After multiple delays due to storms, the final match came down to Talley and No.1 seed 17-year-old Anna Iwanaga. Talley ended up victorious, winning 8&6 over Iwanaga in the 36-hole final match with nine birdies and an eagle. If you listen to our Fully Equipped Podcast, you’ll often hear us say that the women’s game has more relatable equipment to the average golfer, so let’s see what we can learn from Talley’s winning TaylorMade setup.
The good news for the guys? This is probably one of the more “crafty” women’s setups I’ve seen. It’s a fun bag.
Club Grips: Golf Pride CPX JUMBO (woods), Golf Pride CP2 Pro JUMBO (irons), Golf Pride CP2 Wrap JUMBO (wedges)
Yup.Jumbo. On all her clubs. I had a chance to hang out with Asterisk for a little bit on the range at Whirlwind Golf Club earlier this year, and it was the first thing I noticed too. I asked her about it, and she had a pretty simple answer for me.
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“I was playing with my dad one day and I hit a really nice shot with one of his irons, so I’ve gripped my clubs that way since then.”
Fair enough.
Asterisk Talley stares down a drive enroute to winning the 2026 Women’s Amateur Championship.
It seems like the TaylorMade Qi4D driver has become the overwhelmingly popular choice for TaylorMade players in 2026, and with the driver now promised to be in the line through 2027, it’s fun to see players so dialed into their gear and imagining what that groove is going to look like moving into 2027.
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This “core” model from TaylorMade has four adjustable weights, allowing a fitter to really dial in spin and launch characteristics for a player. Asterisk plays 8g weights in the dual rear positions and 7g weights in the dual front positions. This fairly neutral weight setup gives her just enough forgiveness while making sure that she’s in control of the ball flight off the tee. She plays the adapter one click towards lower, presumably for the driver to sit the way she wants.
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TaylorMade fairway woods are fantastic. Both GOLF’s Director of Gear Johnny Wunder and I have publicly stated that they’re the best at what they do. TaylorMade fairway woods tend to be a “fit-killer” at other brands or even throughout years of trial and error to replace one that’s been in the bag for some time.
Their secret is the perfect mixture of launch, speed and spin. TaylorMade fairways are notoriously on the lower-spinning side, which can usually spell disaster for a fairway wood but not when you add ease of launch to the mix. The Qi4D (core) model specifically has found itself in a great sweet spot and has been used to lure players away from “old faithful” options in lots of high-level bags this year. That confidence in launch and speed can really help an amateur player understand what the ball is going to do, which can result in a big boost of confidence.
Hitting a fairway wood isn’t an easy task. It’s probably the biggest struggle that I see from the average golfer on the weekend. Finding the right one for your game can be a massive win for the bag and can help set up the rest of the bag with more creativity, knowing that you’ve got that long approach into Par-5s locked down. It’s a very freeing aspect of the bag to feel comfortable standing over. Talley was no stranger to that confidence this week.
Even with a setup like Talley’s that leans more into the irons than some other high-level female golfers, she’s still got a trust hybrid in the bag. The Qi4D Rescue was one of the more impressive hybrids/rescues that we tested this year, and it’s not shocking to see it acting as the 3-iron segment in the bag. She’s also playing a 75g shaft, relatively lightweight compared to what we might “think” needs to be in our hybrids. Take the 3-iron out of the bag, gentlemen. Asterisk is going to beat us 10/10 times, so maybe we join her on the more forgiving side of the world with some hybrids.
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Asterisk Talley pures her TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood off the deck.
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Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4&5), TaylorMade P7MC (6-PW) w/ KBS TGI 100 Graphite Iron Shafts
I’m not traditionally a fan of combo sets, but I’m not going to argue with the effectiveness of this set in Asterisk’s hands this week.
Players like Asterisk will build combo sets to help ensure proper gapping and ball flight throughout the set. The P770 is going to provide a bit more ball speed than the P7MC does, and that ball speed will typically be married up with more launch to make sure the ball hits her cover numbers in the higher end of the bag. Coming down the stretch with long approaches into Par-4s or trying to get aggressive on a Par-5 can be diminishing to confidence if you can’t stand over the ball knowing you’ve got the right gear in your hands.
Based on these wear marks, she’s got all the confidence in the world that she’s going to stripe it.
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Asterisk uses TaylorMade’s faster and more forgiving P770 at the top end of the bag.
TaylorMade Golf
She finishes the iron set with the underdog iron of the P-Series family from TaylorMade, the P7MC.
The MC doesn’t get a ton of attention, as it’s a very niche iron with more traditional characteristics, but what it’s really good at is staying out of the ground. The P7MC has a bit more bounce than something like the more popular P7CB, but it retains a more narrow sole that players like to get creative with. Asterisk has been made famous for her ball flight control throughout the entire bag, and the irons are no different in her hands.
She pairs her irons with the KBS TGI 100 graphite iron shafts, which are designed to help encourage a touch more launch and spin for a player over something more traditional like a standard Dynamic Gold S400 or Nippon Modus series shaft. The switch to graphite in the irons has been a more popular choice for the female side of the game, mostly due to the weight availability of graphite parts, but the performance has definitely caught up as well. If you haven’t given graphite shafts a good test lately, you’d be surprised to see how many options there are on the market now, and how they can really change the feel and performance of your iron play.
