分类： sports

As the second round of the 90th Masters Tournament gets underway at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, early-morning tee times have handed world number one Scottie Scheffler and British veteran Justin Rose a golden opportunity to close the gap on overnight co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns.

Defending champion McIlroy, who is bidding to become just the fourth golfer in history to claim back-to-back Masters titles, carded an impressive five-under-par 67 in his opening round alongside Burns, sharing the top spot on the leaderboard after 18 holes of play. Despite finding only five of 14 fairways — and just one on the front nine — the five-time major winner pulled off a series of sensational recovery shots from tree-lined rough that would have drawn praise from Spanish Masters legend Seve Ballesteros, securing his second-best opening round at the tournament. “The first seven holes were really important, that I played them in par,” McIlroy said of his opening round. “I made some good swings from where I found myself.”

For Burns, who held the 54-hole lead at last year’s U.S. Open, the opening 67 marked his lowest career round at Augusta in 13 appearances, achieved even as the tournament’s iconic greens ran firm and fast. “They’re only going to get firmer,” Burns warned of the conditions. “As the golf course speeds up, it only gets more difficult out there, and I think it’s going to be a really good test.”

Behind the leading pair, 2014 champion Patrick Reed, American Kurt Kitayama and Australian Jason Day all tied for third at two-under-par 69. Like McIlroy and Burns, all three will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave, when the baked-out course is expected to become even more challenging.

That leaves the first half of Friday’s draw to two of golf’s biggest names hungry to climb the leaderboard: 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose — a three-time Masters runner-up who lost a playoff to McIlroy for the green jacket last year — and four-time major winner Scheffler, who is chasing a third Masters title in five seasons. Both are three strokes off the lead in a group of players tied at one-under 70, which also includes later starters Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion from Ireland, and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, who is still seeking his first Masters title.

Scheffler, who won the Masters in 2022 and 2024, got off to a blistering start in his opening round with an eagle on the par-five second hole followed by a birdie on the par-four third. But as afternoon temperatures climbed and greens hardened further, he could not add more low scores, settling for pars on the par-five 13th and 15th holes. He is optimistic his early Friday tee time will bring more favorable conditions. “I played pretty solid. A lot of good stuff,” Scheffler said. “I hit it nice, made some good iron shots, but it got so firm late in the day, it was pretty challenging.”

Rose, meanwhile, notched five birdies in his opening round, with four coming on Augusta’s famous par-five holes, but slipped back from the leading pack with back-to-back bogeys to close out his round. The 44-year-old veteran leaned into his years of experience at Augusta, emphasizing that patience is the key to navigating the brutal current conditions. “Every hole you’re just being patient through experience, knowing that grinding out the pars is a good thing,” Rose said. “Just eating up the holes is a good thing.”

The tough opening conditions have already derailed the title hopes of several big names, who are at risk of missing the cut for the final two rounds, which goes to the top 50 players and ties. Two-time major champion Jon Rahm of Spain sat well outside the cut line after an opening 78, while two-time U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau carded a 76, and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre shot an 80.

Rose added that the current rock-hard, lightning-fast greens test more than just shot-making — they demand strategic caution from every competitor. “I can’t even point to anywhere where you can be aggressive,” he said. “I think it’s in their control really how they want it to be… when it gets completely rock hard and you can’t access any pin anywhere, then a lot of good shot-making is taken out of the equation.”

The opening day of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers delivered one of the tournament’s earliest upsets, as 17-year-old British wildcard Mika Stojsavljevic defeated world No. 56 Australian rising star Talia Gibson in straight sets on Friday. The final scoreline of 7-6(0), 7-5 marked a career-defining victory for the teenager, who entered the matchup ranked 219 places below her opponent at world No. 275.

Gibson, who turned heads at the 2024 Australian Open after advancing to the second round of the main draw, entered the match as the clear favorite. The 21-year-old Australian showed flashes of the dynamic talent that has pushed her up the global rankings in the last 12 months, but a consistent string of unforced errors ultimately derailed her campaign. From the opening game, Gibson struggled to find consistent control of her groundstrokes, giving away cheap points that shifted momentum to her young opponent early.

