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Vaishali overcomes slow start to win Women’s Candidates 2026; Viswanathan Anand hails her composure  The build-up to the women’s section of the FIDE Candidates 2026 was dominated by Koneru Humpy’s shock withdrawal a week before the tournament, citing personal safety concerns amid the conflict in the Middle East.Attention then shifted to Divya Deshmukh. One of the youngest participants in the field, she had qualified by winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 and arrived as one of the favourites. Her recent form added to the expectations, having finished third at the Prague Chess Festival in March 2026 to break into the women’s top 10 for the first time in her career.Much of the Indian focus revolved around these two Grandmasters. Yet, as the Candidates drew to a close, neither of them were in the scheme of things, with Divya falling out of title contention after a poor second half.Away from the spotlight, R. Vaishali entered her second Candidates tournament as the lowest-rated player in the field, with a rating of 2470 and a world ranking of 19. She had qualified by winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, but few had placed her among the leading contenders.What followed was a tale of two halves for the Indian Grandmaster, who would go on to script history by winning the Candidates, becoming the first Indian to claim the women’s title, and earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship crown.RELATED | Full list of FIDE Women’s Candidates winners“Fantastic result. She pulled it off in the end, after a slightly bumpy ride in the final three rounds. But she showed the most stability, and Vaishali hung in there,” said five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand on ChessBase India’s live stream.She made a slow start, drawing her first four games before suffering her first defeat to Zhu Jiner. At that stage, both Divya and Vaishali were on two points and placed in the bottom half of the standings, while Anna Muzychuk and Zhu were setting the pace.Vaishali gained momentum with a win over Tan Zhongyi in Round 7, a result that lifted her to second in the standings behind Muzychuk. But, the 24-year-old wasn’t entirely happy with the result.“It was a horrible game. I don’t deserve this point at all. She just blundered towards the end. It was a bad game from the start, everything went wrong from the beginning,” said Vaishali after her win over Tan.That game had seemed headed for a draw until Tan began advancing her pawns on the flank, leaving her king exposed. Vaishali capitalised, coordinating her rooks and king to force resignation.It marked her second successive win, following a victory over Kateryna Lagno in Round 6. She then went on to beat compatriot Divya in Round 9, and Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11, building steam towards the finish.Zhu dealt her another defeat, in Round 12. But, a draw against Tan in the penultimate round set up a final-day decider.The Indian Grandmaster, who had begun the tournament quietly, held her nerve in Round 14, defeating Kateryna Lagno to seal a memorable triumph.“Good opening preparation caught Lagno off guard in Round 14. It was a great start and a strong fight, and eventually she got the job done. With all the final-day pressure, it would have been really hard, so it’s a big relief in the end,” Anand added.Published on Apr 16, 2026  #Vaishali #overcomes #slow #start #win #Womens #Candidates #Viswanathan #Anand #hails #composure

Vaishali overcomes slow start to win Women’s Candidates 2026; Viswanathan Anand hails her composure

The build-up to the women’s section of the FIDE Candidates 2026 was dominated by Koneru Humpy’s shock withdrawal a week before the tournament, citing personal safety concerns amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Attention then shifted to Divya Deshmukh. One of the youngest participants in the field, she had qualified by winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 and arrived as one of the favourites. Her recent form added to the expectations, having finished third at the Prague Chess Festival in March 2026 to break into the women’s top 10 for the first time in her career.

Much of the Indian focus revolved around these two Grandmasters. Yet, as the Candidates drew to a close, neither of them were in the scheme of things, with Divya falling out of title contention after a poor second half.

Away from the spotlight, R. Vaishali entered her second Candidates tournament as the lowest-rated player in the field, with a rating of 2470 and a world ranking of 19. She had qualified by winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, but few had placed her among the leading contenders.

What followed was a tale of two halves for the Indian Grandmaster, who would go on to script history by winning the Candidates, becoming the first Indian to claim the women’s title, and earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship crown.

