World number one Scottie Scheffler has dismissed suggestions of an early-season form slump as he prepares to target a historic third title at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
The American is aiming to join golfing great Jack Nicklaus as the only other three-time winner of the prestigious Florida event.
However, questions over his current trajectory were raised following a tied-24th finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.
That result marked his worst PGA Tour finish in 13 months, accompanied by his poorest tournament approach play statistics in four years.
Questioning the media narrative
The 2026 campaign actually began perfectly for the world’s top-ranked player with a dominant four-shot victory at The American Express.
Subsequent finishes of third, fourth, 12th and 24th have created a downward statistical trend, but the Ryder Cup star quickly rejected the negative framing.
“I think that’s kind of a funny question, because if you flipped my season around and it was like, I finished 24th or something last week, 12th, then third and fourth, and a win… would your question be the same?”
“Your expectations of me are living week by week. My expectations of myself are almost more shot by shot.”
Trusting feel over statistics
The six-time worldwide winner insists he is perfectly content with his overall mental approach on the golf course.
Acknowledging that there are always areas for improvement, the Texan maintained that his personal standards remain far higher than those set by outside observers.
“I think I’m always my own biggest critic. No matter what round of golf you look at, I think there’s always something you feel you could do better.”
Despite registering unusually poor data in his recent outings, he remains completely unfazed by the underlying analytics.
“Typically, I’m not a huge stats guy, because my feel is what I trust the most. The conclusion is I’ll trust my feel before anything else.”
He will begin his title defence alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas in the opening two rounds.
Formula 1 teams and drivers are preparing for an entirely different challenge at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend as the sport’s new 2026 regulations meet the first sprint format of the season.
The second round of the campaign in Shanghai follows a divisive season-opening race in Australia.
Participants and fans are still adapting to the sweeping regulatory changes introduced for the new era.
Adding to the complexity, the Shanghai International Circuit will host the first of six alternative weekend formats this year.
Sprint format limits preparation time
Competitors will only have a single practice session before entering the intense pressure of competitive running.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur expects the upcoming event to present a stark contrast to the Melbourne opener.
“China will be a completely different story.”
“In terms of energy deployment, it’s almost the opposite to Australia.”
Contrasting circuit characteristics
Temperatures are expected to be significantly colder in Asia, complicating tyre warm-up and overall team strategy.
The layout itself is vastly different from the Albert Park circuit where Mercedes secured the opening victory.
Shanghai features heavy braking zones that will allow drivers to recharge their power unit batteries naturally.
This contrasts sharply with energy-starved circuits where the hybrid systems struggle to replenish electrical power.
Energy management remains crucial
The Chinese venue also features fewer extended straights, altering how drivers deploy their stored electrical energy throughout the lap.
After battling the Scuderia’s Charles Leclerc last weekend, Australian Grand Prix winner George Russell noted the unpredictable nature of the current racing dynamics.
With both the Silver Arrows and the Italian marque making strong starts to the campaign, the battle for supremacy remains wide open.
The entire paddock knows that early assumptions about the new ruleset could be quickly dismantled on the demanding Shanghai asphalt.
Liverpool are prepared to trigger an £86.5m release clause to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams this summer amid growing uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future.
The Anfield club are turning their attention to the transfer market following a frustrating domestic campaign.
Their latest setback came in a 2-1 Premier League defeat by bottom-of-the-table Wolves, though they subsequently eliminated the West Midlands side from the FA Cup.
Record fee for Spanish star
The highly rated Spain international has established himself as one of Europe’s most coveted attacking talents.
He signed a mammoth 10-year contract in Bilbao last year, but the agreement reportedly contains a release clause rising to €100m (£86.5m).
Meeting that valuation would represent a club-record fee for the Basque outfit.
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the dynamic forward.
Salah’s uncertain future
Securing a marquee addition could help offset the potential departure of their Egyptian talisman.
Despite his contract running until 2027, a recent dip in form and a mid-season disagreement with manager Arne Slot have reignited speculation regarding a summer exit.