The first set unfolded with an early exchange of breaks, as both players tested each other’s serve consistency before holding for the rest of the set to force a tiebreaker. It was here that Stojsavljevic demonstrated poise far beyond her 17 years, racing out to a 4-0 lead that Gibson never recovered from. The young Brit’s towering, powerful serve proved to be the decisive edge of the match: she landed four aces to Gibson’s single one, and closed out the opening set with a blistering ace down the T to seal the tiebreaker 7-0.

Stojsavljevic carried that momentum into the second set, immediately putting pressure on Gibson’s first service game by jumping out to a 0-40 advantage. Though Gibson fought back to hold serve and keep the set level, she could not resolve her unforced error issue or break through Stojsavljevic’s dominant service game. A critical unforced mistake from Gibson at 2-1 allowed Stojsavljevic to claim the decisive break, putting her up 3-1 in the set.

Speaking to broadcast commentators after the upset, former world No. 4 Jelena Dokic highlighted the mental dynamic of the match, noting that Gibson was still adjusting to the pressure of competing as a tournament favorite, while Stojsavljevic had nothing to lose and could play without restraint. Gibson mounted a late comeback push, and held five break points to take the lead in a tense marathon service game at 5-5. Even as fatigue began to show in the young Brit’s movement, she relied on her powerful serve to escape danger and hold serve, before closing out the match to claim the straight-set victory.

The upset win gives Great Britain an early advantage in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against Australia, setting the stage for the remaining singles and doubles matches to determine which nation advances to the next stage of the team competition.

As the Melbourne Storm fight to snap a three-match losing skid marked by defensive collapse, an unexpected recruitment rumor has emerged: the NRL club is setting its sights on premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki to fill key 2027 roster gaps.

Storm head coach Craig Bellamy admitted he had no prior warning of the reported club interest when questioned by reporters on Friday morning, but a playful quick quip revealed he would jump at the chance to add the representative-level talent to his squad immediately. The potential move to lure Shibasaki to Melbourne is slated to be formally discussed during a scheduled recruitment meeting set for Friday afternoon, Bellamy confirmed.

Shibasaki, who has become one of the league’s most in-demand young outside backs after breakout seasons with the Broncos, earned his first representative caps for both Queensland and Australia in 2024, and helped lead Brisbane to a premiership title last year. His current contract with the Broncos is up after the 2026 season, and the club already faces an uphill battle to retain his services after his rapid rise to stardom: he is projected to command a substantial salary increase in his next deal, sparking interest from multiple top NRL clubs.

For the Storm, a move for Shibasaki solves a growing 2027 roster problem. The club is already set to lose outside backs Nick Meaney and Will Warbrick to rival clubs in two seasons’ time, and recently missed out on the high-profile signing of St George Illawarra star Zac Lomax, leaving a clear gap in their attacking depth that Shibasaki could fill.

“I don’t actually know about that,” Bellamy told reporters early Friday. “We’re having a recruitment meeting today so I don’t know what’s going to come up there, but I haven’t heard that [the Shibasaki interest].” When pressed on a potential timeline, he joked: “Can he come next week or the week after? Anyone would be welcome at this stage.”

Right now, however, recruitment is a secondary priority for the 2026 Storm. Bellamy’s side is reeling after a brutal two-week stretch that saw them concede a combined 78 points across three straight losses, including a 50-point blowout at the hands of the competition-leading Penrith Panthers last round. Their defensive performance has fallen well short of the club’s typical high standards this season, and Bellamy pulled his squad for a grueling training session earlier this week to address the issue.

The coach pinned the recent slump directly to a lack of individual accountability, rather than systemic problems, saying: “We’re relying on the bloke next to you instead of getting your job done. So there’s a real focus on not worrying about the bloke next to you and just getting your job done.” Bellamy added that he is expecting a marked shift in attitude this week, warning that without a change in approach, the Storm will continue to post underwhelming results.

This weekend presents the Storm with an ideal opportunity to turn their season around, as they prepare to host the New Zealand Warriors in front of a sold-out home crowd. Melbourne holds an extraordinary recent record against the Warriors, having won 17 consecutive matchups against the Auckland-based side. But Bellamy brushed off the historical advantage, noting that past form means nothing for a side that has struggled so badly in recent weeks.

