Seven years ago a rangy young Slovenian took his first professional victory, outsprinting bona fide climbers Wout Poels and Enric Mas atop the gruelling Alto da Foia climb, the highest peak in the Algarve.
That Slovenian went on to be the dominant force of modern cycling, certainly the best rider of the 21st century and increasingly non-contentiously, the best rider of all time.
But all eras must come to an end and while Tadej Pogacar, now 27 and in his prime, shows no sign of being conquered, the next generation are coming. And this weekend’s Strade Bianche, one of the most thrilling of all the Classics, may be the time they shine.
One of them, 19-year-old Paul Seixas, is unnervingly similar in many ways to the four-time Tour de France champion – and recently took his own maiden pro victory on the very same Alto da Foia, before soloing away Pogacar-style to a dominant win at Faun Ardeche.
And in years to come the teenager from Lyon will be able to call on a similar financial might to the super-teams, as his Decathlon CMA CGM squad bid to become a top-three team in the next three seasons, having dispensed with long-time sponsor AG2R La Mondiale.
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Last year’s European bronze medallist, Seixas is one of the most exciting talents in a sport which all too frequently churns through brilliant young things and discards them when they fail to live up to expectations. French cycling abounds with such cautionary tales, most recently with the permanently unlucky Thibaut Pinot and yesterday’s hopeful, David Gaudu.
But if Seixas can keep his feet on the ground – perhaps not the best metaphor for a man whose best attribute is pedalling up into the clouds – he may yet end a French Tour de France drought going back decades, and challenge the indomitable Pogacar.
Potentially starting at Strade Bianche. The sweeping white roads of sterrato – gravel – of the Tuscan hills play host to one of the most romantic races on the cycling calendar, not quite a Monument but almost monumental in its grip on the sporting imagination.
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Pogacar crashed last year but still powered back to win (AFP via Getty Images)
Three of the last four editions have been won by Pogacar, both times soloing away into the distance, disappearing in a plume of white smoke, and striding up the punishing Via Santa Caterina to glory in Siena’s honey-coloured city centre.
But there is positive news for the challengers. This year’s parcours is slightly shorter, at 203km, and features 18km less gravel than last year, in a bid to open up the race slightly and avoid yet another Pogacar procession.
And he is not infallible: last year he made a rare mistake on the sterrato,put under pressure by Britain’s Tom Pidcock on a descent, and slid out. Pidcock – the champion in 2023 – waited for the blooded and bruised Slovenian but may have regretted the sportsmanlike gesture as he ultimately finished second, nearly a minute and a half behind Pogacar.
But the 26-year-old is at his best in Classics like Strade Bianche and remains a serious threat this weekend, even after a disappointing 48th-place finish in last week’s curtain-raiser, Omloop Nieuwsblad.
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French teenager Seixas beat Pogacar’s former teammate Ayuso to the line on stage two of the Volta ao Algarve (AFP via Getty Images)
The Briton is the undisputed core of Pinarello Q36.5, the second-tier outfit pushing to disrupt the hegemony of big-budget squads like Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
What they lack in resources they make up for in ambition and fighting talk: Pidcock’s coach Kurt Bogaerts told Dutch outlet Wielerflits this is “one of the races that [Pidcock] gets out of bed for”, and added: “Tom has a good sense of his capabilities, and then it’s a matter of waiting to see how the opposition reacts. We’re going to try to do that again.”
This is Pogacar’s first outing of the season and his form is unknown. While it’s unlikely he’ll have an off-day, the rest of the peloton can still dream of glory in Tuscany, with the season wide open before them.
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Strade Bianche is a race for the Classics specialists, but also the mavericks. Swashbuckling Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe may be in the mix; at the very least he will put in a romantic, possibly doomed attack. Wout van Aert will be there too, but on the basis of his crash-ridden, disrupted winter and season so far, it will be disappointment again for the Belgian star.
Puncheur Ben Healy – another born racer – is a major contender after a stellar 2024, in which he wore the yellow jersey, won a stage of the Tour de France, and came third in the World Championships.