Interest from the Saudi Pro League remains a significant factor as the Merseyside club evaluates its long-term attacking options.
Alternative targets assessed
Former Reds defender Glen Johnson has suggested that Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski could also fit the profile required at Anfield.
The Sweden international is yet to feature for the North London club this term due to a serious knee injury.
However, another blockbuster spending spree remains uncertain following a substantial £400m outlay on new recruits during the previous summer window.
Italy have produced one of the biggest shocks in World Baseball Classic history by defeating the United States 8-6 in Houston to leave the hosts facing potential elimination.
A roster comprised predominantly of American major leaguers with Italian heritage defied their underdog status against a star-studded opposing lineup.
Three early home runs and a masterful pitching performance from Michael Lorenzen helped build an imposing 8-0 advantage that the heavily favoured Americans could not overturn.
Qualification hopes hang in the balance
The United States conclude their Pool B campaign with a 3-1 record, meaning their tournament survival now depends entirely on Wednesday’s final group fixture.
If the undefeated Italians secure a victory over Mexico, the host nation will safely progress to the knockout stages.
However, a Mexican triumph would leave three teams tied at the top of the standings, forcing a complex tiebreaker based on the fewest runs allowed per out recorded.
The pre-tournament favourites currently hold a disadvantageous defensive record, having leaked 11 runs across their 54 combined outs against Mexico and Italy.
Lorenzen stifles star-studded lineup
The encounter at Daikin Park initially appeared to be following the expected script when rookie pitcher Nolan McLean struck out the first three batters in front of a partisan 38,653 crowd.
That momentum rapidly evaporated in the second inning when Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel dispatched a home run into the left-field Crawford Boxes.
Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone subsequently launched further powerful strikes to establish a commanding 5-0 lead.
Veteran right-hander Lorenzen proved instrumental in defending that advantage, throwing four and two-thirds shutout innings against a fearsome batting order featuring Bobby Witt Jr and Aaron Judge.
Late rally falls short
By the time Gunnar Henderson finally registered a score for the hosts with a sixth-inning home run, three further unearned runs had already stretched the deficit beyond reach.
A spirited late fightback provided moments of tension, highlighted by two spectacular home runs from Chicago Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong in the dying stages.
Roman Anthony also contributed a run-scoring single during an explosive eighth inning as the mounting pressure tested the European side’s resolve.
Ultimately, relief pitcher Greg Weissert held his nerve with a runner on base, striking out Henderson and Judge to seal a famous triumph.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has scored the second-most points in a single game in NBA history, dropping 83 points during a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
The All-Star big man delivered an unprecedented performance, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game from 2006 to sit strictly behind Wilt Chamberlain in the all-time record books.
He shot 20 of 43 from the field, including seven three-pointers, and converted an extraordinary 36 of 43 free-throw attempts.
Chasing Chamberlain’s legendary century
Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point benchmark, set on 3 March 1962, has stood unchallenged for over six decades as the pinnacle of individual basketball achievement.
By combining at least 20 field goals and 25 free throws, the Miami talisman became the first player since Chamberlain to reach those specific statistical milestones in a single fixture.
The Washington defence had no answer for his versatile offensive skill set, routinely sending him to the foul line where he capitalised with clinical precision.
Surpassing Bryant’s modern milestone
For nearly two decades, basketball fans considered Bryant’s 81-point masterclass against the Toronto Raptors as the modern era’s unbreakable scoring record.
This phenomenal offensive explosion fundamentally alters the historical landscape of the league, cementing the American international’s legacy among the absolute greatest individual performances ever witnessed.
The Baltimore Ravens have unexpectedly backed out of a blockbuster trade to acquire five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The dramatic collapse of the deal was announced by the AFC West franchise on Tuesday night, just hours before it was due to become official.
Initial reports on Friday suggested the proposed agreement involved sending first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027 to Nevada in exchange for the prized defensive asset.
Deal collapses before new league year
The highly anticipated transaction was scheduled to be formally completed at the start of the new National Football League year on Wednesday.
