Morikawa started his weekend charge with a remarkable Saturday 62 in which he actually lost strokes putting, a common theme over the past year for the two-time major winner.
But on Sunday, Morikawa gained 1.6 strokes putting en route to a final-round 67 to win by 1 over Min Woo Lee. He did so with the help of a new Spider Tour X flow neck putter he added to the bag last week. Turns out the prototype putter wasn’t actually made for him.
The putter originally belonged to Kurt Kitayama, who gave it to his brother. Morikawa saw Kitayama’s brother, Daniel, playing with the putter, which also has a unique “back T” alignment aid, and asked to borrow it. He put it in play at the WM Phoenix Open.
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The prototype Spider Tour X flow neck putter that finally got Collin Morikawa back in the winner’s circle.
Turns out this putter was originally built for Kurt Kitayama, who gave it to his brother Daniel and then Collin took it off him. pic.twitter.com/U0LeyfprGn
While the putter finally provided servicable results, Morikawa’s iron game was dialed as he picked up a career-best 6.59 Strokes Gained: Approach in his third-round 62, the best of any round in the tournament’s history, according to stat guru Justin Ray.
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Morikawa has a unique combination set of TaylorMade irons, using the older model P730 blades in his short irons, P7CBs in his 5- and 6-irons and then moving to a PDHY utility iron for his 4-iron.
The PDHY is the highest-launching model in TaylorMade’s utility iron lineup and is rarely used on the PGA Tour. But Morikawa switched to it late last year and used it to hit his crucial approach shot at the 72nd, setting up the winning birdie.
During testing this week, Morikawa found greater consistency in launch and spin with the TP5x compared with his previous TP5. He also found that it cut more easily and was more predictable in high winds, given the lower spin.
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So Collin is truly the gift from the equipment content gods that keeps on giving.
He made a switch from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX he’s played since 2020 to a newer Diamana WB 63 X last week and used it in Round 1 at Pebble.
Morikawa also switched his driver shaft a week ago in Phoenix, moving from the Mitsubishi D+ Limited 60 TX shaft he has used since 2020 to the newer Diamana Whiteboard 63 X. But the change was short-lived, as Morikawa switched back to the D+ on Friday. He lost nearly .3 strokes off the tee in Round 1 and then gained nearly 3 strokes off the tee the rest of the way.
Keep reading below for Morikawa’s detailed WITB specs.
Collin Morikawa’s winning WITB at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Collin Morikawa’s Qi4D LS driver.
TaylorMade
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS 8.0˚ Actual Loft: 8.5˚ FCT Setting: 1 click higher (1.5˚ sleeve) Weights: 15g front, 7g back Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 X Length: 45.125’ Tipping: 1″ Swingweight: D3
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TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver
SHAPED FOR SPEED
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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.
FACE FOR DISTANCE
Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.
ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE
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4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.
TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.
The board is back. After a few years away, the vintage surfboard always associated with Diamana™ makes its return with Diamana WB. Built on an extraordinarily popular and tour-proven platform, WB brings classic low-low performance and the legendary stability and control you’ve come to expect after two decades.
The first in the 6th Generation Diamana™ family, WB is designed with all the traditional branding that made Diamana™ so beloved, including flowers in the handle section, a surfboard behind the Diamana logo, and return to the original 53/63/73/83 weight class designations. But rest assured, the only thing throwback about Diamana™ WB is its appearance. Indeed, super high-modulus 80-ton Dialead Pitch Fiber is used in the butt section to deliver maximum stability and increased energy transfer and high modulus 46-ton fiber is used in the shaft’s angle plies to reduce torque without increasing weight for improved control and stability. Carbon fiber orientation at the tip section is optimized to further lower torque.
The classic feel of this Diamana™ profile is achieved through the use of our proprietary Xlink Tech™ Resin System and MR70 technologies. Our Xlink Tech™ Resin System increases the strength and durability of the shaft while driving carbon fiber volume up for better feel. Feel and strength is further increased through the use of our aerospace-grade MR70 fiber – our strongest fiber to date.
Advanced Multi-Material Construction combines the most effective engineering techniques with the finest materials to create one of our longest moveable weight fairways.
The Titanium Qi4D Tour fairway is designed for golfers who seek the ultimate weapon to conquer long par 5s and to thread the needle of the narrowest of tee shots.
