Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass after just one hole of his opening round due to a back injury.

The FedExCup leader was among the pre-tournament favourites for the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

He began his Thursday round on the 10th hole alongside Ludvig Åberg and Si Woo Kim, opening with a routine two-putt par.

However, the two-time major champion experienced severe discomfort ahead of his second hole of the day.

Treatment on the tee

After making a practice swing on the par-five 11th tee, the American immediately clutched his lower back.

Medical personnel provided treatment next to the tee box before he was transported off the course in a buggy.

This marks only the second mid-round withdrawal of his professional career, following an early exit from The Memorial in 2023.

The Californian had been in scintillating form, securing victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month before adding two consecutive top-seven finishes.

“He would have had such high hopes this week, with the form he had coming in,” said broadcaster Nick Dougherty.

McIlroy faces nervous wait

Åberg and Kim were left to complete the remainder of their opening round as a two-ball.

The 27-year-old was not the only morning casualty, with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox pulling out through illness before striking a ball.

Meanwhile, defending champion Rory McIlroy remains a significant injury doubt heading into his title defence.

The world number two is nursing a back issue of his own and faces a late fitness test to determine if he can compete.

McIlroy only arrived at the Florida venue on Wednesday afternoon for a limited practice session, leaving him without a full preparation round.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will face Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout in the Congo next month without a weight limit.

The 59-year-old revealed the unusual condition for the highly anticipated clash against the former multi-weight world champion.

Despite no official date being announced, the pair are expected to meet in the ring in the coming weeks.

Tyson claims the bout will be staged in the very same ring that hosted Muhammad Ali’s legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ victory over George Foreman in 1974.

Injury concerns and catchweight rules

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, the former heavyweight king confirmed the open-weight nature of the contest.

“It’s just free fighting, catchweight, everything,” Tyson said.

The veteran fighter also revealed he is currently managing an injury after being spotted wearing a cast.

“It’s just a little sprain. I’ve got to go hard. It’s the only way I know how to go,” he added.

Frustration with modern boxing

Tyson last competed in a professional bout against Jake Paul in 2024.

The Brooklyn-born legend admitted this upcoming exhibition against the 49-year-old Mayweather could be his final appearance in the ring.

However, he used the opportunity to express his frustration with the inactivity of contemporary professional boxers.

“This is what fighters should be thinking right now about me. ‘How can this guy be 60 years old and break all the records?’ They should be disappointed with themselves,” he stated.

He criticised the current generation for fighting infrequently, arguing that regular competition is essential for building a legacy.

“They fight once or twice a year. No one knows who they are. They need to have a story behind them.”

Legacy and final ambitions

Mayweather retired from professional boxing with a perfect 50-0 record but has regularly participated in lucrative exhibitions worldwide.

Tyson remains confident in his enduring appeal and drawing power despite his advancing years.

“I want to compete against people. I want to know who the biggest draw in the history of the world is,” he concluded.
“I want to see if anyone is bigger than me. My talent speaks for itself.”

Anthony Joshua has rejected a contract offer from a rival promoter as Eddie Hearn teased the British heavyweight’s imminent return to the ring.

Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn shared a photograph of himself alongside the 36-year-old on social media, accompanied by the caption “loading”.

The update arrives shortly after Hearn revealed that his star client had swiftly dismissed an approach from a competing promotional outfit.

This steadfast loyalty stands in stark contrast to the recent departure of Conor Benn, who controversially left Matchroom to join Dana White’s new Zuffa Boxing venture in February.

Loyalty to Matchroom

Speaking on a recent podcast appearance, Hearn detailed how the former two-time world champion immediately informed him of the external approach.

Do you know how quickly he sent me the message, the screenshot? Seconds.
‘Let me know what you wanna reply.’ And it’s like, we’re a team. ‘Til the wheels come off, we are a team, and I’ve got your back always.

Recovery from Nigerian crash

The Olympic gold medallist last fought in December, securing a sixth-round stoppage victory over influencer Jake Paul.

However, his fighting future was cast into intense doubt just 10 days later following a devastating car crash in Nigeria.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of two of his teammates and left the heavyweight star with significant injuries.

Despite the severe physical and emotional toll, he swiftly returned to gym work, prompting early speculation of a summer comeback.

Future heavyweight landscape

Discussions have long linked the Watford-born fighter to a loosely planned blockbuster bout against domestic rival Tyson Fury in 2026.

