Robert MacIntyre is facing a reprimand at the Masters after raising his middle finger and swearing during a disastrous opening round of eight over par at Augusta National.
The Scot endured a nightmare on the par-five 15th hole, finding the water twice on his way to a devastating quadruple-bogey nine.
Frustration visibly boiled over for the 29-year-old, who was caught on camera making the offensive gesture towards the green after his initial approach landed in the penalty area.
Television broadcasts also captured him slamming his clubs into the fairway and shouting explicit language, which prompted an immediate on-air apology from commentators.
Clash with Augusta traditions
The prestigious host venue is globally renowned for enforcing a strict code of conduct regarding both player etiquette and patron decorum.
As a result, the frustrated golfer is expected to receive an official warning prior to his second round on Friday, although he may avoid a formal financial penalty.
His dramatic opening-day collapse has severely damaged his chances of making the cut and left him 13 shots adrift of early tournament leaders Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy.
Following the difficult round, a clearly dejected MacIntyre departed the club premises without fulfilling any media obligations to waiting reporters.
McIlroy makes confident start
In stark contrast to his fellow competitor, defending champion McIlroy enjoyed a superb beginning to his campaign for back-to-back tournament victories.
The Northern Irishman managed his early tension effectively, leaning on nearly two decades of course knowledge to navigate the iconic Georgia layout.
I thought I would feel different but then I put my tee in the ground and my ball on the tee on the first hole and I felt the same nerves I always feel.
Rory McIlroy
The tournament leader recovered impressively from early errant tee shots, maintaining a fluid swing and aggressive mindset throughout his front nine.
Wherever I hit it on this course I’ve seen it all over the past 18 years so I always think I can figure it out, get to the front of the green and find a par.
Rory McIlroy
Manny Pacquiao has rebranded a Hollywood gym formerly associated with Floyd Mayweather as the rivals clash over the terms of their planned Las Vegas rematch this September.
The Filipino boxing icon is preparing to face his long-time rival at the Sphere on 19 September, more than a decade after their record-breaking encounter in 2015.
However, preparations for the lucrative bout have been overshadowed by a bitter dispute over the official classification of the contest.
Dispute over exhibition status
The undefeated American has publicly characterised the upcoming event as an exhibition, contradicting the professional terms the multi-division world champion claims were firmly agreed upon.
Representatives for the 49-year-old have so far not responded to requests for comment regarding the contractual discrepancy.
He knows what he signed.
The 47-year-old challenger, who ended a four-year retirement last year, insists the issue surrounding the fight classification is entirely a matter of principle.
Dignity. Integrity. That’s what matters.
Legal action threatened
Behind the scenes, the promotional team is demanding clarity on how the highly anticipated bout moves forward.
Jas Mathur, chief executive of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, confirmed the event is anchored by strict, pre-existing documentation.
Not one, not two, but three different agreements. He signed all of them.
Mathur claims these documents explicitly outline a professional contest rather than an exhibition, and include financial commitments that are already in motion.
He took an advance on his purse. Everything is black and white.
Gym takeover signals new era
The escalating contractual tension coincides with a significant shift in the boxing landscape outside the ring.
A Hollywood training facility previously tied to the American fighter is set to open this summer under the new name ‘Pacquiao Prime Boxing’.
Inside the premises, a large mural of the former champion is scheduled for removal, symbolising a clear changing of the guard.
Mathur described the current situation regarding the fight contract as a breach, adding that the matter is now being aggressively handled through legal channels.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy aims to secure back-to-back Masters titles at Augusta National this week following high praise from fellow professional Jason Day.
The 36-year-old returns to Georgia having ended an 11-year major drought in 2025 with a dramatic sudden-death playoff victory over Justin Rose.
That triumphant moment finally secured the elusive career Grand Slam for the Northern Irishman.
His supreme consistency over the past year has drawn immense admiration from his peers, including former world number one Day.
Jason Day hails defending champion
The Australian finished tied for eighth at Augusta last year and witnessed the historic victory firsthand.
Day admitted that competing against such relentless excellence occasionally provokes a humorous desire for sabotage.
“[You] can’t do anything. You want to go over there and break every club in his bag, but that’s just not going to work.”