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To establish more control over the golf ball Talley plays the more demanding TaylorMade P7MC irons in the low end of the bag.
TaylorMade Golf
I’d also like to make sure we give some major nods to Asterisk (and her club builder) for the inclusion of some BB&FCO ferrules. Love to see it.
For the short game, Talley chooses a full arsenal of TaylorMade MG5 wedges gapped from her 47º P7MC pitching wedge. The TaylorMade MG5 wedge has been well received by golf media this year for its redefined shape and beautiful forged feel off the face. TaylorMade has done something special with these wedges this year, and players have taken notice. There’s a handful of free-agents on the PGA Tour using the MG5 this year, including Ben Griffin, and winning the U.S. Women’s Am just adds another tick to the list of wins for the MG5 at high-level events across the sport this year. Talley chooses the RAW finish for her wedges.
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CHARCOAL FINISH
MG5 debuts a sleek, sophisticated charcoal finish that reduces glare and enhances its aesthetic appeal in the bag.
The winning putt of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur was dropped with a TaylorMade Spider Tour V. This is a new shape for TaylorMade this year, and came from direct testing with high-level players on all tours. The mid-mallet shape is preferred by players who may enjoy the roll and performance of a TaylorMade Spider but aren’t looking for something as big as a full-size mallet.
Asterisk Talley’s winning flat stick, the TaylorMade Spider Tour V.
TaylorMade Golf
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Having a smaller shape can lead to feeling a bit more in control of the club, something you may have noticed is a theme in Asterisk’s equipment. Even though the weather tried its best to ruin it, the greens at The Honors Course stayed quick the entire week, and being in control of her putter is part of what propelled her to the eventual victory Sunday afternoon.
Just like the standard Spider Tour or Tour X shapes, the Spider Tour V has a Pureroll insert that gets the ball rolling end over end smoothly and efficiently. The insert has a mild feel at impact, so lots of amateur players will say it has a great combination of feel, speed and sound. The Pureroll insert can inspire a lot of confidence in a player, and having the right shape to match up to what the eyes want to see is part of why the 2026 expansion of the Spider lineup has been so well received.
Asterisk plays a special tour-only slant neck version of the putter with a short line up top to match up with her TP5x ball alignment.
The moment Talley knew she won the 2026 USGA US Women’s Amateur Championship with her TaylorMade Spider Tour V in hand.
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Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (with personal markings)
Talley plays the higher-launching, lower-spinning golf ball from the folks over at TaylorMade. She has her own unique markings for the golf ball too. Asterisk in Greek means “Little Star.” When Asterisk writes her name, she marks the dot in the “i” with an asterisk mark (*), and that’s how she marks her golf ball as well.
Asterisk Talley marks her TP5x golf balls with a special symbol.
TaylorMade Golf
TaylorMade Tour Rep Connor Sullivan also provided some context for the golf ball put in play by Talley.
“Peak height was something we looked at closely when testing TP5x with Asterisk. She was able to produce a higher apex allowing the ball land into greens at a slightly steeper angle. This allows her to manage her distances easier and be more aggressive — especially into courses with firmer greens.”
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This is big for the everyday amateur, especially on the men’s side. Hit the ball higher. We should all aspire to hit the ball higher. Most golfers I meet hit the ball too low. Stopping power from gravity is a powerful trait to have. Let your equipment make that more achievable!
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Congrats to Asterisk Talley on her win at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Asterisk’s bag is a fun one to talk about because while the TaylorMade staff supervises it, it’s also 100% owned by her. She knows what gear she needs to bring home the trophies, and I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing her hoist many more in the future, starting in college at Stanford and then, eventually, the LPGA.
The 2027 NHL scouting season has officially launched.
Several prospects made an impression at last week’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an annual under-18 tournament that was hosted in Edmonton by Team Canada. The competition will return to Czechia and Slovakia next summer, with future host cities still to be determined. Canada won gold after routing the U.S. 8-1 in the gold-medal game on Saturday night, while Finland downed Slovakia to take the bronze.
It’s early in my process, but several prospects caught mine and colleague Sam Cosentino’s attention. With an eye towards next June’s draft, here are some quick notes on players who stood out:
DuPont captained Canada to gold. He was deployed in key offensive- and defensive-zone scenarios, competed physically, executed at an elite level with the puck and ended the tournament with two goals and six assists (including four helpers in the gold-medal game).
DuPont, in my opinion, is a complete player and a future top-pairing NHL defenceman. He doesn’t just produce offence — he’s a fantastic skater who never backs down in the hard areas of the ice, net front and along the boards. He reminds me, in many ways, of a young Drew Doughty.
England plays with pace, skill and tenacity. His quick release, and overall puck skill in small areas, was on full display in Edmonton. He ended the tournament with five points (four goals, one assist) and appears poised to have a very productive year with the Thunderbirds. England has the hockey sense and commitment to be deployed in all situations if required and projects as a top-six NHL forward.
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Jaakko Wycisk – six-foot-one, 204 pounds – Right Shot Center – Guelph Storm (OHL)
Wycisk was outstanding for Canada as his combination of skating ability, skill and overall physical presence stood out throughout the tournament. Wycisk’s power along the boards and in front of the opponent’s net makes him extremely difficult to defend and opens up space for his linemates. He tied teammate Maddox Schultz for the scoring title with two goals and eight assists for the Canadians and currently projects as a first-round prospect.