The “Gypsy King” is currently preparing to emerge from his fifth retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.

Meanwhile, other potential opponents are already booked for the coming months.

Kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven is scheduled to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC title at the Giza pyramids this May.

France have been forced to revamp their forward pack for Saturday’s crucial Six Nations title decider against England in Paris following key absences through injury and suspension.

Head coach Fabien Galthie is without Oscar Jegou, who begins a suspension for an eye-gouging incident involving Scotland’s Ewan Ashman.

Anthony Jelonch also misses out after failing to recover from a concussion.

The defending champions must secure a bonus-point victory in the final fixture to retain their tournament crown.

Debut for Matiu in reshuffled pack

Athletic Bordeaux Begles back-rower Temo Matiu has been handed his international debut to fill the void in the pack.

Charles Ollivon shifts from the second row to number eight to accommodate the tactical adjustments.

Toulouse clubmates Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou are paired together in the engine room.

There is also a forced alteration in the backline, with Pierre-Louis Barassi replacing the injured Nicolas Depoortere.

Barassi will partner Yoram Moefana in midfield for the high-stakes showdown.

Title hopes hang in the balance

Les Bleus saw their Grand Slam aspirations evaporate in round four following a heavy 50-40 defeat at Murrayfield.

They were beaten by the English at Twickenham last year, though the visitors have not won on French soil in their last four attempts.

The hosts will know exactly what is required by kick-off, with title rivals Ireland and Scotland meeting earlier on ‘Super Saturday’.

France team to face England

Charles Oliveira earned a $2.28m payout after dominating Max Holloway to win the BMF title via decision at UFC 326.

The Brazilian submission specialist utilised a grappling-heavy approach to secure the victory and avenge his 2015 loss to the same opponent.

Holloway defended valiantly against relentless submission attempts on the canvas but ultimately failed to mount any significant offence.

This decisive triumph provides redemption for the former lightweight champion following his title fight defeat to Ilia Topuria last year.

Record-breaking payouts for main event stars

The main event clash proved incredibly lucrative for both competitors despite the one-sided nature of the bout.

The newly crowned BMF champion walked away with $2,282,000, dwarfing the earnings from his previous unsuccessful title challenge.

His Hawaiian opponent still secured a substantial $1,542,000 purse for his efforts inside the octagon.

The BMF belt itself remains a symbolic honour, having been first introduced by the promotion in 2019 when Nate Diaz faced Jorge Masvidal.

Substantial bonuses awarded across the card

Further down the card, Caio Borralho emerged as the next highest earner by taking home $561,000 for defeating Reinier de Ridder.

De Ridder received a respectable $460,000 following his defeat in the middleweight encounter.

Performance of the Night honours were awarded to Gregory Rodrigues after he secured a first-round knockout over Brunno Ferreira.

Rodrigues was one of four fighters to earn a $100,000 bonus alongside Drew Dober, Rodolfo Bellato, and Alberto Montes.

The bonus structure proved especially transformative for Montes, who effectively quadrupled his initial $28,000 guarantee.

Action-packed preliminary results

Elsewhere on the card, the event featured a notable victory for rising prospect Raul Rosas Jr against veteran Rob Font.

Experienced lightweight Dober also delivered a highlight-reel finish with a devastating knockout win over Michael Johnson.

Overall fight payouts ranged drastically from the multi-million dollar main event purses to preliminary competitors taking home just $16,000.

Scotland back-rower Rory Darge believes his side are perfectly primed for the pressure of their decisive Six Nations finale against Ireland in Dublin this weekend.

Gregor Townsend’s resurgent team travel across the Irish Sea knowing a victory could secure a historic first championship title, provided France drop points against England.

A triumph would also guarantee the visitors a first Triple Crown since 1990.

However, the national side must first end a dismal run of 11 successive defeats against an opponent they have not beaten since 2017.

Thriving under knockout conditions

The Scots have operated in must-win territory since suffering a narrow 18-15 defeat to Italy in the opening round of the tournament.

Consecutive victories over England, Wales and France have subsequently resurrected their campaign heading into ‘Super Saturday’.

Darge insists that overcoming the adversity of their early setback in Rome has mentally fortified the squad.

“Our backs were against the wall after Rome,” the forward explained.

“Sione Tuipulotu had said to the group that you can’t expect to lose two games and still be in the mix towards the end of the campaign.”

