LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil has stopped short of guaranteeing the final four events of the season will take place amid growing concerns over future funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, the American businessman stated the breakaway circuit must trust its financial backers to honour their commitment for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

The uncertainty follows reports suggesting that PIF funding, which is expected to surpass $6bn (£4.8bn) by the end of the year, could dry up prematurely.

Investor search intensifies

O’Neil is currently attempting to raise $350m (£280m) in new capital to replace the existing Saudi investment and secure the league’s immediate future.

The chief executive confirmed he has held five meetings with prospective investors this week alone, with a further 18 scheduled.

Despite the aggressive fundraising push, he refused to definitively confirm that the remaining four tournaments on the calendar will proceed as planned.

“What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come invest in this business,” O’Neil said when pressed on the remaining schedule.

He added that the existing management team and playing roster remain fully committed to completing the ongoing season.

Upcoming fixtures hang in the balance

The Saudi-backed league is next scheduled to visit the United Kingdom, with a tournament planned at JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire from 23 to 26 July.

That English event is supposed to be followed by three stateside tournaments, culminating in the season-ending team championship in Michigan late in August.

However, an executive from one of the circuit’s commercial partners recently claimed that every remaining tournament is currently hanging in the balance.

Should the necessary capital be raised over the summer, O’Neil has promised a dramatically different second iteration of the league featuring strict expense cuts.

The chief executive insists the reformed organisation could become profitable within three years if the crucial relaunch funding is secured.

The Lord’s pitch used for England’s first Test victory over New Zealand has been rated as “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council and handed one demerit point.

The historic 150th Test match at the venue concluded rapidly, becoming the second-shortest game in the ground’s illustrious history.

Only 165 overs were bowled as bowlers dominated the contest, with 33 wickets falling inside the opening two days.

England eventually secured a 115-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against the Black Caps.

MCC apologises for variable surface

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a formal apology regarding the condition of the pitch.

Ground staff had previously attempted to revitalise the ageing wicket during the off-season, using a technique that involved blowing 200°C steam into the soil to eradicate pathogens.

However, an MCC spokesperson admitted the resulting surface displayed far more variable bounce than intended.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are naturally frustrated when a surface falls short of those expectations,” the spokesperson said.

Referee report highlights excessive movement

Match referee Andy Pycroft submitted a critical report following discussions with the match officials and both captains.

The official highlighted an extreme imbalance between bat and ball throughout the truncated fixture.

“There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions,” Pycroft noted in his assessment.

Only two batters, England’s Harry Brook and Emilio Gay, managed to register half-centuries during the low-scoring affair.

England captain Ben Stokes had also expressed frustration, suggesting such challenging surfaces are detrimental to the long-term health of Test cricket.

Demerit point implications

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has 14 days to appeal the sanction imposed by the governing body.

This marks the first time the Home of Cricket has received a demerit point under the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

Under current regulations, any venue accumulating six demerit points over a five-year period faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international cricket.

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore received an identical penalty earlier this month following a similarly problematic surface during a one-day international between Pakistan and Australia.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has left captain Maro Itoje out of his 26-player training squad to manage the forward’s heavy workload ahead of the summer tour.

Discussions are ongoing between Borthwick, the 31-year-old lock, and head of performance Phil Morrow regarding a complete rest during the upcoming Nations Championship.

The Saracens star could miss high-profile fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina following an exceptionally demanding 12 months.

The experienced forward recently led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory in Australia and suffered the tragic loss of his mother in December.

Uncapped prospects earn international call-ups

The newly announced training group will assemble at Pennyhill Park this week to prepare for a preliminary clash against a France XV in Vannes on 19 June.

The national team boss has taken this opportunity to evaluate fresh talent, handing a first senior call-up to Harlequins prop Will Hobson.

Sale hooker Nathan Jibulu, Bristol tighthead George Kloska, and Saracens lock Hugh Tizard are also hoping to impress in the pack.

Players involved in the impending Premiership semi-finals between Northampton, Leicester, Bath, and Exeter remain unavailable for selection.

