Gary Woodland and four other players have secured their invitations to the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, bringing the confirmed field to 93 competitors ahead of the April tournament.

Woodland claimed a dominant five-shot victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open on Sunday to earn his spot.

It marked a first PGA Tour title since the 2019 US Open for the American.

Meanwhile, Daniel Berger, Jake Knapp, Nicolai Hojgaard and Matt McCarty maintained their positions inside the world’s top 50 to guarantee their major appearances.

McIlroy defends as Scheffler starts favourite

Only one place remains available for the opening major of the year, which will go to the winner of the upcoming Valero Texas Open.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns to Georgia aiming to retain the Green Jacket.

The Northern Irishman claimed a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose last year to finally complete the elusive career Grand Slam.

However, world number one Scottie Scheffler is the pre-tournament favourite as he targets a third triumph in four years.

Woods participation remains in severe doubt

Five-time champion Tiger Woods is listed in the field but his participation remains highly unlikely following recent off-course events and severe injury struggles.

The American was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a car crash in Florida late last month.

Furthermore, the golfing icon has not played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship after undergoing multiple Achilles and back surgeries.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf representatives Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are among the high-profile contingent chasing further major glory.

New qualification rules expand global reach

Players typically qualify for the prestigious event by finishing the previous calendar year inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

Lifetime exemptions are granted to past champions, alongside recent major winners and top performers from the previous year’s major championships.

However, Augusta National has introduced a new exemption category for 2026 to reward international success.

Additional invitations have now been distributed to the winners of six national events, including the Scottish, Spanish and Australian Opens.

Former New York Marathon champion Albert Korir has been handed a five-year ban from athletics after testing positive for a blood-boosting substance.

The 32-year-old tested positive for CERA, a modern variant of erythropoietin (EPO), across three separate samples collected in Kenya last October.

Those tests were conducted while the long-distance specialist was preparing for a subsequent race in the United States.

Aggravating circumstances

The Athletics Integrity Unit confirmed that all of the runner’s results since October will be disqualified.

This ruling means he will lose his third-place finish from last November’s event in New York.

Investigators noted that returning three positive samples constituted clear evidence of prohibited substance use on multiple occasions.

“This is expressly identified in the definition of aggravating circumstances.”

Admission reduces sanction

The Kenyan athlete’s suspension is currently scheduled to expire in January 2031.

His punishment was reduced by a year because he admitted to the doping violation rather than requesting a formal hearing.

Despite the severe penalty, the 2021 champion will be allowed to retain his most famous victory.

He has also historically performed well in the Big Apple, finishing as runner-up in both 2019 and 2023.

Wider East African concerns

This latest suspension adds to growing anti-doping concerns within Kenyan athletics.

Women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was recently banned for three years following her own positive test.

She returned a sample containing the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide earlier this year.

However, the Chicago Marathon winner has been allowed to keep her historic world record time because it pre-dated the failed test.

Geoff Burrow, the father of rugby league legend Rob Burrow and a prominent motor neurone disease campaigner, has died after a period of ill health.

Leeds Rhinos confirmed the sad news in a statement, revealing the lifelong supporter passed away on Monday.

The devoted grandfather became a tireless advocate for the MND community following his son’s devastating diagnosis in December 2019.

He continued raising vital funds and awareness even after the former Great Britain scrum-half passed away in June 2024.

A tireless voice for the MND community

Before his charitable efforts thrust him into the national spotlight, the Leeds-born father spent his career as a dedicated trade union representative.

This commitment to advocating for others was a core trait he brought directly into the public fight against the cruel neurological condition.

It was also his lifelong passion for the sport that paved the way for one of rugby league’s most iconic careers.

He famously took a young Rob to his very first match at Headingley, sparking a love affair with the Rhinos that would eventually yield eight Super League titles.

Tributes paid to a devoted family man

The Yorkshire club released a touching tribute acknowledging the profound impact of his relentless charity work.

