Scottie Scheffler v Tiger Woods - the breakdown: Why golf insiders insist Open winner really can match Tiger, and the key areas where he's already got the edge
The number was remarkable, for it transpired that the 1,197 days between Scheffler's first major win and fourth was identical to the respective span of a near-mythical figure in his sport – Tiger Woods.
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Times
41 minutes ago
- Times
Sarina Wiegman: what makes England head coach so special
If this is a 'proper England' team, the mantra that has helped a fearless and at times scrappy squad reach the European Championship final, then the unshakeable figure at its very core is typically Dutch. Immediately, she made us all wait. For 13 months the FA, which had announced her signing in August 2020, patiently watched Sarina Wiegman finish her contract with the national team of her homeland. She was loyal, and no amount of money or prestige would change that, eventually taking charge in September 2021. As it transpired, 13 months was rather inconsequential to the 56 years of hurt Wiegman ended by lifting the European Championship trophy on home soil in the heady summer of 2022. The 55-year-old's strong character was forged growing up in the Hague, where girls were not allowed to play in boys' teams. Instead, she cut her hair like a boy and carried on regardless, alongside her twin brother. Many times, in her formative years, she was told 'girls should not be doing that'. She resolved to take no notice. She had enough talent not just to defy the critics, but to play for her country. The 1988 Fifa Invitational Tournament was her first taste of the truly international game, as a teenager in China. She remembers the luxury of the White Swan hotel, where the Netherlands were based, something she had never experienced before. Her other memory of that tournament is that despite the thousands in attendance, they were not fans of women's football and would laugh when the players made mistakes or misplaced a pass. She did not believe a career in football, or coaching, was possible for a woman, so became a PE teacher, the basis of many skills which are now useful in her professional career. She juggled that alongside her playing years, winning 99 caps for the Netherlands, with the same steely determination and 'serious' attitude she has today. She became assistant coach of the Netherlands in 2014 and was given the head coach role on a permanent basis in January 2017, six months before the start of their home European Championship. Just as she replicated in England in 2022, she used the pressure of the home nation as a positive. She made difficult decisions too, dropping the captain Mandy van den Berg, whom she considered a friend, for the majority of the tournament. There was the cut-throat side to Wiegman which Steph Houghton, and several others, would later experience. Yet it is the foundation for her success. Euro 2025 is her fifth major tournament as a head coach — two with the Netherlands, three with England. She has reached the final in all five. To do so, her key coaching philosophies have remained the same, but she has tweaked her attitude and relationships with players. When she first arrived at the England camp in 2021, those present say there was immediately an aura around her, not least because she was someone who had done what everyone at St George's Park was so desperate to do: win. She was struck by the very English habit of talking around difficult topics instead of tackling them head on — more of a straightforward, typically Dutch approach. She told staff and players she would prefer them to be direct. 'You can just say what you think and still be very respectful,' she explained. Initially she was irritated by the jewellery and watches players wore, such were the fine details she focused on. Over time she has relaxed, realising that the players have thrived with the trust she has given them — as the bonds have grown, so too has the mutual respect. While other England teams, men's and women's, have had cliques and negative rivalry within, she has trusted them to sit with whom they wish, and authentically create friendships. Love Island, it is fair to say, is not Wiegman's cup of tea. But she is happy for her players to sit together and watch it, if it is something that helps them to relax. She has also encouraged players to share their footballing stories with one another. 'We've made ourselves very vulnerable . . . Sarina herself has made herself really vulnerable,' Beth Mead, the England winger, told the BBC. 'I think that gives us so much more togetherness, so much more trust in each other, that we're willing to share really tough moments with each other and how can we help each other. Sarina has really instilled that into us as a team. She's got our back, we've got her back.' The squad has dealt with difficult off-pitch events too. Mead lost her mother, June, to cancer, the same disease that Ella Toone's dad, Nick, died of. Wiegman's elder sister, Diana, died in June 2022 from ovarian cancer. Wiegman now has a tattoo on her right wrist, an infinity symbol featuring a small rose, as a tribute to Diana, and of endless love. Keira Walsh reflects that Wiegman has been more open, particularly in her celebrations and what the team has meant to her, in recent months. 