Brock Cripps – five-foot-11, 166 pounds – right-shot defenceman – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
NHL teams covet right-shot defencemen, especially elite skaters and playmakers who project as potential power-play quarterbacks — and Cripps fits the description. He’s currently undersized and will need time to add more weight to his frame, but his quickness and hockey sense already stand out and lead to Cripps winning pucks and launching the attack. He produced one goal and five assists and projects as a two-way/transitional defenceman with top-four potential.
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Kayden Stroeder – six feet, 165 pounds – left-shot centre – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Stroeder was playing on home ice in Edmonton and stood out for a variety of reasons. He contributed offence (four goals, five assists), but it was his relentless compete level that stood out for me. Stroeder battled for possession and drove to the net off the flank. He played with pace, was reliable defensively, and won most of his shifts throughout the tournament.
Cooper McAslan – six-foot-two, 195 pounds – right-shot defenceman – London Knights (OHL)
I could have written about almost every Canadian player for this piece, and their time will come between now and next June, but London Knights defenceman Cooper McAslan is a prospect who deserves recognition to start the season.
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McAslan spent most of last year playing for London’s Junior “B” affiliate, the London Nationals, and only suited up for four games with the Knights. He contributed 10 goals and 37 assists in 45 combined regular season and playoff games with the Nationals. McAslan is long and rangy, a solid skater with well-above-average puck skill. He was generally used in a depth role for Canada, but did contribute three assists. I feel like McAslan is just scratching the surface of his potential and should compete for significant minutes with the Knights this season.
Johnsson is another intriguing and undersized right-shot defender. He’s an outstanding skater who has the ability to track down pucks in his zone and launch the attack on his own or outlet the puck and join the rush as an extra attacker. He quarterbacks the power play and competes defensively. The Swedes were underwhelming overall at this tournament but Johnsson stood out for long stretches, contributing one goal and two assists.
Milan Sundstrom – six-foot-two, 207 pounds – left-shot centre – Modo J20 (Sweden)
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Sundstrom is a pre-season top-five prospect who projects as a top-line NHL forward with significant offensive upside. He produced six points (two goals, four assists) for the Swedes and was their most consistent offensive threat. There were times his shift length was too long, leaving him exhausted and cutting some corners defensively, but he left me with a positive impression overall.
Neuenschwander played to his identity in Edmonton and appears prepared for a big season in his draft year. He’s the kind of prospect who has to be dissected shift-to-shift with a sense of reality in relation to the team around him. The Swiss lack depth at the top of their lineup, but Neuenschwander ended the tournament with three goals and three assists while having to compete against opponents’ top lines and defensive pairings every shift. He’s another prospect whose combination of size, skill, pace and elite shooting ability stands out.
Santala is making his way to North America to play in the OHL for the Knights and projects as a prospect who leans more shooter than distributor. He’s aggressive directing pucks on net and has the size to create issues for defenders who attempt to push him off pucks. One area of Santala’s game I’m monitoring is his overall pace, as he has the ability to play fast but seems to pick his spots at times. Santala produced two goals and four assists.
Burcar was fantastic for Team USA as the Spokane Chiefs centre dominated offensively (five goals, four assists) and, like Santala, was aggressive directing pucks on net. He shoots the puck a ton, but what stood out was the way he stationed himself around the net and walked to open space after winning plays off the boards.
I’m pretty sure Cosentino grew tired of me pointing out all of the positive things Mares was doing for Czechia on a shift-to-shift basis. He’s a hulking centre who plays a straightforward power game. When he wins offensive zone draws, he heads to the crease to set screens and hound for tips and rebounds. Mares was selected by Rimouski in the first round (fifth overall) in the CHL import draft. He contributed three goals and three assists in Edmonton and has my full attention heading into the fall.
It would be irresponsible of me to end my piece without acknowledging the under-age prospects (2028 draft eligible) who had significant impact at the tournament:
Maddox Schultz – five-foot-10, 183 pounds – left-shot centre – Regina Pats (WHL)
Schultz was outstanding for Canada. He contributed three goals and seven assists, but it was his complete game that impressed me most. Schultz doesn’t cut corners. He competes in all three zones and isn’t shy to battle in traffic. He’s trending towards being the top prospect for the 2028 draft.
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Liam Pue – six feet, 188 pounds – right-shot winger – Regina Pats (WHL)
Pue also plays in Regina and he has undeniable synergy skating alongside Schultz. He owns a lethal release — if he identifies a lane to the net, no matter how small, he has the ability to rip pucks in the blink of an eye. Pue produced six goals and three assists for Team Canada.
Joey’s brother, Wyatt, was selected by the Nashville Predators 10th overall in June and Joey appears to have the same upside. He’s dynamic with the puck on his stick and plays with a confident swagger that produced three goals and two assists for Team USA.
Manchester United have more work to do in the transfer market after spending more than £80m on new arrivals
Michael Carrick and Manchester United are preparing for close to a full complement of players as they prepare to round off their pre-season campaign. How many of those players are still there at the start of the season is a different matter, though.
With less than two weeks to go until the league opener at Hull, the two biggest additions have been in midfield. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos both joined for sizeable fees but another new face could follow after Casemiro’s exit and Manuel Ugarte’s injury.
Manchester United and Liverpool have joined the race for Senegal star Lamine Camara, according to Foot Mercato. Crystal Palace are also keen on the 22-year-old, who has been of interest to English clubs for a while.