Pogacar has not raced since winning his fifth Il Lombardia title in October (AP)
A race like Strade Bianche suits the Irishman’s unpredictability, as it does moustachioed cowboy Quinn Simmons. The American is another capable of keeping pace with Pogacar on difficult Classics terrain, most recently at Il Lombardia last October, and if he takes to the start line with his hair flowing in the breeze – indicative of an impending attack – he could be a major threat too.
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Seixas may have company in the young super-talent category, in the form of Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro who on any given day can shine too. Here it is likely to be in the Slovenian’s shadows, as he is expected to serve as the springboard for a race-winning attack, but he has outsmarted and outmuscled teammates before, notably Juan Ayuso at last year’s Giro d’Italia.
All this may be wishful thinking, but even if it takes years to arise, the results of this spring may well set in motion the beginnings of a new era in cycling.
The decision of organisers RCS to make the parcours easier compared to some in previous years could reverse the trend of the past decade towards tougher and tougher racing, with inevitable results.
And even if brutally hilly courses are here to stay, the likes of Seixas are not content to let Pogacar run amok. Instead the talented teenager plans on taking the fight to him, come what may – and that may be just the shake-up cycling needs.
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) throws to first for the out against Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias (13) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers put Mookie Betts on the 10-day injured list on Sunday after an MRI verified an oblique strain.
Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Betts could be sidelined four to six weeks, but he anticipated time missed being on the lower side.
Betts exited in the middle of the first inning on Saturday during the Dodgers’ 10-5 win against the Washington Nationals, with right lower back pain cited as the reason.
He was replaced by Miguel Rojas, who will bat second for the Dodgers against the Nationals on Sunday.
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In a corresponding move, Los Angeles called up infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He played in 71 games and hit .280 for the Dodgers last season but didn’t make the club out of spring training. In six games at Oklahoma City, he is hitting .346 (9-for-26).
He could see some time at shortstop as well.
After posting a career-low .258 batting average last season, Betts — a former American League batting champion — is off to a slow start at the plate. The 33-year-old is batting just .179 (5-for-28), but he does have two homers and seven RBIs in eight games.
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has been wished a ‘good farewell’ by assistant Pep Lijnders as he nears the end of his contract.
22:30, 05 Apr 2026Updated 22:38, 05 Apr 2026
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Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City this summer when his contract expires. Assistant manager Pep Lijnders told fans to savour the ‘last six weeks’ of a phenomenal nine years at the Etihad.
Silva revealed back in October that he already knew what his future held beyond this season, but that it wasn’t the time to announce it. There have still not been any official statements from the player or the club, but Lijnders was clear after the 4-0 win over Liverpool when he was asked about Silva’s irreplaceable quality.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique,” the City assistant said. “The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.
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“You never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first XI. And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already bought that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.
“If you see our young boys in the academy, then they have to make that step and to grow. But the most important is that the seniors who stay for a long time, that they stay, that they stay, that they stay. That they are always there and, around that, you can move.
“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing you will see how he is missed and that’s one game. Imagine a season. But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
Barring a dramatic U-turn, Silva will leave City as one of their most decorated and greatest ever players. The Portugal international has won six Premier Leagues, a Champions League, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups in nine glorious years at the Etihad.
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As well as being the player Pep Guardiola has used the most in his managerial career in 450 appearances for City that will see him eighth in the all-time list for the club, Silva has led by example as club captain this year to restore standards that had dropped off last season. The 31-year-old lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley last month and could yet win the Premier League and FA Cup again this year.
He has long talked about a return to boyhood club Benfica at some point in his career, although Barcelona and Juventus are also interested in signing him on a free transfer this summer. Wherever he goes, he will forever be loved at City.
Apr 4, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The New York Islanders fired Hall of Famer Patrick Roy as the team’s head coach Sunday and replaced him with Peter DeBoer.
The Islanders (42-31-5, 89 points) have lost a season-high four in a row and reside in third place in the Metropolitan Division, one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. New York is idle until Thursday, when they’ll host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Roy, 60, posted a 97-78-22 record in three seasons since taking over for Lane Lambert as coach of the Islanders.
DeBoer, 57, guided the Dallas Stars to the Western Conference final in three straight seasons before being fired by the team on June 6. He posted a 149-68-29 record with Dallas.
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DeBoer has a 662-447-152 coaching record with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Golden Knights and Stars. He guided the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and the Sharks to the finals in 2016.
Roy was a four-time Stanley Cup champion and a three-time Vezina Trophy recipient during his playing days.
He is the fourth coach to be fired this season. Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason in Columbus on Jan. 12, D.J. Smith took over from Jim Hiller in Los Angeles on March 1 and John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with Vegas on March 29.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was disappointed how the Gamecocks’ season ended on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, a 79-51 loss to the UCLA Bruins in the national championship game.
During her post-game interview, Staley was asked about what happened in the Gamecocks’ prior Final Four matchup against UConn, where she and head coach Geno Auriemma had a tense exchange after South Carolina advanced to the title game for the third year in a row.
Rather than hash out more of her thoughts, Staley had a classy response.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball championship game against the UCLA Bruins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026.(Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos)
“I don’t want – this is UCLA’s day, right? Let’s keep it UCLA, them winning the national championship,” Staley told reporters, via The Athletic. “… We’re not going to damper UCLA’s day with it.”
Before this national title contest, Staley was spotted having a cordial experience greeting UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close — a much different experience than how Friday night ended with Auriemma.
After the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies, Staley and Auriemma went viral with their interaction at midcourt, where Auriemma appeared to enrage Staley before walking off.
This time, Staley and Close hugged and shared a few words. During the exchange, Staley “looked around afterward like, ‘see??’”, per NBC Sports.
Staley was showing a bit of sarcasm, as she noted Auriemma didn’t shake her hand before the Final Four tipped off between the two teams on Friday night.
After the Gamecocks’ victory over the Huskies, Staley was asked what exactly happened with Auriemma, though she tried to explain her focus in helping her team lock in for the national title game. If they won, it would’ve been the fourth national championship in the last 10 years for South Carolina.
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Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins watches during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026.(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“For me, no distractions at this time. I’m concentrating on winning a national championship, that’s it,” Staley said at the time. “That’s a little disheartening. This is sports, sometimes things like this happen. Continue to focus on my team and ability to advance in this tournament and hopefully win another national championship.”
“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut,” the Hall of Fame coach said in a statement on Saturday. “I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
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Staley added she had “no idea” why Auriemma was angry after the game, though she guessed perhaps he was ticked off by the lack of handshake before the game on his own end. Either way, Staley was moving forward.
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close shakes hands with South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley after defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the NCAA women’s championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 4, 2026.(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
“I don’t know what he came with after the game, but, hey, sometimes things get heated. We move on,” she said.
For UCLA, it was the first time the women’s basketball program has won the national title, as their emotional celebration ensued following the game in Phoenix.
The Portugal midfielder is in the final year of his contract and his future has been the subject of speculation throughout the current season.
Lijnders appeared to confirm the 31-year-old’s imminent departure while carrying out media duties on behalf of manager Pep Guardiola after Saturday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool.
The Dutchman, responding to a question about how City might replace him, said: “Every good story comes to an end and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there is only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all the attention as well.”
Silva has made 450 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League as well as two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
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Lijnders acknowledged he will be a hard act to replace.
He said: “You never replace a player (like him) with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique, the way he controls games, moves, receives, leads and sees the solutions.
“It will be hard because when he is not playing in a game you see how he is missed. That is one game, imagine the seasons.”
Mar 4, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mariano Navone (ARG) hits a shot against Marcos Giron (USA) in his first round match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Spain’s Rafael Jodar, 19, captured his first ever ATP tour title in smooth fashion, taking down Argentinian qualifier Marco Trungelliti in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in the Grand Prix Hassan II final on Sunday in Marrakech, Morocco.
Just 12 months ago, Jodar was ranked No. 911 in the world rankings but has had a quick ascent the last few months after making his tour debut earlier this year at the Australian Open. He became the first ever teenager to lift the trophy in Marrakech.
Jodar came out hot as he broke Trungelliti’s in the very first service of the game in which there were six deuces. Jodar led in winners (21-5) and faced just one break which he saved. He knocked home 15 of 17 second serve points (88.2 percent) and converted four of nine break points.
Trungelliti, 36, was also playing in his first career final after taking down the first, third and fifth seeds on the way to the finals. On Monday he will become the oldest man to make his top 100 debut in the rankings. This final marked the fifth-largest age gap between participants since 1990.
Tiriac Open
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Seventh-seeded Mariano Navone of Argentina held strong to take down Spaniard qualifier Daniel Merida 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2-hour, 17-minute final in Bucharest, Romania.
Navone took control in the first set by converting 19 of 21 first serves and breaking Merida twice. After faltering in the second set and losing his second service of the all-decisive third set, Navone broke Merida’s serve on three of the final four games of the match.
This is Navone’s first ever title after he lost in this same final in straight sets in 2024. According to the ATP live rankings, this should bump Navone up 18 spots to No. 42 in the world which would surpass his highest ranking of No. 47 in 2024.
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U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
American fourth-seed Tommy Paul is facing off with Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina in the final in Houston, Texas.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Virat Kohli scripted history as he achieved a stunning record during the IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Virat scored just 28 off just 18 deliveries but in the process, he surpassed Rohit Sharma to achieve the record of scoring the most runs against a single opposition in T20 cricket. He currently has 1,174 against CSK – the most by any batter against a single team in T20 cricket. Rohit has scored 1,161 runs against Kolkata Knight RIders during his time with Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers in the IPL. Incidentally, Kohli also holds the third spot in the elite list as he has slammed 1159 runs against Punjab Kings.
Coming to the match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s incisive spell of 3-41, coming after a marauding batting show from Tim David, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a commanding 43-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their IPL 2026 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
The contest saw RCB’s batting unit dismantle CSK’s attack with relentless hitting, as David’s 70 not out off just 25 balls and Patidar’s unbeaten 48 off only 19 balls provided for the late fireworks after Padikkal’s fluent 50 off 29 balls had set the tone for the daunting total.
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Their combined effort lifted RCB to a daunting 250/3, thus setting a new record for highest total in IPL 2026. In reply, CSK faltered under scoreboard pressure, with Sarfaraz Khan’s 50 off 24 balls and Prashant Veer’s 43 the lone acts of resistance amid a string of failures from the top order.
Bhuvneshwar was at his disciplined best and even crossed the 200-mark in terms of wickets in IPL, with others also chipping in as CSK were bowled out for 207 in 19.4 overs. The comprehensive win also meant RCB have registered four consecutive triumphs over CSK for the first time in the IPL’s history.
CSK’s chase began on a shaky note as Jacob Duffy removed Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Bhuvneshwar claimed his 200th IPL wicket by taking out Ayush Mhatre cheaply. After Duffy dismissed Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz counter-attacked with a flurry of boundaries and sixes off Duffy, Bhuvneshwar and Abhinandan Singh to race to a half-century off just 24 balls.
But his dismissal to Krunal Pandya, who also dismissed Kartik Sharma, in the seventh over left CSK tottering at 84/5. After Shivam Dube’s vigil was cut short by Abhinandan, Veer and Jamie Overton joined forces for a spirited 57-run stand. Veer struck 43 off 29 balls, while Overton smashed 37 off 16, but both perished to Bhuvneshwar and Suyash Sharma respectively. Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj struck a few boundaries, but Bhuvneshwar and Abhinandan took them out to seal a great win for RCB.
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(With IANS inputs)
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World championship boxing returned to the historic Kensington venue for the first time in decades. Olympia had previously staged headline fights involving stars such as Chris Eubank Jr and Prince Naseem Hamed.
