Why Rory McIlroy was 'annoyed' by PGA Championship failed driver test, skipped media

Why Rory McIlroy was 'annoyed' by PGA Championship failed driver test, skipped media

Rory McIlroyfinally talked about why he wasn't talking. The 2025 Masters winnerspoke for the first time Wednesday abouthis failed driver test at last month's PGA Championshipand defended his decision to skip speaking with reporters throughout the major tournament. McIlroy said during a pre-tournament news conference at thePGA Tour's RBC Canadian Openoutside Toronto that part of his silence was due to being "pretty annoyed" only his failed driver test was leaked to the public and not also Scottie Scheffler,according to Golfweek. Scheffler later revealed he also wasruled to have had a non-conforming driverduring PGA Championship week. "I was a little pissed off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it," McIlroy said. "I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because there's a lot of people that — I'm trying to protect Scottie. I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time. With Scottie's stuff, that's not my information to share. I knew that that had happened, but that's not on me to share that, and I felt that process is supposed to be kept confidential, and it wasn't for whatever reason. That's why I was pretty annoyed at that." 2025 RBC CANADIAN OPEN:Predictions, odds, sleeper picks McIlroy had a disappointing showing at the 2025 PGA Championship on the heels of becoming justthe sixth golfer in history to complete the sport's career grand slam. He finished in a tie for 47th (+3) and was never in contention after shooting a 74 in the first round. The RBC Canadian Open,which begins with first-round action on Thursday, is McIlroy's first PGA Tour event since the PGA Championship. But it was McIlroy's cold shoulder to reporters throughout the second major of the year that became as much the story as his performance. In explaining why he chose to do that, McIlroy called the PGA Championship "a bit of a weird week." He played poorly and wanted to practice after the first round, rather than speak with reporters. The second day of the tournament ended late and he wanted to get back to see his daughter, Poppy, before she went to bed. His tee time on Saturday got delayed from the morning to the afternoon and he felt too tired to speak with reporters afterwards. "Then Sunday, I just wanted to get on the plane and go back to Florida," McIlroy said. "From a responsibility standpoint, look, I understand, but if we all wanted to, we could all bypass you guys ... and we could go on social media and we could talk about our round and do it our own way," McIlroy added, addressing reporters and the PGA Tour media policy. "We understand that that's not ideal for you guys and there's a bigger dynamic at play here, and I talk to you guys and I talk to the media a lot." "I think there should be an understanding that this is a two-way street," he continued, "and as much as we need to speak to you guys, we understand the benefit that comes from you being here and giving us the platform and everything else. So I understand that. But again, I've been beating this drum for a long time. If they want to make it mandatory, that's fine, but in our rules it says that it's not, and until the day that that's maybe written into the regulations, you're going to have guys skip from time to time, and that's well within our rights." McIlroy also declined to speak with reporters after he blew a late lead with bogeys on three of the final four holesat the 2024 U.S. Open. His silence at the PGA Championship comes aftera similar discussion emerged when Collin Morikawa declined to hold a session with reportersafter he finished in second place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. ThoughMorikawa took criticism from golfers-turned-commentators like Brandel Chamblee and Rocco Mediate, McIlroy came to his defense. McIlroy is slated to play inthe 2025 U.S. Openat Oakmont Country Club beginning June 12 after his appearance at the RBC Canadian Open this week. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Rory McIlroy on silence, failed driver test at PGA Championship

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Why Rory McIlroy was 'annoyed' by PGA Championship failed driver test, skipped media

Why Rory McIlroy was 'annoyed' by PGA Championship failed driver test, skipped media Rory McIlroyfinally talked about why he wasn...