Monaco are understood to be seeking £43m for the player, who has previously been mentioned in connection with a Chelsea move. Camara progressed through the famed Generation Foot academy and also represented Metz before moving to his current club.
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Manchester United have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27 season, inspired by the club’s heritage and featuring a classic polo collar with iconic adidas details.
The midfielder was also a key part of Senegal’s World Cup 2026 squad. He appeared in all four games as they made it out of their group but were knocked out by Belgium in the round of 32.
Rashford situation remains fluid
Marcus Rashford is back in the Manchester United camp, with Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez also returning after deep World Cup runs. MEN Sport understands the most likely outcome is Rashford being reintegrated at Old Trafford for the new season, though a buyer could yet emerge.
Barcelona held an option to secure the forward for £26m at the conclusion of their loan arrangement but allowed it to lapse. A comparable bid from another club could still be sufficient to acquire Rashford, though none has been forthcoming so far.
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“We have got a full squad this week in Dublin,” Carrick said. “We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together.
“Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie and Lisandro. We look forward to seeing them.”
FILE – Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don Nelson speaks during a press conference before Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, June 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips, File)
Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.
Nelson’s family confirmed the death in a statement that did not say where he died or provide a cause.
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“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the statement said. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson:
“Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction. He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA –… pic.twitter.com/Fy9pOYTE0h
Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.
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Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.
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“The league really hadn’t seen an offense like the one we were running, and the results were undeniable,” Nelson wrote in 2016 in The Players’ Tribune.
Nelson said that “without Red Auerbach teaching me the mechanics of running the fast break, none of it would have been possible. He deserves all the credit for Nellie Ball, and for how fast the game of basketball is played today.”
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Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons in Boston and was on five Celtics championship teams under four different coaches. He became an assistant coach in Milwaukee after retiring as a player, then took over after coach Larry Costello resigned 18 games into the 1976-77 season. Nelson coached the Bucks for 11 seasons starting in 1976 and won seven straight division titles.
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In Nelson’s second season, Milwaukee overcame a 29-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Atlanta 117-115 in regulation.
“I coached the team as though I was still playing for the Celtics, while implementing a few of my own strategies,” Nelson wrote. “I knew I wanted to play unconventional basketball and use speed to my advantage.”
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His fast-paced offenses were probably best on display with Golden State in the “Run TMC” era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted them on the court at the same time.
Nelson spent 11 seasons over two stints with Golden State. The first one was punctuated by a rift with rookie star Chris Webber, who was traded away a month into his second season. Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995.
In between, Nelson was fired after less than one season in New York in 1995-96, then coached in Dallas for eight seasons, missing 21 games with the Mavericks starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery.
A basketball innovator. A Mavericks legend. An impact that will never be forgotten.
We mourn the passing of former Mavericks head coach Don Nelson and celebrate a life that left an incredible mark on our franchise and the game of basketball.
Nelson’s son, Donnie, joined his father as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 1998, later became general manager and remained with the organization until 2021. Together they persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Don Nelson also developed Steve Nash into one of the NBA’s top point guards before Nash went on to win back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.
“Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today,” current Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game.”
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At Golden State, Nelson’s “We Believe” Warriors led by Baron Davis upset Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs in one of the biggest shockers in NBA history. In his final season as a coach, Nelson mentored rookie Stephen Curry in 2009-10.
“One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson. The story is he never liked rookies, but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court,” Curry said in a statement released by the Warriors. “He taught me a lot during our one season together and I’ll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him. He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game.”
Davis added: “When I think of Nellie, I’ll always think of the ‘We Believe’ team and our incredible run in 2007. He understood what made us go and made us believe we could beat anybody, ultimately helping us make history as the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series. That time in my life and career was truly special, and Nellie was a huge part of making it possible.”
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Nelson retired as the NBA’s career coaching wins leader with 1,335, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before close friend and now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022.
Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Nelson wore a pair of Doncic’s signature Jordan Brand sneakers to the awards ceremony. He called the trade a “tremendous mistake.”
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Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson attended high school in Rock Island, Illinois, and averaged a double-double in college at Iowa. He spent his retirement years living on the Hawaiian island of Maui and owned several short-term rentals on the island.
Keely Hodgkinson returns to competition at the European Athletics Championships in an unusual position. After breaking the world indoor record over 800m in March, it looked as though the world was at her feet. But the Paris Olympic champion has had a distinctly stop-start outdoor season, troubled by a “freak” injury and dogged by bad luck, and has been beaten resoundingly, twice, by Switzerland’s breakout star Audrey Werro, the fastest woman in the world this year.
With that in mind, does she still believe she is the best in the world, going into a major championships on home soil? On a video call with The Independent and other outlets, she smiles confidently as she says: “Yes, I still believe I’m very much capable of that.
“This is what I trained for, this is the exciting moment. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now, had lots of people come around and challenge me, and I’ve always been there. I’m proud to have always been in that top segment, I’ve medalled at every single championships. So it’s really great to have the women’s 800 in the spotlight and everyone getting behind us and wanting us to run fast, it’s really exciting.”
The 24-year-old’s outdoor woes began when she fell in training onto a metal grate that left her with cuts to her knees before the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, where she lost to world champion Lilian Odira. She suffered surprise back-to-back defeats and withdrew in tears from the British national championships earlier this summer, moments before the 400m final, after tweaking her hamstring.