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Utilizing three Trajectory Adjustment System weights (15g x 1 / 4g x 2) provides the golfer the most mass efficient way to adjust shot shape and spin.
4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.
CG OPTIMIZATION
Engineers were able to improve launch without adding spin due to the use of an ultralightweight titanium body and advanced CAD model simulations. This result is a fairway that is easy to launch with incredible distance from any lie.
A large 60g tungsten mass pad moves the center of gravity extremely low and forward, creating a hot trajectory for more distance.
TOUR-PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
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New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade fairway performance.
Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature is designed to provide straighter shots on mishits.
BEST-IN CLASS FEEL
Using Tour feedback and modal analysis we’ve strategically designed mass placement for best in class feel. Crafted using Compact Grain Forging and 2000 tons of pressure to deliver the purest feeling 1025 soft carbon steel possible.
PRECISE CONTROL
Precise milled face and grooves combined with a constant CG the P•7CB is designed to deliver an optimal launch and spin combination for the ultimate control and precision.
CONSISTENCY
Created to maximize accuracy and consistency. The P•7CB optimized perimeter weighting and co-forged tungsten designed to deliver a beautiful blend of stability and workability.
COMPACT TOUR SHAPING
Every aspect of shaping in this iron was intended to meet the needs of discerning ball strikers. A compact blade length and thin topline create a confident, clean look in the playing position while the sole camber and progressive bounce profile provide consistent turf interaction.
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 (50° SB, 56° LB, 60° TW) Shafts: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Black Onyx
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TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge
FORGED FEEL
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 Hosel: Flow Neck Loft: 2.5° Lie: 70° Length: 34.0625’’ Swingweight: D6.5 Sight Line: Back T Insert: Pure Roll Shaft: Black Stepless Grip: Golf Pride Tour Tradition
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TaylorMade 2025 Spider Tour X Black L-Neck Custom Putter
SPIDER TOUR X L-NECK
For nearly two decades Spider putters have been delivering championship-winning stability and performance to professionals and amateurs alike. Scottie Scheffler recently joined this group by stepping into the winner’s circle for the third time in four starts with a Spider Tour X L-Neck in the bag.
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Navigate the greens with clarity with the optically-engineered True Path™ Alignment system. This legacy tech from TaylorMade helps you better visualize the line to the hole while also making it easier to aim the putter towards your target.
WHITE TPU PURE ROLL™ INSERT
Experience a softer feel with our White TPU Pure Roll™ insert. Crafted from a blend of Surlyn and aluminum, it features grooves angled at 45° for optimal forward roll and better overall roll characteristics.
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A thin wall undercut and steel wireframe allow for precision CG placement, creating a superstructure with enhanced stability and forgiveness.
Built on the success of the best Team TaylorMade athletes in the world, TP5x is designed to deliver unparalleled low spin and distance off the tee and world-class feel and control where you need it most around the green.
Microcoating
No two golf balls are the same, but the all-new TP5x 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.
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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.
Tour-Level Speed
The reengineered Speed Wrapped Core in TP5x increases the coefficient of restitution (COR) for exceptional ball speed at the top end of your bag.
Full cord. Full firmness. ZGrip is designed for golfers in search of more answers. Our distinct, deep “Z” shaped texture and full cotton cord combine to deliver our firmest grip yet. Get maximum feedback on every shot and confidence in all conditions.
Jerome Tang chewed out his players after their 91-62 blowout home loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday. Four days later, he’s been fired “for cause” from the Kansas State coaching job.
According to ESPN, the basis for the for-cause firing is language in Jerome Tang’s contract that references any activity that brings “public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule” to Kansas State. The school’s athletic director, Gene Taylor, made a statement about the decision.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program, Taylor said.
“Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”
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The Kansas State Wildcats have just one win in the Big 12 Conference this season. Tang followed up the public criticism by having the team play against No. 3-ranked Houston without player names on the back of their jerseys.
“These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform,” Tang said after the 78-64 loss to the Cougars.
“There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is ridiculous. I have no answer. No words.”
The program will shortly name an interim coach while conducting a search for a full-time leader.
Jerome Tang disagrees with “for cause” firing
The Kansas State Wildcats hired Jerome Tang on March 21, 2022. He led the program to an Elite Eight appearance in his first season. However, he could achieve similar feats in subsequent seasons with the program.
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination, Tang told ESPN.
“I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.”
The 2023 Naismith College Coach of the Year signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, and there is still $18.67 million remaining on that contract. He plans to fight the for-cause firing.
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Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey – who is NCAAW’s highest-paid coach? Find out here
Kansas State fired fourth-year basketball coach Jerome Tang on Sunday, a source told CBS Sports.
Athletic director Gene Taylor subsequently revealed late Sunday night he made the decision to fire Tang following K-State’s loss at houston on Saturday. The move comes less than four days after Tang’s postgame rant went viral following an embarrassing 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati on Thursday. a
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Taylor said in a statement. “Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”
The Wildcats are 10-15 and in the midst of their second-worst season in the past 20-plus years. Kansas State ranks 101st at KenPom.com and is 1-11 in the Big 12. The team is headed toward a second straight sub-.500 season despite being one of the bigger spenders in the transfer portal the past two offseasons.
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Kansas State will attempt to fire Tang for cause. Tang has a buyout of more than $18 million, per the terms of his contract, but Taylor believes Tang’s public criticisms of the players and the response that press conference spurred in the national media violated the terms of his contract.
Tang released a statement disputing Kansas State’s assessment of the program.
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination. I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach,” Tang said. “I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans who make this program so special. I remain proud of what we built together and confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes.”
Associate head coach Matthew Driscoll has been named interim head coach for the rest of the season.
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LISTEN: Matt Norlander breaks down Tang’s final days at K-State on this emergency edition of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.
Tang went 71-57 in less than four seasons on the job, including a 29-39 mark in the Big 12. He was hired in 2022 and an immediate success: He guided the Wildcats to the Elite Eight with a No. 3 seed and finished 26-10 thanks to the dynamic duo of point guard Markquis Nowell and forward Keyontae Johnson. Nowell’s 19 assists in a Sweet 16 victory vs. Michigan State at Madison Square Garden set both an NCAA Tournament record and an optimistic tone for the Tang era, but it’s been a litany of letdowns ever since.
K-State is coming off a 78-64 loss at No. 3 Houston on Saturday. Tang had the players’ names removed from the back of their jerseys for that game in a questionable move that followed his criticism of KSU players following the Wildcats’ loss to the Bearcats.
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“This was embarrassing,” Tang said Wednesday night at his press conference. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous.”
That’s the quote that has Tang’s legal team and Kansas State’s lawyers set to battle in the weeks ahead. If K-State wins, it won’t pay Tang another dime. If it loses, Tang will have more than $18.5 million coming his way. There is also the realistic possibility that the parties wind up settling somewhere in the wide gulf between those two numbers.
GoPowerCat’s team of Kansas State insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development and insider scoop surrounding the Wildcats. Sign up for a VIP membership now and join the conversation to experience the power of the GoPowerCat community where fans connect and get even more insider information from our experts on staff!
Last year, Rory McIlroy arrived at idyllic Pebble Beach and announced he wanted to play more like Scottie Scheffler. The plan was to fight his own aggressive urges, take the smart route and never shoot himself out of a tournament. If you give yourself more chances to win, as Scheffler does, eventually the cards will fall in your favor more and more.
A year later, McIlroy returned to one of golf’s great cathedrals as the defending champion and was asked to sum up Scheffler’s run atop the golf world, which included a string of 17 consecutive top 10s (18 if you include the Hero World Challenge) entering the week. Scheffler’s latest top 10 was a T3 at the WM Phoenix Open where opened with a 2-over 73 before going 65-67-64 over the final three rounds to miss out on the playoff by a shot.
McIlroy critiqued his own inconsistency last year post-Masters while lauding Scheffler’s ability to piece things together and rise up the leaderboard whether he has his A-game or not. To McIlroy, one word and one golf icon came to mind.
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“He’s relentless,” McIlroy said.
“I’ll never stop singing Scottie’s praises because he’s incredible at what he’s doing and the way he does it, and that’s never — I’ve had nice runs like that, but I’ve always been a little more up and down,” McIlroy said. “I think anyone that wants to catch Scottie or get anywhere close is going to have to consistently bring that sort of game week in and week out like he does. He’s really the first one since Tiger that’s doing this.”
Last week in Phoenix, Scheffler revealed a layer of his greatness when he talked about how he was so discouraged after his first round that he didn’t even want to try and dig it out of the dirt. But his competitive desire to not only make the cut, but to continue to be a constant presence atop the leaderboard won out. Where some players have down weeks or let the rope slip when they face an early leaderboard climb, part of Scheffler’s greatness lies in his unwillingness to give in.
With McIlroy’s praise still hanging in the air above Stillwater Cove, Scheffler went to work making them ring true.
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The World No. 1 opened with an even-par 72, starting 10 shots back of 18-hole leader Ryo Hisatsune. Scheffler admitted after his first round it would be difficult to make up ground but he’d do his best. A second-round 66 followed. Then, a 67. Still, Scheffler remained eight shots behind 54-hole leader Akshay Bhatia. The hill was steep. But Scheffler’s greatness is built in his preparation and his process. He looms over golf because he focuses on the micro — the next step — and not the macro.
“I didn’t have really any crazy expectations or anything on the day, I just wanted to show up and have a good attitude and play some good golf,” Scheffler said on Sunday along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
He opened with a birdie at the first and an eagle at No. 2. He birdied three, made an eagle at six and followed that with another birdie.
Relentless.
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He made the turn six-under 30 and was suddenly two off the lead. Scheffler birdied 10 and 11 and was suddenly tied for the lead. He slid back with bogeys at 12 and 15 sandwiching a birdie at 14. Scheffler arrived at the final hole likely needing an eagle to have a chance at a playoff. With the wind howling off the Pacific Ocean, Scheffler split the fairway on the par-5 and then stuffed his approach from 186 yards to under three feet. He rolled in the putt to tie the lead and post 20 under.
Relentless.
The gravitational force of unrelenting greatness is hard to escape. On Sunday, Collin Morikawa barely managed to wriggle out of Scheffler’s grasp, playing the final four holes in two under to capture his first win in over 800 days.
For Scheffler, it was a T4 finish after another opening round where he was stuck in neutral. But it was also another example of what McIlroy and others know and feel at every stop in which they tee it up alongside Scottie Scheffler. His name is a fixture on the leaderboard because he wills it to be.
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“I’m very proud of sticking with it, not giving up even when I felt like things were going against me this week. Just kept fighting, kept trying to hit shots, kept trying to execute,” Scheffler said.
Expect the same story next week at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera. At this point, there’s no reason to expect anything different.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Collin Morikawa dreamt about his winning moment. He spent months visualizing it. On a mid-week call with his mental coach, Rick Sessinghaus, he refocused on it. After a Saturday 62, he allowed himself to believe in it.
And then, finally, Morikawa reached the 72nd hole at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the winning moment arrived. A birdie on the last and he would be a PGA Tour champion for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
The only thing standing between the two-time major champion and destiny?
To be fair, Bridgeman wasn’t too worried about his role in the proceedings. At the time he arrived in the 18th fairway on Sunday afternoon, Bridgeman still had an outside shot at a victory himself, needing an eagle and a Morikawa par on the par-5 last to force a three-way playoff.
But then he blew his second shot long of the rocks and onto the beach, and a very unfortunate sequence of events unraveled.
First came a disaster from the beach: a lengthy rules discussion that led to a heavy wedge shot which plunked off the rocks and plunged into the ocean. Then came a second lengthy rules discussion, this time about the legitimacy of a drop from on the other side of the beach, up by the fairway. Then a long walk up to the area of the safe drop. Then, thankfully, an approach shot up to the green that landed on the putting surface. Bridgeman hustled up to the putting surface, but by then the damage was done: Morikawa had been standing in the fairway over his ball — facing a terrifying second shot and needing a birdie to win the golf tournament — for more than 20 minutes.
“I knew what I had to do,” Morikawa said later. “I think I paced all the way to the ocean, like, 10 times at least. I just had to keep moving. You know, it’s weird to say, but these long breaks. I mean, it’s just not good for anyone to stand still.”
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When the intensifying winds at Pebble Beach sent Bridgeman’s ball oscillating around the green, requiring a third rules intercession, the fans at home could do little but laugh. Mercifully, Bridgeman ultimately holed his putt for an adventurous — and time-consuming — bogey. Back in the fairway, it was now, finally, Morikawa’s time.
As he settled his nerves, Morikawa thought back to the dream. To the vision. To the conversation with Sessinghaus. To the belief. He thought about how that vision sounded.
“When I first came out and turned pro, like I didn’t care about honestly making cuts or top-20s, I came out to win,” Morikawa said. “I wanted to come out and win, win the weekend, win the tournament.”
