Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational prior to the third round, marking only the second mid-tournament exit of his PGA Tour career.
The four-time major winner was sitting in a share of ninth place on four under par when the decision was announced on Saturday.
McIlroy had been seen briefly hitting balls on the driving range at Bay Hill but opted not to tee off for his scheduled round.
Concerns ahead of Players Championship
No official reason has yet been provided regarding a potential injury for the Northern Irishman.
The timing of the withdrawal raises concerns as he is scheduled to defend his Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass next week.
This abrupt exit comes after the 36-year-old had looked in strong form, signing for rounds of 72 and 68 over the first two days.
A rare occurrence
Walking away mid-competition is a distinct rarity for the Ryder Cup star.
His only previous withdrawal during a PGA Tour event occurred more than a decade ago at the 2013 Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches.
Before leaving Bay Hill, the defending Players champion had carded five birdies during a promising display in Friday’s second round.
Felipe Massa has been ordered to receive £250,000 in legal costs from the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management as part of his ongoing court case regarding the 2008 world championship.
A High Court judge ruled that the defendants must pay the sum within 14 days following the latest round of applications in the dispute.
The 43-year-old launched a £64m claim last year related to the “Crashgate” scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
While the court previously ruled Massa could seek damages, it rejected his request for a declaration that he should have been crowned champion instead of Lewis Hamilton.
Supreme Court intervention
Despite the cost order in the Brazilian’s favour, the judge granted part of the defendants’ application regarding a specific legal point.
This issue has been certified to go directly to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Proceedings are now stayed pending the outcome of that application, though parties must exchange amended pleadings.
The former Ferrari driver remains determined to expose what he believes was a cover-up by the sport’s hierarchy.
“I look forward to proving in court that they conspired to conceal the truth, and I will use all legal means to ensure that this injustice is corrected.”
“Formula One is the greatest sport in the world, but it is essential that it is also the fairest.”
The 2008 controversy
Massa’s legal action centres on events during the inaugural night race in Singapore nearly two decades ago.
Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crashed deliberately to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso’s strategy, triggering a safety car that ruined Massa’s race.
The Brazilian finished 13th while Hamilton finished third, eventually securing the title by a single point at the season finale in Brazil.
Lawyers for Massa argue that Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, knew the crash was deliberate at the time but failed to investigate.
Olympic champion Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Prague following her historic success at the Milan Cortina Games.
The 20-year-old recently became the first American woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Sarah Everhardt has been called up to replace Liu on the United States team after first alternate Bradie Tennell declined the invitation.
A golden return to the ice
Liu’s withdrawal comes at the end of a remarkable comeback season for the skater.
Having retired after the Beijing 2022 Games, she returned to the sport to win the world title in Boston last year.
The American star cemented her legacy in Italy last month by claiming two gold medals, helping the US defend its Olympic team title alongside her individual triumph.
Liu would have competed alongside team-mates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito when the event begins on 24 March at the O2 Arena.
Post-Olympic exodus
It is not uncommon for Olympic medallists to skip the World Championships immediately following the Winter Games.
Many elite skaters choose to begin their off-season early to recover from the physical and mental exertion of the Olympic cycle.
Liu is not the only high-profile name to pull out of the competition in the Czech Republic.
Japanese Olympic pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have also confirmed their withdrawal.
Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who finished 14th in Milan following an injury-plagued season, will also be absent from the women’s event.
Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has issued a stark warning to his squad after a 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace left the club just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
The loss at Selhurst Park extended Spurs’ winless run to 11 matches.
This streak represents a new Premier League record for the north London club.
Relegation concerns deepen
With rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham United both securing points recently, the threat of the drop is intensifying.
Relegation to the Championship is becoming a genuine possibility for the Lilywhites for the first time in the Premier League era.
Despite the result against Oliver Glasner’s Eagles, Tudor claimed to see positives in the performance.
The manager utilised a “boat” analogy to describe his urgent search for committed players.
“Maybe it will sound strange but I believe more after this game than I believed before. I saw something.”
Igor Tudor, Tottenham manager
“I need to choose the right guys because the boat is going in the direction that I want to go and needs to go and who is in the boat can stay. Otherwise they can leave the boat.”
Bright sparks in a sinking ship
Questions remain regarding which members of the squad are prepared for the upcoming battle.
Teenager Archie Gray was a standout performer against Palace.
The 19-year-old showed a maturity lacking in some senior professionals and appears ready for the fight.
Mathys Tel has also demonstrated the necessary desire.
The forward attempted to rally the away support during Thursday’s defeat and consistently looked to attack on the front foot.
Richarlison, despite limited minutes, brings vital experience to the relegation scrap.
The Brazilian forward successfully navigated a similar survival battle during his time at Everton.
Elsewhere, Xavi Simons provided a spark from the bench.
The Dutch international drove at the Palace defence and drew fouls, suggesting he can help get the team moving in the right direction.
Conor Gallagher remains a combative option for Tudor, while Lucas Bergvall is expected to return from injury later this month.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and longtime broadcaster Troy Murray has died at the age of 63.
The NHL franchise confirmed on Saturday that Murray had passed away following a battle with cancer.
Affectionately known as "Muzz", the Calgary native revealed his diagnosis in August 2021 and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
He continued to work on team broadcasts with a reduced workload before stepping away entirely during the current season.
‘The epitome of a Blackhawk’
Murray spent 12 seasons with Chicago as a player before transitioning into a successful media career that spanned decades.
Danny Wirtz, the Blackhawks chairman and chief executive, stated that the organisation was "deeply heartbroken" by the loss.
"Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years," said Wirtz.
The team executive highlighted Murray’s resilience during his illness.
"During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him.
"While our front office won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy."