Gruelling schedule and rehabilitation

Further uncapped additions feature in the backline, with Saracens wing Tobias Elliott joining club-mate Noah Caluori in the senior setup.

Gloucester full-back Ben Redshaw also returns to the fold, having previously trained with the elite squad as a teenager during the 2023 World Cup.

Meanwhile, three established internationals will attend the camp strictly to continue their injury rehabilitations:

Following the fixture in France, the squad faces a daunting July itinerary with consecutive Saturday tests in Johannesburg, Liverpool, and Santiago del Estero.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall would have fought Alex Pereira at the White House this weekend if the British fighter was fully fit.

Instead, a unique fight card will take place on the South Lawn on Sunday.

The co-main event sees Pereira face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

Aspinall is currently recovering from double eye surgery following a controversial bout in October.

The 33-year-old suffered severe eye pokes from Gane, resulting in their undisputed title fight being ruled a no-contest.

Historic stakes for Pereira

When asked if a healthy Aspinall would have taken the prestigious slot against Pereira, White was unequivocal.

“Oh, 100 per cent. That would’ve been the fight,” White told TNT Sports.

The American promoter explained that numerous champions are currently sidelined, complicating the matchmaking process.

The Brazilian superstar Pereira is now stepping up to face former interim titleholder Gane.

Victory for the 38-year-old would see him become the first three-weight world champion in UFC history.

Pereira previously captured both the middleweight and light-heavyweight belts during a scintillating promotional run.

Aspinall awaits the winner

The French challenger, meanwhile, is desperate to secure interim gold for a second time.

Gane has previously fallen short in undisputed title bids against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.

The victor on Sunday is widely expected to face the recovering British champion next.

Aspinall admits he is torn between seeking retribution against his recent opponent and facing a global superstar.

“I want revenge of course, but also, there’s an argument to say that me and Pereira would be a bigger fight,” Aspinall told Fight Your Corner.

Waiting for an invitation

Despite the lucrative appeal of a Pereira showdown, the Salford-born fighter anticipates a different outcome.

“I would say Gane beats Pereira by points; I think he’s just gonna move too much for him,” he added.

Despite his status as the division’s kingpin, Aspinall revealed he has not been formally invited to attend the historic Washington event.

The heavyweight titleholder insists he does not feel disrespected by the omission.

However, the British star made it clear he would eagerly accept a late call to watch the action from ringside.

“If they asked me, I would definitely go. I would like to watch the fight up close,” Aspinall confirmed.

Seventeen-year-old amateur Miles Russell has secured his place at next week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills, surviving a dramatic play-off in Florida with Charlie Woods serving as his caddie.

The world number 10 amateur claimed the final spot from the qualifying event after navigating a tense bogey on the first extra hole.

He was accompanied by the son of three-time champion Tiger Woods, a close friend who shares his commercial agent and will soon join him at Florida State.

“It kept it so light. It’s the first time I’ve had a buddy on the bag. I really like it, not talking much golf, just having a good time.”

The young Floridian remained coy about whether his high-profile bagman would join him in New York for the third major championship of the year.

“We’ll see what he’s doing. To be determined.”

Horschel advances while Finau misses out

A gruelling schedule known as ‘Golf’s Longest Day’ saw 715 players across 10 North American locations competing for just 43 remaining places in the 126th edition of the tournament.

Veteran Billy Horschel found a rare bright spot in a challenging season by securing one of five spots available in the Ohio qualifier.

However, Tony Finau will miss the prestigious event for the first time since 2017 after falling two shots short of the required mark.

Fellow 17-year-old Giuseppe Puebla took medal honours in Florida, joining a remarkably youthful contingent heading to Shinnecock Hills.

International success and notable absentees

History was made in Ohio as Louisiana State University student Arni Sveinsson became the first Icelandic player to ever qualify for the competition.

In Canada, Emiliano Grillo and Alejandro Tosti successfully navigated their way through an intense eight-man play-off.

Meanwhile, Max Homa suffered extra-hole heartbreak for the second consecutive year to agonizingly miss out on a major appearance.

Other high-profile casualties included Matt Kuchar, who extends his absence from golf’s biggest stages, and Brandt Snedeker.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an investigation into Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson following an incident at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning.