RELATED | Full list of FIDE Women’s Candidates winners

“Fantastic result. She pulled it off in the end, after a slightly bumpy ride in the final three rounds. But she showed the most stability, and Vaishali hung in there,” said five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand on ChessBase India’s live stream.

She made a slow start, drawing her first four games before suffering her first defeat to Zhu Jiner. At that stage, both Divya and Vaishali were on two points and placed in the bottom half of the standings, while Anna Muzychuk and Zhu were setting the pace.

Vaishali gained momentum with a win over Tan Zhongyi in Round 7, a result that lifted her to second in the standings behind Muzychuk. But, the 24-year-old wasn’t entirely happy with the result.

“It was a horrible game. I don’t deserve this point at all. She just blundered towards the end. It was a bad game from the start, everything went wrong from the beginning,” said Vaishali after her win over Tan.

That game had seemed headed for a draw until Tan began advancing her pawns on the flank, leaving her king exposed. Vaishali capitalised, coordinating her rooks and king to force resignation.

It marked her second successive win, following a victory over Kateryna Lagno in Round 6. She then went on to beat compatriot Divya in Round 9, and Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11, building steam towards the finish.

Zhu dealt her another defeat, in Round 12. But, a draw against Tan in the penultimate round set up a final-day decider.

The Indian Grandmaster, who had begun the tournament quietly, held her nerve in Round 14, defeating Kateryna Lagno to seal a memorable triumph.

“Good opening preparation caught Lagno off guard in Round 14. It was a great start and a strong fight, and eventually she got the job done. With all the final-day pressure, it would have been really hard, so it’s a big relief in the end,” Anand added.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#Vaishali #overcomes #slow #start #win #Womens #Candidates #Viswanathan #Anand #hails #composure

The build-up to the women’s section of the FIDE Candidates 2026 was dominated by Koneru Humpy’s shock withdrawal a week before the tournament, citing personal safety concerns amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Attention then shifted to Divya Deshmukh. One of the youngest participants in the field, she had qualified by winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 and arrived as one of the favourites. Her recent form added to the expectations, having finished third at the Prague Chess Festival in March 2026 to break into the women’s top 10 for the first time in her career.

Much of the Indian focus revolved around these two Grandmasters. Yet, as the Candidates drew to a close, neither of them were in the scheme of things, with Divya falling out of title contention after a poor second half.

Away from the spotlight, R. Vaishali entered her second Candidates tournament as the lowest-rated player in the field, with a rating of 2470 and a world ranking of 19. She had qualified by winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, but few had placed her among the leading contenders.

What followed was a tale of two halves for the Indian Grandmaster, who would go on to script history by winning the Candidates, becoming the first Indian to claim the women’s title, and earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship crown.

RELATED | Full list of FIDE Women’s Candidates winners

“Fantastic result. She pulled it off in the end, after a slightly bumpy ride in the final three rounds. But she showed the most stability, and Vaishali hung in there,” said five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand on ChessBase India’s live stream.

She made a slow start, drawing her first four games before suffering her first defeat to Zhu Jiner. At that stage, both Divya and Vaishali were on two points and placed in the bottom half of the standings, while Anna Muzychuk and Zhu were setting the pace.

Vaishali gained momentum with a win over Tan Zhongyi in Round 7, a result that lifted her to second in the standings behind Muzychuk. But, the 24-year-old wasn’t entirely happy with the result.

“It was a horrible game. I don’t deserve this point at all. She just blundered towards the end. It was a bad game from the start, everything went wrong from the beginning,” said Vaishali after her win over Tan.

That game had seemed headed for a draw until Tan began advancing her pawns on the flank, leaving her king exposed. Vaishali capitalised, coordinating her rooks and king to force resignation.

It marked her second successive win, following a victory over Kateryna Lagno in Round 6. She then went on to beat compatriot Divya in Round 9, and Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11, building steam towards the finish.

