Sports
Maniacal Masters? Players bracing for Augusta National at its crustiest
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jon Rahm reacts after a putt on the 10th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — With no rain in the forecast and sunny, warm conditions forecast through the weekend, the players in the 2026 Masters said they are at the mercy of the tournament officials setting up Augusta National for the final 54 holes.
“I think this could be the toughest Masters we’ve played in a while,” Ireland’s Shane Lowry said after posting a 2-under-par 70 in Thursday’s first round. “You look at the forecast. They can do whatever they want with the golf course this weekend.
“I think over the last few years we’ve had a day every year where it’s been raining or it’s been heavy rains. It’s kind of helped us a little bit, but I think before the week is out, it’s going to get very, very crusty around here.”
Patrick Reed was at 4 under when he struck what he thought was an excellent 7-wood into the par-5 15th hole. The ball landed on the green but bounded over it and down into the water 40 yards away.
Regardless of the bad break, Reed said bring it on when asked about the likelihood of an increasingly difficult Augusta National.
“They could make this place really, really hard if they wanted to,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised. We have the best players in the world here. Why not? Challenge us and make it difficult, because it’s one of these golf courses, though, if you hit quality golf shots, you’re going to get rewarded for it.
“If it’s going to firm up and it’s going to get faster and faster,” Reed continued, “you’re just going to have to hit quality golf shots and know where you are going to hit the ball.”
The par-5s — outside of the aforementioned 15th — were the only holes to play under par on Thursday. The par-4 seventh hole played the hardest at an average of 4.42 shots. The back nine had four of the six hardest holes in the first round, including the closing two holes tying for the fourth-hardest at 4.33.
The first-round scoring average steadily increased throughout the day and finished at 74.65.
Lowry, Reed and defending champion Rory McIlroy, who each took advantage of earlier tee times on Thursday, will go out in the afternoon on Friday, when conditions are expected to be at their firmest and fastest. Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, the co-leader at 5-under 67 with Sam Burns, tees off in the second-to-last group at 1:44 p.m.
He said conditions like these are why he switched to a softer golf ball that allows him to generate more spin and stop it quicker on the green.
“I’ve said for the last few years that I’ve started to really relish that type of golf. I really want to excel at that type of golf,” McIlroy said. “When these greens get fast — last year they got really fast and firm on Sunday — but I think you’re going to see that for the next three days.
“There’s still opportunities to shoot really, really good scores,” McIlroy added. “Look at Justin Rose last year on the final day. But it takes a very, very good, solid round of golf to do that.”
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Sports
White Sox place LHP Chris Murphy (elbow) on 15-day injured list
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Murphy (38) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images The Chicago White Sox placed left-handed reliever Chris Murphy on the 15-day injured list on Thursday because of left elbow impingement syndrome.
The move is retroactive to Wednesday. In other moves, the White Sox recalled left-hander Brandon Eisert and right-hander Duncan Davitt from Triple-A Charlotte and optioned lefty Tyler Schweitzer to the affiliate.
Murphy, 27, last pitched on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in two-thirds of an inning in a 4-2 home loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He is 1-0 with one save, a 10.50 ERA, five walks and six strikeouts in six innings over six relief appearances in his first season with Chicago.
The White Sox acquired Murphy from the Boston Red Sox on Nov. 18, 2025, for minor league catcher and designated hitter Ronny Hernandez.
Murphy was 4-2 with one save, a 4.15 ERA, 37 walks and 79 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in the 2023 and 2025 seasons. He did not play in 2024 following Tommy John surgery.
Boston selected Murphy in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of San Diego.
Eisert, 28, is a career 3-8 with two saves, a 4.36 ERA, 29 walks and 76 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays (three games in 2024) and White Sox (72 games in 2025).
Schweitzer, 25, made his major league debut on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings of relief in a 5-3 home setback to the Orioles.
Davitt, 26, has not appeared in a major league game. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 18th round of the 2022 draft and traded on July 31, 2025, to the White Sox.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stanford star G Ebuka Okorie enters NBA draft
Mar 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) on the court in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Stanford star guard Ebuka Okorie said Thursday that he is declaring for the NBA draft after leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring as a freshman.
Okorie was overlooked by top-flight programs during the recruiting process but was a big hit with the Cardinal. He ranked eighth nationally with a 23.2 scoring average to go with 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals and was earned honorable mention All-America status.
“A year ago you guys took a chance on a kid from New Hampshire with zero high major offers, welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court,” Okorie said on Instagram. “… I’m truly blessed and humbled with this opportunity, and I’m thankful to Stanford for helping me chase my dreams.”
Okorie scored 719 points this season, third most in Stanford history. He finished behind Chasson Randle (724 in 2014-15) and leader Adam Keefe (734 in 1991-92).
Okorie recorded eight 30-point outings, surpassing the mark of Duke’s Marvin Bagley III (seven in 2017-18) for ACC freshmen.
Okorie, who shot 46.5% from the field, is rated as a first-round pick with a possibility of moving into the lottery.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Bucs adding CBs Chase Lucas, Kemon Hall
Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chase Lucas (26) after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adding to their depth at cornerback with one-year contracts for free agents Chase Lucas and Kemon Hall, according to reports on Thursday.
Lucas, 29, has agreed to join the Bucs, per NFL Network, after recording nine tackles in 15 games last season for San Francisco. He played on 53% of the 49ers’ special teams snaps (204) and 10% of the defensive snaps (98).
He has played in 33 regular-season games for the Detroit Lions (2022-23) and 49ers (2025) as well as a total of four playoff games and has 15 career tackles.
Detroit selected Lucas in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Arizona State.
Hall, 28, is signing with Tampa Bay, per an ESPN report, after playing in four games last season for the Tennessee Titans and making nine tackles. He was in on 64% of the special teams snaps (70) and 30% of the defensive snaps (66).
He has played in 28 career games for the Los Angeles Chargers (2021-22), Dallas Cowboys (2024) and Titans (2025) and has 24 career tackles and one forced fumble.
–Field Level Media
White Sox place LHP Chris Murphy (elbow) on 15-day injured list
Stanford star G Ebuka Okorie enters NBA draft