With the tournament resting on one suddenly long-awaited swing, he collected himself, breathed and fired — watching as his ball carried over the famed tree in the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach and landed safely on the edge of the green.
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A simple up-and-down for birdie was secured. The tournament was won. Morikawa could do nothing but bask in his first victory on U.S. soil in five long years — ending the winless streak that had hung over his career for two-and-a-half seasons with a victory at one of America’s most heralded golf courses.
“It’s hard to think that you’re still that same person, just a little bit wiser, a little bit, you know, more mature, but there’s, there’s a lot of hope, and there’s a bright future ahead,” Morikawa said. “I’m going to enjoy this one for sure.”
As Morikawa enjoyed the fulfillment of that vision from off the side of the 18th green, he could not hold back his emotion. His voice wavered.
“When I first turned pro, I just looked too far ahead,” he said. “I think I’m gonna change that perspective and just enjoy this. Shoot, we’re at Pebble Beach right now, so I’m gonna enjoy this one.”
In pursuit of yet another elite-level sprint score, Anthony and Sam Freedman send Tropicus and Point Barrow into the Oakleigh Plate.
This Saturday’s 1100m feature provides the autumn benchmark test at Caulfield for the handicappers, akin to Tentyris who took out last week’s Black Caviar Lightning in similar first-up fashion, a scenario both horses replicate.
Sam Freedman confirmed the sprinters’ preparations have been textbook for the return bout, differing in pattern from their fellow stable runner.
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Point Barrow boasts two recent jump-outs, the freshest at Balnarring January 28 with Jamie Melham in the irons, set to retain the ride at Caulfield for her initial proper hit-out.
“She’s had a great prep so far,” Freedman said.
“She’s ready to run a really good race and just needs a bit of luck.
“She’s a bit like Tentyris, she sits back and has that powerful finish, and hopefully it’s a similar result.”
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Tropicus dominated his opening trial at Mornington last month and followed with a close second on January 22, just shading Tentyris there too.
Suitable for his Caulfield record and the first-up 1100m trip, the Oakleigh Plate appeals strongly for Tropicus, Freedman believes.
He had held command until the closing stages two back in October’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before Giga Kick prevailed.
“He’s got a great Caulfield record, and 1100 metres first-up suits him,” Freedman said.
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“Tactically for him, it’s better as he’ll be on the speed, but I just don’t know what weight he’ll get.
“I thought he might get 52 (kilos) in a normal year, but it looks like he might be up around the 56 mark which will mark it a hard weight for him to carry, but he’ll take luck out of it by being up there.”
Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; The NFL logo at midfield is seen prior to the 2025 NFL Madrid Game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Former NFL offensive lineman Tre’ Johnson, an All-Pro with Washington in 1999, died on Sunday during a family trip, his wife posted on social media. He was 54.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my husband, Tre’ Johnson, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday … during a brief family trip,” Irene Johnson posted on Facebook. “His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock.”
Johnson played for the Washington franchise from 1994-2000 and in his final season in 2002 after one year with the Cleveland Browns (three games, all starts) in 2001. He started 72 of the 93 regular-season games he played and both playoff contests, nearly all at guard.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1999 and voted All-Pro second team by the Associated Press that season.
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We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/6Iak2dhYwk
“We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson,” the Washington Commanders posted on the team’s X account. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Born in New York City, Johnson attended Peekskill (N.Y.) High School before playing at Temple. The Washington Redskins selected him in the second round (31st overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft.
Johnson became a high school history teacher at the Landon School in Bethesda, Md., where he also is listed as a coach and mentor on its website. His wife wrote in Sunday’s Instagram post, “His recent battles with health issues forced him to take a leave of absence.”
Barcelona are still very much in charge of LaLiga’s title race, especially so ahead of a trip to Girona in a match that feels like a classic mismatch poised to showcase their dominance in Spain’s top flight. There are questions that loom large for Barcelona, though, especially with Thursday’s defeat to Atletico Madrid still top of mind.
Hansi Flick’s side return to play for the first time since a startling 4-0 defeat to Atleti in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, one in which Atleti unrelentingly exposed Barcelona’s weaknesses – perhaps because those vulnerabilities have been easy to spot over the course of the season. Barcelona’s defensive shakiness has been a defining feature since Flick took over at the start of the 2024-25 season, a frailty usually overcome by a mighty attack. It is an approach that guided them to the domestic double last season but is not foolproof. It may come as little surprise that a team like Atleti could find a way through Barcelona’s porous defense but there have been openings for a wide range of opponents including Club Brugge, who Barcelona tied 3-3 with in the UEFA Champions League, and Slavia Praha, who kept things nervy despite losing 4-2 in the end.
