MASTERS UPDATE: TIGER WOODS CONFIRMS HE WILL ATTEND AUGUSTA NATIONAL "EITHER WAY" FOR 2026
Tiger Woods admits to a "rough road" after a frustrated TGL return, leaving his 2026 Masters status in serious doubt.
Tiger Woods says he’s still trying to get fit for The Masters next month, but he knows the clock’s not exactly on his side.
He made his golf comeback with Jupiter Links GC in Tomorrow’s Golf League, teaming up with Tom Kim and Max Homa. It’s been a while since Woods last played TGL in February 2025, when he tore his Achilles and had disc replacement surgery in his back. So, yeah, it’s been a rough road.
After his return on Tuesday, Woods didn’t sugarcoat things. He gave a pretty honest update about his chances at Augusta this year. You can tell he’s been keeping the door open for the 2026 Masters, but honestly, his appearance for Jupiter Links might’ve shaken up those plans.
Things actually started off looking good. Woods smashed a 279-yard drive on the second hole; it felt like a flash from the old Tiger. But that faded fast. His game unravelled, and by the seventh hole, he missed a three-yard putt, slammed his club into the ground, and his frustration was obvious.
Woods and his teammates just couldn’t keep up, and Jupiter Links ended up losing 9-2 to the Los Angeles Golf Club trio of Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala, and Tommy Fleetwood.
Afterwards, Tiger didn’t hold back: “We got our arse kicked. Three eagles in a row… I missed a short one to give them momentum, and we never got it back.”
Reporters quickly shifted the focus to The Masters. Even after a disappointing night, Woods still wants to play at Augusta National. “I want to play. I love the tournament. I’m going to be there either way with The Loop that's going up there, as well as the champions dinner. We’ll see how it goes. I’ll be practising and playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress.”
Honestly, it’s obvious why Woods wants to tee it up at Augusta. He’s won The Masters five times (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019) and made the cut a record 24 times. Looking at how things went in his latest outing, though, it’s hard to picture him adding to those numbers in a few weeks. But if anyone can surprise people, it’s probably Tiger.
TY SIMPSON OFFICIALLY ENTERS QB1 CONVERSATION FOR 2026 NFL DRAFT AFTER BAMA RUN
Ty Simpson challenges Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza for QB1 status in the 2026 NFL Draft after a breakout Bama season.
After waiting behind Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson’s only season as Alabama’s starter has propelled him into serious first-round talk for the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s even being discussed as the top quarterback prospect over Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, according to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky.
But not everyone agrees. Former LSU standout Breiden Fehoko tweeted his scepticism: 'