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Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma  Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
   LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.  It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.  OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.  “This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”  Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell   OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.  The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state  “This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.  “We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma
Deadspin | Smash GC rebranding as OKGC to represent Oklahoma  Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
   LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.  It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.  OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.  “This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”  Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell   OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.  The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state  “This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.  “We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #OklahomaAug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.

It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.

OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”


Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell

OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.

The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state

“This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.

“We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

Aug 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, United States; Talor Gooch of Smash GC tees off on the 6th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

LIV Golf team Smash GC is establishing Oklahoma as its home market and officially rebranding as OKGC, the league announced Tuesday.

It is the first time since the Saudi-backed league launched in 2022 that a franchise has been directly aligned with a U.S. market.

OKGC captain Talor Gooch, an Oklahoma native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, and his crew will debut their new identity at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”

Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion, is joined on the squad by Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell

OKGC currently ranks eighth in the LIV Golf standings out of 13 teams. Varner is the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 21.

The team’s new logo includes a bison and the number 46, representing Oklahoma’s entry into the union as the 46th state

“This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and head of team business operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe.

“We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Smash #rebranding #OKGC #represent #Oklahoma

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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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Coppa Italia — Inter Milan comes back from two goals down to beat Como and reach final <div id="content-body-70891341" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Inter Milan’s pursuit of a sweep of the Italian league and Cup titles is still alive. The Serie A leader came back from two goals down for a decisive 3-2 win over Como in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Tuesday.</p><p>Hakan Calhanoglu scored twice and Petar Sucic had the winner in the 89th minute after Martin Baturina and Como captain Lucas Da Cunha scored either side of half-time.</p><p>The first leg had ended goalless.</p><p>Atalanta hosts Lazio in the other semifinal on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.</p><p>The final is scheduled for May 13.</p><p>Meanwhile, Inter could clinch the Serie A title as soon as this weekend.</p><p>The last time Inter claimed both titles was when it earned a treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010 that also included the Champions League trophy.</p><p>Inter’s first-year coach Cristian Chivu played on the 2010 team.</p><p>Calhanoglu started the comeback with a long, powerful shot and then equalized with a header in the 86th. Three minutes later, Sucic traded passes with Calhanoglu and scored amid a crowded area.</p><p>Inter won the last of its nine Italian Cup titles in 2023.</p><p>Inter also came back from two goals down for a 4-3 victory at Como in Serie A nine days ago.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #Coppa #Italia #Inter #Milan #goals #beat #Como #reach #final

You know it. I know it. We all know it.

Jordan Spieth is chasing the career grand slam yet again this week at the PGA Championship and given that we so recently got to see somebody climb that mountain last year with Rory McIlroy at the Masters (where he doubled down this year)… we want more.

This year marks Spieth’s 10th run at the Career Grand Slam and the passage of time has seemingly made him have a level of peace about the quest.

At the moment Jordan isn’t exactly believed to be seriously in the mix. Consider that FanDuel Sportsbook has him at +5500 to win at Aronimink with players like Min Woo Lee and Chris Gotterup ahead of him. Even Jordan’s buddy Rickie Fowler is listed in front him after last week’s showing at the Truist.

Isn’t the fact that this is a longshot something that makes us want it all the more, though? How many people seriously went into Augusta last year thinking that Rory was about to do it? He may not have been this far down the odds listing, but he was hardly considered a lock.

We could literally be on the precipice of golf history right now. Think about that.

#Jordan #Spieth #incredible #week">Jordan Spieth could do something incredible this week  You know it. I know it. We all know it.Jordan Spieth is chasing the career grand slam yet again this week at the PGA Championship and given that we so recently got to see somebody climb that mountain last year with Rory McIlroy at the Masters (where he doubled down this year)… we want more.This year marks Spieth’s 10th run at the Career Grand Slam and the passage of time has seemingly made him have a level of peace about the quest.At the moment Jordan isn’t exactly believed to be seriously in the mix. Consider that FanDuel Sportsbook has him at +5500 to win at Aronimink with players like Min Woo Lee and Chris Gotterup ahead of him. Even Jordan’s buddy Rickie Fowler is listed in front him after last week’s showing at the Truist.Isn’t the fact that this is a longshot something that makes us want it all the more, though? How many people seriously went into Augusta last year thinking that Rory was about to do it? He may not have been this far down the odds listing, but he was hardly considered a lock.We could literally be on the precipice of golf history right now. Think about that.  #Jordan #Spieth #incredible #week

India, on Thursday, officially appointed decorated Frenchman Frederic Soyez as the chief coach of the national junior men’s hockey team, replacing two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh.

Sreejesh, a former star goalkeeper, was removed from his role just after 17 months, following the expiry of his contract, after guiding India to a bronze medal finish at last year’s FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai.

In a strongly-worded social media post, Sreejesh vented out his frustration, saying his tenure was brought to an end despite winning five medals in as many tournaments during his stint, but Hockey India argued that the decision was taken considering the long-term vision of building a sustainable high-performance ecosystem aligned with India’s ambitions for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

One of the most accomplished coaches in European hockey, Soyez brings over three decades of elite coaching experience, including 15 years as an international player for France and over 15 years as a head coach at the highest level.

Soyez, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with France from 1995 to 2010, earning 196 international caps and scoring an impressive 195 goals for the team, coached the national men’s hockey teams of both France and Spain.

He has coaching experience at three Olympic Games, having guided Spain at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics before leading France at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

During his tenure with Spain, he guided the team to a silver medal at the 2019 European Championships, while also steering it to quarterfinal finishes at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

A proven developer of young talent, Soyez coached France to a historic silver medal at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in Delhi in 2013 and most recently guided the French U-18 men’s team to a silver medal at the 2025 European Championships.

He additionally served as the High-Performance Director of the French Hockey Federation from 2021 to 2024, overseeing the country’s broader high-performance and athlete development structure.

His coaching resume also includes participation in two FIH Men’s Hockey World Cups (2018, 2023) and six European Championships (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), underlining his extensive experience at the elite international level.

At the domestic level, Soyez guided Lille MHC to French Indoor and Outdoor Championship titles in 2012, along with EuroHockey Trophy Indoor and Outdoor titles in the same year.

Widely regarded for his expertise in high-performance systems, athlete development, and penalty corner strategy, Soyez has consistently built teams with strong tactical structure and competitive consistency across all levels.

Hockey India’s long-term strategy also places significant emphasis on developing Indian coaches alongside international experts.

To ensure knowledge transfer and continuity, Indian coaches have been integrated across the senior, junior, and sub-junior national camps, with designated Indian coaches working closely alongside the respective head coaches at every level.

Welcoming Soyez to Indian hockey, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, “We warmly welcome Frederic Soyez to the Hockey India family. Frederic comes with outstanding international credentials, having coached at multiple Olympic Games, World Cups, and European Championships, while also successfully developing young talent and high-performance systems.

“We believe his experience and skill set will greatly benefit Indian hockey as we continue to work towards a bigger long-term vision for the 2036 Olympics. Our focus is not only on immediate results but also on building a deep talent pool and a coaching structure that remains aligned from sub-junior to senior level. By integrating Indian coaches, alongside international experts in every national camp across all levels, we are ensuring continuity in coaching philosophy, player development, and tactical understanding.

“This collaborative approach will also play a vital role in strengthening the capabilities of Indian coaches and creating a more self-sustaining high-performance ecosystem for the future,” he added.

Published on May 14, 2026

#Frederic #Soyez #replaces #Sreejesh #coach #Indian #junior #mens #hockey #team">Frederic Soyez replaces PR Sreejesh as coach of Indian junior men’s hockey team  India, on Thursday, officially appointed decorated Frenchman Frederic Soyez as the chief coach of the national junior men’s hockey team, replacing two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh.Sreejesh, a former star goalkeeper, was removed from his role just after 17 months, following the expiry of his contract, after guiding India to a bronze medal finish at last year’s FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai.In a strongly-worded social media post, Sreejesh vented out his frustration, saying his tenure was brought to an end despite winning five medals in as many tournaments during his stint, but Hockey India argued that the decision was taken considering the long-term vision of building a sustainable high-performance ecosystem aligned with India’s ambitions for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.One of the most accomplished coaches in European hockey, Soyez brings over three decades of elite coaching experience, including 15 years as an international player for France and over 15 years as a head coach at the highest level.Soyez, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with France from 1995 to 2010, earning 196 international caps and scoring an impressive 195 goals for the team, coached the national men’s hockey teams of both France and Spain.He has coaching experience at three Olympic Games, having guided Spain at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics before leading France at the Paris 2024 Olympics.During his tenure with Spain, he guided the team to a silver medal at the 2019 European Championships, while also steering it to quarterfinal finishes at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.A proven developer of young talent, Soyez coached France to a historic silver medal at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in Delhi in 2013 and most recently guided the French U-18 men’s team to a silver medal at the 2025 European Championships.He additionally served as the High-Performance Director of the French Hockey Federation from 2021 to 2024, overseeing the country’s broader high-performance and athlete development structure.His coaching resume also includes participation in two FIH Men’s Hockey World Cups (2018, 2023) and six European Championships (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), underlining his extensive experience at the elite international level.At the domestic level, Soyez guided Lille MHC to French Indoor and Outdoor Championship titles in 2012, along with EuroHockey Trophy Indoor and Outdoor titles in the same year.Widely regarded for his expertise in high-performance systems, athlete development, and penalty corner strategy, Soyez has consistently built teams with strong tactical structure and competitive consistency across all levels.Hockey India’s long-term strategy also places significant emphasis on developing Indian coaches alongside international experts.To ensure knowledge transfer and continuity, Indian coaches have been integrated across the senior, junior, and sub-junior national camps, with designated Indian coaches working closely alongside the respective head coaches at every level.Welcoming Soyez to Indian hockey, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, “We warmly welcome Frederic Soyez to the Hockey India family. Frederic comes with outstanding international credentials, having coached at multiple Olympic Games, World Cups, and European Championships, while also successfully developing young talent and high-performance systems.“We believe his experience and skill set will greatly benefit Indian hockey as we continue to work towards a bigger long-term vision for the 2036 Olympics. Our focus is not only on immediate results but also on building a deep talent pool and a coaching structure that remains aligned from sub-junior to senior level. By integrating Indian coaches, alongside international experts in every national camp across all levels, we are ensuring continuity in coaching philosophy, player development, and tactical understanding.“This collaborative approach will also play a vital role in strengthening the capabilities of Indian coaches and creating a more self-sustaining high-performance ecosystem for the future,” he added.Published on May 14, 2026  #Frederic #Soyez #replaces #Sreejesh #coach #Indian #junior #mens #hockey #team

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