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Vegas maintains lead but pack closes in at US PGA

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Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist
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2025 US PGA Championship second round

-8 Vegas (Ven); -6 Pavon (Fra); -5 Homa (US); -3 DeChambeau (US), Rai (Eng); -1 Hatton (Eng); +2 Spieth (US); +3 Aberg (Swe), Thomas (US); +9 Rose (Eng)

Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas retained his lead at the US PGA Championship while a crowded leaderboard group jostled for position on day two at Quail Hollow.

Overnight leader Vegas, who began two shots in front, backed up his opening round of seven under par with a one-under 70 to set the pace at eight under.

However, his position could have been even more commanding but for two dropped shots at the last – including a missed bogey putt from about 18 inches.

Chasing 40-year-old Vegas are several others aiming to win their first major title.

France’s PGA Tour player Matthieu Pavon went bogey-free in a fine round of 65 to move to second place on six under.

Meanwhile, America’s Max Homa lit up his first 12 holes, carding five birdies and an eagle before signing for a seven-under 64 to slot in at five under par.

Among the highlights of Homa’s round were a stunning tee shot to the driveable par-four 14th that stopped within two feet of the hole, and a chip-in for birdie at 18.

English pair Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton were on the fringes of Vegas’ lead for a spell but, as he pulled away, they slipped back – not helped by nightmare holes on Quail Hollow’s treacherous ‘Green Mile’ stretch.

Rai is five behind the lead after a double-bogey six on the 16th, his second shot ricocheting backwards off a tree trunk after he had gone right off the tee.

As for Hatton, he had reached five under for the tournament before finding the water with his tee shot on the 18th – his ninth hole – and eventually recorded a triple-bogey seven before finishing the day at one under par.

Double-bogey finish dents impressive Vegas round

Jhonattan Vegas and Ruben YorioGetty Images

Vegas has won multiple PGA Tour events, his most recent victory coming last July at the 3M Open, but a possible lead at the halfway point is rarefied air for him at a major.

His best finish at a major to date is a tie for 22nd spot in the 2016 US PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

He started steadily, dropping a shot at the second but clawing it back at the par-five seventh to reach the turn in level par.

Like on Thursday, his best work was done in the second half of his round.

Further birdies followed on 10, 13 and 14, while Vegas escaped with a par five on the 15th despite two wayward shots to start the hole.

Additional birdie chances slipped by on 16 and 17, where he received a huge slice of fortune – his tee shot to the par three landed short of the green but bounced kindly off a bunker rake and safely onto the putting surface.

He was 10 under par heading down 18, but a poor bunker shot was compounded by a miss from exceptionally short range with the putter.

At the opposite end of the leaderboard, Jordan Spieth, who needs to win the US PGA title to complete a career Grand Slam, finished at two over and faces a nervous wait to find out if he will make the cut.

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Gogglebox star Pete Sandiford’s ‘real age’ leaves fans stunned as they say he ‘looks 18’

By in Entertainment News, News

Gogglebox stars Pete and Sophie Sandiford have been giving fans a glimpse into their lives for more than a decade and some viewers still can’t believe how old Pete is

Gogglebox fan favourites Pete and Sophie Sandiford continue to steal the show with their hilarious sibling banter

Gogglebox fan favourites Pete and Sophie Sandiford continue to steal the show with their hilarious sibling banter. Ever since they graced our screens on the Channel 4 series in 2017, the witty brother-sister duo from Blackpool have been serving up laughter with their cheeky commentary on the week’s telly highlights.

But they also give fans an insight into their own lives, too. Pete once let slip that he was at his wit’s end, with his missus Paige driving him potty over plans for their daughter Eva’s birthday bash. And not long ago, Sophie gave us a glimpse into her love life, charming fans with an adorable rare snap alongside her boyfriend.

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Pete Sandiford
Pete is happily married to Paige Yeomans(Image: Stuart Wallace/REX/Shutterstock for Edinburgh TV Festival)

Back in 2023, Sophie left Pete agog on Gogglebox by revealing her real age – she was then 27 years old. Pete’s reaction was priceless, as he joked: “I’m glad you said it because I was about to say 25.” Then he added: “You old cow.”

Sophie wasn’t having any of it though and quickly snapped back, reminding Pete that he was on the cusp of hitting the big 3-0 with: “You’re the big 30 this year. A dirty thirty.”

Viewers at home were equally flabbergasted by the ages of the dynamic sibling duo, with one astounded viewer posting on Twitter at the time: “Can’t believe Pete is nearly 30? He looks 18.”

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Gogglebox
Sophie left Pete agog by revealing her real age(Image: Instagram)

Another heaped praise on the duo, saying: “Pete and Sophie from Gogglebox are absolute icons.”