“He’s clearly playing some good golf, so you’ve got to do the best job you can.”
Such candid confessions showcase exactly how highly the reigning champion is regarded across the golfing world.
McIlroy maintains intense motivation
Despite achieving his ultimate sporting ambition last year, the European Ryder Cup star refuses to rest on his laurels.
The veteran golfer has enjoyed a solid start to the 2026 season, securing top-three finishes at both the Dubai Invitational and the Genesis Invitational.
When questioned about his remaining drive, the four-time major winner insisted his appetite for success remains entirely undiminished.
“I still want to achieve things, I still want to win things. This isn’t the end.”
“I feel like with the way I am playing and feeling … physically I feel better at 36 than I did at 25.”
The quest for another coveted green jacket officially begins on April 6 as the sport’s elite gather once again in Georgia.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy overcame early nerves to shoot a five-under-par 67 and share the early Masters lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National.
Overcoming first-tee jitters
The defending champion admitted his right hand visibly shook as he placed his tee in the ground on Thursday morning.
However, he welcomed the familiar anxiety during his first competitive round at Augusta since securing his career Grand Slam last year.
“I was anxious just like I always am. I think it would be worrisome if I didn’t feel that way because it definitely still means something to me.”
The Northern Irishman noted that retaining such nerves is essential for producing top-tier golf under immense pressure.
Finding a way to score
Despite hitting only five of 14 fairways, he managed his way around the iconic Georgia course with impressive patience.
This resilience resulted in his lowest opening round at the prestigious tournament since 2011.
“I didn’t hit the ball very well the first seven holes, and sometimes here that would lead me to get tentative.”
Instead of panicking, he trusted his swing and eventually found a rhythm that yielded a five-under-par finish.
His recovery was highlighted by crucial birdies on the 13th and 15th holes, salvaging scores even after driving into the famous pine trees.
The Green Jacket effect
A strategic shift also played a vital role in his strong start to the major championship.
Opting for a driver rather than a three-wood on the traditionally uncomfortable seventh, 14th, and 17th holes, he played that trio in one under par.
Ultimately, the comfort of knowing he is already an Augusta champion allowed him to play with newfound freedom.
“I think it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the Champions Locker Room and put my green jacket on.”
Ireland’s Shane Lowry produced a moment of magic on day one of The Masters, holing out from 99 yards to secure a spectacular eagle on the par-five 13th hole at Augusta National.
The sublime wedge shot arrived at the iconic par-five, instantly propelling the 2019 Open champion up the early leaderboard.
After laying up with his second shot, the Irishman judged his approach to perfection as the ball spun sharply back into the cup.
Navigating Amen Corner
The 13th hole, traditionally the final test of Augusta’s treacherous Amen Corner, frequently offers scoring opportunities for those brave enough to attack the pins.
However, finding the bottom of the cup from the fairway requires a masterful display of distance control and spin regulation.
The Clara native has often spoken of his affection for the season’s first major championship, despite the unique challenges presented by the Georgia layout.
Chasing Major Glory
Securing an eagle so early in the tournament provides a vital injection of momentum as players jockey for positioning.
The 37-year-old will be hoping this stunning highlight acts as the catalyst for a sustained challenge over the coming days.
Augusta’s notoriously fast greens demand absolute precision, a quality the Ryder Cup star demonstrated flawlessly from the fairway.
The first batch of tickets for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games has sparked outrage among local residents after seats priced at over $5,000 appeared during a presale event plagued by technical errors.
Despite organizers marketing the upcoming summer spectacle as the most accessible in history, many fans discovered that popular sessions were either completely sold out or astronomically expensive.
Prospective buyers who logged on for their assigned time slots this week were met with opening ceremony tickets ranging from $329 to a staggering $5,519.
Glitches compound ticketing frustration
Technical difficulties further alienated residents attempting to secure early entry to the much-anticipated global event.
Numerous users reported being unexpectedly ejected from the virtual queue or facing access denial messages for several hours.
By the time many locals successfully navigated the portal, the remaining inventory was severely limited and predominantly consisted of premium-priced options.
“I was shocked. Even climbing was all gone.”
Local resident Andie Pangan
Stark contrast with previous Games
The steep financial barrier has drawn immediate and unfavorable comparisons to recent international sporting showcases.