Harper strode towards the centre of the 19th-Century grand hall, buoyed by her travelling Yorkshire faithful.
Dubois, who once pretended to be a boy named Colin so she could be allowed to box, also received a warm reception as she entered to I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston.
The fight had been a long time coming, and the rivalry had grown increasingly tense in the build-up. Dubois repeatedly questioned Harper’s achievements and credentials, while Harper shoved Dubois during a fiery media face-off earlier in the week.
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By the halfway stage, however, the contest had not quite lived up to the hype, with Dubois edging the rounds through steady work to the body.
Then, suddenly, the fight came alive. Dubois set up a knockdown with a sharp double jab followed by a left hook, sending Harper to the canvas.
Harper rose to her feet as Dubois leapt in celebration, prompting the referee to warn her for failing to return to her corner.
Dubois increased the pressure. She landed thudding southpaw left hands in the seventh and eighth as blood began to drip from a cut on the inside of ‘Belter’ Harper’s left eye.
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Watching from ringside was pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields.
A strong combination from Dubois in the ninth suggested a stoppage might be imminent, but Harper rallied to land shots to Dubois’ head in the 10th and final round.
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 biggest Masters storylines, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy’s chances, players who are trending, and more.
Welcome to Masters week, where we won’t see Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson but have a bunch of other storylines ready to unfold at Augusta National. What’s one you’re watching for?
Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): Is Scottie Scheffler’s slump for real? Or has his (relatively) poor play been a simple case of early-season malaise. If he struggles to find his form at Augusta — where he’s had a boatload of success — it might be time to start ringing the alarm bells.
Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): That’s a good one Zephyr, I really like zoning in on Justin Rose this week. He’s in his mid-40s now, but yet, he comes into this week as the 7th-ranked player in the world and the most recent runner-up at Augusta. It’s incredible to think he’s now lost two playoffs at the Masters. He rebounded from a lull after his win at Torrey Pines with a T13 at the Players. Is this the week he gets a Green Jacket?
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Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@schrock_and_awe): I second both of the above. Rose would be my top storyline, but I am curious to see what Brooks Koepka has in the bag next week. His major record has been poor since his 2023 PGA Championship win, but he said he fixed a putting issue that has plagued him for two years and was playing good golf until the MC in Houston. Is this the major where Brooks Koepka emerges as a threat?
Which big-name player’s recent form has them either trending or fading as the first major of the year approaches?
Melton: I’m buying Ludvig Aberg’s stock heading into Augusta. He’s been in excellent form of late, with three top 10s over his last three starts, and he’s got a great track record in the Masters, albeit in a small sample size. I like Ludvig to be a factor this week.
Hirsh: Tommy Fleetwood is my pick for this week and I think his game fits perfectly for Augusta National. As for his trends? He’s finished in the top-10 in three of his five starts this season, and while he didn’t this weekend in Texas, he was in the mix going into the weekend. I think this is his week.
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Schrock: I’m buying Xander Schauffele returning as a major threat. After winning two majors in 2024, he got sidetracked by the rib injury to start last year and never seemed to get his swing right. He has been playing well of late, with the irons leading the way. I think Rose wins but I expect Xander to be a factor come Sunday.
Bryson DeChambeau won both of his LIV Golf starts prior to the Masters, and he’s finished in the top six in each of the last two years. Are you more bullish on Bryson than ever before? And is he your top pick this week among LIV players?
Melton: With Rory and Scottie having a slow start to their seasons, I’d say this is the most wide-open the race for the green jacket has been in several years — so why not Bryson? Hard not to like how he’s trending. It’ll all come down to how well he can control his distance with the irons.
Hirsh: Yawnnnnn, no. A LIV victory just doesn’t have much credibility to me. It was a good sign for Brooks a couple of years ago when he lost to Rahm, but I just don’t see Bryson winning at Augusta. Will he contend again? Probably, but I just don’t see him winning.