The disciplinary probe stems from an alleged breach of team protocols following the conclusion of England’s first Test against New Zealand.

Both players were confirmed to be present at a late-night venue when the unspecified event occurred.

Squad selection pending

Cricket’s governing body in England released a brief statement confirming they are gathering further information about the situation.

“The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand.”
“Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place.”

Decisions regarding the line-up for the upcoming second Test have been paused while the internal review continues.

Regulatory involvement

The independent Cricket Regulator has already been notified about the late-night excursion.

“We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course.”

The veteran all-rounder and the pace bowler are critical components of the national side’s attacking strategy.

Supporters will now await an official update from management to see if either player faces disciplinary action or exclusion from the next fixture.

Tyson Fury will fight 41-year-old Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa in a Dublin warm-up bout on 1 August before facing Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King has already signed a contract to meet his long-time British rival in the ring before the end of 2026.

Both star heavyweights have scheduled preparatory contests this summer to stay sharp ahead of their blockbuster showdown.

While Joshua travels to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to face Kristian Prenga on 25 July, the former unified world champion heads to Ireland for his own tune-up.

Familiar foe for the British star

Details emerging from Boxing News suggest the choice of opponent for the August clash may draw criticism from the sporting public.

Hysa currently holds the WBO Global Heavyweight Championship and remains undefeated, but the veteran is widely considered to be past his physical prime.

The Albanian fighter is already well known to the 37-year-old Mancunian, with the pair having sparred together frequently over the years.

Final details are currently being negotiated to officially sign the veteran challenger as the last obstacle before the all-British mega-fight.

The undefeated 41-year-old represents a noticeable step down in competition compared to Arslanbek Makhmudov, whom the towering heavyweight comfortably defeated during his comeback appearance in April.

Albanian rivals take different approaches

Interestingly, Hysa is ranked as Albania’s top heavyweight, sitting just one place above Joshua’s upcoming opponent.

Prenga has adopted an aggressive stance towards his Saudi Arabia contest, promising to derail the long-awaited mega-fight.

“Brother, it’s like going from one to 100. Everyone will see on July 25 who I really am.”
“They chose me as a warm-up fight for him and Tyson Fury but that’s not going to happen. I am going to cancel that, that’s for sure.”

Conversely, the newest Queensberry Promotions signing may treat the Dublin contest more like an exhibition given his existing relationship with the British titleholder.

The bout will serve as the co-main event supporting the IBO Super Lightweight Championship clash between Pierce O’Leary and Mark Chamberlain.

Should both British stars navigate their respective summer challenges safely, the path will finally be clear for the historic battle the boxing world has craved.

Debutant Manav Suthar took seven wickets to inspire India to their largest ever Test match victory, thrashing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days in New Chandigarh.

Dominant batting sets the foundation

The hosts established total control early in the match, declaring their first innings on a formidable 564 for eight.

Centuries from captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul provided the platform before a relentless spin attack took over.

Afghanistan were bowled out for just 152 in their first innings before being immediately forced to follow on.

The visitors fared even worse in their second attempt, collapsing to 112 all out against a rampant bowling unit.

Suthar makes history on debut

The 23-year-old Suthar dismantled the Afghan batting order with stunning figures of six for 33 in the first innings.

The Gujarat Titans left-arm spinner became only the fifth Indian player to claim a five-wicket haul on his Test debut.

He is the first bowler to achieve the prestigious milestone for his country since Ravichandran Ashwin in 2011.

Rahmat Shah provided the only significant resistance for the visitors, scoring an individual 60 from 134 deliveries before falling lbw to the young debutant.

Record books rewritten

The crushing result surpasses India’s previous biggest winning margin, an innings and 272-run victory against the West Indies in 2018.

Washington Sundar was the chief tormentor in the second innings, claiming four for 36 to extinguish any lingering Afghan hopes.

He was ably supported by Kuldeep Yadav, who took three for 30 as Shubman Gill’s side wrapped up the historic triumph with ease.

The emphatic win maintains the hosts’ perfect Test record against their opponents, following an innings and 262-run victory when the sides first met eight years ago.