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Who will take control of the F1 Drivers’ Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix?

Who will take control of the F1 Drivers’ Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix?

Sports news

Three drivers. Two race weekends. Two grands prix with a Sprint Race thrown into the mix.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is coming down to the wire, and the stakes could not be higher.

Fresh off a dramatic Las Vegas Grand Prix, the grid heads straight to Qatar for this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, the second race in a tripleheader that closes out the 2025 campaign. While there are several storylines to watch, one dominates them all.

A storyline that could shape the landscape of the sport for years to come.

When the checkered flag flew at the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, it looked as if Lando Norris had put one hand on the F1 Drivers’ Championship trophy.

While Max Verstappen had won in Las Vegas, Norris’ second-place finish moved him to 408 points. With Oscar Piastri crossing the line fifth, and being promoted to fourth after a five-second penalty handed down to Kimi Antonelli, this is what the top three looked like as the celebrations began:

Lando Norris: 408 points
Oscar Piastri: 378 points (-30)
Max Verstappen: 366 points (-42)

But then word trickled out about a problem at McLaren, and when the FIA was slow to release the final classification, rumors began to spread. Finally, the hammer dropped that rocked the sport. Both Norris and Piastri had been disqualified due to their cars failing post-race inspections, and the standings changed dramatically.

Now as the grid arrives in Qatar, this is the state of play atop the table:

Lando Norris: 390 points
Oscar Piastri: 366 points (-24)
Max Verstappen: 366 points (-24)

Norris can still clinch the title in Qatar, and with both a F1 Sprint race and the Qatar Grand Prix he will have two opportunities to get the points he needs. Long story short, Norris needs to leave Qatar with a 26-point lead over both Piastri and Verstappen to be guaranteed the title. Anything less than that and the Drivers’ Championship will be decided at the season finale.

Even a 25-point lead might not be enough.

The first tiebreaker is grand prix wins. Right now, Norris and Piastri are level with seven, while Verstappen has six. In a world where Norris and Verstappen finish the season tied on points — but Verstappen wins both the Qatar Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — the Red Bull driver will have his fifth title.

In fact, Norris may hope any tiebreaker scenario goes to the second round, which is second-place finishes. Norris has eight of those, ahead of Piastri’s three and Verstappen’s five. Neither driver can catch Norris in that category.

But this is THE storyline until the season is over, and a winner is crowned.

Tire restrictions at the Qatar Grand Prix

The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix was one of the more punishing races in recent memory.

Following the single hour of practice, as well as qualifying for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, Pirelli raised concerns about the wear on the tires. Damage from the kerbs, specifically at Turns 12 and 13, raised the potential of tire blowouts. Race officials altered track limits at Turns 12 and 13 before the F1 Sprint Shootout, and drivers were given additional time to adjust to those new track limits during a ten minute “acclimatisation session.”

But Pirelli warned that if those concerns remained after the F1 Sprint race, then they would introduce lap limits for the Grand Prix.

The F1 Sprint race was a chaotic affair that saw several crashes, three safety cars, and five drivers retire from the race. That prevented Pirelli from getting the data they needed to properly analyze the tire wear ahead of the Grand Prix.

Given the concerns that remained, the sport’s exclusive tire supplier implemented an 18-lap maximum for each set of tires.

Blowouts were avoided, but the enforced stint lengths created an unexpected set of safety hazards. The lap restrictions led to each driver pushing full out for each of those laps, rather than backing off on a lap or two to reduce degradation and save the tires. Couple that with the oppressive heat and humidity, and several drivers dealt with medical issues during, and after, the race. Logan Sargeant retired due to heat stroke and dehydration, brought on by the flu-like symptoms he began the week with. Esteban Ocon reported that he vomited twice inside the car but still managed to finish seventh. Alexander Albon and Lance Stroll both went directly to the medical center after the race for heat exhaustion, with Stroll reporting that he was “passing out” in the car and dealing with blurred vision.

After the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, several drivers raised concerns about the conditions.

“I think it’s difficult to put into words and explain how tough it is,” said Charles Leclerc.

“Especially with the g-forces, when you have a lot of dehydration, you can drink but the drink is more of a tea than anything else because it’s at 60 [degrees Celsius]-plus, so it’s extremely difficult to hydrate yourself and again with the g-forces, you don’t see as well.

“The track limits we’re speaking about are [the difference between just] centimetres at 280km/h; in qualifying when we’re fresh it’s difficult to respect them, but then at the end of the race it’s a nightmare.”

George Russell called it “beyond the limit of what was acceptable for driving.”

“You don’t want to be passing out when you’re driving at 200mph down the straight,” Russell added.

“And that’s how I felt at times. Any hotter, I think I’d have retired because my body was going to give up.”

The McLaren duo went a bit further with their comments. Norris, who finished third, said the conditions were “too dangerous” and pointed to the drivers needing medical treatment after the race.

“It’s sad we had to find it this way,” Norris described. “It’s never a nice situation to be in. Some people are ending up in the medical center or passing out, things like that.

“It’s pretty dangerous thing to have going on. It’s not a point where you can go, ‘The drivers need to train more or anything like that’, we’re in a closed car that gets extremely hot in a very physical race.

“It’s frustrating as on TV it probably doesn’t look very physical at all but clearly when you have people who end up retiring or such in a bad state it’s too much for the speeds we’re doing, it’s too dangerous.”

Piastri surmised that F1 was “lucky it wasn’t worse” given it was “four or five degrees hotter” at the track on Thursday.

“We need some discussions about a lot of things from this weekend but it’s not a good situation to be in,” Piastri said.

Those discussions were had, and the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix is a major reason the sport instituted an optional cooling system, including a vest, for this season.

Why the reason for this trip down memory lane?

Tire lap limits are back for this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Pirelli confirmed earlier this month that a limit of 25 laps will be enforced for all three compounds at the Qatar Grand Prix. Teams will have the hardest compounds in Pirelli’s range at their disposal this week, with the C1 as the hard compound, the C2 as the medium, and the C3 as the soft. Laps that are excluded from that 25-lap limit include laps to the grid, formation laps, and laps after the checkered flag.

Pirelli called the restrictions “necessary,” due to analysis of the tires from last year’s race:

This measure has been deemed necessary, following analysis of the tyres used in 2024. Last year, several tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, combined with the high lateral energy had increased the structural fatigue of the construction.

In order to reduce the number of pit stops, the teams had worked on tyre degradation management, limiting performance drop off, which sometimes ran the risk of extending the stint beyond the useful life of the tyre.

A similar precautionary measure had already been introduced at this track in 2023, although that was for different problems which are now resolved. That year, repeatedly going over some kerbs had led to micro-lacerations in the tyres’ sidewalls. Last year, the subsequent modification to the pyramid kerbs along with the addition of strips of gravel around them, had avoided a repetition of this situation.

Something to monitor this week.

The three-way fight between Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen will dominate the week, but two more fascinating races are taking place on the Constructors’ Championship side of the standings.

The first is the fight between Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari for second. With George Russell classified as second in the Las Vegas Grand Prix following the disqualification to Norris, and Kimi Antonelli classified as third even with his five-second penalty thanks to Piastri’s DQ, Mercedes banked another 33 points in Sin City. That brings their season total to 431 as a team.

With Red Bull getting 25 points from Verstappen, and Ferrari bringing home 16 from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull moved to 391 points on the year, while Ferrari sits in fourth with 378.

That gives Mercedes the lead heading into the final two race weekends of the season, but where Las Vegas has been kind to the team in recent years, Qatar and Abu Dhabi present a challenge for the Silver Arrows. Mercedes has been strongest in cooler weather the past few seasons, and last year saw them on the back foot in the final two races. Mercedes brought home 43 points from Qatar and Abu Dhabi last year, and while that was more than Red Bull banked (with all 34 points coming from Verstappen) it was well behind what Ferrari did, as the Scuderia scored 68 points over the final two race weekends.

This fight will be one to watch as well.

A three-way fight for seventh

A bit further down the Constructors’ Championship standings we find a three-way battle for seventh.

At the moment Haas leads the way with 73 points, followed by Aston Martin with 72, and Sauber with 68.

It might not be as glamorous as the battles at the top of the standings, but millions of dollars are on the line. According to estimates, the team that finishes seventh will bring home $87 million in prize money, while the eighth-place team will bank around $78 million, and the ninth-place team will bring home around $69 million.

Considering what it costs to operate a Formula 1 team, every million helps.

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There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.

This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.

These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.

Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.

But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.

Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.

In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

lightbox-info

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.

The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.

ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

lightbox-info

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup">In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

lightbox-info

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup">In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026

There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.

This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.

These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.

Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.

But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.

Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.

In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

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Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.

The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.

ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

lightbox-info

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup
Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin strives to stay in top form vs. Astros Jun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against. He is not, however, an NL All-Star. Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season. Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts. “That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.” He has yet to face the Astros in his career. Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday. Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1. “I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.” Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington. The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions. “I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.” Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI. Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out. For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record. Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026. Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #AstrosJun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against.

He is not, however, an NL All-Star.

Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season.

Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts.

“That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.”

He has yet to face the Astros in his career.

Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday.

Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1.


“I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.”

Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington.

The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions.

“I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.”

Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI.

Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out.

For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record.

Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026.

Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #Astros">Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin strives to stay in top form vs. Astros Jun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against. He is not, however, an NL All-Star. Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season. Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts. “That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.” He has yet to face the Astros in his career. Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday. Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1. “I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.” Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington. The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions. “I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.” Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI. Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out. For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record. Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026. Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #Astros

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) Getty ImagesThe LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.It is going to be quite the week. #Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

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