Category Sports News

For the first two rounds of this week’s US Open, the biggest women’s golf championship, Charley Hull of Great Britain squares off against world number one Nelly Korda.

The occasion comes at a crucial moment, with a record-breaking $12 million prize. A new LPGA Tour boss has just been appointed, making it a top priority to put an end to a long-awaited stagnation.

So Craig Kessler, a promising US executive, is leaving the PGA of America to take over as commissioner. He needs to address a lot of issues.

When Kessler’s appointment was made public last week, he said, “We have to come out of the blocks strong.” The 39-year-old begins in mid-July, but he is already speaking with senior players and officials.

Former US Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis refers to him as “a young Mike Whan.”

Whan, a largely legendary commissioner until 2021, when prize money on the LPGA almost doubled, held the position for more than ten years.

He left to take over the USGA, which hosts the major championship this week. It should come as no surprise that Korda will play at Erin Hills today at 14:25 (20:25 BST) with Lexi Thompson and Hull.

It was created with global reach and TV ratings in mind. It’s a business decision.

Because both golfers are among the most recognizable players in the world, and Thompson is semi-retired, matters less that Hull is 17th overall and has not had a top-10 finish since early March.

The ebullient Whan is aware of these dynamics better than most golf managers. He is well-versed in establishing relationships with players, sponsors, and fans.

Samaan’s regime struggled to maintain momentum when he left the LPGA. The players’ early failure caused a major setback by not attending the important sponsor dinner.

While Terry Duffy, the boss of the backer in question, CME, was furious, the then commissioner “took full responsibility.” To ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of how to grow the game together, the leadership needs to work with their players. he stated.

It was just one more setback. The Ladies European Tour’s proposed merger appeared to be over, but it was never implemented.

Instead, the LET maintained its strong ties to Saudi Arabia and the Aramco Series, which forms the foundation of its schedule.

The park-and-ride system at last year’s Solheim Cup was hampered, leaving empty seats in first tee grandstands for the start of the most significant women’s golf competition. On behalf of the tour, Samaan was required to apologise in public.

Players were just informed that South Korean rights partners of the LPGA’s 2024 or 2025 bills have not been paid. Matt Chmura, the company’s chief marketing and communications officer, left earlier this month after only a year in charge.

Samaan resigned at the end of last year amid all this upheaval. LPGA board member and former Englishman Mel Reid told the Golf Channel: “She was under a lot of pressure from many players.”

When asked what should be Kessler’s top priorities when he assumes his position, a former major winner responded, “He will need to rebuild some bridges and demonstrate that the LPGA is a place where corporations can do business.”

Another insider claimed that the new commissioner needs to “get the tour back to where it was when Mike Whan left it” and make contact with players and sponsors.

Prior to the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova, tennis greats Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie would be at the top of the women’s sporting tree.

While renowned tennis players still receive a lot of media attention, it is believed that women who play basketball and football have surpassed Caitlin Clark, an Indiana guard, as well.

When Lydia Ko won Olympic gold and the AIG Women’s Open, Korda has been a dominant and potentially transcendent force. Players who embody both elegance and elegance had their glory days.

Did the game fully exploit the opportunity? Did anyone notice? Make LPGA golf a popular destination for the media and fans, according to the retired major winner, who maintains a close relationship with the tour.

Kessler appears to agree. The second major pillar is “being visible,” he said, “and making sure that the incredible stars the LPGA has, who stay on the course week in and week out, are actually visible, and that goes beyond just the broadcasts.”

The Whan playbook contains the message of the new commissioner straight out of it. During the LPGA’s 75th anniversary, Kessler addresses the need to grow the fanbase while establishing a secure future for the company.

The world’s best will face what should be a formidable test at the Wisconsin course that hosted the men’s US Open in 2017 while there will be plenty of discussion in the background.

You can only exhale when you see it stop, according to Korda, even if you believe you’ve hit it well. It’s a great big hitter’s golf course, according to the author, but the course is “just demanding” in every way.