'She's probably one of the best managers I've played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved,' the midfielder added. As Izzy Christiansen, the former England midfielder said on The Game podcast, Wiegman is the kind of manager players wish they had the chance to play for. She does so, with a hug — like the one she gave Michelle Agyemang after her semi-final heroics — but also with blunt honesty. Each player knows their role in the squad, as starter, or finisher, her version of substitutes. That has been hugely effective in all three of her tournaments in charge, despite clear weaknesses in squads at left back, and midfield depth. She has faced criticism for her late use of substitutes (Agyemang was not brought on until the 85th minute of the semi-final against Italy), but there is no one in the footballing world — at least the women's game — less influenced by the sway of public opinion than Wiegman. She believes wholeheartedly in the way she does things and will not change. 'She's not forcing me [to start her],' Wiegman said of Agyemang. It does not matter how dire the situation, how deep into borrowed time her team appear to be, they will look over and see Wiegman calm and collected. That honesty and directness also created a pre-Euros crisis, of sorts, when Mary Earps and Millie Bright both withdrew from selection for the squad, citing mental and physical fatigue. Wiegman would have liked to select both, but it is understood she had told them that they might not be guaranteed starters. During the 2023 World Cup, Wiegman was asked whether Lauren James's brilliant performances had 'let the cat out of the bag', amusing those in the press conference room as she looked utterly confused at the idiom. Now Wiegman considers herself more English, even stating she 'doesn't beat around the bush' when explaining those conversations with Earps and Bright. She enjoys a roast dinner and chicken tikka masala, as well as the country's obsessive sporting culture. She likes to relax with yoga, which she has perfected in the close confines of hotel rooms, and walks in nature. Her family — her husband, Marten, and their daughters, Sacha and Lauren — will explore the local areas around where England play, and that suits Wiegman, to know they are happy, and every now and again touch base with a coffee. She is not able to relax fully, in 'work mode' for the length of the tournament, but finds the increased spotlight on her baffling. Her family are one of the reasons she has continued to live in her homeland. She could have tried to change herself to be the Lionesses head coach — and there were plenty of detractors saying she should have been forced to move to England — but she has done things unapologetically her way. Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, said before the tournament that even if England had departed early, Wiegman's job would be safe. He has since added there is 'no price at all' which would see the FA part with her. Her contract lasts until after the 2027 World Cup and whenever she does choose to depart, it will be as a national hero — and with an honorary CBE which could be upgraded to a damehood if England win on Sunday. Wiegman never likes to make headlines or give any focus to non-performance matters, but she does understand, and is proud of, the wider ability of the Lionesses to effect societal change. After Euro 2022 and their celebrations in Trafalgar Square, squad members, including the defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, spoke on the team bus of how important it was that their victory should make real change for young girls. That was the foundation of a government pledge to ensure that girls and boys are offered the same sports during PE lessons and extracurricular periods. Wiegman was fully supportive and encouraged her players to use their platform for things they were passionate about. Aside from the external significance of Sunday's final, it is also the final match in which she will sit alongside her assistant, Arjan Veurink, on the touchline. He will depart to become the head coach of the Netherlands, having been integral to England's success. In the 2023 World Cup, his suggestion to change formation took an injury-hit squad all the way to the final. The duo are close, often huddled on the bench looking over an iPad or tactics board and if anyone is to convince Wiegman a different approach is needed against Spain, it will be him. There lies the complexity of Wiegman's leadership, an ability to delegate, valuing the opinion of others, with a caring touch of someone whom the players consider as similar to a mum. Make no mistake though, her word is final, her approach steadfast. In doing so, she has forced change, on the pitch and in society, in a way that felt simply impossible to deny. Now her team operate in the same manner, never beaten, even when the odds are stacked against them — the same grit that led Wiegman to the grandest of stages in the first place. England v Spain
The Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot
TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. The big race of the day is the King George from Ascot at 4.10pm - back a horse by clicking their odds below and check out this 92-1 each-way double we think has a chance of landing. SWORD (3.00 Ascot, nap) Looks sharp in the big £150,000 International Handicap. He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. The bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. CALANDAGAN (4.10 Ascot, nb) He has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Read on for my King George 1-2-3 prediction. He looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. ASCOT 1.40 FITZELLA ran a cracker in the Albany here when she was much the best of the high-drawn horses and those up with the pace early. That was just her third run, and the daughter of Too Darn Hot already boasts a dominant Haydock maiden win, where she powered clear. The Dubawi filly is sister to Breeders' Cup hero Space Blues so is bred to be top class. She could improve significantly. Bella Lyra also brings Listed form to the table, having gone down narrowly in a strong Newmarket contest. Her smooth Windsor win before that was eye-catching and Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Amberia and Argentine Tango are closely tied in with Bella Lyra and have place claims. 2.20 JANCIS ran a stormer last time out in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, finishing fifth behind top-class Whirl and staying on nicely. She already has a Group 3 success on her CV from last season and dropping back to a mile holds no fears. Royal Dress is a big player after a dominant Listed win at Pontefract and she's shown her best over this distance. All ground suits and she won't be far away. Chantilly Lace brings strong Royal Ascot form from the Coronation where she still looked green after just three runs. The fact she was in that race shows what Ralph Beckett thinks of her and this should be easier. Cajole was just a length away in a Sandown Listed race last time and likes quick ground. The booking of William Buick for the Gosdens takes the eye. Lou Lou's Gift needed the run at Chelmsford after a year off and could nick a place. SWORD looks sharp in the £150,000 International Handicap (3.00 Ascot). He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. Akkadian Thunder, Aalto and Kodi Lion look the biggest dangers. Here's my big-race guide and rating out of five, with one the worst and five the best: ZOUM ZOUM 2 ZOUM raider. Listed second earlier this season but faded in the Wokingham and stamina a worry over this trip in a strongly-run race. CITY HOUSE 1 SIN City. Tidy Bahrain record but poor UK form and needs cheekpieces to work wonders. ARRAY 3 RAY of hope. Group 2 win last season on soft but form has dipped a little. Stays and may do better in hcap. NORTHERN EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS delivery. Won this last year and shaped well at Haydock last time. Solid chance from 2lb lower. GOLDEN MIND 2 MIND games. Consistent in early season but poor in the Wokingham last time. Good claimer on but needs more. GALERON 3 ON the hunt. Well handicapped on past Group form and shaped better than result last time. Place say. AKKADIAN THUNDER 4 THUNDER clap. Excellent second in the Buckingham Palace and no luck last time. Can produce another late surge and hit the frame. OLIVER SHOW 2 NO Show. Three AW wins last year and close second in the Lincoln before a poor run ehre latest. Needs best. YORKSHIRE 3 YORK talk. Fair run in Buckingham Palace and 1lb lower now. Likes it quick and can't be ignored. FRESH 3 GET Fresh. Won this in 2022 off 3lb higher and fitter for his comeback at Newcastle. Veteran but in place hunt. CERULEAN BAY 2 NAY Bay. In and out this year and below form in big handicaps. Needs more from this pretty lofty mark. NOBLE TRUTH 2 TRUTH or dare. Group winner in his prime but out of sorts this season and difficult to fancy despite falling handicap mark. BILLYJOH 3 GO Joh. Running well in major handicaps and Bunbury Cup third reads well so place claims again if pace collapses. KODI LION 4 LION roars. Impressive in a big field at Haydock and has good C&D form. Had excuses last time and should go close. QAZAQ 3 ZAQ attack. Cracking AW record and some promise over this trip at HQ last time. Can do better. AALTO 4 AALTO play for. Stormed home when second in Bunbury Cup and runs off same mark. Trip suits and William Buick takes over. LORD BERTIE 2 LORD help him. Has run well here before but recent form is poor and this looks tough. TWO TRIBES 2 TWO much. Long losing run but promise over this trip at HQ latest. This is tougher. CLASSIC 3 HAS Class. Ran well to land nice prize at Sandown last time over a mile. Drop in trip not ideal but a repeat could see him place. PALS BATTALION 1 NO Punter's Pal. Won on AW in spring but turf efforts have been poor this season. Hard to fancy. AL AMEEN 1 AL pass. Useful AW form and best over this trip but has sights raised here. SWORD 5 MIGHTY Sword. Bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. 3.35 BOPEDRO is a consistent performer at this level and he ran another massive race when less than a length away at York last time. His last Ascot run saw him go close in the Royal Hunt Cup so this straight mile is right up his street. He has plenty of weight but should be right there. Bullet Point sets the standard after his second in the Hunt Cup on top of three wins. A 3lb rise is fair and he'll go close for William Haggas albeit at a fairly skinny price. Teroomm met with real traffic problems in the Buckingham Palace here last time but had been in fine form earlier and could easily bounce back. All-weather winner Cosi Bello went close on his turf debut at Chester and is another in the mix along with Supido who ran well in the Britannia. 4.10 CALANDAGAN has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Jan Breughel is the one to fear again given he comes here fresher having not run since Epsom. He is a strong stayer but it's interesting to see Aidan O'Brien put cheekpieces on him today which should sharpen him up. It should be another good battle between the pair. Rebel's Romance is proven at this level and will be no pushover, but may just the legs of his younger rivals. Kalpana is a smashing filly. She's an Ascot Group 1 on her CV and gets weight, but she'll still need to find more to shine in this company. My 1-2-3 is: 1st Calandagan 2nd Jan Brueghel 3rd Rebel's Romance 2.00 ALZAHIR can keep his fantastic winning run going. He brought up the hat-trick well in a big field at Ascot last time and can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights. He will like this test and goes on any ground. There's every chance of the four-timer. Plenty of others lurk with chances. Elmonjed went close at Windsor and is still on a fair mark, while Strike Red, often the bridesmaid, gets conditions to suit and is weighted to go close. Jubilee Walk ran a cracker behind Alzahir at Chester on return and should come on for that, especially with a more prominent ride. Brooklyn Nine Nine is progressive and stayed on strongly to win last time – he's unexposed at this level and won't mind the ground. And don't give up on Korker, who returns to his favourite track. 2.40 ALMAQAM looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Stanhope Gardens was a respectable fifth in the Derby when he didn't seem to stay 1m4f after travelling well. Dropping in trip looks a wise move and he's another who handles slowish ground. Green Impact was sixth in the Irish Derby latest after winning a Listed contest around this trip. He has enough pace to be competitive for Jessica Harrington. Bay City Roller is proven in this grade and just about stayed this far in France last time so can't be ignored. 3.20 COPPER KNIGHT has a solid York record and the 11-year-old has looked up to the task this season in winning twice before going close here last time out. He's scored off marks 20lb higher than this in his prime and has enough boot left to strike here for Tim Easterby. He goes on any ground and his middle draw gives him options. Bona Fortuna has been knocking on the door over this trip and is only 2lb higher than his last win. He doesn't mind a bit of juice underfoot. 2022 winner Birkenhead went close at Ripon last time and is capable of holding on for a place if blasting off as usual with trainer Paul Midgley in decent nick. Fortunate Star is in flying form having won at Haydock before going close at Donny latest. He should still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip. Looking For Lynda is out of sorts but enjoys York and could hit the frame at tasty odds. Templegate's tips Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Italy withdraw from World University Games after gymnast seriously injured in fall
July 25 (Reuters) - Italy have withdrawn from the rest of the World University Games in Essen, Germany, after gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli suffered a fall during his routine, sustaining a serious neck injury that required surgery, news agency ANSA reported on Friday. Bonicelli remains in intensive care but is stable and his life is not in danger, the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) said, after the 23-year-old was rushed hospital where he underwent surgery following the incident. "From the University Hospital in Essen... we (learned) that today, the athlete, who remained conscious after the accident until the moment of surgery, was awakened from a medically-induced coma and is showing positive signs," the FGI said in a statement on Friday. Italy have withdrawn from the competition due to the emotional impact the incident had on the rest of the team, ANSA reported.