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Trump's support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death

Trump's support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death

NEW YORK (AP) —President Donald Trump's support of Pete Rose was among the factors Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed when he decided last month that permanent bans by the sport ended with death, which allows the career hits leader to be considered for the Hall of Fame. Manfred announcedthe new interpretation on May 13,a decision that allows Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered for a Hall committee vote in December 2027. "The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision," Manfred said Wednesday during a news conference at an owners meeting. "Obviously, I have respect for the office and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well." Rose and then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti agreed to a permanent ban in August 1989 after an investigation commissioned by MLB concluded Rose repeatedly bet on the Reds as a player and manager for the team from 1985-87, a violation of a long-standing MLB rule. The Hall of Fame in 1991 decided people on the permanent banned list were ineligible for consideration. "Those who really think about the reasons that I did it think that it is the right decision, and other people I think largely get confused with whether he's going to be in the Hall of Fame or not and maybe don't think that was so good," Manfred said. Robot umpires Computer technology to appeal ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season. Manfred said use of theAutomated Ball-Strike Systemwas likely to be considered by the 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives. During aspring training experiment in 288 games, teams were successful on 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges using theAutomated Ball-Strike System. "I do think that we're going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we'll see what comes out at the end of that," he said. "The teams are really positive about ABS. I do have that unscientific system that I use: my email traffic. And my distinct impression is that using ABS in spring training has made people more prone to complain of balls and strike calls via email to me referencing the need for ABS." An experiment witha technology system to challenge checked-swing callsstarted in the Class A Florida State League on May 20. That is not under consideration for MLB use in 2026. "I think we've got to get over the hump in terms of either doing ABS or not doing it before you'd get into the complication of a separate kind of challenge," Manfred said. Baseball in 2028 Olympics Baseball is returning to the Olympics in 2028 after being played from 1992 to 2008 and then in 2021. MLB is considering whether to allow big league players to be used at the 2028 Games. It did not allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Olympics and many teams discouraged top eligible prospects from playing. "We made some progress with LA 2028 in terms of what it could look like," Manfred said. "We have some other business partners that we need to talk to about, changes that would need to be made in order to accommodate the Olympics. I think we're going to go forward with that process." Manfred said the players' union appears to be supportive. Labor and possible salary cap proposal A decision on MLB's bargaining positions with the players' association, including whether to propose a salary cap, will be made after this season. Bargaining is likely to start in the spring of 2026 for a successor to the five-year agreement with the union thatended a 99-day lockout on March 10, 2022. The deal expires on Dec. 1, 2026. Anownership economic study committee was formed in early 2023, sparking speculation about a renewed push for a salary-cap system aimed at decreasing payroll disparity. "Payroll disparity is such a fact of life among the ownership group that there's not a lot of need for talking about whether we have it or not. Everybody kind of gets it," Manfred said. "We understand that it has become a bigger problem for us, but there has not been a lot of conversation about that particular topic." When MLB proposed a cap in 1994, players struck for 7 1/2 months in 1994 and '95, leading to the first cancellation of the World Series since 1904. "Obviously, over the winter we're going to have to decide what is going to be out there from our perspective, but no decisions on that topic so far," Manfred said. Broadcasting MLB hopes to reach a deal before the All-Star break on a Sunday night national broadcast package and for the Home Run Derby to replace the agreementESPN said in February it was ending after this season. Manfred said MLB is negotiating with three parties and is weighing traditional broadcasters and streaming services, who may pay more but have a smaller audience. Manfred regrets giving ESPN the right to opt out, which is causing a negotiation for rights lasting three seasons. MLB's contracts withFoxandTurnerend after the 2028 season. "If you're talking about what we're doing for the next three years, I would overweight reach," Manfred said. "The larger negotiation we'll have for the post-'28 period and we continue to believe that reach drives our live business." Tropicana Field repair Tampa Bay hopes to return to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, next season after playing home games this year across the bay at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees' spring training home. TheSt. Petersburg City Council approved $22.5 millionin April to repair the roof,destroyed by Hurricane Milton last Oct. 9. A new roof is being built in Germany and will be shipped to Florida. "Repair of the stadium is moving along. We remain optimistic that we will be ready either for opening day or very shortly thereafter," Manfred said. "Obviously, the big contingency is what happens with hurricane season." Athletics Las Vegas ballpark A formal groundbreaking hasn't taken place for the Athletics' planned ballpark to open in 2028, though work is being done at the site and aceremony could be held this month. "My understanding is they believe they're going to make opening day '28," Manfred said. Attendance up slightly from 2024 Attendance averaged 28,081 through Tuesday and 900 dates, up 1.4% from 27,687 through the same point last year, when MLB finished with a0.9% rise to 29,568for its highest average since 30,042 in 2017. MLB could finish with an average increase in three straight years not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time since 2004-07. Tariffs on baseballs While MLB is not concerned about Trump administration tariffs raising the cost of big league baseballs, which are manufactured in Costa Rica, the impact on minor league balls is a concern. "The minor league baseball is made in China. That's more of an issue," Manfred said. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Trump's support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death

Trump's support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death NEW YORK (AP) —President Donald Trump...

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Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says

Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says

About 10.9 million Americans would lose health insurance coverage under the PresidentDonald Trump's tax cut bill that cleared the House but faces a tough test in the Senate, a new analysis shows. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said about 10.9 million Americans would lose health insurance coverage through 2034 under the bill, including 1.4 million undocumented residents who get coverage through state-funded programs. The legislation that cleared the House would require nondisabled Americans on Medicaid to work at least 80 hours per month or qualify for an exemption, such as being a student or caregiver. The bill also would strip coverage to immigrants who get Medicaid through state-funded programs. The analysis said the bill would cut federal spending by about $1.3 trillion through 2034. But it would also deliver tax cuts of $3.75 trillion, and the federal deficit would increase nearly $2.4 trillion over the next decade. Health analysts said if the Medicaid changes as well as tweaks to the Affordable Care Act marketplace clear Congress, the effects on health insurance coverage would be significant. The CBO earlierestimatednearly 4 million people would lose health insurance coverage through 2034 if Congress did not extend sweetened COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits that have made ACA plans more affordable for consumers. Trump's Medicaid overhaul as well as the expiration of the more generous ACA tax credit could jeopardize health insurance coverage for nearly 15 million people, said Kathy Hempstead, a senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "We're making a giant U-turn here," said Hempstead. "Are we really going to be a thriving, productive society if we have a huge share of our population uninsured?" Hempstead said the uninsured might delay care and accrue more medical debt. She also said hospitals and doctors also will take a financial hit as uncompensated care rises. "There's going to be a big hit on on the health care economy as people stop getting care and start trying to get care that they can't pay for," Hempstead said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:CBO says 10.9 million to lose insurance under Trump tax bill

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says

Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says About 10.9 million Americans would lose health in...

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Trump orders investigation into Biden's actions as president, ratcheting up targeting of predecessor

Trump orders investigation into Biden's actions as president, ratcheting up targeting of predecessor

WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumpon Wednesday directed his administration to investigate Joe Biden's actions as president, alleging aides masked his predecessor's "cognitive decline" and casting doubts on the legitimacy of hisuse of the autopento sign pardons and other documents. The order marked a significant escalation inTrump's targeting of political adversariesand could lay the groundwork for arguments by the Republican that a range of Biden's actions as president were invalid. Biden responded in a statement Wednesday night: "Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn't is ridiculous and false." The Justice Department under Democratic and Republican administrations has recognized the use of an autopen to sign legislation and issue pardons for decades, Trump presented no evidence that Biden was unaware of the actions taken in his name, and the president's absolute pardon power is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. "This conspiracy marks one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history," Trump wrote in a memo. "The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power, all while Biden's signature was deployed across thousands of documents to effect radical policy shifts." Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House counsel David Warrington to handle the investigation. It's unclear how far Trump will push this effort, which would face certain legal challenges. But it reflects his fixation on Biden, whodefeated him in 2020, an election that Trump never conceded and continues tofalsely claim was riggedagainst him. Trump frequently suggests that Biden was wrong to use an autopen, a mechanical device that replicates a person's authentic signature. Although they've been used in the White House for decades, Trump claims that Biden's aides were usurping presidential authority. Biden issued pardons for his two brothers and his sister shortly before leaving office, hoping to shield them from potential prosecution under Trump, who had promised retribution during last year's campaign. Other pardon recipients included members of a congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Trump often suggests that his political opponents should be investigated, and he has directed the Justice Department to look into people who have angered him over the years. They include Chris Krebs, a former cybersecurity official who disputed Trump's claims of a stolen election in 2020, and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who wrote an anonymous op-ed sharply critical of the president in 2018. Meanwhile, House Oversight ChairmanJames Comerof Kentucky, a Republican, requested transcribed interviews with five Biden aides, alleging they had participated in a "cover-up" that amounted to "one of the greatest scandals in our nation's history." "These five former senior advisors were eyewitnesses to President Biden's condition and operations within the Biden White House," Comer said in a statement. "They must appear before the House Oversight Committee and provide truthful answers about President Biden's cognitive state and who was calling the shots." Interviews were requested with White House senior advisers Mike Donilon and Anita Dunn, former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, former deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed and Steve Ricchetti, a former counselor to the president. Comer reiterated his call for Biden's physician, Kevin O'Connor, and former senior White House aides Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams and Neera Tanden to appear before the committee. He warned subpoenas would be issued this week if they refuse to schedule voluntary interviews. "I think that people will start coming in the next two weeks," Comer told reporters. He added that the committee would release a report with its findings, "and we'll release the transcribed interviews, so it'll be very transparent." Democrats have dismissed the effort as a distraction. "Chairman Comer had his big shot in the last Congress to impeach Joe Biden and it was, of course, a spectacular flop," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Maryland Democrat who served as the ranking member on the oversight committee in the previous Congress. "And now he's just living off of a spent dream. It's over. And he should give up the whole thing." Republicans on the committee are eager to pursue the investigation. "The American people didn't elect a bureaucracy to run the country," said Rep. Brandon Gill, a freshman Republican from Texas. "I think that the American people deserve to know the truth and they want to know the truth of what happened." The Republican inquiry so far has focused on the final executive actions of Biden's administration, which included the issuing of new federal rules and presidential pardons that they claim may be invalid. Comer cited the book "Original Sin" by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson, which details concerns and debates inside the White House and Democratic Party over Biden's mental state and age. In the book, Tapper and Thompson wrote, "Five people were running the country, and Joe Biden was at best a senior member of the board." Biden and members of his family have vigorously denied the book's claims. "This book is political fairy smut for the permanent, professional chattering class," said Naomi Biden, the former president's granddaughter. Bidenwithdrewfrom the presidential race last summer after adebateagainst Trump in which he appeared to lose his train of thought multiple times, muttered inaudible answers and misnamed different government programs. The disastrous debate performancepushedquestions about his age and mental acuity to the forefront, ultimately leading Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. He was replaced on the ticket by Kamala Harris, wholostthe election to Trump.

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Trump orders investigation into Biden's actions as president, ratcheting up targeting of predecessor

Trump orders investigation into Biden's actions as president, ratcheting up targeting of predecessor WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald T...

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Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player

TORONTO (AP) — Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Ted Lindsay award as the NHL's most outstanding player as chosen by his peers. The NHL Players' Association announced the honor Wednesday. Kucherov and Colorado teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar were the finalists for the trophy as voted on by members of the NHLPA. Kucherov was the league's leading scorerwith 121 points on 37 goals and 84 assists. He is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player along with Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl and Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 31-year-old Russian winger is a back-to-back Art Ross Trophy winner after also leading the NHL in points last season. He took home the Hart in 2019 and helpedTampa Bay win the Stanley Cupin 2020 and '21. Since Kucherov became a full-time player in the league in 2014-15, only Oilers captain Connor McDavid has more regular-season points, 1,082 to 976. ___ AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player TORONTO (AP) — Nikita Kucherov of the Ta...

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Cristiano Ronaldo scores game-winner to send Portugal past Germany into Nations League final

Cristiano Ronaldo scores game-winner to send Portugal past Germany into Nations League final

For the second time in the four years that it's run, Portugal is headed to the UEFA Nations League final. And it has the foot of Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for it. Ronaldo scored the game-winner in Wednesday's semifinal match to propel Portugal to a 2-1 win over Germany. The win is Portugal's first against Germany since 2000. And it puts Portugal in position to win a second Nations League title after winning the inaugural event in 2019. Germany struck first on Wednesday with a header by Florian Wirtz in the 48th minute to give the Germans a 1-0 lead. THERE IT IS 😤Florian Wirtz gives Germany the lead! 🇩🇪pic.twitter.com/QgJ4WpkgKt — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer)June 4, 2025 Portugal then tied the game in the 63rd minute with a Francisco Conceição goal from the top of the box, setting up Ronaldo's heroics just minutes later. With the game tied at 1-1 in the 68th minute, Portugal's Nuno Mendes attacked from the left side of the box. He then sent a pass to the center of the goal box that Ronaldo one-timed past goaltender Marc-André ter Stegen. RONALDO FOR THE LEAD!!!!!!PORTUGAL ON TOP!!!!pic.twitter.com/G6XFEhV2Xv — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer)June 4, 2025 From there, Germany did not get another shot on goal as Portugal held on to advance to the final. In the final, Portugal will take on the winner of Thursday's other semifinal between Spain and France. The final will take place on Sunday. The Nations League was established in 2018 by UEFA as a European competition with stakes in some of the years in which the quadrennial European Championship doesn't take place. It takes place every two years. Portugal won the first competition in 2019, followed by Italy in 2021 and Netherlands in 2023.

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo scores game-winner to send Portugal past Germany into Nations League final

Cristiano Ronaldo scores game-winner to send Portugal past Germany into Nations League final For the second time in the four years that it...

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Army leaders defend parade and border spending as Congress presses for answers

Army leaders defend parade and border spending as Congress presses for answers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army leaders on Wednesday defended spending as much as $45 million toadd a paradeto the service's 250th birthday celebration on June 14 in Washington, saying it will help boost recruitment, as Congress members argued that the money could be better spent on troops' barracks or other priorities. Members of the House Armed Services Committee also said they are concerned that the Defense Department is shifting about $1 billion from a variety of accounts — including base housing — to cover the costs of shoring up the defense of the southern border. Spending for the parade has become a flashpoint since it comes at a time when theTrumpadministration is slashing funding for personnel and programs across the federal government, including the Defense Department. While the Army has long planned for a festival on the National Mall to celebrate its 250th birthday, theparade was just recently added.President Donald Trump has long wanted a military parade in the city, after seeing an elaborate one in France on Bastille Day during his first presidential term, and June 14 is also his birthday. U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., questioned whether the additional cost of the parade was appropriate since all the military services are facing 8% budget cuts, and said perhaps it could be used to improve troops' quality of life or warfighting capabilities. He prodded Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll on what he would prioritize if Congress wrote him a blank check for $45 million. Driscoll replied that he thinks the parade offers a chance to tell the public about the Army. "I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom and will fill up our pipeline for the coming years," he said. At the same time, he and Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army, told lawmakers that the service has now met its recruiting goal for the year — with 61,000 recruits.Army officials have predictedfor months that they would hit the target early after making a series of changes to recruiting programs, recruiters and policies over the past several years. That prompted Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., to ask why the parade was needed for recruiting if it's already surging. Driscoll said the Army believes the parade "will empower an entire new generation of America's youth to catch the spirit to serve their nation." Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc., defended the parade spending, saying "you cannot put a price tag on patriotism." House members on both sides of the aisle pressed the Army about a recent request to shift money from across the budget to support the southern border. The biggest concern, they said, is that it takes money away from base housing, which has been plagued with persistent problems, including mold, rodents and raw sewage in barracks. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., agreed the nation needs a strong border, but said lawmakers worked for the past year on a broad effort to address the housing problems. "I feel like a decision was made that undermined this whole effort that we spent the last year doing.," he said. Pressed on the issue by Carbajal, George acknowledged that redirecting the money has an impact on the barracks. "If we took $1 billion out of barracks, we would be able to fix less barracks," he agreed, but also said, ""You have to make choices, congressman."

byMario Satorik

in

June 04, 2025

Army leaders defend parade and border spending as Congress presses for answers

Army leaders defend parade and border spending as Congress presses for answers WASHINGTON (AP) — Army leaders on Wednesday defended spending...

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