It perhaps comes as little surprise, then, that Flick’s all gas, no breaks strategy is under scrutiny as Barcelona return to league play on Monday. Players reportedly told Flick that he should adjust his tactical preferences occasionally in the wake of the loss to Atleti, according to The AThletic, especially when the likes of Raphinha and Pedri are unavailable to pitch in from an attacking standpoint. Flick, meanwhile, took issue with the players’ intensity levels during the first half.
How to watch Girona vs. Barcelona, odds
Date: Monday, Feb. 15 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Estadi Montilivi — Girona, Spain
TV: ESPN2 | Live stream: ESPN Select
Odds: Girona +600; Draw +470; Barcelona -290
Monday’s trip to Girona may not provide the answer but as the season progresses, Flick once again faces an existential question about whether or not his preferred style has its limits. The visitors will be the oddsmakers’ favorites to take all three points at Girona, in large part because the opponents have their own defensive woes. Girona have conceded 37 goals so far this season, three fewer than the league’s worst team in that regard, Levante, putting them just two points above the relegation zone heading into Monday’s match. They may like their chances against Barcelona’s chaotic back line but even then, Girona are not known for their goalscoring ability – only four teams have fewer than their 22 goals in LaLiga this season.
It makes for a favorable situation for Barcelona, who need a win to restore their one point lead over Real Madrid atop the table. Again, though, they are likely to be understaffed – Marcus Rashford and Pedri are dealing with injuries that will keep them out of Monday’s match, while there are still question marks around Raphinha’s availability. The Brazil international has not played since a win against Elche on January 31 while dealing with a short-term issue, but he did train Friday and could make a much-waited return on Monday.
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How many minutes he will be able to play is currently unclear, though his importance to the team certainly is not. Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have held down the fort well with 10-plus goals each across all competitions but Raphinha has an oversized impact for Barcelona when he is available. He has 13 goals and five assists in all competitions, a sizable output for someone who has only been able to play 22 games so far this season, almost irreplaceable even though he has spent large chunks of the campaign on the sidelines. Case in point – they have lost just five matches in all competitions this season and Raphinha did not start in any of them, only coming off the bench in one of those matches.
Raphinha’s return will be a welcome one for Flick and company, who will prefer to call upon him as the push for silverware enters its final stages, and serves as a stark reminder that a closely-contested title race could very much be decided by fine margins, something the comeback of an impactful player should be very helpful with.
Collin Morikawa went 45 starts over more than two years to finally win again on the PGA Tour, and he faced a wait that felt just as long on the final hole Sunday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He kept his poise, hit a 4-iron to the collar of the green and made birdie for a one-shot victory.
In a wild final round of wind and lead changes, Morikawa had the right response for Scottie Scheffler‘s bold charge by making two straight birdies down the stretch, and then making the one that mattered the most — after a 20-minute wait — for a 5-under 67.
He won by one shot over Sepp Straka and Min Woo Lee for his first PGA Tour title since the Zozo Championship in Japan in October 2023.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Morikawa began telling friends this week he and his wife are expecting their first child, and winning was “the best way to announce it to the world.”
Scheffler began the final day eight shots behind and was 7 under through seven holes before the wind began whipping. He had three eagles in his round of 63, the last one a 6-iron to 30 inches on the final hole that allowed him to tie Morikawa for the lead.
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He didn’t think it would be enough, and it wasn’t.
Moments later, Morikawa holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th to take the lead. He followed with a 6-iron into 8 feet for another birdie. But a bogey on the par-3 17th — his tee shot was dangerously close to the ocean left of the green — and Lee finishing birdie-birdie for a 65, created another tie.
For all the drama, it was particularly tense on the par-5 18th.
In the group ahead, Jacob Bridgeman needed eagle to have any chance of a playoff and he sent his second shot over the bunker and down to the beach. He finally decided to play off the pebbles and that bounced off the rocks and into the ocean. Then, he moved back to where his ball last crossed the hazard. All the while, Morikawa waited.
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It was 20 minutes from hitting his tee shot to hitting his 4-iron, a wait made longer considering what was at stake and the biting cold of the Pacific wind roaring off the ocean.