Hull leads the British Open, but it has missed four major cuts since placing second in 2023. At the same time, she placed second overall at Walton Heath’s Women’s Open.

Yuka Saso, a Japanese Olympian, is the defending champion in a competition that has a strong international appeal and pays $2.4 million to the winner.

Rewind 18 months and Luke Littler was unknown to those outside the daring world.

But on Thursday he could win his second Premier League title in as many years, just five months after becoming world champion.

During the 2024 World Darts Championship in December 2023 and January 2024, Littler gained a wider audience, both for and against darts.

At 16 years and 347 days, he defeated former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross to become the youngest ever finalist. He lost the final 7-4 to world number one Luke Humphries.

“My first World Championships as a boy, age 16, ever. Making it to the final aged 16 was a fantastic accomplishment overall. It’s one of the memories that will live with me forever.

With millions of people watching, I was ready to enter the biggest stage of them all.

“I didn’t have many expectations; I just tried to win that first game on my debut,” he said, “and it was pretty good.”

“Luke Humphries won the title of world champion.” We had a cracking final – I did miss double two to go 5-2 up which would have been a massive advantage.

I don’t recall much, but I do recall saying to him, “Go over to your family, go and celebrate.”

“That year, I was thrilled to win my first game at the World Championships.” To get to the final was a massive boost, it got me up the rankings and I was invited to the Premier League.

He became the youngest player to have won a significant PDC tournament after defeating Humphries 11–7 in the final of the play-offs at London’s O2 Arena. He then won four of his sixteen regular league nights.

He even hit a nine-darter – the minimum number of darts needed to complete a leg – in the final.

This photo is excellent, I must say! winning the Premier League with a double 20. That was a year ago last week and now we’re back to do it all again.

“To win it on debut (17 at the time) and to defeat Luke was a bit of recompense from the World Championships,” said the veteran. “It was a very long 16-week format.

My first significant title was a respectable one.

After that, my mom and dad watched it in a huge way. Although there were some doubts about my readiness to play in the Premier League, I prevailed. To share it with my mum and dad was even better.

He is an avid Manchester United fan and has visited their training ground to play darts against the players, while he has attended matches as a guest, meeting Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruno Fernandes, and he paraded his World Championship trophy earlier this year.

“A new good one. Before the Hot Lap at Silverstone, Lando Norris assisted me by putting on a fast McLaren and driving me around in a very fast car!

” I never thought I would be in a car with one of the best F1 drivers there is at the minute but he took me round in the car, I played some darts with him as well – just a really good experience.

“Then, on my way to the Spurs game last year, I saw Bruno [Fernandes] and we had to take a selfie with him.

He is one of my favorites players, he says. He’s not missed a game through injury yet, provides goals and assists and he’s definitely helped us the past few seasons. He’s prevented us from falling behind this year!

“I thank Man Utd for the opportunity,” Carrington and the United squad last year, and meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, are both incredible experiences.

The Luke Littler Stadium, . This is another one that is near the top – having Warrington Wolves ‘ stadium named after me. Overall, a good night, and I’m pleased that we won that game!

“It was a tremendous honor. It was good to go and see us win.

Then, I believe, this is the link-up everyone requested, and I think that’s it! But for myself, as a fan, I was there as a fan when I went to one of Pitbull’s songs at WrestleMania 33. It was good to see him and it was a great show in Dublin.

Littler moved past the prize money of £1, 000,000 and rose to a career high second place, behind Humphries.

“Look at him crying there! Yes, it’s undoubtedly one of my career’s highlights so far. winning the Sid Waddell Trophy and defeating Michael van Gerwen to become the world’s champion.

” You could see there that I still couldn’t believe it.

Even though I was ranked two or three in the world when I first faced Ryan Meikle, my first game was difficult, even then.

It meant everything when I won the trophy and defeated a very talented Michael van Gerwen in the final.

In the 16-week league phase, Littler’s defense of his Premier League crown went fairly smoothly.

He broke the record for nightly wins, which was four, by winning six events. Additionally, he added five more points than the previous record, which was 45.

On Thursday night, he will face Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals, while Humphries will face Nathan Aspinall, who is also a 2021 world champion.

Littler will remain second in the world regardless of how he performs during finals night.

I hit my double to make it 4-4 in the Premier League this year in Leeds, and I basically yelled “cry more” to the crowd!

It’s only for myself, I say. Being a sportsman, doing stuff like this and just being myself, letting my emotions out – especially the Leeds crowd.

He was given the name “Manchester City” in honor of a legend of the club.

Erling Haaland, whose father also played for City, and he both played for Norway youth teams.

However, Colin Rosler had to choose a different path in order to pursue his career while Haaland achieved stardom.

He tells BBC Sport, “I’ve tried to make my own name since I was a young child.” “I’ve made an effort to be my own and not rely on my father,” he said.

The tough-tackling centre-back, age 25, is finally emerging from the shadows and establishing himself.

Uwe Rosler, a hard-working striker, played for East Germany before becoming a favorite of the city’s fans between 1994 and 1998.

Given Rosler’s association with the club, he named his sons Colin Bell and Tony Book, who were later the birth of his two sons.

Before his father played and managed in Norway, Colin Rosler was born in Berlin in 2000. The boys frequently met their namesakes at Etihad Stadium after the family relocated to England in 2010.

Colin Rosler calls it an honor to be given City’s honor to honor such a legend.

“I’d always laugh when I was with Colin and my brother when I was with Tony Book, and it was always fun to see them and learn more about the club’s history.”

Colin and his father play on the opposite end of the pitch, but the City coaches soon noticed a striking connection.

I was already an aggressive defender when I was just ten years old, Colin says. I merely desired to smash people.

We always appear the same on the field, and my mother always says that I have a similar temperament to him.

And despite Colin’s advancement through the City and Norway age groups, Uwe was aware that his son’s chances of making the first team, or any other academy graduate, were very slim.

He told BBC Sport in 2013 that he was uncertain whether all of them knew it, but my one does.

“You get a very good football education from City, and you can make a living playing football elsewhere,” says the statement.

Colin felt prepared to travel alone because he was born in Germany and raised in England and Norway before deciding to pursue a career abroad. He signed for Dutch side NAC Breda in August 2019.

He says, “Leaving City wasn’t the easiest choice, but it was one I felt I had to make.” I was expecting a culture shock and a new challenge, but I’m good at adapting quickly and becoming knowledgeable.

“And I learned a lot in Holland, living alone, playing for the first team, and not speaking the language.

You must enter that place, take control, and act like a man. I quickly realized that winning is everything.

Prior to joining Mjallby, a Swedish club that is “not as well-known and sort of in the middle of nowhere,” he spent the 2022 season with Lillestrom, a Norwegian side.

According to Colin, “That was probably the best choice I ever made.” Because I could just concentrate on football, it came at the right moment in my career.

Malmo, arguably the biggest club in Scandinavia, recently experienced a mid-season slump with the signing of Rosler in August.

Erik Botheim, a Malmo striker who played for Norway’s youth teams alongside him and Erling Haaland, made the reunion a reality.

In 2015, Rosler and Haaland played for Norway’s Under-15s, sharing a unique trait.

We immediately discussed the fact that both of our fathers played there and that we are both Blues.

We both said it was our dream to play for City, I recall. It’s amazing to see how well he’s done there, despite the fact that he’s obviously continued to do that. He has turned into a total monster.

Since Botheim and Haaland still have close friendships, Haaland chose to watch Malmo fight back from Gothenburg in a 2-1 victory over Botheim when Malmo had a chance to win the Swedish title in October.

He almost attracted more attention than our league victory, he said! Rosler asserts.

It was interesting to see that he made the effort to come here and show his support because he has a busy schedule.

Nine years after making their U15s debut together, Rosler replaced him with Haaland when he left for Norway in November.

According to Rosler, “I actually thought about that, that it would be a nice picture.”

We’ve known each other for a very long, and I did, yes, I did his senior debut, which is very intriguing in football.