“We’re not worried about what happened five years ago or two years ago,” he said. “We’ve got to get back to reality, and that’s what’s happening now. What’s happening now ain’t good so we need to improve that this week.” Bellamy pointed out that in the two matches before the Panthers defeat, the Storm gave up late leads they should have closed out, before being completely outplayed by Penrith. “You don’t like any of those situations happening, but they have so we’ve got to deal with it. It’s time for everyone to pull their finger out and get their job done.”

For Canterbury Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri, the past four weeks have been one of the most turbulent stretches of his recent NRL career – a period clouded by demotion, swirling exit rumours and public speculation about his future at the club. Now, back in first grade following a stint in the NSW Cup, the 25-year-old has broken his silence on the controversy, framing his reserve-grade drop as the reality check he needed to reignite his focus on the team.

The drama began immediately after Canterbury’s opening-round win in Las Vegas, where Xerri was sensationally dropped from the top squad in a move that shocked fans and pundits alike. Conflicting reports emerged in the aftermath of the decision, with some claiming the demotion stemmed from poor on-field form, others pointing to questions over his attitude, and many suggesting the shift came after Xerri pushed back against playing on the right edge following captain Stephen Crichton’s move to the left side of the pitch.

Over two matches in reserve grade, Xerri turned out for the Bulldogs’ feeder side, notching an early try against the Canberra Raiders – but off the field, speculation about his desire to force a contract release dominated rugby league headlines. Canterbury head coach Cameron Ciraldo initially made clear he was disappointed by how Xerri reacted to the demotion, but in recent days has shifted to praise for the 25-year-old’s turnaround.

A further point of confusion emerged on Good Friday, when Ciraldo brought on halfback Sean O’Sullivan to replace the injured Crichton rather than turning to a specialist centre like Xerri, leading many to assume Xerri had fallen completely out of the club’s favour. It has since been revealed that the decision was rooted in club medical staff’s initial assessment that Crichton’s injury was not severe enough to require a permanent positional shift, not a snub to the out-of-favour centre.

Xerri made his return to first grade last Thursday, where the Bulldogs pulled off a stunning upset win over reigning premiers Penrith. In post-match comments, he acknowledged the past month had been a difficult stretch, but pushed back on the widespread reports of a rift, saying his only focus has always been doing what is best for Canterbury.

“It’s been tough,” Xerri told reporters after the game. “But as long as the boys within the four walls and the staff know my intentions here, I’m happy. Whatever was reported was out of my control. As long as the team and all the boys knew my intentions with everything, that’s all that matters.”

When asked point-blank whether he had ever requested a release from the final year of his current Bulldogs contract, Xerri declined to comment, saying “I’m not going to say anything, sorry.” But he was open about reflecting on the past few weeks, noting that the current turbulence pales in comparison to the four-year doping suspension he served after a positive drugs test in 2019 – an experience that taught him how to navigate professional adversity.

“I went home and asked some hard questions about myself and came back, got the opportunity tonight and tried to take it with both hands,” he said. “I have a really good support system with my family. I’ve been through something similar with this – much worse to be fair – so I know how to handle these things.”

While the exact root cause of his initial demotion remains unconfirmed, Xerri said the drop to reserve grade was a necessary wake-up call that exposed his own complacency in training. “I just got a bit comfortable in myself. I wasn’t really giving it my all at training. So it was that kick up the arse I needed,” he explained. “I’m a true believer in that everything happens for a reason. Me and ‘Ciro’ had some tough conversations, but I’ve got nothing but love and respect for Ciro and this club.”

The stint in reserve grade also reinforced what he stands to lose, he added: “When it’s all gone, you don’t realise what you’ve got. When I was playing NSW Cup, I was like ‘This is not where I belong, this is not where I want to be’. I came into training and just put my best foot forward.”

Xerri thanked his teammates for checking in on his mental health throughout the stretch, saying “it was good to be back where I belong” after his stint in the lower grade. Against Penrith, he set up a try on his preferred left edge, but stressed he is willing to adapt to any role the coaching staff needs, even playing on the right side when Crichton returns from injury.

