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Deadspin | 90th Masters primed to be major challenge at firm, fast Augusta National  Apr 7, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin talk while walking the no. 17 fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images   AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed said this week that there are “10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”  It doesn’t take math major to determine that would eliminate more than 85% of this week’s 91-player field from winning the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament.  Told of Reed’s assessment, Bryson DeChambeau quipped, “I hope I’m one of those 12. That would be nice.”  Unlike Reed, DeChambeau has yet to claim a Masters title, but it’s still safe to assume he was among Reed’s short list.  The bigger point is that heavy underdogs rarely win at Augusta National. The first major of the year is the only one that is played at the same course every year. It’s a stiff test that lends itself best to those who are not only immensely talented with their ability to hit a variety of shots, but have experience with the different winds, course conditions and nuances that make Augusta National one of the most unique tests in golf.  And Reed explained that 10 to 12 are more players than he typically believes enter a Masters with a legitimate chance of winning.  “I just feel like with how deep golf has been, especially this past year to two years, that the fields are obviously getting a lot stronger,” he said. “I feel like the field this week is really strong like always. I feel like it used to be five or six, maybe seven guys.  “It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”  Three of the past four Masters have been won by the current top two players in the world: Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and 2024 and Rory McIlroy last year, when the Northern Irishman completed the career grand slam in a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose.  Included in that stretch was the 2023 victory by former world No. 1 Jon Rahm.   The last player to win the Masters in his first attempt was Fuzzy Zoeller, who overcame a six-shot deficit and beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson in a playoff 47 years ago.  On Thursday, McIlroy will begin his quest to become only the fourth player in history to win consecutive Masters. If successful, he would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).  “It’s arguably maybe not the largest field in golf, but it’s the strongest,” McIlroy said this week. “There’s so many great players and so many players with so much experience on this golf course, it’s not quite like some of the other major championships. It seems like you get a lot of the same guys contending year in and year out.”  The conditions could serve to increase that likelihood this year.  Augusta National has not seen a drop of rain this week. After some chilly and breezy conditions on Thursday morning, the forecast calls for mostly sunny — and completely dry — skies throughout the tournament.  That includes temperatures in the mid-80s over the weekend. That’s an equation for a firm and fast Augusta National, which will demand precision with all elements of players’ games.  “The forecast looks great,” Scheffler said. “It’s going to get firm and fast. I would imagine they would like the greens to get fast. I think that increases the challenge of the golf course.  “I’m excited to see how it plays this week. We might get a little bit of wind, too. The golf course is shaping up nicely.”  –Derek Harper, Field Level Media   #Deadspin #90th #Masters #primed #major #challenge #firm #fast #Augusta #National

Deadspin | 90th Masters primed to be major challenge at firm, fast Augusta National
Deadspin | 90th Masters primed to be major challenge at firm, fast Augusta National  Apr 7, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin talk while walking the no. 17 fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images   AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed said this week that there are “10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”  It doesn’t take math major to determine that would eliminate more than 85% of this week’s 91-player field from winning the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament.  Told of Reed’s assessment, Bryson DeChambeau quipped, “I hope I’m one of those 12. That would be nice.”  Unlike Reed, DeChambeau has yet to claim a Masters title, but it’s still safe to assume he was among Reed’s short list.  The bigger point is that heavy underdogs rarely win at Augusta National. The first major of the year is the only one that is played at the same course every year. It’s a stiff test that lends itself best to those who are not only immensely talented with their ability to hit a variety of shots, but have experience with the different winds, course conditions and nuances that make Augusta National one of the most unique tests in golf.  And Reed explained that 10 to 12 are more players than he typically believes enter a Masters with a legitimate chance of winning.  “I just feel like with how deep golf has been, especially this past year to two years, that the fields are obviously getting a lot stronger,” he said. “I feel like the field this week is really strong like always. I feel like it used to be five or six, maybe seven guys.  “It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”  Three of the past four Masters have been won by the current top two players in the world: Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and 2024 and Rory McIlroy last year, when the Northern Irishman completed the career grand slam in a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose.  Included in that stretch was the 2023 victory by former world No. 1 Jon Rahm.   The last player to win the Masters in his first attempt was Fuzzy Zoeller, who overcame a six-shot deficit and beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson in a playoff 47 years ago.  On Thursday, McIlroy will begin his quest to become only the fourth player in history to win consecutive Masters. If successful, he would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).  “It’s arguably maybe not the largest field in golf, but it’s the strongest,” McIlroy said this week. “There’s so many great players and so many players with so much experience on this golf course, it’s not quite like some of the other major championships. It seems like you get a lot of the same guys contending year in and year out.”  The conditions could serve to increase that likelihood this year.  Augusta National has not seen a drop of rain this week. After some chilly and breezy conditions on Thursday morning, the forecast calls for mostly sunny — and completely dry — skies throughout the tournament.  That includes temperatures in the mid-80s over the weekend. That’s an equation for a firm and fast Augusta National, which will demand precision with all elements of players’ games.  “The forecast looks great,” Scheffler said. “It’s going to get firm and fast. I would imagine they would like the greens to get fast. I think that increases the challenge of the golf course.  “I’m excited to see how it plays this week. We might get a little bit of wind, too. The golf course is shaping up nicely.”  –Derek Harper, Field Level Media   #Deadspin #90th #Masters #primed #major #challenge #firm #fast #Augusta #NationalApr 7, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin talk while walking the no. 17 fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed said this week that there are “10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”