“Geoff was always a champion for those who did not have a voice throughout his career as a trade union representative.”

The Super League side extended their deepest condolences to his wife Irene and the wider family.

Club officials have asked that the grieving family be granted privacy during this immensely difficult period.

Welterweight champion Lauren Price defends her world titles and heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora collide during a blockbuster 48 hours of boxing this weekend.

Welsh star Price puts her WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight belts on the line against Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff on Saturday.

The unbeaten Olympic gold medallist is expected to make her ringwalk at approximately 21:00 GMT.

Fans can watch the entire card live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 18:00, with BBC Two joining the broadcast at 20:00.

Heavyweight Drama at the O2

Attention then switches to London’s O2 Arena later that evening for a massive heavyweight clash.

Veteran British fighter Chisora faces fearsome American knockout artist Wilder in a highly anticipated showdown.

Ringwalks for the heavyweight main event are scheduled for after 22:00, with the first bell expected around 22:30.

Live radio commentary of the bout will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00.

All-British Unification Bout

The boxing action continues into Sunday at the Olympia in Kensington with a stacked women’s card.

WBC lightweight champion Caroline Dubois faces WBO belt holder Terri Harper in a spectacular unification bout.

Live text commentary for the Sunday event will commence from 19:00 on the BBC Sport website and app.

The Sunday showcase also features Emma Dolan’s super-flyweight world title tilt against Mexican challenger Irma Garcia.

Weekend Fight Cards and Running Orders

The Saturday night showcase in Cardiff features a packed undercard supporting the main title fight.

The heavyweight spectacle in London boasts an equally compelling list of preliminary bouts.

Sunday’s championship event in Kensington rounds off the weekend with multiple world titles on the line.

Tiger Woods will travel to Augusta this week for a scheduled appearance, despite his recent car crash and subsequent DUI arrest in Florida.

The 50-year-old is not expected to compete in the upcoming Masters tournament following the rollover incident in Jupiter Island.

However, the 15-time major winner remains committed to celebrating a municipal golf course project known as ‘The Patch’.

He will be joined in Georgia by Masters chairman Fred Ridley for the unveiling of a short course designed by his team.

Florida crash and DUI charge

The American golf icon was involved in a collision earlier this week after attempting to overtake a truck pulling a pressure cleaner trailer.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed that the former world number one’s Land Rover rolled onto its driver’s door during the incident.

“As he was trying to do so, the Land Rover overtook him and at the last minute swerved to avoid a collision but clipped the trailer of the vehicle,” Budensiek explained.

Following the accident, the five-time Masters champion was able to climb out of the passenger door before officers arrived.

Arrest and tournament absence

Law enforcement officials reported signs of impairment at the scene, prompting several in-depth roadside tests.

The golfing legend was subsequently arrested and taken to Martin County Jail.

Although a breathalyzer test returned a 0.00 reading for alcohol, he was charged with DUI with property damage after refusing to provide a urine sample.

“He did explain the injuries and surgeries he has had,” Budensiek noted regarding the field evaluation.

Former US President Donald Trump has already publicly addressed the situation regarding the upcoming major championship.

“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there. He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it,” Trump remarked.

British boxer Ellie Scotney will attempt to become the UK’s youngest undisputed world champion of the four-belt era when she faces Mexico’s Mayelli Flores in London on 5 April.

The Catford native is aiming to unify the WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF championships at 122lbs.

A victory at Kensington’s Olympia would cement her legacy at the pinnacle of the sport.

From hardware store to boxing history

The British fighter’s professional journey began under difficult circumstances during the global pandemic.

After leaving the Great Britain amateur setup in early 2020, strict lockdown restrictions forced her to halt her fighting ambitions.

To make ends meet, the future unified champion took a job as a key worker at a B&Q hardware store.

“I used to work with the nails and that. I didn’t have a clue, I used to blag it.”
“Someone could ask me a question and I’d tell them to go that end of the store knowing it weren’t there and I’d hide. It was a nightmare.”

