General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Golf & Individual Sports Drama

Rory McIlroy secured his second green jacket at Augusta National, closing out the tournament one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler after overcoming a significant Saturday lapse where he saw a six-shot lead evaporate McIlroy held off Scheffler in a dramatic finish. The final round also featured an unusual incident involving Sergio García, who broke his driver on the second tee box following an outburst, resulting in the first code-of-conduct warning issued at the Masters this year; García was later paired with former champion Jon Rahm for the final round. Meanwhile, in the world of motorsports, Ty Gibbs, the 23-year-old grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, claimed his maiden Cup Series victory after outdueling Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson in an overtime finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.

Rugby Union & League Action

The governance structure of Welsh rugby faces renewed scrutiny as the organization stages another Extraordinary General Meeting at the Principality Stadium on Monday evening amid ongoing internal turbulence. This domestic focus contrasts with the performance of the national side, which faces an uphill battle in the Six Nations after being narrowly defeated by Scotland, setting up a difficult upcoming fixture against France. In the domestic rugby league sphere, the Challenge Cup delivered further excitement, with Wigan Warriors edging out Wakefield Trinity in a tight quarter-final contest, while holders Hull KR were subsequently drawn against Warrington Wolves in the semi-finals Hull KR to face Wolves.

European Cycling & Rally Racing

The cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix delivered a thrilling conclusion as Wout van Aert triumphed in a tight sprint finish over four-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar. However, the women's race saw a concerning incident when Dutch rider Lucinda Brand suffered neck pain after colliding with a spectator during the event, which was ultimately won by Germany’s Franziska Koch. Shifting to rally racing, the World Rally Championship lead dramatically changed hands at Rally Croatia when Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta inherited the win following a crash involving Thierry Neuville, allowing Katsuta to leapfrog Evans in the standings.

College & Professional Basketball Roster Moves

The college basketball transfer carousel spun quickly this weekend, with Providence star freshman Stefan Vaaks committing to Illinois after a breakout season, while Louisville simultaneously bulked up its roster by landing commitments from former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad. In related college news, Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic announced he is entering both the NBA draft and the transfer portal. In the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury moved to retain talent, successfully re-signing four-time All-Star Kahleah Copper alongside two-time champion DeWanna Bonner. The Lynx also retained key talent, as both Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride signed two-year contracts to remain in Minnesota.

UFC & WNBA Transactions Continue

While the Los Angeles Sparks dealt for two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins, acquiring her from the Sky in exchange for the 2024 No. 4 overall pick Rickea Jackson Sparks acquired Atkins, the team also managed to secure the return of another key player, with sources confirming that four-time All-Star Kelsey Plum is signing a one-year deal worth $999,999. Elsewhere in the WNBA, the Valkyries successfully signed All-Star Gabby Williams to a multiyear contract after her first All-Star appearance last season, and the Indiana Fever secured the return of free agent Sophie Cunningham on a one-year deal. In the UFC, the immediate future of the light heavyweight title remains uncertain, as champion Carlos Ulberg sustained a knee injury during his victory, potentially delaying any title defense against contenders like Jiří Procházka, who reportedly showed Ulberg "too much mercy" in their bout Ulberg blew out his knee.

Rugby International & Domestic Updates

In the build-up to Monday’s critical EGM for Welsh rugby the union faces another crisis meeting, Hooker Liam Belcher maintained his immediate focus remains domestic, stating he must fight for his Cardiff spot before contemplating a push for his first cap with the Wales national team. On the international cricket front, Scotland secured a victory over Namibia in World Cup League Two, powered by a masterclass from Brandon McMullen, who contributed both a superb century and three wickets with the ball. Finally, boxing saw the retirement of two-time super-lightweight world champion Regis Prograis at age 37 following his bout with Benn.

Other Sports Notes

The prospect of the 2026 NBA playoffs bracket is now set following the conclusion of Sunday's regular season games across both conferences Eastern and Western brackets set, shifting attention to clinching scenarios in the NHL, where an action-packed Saturday altered the races NHL playoff watch detailed. On the track, Australian teenager Gout Gout sprinted faster than Usain Bolt did at the same age, clocking a personal best at his national championships. Meanwhile, the legacy of the 1996 NFL Draft was revisited, recalling how the Jets selected playmaker Keyshawn Johnson despite the draft class lacking a first-round quarterback.

European Rugby Champions Cup

Reigning champions Bordeaux managed to dispatch French rivals Toulouse in a competitive fixture, earning them a berth in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup where they are slated to face English Premiership holders Bath.