It doesn’t take math major to determine that would eliminate more than 85% of this week’s 91-player field from winning the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament.

Told of Reed’s assessment, Bryson DeChambeau quipped, “I hope I’m one of those 12. That would be nice.”

Unlike Reed, DeChambeau has yet to claim a Masters title, but it’s still safe to assume he was among Reed’s short list.

The bigger point is that heavy underdogs rarely win at Augusta National. The first major of the year is the only one that is played at the same course every year. It’s a stiff test that lends itself best to those who are not only immensely talented with their ability to hit a variety of shots, but have experience with the different winds, course conditions and nuances that make Augusta National one of the most unique tests in golf.

And Reed explained that 10 to 12 are more players than he typically believes enter a Masters with a legitimate chance of winning.

“I just feel like with how deep golf has been, especially this past year to two years, that the fields are obviously getting a lot stronger,” he said. “I feel like the field this week is really strong like always. I feel like it used to be five or six, maybe seven guys.

“It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”

Three of the past four Masters have been won by the current top two players in the world: Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and 2024 and Rory McIlroy last year, when the Northern Irishman completed the career grand slam in a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose.


Included in that stretch was the 2023 victory by former world No. 1 Jon Rahm.

The last player to win the Masters in his first attempt was Fuzzy Zoeller, who overcame a six-shot deficit and beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson in a playoff 47 years ago.

On Thursday, McIlroy will begin his quest to become only the fourth player in history to win consecutive Masters. If successful, he would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).

“It’s arguably maybe not the largest field in golf, but it’s the strongest,” McIlroy said this week. “There’s so many great players and so many players with so much experience on this golf course, it’s not quite like some of the other major championships. It seems like you get a lot of the same guys contending year in and year out.”

The conditions could serve to increase that likelihood this year.

Augusta National has not seen a drop of rain this week. After some chilly and breezy conditions on Thursday morning, the forecast calls for mostly sunny — and completely dry — skies throughout the tournament.

That includes temperatures in the mid-80s over the weekend. That’s an equation for a firm and fast Augusta National, which will demand precision with all elements of players’ games.

“The forecast looks great,” Scheffler said. “It’s going to get firm and fast. I would imagine they would like the greens to get fast. I think that increases the challenge of the golf course.

“I’m excited to see how it plays this week. We might get a little bit of wind, too. The golf course is shaping up nicely.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #90th #Masters #primed #major #challenge #firm #fast #Augusta #National

Apr 7, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin talk while walking the no. 17 fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed said this week that there are “10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”

It doesn’t take math major to determine that would eliminate more than 85% of this week’s 91-player field from winning the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament.

Told of Reed’s assessment, Bryson DeChambeau quipped, “I hope I’m one of those 12. That would be nice.”

Unlike Reed, DeChambeau has yet to claim a Masters title, but it’s still safe to assume he was among Reed’s short list.

The bigger point is that heavy underdogs rarely win at Augusta National. The first major of the year is the only one that is played at the same course every year. It’s a stiff test that lends itself best to those who are not only immensely talented with their ability to hit a variety of shots, but have experience with the different winds, course conditions and nuances that make Augusta National one of the most unique tests in golf.