No further details or explanations were provided by either organisation regarding the sudden breakdown of the move.
This abrupt cancellation means the elite pass rusher will remain in Las Vegas, where he has established himself as one of the most fearsome defenders in the sport.
‘Zero ill will’ from star defender
Prior to the trade falling through, the dominant edge rusher had already addressed his impending departure in a poignant social media video released on Saturday.
“I have zero ill will toward the Raiders and hope to retire with the organisation when the time comes.”
It now appears the defensive talisman will immediately get his wish to continue his career in silver and black.
Former mixed martial arts pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will end their lengthy retirements to face each other in a landmark bout at the Intuit Dome in California on 16 May.
Speaking at their first public appearance to promote the event on Tuesday, the 39-year-old Olympic judo medallist declared the showdown the biggest fight currently possible in the sport.
The highly anticipated matchup brings together two of the most influential figures in the early development of women’s combat sports.
Both icons transitioned into Hollywood entertainment careers after their initial competitive peaks, leaving fans dreaming of a clash that never materialised during their prime.
Challenging the UFC monolith
The former bantamweight champion last competed in the octagon in 2016, while her 43-year-old opponent has not fought professionally since 2009.
Despite these prolonged absences from the cage, the temptation to finally settle the ultimate fantasy matchup proved impossible to ignore.
“This is the biggest fight in MMA right now. There are no two people in this sport with more international name recognition than me and Gina.”
Ronda Rousey
The California native heavily criticised the Ultimate Fighting Championship, claiming she rejected an offer to return on their final pay-per-view card due to inadequate financial compensation.
While maintaining respect for UFC president Dana White, she accused the promotion’s corporate owners of severely strangling fighter pay.
“Now it’s become about changing the entire landscape of the sport and challenging the monolith that the UFC has become.”
Ronda Rousey
Netflix broadcast and Ngannou return
The five-round main event will be broadcast globally on Netflix and is being co-promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
The former Strikeforce star revealed she was convinced to return following extensive conversations with her upcoming opponent, who first proposed the bout while pregnant more than a year ago.
The undercard at Steve Ballmer’s new Los Angeles arena will also feature the highly anticipated return of former heavyweight king Francis Ngannou.
The formidable Cameroonian striker recently secured his release from the Professional Fighters League to join the historic bill, where he is scheduled to fight 40-year-old Brazilian veteran Philipe Lins.
Bayern Munich secured a commanding 6-1 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo to take complete control of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Vincent Kompany’s side produced a devastating first-half display to completely blow their Italian hosts away.
The emphatic win was achieved despite star striker Harry Kane remaining on the bench as an unused substitute.
However, the sweeping away triumph was severely marred by a triple injury blow for the German heavyweights.
Olise shines in dominant first half
Josip Stanisic opened the scoring after just 12 minutes by tapping in a precise pass from Serge Gnabry.
Michael Olise doubled the advantage shortly after with a spectacular curling effort into the far corner of the net.
The relentless Bavarians added a third before the break when Olise set up Gnabry to fire home following a surging run into the box.
The Serie A outfit struggled to gain any foothold, heavily feeling the absences of key figures like Ederson and Charles De Ketelaere.
Injuries sour sensational victory
Nicolas Jackson made it four early in the second half to maintain the brutal momentum for the visitors.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker then grabbed his second of the night before Jamal Musiala volleyed home a sixth.
Despite the ruthless attacking performance, Bayern’s concerns quickly shifted to the treatment room.
Alphonso Davies left the pitch in clear distress after pulling up in the 70th minute with an unspecified muscle issue.
Goalkeeping crisis looms for Kompany
The Canadian international was shielded by teammates and consoled by his manager following another cruel physical setback.
Adding to the medical woes, Musiala limped off in added time with a concerning ankle problem.
Back-up goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, deputising for the already sidelined Manuel Neuer, also sustained an injury following a heavy collision.
Mario Pasalic netted a late consolation for the hosts deep into stoppage time.
The six-time European champions will host the return leg at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday holding a seemingly unassailable five-goal cushion.