Later that year, Pete posted a video of his Gogglebox birthday cake – a chococlate caterpillar with 30 candles – on Instagram, with Gogglebox saying: “Name me a better birthday cake. Or three. Happy 30th.”

When they’re not glued to the telly, Pete and Sophie are busy with their day jobs. Pete used to work in insurance before training as a roofer and setting up his own building business.

Sophie was previously employed at Debenhams. She was made redundant in 2021 when the high street chain went under, leading to the closure of all its UK stores. She then trained as a florist and started her own venture, Petali Floristry.

Pete Sandiford
Pete posted a video of his Gogglebox birthday cake – a chococlate caterpillar with 30 candles

Away from the Gogglebox sofa, Pete is happily married to Paige Yeomans. The pair exchanged vows in 2021 and later that year welcomed their first child, a son named Jimmy.

Pete and Paige then became parents to a daughter, Evie, in June 2023. The television personality tends to keep his personal life private, only confirming his engagement when his sister Sophie spilled the beans on TV.

Meanwhile, Sophie is loved-up with boyfriend Ben McKeown. The couple made their relationship public in 2022, with Sophie posting romantic snaps on Instagram.

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Tinubu Hosts Alaafin Of Oyo, Seeks More Collaboration With Traditional Leaders

By in News, Nigeria News

President Bola Tinubu on Friday said traditional institutions remain integral to the country’s development and called for more support in implementing policies that directly impact people’s livelihoods.

The President spoke when he received the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, his wife, Abiwumi, and a delegation of other traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu congratulated the Alaafin for his ascendancy to the historic throne, assuring the royal father of his prayers and support.

Alaafin of Oyo and his wife visted the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, May 16, 2025. X/@aonanuga1956

“It is a great joy for me and a great honour. Your ascendancy to the throne of your fathers is historic. It is the will of God and the heart of the people.

“I am following up on your foresight for development, your humility, and the fact that you uphold the traditions of your people.

“The inherited tradition is the making of the Almighty God. Your ascendancy to the throne – like my becoming a president is the divine will of the Almighty God,” he said.

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The President noted that the “hurdles, processes, and anxiety” along the way were part of the preparation for the position.

Tinubu commended the traditional council for the ease in nominating and crowning the 46th Alaafin following Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s passing on April 22, 2022.

“I am happy that you have shown character and discipline and uplifted your people’s name, values and culture, even when you were in Canada. I am glad you have become a hope of sustaining the Yoruba race,” he added.

The President said his administration will continue working with traditional institutions to implement policies to protect and prosper citizens.

“The peace and stability of our nation requires inclusiveness. This job is not one you can do alone. We have to pull ourselves together to build a nation of prosperity.

“Our priority is still education and Medicare. We want to uplift education and cultural values. Our door is open for participation,” he stated.

Alaafin of Oyo and his wife visted the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, May 16, 2025. X/@aonanuga1956

President Tinubu told the king that the sons of the Oyo kingdom serving in his office have done exceptionally well, including Ambassador Victor Adeleke, State Chief of Protocol, and Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, the Aide-de-Camp.

Yusuf is the king designate of Ilemonaland in Oyun local council, Kwara State, which traces its ancestry to the Oyo kingdom.

In his remarks, Alaafin assured the President of the traditional council’s support in delivering his mandate to the people.

“Today, I speak not just as the custodian of culture and tradition but as a voice for my people, who are deeply honoured by the audience you have granted us here at the heart of the national leadership.

“Your gracious reception is more than protocol. It is a mark of your character, statesmanship and enduring regard for the traditional institutions. The people of Oyo remember your journey as a man who rose through the crucible of political struggle with unmatched courage and charity. You won many hearts as an activist, strategist, bridge builder and now as the nation’s foremost leader. ”

The monarch said Nigerians look up to the President for a new direction.

“Nigeria looks up to you, not only for leadership but for restoration. For a new vision rooted in justice, equity and inclusive progress. It is in that spirit that I have come to seek your collaboration. Oyo is ready, Yoruba are ready, and Nigerians are ready,” he added.

The king commended the President for bold economic reforms, infrastructural development, instituting social welfare, youth empowerment, and improvement in security and investments in agriculture.

Israel launches strikes on two Yemen ports

By in News, World News

Israel says it has launched strikes on the Yemeni ports of Hodeidah and as-Salif in response to the Houthi rebels firing missiles towards Israel, days after the Yemeni group agreed a truce with the United States.

The Israeli military said it carried out strikes on “terrorist infrastructure” on Friday, saying on X that the two ports had been used by the Houthi rebel group to “transfer weapons”.