There is no correct way to go. Everyone follows a different path. In my brief career, I have faced many challenges, but also many incredible experiences.

It’s something I’ve worked so hard for and for my family to achieve, and winning the league made me proud.

As Malmo face Hacken in the Swedish Cup final on Thursday (14:00 BST), Rosler will continue to be a regular player and could win another trophy.

He will also be included in Norway’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Estonia next week.

Rosler is “extremely grateful” for his father’s guidance as he searches for his own path, despite having already done so.

A MotoGP title challenger for 2025 is Marc Marquez.

The eight-time world champion, who had suffered broken bones, a severe concussion, and numerous operations, would have been unable to comprehend those words when he had been living a “nightmare” two seasons ago.

The six-time MotoGP champion won four championships in a row from 2016 to 2019, making it seem impossible for him to have won a race for nearly 1, 000 days.

The 32-year-old told BBC Sport: “Two years ago, I was perhaps at the most difficult time of my career because the nightmare started in 2020.”

“I had some difficult decisions to make, but I didn’t know what the future would be,” he said.

The Spaniard declared to BBC Sport in 2023 that he was not “ready to win again.” At the conclusion of that season, he left Honda, a team he had spent 11 years with, and made his debut at Gresini Racing, the satellite Ducati team.

He said, “I said no to all those things because my friends and I had a very good job. I just proved to myself if I was quick.”

He has his evidence now, leading the championship standings and participating in factory Ducati racing.

How did he get to the point where he could win a ninth world title, beating Valentino Rossi, who is also great?

Some fans see Marquez’s resumption of title-holding as a comeback for the ages.

Why is obvious to everyone.

Marquez has suffered a number of injuries since winning his most recent MotoGP title in 2019.

At the start of the 2020 season, he broke his arm, which required four operations over the course of two years.

A severe concussion occurred in a motocross collision in 2021.

Due to having double vision the following year, he was forced to miss numerous races, and in 2023 he broke his ankle, ribs, and fingers.

Whether or not he wins the title, he has made a complete comeback.

“The most challenging challenge of my career… ” I’ve already recovered from a lot of injuries. He claimed that in an effort to improve my skills, I broke many, many things.

He joined the factory Ducati team on a two-year contract following a strong 2024 campaign that saw him win three feature races and two pole positions.

He said, “The first thing I wanted to do was to regain my confidence.” And gradually work toward achieving goals that you can achieve, to rebuild confidence.

You can’t win a fight without waiting. You must first understand the bike, then work your way up to the top five, then a podium, and then step-by-step battle for a podium.

For Marquez to maintain his composure, he has had to alter his mindset. He was once a trend follower, but he now has to adapt.

Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and Valentino Rossi, the three famous riders, were competing against me when I first entered MotoGP. The main difference between when I first entered MotoGP and now is that I compete against the younger talent from Moto2, which are extremely competitive, he said.

I introduced the elbow and a new riding style, but when the younger riders show up, they also introduce a new feature, which I need to adapt to.

Additionally, he has grown more aware of safety.

Marquez, who is still the youngest MotoGP champion of all time, said, “I think more about the safety and I try to calculate more the risks. – At one of my career’s strongest and weakest points, it was difficult to see the risk.”

Marquez’s rivals Rossi and Lorenzo, who have a combined 14 world titles, were legends in the sport at the time Marquez was vying for the title in 2019, respectively.

The standings-to-bee challenger for this year is much closer to home, with Alex sitting second behind him in the standings.

With only 15 races left, Marc Marquez holds the top spot in the MotoGP standings with 196 points over his brother.

Even their mother’s ties to them differ.

Marquez, whose 29-year-old brother competes for Gresini Ducati, said, “We are living a dream.” Both of us are first and second in the same championship.

My mother always jokes that “you have enough, let him win,” while supporting Alex, but she always does.

Which performer, Marc Marquez or Rossi, is superior? The discussion between motorsport fans is still raging.

