Archive September 25, 2025

What do Bryson DeChambeau and Russell Crowe have in common?

Your instinct might be ‘very little’ yet there is one key similarity – both men have been cast as the lead gladiator in a must-watch box-office battle.

At the start of the century, it was Oscar-winning actor Crowe playing the lead of Maximus Decimus Meridius in Ridley Scott’s Roman epic.

Now, DeChambeau is primed to take centre stage in what the United States hope will be a Ryder Cup-winning performance against Europe in New York.

“This is his arena. If he views himself as a gladiator golfer, this is as good as it gets,” DeChambeau’s team-mate Xander Schaffeule said.

DeChambeau – two-time US Open champion, audience-attracting YouTuber and MAGA-loving ally of President Donald Trump – has morphed into a talisman for the American team.

That has not previously been the case.

While he amazed the Whistling Straits crowds with his Happy Gilmore-style driving of the greens on 400-yard par fours in 2021, DeChambeau was also taunted by some home fans.

A self-styled moniker of ‘The Scientist’ brought derision. He also took stick from plenty of fans who sided with Brooks Koepka in the all-star American ‘feud’ between the pair.

The US locker room was not bowled over by DeChambeau, insiders say. There was an ambivalent, if not stone cold, attitude towards the beefy Californian.

Making a concerted effort to join team bonding events has seemingly helped get him back on side, with US captain Keegan Bradley also pointing to DeChambeau’s “X-Factor ability” and “fiery” energy as further redeeming qualities.

“This is a tough thing for him, to come into guys that he doesn’t see every day,” said Bradley.

“But he’s done an exceptional job of making the extra effort – flying to Napa, flying to Atlanta – doing things that are really difficult with the schedule he has.

“He’s made every effort possible and been incredible in the team room.”

When the Americans were humbled by the Europeans two years ago, DeChambeau was even further on the periphery than he was at Whistling Straits.

The controversial switch to LIV Golf meant he was not eligible to earn qualification points for the Rome clash.

Then-US captain Zach Johnson did not deem him worthy of a wildcard – nor even a phone call relaying the news.

Harbouring an inescapable feeling of being ruthlessly snubbed, DeChambeau set about getting back on the team for Bethpage.

“It sucked. I wanted to be there,” DeChambeau said on Thursday.

“Seeing the guys lose really put a fire in my stomach. I wanted to make the team this time around.”

The same complications remained, though.

As a LIV golfer, DeChambeau could only earn points during the eight major championships over the two-year qualification process.

Demonstrating his insatiable appetite for the big stage, he earned six top-10 finishes – including victory at the 2024 US Open – to claim one of the half a dozen automatic spots.

However criticism about his suitability for the team environment has continued in the run-up to Bethpage.

Brandel Chamblee, a former American player and prominent commentator, still believes DeChambeau is an individualist and described him as a “captain’s nightmare”

Others disagree.

Venerable American writer Alex Miceli, who has known DeChambeau since starting to cover the player’s career when he was a teenage talent, believes the player now fully embraces the collective ethos.

“I think Bryson was a little immature back then, four years ago, but I think he is a much more mature player and more mature person now,” Miceli told BBC Sport.

During his news conference on Thursday, DeChambeau was keen to stress how invested he is in the team scenario.

Asked how he would feel if left out of any of the pairings on Friday, he said he would “totally understand”.

“We’re coming together as a team and we’re not doing it for anything else other than our country,” he said.

DeChambeau’s clear national pride will be mirrored by the majority of the 50,000 fans flocking to Bethpage on Friday.

The fear is patriotism will veer into jingoism in the galleries. President Trump’s appearance during the afternoon session could serve to increase the crowd volume.

DeChambeau counts Trump as a friend, often playing rounds of golf with the president and appearing on stage – wearing a ‘Make American Great Again’ red cap – during Trump’s election celebrations last year.

DeChambeau’s clear backing of Trump is another element to his divisive persona.

For this weekend, though, the hosts hope he will serve as a unifying force on the course.

Many Americans believe DeChambeau can emerge as a talismanic figure for their team to rival the impact of Rory McIlroy for Europe.

“The Europeans have always had a person who they look to for inspiration,” said Miceli.

“We need someone to look to. I think Bryson brings that focus. He can handle the pressure and the gladiatorial part is partly true.

“He’s not as bloodthirsty as a gladiator but no doubt he really believes in this team.

Liverpool in race for Dayot Upamecano, Tottenham want Palhinha on permanent basis, and Manchester United agree Cristian Orozco deal.

Liverpool are hoping to sign France international Dayot Upamecano, 26, when his contract expires in the summer but Real Madrid are also interested in the Bayern Munich defender. (Bild – in German and subscription required)

Tottenham are keen to sign 30-year-old Portuguese defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis following a successful start to his loan from Bayern Munich. (Talksport)

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Fortaleza to sign 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco once he turns 18 in July. (Athletic)

United are also looking to finalise a deal for Derby’s 16-year-old English goalkeeper Charlie Hardy. (Sun)

Bayern Munich are preparing to offer a long-term contract to Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson, 24, who is currently on loan to the German side from Chelsea. (Bild – in German and subscription required)

Chelsea opted against rivalling Manchester City for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, in the summer in order to keep the path clear to move for AC Milan’s France stopper Mike Maignan, 30, in the future. (Teamtalk)

Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 28, has emerged as a target for Manchester United. (Football Insider)

Liverpool are hoping to tie France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, down to a new contract amid interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. (TBR Football)

Arsenal are hoping to strike a double deal with Real Sociedad worth 75m euros (£65.6m) for Japan winger Takefusa Kubo, 24, and 23-year-old French defender Lucien Agoume. (Fichajes – in Spanish)

As he prepares for Friday’s Ryder Cup opener against the United States in New York, European captain Luke Donald has chosen two heavyweight pairings, including reuniting Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

In Europe’s victory in Rome two years ago, McIlroy and Fleetwood from Northern Ireland worked side by side for two important points.

Jon Rahm of Spain and Tyrrell Hatton of England, who won both of their matches last time out, were chosen to begin the visitors’ campaign for their first victory on American soil since 2012.

Justin Rose, the former world number one, is not competing in the morning foursomes, which begin at 7:10 am local time (12:10 BST).

Donald remarked, “We want to start strong. Hatton and Rahm have collaborated extensively.

They are very successful, get along well, and we are very pleased to have them out first.

Rahm suggested that it would be his responsibility to start the first tee shot for the away team, which will hit the opening shot.

Bryson DeChambeau, who missed the defeat in Rome but has since become a talisman for the hosts, will be sent out in his first Bethpage Black appearance alongside Justin Thomas, according to American captain Keegan Bradley.

Bradley has referred to big-hitting DeChambeau as having “X-Factor ability,” which the hosts’ captain hopes will immediately create momentum on Friday morning.

If the weather permits, DeChambeau will attempt to drive the first green on the 397-yard downhill opening hole to further enthral the New Yorkers.

He repeatedly tried it in practice without success, but he said, “It’s definitely drivable if it’s downwind. If the weather isn’t too soft, I might get the front edge.

“It’s 365 yards, or something like that,” the statement read. That is unimportant, is it? Basically a long drive shot.

DeChambeau is expected to try his luck, according to Bradley, who says he won’t let him.

With foursomes, personalities must be taken into account, Bradley said.

“Analytical data is extremely helpful, and golf balls are really important.” We can use so much information.

The European team’s key to breaking the cycle of dominant home victories at the biennial event has been consistency.

After becoming a well-known and successful captain in Rome, Donald was elected for a second term, and 11 of the 12 winners also made their comebacks.

However, he has chosen not to name the same four players who gave Europe a 4-0 lead at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

Victor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg, both from Sweden, have been separated, while Aberg and Hovland both work together in Scotland.

Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry, both from Ireland, will not participate in the opening session.

Rasmus Hojgaard, the only player to join Europe’s team, must also wait. He took his twin brother Nicolai’s place in the other change.

Players evolved two years ago in Rome, players changed, their profiles, and now you’re seeing personality match-ups, Donald said.

We have a lot of options, according to the captain, who finds it really enjoyable.

“But we are aware that America will be strong. They form a formidable foursome. We wanted to bring our best, and this is what we thought was our best, into the partnerships that they have there.

Both Donald and Bradley are aware that the success of the recent Ryder Cup foursome format has been a reliable indicator of overall results.

Four years ago, the US won the record 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits by winning the opening foursomes 3-1. After winning the Friday Foursomes competition in 2016 with a 4-0 win at Hazeltine, Europe never truly recovered.

Donald continued, “I’ve been preparing for this for 21 months.”

“We are aware of the task at hand, we are aware of how difficult it is to win away,” said one of the Americans, who have won four games in a row since 1987.

The regular season has ended. Before a legendary Ashes Test series, another Super League campaign is about to come to an end.

On Friday (20:00 BST), Leigh Leopards take on a mightily impressive Wakefield Trinity in a thrilling elimination match.

In a sure-fire roaring Headingley matchup between Leeds Rhinos and St. Helens just 24 hours later, the two teams will battle it out for the title to face either Warrington, the league’s champions, or Wigan, the quadruple winners of the previous season.

The tremendous work both teams have done over the past few seasons to improve their fortunes when Leigh Leopards face Wakefield Trinity in the first of this year’s Super League play-off games will come to an end.

Adrian Lam, Leigh’s manager, is pleased that the two sides will meet, having previously been unsuccessful in major competitions.

“They’ve made the six, it’s been fantastic. I’ve congratulated [Daryl] Powell]. I enjoy watching different Super League events like Leigh’s third place finish, Wakefield’s sixth, and Hull KR’s minor Premiership win. He stated to BBC Radio Manchester, “I think that’s great for rugby league and this country.”

They “have done a really good job of forcing their way into that six spot,” according to the report.

On their way back to the Super League, Wakefield has become stronger, much like Leigh.

Compare and contrast their sixth-placed finish this term, which included 15 victories and 30 points, with their most recent top-flight appearance in 2023, which included just four victories, eight points, and a bitter Championship drop.

They arrive in Leigh knowing that they are only two games away from a Grand Final, which is a significant improvement over the perilous state they were two years ago, and Powell sees no reason why his team can’t cause a stir on Friday and beyond.

“I see a chance for us to do something special,” she said. In sports, you never say never. According to Powell, “you look around and there have been unbelievable things done over the years.”

Whatever happens, Powell believes Wakefield has set themselves up for the long run as a result of their impressive season, which means they have qualified for the Super League play-offs for the first time since 2012.

If we don’t accomplish our goals for the year, he continued, “it helps us understand what it’s about for the following year.”

“Regardless of how it falls, it feels like it’s been a really special season for us,” she says. How unique? We’ll decide that in the coming weeks.

Powell’s opposite number shares the same sentiment, with Lam also predicting that his side might cause their own upheaval.

“We could make the Grand Final, but it’s not out of the question.” There is still a lot of work to be done, Lam continued.

Leeds finished second last year, but thanks to their first top-four finish since 2017, they were able to reclaim the top six and a home eliminator tie with St. Helens.

Rhinos boss Brad Arthur is anticipating another physical encounter this weekend as knockout rugby begins following their most recent meeting at Headingley with St. Helens, which ended in a close 6-0 defeat.

Every game, “it’s been tough] against St. Helens.” They probably owned a few more moments than us during difficult times, Arthur claimed on BBC Radio Leeds.

“Both coaches felt a little slack during the games,” they said. But it only serves to illustrate how rigorously both teams put forth and how physically demanding the environment is.

Nothing else is expected, we say. The coaches will share the same feelings. Perhaps because both teams are very physically strong, we could be a little more clinical.

Arthur claimed that his side’s demands for this season were not fully met, and that he thinks his team can do better.

I anticipated a better performance than we had been this season. If we hadn’t participated in the play-offs, he continued, “I would have been really disappointed.”

Since Paul Wellens’ St. Helens team has faced Leeds four times already this season, and they have already won three of those encounters, he is familiar with their opponents for Saturday’s elimination.

Some teams perform differently throughout the competition than others. However, Wellens claimed that the one thing we consistently have in common with Leeds is the unfathomably difficult and difficult game.

They play the game with intensity and are a physically strong team. They are extremely quick, agile, and aggressive. All of those qualities and characteristics that support team success.

“We have no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead this weekend.”

If Saints are eliminated from Saturday’s play-offs, Morgan Knowles’ career with the club would come to an end.

The 28-year-old has made over 200 appearances for the club and has won numerous awards, including four Super League titles, but he will leave at the end of 2025 to join NRL side the Dolphins, where he will work alongside former Saints boss Kristian Woolf.

Morgan Knowles’ time at the club being one of the reasons we were motivated to finish 2025 in the right way is one of those reasons, Wellens continued.