Tiger Woods is highly unlikely to compete in either the US Open or the US Senior Open this summer as he continues his recovery in Switzerland following a recent car crash and driving under the influence charge.

The 15-time major winner is currently receiving treatment overseas after a March accident near his Florida residence led to his arrest.

Police officers discovered prescription opioid medication in the 50-year-old’s possession, which he had been using to manage severe pain from multiple significant surgeries.

United States Golf Association chief executive Mike Whan has now cast serious doubt on the American’s participation in any 2026 championships.

Champions Tour eligibility delayed

Having celebrated his 50th birthday in December, the golfing icon recently became eligible for the less physically demanding Champions Tour.

This milestone had sparked speculation that he might target the US Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in early July.

However, Whan expects the former world number one to skip both that tournament and June’s main US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

“I’d be super surprised,” Whan told Sports Illustrated when asked about a potential return in New York.

Prioritising personal health over golf

The USGA executive emphasised that the legendary athlete’s current personal battles take absolute precedence over his sporting career.

“Obviously, what he’s going through is much bigger than golf,” Whan explained.

The five-time Masters champion has endured a gruelling injury history over the past decade, repeatedly demonstrating a remarkable ability to overcome physical setbacks.

“He’s proven before that when he puts his mind to something, he’s going to be great at it,” added the USGA chief.

Whan concluded by reiterating his steadfast support for his friend’s rehabilitation rather than focusing on any future tournament appearances this season.

“I don’t think he’s going to play in any 2026 USGA championship. If he ends up playing in USGA championships, great, but when I think of Tiger, my friend, that’s not really what’s important to me right now.”

French 19-year-old Paul Seixas will make his Tour de France debut for Decathlon CMA CGM this July following an extraordinary start to his professional career.

The Lyon native’s participation was officially confirmed on Monday after months of intense speculation surrounding his summer schedule.

Debate had previously raged over whether team management would protect him from the gruelling physical demands and intense media scrutiny of a home Grand Tour.

However, a string of remarkable spring results ultimately proved the young rider is ready to compete on cycling’s biggest stage.

Stunning spring form justifies selection

The talented climber is currently in his very first full season as a professional and has never previously tackled a demanding three-week race.

He has already made significant waves this year by winning the prestigious Itzulia Basque Country stage race and the La Fleche Wallonne one-day classic.

His sweeping victory in the Basque Country, where he claimed three stages alongside all four jerseys, made him the first Frenchman to win a WorldTour stage race since Christophe Moreau in 2007.

The teenager also secured highly impressive runner-up finishes behind defending Tour champion Tadej Pogacar at both Strade Bianche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

French hopes and immense expectations

These mature performances against the world’s elite riders have inevitably sparked comparisons with legendary five-time winner Bernard Hinault.

Hinault remains the last home rider to win the general classification at the Tour de France back in 1985.

The French-based Decathlon squad revealed their star prospect’s selection through a touching social media video featuring the rider alongside his grandparents.

J’ai quelque chose à vous annoncer… I have something to tell you.

Paul Seixas

Pogacar remains the man to beat

The highly anticipated race will begin in Barcelona on 4 July before concluding in Paris on 26 July.

Pogacar lines up as the overwhelming favourite for the yellow jersey, with Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel expected to mount the strongest challenges.

Decathlon will now harbour genuine hopes of stage victories and a potential podium finish for their breakthrough star as they look to maximise home publicity.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s mixed 4x400m squad claimed bronze at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana on Sunday, leading five British teams to qualify for the 2027 World Championships.

Alex Haydock-Wilson, Lina Nielsen, Jake Minshull and Yemi Mary John combined to cross the line in three minutes 8.24 seconds.

The British quartet finished third behind the dominant line-ups of the United States and Jamaica.

This podium finish secures the mixed team a coveted spot at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest this September.

Five squads secure Beijing spots

Beyond the mixed 4x400m success, four additional British line-ups successfully navigated their races to book tickets to Beijing 2027.

The men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x100m formations progressed directly to the Sunday finals.

Their initial Saturday heat performances guaranteed automatic qualification for the upcoming global showpiece in China.

Meanwhile, the women’s 4x100m collective faced a more challenging route after suffering a disqualification in their opening run.

Repechage redemption and near misses

The female sprint team bounced back impressively to finish second in Sunday’s repechage, claiming one of the final four available World Championship slots.

However, the men’s 4x400m quartet will need to secure their Beijing qualification on time at a future event.

They finished seventh in their opening race before placing third in a highly competitive repechage heat.

Finals day proved frustrating for several of the qualified squads, as both the men’s and mixed sprint relay teams failed to complete their baton handovers.

Building on Olympic success

The women’s 4x400m formation ultimately crossed the line fourth in their respective relay final.

These performances in Botswana follow a highly successful Paris 2024 Olympics, where the nation’s athletes captured medals across all five relay disciplines.

The national setup will now look to translate these relay qualifications into major championship hardware, seeking redemption after failing to reach the podium at the previous World Championships in Tokyo.

British line-ups in Botswana

Leinster have secured their place in a fourth Champions Cup final in five seasons by surviving a dramatic late fightback to defeat Toulon 29-25 in Dublin.

The four-time winners banished the demons of last year’s shock semi-final exit to Northampton with a tense victory over their French opponents.

Leo Cullen’s side appeared to be cruising toward Bilbao after building a commanding 18-point advantage with just 11 minutes remaining.

Toulon stage dramatic late fightback

The visitors suddenly flipped the momentum of the contest when replacement Baptiste Serin darted over from close range.

Anxiety began to spread through the home crowd in the 75th minute as winger Gael Drean touched down for a third Toulon try.

That rapid score slashed the deficit to just four points and brought painful memories of recent European failures flooding back for the Irish province.

Hosts hold firm to keep European dream alive

Despite the immense late pressure, the Dublin-based outfit showed vital defensive resilience to close out the final four minutes.

Tries from Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Caelan Doris ultimately provided enough of a scoring cushion to ensure progression.

The hosts have suffered heartbreak in three successive finals and are desperately chasing their first top-tier European crown since 2018.

They will now travel to Spain in three weeks to face either Bordeaux-Begles or Bath for the ultimate prize in northern hemisphere club rugby.

Match scorers

Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy has revealed his hope that new trial drugs could extend his life following his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in 2023.

The Team GB icon was initially given between two and four years to live after the disease spread to his bones.

However, the 50-year-old remains optimistic about emerging medical treatments currently undergoing clinical trials.

Speaking ahead of the launch of Track Radio, the former track cyclist explained his current medical routine and future prospects.

Living from scan to scan

“I’m doing well, it just goes on,” he said.

“You sort of live from scan to scan and blood test to blood test, but the meds are working for now.”

Hoy acknowledged that his current medication will eventually stop working and require him to switch treatments.

Despite this reality, the Scottish athlete is focused on the present while closely monitoring the progress of new therapies.

Excitement over new treatments

“In terms of things that are coming down the line, some really exciting new drugs are in the trial stage,” he added.

“They are showing really, really impressive results, so fingers crossed for those and hopefully they should be out in a year or two for standard treatment.”

The 11-time world champion noted the immense comfort of having additional lines of medical defence stacked up against the illness.

He remains determined to enjoy the present moment and maximise the potential of every single day.

Charitable legacy and fighting back

During a stellar sporting career, the Edinburgh-born cyclist amassed 37 major medals and was Britain’s most successful Olympian until 2021.

His renowned resilience has now transitioned into charitable endeavours, including the launch of an annual cycling event called The Tour de 4.

The initiative has already raised £3.1m to support those affected by the disease and fund future breakthroughs.

“If we can collectively do something about it, fight back to punch back against it when you feel so helpless, actually there is something you can do,” Hoy explained.

“So if we can keep raising the money, providing support, building a community to help people who are going through a difficult time, then you know it’s making the best of a very difficult situation.”

The Puma has been withdrawn from the 152nd Kentucky Derby just hours before Saturday’s race due to a swollen leg, reducing the field to 19 horses.