Rossi, who retired in 2021, holds seven titles total, including nine world titles. Marquez now has eight titles, including six in MotoGP, as well as two titles in the 125cc and Moto2 championship.

Before the start of the 2025 season, Rossi and Marquez combined for 89 MotoGP victories.

And Marquez still has a goal for the ninth world title.

A MotoGP title challenger for 2025 is Marc Marquez.

The eight-time world champion, who had suffered broken bones, a severe concussion, and numerous operations, would have been unable to comprehend those words when he had been living a “nightmare” two seasons ago.

The six-time MotoGP champion won four championships in a row from 2016 to 2019, making it seem impossible for him to have won a race for nearly 1, 000 days.

The 32-year-old told BBC Sport: “Two years ago, I was perhaps at the most difficult time of my career because the nightmare started in 2020.”

“I had some difficult decisions to make, but I didn’t know what the future would be,” he said.

The Spaniard declared to BBC Sport in 2023 that he was not “ready to win again.” At the conclusion of that season, he left Honda, a team he had spent 11 years with, and made his debut at Gresini Racing, the satellite Ducati team.

He said, “I said no to all those things because my friends and I had a very good job. I just proved to myself if I was quick.”

He has his evidence now, leading the championship standings and participating in factory Ducati racing.

How did he get to the point where he could win a ninth world title, beating Valentino Rossi, who is also great?

Some fans see Marquez’s resumption of title-holding as a comeback for the ages.

Why is obvious to everyone.

Marquez has suffered a number of injuries since winning his most recent MotoGP title in 2019.

At the start of the 2020 season, he broke his arm, which required four operations over the course of two years.

A severe concussion occurred in a motocross collision in 2021.

Due to having double vision the following year, he was forced to miss numerous races, and in 2023 he broke his ankle, ribs, and fingers.

Whether or not he wins the title, he has made a complete comeback.

“The most challenging challenge of my career… ” I’ve already recovered from a lot of injuries. He claimed that in an effort to improve my skills, I broke many, many things.

He joined the factory Ducati team on a two-year contract following a strong 2024 campaign that saw him win three feature races and two pole positions.

He said, “The first thing I wanted to do was to regain my confidence.” And gradually work toward achieving goals that you can achieve, to rebuild confidence.

You can’t win a fight without waiting. You must first understand the bike, then work your way up to the top five, then a podium, and then step-by-step battle for a podium.

For Marquez to maintain his composure, he has had to alter his mindset. He was once a trend follower, but he now has to adapt.

Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and Valentino Rossi, the three famous riders, were competing against me when I first entered MotoGP. The main difference between when I first entered MotoGP and now is that I compete against the younger talent from Moto2, which are extremely competitive, he said.

I introduced the elbow and a new riding style, but when the younger riders show up, they also introduce a new feature, which I need to adapt to.

Additionally, he has grown more aware of safety.

Marquez, who is still the youngest MotoGP champion of all time, said, “I think more about the safety and I try to calculate more the risks. – At one of my career’s strongest and weakest points, it was difficult to see the risk.”

Marquez’s rivals Rossi and Lorenzo, who have a combined 14 world titles, were legends in the sport at the time Marquez was vying for the title in 2019, respectively.

The standings-to-bee challenger for this year is much closer to home, with Alex sitting second behind him in the standings.

With only 15 races left, Marc Marquez holds the top spot in the MotoGP standings with 196 points over his brother.

Even their mother’s ties to them differ.

Marquez, whose 29-year-old brother competes for Gresini Ducati, said, “We are living a dream.” Both of us are first and second in the same championship.

My mother always jokes that “you have enough, let him win,” while supporting Alex, but she always does.

Which performer, Marc Marquez or Rossi, is superior? The discussion between motorsport fans is still raging.

Rossi, who retired in 2021, holds seven titles total, including nine world titles. Marquez now has eight titles, including six in MotoGP, as well as two titles in the 125cc and Moto2 championship.

Before the start of the 2025 season, Rossi and Marquez combined for 89 MotoGP victories.

And Marquez still has a goal for the ninth world title.