“I definitely feel more natural on the left,” he admitted. “But I am capable of doing the job on the right. Ciro has spoken about that. I’ve always said to Ciro that I’ll do what’s best for the team, so wherever he wants to put me, that’s where I’ll play.”

With one year remaining on his current contract, Xerri reaffirmed his intention to see out the full deal at Belmore. For his part, Ciraldo said he was thrilled with Xerri’s performance and maturity in his first game back, highlighting an underrated improvement that flew under the radar for spectators.

“The most pleasing thing which no one would have seen is how well he was communicating out there. The players in there were all talking about that, and that was something he needed to go and work on,” Ciraldo said. “People in the stands might not see that or value that as much as we do, but it’s awesome to see that he’s brought that into his game.”

As the Penrith Panthers enter the final stretch of another competitive NRL season, one of their most beloved veteran forwards is preparing to close a cherished chapter of his career, with an iconic new leadership opportunity waiting on Australia’s west coast. Thirty-three-year-old Scott Sorensen, a four-time premiership champion with the Panthers since joining the club in 2021, confirmed he will depart Penrith at the end of the current season to join newly expanded NRL franchise Perth Bears on a two-year deal. Industry insiders and teammates alike have already thrown their full support behind Sorensen to take up the historic role of the Bears’ first ever club captain, when the side makes its competition debut in 2025.

The news of Sorensen’s departure delivered an emotional moment for the entire Panthers squad last week, when the fan-favourite forward gathered his teammates to share his decision. In comments made to reporters ahead of this weekend’s NRL double-header in Perth, Sorensen opened up about the raw, tearful meeting, making no attempt to hide the depth of his connection to the Penrith organisation. “Absolutely there were tears. I’m not ashamed of that at all,” Sorensen said. “It was tough. Everyone in this organisation knows how much I love this place. That’s why saying I was leaving hit me so hard.”

Despite the sadness of leaving a club where he has built so many memories and claimed four of the league’s top titles, Sorensen said he remains grateful for his time in Penrith and enthusiastic about the next step of his career. “I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to join the Bears and I’m very excited about that,” he explained. “I’m absolutely so grateful and love my journey here, and I continue to enjoy my journey here. So it was very difficult and very emotional, but I’ve still got a few games yet, so I’m going to enjoy those.”

Sorensen revealed he had been weighing up the move since the Christmas holiday period, noting that proximity to his wife’s family based in Western Australia was a major factor in his final decision to accept the Bears’ offer. For the expansion franchise, which has been steadily building its inaugural playing squad over the past 18 months, sports analysts compare Sorensen’s expected leadership role to that of experienced veteran Jesse Bromwich, who anchored the Dolphins during their successful expansion entry into the NRL.

Teammates have been quick to praise Sorensen’s leadership credentials and back his potential as the Bears’ first captain. Paul Alamoti, a young Panthers centre who credits Sorensen with shaping his early NRL career, said the announcement of Sorensen’s departure moved the entire squad. “When I first came into the NRL squad, he was the leader among the left edge and I slotted into that position outside him, and he pushed me to my limits,” Alamoti recalled. “When he broke the news to the squad as a whole, I did get touched by it because his influence on my career has been immense. I have no doubt he’d be a great captain. He has so much passion and he’s a true competitor.”

Like all expansion sports franchises, the Perth Bears face lingering questions about whether their newly assembled squad can compete at the highest level from their first season, particularly as the club has not yet signed a high-profile marquee player. Sorensen, however, is unflinching about the scale of the challenge ahead, framing it as an exciting new adventure that echoes his 2021 move to Penrith, when he stepped into an unknown environment that ultimately led to multiple premiership wins.

“I’m not going to shy away from that,” Sorensen said. “We know it’s a massive challenge going into the unknown, which I understand. But I suppose in a way, I went into the unknown coming here at Penrith in 2021. I didn’t know what was going to happen, and that was exciting, that was motivating. I guess it’s the same thing going to the Perth Bears. Being given an opportunity and going into the unknown a little bit, that’s exciting and that’s something I’m looking forward to.”