Sports
Rory McIlroy encouraged by game heading into challenge at Riviera
February 15, 2026; Pebble Beach, California, USA; Rory McIlroy on the second hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images As a student of the game from an historical standpoint, five-time major champion Rory McIlroy has an appreciation for playing in a tournament like this week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.
The event returns to its home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., after a one-year hiatus because of the fires there and the Los Angeles area. McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, was asked at a news conference why Riviera, established 100 years ago, has stood the test of time.
“I think the green complexes are a big part of it,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, we haven’t been here in a year, obviously, and I just, I don’t know why I was surprised but some of the movement and some of how much break you have to play on a lot of the putts out here, it just, I don’t know why I didn’t remember but it’s like wow, this is — so the greens provide a challenge in themselves.
“Then you get a little bit of wind and it starts to swirl in this valley a bit and it starts to play pretty tricky,” he continued.
The native of Northern Ireland knows something about playing in windy conditions. The course conditions could change, McIlroy asserted, if the tournament at the iconic golf club was moved to later in the year, possibly August, as part of widely discussed changes to the PGA Tour’s annual schedule.
“This week it doesn’t matter if you hit it in the fairway or not,” McIlroy said. “It’s actually a benefit sometimes if you do hit it in the rough because the ball’s not going to come spinning back on you.
“So if you do get it in August where the greens are firm, there’s more of a consideration of strategy off the tee especially, and it starts to make the guys think a little bit,” he continued. “It certainly becomes a much more strategic golf course in that way. … but even if you moved it a little bit later in the year there just to have the opportunity to have better weather and firmer conditions, that would be a good thing.”
McIlroy, 36, made his first start of the PGA Tour season last weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He tied for 14th after rounds of 68-67-72-64 for 17-under par.
He felt like he shook off a little bit of rust.
“Felt like I learned quite a bit about my game last week, played well for a lot of it,” McIlroy said. “Obviously made some big numbers which kept me from being right in contention on Sunday, but I feel like there’s enough good in there to be encouraged going into this week.”
McIlroy has won 29 times on the PGA Tour, most recently the Masters Tournament last April to complete a career Grand Slam and end his 11-year major drought.
He returned to Augusta National Golf Club to do “some filming” for promotional purposes. He has plans next week to play a round with his father, Gerry, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.
“It was cool to get up to the champions locker room and see my nameplate alongside the other two champions that I share a locker with,” McIlroy said of his first visit back to Augusta. “Yeah, it was somewhat nostalgic. I wouldn’t say it was emotional but definitely there was nice memories. Yeah, different feels the first time staying on site without having to need a member there. There’s a lot of perks you get with being a champion.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Streaking Quakes may be without key player at Toronto
Apr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.
The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.
It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.
“We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”
Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.
Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.
“I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.
The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jack Adams Award finalists: Jon Cooper, Dan Muse, Lindy Ruff
Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff coaches against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse and Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff are the three finalists for the 2026 Jack Adams Award, the league announced Friday.
The award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the NHL as voted on by the National Broadcasters’ Association, will be announced at a later date.
Cooper, 58, guided the Lightning to a 50-26-6 record this season and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Cooper has been a finalist for this award on two occasions (2013-14, 2018-19) — however he has yet to win it.
Muse, 43, succeeded in his first season as head coach of the Penguins, leading the club to a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins posted a 41-25-16 record (98 points), which represented an 18-point increase from the previous season.
Ruff, 66, helped the Sabres halt a 14-year playoff drought by guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division with a 50-23-9 record. He previously won the Jack Adams Award in 2005-06, during his first stint with the Sabres.
Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals won the award last season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cowboys sign 1st-rounder Caleb Downs, five other picks
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Dallas Cowboys signed six of their seven picks from the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, including first-round selection Caleb Downs to his four-year rookie deal.
Downs, the 11th overall pick of the draft, will receive $28.95 million in fully guaranteed money that includes a $17.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.
The Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Downs, a safety. Dallas has yet to sign its other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who was selected with the 23rd overall pick.
Downs, a two-time consensus All-American, was named the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Ohio State and took home the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy.
His career totals include 164 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in 44 games for Alabama (2023) and Ohio State (2024-25).
In addition to Downs, the Cowboys signed third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham, fourth-round tackle Drew Shelton, fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore, fourth-round edge rusher LT Overton and seventh-round wide receiver Anthony Smith.
–Field Level Media
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