Rory McIlroy is bidding for a third US PGA Championship title at Aronimink Golf Club as the world’s top players gather in Philadelphia for the season’s second major.
The Northern Irishman will resume his intensifying rivalry with Scottie Scheffler at the summit of the sport.
Between them, the dominant duo have claimed five of the last nine major championships.
The pair are considered the undisputed men to beat in the quest for the Wanamaker Trophy on a course that heavily rewards precise iron play.
Rose seeks redemption after Augusta heartbreak
Justin Rose arrives in Pennsylvania hoping to bounce back from a disappointing finish at the Masters.
The 45-year-old surrendered a back-nine lead at Augusta National, ultimately falling two shots short of the coveted green jacket.
However, the Englishman boasts an excellent track record in the state, having claimed his sole major victory at nearby Merion in 2013.
He also triumphed at Aronimink during the 2010 AT&T Championship, providing a vital source of course confidence.
A recent switch to McLaren Golf irons just weeks before the tournament represents a significant equipment gamble for the veteran.
Fitzpatrick and Morikawa pose major threats
Matt Fitzpatrick enters the week in scintillating form following a recent play-off victory over Scheffler at the RBC Heritage.
The 31-year-old followed that success by lifting the Zurich Classic trophy alongside his brother Alex.
Already a major winner following his 2022 US Open triumph, the Sheffield native is widely expected to feature prominently on Sunday’s leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Collin Morikawa is searching for the formidable consistency that saw him capture back-to-back majors in 2020 and 2021.
The 29-year-old has battled injury setbacks in recent years but recently demonstrated his enduring class with a top-10 finish at the Masters.
Despite managing a persistent back problem, the American remains one of the premier iron players on the tour and a genuine contender.
The International Olympic Committee has lifted the ban on Belarusian athletes competing under their national flag, while confirming that restrictions against Russia remain firmly in place.
The updated guidance was issued by the executive board to international federations and sporting event organisers ahead of upcoming qualification periods.
Both nations originally faced immediate suspension from global Olympic competition following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
A partial relaxation was introduced last year, allowing competitors from the two countries to participate exclusively as individual neutral athletes.
Belarus complies with Olympic Charter
Officials reaffirmed the principle that individual sporting participation should not be restricted by governmental actions or involvement in geopolitical conflicts.
The governing body noted that athletes holding a Belarusian passport have recently competed neutrally at major international sporting showcases without incident.
This includes successful, controversy-free participation at the Paris 2024 Games and preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The National Olympic Committee of the Eastern European nation is currently deemed to be in good standing and fully compliant with the Olympic Charter.
Russian doping concerns prolong suspension
Despite earlier suggestions that Russian competitors might return for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, ongoing anti-doping controversies have stalled any reinstatement.
The World Anti-Doping Agency recently confirmed that over 300 sanctions have been issued following the seizure of data from a Moscow laboratory in 2019.
“While the ROC has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC legal affairs commission continues to review the matter,” the IOC stated.
“The IOC EB also noted with concern the recent information that has led to the World Anti-Doping Agency looking into the Russian anti-doping system.”
Mixed approach across international sport
Qualification periods for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympics are set to officially begin this summer.
Other major sporting bodies have already taken divergent paths regarding the full reinstatement of athletes from the region.
The International Paralympic Committee and World Aquatics have recently permitted competitors from both countries to compete under their respective national flags.
However, suggestions by Fifa president Gianni Infantino to potentially lift the ban on Russian football teams were fiercely condemned as irresponsible by Ukraine sports minister Matvii Bidnyi.
Stand-in captain Charlie Dean says England have worked tirelessly to address criticisms of their fitness and fielding ahead of a monumental home T20 World Cup.
Dean will lead the national side in their upcoming one-day international series against New Zealand in Durham.
The off-spinner steps into the leadership role following a minor calf tear suffered by regular skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Expectations are exceptionally high as the hosts prepare to try and lift a tournament trophy they have not won in 17 years.
Overcoming recent struggles
The squad is currently under intense scrutiny following a highly disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 edition of the competition.
A bruising 16-0 Ashes defeat last year only intensified the spotlight on the team’s physical conditioning.
Critics have frequently questioned the side’s overall fitness, fielding reliability, and ability to handle high-pressure scenarios.
The stand-in skipper insists those valid concerns have been heard and tackled head-on during their recent preparation camps.
“I think what’s important with fitness is it’s not just about how long can you run for.”
Dean explained.
“It is also important to be fast and athletic and that is just a huge part of fielding. I feel like we have really put a lot of time into that.”