An old-school path to the summit

Once her professional career finally commenced late in 2020, the super-bantamweight advanced with terrifying speed.

She secured the European title in just her sixth bout before claiming the IBF crown.

The Londoner then systematically defeated the reigning titleholders to add the WBC and WBO belts to her collection.

“I feel like it’s the right way to do things and it’s the old school way.”
“You become undisputed but you haven’t fought for a vacant belt, you literally beat every champion on the way, there’s no better way in my opinion.”

The ultimate prize awaits

Defeating Flores will require overcoming a resilient opponent, but the rising star remains entirely focused on her objective.

Having previously worked in supermarkets and garden centres, she maintains a grounded perspective on her rapid ascent.

“It’s much easier getting punched in the face. It’s so much easier.”
“It’ll mean everything. This is the pinnacle that I’m boxing for.”

Sebastian Fundora retained his WBC super-welterweight title by handing Keith Thurman the first stoppage defeat of his career in a dominant six-round victory in Las Vegas.

The 28-year-old champion overpowered his fellow American to secure a technical knockout victory just under the halfway stage of the scheduled 12-round contest.

The referee waved off the bout with the challenger sporting a bloodied face and entirely unable to defend against a relentless barrage of punches.

It marks the first time the former unified welterweight champion has been stopped, with his only previous defeat coming on points against Manny Pacquiao in 2019.

Towering champion exploits physical advantage

Standing at over six feet five inches, the reigning titleholder held a distinct height and reach advantage over his much smaller opponent.

He utilised this significant physical superiority effectively, consistently keeping the 37-year-old veteran at bay throughout the one-sided encounter.

The challenger’s severe ring rust was quickly apparent, having fought only twice in the seven years since his landmark defeat to Pacquiao.

His legs were visibly buckled early in the fight by a potent left hand from the defending champion.

‘It was a lot easier than I expected’

Following the victory, which improved his professional record to 24 wins, one loss, and one draw, the victor admitted the contest was surprisingly straightforward.

“It was a lot easier than I expected,” Fundora stated.
“I was a little nervous because he’s such a big name, but we got in there and I remind myself as soon as we step through everything, this is my world.”
“I think 154 is the best division right now, so whoever wants it next, we can get it.”

Thurman frustrated by premature stoppage

Despite being comprehensively outgunned, the beaten Floridian expressed deep frustration at the referee’s decision to halt proceedings.

“Win, lose, or draw, I thought it was a little bit premature,” Thurman argued.
“The fight was getting really good. The fans were loving the action and the referee stopped it too early.”

However, the veteran gracefully acknowledged his opponent’s quality, praising the devastating and awkward uppercut that ultimately caused the fight-ending cut.

Tyrell Fortune has secured a victory on his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Marcin Tybura in Seattle after a scorecard reading error initially awarded the fight to his opponent.

The heavyweight contender was already walking back to the tunnel when officials spotted the mistake and summoned him back to the Octagon.

Veteran cage announcer Bruce Buffer had incorrectly read the judges’ scorecards in favour of the Polish fighter during the Saturday night bout.

The judges ultimately scored the contest 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 to award a unanimous decision to the American.

Overcoming initial frustration

The 35-year-old had accepted the Fight Night matchup on just two weeks’ notice.

The Northwest native believed his performance was lacking before the corrected decision was announced to the crowd.

“I was so upset with myself. I felt I didn’t do enough,” stated Fortune.
“With two weeks’ notice, I feel like I did a good job, but I also need to come with a better performance next time.”

A remarkable journey to the top

The former NCAA Division II national wrestling champion has taken an arduous path to reach mixed martial arts’ premier promotion.

During his amateur wrestling career in 2012, he suffered severe health complications during a weight cut and was temporarily pronounced dead.

Following a complete medical recovery, the highly-touted prospect steadily built his professional resume across multiple rival organisations.

He previously competed in Bellator from 2016 until 2023, before making two appearances in the Professional Fighters League prior to this promotional debut.