Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy has admitted he was wrong to push for a merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund following the sudden withdrawal of LIV Golf’s financial backing.
The Northern Irishman previously urged golf’s rival factions to strike a definitive agreement and reunify the men’s professional game.
However, the sporting landscape dramatically shifted on 30 April when the PIF announced it would cease funding the breakaway circuit beyond the current season.
Middle East conflicts force PIF withdrawal
The sovereign wealth fund has reportedly spent more than $5bn on the rival league since its controversial inception in June 2022.
Ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have now prompted the Saudi organisation to refocus its vast investments on domestic programmes.
Speaking ahead of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, the four-time major winner candidly addressed his change of heart.
“I’m glad I was wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong, and that was one that I did get wrong.”
LIV Golf left in a precarious spot
The 35-year-old revealed he had suspected the PIF might alter its ambitious sporting strategy due to the unstable global situation.
“Whenever you have funding tied so much to the geopolitical landscape in the world, that’s a tricky road to navigate. The PIF’s priorities shifted, and that leaves LIV in a pretty precarious spot.”
Just months earlier, the European Ryder Cup star had actively encouraged executives to finalise a proposed deal that would have injected $1.5bn into PGA Tour Enterprises.
Former tour commissioner Jay Monahan even met with US President Donald Trump in February to accelerate federal approval for the now-abandoned reunification.
Search for new investors begins
LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil is now finalising a revised business model as he desperately seeks alternative investors to keep the franchise-based league afloat.
The former world number one noted that he first heard murmurs of the impending financial collapse as early as March.
He was alerted to the shifting tides by his close friend Ricky McCormick, who caddies for LIV golfer Tom McKibbin on the rival circuit.
Rory McIlroy has explained his decision to skip the Cadillac Championship in order to attend a White House state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.
The Northern Irishman is currently preparing for this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
He is aiming to secure his seventh major title, which would establish him as the outright most successful European golfer of the modern era.
The 37-year-old enters the prestigious tournament in remarkable form after clinching back-to-back Masters titles at Augusta last month.
Embracing the perks of success
The reigning Masters champion chose to miss the tour event at Trump Doral following an exclusive diplomatic invitation.
He joined dignitaries at the White House for a state dinner marking the official visit of King Charles to the United States.
“I know how fortunate I am and so lucky to be in this position in life and sometimes you have to enjoy the perks because I know that this isn’t going to last forever,” he explained.
“There’s going to be a day where I’m not sitting up here and I’m not competing for major championships and I’m not doing what I’m doing. So I guess while I’m doing it, I have to enjoy it.”
Chasing European golfing history
A victory in south-west Philadelphia would see the world-class golfer permanently surpass Sir Nick Faldo’s modern major record.
He currently shares the milestone with the English great, sitting just behind Jersey-born Harry Vardon who claimed seven titles before the Masters or PGA Championship existed.
The Aronimink contender holds a formidable record at this specific major after triumphing in both the 2012 and 2014 editions.
He also retains the record for the largest winning margin in PGA Championship history following an eight-shot demolition of the field.
Renewed motivation for major glory
After conquering Augusta National once again, the European star admitted to briefly struggling with his competitive drive.
“I need to take the time after the Masters to reset and decompress and get myself in the right mental space again to get myself up for this tournament,” he noted.
The history-chasing athlete recently made a cameo appearance in the Devil Wears Prada 2 movie, demonstrating his desire to embrace unique lifestyle opportunities outside the sport.
“I was tentatively planning to play Doral and then I got invited to that White House state dinner the night before on a Tuesday night, which I thought was a wonderful opportunity,” he revealed.
By taking the week away from competition to practice, the defending Masters champion believes he is perfectly prepared to tackle the Aronimink course.
MMA pioneer Gina Carano will return to the sport after a 17-year absence to face fellow trailblazer Ronda Rousey in a 2026 event broadcast live on Netflix.
The highly anticipated bout will headline the first mixed martial arts card promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
It marks a generational clash between two of the most significant figures in the history of women’s combat sports.
A return to combat roots
The 44-year-old has spent the last two decades building a successful acting career, most notably starring in the Star Wars television series ‘The Mandalorian’.
However, the former Strikeforce title challenger is eager to remind a modern audience of her extensive combat sports pedigree.
Carano made history in 2009 when she and Cris Cyborg became the first women to headline a major televised event on Showtime.
“I get to revive and reveal the fighting side of me because a lot of people either forgot or weren’t around the last time I fought,” Carano said.
“I’ve heard people say Ronda Rousey is fighting the girl from ‘The Mandalorian’.”