Taking training into matchday
Dropped catches and sloppy fielding have plagued the English side during crucial international moments over the past two years.
The newly appointed leader believes the physical work they have invested will directly translate into sharper matchday performances.
She acknowledged that the harsh headlines generated during the recent Ashes series forced the group to reassess their physical approach.
“I think maybe during the Ashes, when it is in the headlines and you realise that maybe it is sticking out a bit, that we need to push a bit more on that, not just our skills.”
Dean added.
The core challenge now lies in finding the correct mental application to execute those refined skills on the biggest stage of all.
England’s crucial three-match warm-up series against the White Ferns gets under way this Sunday.
American challenger Sean Strickland has dismissed leaked sparring footage shared by UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their title bout at UFC 328 in New Jersey this weekend.
The Russian titleholder posted a clip online claiming he was “bullying” his former training partner during a previous gym session.
Tensions have escalated significantly during the frosty build-up to Saturday’s highly anticipated contest.
Extra security personnel have reportedly been deployed to ensure the bitter rivals do not clash before stepping into the octagon.
Strickland disputes sparring claims
The 35-year-old challenger previously accused the current champion of deliberately picking on weaker fighters during training camps.
Chimaev directly referenced those accusations by publishing the old footage alongside a caption declaring he was bullying weak people.
However, the former titleholder has now addressed the relatively action-free video during a fiery media appearance.
“That’s what I’m talking about, the guy’s just a little f***ing rat.”
Rivalry intensifies over gym encounters
The Californian insisted he constantly sought out the toughest opponents in the gym, but claimed his opponent actively avoided high-level sparring.
“One, I didn’t know we were filming, and two, those are our warm-up rounds.”
“You’re just a weak man. What is the point? We’re light sparring.”
“When I go to a gym, I want to spar the best guy, but he would always just go beat up the lower-level guys.”
Quest for a second middleweight reign
The outspoken veteran is attempting to secure his second reign atop the 185lb division.
He previously claimed middleweight gold by producing an all-time great upset against Israel Adesanya in 2023.
Following two subsequent decision losses to Dricus du Plessis, the American secured this latest title opportunity by stopping Anthony Hernandez in February.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old reigning champion claimed the belt by dominating Du Plessis last August.
Despite some fans suggesting Nassourdine Imavov was more deserving of a title shot, the challenger confidently defended his position as the number one contender.
“I think the fight just kind of made sense, it’s kind of nice just to get a fresh look, new blood.”
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has revealed he is willing to come out of retirement for a UFC fight against long-time rival Nate Diaz.
The 37-year-old American stepped away from mixed martial arts last year following a decorated career that recently included challenging for the ‘BMF’ title.
However, the Louisiana native has recently intensified his training regime and admits a return to the octagon remains a distinct possibility.
Any potential comeback hinges entirely on securing a bout with the Stockton brawler to settle a rivalry dating back several years.
A rivalry reignited
The pair were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 230 in New York back in 2018.
That highly anticipated Madison Square Garden clash collapsed, with the ‘Diamond’ ultimately withdrawing to undergo necessary hip surgery.
Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, the veteran fighter explained his motivation to finally make the matchup happen.
“I still want to whip Nate’s a**,” Poirier said.
“I’ll come back to fight him because our fight got away, and he lied, and the fans ran on his side.”
Clearing up the past
The former champion used the opportunity to clarify the circumstances surrounding their cancelled 2018 bout.
He claims the promotion offered him alternative opponents, including Kevin Lee, after negotiations with Diaz unexpectedly stalled.
“I said, ‘Listen, if it’s not Nate, I’m not fighting, I’m going to go have my hip taken care of,’” he explained.
“But then Nate used that, and I was the fall guy, like the fight’s off because I pulled out, but I never pulled out, I just never wanted to fight anybody else but Nate.”
Diaz’s post-UFC ventures
While Poirier contemplates his next move, his 41-year-old rival remains active across various combat sports.
The Californian departed the UFC in 2022 after securing a submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.
He subsequently transitioned to professional boxing, suffering a debut defeat to Jake Paul before rebounding with a decision win against former octagon foe Jorge Masvidal.
A return to mixed martial arts has been mooted for Diaz, potentially paving the way for this long-awaited grudge match to materialise.
Former Australia international Marcus North is set to become the first foreigner appointed as the England men’s national cricket selector.
The 46-year-old was chosen following final interviews this week, as first reported by the Telegraph.
Although the move is not yet finalised, the England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to confirm the historic appointment shortly.