“I paced all the way to the ocean 10 times. I just had to keep moving,” Morikawa said. “These long breaks, they’re not good for anyone to stand still. I was able to pull off a great 4-iron, and man, I need a drink.”
(AP)
His 4-iron started over a portion of the water and the wind sent it to the right collar. Morikawa putted that down to a foot. Straka made a 10-foot eagle putt for a 68 before Morikawa tapped in.
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Akshay Bhatia, the 54-hole leader by two shots, made only two birdies over his last 29 holes. He fell out of the lead after four holes and never caught up, closing with a 72 to finish three back.
Scheffler was 10 shots behind after the first day when he shot 72. He was 13 shots back at one point on Friday. He still managed to be a major threat. He wound up in a tie for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood (66), extending his streak to 18 straight PGA Tour starts in the top 10.
“I had to do something special to give myself a chance,” Scheffler said. “The back nine, I felt like I had to get to 21 or 22 (under). I played a bit more aggressive than I normally am. It was a fun day overall. These are the weeks I’m proud of. I felt like I was battling to give myself a chance.”
Among his regrets was a wedge to a back pin on the 15th that was a foot away from spinning back to close range. It hopped hard over the green. He chipped to 6 feet and missed the par putt.
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Morikawa charged his way into the mix with a 62 on Saturday to get within two shots of Bhatia, and he did enough right to stay close — six players had a share of the lead at some point during the final round — until delivering the goods at the end.
The Cal alum won for the seventh time on the PGA Tour since turning pro a week before the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach. Winning at Pebble moves him back into the top 10 in the world.
Ishan Kishan plays a shot during the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan in Colombo. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson delivered a blunt and telling verdict after his side’s crushing 61-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup in Colombo, admitting that one fearless innings had effectively decided the contest long before the chase fell apart. Hesson said Kishan’s aggressive approach and rare form proved the decisive difference in the marquee clash, acknowledging that the opener’s brilliance had dismantled Pakistan’s plans on a challenging surface.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I think he’s fearless. He’s able to score on both sides of the ground. So, he’s not just committed to the leg side. We know he’s incredibly strong there, but he can reverse. So, if you’ve got spin, especially in the power play, it can be a challenge,” Hesson said after the match.
Mike Hesson press conference: ‘Ishan took the game away from us’ after India beat Pakistan
Kishan’s breathtaking 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for seven, but more importantly, it broke the backbone of Pakistan’s spin-heavy strategy on a slow Premadasa Stadium pitch. He attacked the slower bowlers with authority, scoring 66 runs off 37 deliveries against spin and forcing Pakistan’s bowlers out of their comfort zone.Hesson admitted that pressure created by Kishan forced his bowlers away from their strengths and ultimately changed the course of the match. He noted that apart from Kishan and a brief contribution from Shivam Dube, scoring was difficult, underlining just how exceptional the knock was. “That certainly was a standout amongst the whole match, really. The way Kishan played took the game away from us,” Hesson said.
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What factor do you think was the most decisive in India’s victory over Pakistan?
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Pakistan’s problems deepened in the chase as they collapsed for just 114, never recovering after early wickets. The heavy defeat pushed them to third place in Group A, leaving their qualification hopes dependent on beating Namibia in their final league match.Hesson admitted the loss had hit the team hard emotionally, given the magnitude of the fixture. He said the dressing room was deeply disappointed because the players understood how much the match meant. “We know that it’s a huge event — Pakistan against India. We’ve won five games on the bounce, we’re confident, but today we got outplayed,” he said.Despite the setback, Hesson urged his players to stay composed and respond positively. He emphasised that major tournaments often test teams under pressure and that Pakistan’s challenge now was to trust their decision-making and return stronger. He said the key question was how players reacted when put under pressure, whether they stuck to their basics or moved away from them. According to him, improving that response would be crucial in the matches ahead.
Macclesfield owner Rob Smethurst on piecing his life back together and the Silkmen’s stunning FA Cup run
Tom Victor and Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
07:00, 16 Feb 2026
Rob Smethurst’s life looked completely different when he took ownership of Macclesfield FC in 2020.
The entrepreneur was battling alcohol dependency when he spotted the club’s Moss Rose stadium listed on property website Rightmove and saw it as a signal to pursue a takeover. More than five years later, he’s living the dream.
