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Deadspin | Angels’ Mike Trout aims to continue power surge vs. slumping Yankees   Apr 14, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images   Mike Trout was hitting the ball hard but running into tough luck for the past few games before arriving at Yankee Stadium.  In the past two nights, he has hit the ball hard and over the wall for the Los Angeles Angels.  The Angels hope to see another big night from Trout and their offense on Wednesday when they play the third contest of a four-game series against the host New York Yankees.  The Angels have 17 runs on 24 hits in the first two games and evened the series with a 7-1 rout on Tuesday. After Trout homered in the sixth and eighth innings on Monday, the Angels absorbed an 11-10 loss on a game-ending wild pitch.  On Tuesday, Trout homered in the first inning off Ryan Weathers.   Jo Adell and Jorge Soler also went deep as the Angels hit three homers in a span of five pitches.  Trout is 6-for-21 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his past five games and has raised his batting average from .190 to .222.  “Honestly, he’s swinging the bat the same he has been, and now he’s getting it to go far,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said.  Trout’s latest homer was part of big night for the Angels, whose 26 homers lead the American League. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza also homered and had three hits while Yoan Moncada went deep and drove in three runs.  “It was good,” Trout said. “Last night’s game, just the back and forth. Obviously it didn’t come out with what we wanted to with the loss, but we came back and turned the page quick.”   After snapping a five-game skid by getting two homers apiece from Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham on Monday, the Yankees took their most lopsided loss so far. New York was held to five hits and struck out 12 times.  Judge was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton were a combined 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.  “I think you see how streaky this game is,” Goldschmidt said. “You just got to take in stride and day by day.”  After New York saw a starter allow more than three runs for the first time, Right-hander Luis Gil (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will make his second start Wednesday, and the Yankees hope to see some better command.   Gil made his season debut Friday when he allowed three runs, three hits and walked three over four innings in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued 33 walks in 57 innings during his 11 starts last season, when he missed four months with a lat strain.   Gil is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in a pair of starts against the Angels, who have four hits off him in 13 innings.  After Reid Detmers saved the Angels’ bullpen by pitching into the eighth on Tuesday, Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.24 ERA) can match his win total from last season, when he was 3-11 with a 6.81 ERA in 23 starts.   The right-hander has struggled with command by issuing 11 walks in 16 2/3 innings and survived four free passes when he allowed a run on two hits in seven innings during Friday’s 10-2 win at Cincinnati.  Kochanowicz is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #aims #continue #power #surge #slumping #Yankees

Deadspin | Angels’ Mike Trout aims to continue power surge vs. slumping Yankees
Deadspin | Angels’ Mike Trout aims to continue power surge vs. slumping Yankees   Apr 14, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images   Mike Trout was hitting the ball hard but running into tough luck for the past few games before arriving at Yankee Stadium.  In the past two nights, he has hit the ball hard and over the wall for the Los Angeles Angels.  The Angels hope to see another big night from Trout and their offense on Wednesday when they play the third contest of a four-game series against the host New York Yankees.  The Angels have 17 runs on 24 hits in the first two games and evened the series with a 7-1 rout on Tuesday. After Trout homered in the sixth and eighth innings on Monday, the Angels absorbed an 11-10 loss on a game-ending wild pitch.  On Tuesday, Trout homered in the first inning off Ryan Weathers.   Jo Adell and Jorge Soler also went deep as the Angels hit three homers in a span of five pitches.  Trout is 6-for-21 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his past five games and has raised his batting average from .190 to .222.  “Honestly, he’s swinging the bat the same he has been, and now he’s getting it to go far,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said.  Trout’s latest homer was part of big night for the Angels, whose 26 homers lead the American League. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza also homered and had three hits while Yoan Moncada went deep and drove in three runs.  “It was good,” Trout said. “Last night’s game, just the back and forth. Obviously it didn’t come out with what we wanted to with the loss, but we came back and turned the page quick.”   After snapping a five-game skid by getting two homers apiece from Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham on Monday, the Yankees took their most lopsided loss so far. New York was held to five hits and struck out 12 times.  Judge was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton were a combined 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.  “I think you see how streaky this game is,” Goldschmidt said. “You just got to take in stride and day by day.”  After New York saw a starter allow more than three runs for the first time, Right-hander Luis Gil (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will make his second start Wednesday, and the Yankees hope to see some better command.   Gil made his season debut Friday when he allowed three runs, three hits and walked three over four innings in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued 33 walks in 57 innings during his 11 starts last season, when he missed four months with a lat strain.   Gil is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in a pair of starts against the Angels, who have four hits off him in 13 innings.  After Reid Detmers saved the Angels’ bullpen by pitching into the eighth on Tuesday, Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.24 ERA) can match his win total from last season, when he was 3-11 with a 6.81 ERA in 23 starts.   The right-hander has struggled with command by issuing 11 walks in 16 2/3 innings and survived four free passes when he allowed a run on two hits in seven innings during Friday’s 10-2 win at Cincinnati.  Kochanowicz is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #aims #continue #power #surge #slumping #YankeesApr 14, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Mike Trout was hitting the ball hard but running into tough luck for the past few games before arriving at Yankee Stadium.

In the past two nights, he has hit the ball hard and over the wall for the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels hope to see another big night from Trout and their offense on Wednesday when they play the third contest of a four-game series against the host New York Yankees.

The Angels have 17 runs on 24 hits in the first two games and evened the series with a 7-1 rout on Tuesday. After Trout homered in the sixth and eighth innings on Monday, the Angels absorbed an 11-10 loss on a game-ending wild pitch.

On Tuesday, Trout homered in the first inning off Ryan Weathers.

Jo Adell and Jorge Soler also went deep as the Angels hit three homers in a span of five pitches.

Trout is 6-for-21 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his past five games and has raised his batting average from .190 to .222.

“Honestly, he’s swinging the bat the same he has been, and now he’s getting it to go far,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said.

Trout’s latest homer was part of big night for the Angels, whose 26 homers lead the American League. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza also homered and had three hits while Yoan Moncada went deep and drove in three runs.


“It was good,” Trout said. “Last night’s game, just the back and forth. Obviously it didn’t come out with what we wanted to with the loss, but we came back and turned the page quick.”

After snapping a five-game skid by getting two homers apiece from Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham on Monday, the Yankees took their most lopsided loss so far. New York was held to five hits and struck out 12 times.

Judge was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton were a combined 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.

“I think you see how streaky this game is,” Goldschmidt said. “You just got to take in stride and day by day.”

After New York saw a starter allow more than three runs for the first time, Right-hander Luis Gil (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will make his second start Wednesday, and the Yankees hope to see some better command.

Gil made his season debut Friday when he allowed three runs, three hits and walked three over four innings in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued 33 walks in 57 innings during his 11 starts last season, when he missed four months with a lat strain.

Gil is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in a pair of starts against the Angels, who have four hits off him in 13 innings.

After Reid Detmers saved the Angels’ bullpen by pitching into the eighth on Tuesday, Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.24 ERA) can match his win total from last season, when he was 3-11 with a 6.81 ERA in 23 starts.

The right-hander has struggled with command by issuing 11 walks in 16 2/3 innings and survived four free passes when he allowed a run on two hits in seven innings during Friday’s 10-2 win at Cincinnati.

Kochanowicz is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #aims #continue #power #surge #slumping #Yankees

Apr 14, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Mike Trout was hitting the ball hard but running into tough luck for the past few games before arriving at Yankee Stadium.

In the past two nights, he has hit the ball hard and over the wall for the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels hope to see another big night from Trout and their offense on Wednesday when they play the third contest of a four-game series against the host New York Yankees.

The Angels have 17 runs on 24 hits in the first two games and evened the series with a 7-1 rout on Tuesday. After Trout homered in the sixth and eighth innings on Monday, the Angels absorbed an 11-10 loss on a game-ending wild pitch.

On Tuesday, Trout homered in the first inning off Ryan Weathers.

Jo Adell and Jorge Soler also went deep as the Angels hit three homers in a span of five pitches.

Trout is 6-for-21 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his past five games and has raised his batting average from .190 to .222.

“Honestly, he’s swinging the bat the same he has been, and now he’s getting it to go far,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said.

Trout’s latest homer was part of big night for the Angels, whose 26 homers lead the American League. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza also homered and had three hits while Yoan Moncada went deep and drove in three runs.

“It was good,” Trout said. “Last night’s game, just the back and forth. Obviously it didn’t come out with what we wanted to with the loss, but we came back and turned the page quick.”

After snapping a five-game skid by getting two homers apiece from Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham on Monday, the Yankees took their most lopsided loss so far. New York was held to five hits and struck out 12 times.

Judge was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton were a combined 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.

“I think you see how streaky this game is,” Goldschmidt said. “You just got to take in stride and day by day.”

After New York saw a starter allow more than three runs for the first time, Right-hander Luis Gil (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will make his second start Wednesday, and the Yankees hope to see some better command.

Gil made his season debut Friday when he allowed three runs, three hits and walked three over four innings in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued 33 walks in 57 innings during his 11 starts last season, when he missed four months with a lat strain.

Gil is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in a pair of starts against the Angels, who have four hits off him in 13 innings.

After Reid Detmers saved the Angels’ bullpen by pitching into the eighth on Tuesday, Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.24 ERA) can match his win total from last season, when he was 3-11 with a 6.81 ERA in 23 starts.

The right-hander has struggled with command by issuing 11 walks in 16 2/3 innings and survived four free passes when he allowed a run on two hits in seven innings during Friday’s 10-2 win at Cincinnati.

Kochanowicz is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Angels #Mike #Trout #aims #continue #power #surge #slumping #Yankees

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Dexter Lawrence is on the verge of being traded, and these 5 teams are a perfect fit <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">John Harbaugh was brought into the New York Giants as part of a culture shift, but one vestige remains from the previous era: Making star players angry. Learning nothing from alienating Saquon Barkley, GM Joe Shoen is repeating history once more — this time with All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Lawrence and the Giants weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on a contract extension, but now it appears things are much, much worse. <a href="https://twitter.com/PLeonardNYDN/status/2044414052189823090">A new report from Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News states that all conversations between the Giants and Lawrence have broken off</a>, with the organization now pivoting to teams to look into potential trade scenarios.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There will be no shortage of suitors for Lawrence, and with the NFL Draft being just over a week away, presumably every team looking for DL help could be in on the Giants’ star. These are the teams that make the most sense.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This one is a little tricky to work out and keep Chicago under the cap, but everyone around the NFL finds ways of subverting their cap figures by kicking the can down the road.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Bears are an absolute lock to look for a defensive tackle early in the 2026 class, and being a playoff team in win-now mode dictates that sending away the N0. 25 pick for Lawrence would make an awful lot of sense for them. This is a team in dire need of help to stop the run, and Lawrence’s all-consuming presence in the middle would also open up pass rushing opportunities for Montez Sweat.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Chicago is still building out its defensive front, but Dexter Lawrence is a hell of a way to jumpstart that process.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There’s quite literally shared DNA here, opening the door for a Harbaugh-to-Harbaugh deal. Los Angeles has solid pass rushers who are utterly let down by their atrocious play in the middle of the line. While the team signed Dalvin Tomlinson as a stopgap solution, he’s really not good in the primary nose tackle role, with Lawrence being much, much better.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This is another playoff caliber team that could easily become a contender with just a move or two. Lawrence represents the kind of defensive shift needed to change everything.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Panthers aren’t shy when it comes to making big moves, and there’s already trade history with the Giants from the Brian Burns deal in 2024. There have been a lot of pre-draft comments from the Panthers about finding more weapons for Bryce Young, and that could very well be the case — but that could be a lot of smoke coming out of Charlotte too.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Bobby Brown III is the weakest part of the Panthers defense now, and Dexter Lawrence could make Carolina absolutely terrifying. A line with Derrick Brown and Lawrence, set off by Jaelan Phillips rushing off the edge could make for one of the better units in the NFL.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It would be a bold play, but the Panthers are looking to win right now while their window is open in the NFC South. This move would achieve it.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Put this on the very edge of being possible, but you can never, <em>ever</em> count Jerry Jones out of a big move. Dexter Lawrence would give the Cowboys the run stopping they crave, and pairing him with Kenny Clark gives a lot of push on the inside to stop big plays.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The biggest stumbling block here is imagining the Giants trading Lawrence inside their own division. An inside the NFC East trade could lead to a tax on the deal that’s untenable, and Dallas is unlikely to be willing to offer the No. 12 pick in a deal.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Titans are going through a culture shift right now and have an absolute boatload of cap space to make an extension happen. Anchoring their defensive line with Dexter Lawrence would be a huge boon for new coach Robert Saleh, but the question is compensation.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Giants fans can stop rubbing their hands together hoping for No. 4 overall — that isn’t happening. However, if the market for Lawrence is softer than expected, there might be a window to give up a high 2nd round pick in the deal. It makes a lot of sense for Tennessee, though it would be crushing for the Giants to lose a Pro Bowl DT and not get a 1st for him.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><em>Are there any other teams you see being in a position to make a big deal for Dexter Lawrence?</em></p></div></div><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #Dexter #Lawrence #verge #traded #teams #perfect #fit

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Cool Jeans – Julia Berolzheimer

Deadspin | Defending champ Justin Thomas among elite field at RBC Heritage  Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images   The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters.    Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a  million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.    Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again.    Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year.    Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family.    “Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.”    Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course.     The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact.    “This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.”    Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him.    “Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.”    This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad.    “This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.”    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #HeritageApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters.

Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again.

Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year.

Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family.

“Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.”

Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course.


The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact.

“This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.”

Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him.

“Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.”

This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad.

“This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #Heritage">Deadspin | Defending champ Justin Thomas among elite field at RBC Heritage  Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after putting on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images   The famed red and white lighthouse that overlooks Harbour Town Golf Links symbolizes the RBC Heritage and has become synonymous with a deep breath and a “vacation” vibe after the Masters.    Juxtaposed with that, though, is the fact that the Heritage is in its fourth year as a PGA Tour “signature event” with a  million purse and no 36-hole cut. The post-Masters unwinding is reserved for an elite field of 82 that will tee off Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.    Of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, eight are playing this week, excluding only Rory McIlroy after he went back-to-back at the Masters and Justin Rose, who withdrew after he came up short at Augusta once again.    Some heavy hitters have won the past four tournaments. After Jordan Spieth won the 2022 event, the last iteration before the Heritage received its signature promotion, he lost a playoff to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick in 2023. Scottie Scheffler captured the prize right after winning the Masters in 2024, and Justin Thomas beat Andrew Novak in a playoff last year.    Thomas’ wife and first child, Molly, made the trip with him from Augusta to South Carolina. He knows the balance between taking Harbour Town seriously and spending time with family.    “Molly is almost a year and a half, but last year was our first year having her here and she was so young,” Thomas said. “But it’ll be different this year. She’s running around. She’s doing more. Hopefully we’ll get some time to go to the beach, especially with how nice the weather is. I remember we actually, Sunday morning last year before the final round, we all went to the beach and let her play in the water, stuff like that.”    Thomas tied for fifth the year before his victory at the Heritage and has shot in the 60s in 12 of his last 13 rounds at the course.     The par-71, 7,213-yard Harbour Town track has undergone a restoration since last year, but Thomas described the updates as “very, very subtle tweaks” that keep the course’s character intact.    “This golf course, I think, is pretty highly revered by everybody,” Max Homa added. “It’s such a funny change from last week. We heard a lot about the redos and things that changed — I guess not redo, but renovations, and it’s one of the rare (cases where) nothing has gotten worse, which is awesome.”    Homa picked a fine week for his first top-10 of the season, closing the Masters with a 67 to tie for ninth. He has worked hard to put a disappointing 2025 season behind him.    “Right around May of last year I knew that I had gotten through the really bad part, that it was probably going to take a minute to find a week where it started to move forward,” Homa said. “But pretty much all last fall I played really nicely and have kind of kept it going this year. I haven’t had high results, but the game has been quite good.”    This could be the week for another victory for Jacob Bridgeman, who finished top-30 in the FedEx Cup playoffs last year as a relative unknown, then broke through in February to win the Genesis Invitational. No. 3 in the current FedEx Cup standings, Bridgeman is a South Carolina native and Clemson grad.    “This one sort of feels like a home game to me, even though it’s about four hours away from my house,” he said. “I grew up playing junior golf at this course, playing the Junior Heritage, and then I got to play in my first Heritage last year. Coming back is amazing.”    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Defending #champ #Justin #Thomas #among #elite #field #RBC #Heritage

I’m hardly a fan or an alum, but nicknames belong to the people who they belong to. There is no “the” for any other university. There is only The Ohio State University.

When it comes to the Buckeyes there is also something else that they are known for… elite wide receivers. Recent history has seen the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. take over the NFL. Emeka Egbuka is on his way, and Terry McLaurin is still playing at an elite level. You get the point. The Buckeyes have a knack for this.

Up next from tOSU is Carnell Tate. Next week will see a team pin all of their hopes and dreams to Tate in the hopes of him transforming their offense the way that many of these other receivers did.

Recently we here at SB Nation had a chance to talk to Carnell and I asked him about the thought of linking up with one of those Buckeye greats in the pros. I am talking about Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets specifically here.

Many mock drafts have the Jets taking Carnell Tate. It sure would be something to see him running opposite of Wilson with Geno Smith at quarterback (that last bit is something that would probably change by Tate’s sophomore season).

To be clear, Tate noted that he is more than content with wherever he winds up. He had a very relaxed disposition about him.

Some would say that Carnell had a chill manner about him as a matter of fact. This makes sense given his recent work with SNICKERS Ice Cream ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

I’ve had these ice cream bars myself and can vouch for their greatness. The good news is that anybody can have them, too. Carnell made sure of that.

You can also see that Carnell is wearing quite the SNICKERS Ice Cream chain. He’ll be rocking it ahead of the NFL draft, too. Fans can have a chance to win Carnell’s ultimate draft-day flex, the SNICKERS Ice Cream CHILL Chain, at the same website from now through April 27th at 5pm ET. Fans who claim a 6-pack of the CHILL bars will automatically be entered for a chance to win, too.

Best of luck to everyone. Especially to Carnell Tate!

#Carnell #Tate #NFL #Drafts #star #Ohio #State #play #Buckeye">Carnell Tate is the NFL Draft’s next star WR from Ohio State, and he wants to play with another Buckeye  The Ohio State University.I’m hardly a fan or an alum, but nicknames belong to the people who they belong to. There is no “the” for any other university. There is only The Ohio State University.When it comes to the Buckeyes there is also something else that they are known for… elite wide receivers. Recent history has seen the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. take over the NFL. Emeka Egbuka is on his way, and Terry McLaurin is still playing at an elite level. You get the point. The Buckeyes have a knack for this.Up next from tOSU is Carnell Tate. Next week will see a team pin all of their hopes and dreams to Tate in the hopes of him transforming their offense the way that many of these other receivers did.Recently we here at SB Nation had a chance to talk to Carnell and I asked him about the thought of linking up with one of those Buckeye greats in the pros. I am talking about Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets specifically here.Many mock drafts have the Jets taking Carnell Tate. It sure would be something to see him running opposite of Wilson with Geno Smith at quarterback (that last bit is something that would probably change by Tate’s sophomore season).To be clear, Tate noted that he is more than content with wherever he winds up. He had a very relaxed disposition about him.Some would say that Carnell had a chill manner about him as a matter of fact. This makes sense given his recent work with SNICKERS Ice Cream ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.I’ve had these ice cream bars myself and can vouch for their greatness. The good news is that anybody can have them, too. Carnell made sure of that.You can also see that Carnell is wearing quite the SNICKERS Ice Cream chain. He’ll be rocking it ahead of the NFL draft, too. Fans can have a chance to win Carnell’s ultimate draft-day flex, the SNICKERS Ice Cream CHILL Chain, at the same website from now through April 27th at 5pm ET. Fans who claim a 6-pack of the CHILL bars will automatically be entered for a chance to win, too.Best of luck to everyone. Especially to Carnell Tate!  #Carnell #Tate #NFL #Drafts #star #Ohio #State #play #Buckeye

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