And Reed explained that 10 to 12 are more players than he typically believes enter a Masters with a legitimate chance of winning.

“I just feel like with how deep golf has been, especially this past year to two years, that the fields are obviously getting a lot stronger,” he said. “I feel like the field this week is really strong like always. I feel like it used to be five or six, maybe seven guys.

“It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”

Three of the past four Masters have been won by the current top two players in the world: Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and 2024 and Rory McIlroy last year, when the Northern Irishman completed the career grand slam in a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose.

Included in that stretch was the 2023 victory by former world No. 1 Jon Rahm.

The last player to win the Masters in his first attempt was Fuzzy Zoeller, who overcame a six-shot deficit and beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson in a playoff 47 years ago.

On Thursday, McIlroy will begin his quest to become only the fourth player in history to win consecutive Masters. If successful, he would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).

“It’s arguably maybe not the largest field in golf, but it’s the strongest,” McIlroy said this week. “There’s so many great players and so many players with so much experience on this golf course, it’s not quite like some of the other major championships. It seems like you get a lot of the same guys contending year in and year out.”

The conditions could serve to increase that likelihood this year.

Augusta National has not seen a drop of rain this week. After some chilly and breezy conditions on Thursday morning, the forecast calls for mostly sunny — and completely dry — skies throughout the tournament.

That includes temperatures in the mid-80s over the weekend. That’s an equation for a firm and fast Augusta National, which will demand precision with all elements of players’ games.

“The forecast looks great,” Scheffler said. “It’s going to get firm and fast. I would imagine they would like the greens to get fast. I think that increases the challenge of the golf course.

“I’m excited to see how it plays this week. We might get a little bit of wind, too. The golf course is shaping up nicely.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #90th #Masters #primed #major #challenge #firm #fast #Augusta #National

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KKR vs LSG Head-to-Head, IPL 2026: Stats, Most Runs & Wickets <div id="content-body-70838132" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Kolkata Knight Riders faces Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.</p><p>Kolkata’s previous encounter against Punjab Kings was abandoned to due rain, helping it get its first points whereas Lucknow on the other hand, won its first game this season in a close encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad taking it to sixth in the points table.</p><p>In the 2025 season, LSG edged out KKR by four runs in a high scoring thriller at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.</p><h4 class="sub_head">KKR v LSG head-to-head record in IPL</h4><p>Matches played: 6</p><p>KKR won: 2</p><p>LSG won: 4</p><h4 class="sub_head">MOST RUNS IN KKR vs LSG IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player </td><td> Innings</td><td> Runs</td><td> Average</td><td> Strike Rate </td><td> HS</td></tr><tr><td> Quinton De Kock</td><td> 5</td><td> 243</td><td> 60.75</td><td> 169.93</td><td> 140*</td></tr><tr><td> Nicholas Pooran</td><td> 4</td><td> 200</td><td> 66.66</td><td> 188.67</td><td> 87*</td></tr><tr><td> Rinku Singh</td><td> 5</td><td> 167</td><td> 55.66</td><td> 198.8</td><td> 67*</td></tr><tr><td> Sunil Narine</td><td> 6</td><td> 161</td><td> 32.2</td><td> 203.79</td><td> 81</td></tr><tr><td> KL Rahul</td><td> 4</td><td> 132</td><td> 44</td><td> 133.33</td><td> 68*</td></tr></table></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST WICKETS IN KKR vs LSG IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Player</td><td> Innings</td><td> Wickets</td><td> Average</td><td> Economy</td><td> BBI</td></tr><tr><td> Harshit Rana</td><td> 5</td><td> 6</td><td> 26.33</td><td> 9.77</td><td> 3/24</td></tr><tr><td> Moshin Khan</td><td> 5</td><td> 6</td><td> 16.33</td><td> 7</td><td> 3/20</td></tr><tr><td> Ravi Bishnoi</td><td> 6</td><td> 6</td><td> 30.66</td><td> 8.49</td><td> 2/23</td></tr><tr><td> Andre Russell</td><td> 6</td><td> 6</td><td> 24</td><td> 12</td><td> 2/17</td></tr><tr><td> Sunil Narine</td><td> 6</td><td> 5</td><td> 30.4</td><td> 6.6</td><td> 2/28</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #KKR #LSG #HeadtoHead #IPL #Stats #Runs #Wickets

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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