Zhu dealt her another defeat, in Round 12. But, a draw against Tan in the penultimate round set up a final-day decider.

The Indian Grandmaster, who had begun the tournament quietly, held her nerve in Round 14, defeating Kateryna Lagno to seal a memorable triumph.

“Good opening preparation caught Lagno off guard in Round 14. It was a great start and a strong fight, and eventually she got the job done. With all the final-day pressure, it would have been really hard, so it’s a big relief in the end,” Anand added.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

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Deadspin | Sal Stewart, Reds keep rolling against woeful Giants <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28736095.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28736095.jpg" alt="MLB: San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 15, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Players and coaches will wear No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day around the league. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Sal Stewart slugged a pair of three-run homers, Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz each hit solo shots, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the visiting San Francisco Giants 8-3 on Wednesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Stewart went deep for the second straight night and has seven homers to lead all rookies. Suarez went 3-for-4 and Spencer Steer had a pair of singles for Cincinnati, which has won three of its last four games.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Reds starter Rhett Lowder (2-1) allowed three runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts over a career-high 6 2/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Daniel Susac doubled in two runs and had two hits for San Francisco, which lost its fourth straight.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Cincinnati claimed a 4-0 lead in the first inning against Tyler Mahle (0-3). With two on and one out, Stewart hit a three-run blast on a liner to right-center field. Suarez followed with his third homer, a 349-foot shot to right field.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Giants responded with two runs in the second inning. Matt Chapman singled with one out, Jung Hoo Lee walked, and both scored on Susac’s double to left field.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Stewart struck again with a three-run homer in the bottom of the second following back-to-back walks to Matt McLain and De La Cruz.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Cincinnati moved ahead 8-2 on De La Cruz’s one-out homer to center in the fourth. The 442-foot blast was his sixth homer of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Mahle gave up eight runs and eight hits with five walks over four innings against his former team.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Left-hander Brock Burke replaced righty Lowder with two on and two outs in the seventh. Heliot Ramos greeted Burke with a pinch-hit single to score Rafael Devers from third.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Jerar Encarnacion followed with a pinch-hit single to load the bases before Burke struck out Willy Adames on three pitches.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Adames went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts for San Francisco, which entered the game ranked last in the majors in runs (52), home runs (nine) and walks (34).</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The Giants were out-hit 10-9 and fell to 1-11 this season when scoring three or fewer runs.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Sal #Stewart #Reds #rolling #woeful #Giants

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Deadspin | Pirates combine for 3-hit shutout in win over Nationals <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28736336.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28736336.jpg" alt="MLB: Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mason Montgomery (46) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Carmen Mlodzinski pitched six shutout innings and led the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales each had RBI singles in the first inning to give Pittsburgh’s pitchers all the run support they would need. Mlodzinski (1-0) struck out five, walked two, and gave up only two hits during his outing, which lasted 81 pitches. He entered the game following a scoreless first inning by Mason Montgomery as the Pirates’ opener.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Montgomery, Mlodzinski, Gregory Soto, and Dennis Santana combined for a three-hit shutout. Santana hit CJ Abrams with a pitch with one out in the ninth. However, Nasim Nunez and Drew Millas each flew out, as Santana picked up his second save.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Pirates won for the 10th time in their past 14 games and recorded their second shutout of the season in a span of six days. Meanwhile, the Nationals picked up their second loss in three games and their first shutout loss this season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Ozuna and Gonzales’s hits delivered the only runs allowed by Nationals starter Jake Irvin (1-2), who gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out five.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Ozuna continued to show potential signs of breaking out of an early-season slump, as he recorded a hit in his third consecutive game. He has four hits in his past 12 at-bats, after going 2-for-39 over his first 10 games.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Pittsburgh’s first inning rally started with two outs after Bryan Reynolds drew the first of three walks, and Ryan O’Hearn singled for the first of his team-high three hits. Reynolds extended his on-base streak to 14 consecutive games.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Nationals left seven runners on base and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Curtis Mead had a one-out double in the first inning off Montgomery. Nevertheless, Daylen Lile grounded out, and Brady House struck out to end the frame.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>CJ Abrams continued his strong start to the season with a two-out double in the sixth. But Mlodzinski struck out Joey Wiemer to end the inning.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Pirates #combine #3hit #shutout #win #Nationals

PREVIEW

If the French Open women’s final appears on paper to be a mismatch between a teenage prodigy and an unheralded qualifier, Poland’s Maja ​Chwalinska has spent the past fortnight proving appearances can be deceiving.

Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva ‌arrives at Saturday’s showpiece as the overwhelming favourite after bulldozing her way ​through the draw, dropping only 12 games in her last three matches ⁠and looking every inch a future Grand Slam champion.

Yet, across the net will stand a player whose improbable run has become one of the stories of the tournament.

Read the full preview here.

LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFO

When and where to watch French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska in India?

The French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska will begin at 6:30 p.m. IST on June 6 (Saturday). In India, the match will be telecast live on the  Sony Sports Network while the live stream will be available on SonyLiv and FanCode (applications and websites both).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first meeting between World No. 8 Andreeva and World No. 114 Chwalinska.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Mirra Andreeva

Semifinal: 6-1, 6-3 against [15] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)

Quarterfinal: 6-0, 6-3 against [18] Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Jil Teichmann (SUI)

Third Round: 6-4, 6-2 against [27] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

Second Round: 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 against [Q] Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP)

First Round: 6-3, 6-3 against [WC] Fiona Ferro (FRA)

Maja Chwalinska

Semifinal: 7-6(4), 6-4 against [25] Diana Shnaider

Quarterfinal: 7-6(3), 6-3 against [22] Anna Kalinskaya

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Diane Parry (FRA)

Third Round: 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Maria Sakkari (GRE)

Second Round: 6-4, 6-0 against [23] Elise Mertens (BEL)

First Round: 6-4, 6-0 against Qinwen Zheng (CHN)

Time spent on court

Andreeva: 8 hours 14 minutes

Chwalinska: 10 hours 52 minutes

Published on Jun 06, 2026

#Andreeva #Chwalinska #French #Open #Final #Preview #headtohead #record #live #streaming #info">Andreeva vs Chwalinska, French Open 2026 Final: Preview, head-to-head record, live streaming info  PREVIEWIf the French Open women’s final appears on paper to be a mismatch between a teenage prodigy and an unheralded qualifier, Poland’s Maja ​Chwalinska has spent the past fortnight proving appearances can be deceiving.Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva ‌arrives at Saturday’s showpiece as the overwhelming favourite after bulldozing her way ​through the draw, dropping only 12 games in her last three matches ⁠and looking every inch a future Grand Slam champion.Yet, across the net will stand a player whose improbable run has become one of the stories of the tournament.Read the full preview here.The French Open will have a new women’s singles champion!Will it be the Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, ranked 8th in the world, or will it be Polish qualifier and World No. 114 Maja Chwalinska?Final on Saturday. Mark your calendars!📸 Reuters#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/3jNaUMI1L7— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) June 4, 2026LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFOWhen and where to watch French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska in India?The French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska will begin at 6:30 p.m. IST on June 6 (Saturday). In India, the match will be telecast live on the        Sony Sports Network while the live stream will be available on        SonyLiv and FanCode (applications and websites both).HEAD-TO-HEADThis will be the first meeting between World No. 8 Andreeva and World No. 114 Chwalinska.ROUTE TO THE FINALMirra AndreevaSemifinal: 6-1, 6-3 against [15] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)Quarterfinal: 6-0, 6-3 against [18] Sorana Cirstea (ROU)Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Jil Teichmann (SUI)Third Round: 6-4, 6-2 against [27] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)Second Round: 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 against [Q] Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP)First Round: 6-3, 6-3 against [WC] Fiona Ferro (FRA)Maja ChwalinskaSemifinal: 7-6(4), 6-4 against [25] Diana ShnaiderQuarterfinal: 7-6(3), 6-3 against [22] Anna KalinskayaRound of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Diane Parry (FRA)Third Round: 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Maria Sakkari (GRE)Second Round: 6-4, 6-0 against [23] Elise Mertens (BEL)First Round: 6-4, 6-0 against Qinwen Zheng (CHN)Time spent on courtAndreeva: 8 hours 14 minutesChwalinska: 10 hours 52 minutesPublished on Jun 06, 2026  #Andreeva #Chwalinska #French #Open #Final #Preview #headtohead #record #live #streaming #info

here.

LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFO

When and where to watch French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska in India?

The French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska will begin at 6:30 p.m. IST on June 6 (Saturday). In India, the match will be telecast live on the  Sony Sports Network while the live stream will be available on SonyLiv and FanCode (applications and websites both).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first meeting between World No. 8 Andreeva and World No. 114 Chwalinska.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Mirra Andreeva

Semifinal: 6-1, 6-3 against [15] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)

Quarterfinal: 6-0, 6-3 against [18] Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Jil Teichmann (SUI)

Third Round: 6-4, 6-2 against [27] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

Second Round: 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 against [Q] Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP)

First Round: 6-3, 6-3 against [WC] Fiona Ferro (FRA)

Maja Chwalinska

Semifinal: 7-6(4), 6-4 against [25] Diana Shnaider

Quarterfinal: 7-6(3), 6-3 against [22] Anna Kalinskaya

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Diane Parry (FRA)

Third Round: 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Maria Sakkari (GRE)

Second Round: 6-4, 6-0 against [23] Elise Mertens (BEL)

First Round: 6-4, 6-0 against Qinwen Zheng (CHN)

Time spent on court

Andreeva: 8 hours 14 minutes

Chwalinska: 10 hours 52 minutes

Published on Jun 06, 2026

#Andreeva #Chwalinska #French #Open #Final #Preview #headtohead #record #live #streaming #info">Andreeva vs Chwalinska, French Open 2026 Final: Preview, head-to-head record, live streaming info

PREVIEW

If the French Open women’s final appears on paper to be a mismatch between a teenage prodigy and an unheralded qualifier, Poland’s Maja ​Chwalinska has spent the past fortnight proving appearances can be deceiving.

Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva ‌arrives at Saturday’s showpiece as the overwhelming favourite after bulldozing her way ​through the draw, dropping only 12 games in her last three matches ⁠and looking every inch a future Grand Slam champion.

Yet, across the net will stand a player whose improbable run has become one of the stories of the tournament.

Read the full preview here.

LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFO

When and where to watch French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska in India?

The French Open 2026 women’s singles final between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska will begin at 6:30 p.m. IST on June 6 (Saturday). In India, the match will be telecast live on the  Sony Sports Network while the live stream will be available on SonyLiv and FanCode (applications and websites both).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first meeting between World No. 8 Andreeva and World No. 114 Chwalinska.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Mirra Andreeva

Semifinal: 6-1, 6-3 against [15] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)

Quarterfinal: 6-0, 6-3 against [18] Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Jil Teichmann (SUI)

Third Round: 6-4, 6-2 against [27] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

Second Round: 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 against [Q] Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP)

First Round: 6-3, 6-3 against [WC] Fiona Ferro (FRA)

Maja Chwalinska

Semifinal: 7-6(4), 6-4 against [25] Diana Shnaider

Quarterfinal: 7-6(3), 6-3 against [22] Anna Kalinskaya

Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2 against Diane Parry (FRA)

Third Round: 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Maria Sakkari (GRE)

Second Round: 6-4, 6-0 against [23] Elise Mertens (BEL)

First Round: 6-4, 6-0 against Qinwen Zheng (CHN)

Time spent on court

Andreeva: 8 hours 14 minutes

Chwalinska: 10 hours 52 minutes

Published on Jun 06, 2026

#Andreeva #Chwalinska #French #Open #Final #Preview #headtohead #record #live #streaming #info
Deadspin | Late surge allows Tyrrell Hatton to seize lead at LIV Golf Andalucia  May 10, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton looks down a fairway during the final round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Power-Imagn Images   Tyrrell Hatton carded a 2-under-par 69 on Friday to secure a two-stroke lead after the second round of LIV Golf Andalucia in Valderrama, Spain.  Hatton recorded an eagle on the par-5 17th hole to highlight a round in which he also collected three birdies and three bogeys at Real Club Valderrama, home of the 1997 Ryder Cup.  The 34-year-old Englishman is at 6-under par for the tournament and holds a two-shot lead over Thomas Detry of Belgium, who shot a 70 on Friday.  “Yeah, certainly if you’d have said to me on Wednesday that I’d have a two-shot lead going into the weekend, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, to be honest,” Hatton said. “As I said (Thursday), I feel like I had a good warmup and allowed me to — I simplified a few things and just kind of went out with that feeling, and I feel like I hit some really good golf shots.  “Tried to do the same thing again today. It was a tricky day, so even if you did hit some good shots, it was pretty easy to miss the greens. Yeah, I’m happy with how it feels, and hopefully I can keep going with that this weekend.”  Hatton admitted that the front nine proved “pretty frustrating” and his bogey on No. 10 did him no favors before it began to turn around at the 11th hole.   “Yeah, obviously making birdie on 11 and then a really good up-and-down on 12, and then a bonus putt on 13 kind of really got me going momentum-wise,” he said. “The eagle on 17 was clearly a highlight and definitely a bonus, as well.”   Hatton also has helped Legion XIII claim a two-shot lead in the team competition. Legion XIII shot 5-under on Friday to rest at 3-under for the tournament, with Ripper GC and 4Aces GC each at 1-under.  Detry saw his string of bogey-free holes end at 32 to start the tournament before recording two over his final four holes on Friday.  “It’s a grind out there,” Detry said. “Bit of a shame to have leaked two more shots there on 15 and 18. But I feel like my game is in a pretty good spot for my fifth week in a row.”  Scott Vincent, from Zimbabwe, shot a 72 on Friday to fall into a four-way tie for third place at 3-under for the tournament.   Defending champion Talor Gooch shot up the rankings with a 67 on Friday to pull even with Vincent, Sergio Garcia (70) of Spain and Australia’s Cam Smith (70).  Gooch recorded an eagle on the 11th hole to highlight a round in which he also had five birdies and three bogeys.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Late #surge #Tyrrell #Hatton #seize #lead #LIV #Golf #AndaluciaMay 10, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton looks down a fairway during the final round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Power-Imagn Images

Tyrrell Hatton carded a 2-under-par 69 on Friday to secure a two-stroke lead after the second round of LIV Golf Andalucia in Valderrama, Spain.

Hatton recorded an eagle on the par-5 17th hole to highlight a round in which he also collected three birdies and three bogeys at Real Club Valderrama, home of the 1997 Ryder Cup.

The 34-year-old Englishman is at 6-under par for the tournament and holds a two-shot lead over Thomas Detry of Belgium, who shot a 70 on Friday.

“Yeah, certainly if you’d have said to me on Wednesday that I’d have a two-shot lead going into the weekend, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, to be honest,” Hatton said. “As I said (Thursday), I feel like I had a good warmup and allowed me to — I simplified a few things and just kind of went out with that feeling, and I feel like I hit some really good golf shots.

“Tried to do the same thing again today. It was a tricky day, so even if you did hit some good shots, it was pretty easy to miss the greens. Yeah, I’m happy with how it feels, and hopefully I can keep going with that this weekend.”

Hatton admitted that the front nine proved “pretty frustrating” and his bogey on No. 10 did him no favors before it began to turn around at the 11th hole.


“Yeah, obviously making birdie on 11 and then a really good up-and-down on 12, and then a bonus putt on 13 kind of really got me going momentum-wise,” he said. “The eagle on 17 was clearly a highlight and definitely a bonus, as well.”

Hatton also has helped Legion XIII claim a two-shot lead in the team competition. Legion XIII shot 5-under on Friday to rest at 3-under for the tournament, with Ripper GC and 4Aces GC each at 1-under.

Detry saw his string of bogey-free holes end at 32 to start the tournament before recording two over his final four holes on Friday.

“It’s a grind out there,” Detry said. “Bit of a shame to have leaked two more shots there on 15 and 18. But I feel like my game is in a pretty good spot for my fifth week in a row.”

Scott Vincent, from Zimbabwe, shot a 72 on Friday to fall into a four-way tie for third place at 3-under for the tournament.

Defending champion Talor Gooch shot up the rankings with a 67 on Friday to pull even with Vincent, Sergio Garcia (70) of Spain and Australia’s Cam Smith (70).

Gooch recorded an eagle on the 11th hole to highlight a round in which he also had five birdies and three bogeys.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Late #surge #Tyrrell #Hatton #seize #lead #LIV #Golf #Andalucia">Deadspin | Late surge allows Tyrrell Hatton to seize lead at LIV Golf Andalucia  May 10, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton looks down a fairway during the final round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Power-Imagn Images   Tyrrell Hatton carded a 2-under-par 69 on Friday to secure a two-stroke lead after the second round of LIV Golf Andalucia in Valderrama, Spain.  Hatton recorded an eagle on the par-5 17th hole to highlight a round in which he also collected three birdies and three bogeys at Real Club Valderrama, home of the 1997 Ryder Cup.  The 34-year-old Englishman is at 6-under par for the tournament and holds a two-shot lead over Thomas Detry of Belgium, who shot a 70 on Friday.  “Yeah, certainly if you’d have said to me on Wednesday that I’d have a two-shot lead going into the weekend, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, to be honest,” Hatton said. “As I said (Thursday), I feel like I had a good warmup and allowed me to — I simplified a few things and just kind of went out with that feeling, and I feel like I hit some really good golf shots.  “Tried to do the same thing again today. It was a tricky day, so even if you did hit some good shots, it was pretty easy to miss the greens. Yeah, I’m happy with how it feels, and hopefully I can keep going with that this weekend.”  Hatton admitted that the front nine proved “pretty frustrating” and his bogey on No. 10 did him no favors before it began to turn around at the 11th hole.   “Yeah, obviously making birdie on 11 and then a really good up-and-down on 12, and then a bonus putt on 13 kind of really got me going momentum-wise,” he said. “The eagle on 17 was clearly a highlight and definitely a bonus, as well.”   Hatton also has helped Legion XIII claim a two-shot lead in the team competition. Legion XIII shot 5-under on Friday to rest at 3-under for the tournament, with Ripper GC and 4Aces GC each at 1-under.  Detry saw his string of bogey-free holes end at 32 to start the tournament before recording two over his final four holes on Friday.  “It’s a grind out there,” Detry said. “Bit of a shame to have leaked two more shots there on 15 and 18. But I feel like my game is in a pretty good spot for my fifth week in a row.”  Scott Vincent, from Zimbabwe, shot a 72 on Friday to fall into a four-way tie for third place at 3-under for the tournament.   Defending champion Talor Gooch shot up the rankings with a 67 on Friday to pull even with Vincent, Sergio Garcia (70) of Spain and Australia’s Cam Smith (70).  Gooch recorded an eagle on the 11th hole to highlight a round in which he also had five birdies and three bogeys.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Late #surge #Tyrrell #Hatton #seize #lead #LIV #Golf #Andalucia

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