During the Paris 2024 Games, the most expensive passes for highly sought-after swimming finals were firmly capped at approximately $1,050.
The Californian host city, which previously staged the event in 1984, had promised a community-inclusive approach to the 2028 edition.
While officials maintain that 75 percent of all admissions will ultimately cost under $400, the reality of the initial purchasing window painted a markedly different picture.
“I don’t know how they can afford it. It’s a missed opportunity for the Olympics and for the area.”
Agoura Hills resident Harris Auerbach
Organizers defend controversial fees
The organizing committee has also faced significant criticism regarding a supplementary 24 percent service fee automatically applied to each transaction.
Representatives for the upcoming tournament dismissed the technical glitches as isolated incidents that were swiftly resolved.
They defended the substantial processing surcharges as standard industry practice for live events within the United States market.
These exorbitant pricing structures mirror a broader trend in American sports, where entry to premier domestic fixtures like the Super Bowl regularly demands thousands of dollars.
England fly-half Fin Smith returns from concussion as Northampton Saints make six changes to face Bath in Friday’s Champions Cup quarter-final at the Rec.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell is named among the replacements after recovering from a hamstring injury that curtailed his Six Nations campaign.
Archie McParland starts in the number nine jersey alongside the returning playmaker, while Rory Hutchinson joins Fraser Dingwall in midfield.
Furbank leads reshuffled Saints side
Full-back George Furbank, whose end-of-season departure to Harlequins was announced on Wednesday, will captain the visitors.
The forward pack sees Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona selected in the front row.
Open-side flanker Tom Pearson is also drafted in to complete a new-look back row alongside Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock.
Bath opt for power on the bench
The hosts have also rotated their starting XV heavily, with England pair Sam Underhill and Miles Reid joining Guy Pepper in the back row.
Head coach Johann van Graan has named a formidable six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, bringing significant power in reserve through players like Alfie Barbeary and Thomas du Toit.
In the backline, Cameron Redpath replaces Max Ojomoh at centre, while Henry Arundell shifts to the right wing to accommodate Will Muir.
Recent history favours the visitors
The Premiership’s top two sides come into this knockout fixture following high-scoring victories in the previous round.
Phil Dowson’s men secured a thrilling 49-41 triumph over Castres last week, while the Somerset outfit overcame domestic rivals Saracens 31-22.
The East Midlands club triumphed 41-21 when these heavyweights last met in December, heavily aided by a Tommy Freeman hat-trick.
“We took quite a bit of learning a few months ago when we played Northampton here,” said Bath head coach Johann van Graan.
“It’s a completely different game and psychological remit, but we’ll try to replicate the things that went well that day,” added Saints boss Phil Dowson.
The victors of this tie will face either cup holders Bordeaux or six-time champions Toulouse in next month’s semi-finals.
Brazil seamer Laura Cardoso has become the first player in history to take nine wickets in a Twenty20 international during a remarkable victory over Lesotho.
The 21-year-old recorded astonishing figures of nine wickets for just four runs in three overs at the Kalahari Women’s tournament in Gaborone.
Chasing a formidable target of 203, the African nation were completely dismantled and bowled out for a mere 13 runs in 6.2 overs.
Unprecedented international bowling figures
The history-making spell surpasses the previous overall T20 record held by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, who claimed eight wickets against Myanmar in a men’s fixture in 2025.
In women’s cricket, the South American bowler eclipsed the benchmark set by Indonesia’s Rohmalia Rohmalia, who took seven wickets without conceding a run against Mongolia in 2024.
The fast bowler initiated her devastating run of dismissals by claiming five wickets in five consecutive deliveries across her first two overs.
Denied a perfect ten-wicket haul
She left her opposition reeling at eight for five before picking up another two wickets to complete a second consecutive maiden over.
Two further dismissals followed in her third over as the national side closed in on a comprehensive triumph.
However, the prospect of a perfect ten-wicket haul eluded the Brazilian starlet when teammate Marianne Artur secured the final breakthrough.
Artur had Lindiwe Polaki stumped to conclude the match, sealing a dominant result that keeps the squad unbeaten after five games in Botswana.