Latest news with #SportsLegends
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Wayne Carey filmed in heated incident
AFL: North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey has been caught in a seemingly heated incident with a man outside a Melbourne pub.
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Jack Nicklaus remains ‘big fan' of Rory McIlroy despite Memorial Tournament miss
Jack Nicklaus admitted he was surprised that Rory McIlroy was not competing in his Memorial Tournament this week, but insisted he remained 'a big fan' of the Masters champion. McIlroy is skipping Nicklaus' annual event at Muirfield Village for the first time since 2017, meaning he will not have contested three of the PGA Tour's Signature Events so far this season. Advertisement The world number two did not enter the season-opening Sentry tournament in Hawaii and also passed on the RBC Heritage, although that was the week after winning the Masters to join Nicklaus as one of just six players to have completed a career grand slam. Asked at his traditional pre-tournament press conference for his reaction to McIlroy's absence, Nicklaus said: 'Yeah, it surprised me. 'But, you know, guys have got schedules and got things they do. And, you know, I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It's just his call. 'I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played to play or not play and sometimes it wasn't as popular as people thought it was. But, you know, sometimes you have to make those calls. Advertisement 'I don't hold anything against Rory for that. He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many in a row. 'He likes to play the week before a US Open. And so he…that's what he's doing. So, you know, I really don't have a comment on it. 'It's very difficult, very difficult. I mean, I'm a big Rory fan, I always have been. I'm sure that I will remain that way. I just, I was a little surprised, yes.' Nicklaus had lunch with McIlroy ahead of the Masters and gave his seal of approval to the Northern Irishman's shot-by-shot plan to tackle Augusta National, a plan which ultimately paid off with a play-off victory over Justin Rose following a rollercoaster final round. Advertisement 'After the Masters I dropped him a note and I told him, 'I don't think anybody's won by having four double bogeys',' Nicklaus added. 'And I said, 'but that just showed me how much talent you have to overcome that to win and how you played some unbelievably spectacular shots, such as the iron at seven that he hit over the tree that actually hit the tree'. McIlroy (pictured) is skipping Nicklaus's annual event at Muirfield Village for the first time since 2017 (David J Phillip/AP) 'The phenomenal iron he hit at 15, the shot he hit at 17. Then, of course, to miss that little short putt at 18…which was not very good. But he played some bad shots. The shot he hit at 13 (into Rae's Creek), I can't believe. 'But anyway, you know, I was very happy for him. It was a great win and it got the monkey off his back. And to me, the monkey was not the grand slam. The monkey was the Masters. Advertisement 'Now, the Grand Slam was a product of winning the Masters. If you ask him which was more important, I think he would have to say the Masters. That's because it was.'
The National
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
'It feels right': Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
India batting legend Virat Kohli followed Rohit Sharma into Test retirement on Monday, calling time on one of the greatest careers in modern history. Kohli finishes his stellar career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties to his name, along with a best of 254 not out. His decision came days after India captain Rohit announced his departure from the longest format. 'It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,' Kohli, 36, said in a post on Instagram. 'Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life. 'As I step away from this format, it's not easy – but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for.' 'I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. 'I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile.' The exits of Kohli and Rohit come just as the Indian team for the Test tour of England is to be announced. According to multiple reports, both veteran batters were on short notice following a horror Test run late last year, where India lost badly at home to New Zealand and in Australia. After averaging close to 55 at his peak between 2011 and 2019, Kohli could only score at 32.56 over the last two seasons. Both batters failed to make a sizeable impact, although it was believed Kohli was in a better position as he scored a century in Australia and could have provided experience to the batting line-up in England. However, since India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final, the tour of England – which begins on June 20 and includes five Tests – was seen as a fresh start by the Indian board. Rohit had reportedly been told that the team wanted to go ahead with a new captain, which made his position in the side untenable. The board, however, wanted Kohli to continue in Test cricket for the time being. However, Kohli decided to close a second chapter of his stupendous career, having already retired from T20s after the World Cup win last year. While Kohli enjoyed tremendous success as an ODI and T20 player, it was in Test cricket where he left his biggest impact, especially as a captain. Under Kohli, India became a truly competitive Test team, remaining unbeaten at home and clinching decisive victories away. Kohli won 40 of his 68 Tests in charge of India, becoming the country's most successful skipper in the format. Only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) won more Tests as captains. More importantly, he brought in a ruthlessness to the Indian team, enforced strict fitness guidelines and nurtured a potent pace attack that is still serving the country well. He guided India to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, where they lost to New Zealand. Fans of Kohli, and Rohit, will now have to wait to see them in India colours as they are now available only for ODIs. With 50-over contests few and far between, and mostly confined to the period leading up to a World Cup, both greats are unlikely to be seen on the ground often. India's next major assignment is the T20 World Cup at home in early 2026 and then the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