“No, I had a whole life that opened the doors to those movie opportunities, and it was me being a fighter, a genuine fighter who broke a lot of barriers.”
Overcoming past adversity
To secure a victory, the American athlete must rediscover the fierce competitive edge that defined her early career in underground gym bouts.
Her longtime coach John Wood insists that the Hollywood star is returning to the cage for the right reasons.
“She does not need to fight for money or fame,” Wood explained.
“She does it because she is a natural-born fighter.”
Rewriting history
The veteran’s final MMA appearance ended in a devastating defeat to Cyborg in August 2009, resulting in the only blemish on her professional record.
Despite that setback, the fighter views her previous struggles as essential stepping stones to this monumental comeback.
“It’s so interesting when some of the worst moments of my life have opened up the best opportunities,” she added.
“Everything I’ve gone through leading to this point already feels like a victory, but I’m not fighting Ronda just to say I fought Ronda Rousey. I’m fighting to win.”
Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national flag in modern pentathlon events following a decision by the sport’s governing body to lift restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) confirmed the policy change on Tuesday.
This move aligns with recent recommendations from the International Olympic Committee.
Path cleared for Los Angeles 2028
The governing organisation paved the way for Belarusian competitors to return to the international stage ahead of qualification events for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Competitors from the Eastern European nation will initially participate as neutral athletes at Wednesday’s World Cup event in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria.
However, they will be permitted to use their own flag and anthem at the subsequent Budapest competition between June 9 and 13.
Russian sporting ban remains active
Restrictions on Russian athletes remain firmly in place until further notice.
Both nations originally faced comprehensive sporting bans following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Belarus served as a primary staging ground for the military offensive, which triggered the initial sanctions across global sports.
UIPM justifies reintegration process
UIPM president Rob Stull outlined the official reasoning behind reintegrating the Belarusian competitors.
“In the reasoning behind its decision on May 7, the IOC clearly stated athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments,” Stull explained.
“We are pleased that this principle has been reaffirmed in the decision to restore normal competition conditions for Belarus athletes, and I’m glad that the UIPM Executive Board has followed that reasoning.”
The prominent administrator added that athletes from the country had already participated safely on a neutral basis since 2023 without incident.
The ruling mirrors a similarly controversial decision at the Winter Paralympics earlier this year, which saw Russian and Belarusian delegations return under their respective national colours.
That particular move drew widespread international criticism, prompting several competing nations to boycott the opening and closing ceremonies in protest.
Jake Paul has revealed he may be forced to retire from boxing after sustaining a double jaw fracture during his knockout defeat by Anthony Joshua in Miami last December.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer suffered the severe facial injury after being stopped in the sixth round of their heavyweight clash.
He underwent major surgery to insert titanium plates, but recovery complications recently forced a necessary second procedure.
The 29-year-old has not yet returned to training and requires official medical clearance before he can safely spar again.
Medical advice casts doubt on future
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, ‘The Problem Child’ admitted his medical team has strongly advised against stepping back into the ring.
“My doctor Arman… he doesn’t want me to fight again!”
Jake Paul
The controversial fighter confirmed he is awaiting further scans in the coming days to determine exactly how the bone is healing.
He also revealed he lost a back tooth during the bruising encounter and will require a permanent dental implant.
“Most definitely [I am considering my future]. I think it just depends on how the bone heals,” he admitted.
Unfinished business in the ring
Despite the severe medical warnings, the former social media star insists his professional career is not over.
“I can just feel it in my spirit and my soul, and my heart that I have more fights left,” he added.
However, the ultimate decision rests entirely on whether he can secure the required medical clearance to legally compete.
To date, Paul holds a professional record of 12 wins and two defeats, with his only other loss coming against Tommy Fury.
Meanwhile, former world champion Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on 25 July before a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury.
Three-time Olympic medallist Katie Archibald has retired from competitive cycling to pursue a career in nursing, withdrawing from Scotland’s 2026 Commonwealth Games squad.
The 32-year-old departs the Great Britain Cycling Team as a current world and European champion.
She also leaves the sport as an integral part of the women’s team pursuit squad that currently holds the world record.
In December, the track specialist was among the first athletes selected to represent her nation at the home games in Glasgow this summer.
The pull of the real world
Despite her ongoing success on the boards, the highly decorated athlete felt it was the right moment to embrace a new path.
“The draw of the ‘real world’ has been pulling me for a while,” Archibald told British Cycling.
“I’ve been too scared to leave the world I know and love and, ultimately, to let go of something I’m good at.”
The former world champion explained that she finally feels ready to step away because the fear of the unknown has vanished.