Schrock: I agree with Jack. I have a hard time seeing it all come together for Bryson at Augusta. He seems to have figured things out since his MCs in 2022 and 2023, but he contended last year while being mostly unable to control the distance with his irons and he’s been talking about trying to “dial in” his wedges. I think Jon Rahm, not Bryson, is the LIV player who is in the mix at Augusta this week.
Are you taking a combination of Scottie and Rory, or the field? And why?
Melton: The field. Neither of the two top dogs have shown enough consistency so far this year for me to back them versus the rest of the field. Does that mean they won’t win? Not necessarily, but the odds favor the field.
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Hirsh: The field. Not because I don’t think Scottie and Rory won’t contend, but I’m not convinced Scheffler is comfortable with his driver based on when we saw him last (although it’s been three weeks) and that’s a pretty important club to win the Masters. Rory I expect a little more out of right now, but I don’t think either is in the world beating form they have been in the last couple years.
Schrock: I’ll take the field. Between Scottie’s un-Scottie-like iron play and Rory’s back issue, I think it’s more than likely that someone outside of the top two takes home the green jacket. I am interested to see how Rory plays now that he has finally submitted the mountain at Augusta. I think he contends, but repeating is a monumental task. I’m really not sure what to make of where Scottie’s game is right now and if the iron play is in Augusta shape.
Last year, we asked who needed a Masters win the most, with our panel agreeing it was McIlroy. Well, now that he’s won it, who’s next on your list?
Melton: Justin Rose. He’s had one arm in the green jacket twice, yet couldn’t quite get it done. Father time may catch up soon, and his chances are running out. A green Jacket for Rose may be more meaningful than for any other player in the field. (Plus, a swing that sweet deserves more than one major on the resume.)
Hirsh: Tommy Fleetwood. He was the best player in the world at the end of the year last season and he’s still in great form in 2026. Time to get that major.
Schrock: Agree with Zephyr. It’s Rose. He has held the lead or co-lead at the Masters nine times after Round 1, 2 and 3. That’s third all-time after Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. He’s -18 under par in the last 10 Masters, which ranks seventh. Five of the six players ahead of him have won jackets during that period. It’s time.
What’s your final, parting Masters thought?
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Melton: I think we’ll see a hole-in-one on No. 16 Sunday with the traditional funnel pin.
Hirsh: I think this is the year our Alan Bastable wins the media lottery. Ever since Brooks Koepka asked him in a press conference if he had played the course, I’ve been dying to see that come true.
Melton: I second this motion.
Schrock: Ten years after his collapse at No. 12, I think Jordan Spieth holds the 54-hole lead this year and we’ll have another memorable Sunday on our hands at Augusta National.
Tim David’s late hitting against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday not only lifted Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a big total but also placed him alongside some of the franchise’s notable power-hitters in the record books.Batting in the lower middle order at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, David struck eight sixes during his innings. That effort is now the joint second-highest number of sixes hit by an RCB batter from No.5 or lower in an IPL match.The record in this category remains with Yuvraj Singh, who had smashed nine sixes against Delhi Capitals in 2014. David’s eight sixes equal the tally set by AB de Villiers, who had hit the same number against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014.
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All three of these innings have come at the same venue in Bengaluru, underlining how the conditions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium have often favoured attacking strokeplay, especially in the latter stages of an innings.Most sixes from No.5 or lower for RCB
9 – Yuvraj Singh vs DC, 2014
8 – AB de Villiers vs SRH, 2014
8 – Tim David vs CSK, 2026
(All in Bengaluru)David’s knock came at a crucial phase, with RCB looking to push their total in the final overs. His hitting ensured that the scoring rate rose sharply, as he repeatedly cleared the boundary during the closing stages.Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 97 runs in the last five overs to finish at 250 for 3, the highest total of this season, against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match on Sunday, turning the game with a strong finish in the first innings.The late surge came from Tim David, captain Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, who built on the base set earlier in the innings. Padikkal scored 50 off 29 balls, David made 70 off 25 balls, while Patidar remained unbeaten on 48 off 19 balls. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the match by 43 runs.
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