Now she is relaxed about the fall; her knees have healed – “I’ve got some fat scars, but they’re all fine” – and the incident didn’t cause her to miss any training. “It was like, how much pain can I manage? Against these girls, if you’re limping and your back’s out, all these little fine margins can affect your performance.
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Hodgkinson returned to winning ways at the London Diamond League last month (Getty)
“I just fell over, it’s a freak accident, who cares? I think people are very quick to judge and don’t really fully know what has happened. I wanted to run, I was there, I flew all the way out. Maybe in hindsight I probably shouldn’t have, but, I was there, I just thought, why not?”
Switzerland’s Werro has been the surprise package of the season and is the outright favourite after running the fastest times in the world this year. She won the Diamond League in Stockholm in one minute 53.98 seconds – the third fastest women’s 800m ever and the quickest this year – to leave Hodgkinson a distant second, even with a new personal best and British record time of 1:54.33.
Hodgkinson reflected on that race, saying: “I didn’t know what she was capable of at that point, and I think that just shows you that you can’t underestimate anybody. If you look at all our other head-to-heads, you wouldn’t have thought she was going to hang on. I don’t think I did anything wrong – I think people were trying to make me feel like it was a failure and it really wasn’t. That was a British record, it was my fastest time ever, and I’m going to remind myself of that because I’m proud of that.”
It has been a stop-start season for the Brit who withdrew from the national championships in tears (PA Wire)
Hodgkinson has become used to being the athlete to beat throughout her young career, a generational talent who wins with ease. This year she has been on the back foot. With Femke Broeders-Bol – having converted her brilliance in her normal discipline of 400m hurdles to the 800m – also a potent force, the 800 is set to be the race of the championships, but it may not go all Hodgkinson’s way.
She is taking a relaxed approach to that. “I’ve obviously got a lot of experience, and experience can be both a positive and a negative thing. Sometimes you overthink more because it’s like, I’ve done it this way, I’ve done it this way. So I just like to go back to basics, like when I was young, upcoming, I didn’t care. I had nothing to lose and I think it’s important for me that I hold on to that and I just race with courage and fearlessness and I think that’s how I’ll get the best out of myself.”
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Of the strength of her competition, she says: “I think it definitely just helps motivation-wise. This is what I love about championships. I’ve gone into them ranked eighth in the Olympics in Tokyo, came out with a silver; I’ve gone in as favourite and not won. I think it’s like a bit of a clean slate.
“The standard now in Europe has gone up [over the last few years], so I think the heats, the semis are going to be a lot faster than what we’ve seen in the last couple of years. It does mean you’ve got to bring your A game a bit sooner. But I think that’s a bit better for me because I like to line up and feel like, you know, this matters, I’m gonna have to run fast, I’ve got these girls to run against. I think it’s really exciting, the levels that we have.”
She was part of a trio of British success stories at the world indoor championships in Poland (Getty)
She had initially pencilled in the London Diamond League for an attempt at breaking the infamous world outdoor record, having smashed the world indoor record in March. But it now looks as though Werro, who became the first woman since the controversial Jarmila Kratochvilova to run under 1:54 – twice – in Paris and Stockholm this year, is the best placed to finally topple the Czech’s mark of 1:53.28, which has stood since 1983.
Hunter Bell and Hodgkinson are training partners and close friends, but the 32-year-old has spoken openly about her desire to double up, racing both the 800m and 1,500m, in future championships, adding yet another rivalry to the 800m field and another dynamic to negotiate for coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows.
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Training partners and rivals Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell will not compete over the same distance in Birmingham (PA Wire)
Asked whether she would relish the challenge of having another rival over 800m, Hodgkinson says: “If Georgia wants to do that, that doesn’t really affect me. I think it’d be great. Obviously we train together, we push each other really hard, we’re both in really good shape. When we plan our races, I sit down with Trevor and plan mine, she does hers and whatever she feels like she wants to do.
“I think with there being three championships [UK nationals, Commonwealths and Europeans] and her being decisive between the two events, she’s just done what is best for her. But I’m sure there’ll be a time this season that we do match up and it’ll be a good race.”
Tom Dabernig plans to step up the training of exciting sprinter Oliveanotherday, a gelding, with an upcoming jump-out at Casterton.
This Monday’s appearance at Casterton will be Oliveanotherday’s first public run since securing victory in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) during Warrnambool’s three-day carnival in May.
Oliveanotherday has a strong record, winning five of his seven starts, and Dabernig revealed that some interest has been shown by The Everest slot holders regarding the sprinter.
However, Dabernig indicated that there are many factors to consider before a start is confirmed, and the Warrnambool-based horseman wants to assess the gelding’s condition upon his return.
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“He’s ready for a jump out on Monday and then we’ll probably jump out at Caulfield Heath on the 19th with a likely kick-off on the 29th at Caulfield,” Dabernig stated.
Dabernig added that the cold and wet winter weather was not conducive to preparing horses for racing, and Monday’s jump-out is a significant step towards that goal.
“Even through my Lindsay Park days, getting the spring horses ready out of winter is, I find, not as easy as going from spring to autumn,” Dabernig explained.
“In summer, with the warm weather, they seem to carry a bit more residual fitness.