Al Masirah TV, a Houthi-affiliated outlet, also reported Israeli strikes on the two ports. The extent of any damage was not clear, and there no immediate reports of casualties.

The Houthis have carried out a campaign of attacks against Israel in self-proclaimed solidarity with Palestinians after Israel launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023.

Israel has carried out strikes in response, including one on May 6 that damaged Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa and killed several people.

Friday’s attacks were the first since US President Donald Trump agreed to a ceasefire deal with the Houthis earlier this month, with the US halting its attacks on Yemen and the group agreeing to end its attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Israel was not included in that agreement, and its military said it intercepted several missiles fired from Yemen towards Israeli airspace this week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the attacks are “just the beginning”, describing the Houthis as “just a tool”, alleging that Iran was “behind them”.

“We will not stand idly by and allow the Houthis to harm us. We will strike them with greater force, including at their leadership and all the infrastructure that enables them to attack us,” he said in a statement posted on the government’s social media account.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz pledged to “hunt down and eliminate” Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi if the rebel group continued “to fire missiles at the State of Israel”.

Alluding to recent Houthi attacks on Israel, Katz indicated leader al-Houthi would meet the same fate as Hamas commanders Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon – all killed in Israeli attacks over the last year.

Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Jordan’s capital Amman, said that since Israel broke a ceasefire agreement with Hamas back in March – killing almost 3,000 since then, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry – the Houthis had launched “at least 34 different projectiles” towards Israel.

She said that Israel’s policy “moving forward” would be to strike back. “For every missile that’s fired, they’re going to be conducting these types of air strikes,” she said.

Mae Muller furiously lashes out after being ‘fed to the lions’ at Eurovision

By in Entertainment News, News

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, comes to an end with the grand final on Saturday and ahead of it former act Mae Muller has reflected on the 2023 contest

Former Eurovision act Mae Muller has reflected on her time in the contest ahead of this year’s final(Image: Getty Images)

Mae Muller has fumed that the Eurovision Song Contest “fed her to the lions.” The singer who competed two years ago also hit out, suggesting her song wasn’t the “best choice” for the competition.

Mae Muller, 27, represented the UK when the international contest was held in Liverpool, on behalf of Ukraine, back in 2023. She performed I Wrote A Song in the grand final on May 13 that year and ended up placing second to last.

At the time, the singer-songwriter was met with criticism over her performance, though some viewers defended her. Mae told fans that she felt her vocals were “trash” after having been “nervous” on stage. She also admitted after the final that it was “not the result we hoped for” but shared that she was proud of herself and her team for their work.

Mae had been chosen to represent the UK by the BBC and management company TaP Music, who collaborated that year. They had previously worked together to select Sam Ryder, who placed second at the contest in Italy in 2022.

Mae Muller, in a black outfit, performing at Eurovision in 2023 alongside backing dancers.
Mae Muller (centre) has reflected on representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.(Image: Getty Images)

Now, two years on, ahead of this weekend’s grand final of this year’s Eurovision, Mae, who previously called for “more” to be done to “protect” the mental health of artists, has reflected on her time in the competition. She made posts about the experience on her X account yesterday.

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In one post she suggested that she had been “fed to the lions.” She said: “Sorry but they put me up there to sing a song which is meant to be sung with heavy auto tune (just the vibe of the song) with no proper background vocals, and I was nervous as hell which didn’t help but like they fed me to the LIONSSSS omfg.”

One fan said: “In hindsight, maybe a song that’s meant to be sung with autotune was probably not the best choice for a contest that doesn’t allow it.” Mae replied: “I agree with you.”

Loreen, in a brown outfit, holding a trophy after winning Eurovision 2023.
She had competed against acts like Loreen, who won the contest that year for Sweden(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Mae ended up second from the bottom of the leaderboard at Eurovision in 2023 with 24 points combined from the jury and public vote. Germany’s Lord of the Lost held last place with 18 points, whilst Sweden’s Loreen won Eurovision for a second time, topping the leaderboard with 583 points.

This year, the UK is being represented by trio Remember Monday. The group – which consists of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele – will perform What the Hell Just Happened? in the final in Basel, Switzerland, tomorrow night after showcasing the song in last night’s semi-final.

Remember Monday performing in a Eurovision dress rehearsal.
Mae’s comments come ahead of Remember Monday representing the UK in this year’s final on Saturday(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The group – who automatically qualified for the grand final as they are representing the UK – were among the acts in the second semi-final. They were met with both praise and criticism over their debut performance in the contest yesterday.

One fan said: “Remember Monday are doing us SO proud! Defo one of the best songs/vocals this year, go girls.” Another viewer wrote though: “Remember Monday – no doubt these girls can SING but by god, this song is horrific.”

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