General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

Golf & Tennis Turmoil & Triumphs

The US PGA Championship saw drama unfold before the first ball was struck, as South Africa's Garrick Higgo received a rare two-shot penalty for arriving just one minute late to his Thursday tee time, an infraction that ultimately denied him a share of the early lead. Meanwhile, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy confirmed he is "totally fine" for the tournament despite having to halt a practice round early due to a sore little toe, though he is managing the issue by using a "bigger and wider shoe with more cushioning". Experts are focusing on the major favorites, noting that Scottie Scheffler commands the shortest odds (+385) going into the PGA Championship in his career, while Jon Rahm is listed at +1400 and Cameron Young has seen his odds leap to +1475. On the women’s side, Venus Williams, at age, is preparing to compete in the French Open doubles alongside Hailey Baptiste, who is 21 years her junior.

In Rome, Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run by reaching the Italian Open semi-finals, breaking Novak Djokovic’s record for successive match wins at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, though his match schedule was briefly interrupted when smoke from the Coppa Italia final fireworks at the neighboring Stadio Olimpico halted play for nearly 20 minutes. Iga Swiatek also demonstrated formidable form in Rome, producing a statement win to secure her spot in the semi-finals, signaling she is finding her ruthless best just ahead of Roland Garros. Amidst other tennis news, Arkansas reinstated its tennis teams following an athletic director's announcement that a short-term funding boost provides "a viable path forward" for the programs.

Cycling & Combat Sports Updates

In professional cycling, the Giro d'Italia delivered dramatic finishes over the past few days; Davide Ballerini survived a crash on the cobbled sector in Naples to claim stage six, while earlier in the race, Igor Arrieta won a soaking-wet stage five after a thrilling breakaway, beating Portugal's Afonso Eulalio. Ecuador's Jhonatan Narvaez also secured a stage four victory just three days after being involved in a major crash that forced three of his teammates to abandon the race. In the world of MMA, Ronda Rousey is set to promote her return to the octagon against Gina Carano, who will pioneer a new era in the sport after a 17-year absence, leading Rousey to state she is glad the fight requires her approval before Strickland can receive tickets . Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev's team has indicated he is "obsessed" with securing an immediate title rematch against Sean Strickland, stating it is "the only fight he will accept right now".

Rugby & Football Roster Moves

The European rugby scene saw disciplinary action, as Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss the Challenge Cup final after the United Rugby Championship handed him a three-match suspension ahead of their match against Montpellier. In women’s international rugby, England has reinforced their pack for the Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France with the return of three key forwards: Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati, and Lilli Ives-Campion. Wales players, however, expressed shared frustration as scrum-half Keira Bevan noted the team seeks to end a streak of nine consecutive Women's Six Nations losses ahead of their fixture against Italy. In South African rugby news, prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been ruled out of the 2027 World Cup after receiving an 18-month ban for violating anti-doping regulations.

Basketball & Soccer Management Shifts

The NBA playoff cycle continues to generate speculation, particularly regarding LeBron James, who stated he is unsure "what the future holds for me" following the Los Angeles Lakers' elimination, a situation that underscores the mutual reliance between the player and the franchise. Elsewhere in the league, the Oklahoma City OKC Thunder are favored to win another NBA title due to their organizational focus on maintaining a drama-free environment for their happy players. In college basketball, the rivalry between UConn and South Carolina is set to reignite as the programs scheduled their first meeting since the sideline altercation between coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley last month. Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed confidence, stating he has "every reason to believe" he will remain in charge of the club next season, while former player and Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie will be honored with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on September 20.

Horse Racing & College Sports Developments

In horse racing, the Epsom Derby picture sharpened considerably after the horse Item maintained its unbeaten run by winning the Dante Stakes at York, positioning it as a serious contender for the classic race. In football news, the ACC commissioner, Jim Phillips, voiced his support for an expanded 24-team College Football Playoff format, arguing the change would provide "hope" to more programs, a stance shared by the majority of league coaches and athletic directors. Conversely, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian publicly criticized Ole Miss academics, labeling elements of their curriculum as "basket weaving," a comment that followed Lane Kiffin's own controversial remarks. College baseball saw action as well, with the latest rankings released for Week, detailing the top 25 teams and highlighting the best moments from the past week of play.

Player Discipline & Career Milestones

The world of combat sports saw an odd incident where UFC champion Sean Strickland reportedly requires approval from Ronda Rousey to secure tickets for her upcoming fight, a situation that has drawn commentary from Rousey herself. On the ice, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy received a hefty six-game suspension for slashing Buffalo's Zach Benson during Game 6 of their first-round series, a significant penalty for a high-leverage playoff moment. In darts, Andrew Gilding finally achieved a long-sought victory, claiming his first Pro Tour title, Players Championship, on his 442nd professional attempt. Separately, former England hooker Tom Youngs is trading scrums for sourdough, as he ventures into the food industry with a new burger venture that brings families to the farm.

International Cricket & Player Returns

The international cricket arena saw Bangladesh secure their first-ever home Test victory over Pakistan, propelled by fast bowler Nahid Rana’s impressive performance, who recorded figures of 5-40. In a landmark administrative appointment, former wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor was named England's fielding coach, marking the first time a woman will coach an England side in a major sport. On the player front, Ollie Robinson has been recalled to the England side after a two-year international absence, with Director of Cricket Rob Key labeling him "one of the best bowlers in the world", and uncapped trio Emilio Gay, James Rew, and Sonny Baker were also named for the first Test against New Zealand. South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail reversed her international retirement to be included in the Proteas squad for the T20 World Cup.

Player Legal Issues & Athlete Health

Legal issues surfaced for a Georgia football player, as safety Ja'Marley Riddle was arrested on May 8, facing two felony charges for possession of a controlled substance along with a misdemeanor speeding ticket. In a separate incident, Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy was released from the hospital after being shot early Sunday morning and is reportedly focused on resuming his goal of playing. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Florida were granted access to Tiger Woods' prescription drug records during a hearing related to his March DUI arrest. On a positive note, Olympic swimming champion Daniel Wiffen stated that he is using his mother’s recovery from cancer as "motivation" as he prepares for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July.