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“He’s come back really well, but with the wet tracks everywhere, and while you never miss any work, you’re only going along at about 80 per cent because you don’t want to overdo it on the testing ground.
“He will get benefit from a trip on the truck and in all honesty, he went out extremely fit and when he went out, he only had a month in the paddock.
“Technically, he should come to hand quickly, but he’s a horse that I have never pushed.
“Some horses you push to be where they need to be, but this horse, I have let him do it naturally and I haven’t felt the need to work him too hard too often, but there might come a stage when we have to.
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“I want him to improve into the spring, not come out all guns blazing first-up and then peter-out, which some spring horses can do.”
While interest from The Everest has been noted for Oliveanotherday, Dabernig stated his intention to set aside those thoughts and focus on the sprinter’s immediate form after his spell.
“I’m just concentrating on one run at a time and if it goes that way, we’ll embrace it and try and do the best we can,” Dabernig said.
Although Oliveanotherday is still a few weeks from his racing comeback, his stablemate Shadhavar is scheduled to resume in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
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Dabernig, who prepared Cavalry Girl to victory at Caulfield Heath on Saturday, is anticipating Shadhavar’s return.
Shadhavar remained unbeaten in two starts last preparation, winning at Murray Bridge first-up and then in Listed grade at Morphettville.
“We were thinking of going back for the Robert Sangster Stakes, but we thought with the spring and three Adelaide trips, all in the one prep, it might have been a bit too much,” Dabernig mentioned.
“She seems to be going well, has a good Caulfield record and hopefully she can run well.”
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Oliveanotherday is slated to begin his campaign at Caulfield on the 29th. Consider placing bets with online bookmakers.
Hall of Famer Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, has died at the age of 86. His family announced the passing of the five-time champion as a player on Sunday, though they did not disclose the manner of death.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the Nelson family statement read. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Nelson retired in 2010 as the all-time leader with 1,335 regular-season coaching victories, a record later surpassed by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (1,390). His distinctive fast-paced style, utilizing smaller athletic players, became famously known as “Nellie Ball.”
Nelson retired in 2010 as the all-time leader with 1,335 regular-season coaching victories (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
The three-time Coach of the Year didn’t win any NBA titles during his 31-year overall tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks (1976-87), Golden State Warriors (1988-95, 2006-10), New York Knicks (1995-96) and Dallas Mavericks (1997-2005). But he put together 13 seasons of 50 or more wins, twice reaching 60 (once with the Bucks, once with the Mavericks).
“[Nelson] was a true basketball visionary who saw the game differently and was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking,” the Warriors said in a statement. “His approach helped shape the game and paved the way for generations of players and coaches who followed.
“More than anything, Don Nelson will be remembered for his authenticity, larger-than-life personality, and incredible passion for basketball, and his influence on the Warriors franchise will endure for years to come.”
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He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2012.
As a player, Nelson won five NBA titles during 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics.
He initially reached the NBA with the Chicago Zephyrs (1962-63) after being the No. 3 overall pick. He then spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining behind a loaded Boston starting five and was one of seven Boston players to average double digits in scoring in 1967-68. He averaged a career best 15.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 1969-70.
In 134 career playoff games, Nelson averaged 11.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. The Celtics retired his No. 19 jersey in 1978.
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“Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA – winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history. He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations.
“I send my deepest condolences to Don’s family and many friends throughout our league.”
In college, Nelson averaged 21.1 points and 10.9 rebounds in 72 games over three seasons at Iowa.
Nelson won the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his overall contributions to basketball.
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — As LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil walked the final few holes with the last group on a sweltering Sunday at Trump Bedminster, he had an inside-the-ropes special guest at his side: Ted Goldthorpe, the head of BC Partners Credit, which manages more than $10 billion globally across more than 300 investments. One of the latest companies Goldthorpe’s team reportedly has been kicking the tires on: yep, LIV Golf, which on Wednesday announced it had come to terms with an unnamed investor that will “carry and fund” the beleaguered league into 2027 and beyond.
LIV has not officially acknowledged BC Partners as its would-be funder, or lender. That news came to light via Bloomberg and the Financial Times, the latter of which reported that the deal will be consummated only if BC Partners and other possible investors receive assurances that enough of LIV’s A-listers will hang around beyond this season. Adding intrigue to the dealmaking is the fact that BC Partners is a lender to GSE Worldwide, the sports and entertainment marketing agency that represents LIV’s biggest star, Bryson DeChambeau, along with Joaquin Niemann, the 27-year-old Chilean who won his ninth LIV title here Sunday, with a three-shot win over Harold Varner. GSE said in a statement earlier this week that it had no involvement with BC Partners’ “potential financing transaction involving LIV Golf,” nor, the agency said, was it aware of any discussions happening between the two parties.
When I asked DeChambeau in a Sunday-evening press conference (his Crushers won the team competition) whether he had any advance notice of the reported BC deal, he said, “I don’t know the mechanics of the conversations between the investor and GSE. What I can tell you is that the investor, from the conversations I’ve had, has a new and fresh vision on this product. It won’t be changing too much, but it’ll be changing in the right ways.
“He sees the vision. He wants to pursue it even more than what we’ve previously done, and he’s excited, from what I can tell. I think, again, if we’re able to get the players all aligned, which I feel like it’ll happen in some capacity, I think it’ll happen, this is going to be a product that will be a force for good in the game, in the ecosystem.”