“I only have a craving to live the life I’ve been saving for a rainy day, and no fear that I’ll miss the sunshine,” she added.
An outstanding track legacy
A relative latecomer to elite competition, the endurance rider did not join the British squad until she was 19.
She made an immediate impact, securing the European team pursuit title during her senior competitive debut.
Over an illustrious 13-year career, the Scottish star amassed a staggering 51 medals across major international events.
Her remarkable medal haul includes two Olympic golds, an Olympic silver, a Commonwealth title, seven world championships, and a record-breaking 21 European titles.
This tally could have been even greater had injury not forced her to withdraw from both the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the recent Paris Olympics.
Finding a new passion
Currently retraining in healthcare, the former Olympian says she has fallen completely in love with the nursing profession.
She highlighted how special it feels to be a trusted figure when people desperately need help.
“I’m not hoping for a grand legacy, but I hope I’ve made an impact on the individuals I’ve worked with,” she said.
Great Britain Cycling Team performance director Stephen Park paid tribute to her relentless drive and deep passion for the sport.
“Katie has given cycling audiences some of the best moments of the sport’s history and we are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved both on and off the bike,” Park said.
Matt Fitzpatrick is aiming to end a 107-year wait for an English victory at the US PGA Championship when the tournament begins at Aronimink on Thursday.
Jim Barnes was the last Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy, claiming back-to-back titles in 1916 and 1919.
However, the 31-year-old from Sheffield arrives in Pennsylvania as one of the clear favourites to break that century-long streak.
Record-breaking start to the season
The 2022 US Open champion has secured three victories in his past five starts, banking more than $10.5m (£7.8m) on the PGA Tour already this year.
Currently ranked fourth in the world behind Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young, the Yorkshireman believes his current form surpasses his previous career peak.
A runner-up finish at the Players Championship in March sparked a remarkable run, leading to a triumph at the Valspar Championship and a strong performance at the Masters.
He then defeated world number one Scheffler in an RBC Heritage play-off before securing the Zurich Classic alongside his brother, Alex.
Eclipsing a golden period
“I think 2022 was my golden period and I said for two, three years afterwards it was the best period that I had ever played.” – Matt Fitzpatrick
“But the start of this year has definitely eclipsed that because of the results and the underlying numbers themselves have definitely been better.”
“I’m trying to cherish it as much as possible. It’s all happening very quickly.”
Remarkable turnaround in fortunes
This dominant streak is a stark contrast to his situation exactly 12 months ago ahead of the 2025 tournament at Quail Hollow.
Back then, the English star languished at 85th in the world rankings without a single top-20 finish to his name that season.
His rapid ascent is underpinned by elite ball-striking, ranking inside the top five on the tour for strokes gained off the tee, tee-to-green and approaching the green.
Precision key at Aronimink
While not the longest hitter on the circuit, his top-six accuracy rating will be vital at an Aronimink layout famous for its punishing fairway bunkers.
The primary concern for the major winner heading into Thursday is his performance on the putting surfaces.
He currently sits 99th on the tour for putting, a potential vulnerability on a course where he predicts the greens will act as the tournament’s main defence.
Nevertheless, historical data indicates that rolling the rock is traditionally one of his greatest strengths, offering significant hope for a historic triumph this weekend.
British lightweight champion Caroline Dubois has been backed by her promoter to be the final opponent for Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park this summer.
The Irish boxing icon is expected to retire later this year following a legendary career, with Dublin’s 82,000-capacity stadium earmarked for her swansong.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, believes a clash with the unbeaten Londoner makes perfect sense for all parties.
The 25-year-old recently added the WBO lightweight belt to her WBC title after securing a unanimous points victory over Terri Harper last month.
‘Passing of the torch’
Dubois has repeatedly expressed her desire to step into the ring with the undisputed super-lightweight champion.
Bidarian feels the matchup would generate massive interest across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“We would love for that to happen. I think it makes all the sense in the world,” Bidarian told Sky Sports.
“I believe it is a global fight, but definitely for the UK, for that opportunity for the passing of the torch.”
“Tough fight for Caroline, Katie is a tremendous fighter, but I think it is the right swansong event for Taylor at Croke Park against Caroline Dubois.”
Future unification plans
While a blockbuster bout with the 39-year-old Olympic gold medallist remains the priority, Bidarian is already plotting alternative routes for his fighter’s August return.
A highly anticipated unification clash with American rival Alycia Baumgardner has been actively discussed by the promotional team.
“She’s been very clear about her desire to fight Alycia Baumgardner and we hope that happens at some point,” added the promoter.
With her peak years still ahead of her, the rising star is widely expected to dominate the women’s sport over the next decade.