He added that the sudden-death nature of their recent fixtures has made the prospect of this weekend massively exciting rather than daunting.

Overcoming the Irish hoodoo

While the overall championship remains dependent on results elsewhere, claiming the Triple Crown rests entirely in Scottish hands.

The 24-year-old acknowledges the immense physical and tactical challenge awaiting them.

“I’ve not beaten Ireland before, they’re a tough team to beat and they’ve been right up there as one of the best teams in the world,” he admitted.

“I think Ireland will pose a different threat to France; they play a different style and defend differently.”

Despite Scotland’s imposing historical deficit in this fixture, the Glasgow Warriors star remains convinced his teammates will back themselves.

Adaptability amid chaos

The squad travel to Dublin buoyed by a breathless 50-40 triumph over Les Bleus in their previous outing.

That high-scoring victory required extreme adaptability on the pitch, with Darge even playing the closing stages in the midfield after centre Huw Jones departed injured.

“It was a bit of a weird one, it was a bit hectic towards the end,” he reflected on his makeshift positional switch.

“We had bodies out of position but I thought we managed it well, and I had to get some help from the guys around me, but they all kept me right.”

Kalyn Ponga has officially switched his international rugby league eligibility from Australia to New Zealand ahead of the 2026 World Cup following changes to State of Origin rules.

The International Rugby League Board unanimously approved the Newcastle Knights star’s application to change his Tier 1 national allegiance.

The 2023 Dally M Medallist was born in Australia to New Zealander parents but previously represented the Kangaroos at the 2019 World Cup 9s.

State of Origin rule changes

Recent alterations to State of Origin eligibility criteria now permit players to represent other Tier 1 nations while retaining their inter-state selection.

The core eligibility rules for the domestic showcase remain unchanged, requiring athletes to meet one of the following conditions:

The dynamic fullback fits these core requirements, ensuring he can continue representing the Maroons while pulling on the Kiwi jersey.

Deep connection to heritage

The Queensland representative released a heartfelt statement explaining his profound familial ties to the nation.

“While I was born in Australia, my connection to New Zealand runs deep through every generation of my family,” Ponga explained.

Both of his parents and all four grandparents were born across the Tasman Sea, cementing his strong cultural roots.

“I am immensely proud of my Māori heritage, and that pride has only grown stronger with each passing year,” the former Junior Kangaroo added.

Focus shifts to the World Cup

Addressing his past appearances for Australia, he admitted those brief stints no longer reflect his true sense of belonging.

IRL Chair Troy Grant confirmed the board was honoured to approve the application, praising the passion of athletes representing their families.

This monumental allegiance switch provides a significant boost to the New Zealand squad as they prepare for the upcoming global tournament.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has caused widespread disruption to the global sporting calendar, leading to tournament cancellations, flight delays, and stranded athletes across multiple disciplines.

Thousands of flights have been grounded at major transit hubs due to heightened security concerns involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

This sudden airspace closure has left numerous international competitors in limbo as they attempt to reach their respective tournaments.

Paralympic and tennis travel chaos

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is currently assisting winter athletes who are struggling to reach the upcoming Milano Cortina Games.

The closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders… we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected.

In the world of tennis, Russian stars Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev faced severe logistical hurdles travelling from Dubai to California for the Indian Wells tournament.

Meanwhile, an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah was cancelled entirely following regional security alerts.

The men’s professional tennis governing body subsequently funded a private charter flight to safely evacuate competitors from the region.

Two-time Olympic badminton medallist PV Sindhu was also forced to withdraw from the All England Open after being stranded at a Dubai airport for several days.

Widespread tournament postponements

The disruption extends far beyond individual travel issues, with several major team events being postponed or completely abandoned.

The United States men’s hockey team withdrew from a World Cup 2026 qualifier in Egypt after receiving a government advisory to leave conflict zones.

Across Asia, multiple continental football fixtures in the Asian Champions League Elite and Asian Champions League Two have been heavily deferred.

Motorsport and cricket have also been affected, with the World Endurance Championship delaying its season-opening race in Qatar and a UAE-based series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka being halted.

Iranian footballers seek asylum

In a significant related development, the Australian government has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women’s football players.

The squad members sought asylum over fears of persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem during an Asian Cup match.

Iranian state television recently labelled the athletes “wartime traitors”, significantly intensifying international concerns for their safety.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the players have now been relocated to a secure location after their whereabouts were inadvertently compromised.