The Silkmen produced a stunning upset againstFA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the third round in what became the competition’s greatest ever giant-killing. They now have an opportunity to surpass that achievement when they welcome Brentford – presently sitting seventh in the Premier League – in the fourth round.
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Under Smethurst’s stewardship, the on-field success has been remarkable. The phoenix club, formed following the demise of Macclesfield Town, has secured consecutive promotions as they get closer to Football League status.
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The transformation has been equally profound for the owner personally. He has now been sober for four years and attributes the decision he took during the Covid-19 pandemic, acquiring the ground and all available assets in October 2020, for helping him rebuild his life.
“I had a drinking addiction with alcohol and I was probably hiding it away from everybody,” said Smethurst, who describes purchasing the club as an impulsive choice following a “four-day mission”.
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“It was a real issue. I was drinking an awful lot and really going down the wrong path. I was partying a lot… I pushed my family away and I was having very, very bad and dark days. That was when I was sat at home and I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something different here because this is going to end badly’.
“I nearly died through alcohol and I thought, ‘I’ve got to step up and try and make a difference’. When I saw it on Rightmove, I thought, ‘I’ve got to try and change my life’, and there was no better thing really than to buy a football club to do that.”
The responsibility of running a football club has given Smethurst a sense of purpose he’s never had before. His time is now devoted to meaningful tasks, such as supporting the first team’s ambitions while managing the club’s daily operations.
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He believes the acquisition has likely rescued him from a fatal trajectory, while simultaneously offering him a platform to support others battling similar demons, whether addiction, mental health struggles or other challenges.
Smethurst emphasises his availability to anyone at the club seeking assistance, highlighting his role not just as owner but also as a supporter and an integral member of a community that has witnessed its local side resurrect itself and simultaneously boost neighbouring enterprises.
“When you suffer with addiction and myself with ADHD, you’re all over the place,” added Smethurst. “Your head’s constantly looking for the next thing and when you’ve got a football club, there are so many things that happen – within the players, within the management, within all the tactical and technical side of the football and the academies and the Btec programmes that we’ve got.
“So it’s really kept me grounded and really sort of massively focused on doing something. When you’re on those dark days, you really do need that direction and purpose to keep you focused.”
Looking ahead to the Brentford game, he has taken on an additional responsibility. Property portal Rightmove has appointed him as their Chief Belief Officer, a role he has embraced wholeheartedly.
“Friends, family come back,” he said. “I think that’s the one thing addiction does for most people, it will always push people away.
“Going back to the Rightmove story, [the message] is that if you believe in yourself and you believe in a purpose, it’s really important to take that journey and have a go and don’t be scared of moving forward in life.
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“Too many people are afraid to make that next step or they’re too afraid to make a difference, or they might be in a dark place and don’t know how to get out of that.
“So being this Chief Belief Officer for Rightmove, that goes a little bit deeper than just buying a property. It’s actually believing in yourself.”
On the pitch, Macclesfield have been experiencing a dream run that has exceeded even their owner’s wildest expectations. The club has already accumulated nearly £800,000 through prize money and broadcasting revenue, following last season’s progression to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and this year’s remarkable journey to the fourth round proper.
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That windfall is being ploughed back into the club as they pursue their ambitions of climbing through the divisions. John Rooney has taken charge in the dugout following Robbie Savage’s departure for Forest Green. The 35-year-old younger sibling of former England captain Wayne has presided over a magical cup campaign.
Brentford will arrive fresh from a draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal and Smethurst confesses he’s “scared to death” of Keith Andrews’ team but is dreaming of another shock.
“Who knows what’s going to happen but the reality of it is we’ve won our World Cup already,” he said. “So whatever happens in the next round, the boys will go out there, they’ll have fun and I think that that’s all we can ask for is do your best. And if we lose 15, 20-0, who cares? It’s been great fun.”
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And what if they manage to pull off the unexpected victory? He said: “I promised the lads that we’d go to Ibiza and that might be upgraded to Vegas. Who knows what will happen?
“But I think no matter what happens, we’ve achieved the impossible, we’re against all odds and, if we can do the David and Goliath story again, one more time, then the celebrations will go into the late morning and for weeks to come.”
If you have been affected by this story, contact We Are With You, a charity that offers free, confidential support to people in England and Scotland who have challenges with drugs, alcohol or mental health.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1100012546-scaled-400x240.jpg)
![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1100012546-scaled-80x80.jpg)