A historic backroom shake-up
North will replace Luke Wright in the most significant change to the backroom staff since the recent 4-1 Ashes defeat.
Wright stepped down from the high-pressure role for personal reasons after serving for more than three years.
The former Australian Test batsman already boasts a long-standing association with the English domestic game.
He has served as director of cricket at Durham since 2018, where he worked closely with current Test captain Ben Stokes.
Balancing the McCullum era
The incoming selector will join a leadership group featuring head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
Stokes and limited-overs captain Harry Brook will also remain heavily involved in finalising squads alongside the performance director.
Under McCullum, management has frequently prioritised raw attributes over proven county statistics.
It will be North’s primary responsibility to provide analytical balance to these bold selection methods.
He emerged successful from an initial pool of approximately 80 candidates who submitted applications in April.
When inviting applications, the governing body was explicit about its core requirements for the successful candidate.
“Applicants should have demonstrable experience of informing talent identification and a strong understanding of data and analytics within cricket,” the ECB stated.
Looming selection decisions
The new appointee may only have a limited window to influence the squad for the first Test against New Zealand.
The summer curtain-raiser begins at Lord’s on 4 June, with a training camp commencing in Loughborough late in May.
A pressing issue for the selection panel will be finding a reliable new opening batter to replace Zak Crawley.
Durham’s Emilio Gay and Somerset prospect James Rew are currently considered the leading contenders for the top-order vacancy.
The final composition of the spin and fast-bowling departments will also prompt intense discussion ahead of the imminent squad announcement.
England captain Ben Stokes will make his return from a facial injury by bowling for Durham against Worcestershire on Friday.
The 34-year-old has not played since the Ashes after a stray ball required reconstructive surgery to his face.
His body has endured significant wear over the past year, having previously battled recurring shoulder and groin complaints.
However, there will be no gentle reintroduction for the dynamic all-rounder at New Road.
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell confirmed the returning star will take a full part with the ball in the County Championship fixture.
New-ball responsibilities
The departure of West Indian seamer Kemar Roach means the Test skipper could even be handed the new ball by county captain Alex Lees.
“He’ll be bowling for us, 100 per cent,” Campbell told the Press Association.
“In one of the innings he might even go with the new ball, that’s in our thinking.”
Campbell expects the talismanic cricketer to deliver around 20 to 25 overs across the entire match.
He added that once the fiercely competitive player enters the battle, it is notoriously difficult to withdraw him from the attack.
England’s opening bowler headache
Taking the new ball for his county provides an intriguing narrative ahead of the international summer.
The national side has struggled to fill the opening bowler void following the gradual departures of veterans like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
The left-handed batter enjoyed a bowling renaissance last year, topping his country’s wicket-taking charts with 33 dismissals at an average of 23.12.
Despite his undeniable international pedigree, Durham’s management insists his domestic deployment is purely focused on securing a county victory.
“We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team to help win a game of cricket for Durham, not to get ready for England,” Campbell added.
Meanwhile, England white-ball captain Harry Brook is also set to make his first county appearance of the season for Yorkshire.
Claire Dowling has made history by being appointed as the first female captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, taking up the role 12 years after the institution opened its membership to women.
The 2026-27 term appointment comes after nominations from past leaders of the prestigious St Andrews establishment.
Her landmark year in office will officially commence following the traditional driving-in ceremony on the first tee of the Old Course on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Pioneering membership and administrative roles
The Dublin-born golfer was among the pioneering group of women to join the Scottish club in 2015 following a landmark vote the previous year.
Since then, she has been a highly active administrator, serving extensively across the rules, general, and membership committees.
The experienced official previously acted as deputy chair for both the rules and general bodies before stepping into this prominent leadership position.
An extensive amateur playing career
Before transitioning to governance, the Irishwoman enjoyed a highly decorated amateur playing career across domestic and international competition.
She represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup four times, famously contributing to a historic 13-5 victory over the United States on American soil in 1986.
The five-time Irish Championship winner later returned to captain the GB&I squad against the Americans during a narrow 10-8 defeat at Ganton in 2000.
Further international honours included leading the Vagliano Trophy team and representing Ireland in the home internationals over a remarkable 13-year span.
Officiating legacy at The Open
Beyond her playing and committee achievements, the former Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play champion boasts a strong background in course refereeing.
She has officiated at The Open Championship on seven distinct occasions throughout her varied career in the sport.
During the 2021 tournament at Royal St George’s, she and her husband Peter notably became the first married couple to referee at the same championship.