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Deadspin | Churchill Downs buying Preakness Stakes May 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up defeats Gosger (9) with Irad Ortiz Jr. up to win the running of the 150th Preakness stakes. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Churchill Downs is in the process of adding the Preakness Stakes to its portfolio, uniting the first two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to purchase the intellectual property for the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Racing for million. The parties expect to conclude the transaction after the next running of the Preakness, scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. The traditional venue of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is currently under renovations. “This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.” As part of the agreement, Churchill Downs will license the rights to the Preakness Stakes to the state of Maryland for an annual fee. The news comes a week after Sports Business Journal reported there are serious discussions to move the date of the Preakness back a week, starting in 2027, in order to create a larger gap after the Kentucky Derby (currently two weeks). Several owners and trainers have skipped the Preakness in the past because of the short turnaround for their horses to recover. The goal is to attract more horses from the Kentucky Derby field into the Preakness and thereby generate greater interest in the chase for the Triple Crown. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Churchill #Downs #buying #Preakness #Stakes

Deadspin | Churchill Downs buying Preakness Stakes
Deadspin | Churchill Downs buying Preakness Stakes May 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up defeats Gosger (9) with Irad Ortiz Jr. up to win the running of the 150th Preakness stakes. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Churchill Downs is in the process of adding the Preakness Stakes to its portfolio, uniting the first two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to purchase the intellectual property for the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Racing for million. The parties expect to conclude the transaction after the next running of the Preakness, scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. The traditional venue of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is currently under renovations. “This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.” As part of the agreement, Churchill Downs will license the rights to the Preakness Stakes to the state of Maryland for an annual fee. The news comes a week after Sports Business Journal reported there are serious discussions to move the date of the Preakness back a week, starting in 2027, in order to create a larger gap after the Kentucky Derby (currently two weeks). Several owners and trainers have skipped the Preakness in the past because of the short turnaround for their horses to recover. The goal is to attract more horses from the Kentucky Derby field into the Preakness and thereby generate greater interest in the chase for the Triple Crown. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Churchill #Downs #buying #Preakness #StakesMay 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up defeats Gosger (9) with Irad Ortiz Jr. up to win the running of the 150th Preakness stakes. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Churchill Downs is in the process of adding the Preakness Stakes to its portfolio, uniting the first two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to purchase the intellectual property for the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Racing for $85 million.

The parties expect to conclude the transaction after the next running of the Preakness, scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. The traditional venue of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is currently under renovations.


“This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”

As part of the agreement, Churchill Downs will license the rights to the Preakness Stakes to the state of Maryland for an annual fee.

The news comes a week after Sports Business Journal reported there are serious discussions to move the date of the Preakness back a week, starting in 2027, in order to create a larger gap after the Kentucky Derby (currently two weeks). Several owners and trainers have skipped the Preakness in the past because of the short turnaround for their horses to recover.

The goal is to attract more horses from the Kentucky Derby field into the Preakness and thereby generate greater interest in the chase for the Triple Crown.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Churchill #Downs #buying #Preakness #Stakes

Sports news

May 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up defeats Gosger (9) with Irad Ortiz Jr. up to win the running of the 150th Preakness stakes. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Churchill Downs is in the process of adding the Preakness Stakes to its portfolio, uniting the first two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced Tuesday it has entered into an agreement to purchase the intellectual property for the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Racing for $85 million.

The parties expect to conclude the transaction after the next running of the Preakness, scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. The traditional venue of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is currently under renovations.

“This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”

As part of the agreement, Churchill Downs will license the rights to the Preakness Stakes to the state of Maryland for an annual fee.

The news comes a week after Sports Business Journal reported there are serious discussions to move the date of the Preakness back a week, starting in 2027, in order to create a larger gap after the Kentucky Derby (currently two weeks). Several owners and trainers have skipped the Preakness in the past because of the short turnaround for their horses to recover.

The goal is to attract more horses from the Kentucky Derby field into the Preakness and thereby generate greater interest in the chase for the Triple Crown.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Churchill #Downs #buying #Preakness #Stakes

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Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami — Herons look for another win with Messi in red-hot form <div id="content-body-70891279" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Inter Miami has passed its first test since the surprise departure of coach Javier Mascherano. As interim coach Guillermo Hoyos would ​attest, having Lionel Messi at his peak helps.</p><p>The Herons complete a two-game ‌trip through the Rocky Mountains when they play Real ​Salt Lake on Wednesday in Sandy, Utah.</p><p>Messi scored ⁠on a penalty kick in the 18th minute and set up his own game- winner with a nifty run in the 79th minute ‌of Miami’s 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids Saturday. The match was played at the Denver Broncos’ ‌stadium before an audience of 75,824 fans.</p><p>That was the first ‌outing ⁠for Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) since Mascherano announced his resignation, ⁠citing “personal reasons,” mere months after he guided the club to the MLS Cup title.</p><p>“The best coach in the world is on the pitch,” Hoyos said ​afterward. “We have the best player in ‌history who changes the course of matches and a team that gave everything football-wise.”</p><p>Hoyos was Miami’s sporting director before stepping in for Mascherano. With the Herons now second in the ‌Eastern Conference, it’s his task now to keep the club ​on a stable path.</p><p>“This result means a continuity of what was being done,” Hoyos said.</p><p>His side will have ⁠a quick turnaround to face Real Salt Lake (RSL) [5-1-1, 16 points], which has begun a three-game homestand with two-goal wins over Sporting Kansas City ‌and San Diego FC.</p><p>Diego Luna scored within the first five minutes of each match and Sergi Solans struck three goals in that span. The high-powered offense was just what RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni wanted to see.</p><p>“We have to bring the fans into the game and be electric and front-footed,” Mastroeni said ‌before the San Diego game. “Both (San Diego and Miami) offer opportunities in transition and ​we’ve improved drastically in that area.”</p><p>Neither RSL nor Miami has lost since dropping their respective season openers Feb. ⁠21. They’ve each scored 16 goals on the year, Messi ⁠accounting for seven of Miami’s and Solans scoring five for RSL.</p><p>Messi’s co-star Luis Suarez could draw back in ‌after not being utilised against Colorado.</p><p>Meanwhile, Miami forward Mateo Silvetti (hamstring) participated in practice Monday, per the Miami Herald, and his status ​for the match is up in the air. The 20-year-old has scored two goals.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Real #Salt #Lake #Inter #Miami #Herons #win #Messi #redhot #form

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Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star suffers concussion during NBA playoffs <div id="content-body-70891301" itemprop="articleBody"><p>San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol after tumbling face-first to the court in the second quarter of Tuesday night’s playoff loss to Portland.</p><p>“He has a concussion. He’s in the protocol,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after San Antonio fell 106-103 to even the Western Conference first-round series at one game apiece. “We’ll take the proper and appropriate steps.”</p><p>Any extended absence by Wembanyama would be a massive blow to San Antonio, which finished with the league’s second-best record behind the versatile 7-foot-4 center from France.</p><p>Under league guidelines, a player in the concussion protocol must have at least 48 hours of inactivity and recovery and then hit several benchmarks without symptoms before being cleared to play.</p><p>A player must undergo neurological testing and receive a final clearance from a team doctor in consultation with the league’s concussion protocol director.</p><p>Game 3 is Friday in Portland. It seems improbable that Wembanyama would be cleared by then, but Johnson wouldn’t speculate about his status.</p><p>“The protocol is the protocol,” Johnson said. “We’ll just follow it as everyone else does and plan accordingly.”</p><p>The Spurs went 12-6 during the regular season without Wembanyama.</p><p>“We’ve all got to step up,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. “We know what Vic brings to the table. We’ve played without him for a couple games this year. It’s going to be next man up. Everybody’s going to have to step up. That’s a huge void to fill. We can’t get bogged down by it.”</p><p>Wembanyama was fouled by Jrue Holiday after he spun around the Trail Blazers’ point guard in the paint. He was not able to brace himself on the fall, and his jaw hit the court with 8:57 remaining in the second quarter.</p><p>Wembanyama remained on the court for about 30 seconds before rising to a seated position for about a minute and speaking to teammate Stephon Castle. Johnson called timeout to check on Wembanyama, who immediately ran through the tunnel after getting to his feet.</p><p>Wembanyama had five points, four rebounds, one blocked shot and one assist in 12 minutes. Veteran Luke Kornet replaced Wembanyama and started the second half at centre, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes.</p><p>“It was scary. I saw the images. It was not good,” Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said of the play where Wembanyama got hurt. “With him out, Kornet, I think he did a tremendous job. We still have to figure out how to play better when Kornet is on the court.”</p><p>San Antonio is in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and beat Portland in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series with 35 points from Wembanyama. Without him, the Spurs blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, a span of 76 games.</p><p>On Monday, Wembanyama became the unanimous winner of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-best 3.1 blocks this season.</p><p>Vassell said he didn’t have a chance to talk with Wembanyama immediately after the game.</p><p>“We’ll definitely check in on him. Our prayers are with him,” Vassell said. “We just want him to be good.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Victor #Wembanyama #injury #update #San #Antonio #Spurs #star #suffers #concussion #NBA #playoffs

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Deadspin | Golf Glance: LPGA begins major season; PGA Tour’s lone team event Nelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025. The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China. PGA TOUR THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26 Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards) Purse: .5M (Winner: .37M Each Player) Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+) Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. X: @Zurich_Classic NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023. BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33. Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3 LPGA TOUR THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26 Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards) Purse: M (Winner: .2M) Defending Champion: Mao Saigo Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda HOW TO FOLLOW: TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC) Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m. X: @Chevron_Golf NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley. Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green) Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26 Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards) Purse: M (Winner: 0,000) Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) X: @ChampionsTour NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start. Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink) Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3 DP WORLD TOUR THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26 Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards) Purse: .75M (Winner: 8, 333) Defending Champion: Ashun Wu Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel) X: @DPWorldTour NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a 0,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice. Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3 LIV GOLF LEAGUE THIS WEEK: OFF. 2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII) Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #eventNelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025.

The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China.

PGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26

Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards)

Purse: $9.5M (Winner: $1.37M Each Player)

Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak

FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)

Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

X: @Zurich_Classic

NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023.

BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33.

Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3

LPGA TOUR

THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26

Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards)

Purse: $8M (Winner: $1.2M)

Defending Champion: Mao Saigo

Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda

HOW TO FOLLOW:

TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC)

Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m.

X: @Chevron_Golf

NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley.

Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green)

Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3


PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26

Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards)

Purse: $2M (Winner: $300,000)

Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly

Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @ChampionsTour

NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start.

Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink)

Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3

DP WORLD TOUR

THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26

Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards)

Purse: $2.75M (Winner: $458, 333)

Defending Champion: Ashun Wu

Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed

HOW TO FOLLOW

TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel)

X: @DPWorldTour

NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a $200,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice.

Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick)

Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3

LIV GOLF LEAGUE

THIS WEEK: OFF.

2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC

Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII)

Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #event">Deadspin | Golf Glance: LPGA begins major season; PGA Tour’s lone team event Nelly Korda at the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2025. The LPGA tees off its major season with the Chevron Championship, while the PGA Tour plays its only team event of the season and the DP World Tour returns to action in China. PGA TOUR THIS WEEK: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana, April 23-26 Course: TPC Louisiana (Par 72, 7,425 Yards) Purse: .5M (Winner: .37M Each Player) Defending Champions: Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+) Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Friday: 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. X: @Zurich_Classic NOTES: This is the ninth edition of the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule. The teams will play Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday. … Both winning team members earn a two-year exemption on tour, 400 FedEx Cup points each and spots in the PGA Championship and all remaining signature events. No Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. … No team has yet to successfully defend a title at the Zurich Classic. … Blades Brown, 19, is in the field on a sponsor exemption and paired with former Florida State star Luke Clanton. … This is the final event for players to earn spots into next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The standings are currently led by Rick Castillo, David Lipsky, Matt Wallace, Chandler Blanchet and Jordan Smith. All but Castillo are in this week’s field. … The tournament scoring record of 258 was set by Nick Hardy and Davis Riley in 2023. BEST BETS: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1175 at DraftKings) have been enjoying excellent runs. Matt has won two of his past three events to get to a career-best No. 3 in the world, and his brother is coming off a win on the DP World Tour. … Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+1550). Lowry won this event two years ago with Rory McIlroy, and a win this week would get Koepka into next week’s signature event. … Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (+1750). Yellamaraju snapped a streak of three consecutive top-15 finishes with a T52 last week. Gerard was sniffing the first page of the Masters leaderboard before settling for a T38. … Novak/Griffin (+1850). Novak has two top-16s in his past three starts. While Griffin has struggled to follow up his breakout 2025, but did play well at the Masters before a 77 on Sunday dropped him to T33. Last Tournament: RBC Heritage (Matt Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Cadillac Championship, Miami, April 30-May 3 LPGA TOUR THIS WEEK: The Chevron Championship, Houston, April 23-26 Course: Memorial Park (Par 72, 6,811 Yards) Purse: M (Winner: .2M) Defending Champion: Mao Saigo Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda HOW TO FOLLOW: TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GC); 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC) Streaming (Peacock): Saturday: 1-6 p.m. ET; Sunday: 1:30-5:30 p.m. X: @Chevron_Golf NOTES: This is the first of five majors this season. Five of the past six Chevron Championship winners were also first-time major champions. … The 132-player field features the top three players in the Rolex Standings in Jeeno Thitikul, Korda and Hyo Joo Kim. Thitikul is still seeking her first major title. … The event moves to the municipal course Memorial Park following a three-year stint at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Memorial Park also plays host to the Texas Children’s Open on the PGA Tour. … Stacy Lewis, 41, is four months pregnant and The Woodlands native will compete in what may be her final event before retirement. … With a victory this week, Lydia Ko would pass Annika Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour’s all-time career money list. … The field includes eight amateurs, including top-ranked Kiara Romero and Asterisk Talley. Last Tournament: LA Championship (Hannah Green) Next Tournament: Mexico Riviera Maya Open, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, April 30-May 3 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS THIS WEEK: Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Duluth, Ga., April 24-26 Course: TPC Sugarloaf (Par 72, 7,205 Yards) Purse: M (Winner: 0,000) Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Friday: 9-11 p.m. ET (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday: 3-6 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday: 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) X: @ChampionsTour NOTES: The event is moving to the Modified Stableford Scoring system. Points are awarded for: albatross (8 points), eagle (5 points), birdie (2 points), par (0 points), bogey (-1 point) and double bogey or more (-3 points). The player with the highest point total wins the event. … Kelly will make his 200th career Champions start. Last Tournament: Senior PGA Championship (Stewart Cink) Next Tournament: Regions Traditions, Birmingham, Ala., April 30-May 3 DP WORLD TOUR THIS WEEK: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26 Course: Enhance Anting GC (Par 71, 7,188 Yards) Purse: .75M (Winner: 8, 333) Defending Champion: Ashun Wu Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed HOW TO FOLLOW TV: Thursday-Friday: 12:30-5:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 12:30-5 a.m.; Sunday: Midnight-5 a.m. (Golf Channel) X: @DPWorldTour NOTES: This is the second of four events on the 2026 Asian Swing. The player with the most points at the end of each Swing earns a 0,000 bonus. … Already a two-time winner of his national open, Wu is attempting to become the first player to win the China Open in consecutive years. He is 19-under par in his past 20 rounds at the event. France’s Alexander Levy has also won the China Open twice. Last Tournament: Hero Indian Open (Alex Fitzpatrick) Next Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, April 30-May 3 LIV GOLF LEAGUE THIS WEEK: OFF. 2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC Last Event: LIV Golf Mexico City (Individual: Rahm; Team: Legion XIII) Next Event: LIV Golf Virginia, Trump National GC, May 7-10 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Golf #Glance #LPGA #begins #major #season #PGA #Tours #lone #team #event

Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.

The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.

Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.

ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.

Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.

Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.

Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open">Venus Williams eliminated from first round of Madrid Open Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comebackEvery game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.Published on Apr 22, 2026 #Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open

Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.

Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.

Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.

Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open">Venus Williams eliminated from first round of Madrid Open

Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.

The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.

Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.

ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.

Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.

Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.

Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open
Deadspin | Patriots coach Mike Vrabel chides own decisions in addressing Russini fallout Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Mike Vrabel admitted “difficult conversations with people I care about” were necessary to address photos were published of the Patriots head coach and a former Athletic reporter. Vrabel’s comments to reporters Tuesday come approximately two weeks after the New York Post published pictures of Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel initially told the Post that the photos were a “completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.” Vrabel took a much more serious and accountable tone on Tuesday. “I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive,” Vrabel said. “You know, we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. And when I — those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves. “I care deeply about this football team, and I’m excited to coach them. I also know that I’m gonna attack each day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward. That’s what I know, and I’m excited to do that. But I wanted to go and just address this, and thank you for your patience in dealing with the private and personal matter.” Several follow-up questions by reporters essentially were dismissed by Vrabel, who said he would keep private the conversations he had with the team’s brass. Russini resigned from the Athletic, where she was lead NFL reporter, last Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team for which he played — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Patriots #coach #Mike #Vrabel #chides #decisions #addressing #Russini #falloutFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mike Vrabel admitted “difficult conversations with people I care about” were necessary to address photos were published of the Patriots head coach and a former Athletic reporter.

Vrabel’s comments to reporters Tuesday come approximately two weeks after the New York Post published pictures of Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1.

Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel initially told the Post that the photos were a “completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

Vrabel took a much more serious and accountable tone on Tuesday.


“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive,” Vrabel said. “You know, we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. And when I — those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves.

“I care deeply about this football team, and I’m excited to coach them. I also know that I’m gonna attack each day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward. That’s what I know, and I’m excited to do that. But I wanted to go and just address this, and thank you for your patience in dealing with the private and personal matter.”

Several follow-up questions by reporters essentially were dismissed by Vrabel, who said he would keep private the conversations he had with the team’s brass.

Russini resigned from the Athletic, where she was lead NFL reporter, last Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team for which he played — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Patriots #coach #Mike #Vrabel #chides #decisions #addressing #Russini #fallout">Deadspin | Patriots coach Mike Vrabel chides own decisions in addressing Russini fallout Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Mike Vrabel admitted “difficult conversations with people I care about” were necessary to address photos were published of the Patriots head coach and a former Athletic reporter. Vrabel’s comments to reporters Tuesday come approximately two weeks after the New York Post published pictures of Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel initially told the Post that the photos were a “completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.” Vrabel took a much more serious and accountable tone on Tuesday. “I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive,” Vrabel said. “You know, we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. And when I — those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves. “I care deeply about this football team, and I’m excited to coach them. I also know that I’m gonna attack each day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward. That’s what I know, and I’m excited to do that. But I wanted to go and just address this, and thank you for your patience in dealing with the private and personal matter.” Several follow-up questions by reporters essentially were dismissed by Vrabel, who said he would keep private the conversations he had with the team’s brass. Russini resigned from the Athletic, where she was lead NFL reporter, last Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team for which he played — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Patriots #coach #Mike #Vrabel #chides #decisions #addressing #Russini #fallout

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