Sports

Four hole-in-one performances highlighted the 90th Masters Par 3 Contest on April 8, 2026, as Aaron Rai claimed top honors at 6 under. The annual family-friendly event at Augusta National set the stage for father-son duo Tommy and Frankie Fleetwood’s magical moments.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and *The Athletic* NFL reporter Dianna Russini have refuted claims of impropriety after photos surfaced showing them together at a luxury hotel in Arizona. Both issued statements defending the context of their public interactions as innocent and professional.

David Raya, Manuel Neuer, and Emiliano Martinez dominate the goalkeeper debate after standout Champions League performances. With the Ballon d'Or Yashin Trophy and World Cup on the horizon, the race for the world's best goalkeeper is intensifying.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed top prospect Konnor Griffin to a record-breaking nine-year, $140 million extension through 2034. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus and MVP-based incentives that could push the total to $150 million.

Los Angeles’ first Olympics ticket pre-sale ended with widespread sticker shock as fans encountered prices up to $5,500 with a 24% service fee. LA28 relies on ticket sales to raise $2.5 billion for Games operations.

Major League Baseball’s 2026 season could be the final chapter of the modern era as sweeping technological, financial, and labor shifts reshape the sport. From automated strike zones to a pending labor battle and a new revenue-sharing model, baseball is bracing for transformation.

With Michigan fresh off its first national championship and key stars entering the transfer portal, coach Dusty May must rebuild the roster. Top targets include Kansas center Flory Bidunga, Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, and San Diego State forward Miles Byrd.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López and Angels DH Jorge Soler were ejected Tuesday night after a bench-clearing brawl in Anaheim. Soler homered off López, then was hit by a 96 mph fastball before charging the mound following a wild pitch.

Kevin Durant returned to Phoenix and scored 24 points in the Houston Rockets' 119-105 win over the Suns. The victory keeps Houston on a seven-game winning streak and secures their tie with the Lakers for the No. 4 seed in the West.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 123-87 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, their worst defeat of the season. Despite a spirited first-half effort, the Lakers' offense sputtered while their defense collapsed in the second half. Coach JJ Redick faces a tough rebuilding assignment with young t

Taj Bradley's 10-strikeout, zero-walk performance has fantasy owners rushing to claim the Tampa Bay Rays ace. Early-season standouts like Sandy Alcantara and Trevor Rogers are redefining pitching expectations while injuries to stars like Cody Ponce and Brooks Baldwin reshape rosters.

Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, has curated an exclusive Champions Dinner menu for 2026, blending Irish heritage, Georgia nods, and global flavors. The event, a Masters tradition since 1952, features 33 living champions and comes as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson skip the gathering.

FC Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at Santiago Bernabéu, their first Champions League victory in 12 years at the venue. The narrow win masked deeper issues: fatigue and mental fragility nearly cost Bayern the tie.

Zack Wheeler’s velocity remains 3+ mph below his 2023 fastball average as he nears a return to the majors, while Jake Burger experiments with amber contacts to improve vision in dark stadiums. The Phillies and Rangers are making strategic adjustments ahead of critical playoff races.

Four-time PGA Tour winner Gary Woodland returns to Augusta National with heightened security and PTSD awareness after a 2023 brain tumor surgery. The 41-year-old, diagnosed with PTSD a year ago, credits his first victory since 2019 to open communication with tour officials and constant visual safety

Arsenal seized control of the Champions League quarterfinal with Kai Havertz’s dramatic 93rd-minute winner over Sporting Lisbon. Mikel Arteta’s side now faces a decisive second leg at the Emirates, while Bayern Munich edged Real Madrid 2-1 in the other quarterfinal.

Cubs ace Cade Horton will undergo season-ending elbow surgery after a torn UCL, crippling Chicago’s rotation. The 24-year-old was set for a breakout year but now faces 14+ months of recovery, forcing the Cubs to rely on unproven depth.

Real Madrid fell 2-1 to Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg, with goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane. Kylian Mbappé’s late goal kept Los Blancos’ hopes alive ahead of the second leg in Munich.

Mircea Lucescu, the iconic Romanian soccer figure who won trophies as both player and coach, has died at 80. Lucescu, hospitalized in Bucharest after a heart attack on Friday, leaves behind a legacy that shaped Eastern European football.

Rory McIlroy will defend his Masters title on Thursday, April 9, at 15:31 BST as part of a marquee group in the first two rounds. The 2026 Masters tee times feature defending champion McIlroy, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and 11 other major winners.

The Dallas Cowboys, holding two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, are exploring all trade possibilities—up, down, or staying put—to address roster needs at linebacker and edge rusher. Owner Jerry Jones confirmed the front office is considering moves to optimize draft capital. The team also re

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade, citing contract disputes and lack of progress in negotiations. The 28-year-old Pro Bowl interior pass rusher, entering his ninth NFL season, wants a new deal or a fresh start elsewhere as he seeks a competitive return for the Gi

The Champions League quarterfinals pit Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich against European hopefuls in a high-stakes knockout battle. With unpredictable form and elite talent on display, the road to the semifinals promises drama.

Augusta National’s annual Masters Champions Dinner returns Tuesday night, where 2025 winner Rory McIlroy will host past champions and club chairman Fred Ridley in an exclusive gathering steeped in tradition since 1952. The event, now in its 42nd iteration under master of ceremonies Ben Crenshaw, ble