CJ Fulton on proving he belongs at NBA Summer League, mixing with Real Madrid stars and what comes next
Five years ago, on the back of leading Belfast Star to the All-Ireland Superleague crown, the St Malachy's College student had left home as an 18-year-old for the Winchendon School, a mile from the centre of Boston in preparation for a university scholarship. The American sojourn culminated in a history-making five-game NBA Summer League experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves that he and his family are still absorbing.
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Scotsman
40 minutes ago
- Scotsman
How will Hibs line up for Easter Road classic? Europa League predicted XI
Hibs welcome FC Midtjylland to Easter Road tonight for a Europa League clash that could go a long way to helping David Gray's men make history. So who does the gaffer trust to get the job done? After last week's 1-1 draw in front of fewer than 9000 souls at the far from intimidating MCH Arena, the Danes know they're in for a totally different experience in Edinburgh. Hibs have already claimed the honour of a biggest home crowd in the modern era, with a dearth of travelling fans mean over 18,500 Hibees will be there to roar on their heroes. Few expect Gray to tinker much with the 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 that worked so well for Hibs in Herning. Aided by a lightning start, almost scoring from kick-off, the Scots really rocked their hosts on home soil. Gray is still missing two potential starters and one useful impact sub, with Lewis Miller just coming up short in his bid to get fit for this contest, while club captain Joe Newell and teen star Rudi Molotnikov remain out injured. All are getting closer to a return. 'Millsy's desperate to try and get himself ready for this one, so he's pushed himself and pushed himself, he is back on the grass unfortunately not quite ready yet, but it's days rather than weeks because of the impact that he had,' said Gray. 'He's just going to come up just short before this one because he's probably nearly creeping towards two weeks but he's back on the grass, back running, changing direction today, so still have potential for the weekend. 'Joe is slightly further back, him and Rudi, although Rudi's getting maybe slightly closer, the two of them are hoping to be back full training, all being well, maybe Monday, back joining the group. Clearly Joe's been out for quite a significant period though, so it will take a bit of building back up again but it's good signs that the both of them could be looking to get back involved in training Monday and we'll build him up from there.' With club record signing Thibault Klidje pushing for more game time and Nicky Cadden itching to get back in from the start, Gray does have decisions to make. Here's how we think the big calls will go: 1 . GK Jordan Smith Established No. 1, despite the summer arrival of Raphael Sallinger, reinforced his standing with a solid performance in Denmark last week. Hibs need him to be at his absolute best. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . RCB Warren O'Hora Irish defender performed admirably in the first leg. With Lewis Miller still a few days shy of full fitness, O'Hora definitely starts. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . CB Rocky Bushiri The big man specialises in 'Sliding Doors' moments. Another one on the cards tonight? Coped brilliantly with the threat of Franculino Dju last week. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . LCB Jack Iredale Absolutely rock solid in defence, the Aussie will hope to be more involved going forward tonight. | SNS Group Photo Sales
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Montgomerie warns Bradley over difficulty of Ryder Cup playing captain
The 39-year-old was parachuted in after Tiger Woods turned the American captaincy down last year but is arguably in the form of his life just two months before the biennial dust-up in New York. Bradley won the BMW Championship last August and then the Travellers Championship a month ago, beating European star Tommy Fleetwood on the last hole, and is currently seventh in the world rankings. He is also 10th in the USA's Ryder Cup standings, a two-year rolling points race that sees the top six automatically qualify. The two captains then pick their final six players in the teams of 12, potentially leaving Bradley in an awkward position of deciding whether to choose himself. The 2011 PGA Championship winner has been in two Ryder Cup teams before but lost on both occasions, including in 2012 when Europe came from behind to win in what was dubbed the 'miracle of Medinah'. There has not been a playing captain since Arnold Palmer skippered USA in 1963 and Montgomerie, who captained Europe to victory in 2010 at Celtic Manor, has warned there will be extra pressure on Bradley's shoulders should he choose to play. 'It's a very difficult one, I can't speak for him. He could do [be a playing captain], it's possible, but it's a very difficult ask,' said Montgomerie, speaking at the launch of Ernie Els' new golf club, Els Club Vilamoura. 'There's the media attention and then he could be playing in the morning and have to put his team in [whilst] on the 15th or 16th hole, and he's concentrating on his own game. So, it'll be difficult.' Team Europe will cross the Atlantic led again by former world number one Luke Donald. The Englishman successfully guided his team to glory in Rome two years ago, downing Zach Johnson's USA side 16.5-11.5. The win maintains Europe's winning record on home soil that stretches back to 1993, while they have lost their last three trips to America. Montgomerie, who played in eight Ryder Cups, winning on five occasions including twice on US soil in 1995 and 2004, did point out that having such an effective player missing out might sway the thinking of both Bradley and the team as a whole. He continued: 'It's a very, very interesting dilemma that America have. 'They want their best 12 players, as do Europe. And if Keegan Bradley and the rest of the team feel that he's in the top 12 then obviously he should be playing. 'It'd be terrible if America lost by, say, half a point, and Keegan Bradley wasn't playing. 'They would then say, 'if only he was playing,' right? So, yes, they have a bit of a dilemma. But I can't say if it's right or wrong, it's up to the American team to do what they think is best.' Montgomerie played a nine-hole exhibition to open the Els Club Vilamoura alongside four-time major winner Els and 2001 Open Champion David Duval. The Algarve course is a championship-standard 18-hole golf course that features a luxury clubhouse and signature amenities such as the 261 Bar, and was built on the redesigned Victoria course, which hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022. It will host the new PGA Champions Tour event, the Portugal Invitational, after signing a five-year deal. The first edition of the event is set to be held between 31 July to 2 August 2026. Els said: 'Golf is in the pretty sweet spot at the moment and [creating this course] has been a really nice venture. We want the conditions to be absolutely perfect and for people to have a great experience and good food.' Montgomerie added: 'The golf course is superb, and the clubhouse is fantastic. It's not just a course for the present; it's a course for the future as well.' PGA TOUR Champions announces the Portugal Invitational to be held at The Els Club Vilamoura on course designed by Ernie Els. PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo de Algarve will deliver a five-year partnership and will debut the week of July 27, 2026, and will feature a field of 78 players. For more information visit
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ignore Trump and give Open to Turnberry urges Montgomerie
The US president bought the famous Scottish course in 2014 and The Open has stayed away since, with 2009 marking its last staging. Former R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said The Open would not return to Turnberry until Trump was out of politics and the focus would be solely on golf. However, his replacement, Mark Darbon, announced he has held talks with Trump's son, Eric, about the logistical challenges Turnberry has, rather than politics. There are also reports Trump has asked the UK government to step in and convince The R&A to take its prized event back to his course. Turnberry, famous for its picturesque coastline and iconic lighthouse, is renowned as one of the best courses in the world and is a fans and players' favourite. Colin Montgomerie playing at the Els Club in Vilamoura (Image: Andre Pires Santos) It was the scene of Tom Watson's famous win over Jack Nicklaus in the 1977 Open, dubbed the 'duel in the sun', and Watson's near-fairytale in 2009, when the then-59-year-old almost won but bogeyed the last hole and lost in a play-off to Stewart Cink. The Open have not yet announced the venue for the 2028 Open, which is set to be pushed back from its usual July slot due to the Olympics. And Scottish legend Montgomerie, 62, insists Turnberry would be the best choice. 'Let's hope that we can get it back there as soon as we can,' he said, speaking at the launch of Ernie Els' new golf club, Els Club Vilamoura. 'Because it definitely is the best course, and we should be seeing the best players on the best courses. 'It's a pity, isn't it, that Turnberry is not currently on the rota 'It's the best. We all accept it's the best course in Britain, [certainly the] best links course in Britain, and it's a shame, because of its standard, that it's not on the rota.' Montgomerie is not the only golf heavyweight to throw his name behind the campaign. American superstar Bryson DeChambeau, a fan of Trump's, said he is all for it. "It's one of the best golf courses in the world, and I'd love for it to be a part of the rotation,' he said. "Albeit I haven't played it, I've heard so many great things about it, and any time you get to play a special historical golf course like that, I think it's worthy of it, for sure." The R&A has pointed to the growth of The Open and Turnberry's lack of infrastructure as the reason for staying away. In 2009, 120,000 people attended Turnberry, compared to the 280,000 that visited Royal Portrush to see Scottie Scheffler win his fourth major title last week. R&A chief executive Darbon said: "We love the golf course - we've not taken it out of our pool of venues - but we have some big logistical issues there.' Montgomerie played a nine-hole exhibition to open the Els Club Vilamoura alongside four-time major winner Els and 2001 Open Champion David Duval. The Algarve course is a championship-standard 18-hole golf course that features a luxury clubhouse and signature amenities such as the 261 Bar, and was built on the redesigned Victoria course, which hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022. It will host the new PGA Champions Tour event, the Portugal Invitational, after signing a five-year deal. The first edition of the event is set to be held between 31 July to 2 August 2026. Els said: 'Golf is in the pretty sweet spot at the moment and [creating this course] has been a really nice venture. We want the conditions to be absolutely perfect and for people to have a great experience and good food.' Montgomerie added: 'The golf course is superb, and the clubhouse is fantastic. It's not just a course for the present; it's a course for the future as well.' PGA TOUR Champions announces the Portugal Invitational to be held at The Els Club Vilamoura on course designed by Ernie Els. PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo de Algarve will deliver a five-year partnership and will debut the week of July 27, 2026, and will feature a field of 78 players. For more information visit