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Still unclear, though, is whether BC Partners and Goldthorpe will, in fact, finalize the deal and help see that vision through.
— — — —
GOLDTHORPE ISN’T NEW to decision making in the sports world, and not just because his firm has a stake in Riddell, the NFL’s leading helmet supplier. Goldthorpe sits on the advisory board for the Brampton Honey Badgers, a Toronto-area team that plays in the Canadian Elite Basketball league, and also holds board seats with both the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Lacrosse Canada. The Pine Valley shirt he was sporting Sunday also suggests he knows his way around a grill room.
The group Goldthorpe followed at Bedminster — Niemann, Harold Varner and Lee Westwood — was a microcosm of what the league currently offers, in terms of its stable of contracted players: a young star with reach into international markets (Niemann); a mid-career player with nearly $10 million in PGA Tour earnings but, should he need it or want it, no clear path back to the Tour (Varner); and a past-his-prime former world No. 1 (Westwood).
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As Goldthorpe paced the property with O’Neil, he also got a taste for the LIV tournament experience: pulsating music; corporate hospitality that is more night club than country club; and, on this Sunday, an appearance by the President of the United States. President Trump addressed a large group in player dining before the final round Sunday, lavishing praise on Gary Player, who also was in the room. Later in the day, as Niemann’s group was readying to play their approaches into the 18th green, the unmistakable sound of helicopters interrupted play — and not just any helicopters, the president’s, one of which buzzed up the left side of the hole before landing behind the corporate suite behind the 18th green. The players stared up at the choppers. So, too, did Goldthorpe, who pulled out his phone to document the moment.
After Niemann put the finishing touches on his round and champagne had covered the podium, Goldthorpe described his day as “great” but otherwise declined an interview request. In fairness, he was busy — pressing flesh with the newly minted champion, saying hello to DeChambeau and otherwise keeping up with O’Neil as he diligently worked his way through post-tournament duties. After DeChambeau’s victorious Crushers chatted with the president for several minutes by the clubhouse (DeChambeau, who finished in 38th place at seven over, told Trump how hard his golf course is), Goldthorpe joined a procession of players, managers, media and Trump’s son, Eric, and his family as it ascended a hillside near the 18th green, the top of which served as the setting for the trophy ceremony.
As that revelry was underway, the elder Trump was on his way. As his helicopter buzzed over the podium, Eric and DeChambeau looked up. Eric waved; DeChambeau flashed a thumbs-up.
Wild scene. Trump’s ride home halted play for full minute or so here on 18, with final group waiting to play their approaches pic.twitter.com/dt2VptpclW
THE SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC SCENE was a fitting bookend to a somewhat chaotic week. On Tuesday, LIV players met for 90 minutes in a closed-door session at the club, to discuss the news most of them had just learned: their league seemed to have a lifeline, or at least the beginning of one. As they filed out of the session, though, most of the players declined to engage with a small pool of reporters who were awaiting them. The few who did said DeChambeau led the session and that the vibes generally were “positive,” but few other details surfaced, including whether LIV’s season-capping team championship, scheduled for Michigan next month, will be played. (The build-out for the tournament, at The Cardinal at Saint John’s, has not begun, and the event has been pulled from Fox Sports’ broadcast schedule.)
On Wednesday morning, O’Neil addressed the media in a hastily arranged press conference. In his opening remarks, he said that LIV had signed a term sheet with a “lead investor” but said little else before taking questions from reporters who, with so little intel, seemed unsure what to even ask.
One of the questions that O’Neil fielded: Was LIV’s former backer, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, aware of the potential deal? “The PIF has been a tremendous steward of this business, and I would just point you to the announcement they made,” O’Neil said, referring to the statement the PIF issued in April that said in part, “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy.” O’Neil continued, “I don’t speak for them, and they don’t speak to you through me for sure.”
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Understandably, then, eyebrows were cocked when the PIF’s governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, made an appearance at Trump Bedminster this weekend, representing what is thought to be the first time he’s attended a LIV event since the season opener in Riyadh. DeChambeau said he and his fellow players learned Saturday night that Al-Rumayyan would be on property. When I asked DeChambeau if he knew why Al-Rumayyan was in New Jersey, he said, “I think he needed to have some conversations with the president. That was a whole ‘nother thing. I’m not going to get involved with that.
“But it was great to see him out here. I think he’s done wonders for us and the global game of golf. How it moves forward, I think there’s a great place for the PIF and where they want to be moving forward. Where that is, I’m not exactly sure. I have no idea. But I know that he’s supported golf for a long, long time, and as this transitions over hopefully into the new investor’s hands and into the players’ hands, and that’s what it’s going to be, in the players’ hands, we really have an opportunity to align a lot of the global incentives to be a force for good for the game.”
— — — —
FROM HIS POST-ROUND INTERACTIONS with players and others in the LIV orbit, Goldthorpe seemed to be familiar with some and meeting others for the first time. In his winner’s press conference, Niemann said he was unsure whether Goldthorpe had addressed any of the players in any formal capacity at Bedminster.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I was pretty focused on doing my thing. Probably a few things that I might know after a couple hours. But no, all my focus was on trying to get the ball in the hole, and that’s it.”