A decorated career
Selected by Chicago in the third round of the 1980 draft, the centre made his debut as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 campaign.
He was renowned for his two-way play, becoming the first player in franchise history to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward.
That accolade came during his standout 1985-86 season, where he recorded career highs of 45 goals and 99 points.
Across a 15-year NHL career, the former University of North Dakota star played 915 games, scoring 230 goals and registering 584 points.
While synonymous with Chicago, Murray achieved the ultimate team success elsewhere, lifting the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
He also served as captain of the Winnipeg Jets and had stints with the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Voice of the team
Following his retirement from playing, Murray began his broadcasting career in 1998.
He became a staple of the Blackhawks’ radio and television coverage, analysing the game for the fanbase he had once played for.
Beyond the booth, he maintained a deep connection to the club as the president of the Blackhawks alumni association.
Before turning professional, Murray had captained Canada to a gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Championships.
The Blackhawks stated that funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have led the criticism of Formula 1’s new cars following a difficult debut qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix.
The sport’s new regulation era began in Melbourne but was immediately met with savage feedback regarding the drivability of the 2026 machinery.
Drivers expressed frustration after a qualifying hour that many felt failed to showcase the future of the sport.
Norris, the defending world champion, described the vehicles as the “worst” he has experienced during his time on the grid.
“We’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula 1 and the nicest to drive to probably the worst,” said Norris.
“It sucks, but you have to live with it and just maximise what you get given. It’s certainly different. It’s certainly not like it was last year.”
Power unit problems
While the aerodynamic aesthetics of the new generation have been praised, the frustration stems from the overhauled power units.
New regulations demand a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, forcing drivers to manage battery levels extensively.
This focus on energy management often comes at the expense of cornering speed and overall rhythm.
Footage from Friday practice showed cars losing power at full throttle on straights as hybrid systems switched to energy recovery modes.
These increased electrical elements were pivotal in persuading Audi to enter the sport as a manufacturer but remain unpopular in the cockpit.
‘No emotion’ in driving
Verstappen was equally scathing about the experience, suggesting he felt “no emotion” inside the car throughout the weekend.
The four-time title holder has previously hinted he would walk away from Formula 1 if the enjoyment factor disappeared.
“I am not having fun at all driving them,” Verstappen said.
The Red Bull driver had previously compared the handling of the new machinery to the all-electric Formula E series “on steroids”.
Norris, who secured the final title of the previous ground-effect era in 2025, struggled to find any positives when questioned by the media.
When asked if there was any aspect of the new car he enjoyed, the Briton paused for several seconds before simply replying: “No, not really.”
Caitlin Clark is poised to make her long-awaited senior international debut for the United States in a FIBA World Cup qualifier following an eight-month injury layoff.
The Indiana Fever guard returns to the court next week in Puerto Rico, marking her first competitive action since July.
A frustrating series of setbacks, including groin issues and a bone bruise on her left ankle, derailed her WNBA campaign and limited her to just 13 appearances last season.
Shaking off the rust
“It will probably take me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off,” Clark admitted on Saturday.
“I will probably be a little bit nervous, which I usually don’t get, but that probably comes from the fact I haven’t really played basketball in a while.”
Despite the nerves, the former Iowa sensation emphasized her readiness after working extensively with medical staff over the last few months to regain full fitness.
“I am sure after the first minute of running around on the court, I will be just fine,” she added.
The prolific scorer noted that the extended break fuelled her work ethic, despite the disappointment of missing significant playing time during the domestic season.
“I have always been a person that is going to just rely on my work,” she said. “I feel like it has certainly made me work harder.”
Olympic goals and childhood dreams
While her omission from the gold-medal winning squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics caused significant public debate, the 23-year-old is focused on future major tournaments.
Clark has targeted a spot on the World Cup roster next year, followed by an appearance at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Obviously that is my goal, the World Cup before that [the Olympics],” she stated. “There is a lot for me to learn.”
The Fever star also reflected on her time in the youth setup, recalling the inspiration she drew from seeing the jerseys of past legends at training camps in Colorado Springs.
“To see the senior national jerseys of great men’s players and women’s players,” she recalled. “It is a 15 or 16-year-old’s dream of doing that one day.”
Liverpool have tabled a significant contract offer for defender Ibrahima Konate in an attempt to secure his long-term future amid interest from top European clubs.
The Anfield club remain optimistic about retaining the France international beyond his current deal, which is set to expire in June.
Reports indicate that Liverpool have presented their most lucrative salary package to date in hopes of convincing the 26-year-old to commit his future to Merseyside.
European giants circle Anfield star
Konate is currently free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas suitors, having entered the final four months of his existing terms.
La Liga powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona, alongside Serie A champions Inter Milan, are understood to be monitoring the situation closely.
While Liverpool believe their wage proposal is superior, rival clubs may look to entice the former RB Leipzig man with substantial signing-on fees and performance-related bonuses.
Key figure in Slot’s system
Despite uncertainty surrounding his future, the centre-back has remained integral to Arne Slot’s side, making 38 appearances across all competitions this campaign.
Since arriving at Anfield, the World Cup runner-up has helped the Reds secure five major honours, including the 2025 Premier League title and the 2022 FA Cup.
His physical presence and recovery pace continue to be vital components of Liverpool’s defensive structure.
Jacquet injury blow complicates plans
Liverpool’s contingency planning has suffered a setback following news that incoming defender Jeremy Jacquet requires shoulder surgery.
The 20-year-old, who was signed from Rennes in January, is expected to be sidelined for between four and six months after sustaining the injury against Lens.
This layoff means the highly-rated prospect is likely to miss his first pre-season with Liverpool, potentially increasing the urgency for the club to finalise Konate’s renewal.