Churchill Downs officials confirmed the late scratching was caused by a skin infection.

The withdrawal occurred after the deadline for also-eligible runners, meaning Corona de Oro cannot step in to fill the vacant spot.

Disappointment for the Delgado stable

Trained by the father-son duo of Gustavo Delgado Sr and Gustavo Delgado Jr, the colt had seen his odds shorten from 10-1 down to 8-1 by Friday afternoon.

“It’s incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two,” Delgado said.

“It’s just really bad timing.”

The trainers were hoping to secure their second victory in the prestigious American classic, having previously triumphed with Mage in 2023.

Fourth withdrawal reshapes the race

The Puma’s late exit marks the fourth casualty from the famous Louisville event this week.

Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Right to Party were all ruled out in recent days, allowing alternates Great White, Ocelli and Robusta to enter the fray.

Renegade remains the clear favourite to capture the historic victory.

Todd Pletcher’s highly-rated runner will attempt to become the first horse in four decades to win from the inside number one post position.

LIV Golf has hired restructuring experts to secure a multi-billion dollar financial lifeline after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund confirmed it will end its backing of the circuit at the close of the current season.

The controversial breakaway league is reportedly bringing in consulting firm AlixPartners to draw up a fresh business plan aimed at attracting crucial external investment.

Sources indicate the competition is also days away from retaining a leading investment bank to assist with imminent capital-raising efforts.

The withdrawal of Saudi sovereign wealth has sparked a frantic scramble to salvage the series, which features high-profile stars including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

Contingency plans for insolvency

Insiders suggest the engagement of restructuring specialists could also serve as a contingency move to prepare for a potential winding-down process.

This drastic outcome remains a genuine possibility if new investors cannot be identified by the end of the calendar year.

However, sources close to the 13-team league insist the primary focus is on devising a credible financial pitch for prospective partners.

A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed the move to explore new avenues for capital.

“LIV Golf has engaged experienced advisers across disciplines to identify and secure long-term strategic investment partners and guide us through our next phase.”

The cost of a breakaway circuit

The Middle Eastern backers have spent unprecedented billions attempting to establish the global tour as the pre-eminent force in the sport.

Despite writing massive cheques to lure elite talent away from the established PGA Tour, the prospect of achieving profitability has remained elusive.

Spanish two-time major champion Rahm famously defected for a reported $300m (£222m) payment, mirroring the lucrative sums handed to several other competitors.

Now in its fourth full campaign, the series faces a critical juncture as it attempts to survive without the vast wealth that initially brought it to life.

Promoter Frank Warren believes 21-year-old rising star Moses Itauma is ready to fight unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for a world title before the end of the year.

The British prospect recently delivered an expert demolition of Jermaine Franklin, concluding a consummate performance with a blazing knockout.

That impressive showing convinced his veteran promoter that the youngster firmly belongs at the very top of the heavyweight division.

“I fancy that fight. I’ll be honest with you, I fancy that fight right now,” Warren stated.
“And I don’t rush anyone. If we could make that fight, I’d make that now.”

Rapid rise up the heavyweight ranks

Despite his relative inexperience, the undefeated prodigy has displayed remarkable composure, speed and boxing intelligence.

The lightning-fast southpaw utilises exceptionally quick hands to deliver devastating strikes from unconventional angles.

“His composure, his speed, his boxing brain, everything, his ability and the maturity he showed for such a young fighter is unbelievable,” Warren added.

Title picture remains complex

While a bout against the Ukrainian titleholder would represent a monumental step up, the path to a championship fight remains unpredictable.

The unified champion could vacate one of his belts or opt for a mandatory defence of his WBC title against Agit Kabayel.

Alternatively, he might seek another unification clash against the winner of the upcoming WBO championship bout between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.

However, securing a fight against the man widely considered the best heavyweight of his era would represent the ultimate prize for the ambitious Briton.

“Usyk’s undefeated. He is what he is and he’s considered to be the best of his era by a lot of people. Go for that,” Warren concluded.