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No one did that better than Niemann this week. In two more weeks, LIV rolls onto Indianapolis for its final regular-season event of 2026, then it’s on to Michigan. Or not. Most likely, it seems, not. And then — well, then things get really interesting. DeChambeau said Sunday evening that he and his fellow LIV players “want to bring value to anywhere and everywhere for the game of golf.” But first they must attend to a more urgent matter: convincing more investors to see value in LIV.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates while playing Alina Korneeva during day eight of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
World number two Elena Rybakina battled her way into the WTA Canadian Open quarterfinals on Sunday, while fourth-ranked Coco Gauff cruised into the last eight.
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina outlasted Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 after two hours and 49 minutes, before American Gauff eliminated Russian teen qualifier Alina Korneeva 6-3, 6-1 in Toronto.
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Rybakina, down two breaks at 0-3 in the third set, rallied to book a quarterfinal against the winner of the last-16 match between four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and home hope Leylah Fernandez.
“My main focus today was let me try and close it out,” Gauff said. “Probably not the way I should be thinking but it worked today.
“I’m proud of how the last three matches have gone and just knowing if I have to go the distance I’m ready but obviously would prefer to cut it short if I can.”
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Gauff won seven of 12 break points she forced but lost all three of those against her.
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Aug 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) shoots a three point basket as Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) looks on during the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Kayla McBride made 10 3-pointers to set a WNBA record, and the Minnesota Lynx held on for a 103-90 win over the Dallas Wings on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
McBride finished with 43 points for Minnesota (27-7), which won for the 12th time in the past 13 games. She made 16 of 21 shots from the field and 10 of 14 shots from beyond the arc as part of her record-setting performance.
Toronto’s Marina Mabrey has hit nine treys in a game on two occasions this season, tying the mark that had been reached on six other occasions.
Olivia Miles added a double-double for the Lynx with 20 points and 13 assists. Napheesa Collier finished with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, and Natasha Howard scored 12.
Paige Bueckers scored 23 points and dished eight assists to lead Dallas (19-14). Aziaha James scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting off the bench, and Odyssey Sims finished with 17 points.
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Wings rookie Azzi Fudd missed her second game in a row because of right knee soreness.
McBride set the record with 2:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. She received a bounce pass from Collier and squared her feet beyond the 3-point line near the left corner. She buried her 10th 3-pointer in front of the Lynx bench as her teammates celebrated.
The basket put the Lynx on top 98-83 and paved the way for the double-digit win.
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Minnesota held on to a 47-45 lead at the half.
Dallas led 45-42 after Arike Ogunbowale made a 3-pointer with 46.5 seconds left in the half.
The Lynx rallied with five points in the final 31 seconds to take the lead. Collier made a layup to cut the deficit to 45-44, and Miles hit a step-back 3-pointer to put Minnesota on top 47-45 with 1.0 seconds remaining.
The Lynx outscored the Wings 29-23 in the third quarter to increase their lead to 76-68. Collier hit a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to increase the lead to eight points.
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Wings forward Jessica Shepard left the game with a right ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. Shepard, who played for the Lynx last season, finished with no points and one assist in five minutes before her early departure. She entered the game in second position in the WNBA with 11.7 rebounds per game.
As a team, Minnesota buried 18 of 39 (46.2%) from 3-point range, while Dallas only knocked down 6 of 30 (30%).
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines acknowledges the crowd after losing to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during day eight of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines–The best stretch of Alex Eala’s career came to an end in the Canadian Open round of 16 on Monday (Manila time) in Toronto.
Seemingly weary after the amount of tennis she’s played dating back to her title run in Washington last week, Eala was overwhelmed by a ruthless Belinda Bencic, 4-6, 0-6, despite being cheered on by a massive Filipino crowd at Center Court at Sobeys Stadium.
“I know most of you guys were cheering for Alex, but I still have to say it was very nice to play in front of you all. Thank you so much for the great crowd tonight,” said the 12th-seeded Bencic, who became the tournament’s youngest champion in 2015 at just 18 years old when she made her debut in the Toronto Masters.
Eala saw her career-best seven-match winning streak snapped by the Swiss star and former World No. 4, whose unpredictable service game put the Filipino ace in all sorts of trouble.
The loss spoiled what could’ve been an interesting quarterfinal matchup between Eala and fourth-ranked Coco Gauff. Eala beat Gauff, 6-2, 2-0, in the third round of Indian Wells last March after the two-time Grand Slam winner retired due to an injury.
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Belinda Bencic of Switzerland is congratulated by Alexandra Eala of the Philippines after their match during day eight of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
While many players struggle against left-handers like Eala, Bencic flourished. The 29-year-old Bencic improved to 10-0 against lefties since 2024, a fact that left the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist in awe.
“On this day, I had to play against a left so I’m surprised by this statistic. Obviously, very tricky maybe it helped me a little bit that I played a lefty the round before against Taylor Townsend so that was a tough one and I got used to the serve a little but yeah, I mean, I wish I was a lefty too,” said Bencic, who overcame Taylor Townsend in the round of 32 on Saturday in a match that lasted more that three hours.
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The 21-year-old Eala got off to a hot start after holding to love in the opening game. But that was the only time where she led as she had to play catchup the rest of the way against Bencic, who played like a well-oiled machine.
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Eala managed to keep up and level in the first set at 4-4 before Bencic shifted to another gear and never letup.
Bencic broke Eala thrice in each of the two sets in a dominant display set up by her laser sharp serves.
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