny O’Brien has also nominated Jett Smash for Saturday’s action.

Jett Smash arrived on a four-race winning streak beforehand, though O’Brien decided to preserve him for another occasion.

Visit leading betting sites to access the top betting markets for the race at Bendigo Guineas.

Trainer Paul Murray from Kembla Grange has perpetuated his family’s notable tie to the Wagga Cup carnival, claiming the $200,000 Town Plate with Harry’s Bar.

Paul’s father, the iconic South Coast trainer Bede who has passed, initiated trips to the major country carnival back in the 1970s, frequently securing wins such as the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) aboard Vanquished and Town Plate (1200m) on Scorpio.

Thursday saw Paul Murray enhance the family record when Harry’s Bar ($9) collared early leader Love Shuck ($61) to win by three-quarters of a length, as Bandi’s Boy ($11) finished purposefully for third, two lengths in arrears.

With a limited operation at Kembla Grange, this success represents Murray’s second feature victory over the preceding six months, after Where’s The Circus’s success in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick during December.

Nevertheless, the family’s longstanding involvement in the two-day Wagga carnival lent special meaning to Harry’s Bar’s performance.

“It’s unbelievable. I was only a boy when we used to come down with Dad,” Murray told Sky Racing.

“We had a runner after (Scorpio), Sure And Fast, and I think he ran second or third in it, but this is my first runner.”

For Harry’s Bar, it was win number three from 16 starts, merited by her dependability following second place in the Gosford Provincial-Midway Country Championships heat and a bold fifth in the Final to Lord Of Biscay.

“She is just a very good mare,” Murray said.

“She gives you two hundred per cent. Every time you go to the races you know you’re going to get a run for your money.

She loves a fight, and I’ve never seen a mare as tough as her.”

Murray hasn’t settled on Harry’s Bar’s upcoming targets but indicated interest in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone in two weeks’ time.

Steadfast rider Jean Van Overmeire steered Harry’s Bar to victory, doubling up earlier on the day with Brutal Belle from Luke Pepper’s yard.

The carnival proceeds Friday with the Wagga Gold Cup, in which Travolta trained by Chris Waller is $3.20 top pick.

Discover leading racing betting markets ahead of the Wagga Town Plate carnival’s highlight.

Kevin Durant is not looking for a new team following the Rockets’ first-round exit from the playoffs. The Lakers won the series 4-2 and eliminated Houston from the competition following a 98-78 win in Game 6.

Durant was sidelined for the majority of the series with a knee injury. He played in the Rockets’ 101-94 loss in Game 2, recording 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.

On Friday, a parody account on X shared false news about the Rockets’ superstar looking for a new home.

“Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destination this summer is whichever team wins the NBA finals, per @SharmsCharania,” the post claimed.

The post went viral, garnering over 633,000 impressions, 1,000 reposts and 32,000 likes on X. Durant has been in search of a ring since he left the Warriors after the 2018-19 season.

The Rockets had put their future on the line to acquire KD from the Suns in June. They sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the number 10 pick in the 2025 draft and multiple second-round picks to get Durant from the Suns.

Kevin Durant proved himself as an elite scorer in the regular season. He led this season’s scoring leaderboard for the franchise, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game on 52.0% shooting. However, injury troubles kept him out of the court when he was needed the most.

What’s next for Kevin Durant and the Rockets following a back-to-back first-round exit?

The Houston Rockets repeat history following a back-to-back first-round exit in the playoffs. Last season, it was Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors and this time it is LeBron James‘ Lakers. Following last season’s exit, Rockets’ general manager Rafael Stone went all-in during the last offseason to bring in Kevin Durant.

However, the acquisition hardly mattered as their season ended the same. Going ahead into the offseason, fans can expect the Rockets to make one of two decisions. They can either invest in their current lineup and trust them for another run or Stone can go all-in once again and chase another superstar.

According to Spotrac, Kevin Durant has two more years left on his two-year $90,000,000 extension he signed earlier this season. He will earn a guaranteed salary of $43,902,439 in the 2026-27 season and has a player option in the 2027- 28 season. The Rockets can include Durant in a package to bring in a younger superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo.