The accidental golfer from Estonia making Open history

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Richard Teder only started playing golf by chance after his auntie won some vouchers in a tennis competition.

That was 14 years ago.

And now, at the age of 20, he’s making Open Championship history by becoming the first Estonian to play the sport’s oldest major.

The amateur qualified in some style too, with a 70-yard chip-in to win a play-off in final qualifying at West Lancashire.

“I’ve never lost in a play-off so I knew I was pretty safe,” Teder laughed in the immediate aftermath.

The shot – his second on a par-four hole – was an instant hit on social media and Teder himself can’t stop watching it.

Final qualifying was held on 1 July so Teder has had a couple of weeks to get used to the fact he is teeing it up alongside 155 other players at Royal Portrush.

Teder will tee off on Thursday at 10:42 BST alongside American Ryggs Johnston and Germany’s Matthias Schmid.

“Being here is unbelievable – it’s my favourite major by far, it’s just awesome. It’s the biggest tournament on the planet,” he said.

“It’s such an honour being the first Estonian be here and it will be loads of fun.”

There are only seven courses and around 4,000 players in Estonia and if his auntie hadn’t won a tennis tournament when he was aged six, Teder accepts he would not be here this week.

“The prize was 10 vouchers,” he said. “So it was completely random.”

By the age of 14 he was playing off scratch but said he only started gaining distance with his shots when he had a growth spurt at the age of 17.

And he is undaunted by the prospect of the links golf challenge ahead, having grown up playing junior tournaments in Scotland and competed in three Amateur Championships at the seaside tracks of Royal St George’s in Kent, Ballyliffin in Ireland and Hillside on the Southport coast.

“I’m trying to prove to myself that I belong here, which I believe I do,” he said.

“It’s the six inches between the ears. I’m trying to gain experience and hopefully turn pro after this season.”

He narrowly missed out via the new global pathway last year but is chasing a spot on the DP World Tour’s underling, the HotelPlanner Tour.

A good showing this week will help that ambition as he soaks in the atmosphere on the Northern Irish coast.

But there is one thing the man who learned English by “watching YouTube videos and stuff I picked up on social media” will be avoiding.

“I’m not having a kebab this week,” he said referring to his celebratory meal after qualifying at West Lancashire.

“It was the only place that was open, I had two bites and threw it away, it wasn’t very good.”

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Rare deal that rivals Amazon sale sees Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch plummet to £39

Beating Amazon Prime Day’s discounts, this rare deal sees a covetable Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch plummet all the way down to £39, from its original price of £200

(Image: Wowcher)

Amazon Prime Day 2025 took place last week, offering customers thousands of products at significantly reduced prices. The tech section is particularly enticing, with devices such as Samsung Galaxy smart watches being discounted to £239, down from £289. That’s for the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 model.

However, if you’re not fussed about having the newest design, Wowcher has an offer that massively undercuts Amazon’s ongoing offers. For £39, shoppers can bag the 2018 Samsung Galaxy Watch design. With an original RRP of £199.99, that’s a whopping 80% saving.

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The Samsung watch is available in two colours at Wowcher.
The Samsung watch is available in two colours at Wowcher.(Image: Wowcher)

Despite its age, this watch still holds its own and continues to be sold by Samsung today. It pairs with any phone, be it Android or iOS, and can display notifications directly on your wrist.

Naturally, the watch comes loaded with health and fitness tracking features for those who are interested. An integrated GPS signal tracks location, perfect for recording runs to upload straight to Strava or Komoot, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The watch’s battery life is touted to last quite a while, even longer than the Apple Watch. Samsung estimates users can go several days between charges, which is ideal if you’re off for a weekend and forget the charger.

Samsung has even incorporated NFC payments into the watch, allowing wearers to leave their wallets at home and pay with their watch wherever contactless payments are accepted. It’s available in two colours on Wowcher’s site, either Rose Gold or Grey.

If you’re in the market for a brand-new smartwatch rather than a pre-owned one, there’s good news. The CMF by Nothing Watch Pro is available for £62.41. For Apple enthusiasts, the wallet-friendly Apple Watch SE is currently on offer for £209.

These Wowcher vouchers are for the London Magic Store, and they are a hot tip for those into refurbished tech. That means high-grade reconditioned products that have been previously loved but now restored to top-notch condition.

Trustpilot gives us a peek at satisfied customers’ takes on London Magic Store. One chuffed buyer penned: “Recently bought a refurbished iPad using Wowcher. The iPad was in immaculate condition but I decided I wanted a newer model with bigger download storage. I contacted Magic Store and they organised immediate exchange with the returns pre paid.”

An equally pleased customer spoke of their experience buying a refurbished phone, stating: “Ordered a pristine condition phone off these people and it was when it arrived! On time, packaged well, no issues…. I’ll order from here again.”

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That said, not all feedback’s been rosy. A less happy customer noted, “The phone came on time and the software was already set up which was a nice touch. My only problem was that I expected it to come in a better state as I payed extra to order it in excellent condition. When it arrived, there were a few small scratches and dents at the sides which were quite disappointing to find,” indicating some room for improvement with seller expectation management.

Man City Sign Kit Deal Worth Reported £1 Billion

Manchester City have signed a blockbuster new kit deal with Puma worth a reported £1 billion ($1.34 billion) over the next 10 years.

City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership in Premier League history.

Having agreed a £65 million per year deal with the German company in 2019, City’s new arrangement is believed to be worth a £100 million per year until 2035, according to British media reports.

That figure shatters the £90 million per year deal signed by Manchester United with Adidas in 2023.

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Photo: X @Manchester City on X

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both reported to have kit deals worth in excess of £100 million per year.

“We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations. We have achieved this and more over the last six seasons,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said.

“Puma have seamlessly integrated into our organisation, and we have enjoyed many historic moments together, engaging fans globally.”

Puma chief executive Arthur Hoeld added: “Puma’s partnership with Manchester City has been a great success both on and off the pitch.

“Trophies, a perfect stage for our performance products and commercial success were exceptional.”

Photo: X @Manchester City on X

City’s massive deal comes after the club’s first season without major silverware since 2016-17.

Pep Guardiola’s men finished third in the Premier League after winning the title for the previous four seasons.

Windies seek legends’ help after Australia debacle

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West Indies will seek the advice of legendary former players Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara following the Test side’s crushing defeat by Australia.

They were bowled out for just 27 – the second-lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 – as they lost the third Test in Jamaica to succumb to a series clean sweep.

In response, Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow has called for an emergency meeting to review the series and the final match in particular.

Given the side’s ongoing struggles with the bat, Richards, Lloyd and Lara – “our greatest batsmen ever” according to Dr Shallow – have been invited to attend the meeting.

They will join fellow West Indies batting greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Desmond Haynes, and former fast bowler Ian Bradshaw, who already serve on the cricket strategy and officiating committee.

“This engagement is not ceremonial,” a statement from Dr Shallow read. “These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development.

Shallow insisted the team is in “a rebuilding phase” and investment is being made to reignite the “spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world”.

He added: “Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance and belief, especially in our most difficult moments.

‘An accident waiting to happen’

Australia celebrate after Mitchell Starc bowls Jaylen Seales in third Test in JamaicaGetty Images

West Indies have been battling with “systemic issues” for 25 years that have left them with players “ill-equipped” to deal with the challenges they faced against Australia, according to Trinidadian commentator Fazeer Mohammed.

“It was almost the perfect storm,” he told BBC Sport.

“You’ve got Mitchell Starc, a world class bowler, deadly in any sort of situation and even deadlier with the pink ball, coming up against players really ill-equipped to deal with those sorts of challenges.

“Everything was set up for something like this to happen. You never really factor in 27 all out but, in the general context of West Indies cricket, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

While Lara has been drafted in to help find a solution to the problems facing the current side, Mohammed believes the iconic left-hander’s heroics were part of the reason a lot of the issues were masked for so long.

“What lies behind it is the failure to address the fundamental challenges in our domestic game – in our regional game,” he added.

“We have many different challenges. Fundamental to those would be costs because we have many different territories – it’s very costly to travel around the Caribbean, to host tournaments.

“There’s an air of resignation about it. People will this morning be arguing amongst themselves and debating about how this can happen, who needs to be fired, who needs to be dropped, who needs to be got rid of.

“It’s the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they’ll shrug their shoulders and say ‘well this is how it is now’.”

It is almost two and a half years since West Indies last won a Test series – 1-0 in Zimbabwe – and three years since their last home series victory, 2-0 against Bangladesh.

“I don’t think all is lost by any stretch of the imagination,” Mohammed said.

“It requires at a very fundamental level at the schools, at the under-19, under-23 levels a serious financial investment in growing the quality of the game – male and female.

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  • West Indies
  • Cricket

West Indies seek legends’ help after Australia debacle

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  • 342 Comments

West Indies will seek the advice of legendary former players Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara following the Test side’s crushing defeat by Australia.

They were bowled out for just 27 – the second-lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 – as they lost the third Test in Jamaica to succumb to a series clean sweep.

In response, Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow has called for an emergency meeting to review the series and the final match in particular.

Given the side’s ongoing struggles with the bat, Richards, Lloyd and Lara – “our greatest batsmen ever” according to Dr Shallow – have been invited to attend the meeting.

They will join fellow West Indies batting greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Desmond Haynes, and former fast bowler Ian Bradshaw, who already serve on the cricket strategy and officiating committee.

“This engagement is not ceremonial,” a statement from Dr Shallow read. “These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development.

Shallow insisted the team is in “a rebuilding phase” and investment is being made to reignite the “spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world”.

He added: “Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance and belief, especially in our most difficult moments.

‘An accident waiting to happen’

Australia celebrate after Mitchell Starc bowls Jaylen Seales in third Test in JamaicaGetty Images

West Indies have been battling with “systemic issues” for 25 years that have left them with players “ill-equipped” to deal with the challenges they faced against Australia, according to Trinidadian commentator Fazeer Mohammed.

“It was almost the perfect storm,” he told BBC Sport.

“You’ve got Mitchell Starc, a world class bowler, deadly in any sort of situation and even deadlier with the pink ball, coming up against players really ill-equipped to deal with those sorts of challenges.

“Everything was set up for something like this to happen. You never really factor in 27 all out but, in the general context of West Indies cricket, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

While Lara has been drafted in to help find a solution to the problems facing the current side, Mohammed believes the iconic left-hander’s heroics were part of the reason a lot of the issues were masked for so long.

“What lies behind it is the failure to address the fundamental challenges in our domestic game – in our regional game,” he added.

“We have many different challenges. Fundamental to those would be costs because we have many different territories – it’s very costly to travel around the Caribbean, to host tournaments.

“There’s an air of resignation about it. People will this morning be arguing amongst themselves and debating about how this can happen, who needs to be fired, who needs to be dropped, who needs to be got rid of.

“It’s the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they’ll shrug their shoulders and say ‘well this is how it is now’.”

It is almost two and a half years since West Indies last won a Test series – 1-0 in Zimbabwe – and three years since their last home series victory, 2-0 against Bangladesh.

“I don’t think all is lost by any stretch of the imagination,” Mohammed said.

“It requires at a very fundamental level at the schools, at the under-19, under-23 levels a serious financial investment in growing the quality of the game – male and female.

Related topics

  • West Indies
  • Cricket

Stacey Dooley announces huge milestone with partner Kevin Clifton after seven years

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton – who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 – are set to reunite on stage for the first time since they were paired up in the ballroom

Stacey Dooley announces huge milestone with partner Kevin Clifton after seven years(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

Kevin Clifton has delighted fans with news of a significant ‘first’ with Stacey Dooley, seven years on from their triumphant Strictly Come Dancing victory.

The loved-up pair have enjoyed a blissful life together since they partnered up and clinched the win on the popular BBC One dance show in 2018.

Documentary presenter Stacey, 38, and professional dancer Kevin, 42, found love on the dance floor and after securing the Glitterball trophy, they made their relationship public. Their romance has since blossomed, leading to the birth of their daughter, Minnie.

Now, for the first time since their Strictly triumph, they are preparing to collaborate professionally once again. Stacey and Kevin revealed in March that they’ll be sharing the stage in the critically acclaimed, smash hit supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story.

The play is set to embark on another extensive tour across the UK, kicking off at Manchester Opera House on 4 August 2025, and running until November 2025.

Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley
Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley fell for one another back in 2018(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

A second leg of the tour is scheduled from 8 January to 20 June 2026, with casting details yet to be announced.

BBC favourite Stacey will reprise her role as Jenny, which she played during a limited run at the Gielgud Theatre in 2024. She’ll perform alongside her partner Kevin, who will portray Jenny’s husband, Sam.

With just weeks remaining until the tour commences in Manchester, Kevin and Stacey have been spotted heading into rehearsals. Taking to Instagram with a snapshot of the duo, ex-Strictly star Kevin Clifton shared: “Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory.”

The couple are working together on 2:22 A Ghost Story
The couple are working together on 2:22 A Ghost Story(Image: DAILY EXPRESS)

Their fans couldn’t hold back their thrill, as one exclaimed: “Can’t wait to watch you both in it, coming to Manchester next month.” Likewise, another enthused: “Can’t wait to see you both in it.”

Another fan shared their anticipation, saying: “Coming to see you in Bristol and am more than excited!” while another echoed similar sentiments: “Looking forward to seeing you in August in Manchester.”

This follows Kevin discussing the dynamic of working closely with his partner in real life. Although Stacey, at 38, is adept at shaking off her stage personas like Jenny once she’s off-duty, Kevin immerses himself fully into his roles and humorously speculates that bringing his character Sam home might spell trouble for their romance.

During his conversation on the latest All That Chat podcast episode, Kevin revealed: “We’re not a very argumentative couple – touch wood – we don’t argue a lot.”

Kevin Clifton shares major 'first' with Stacey Dooley 7 years after Strictly Come Dancing
Stacey and Kevin are back working together once again(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

He further remarked: “I’m sure it’ll be fine. But also, Stace and me are very different in that Stace can very much go do her job, do it great, and then leave it at the door and come home.”

Kevin continued, underlining his more intense approach: “Whereas I’m a bit obsessive and I have to live and breathe the character. I’ll probably bring the character home, which might get interesting. It could be the ending of us.”

Kevin voiced hesitations about performing alongside Stacey in a theatrical setting. He said: “When it’s your partner in front of you who knows everything about you and all your insecurities and then you start playing this character in front of them … it’s going to be weird. I’m going to have to get over doing it in front of Stace, and she’s going to have to get over doing it in front of me.”

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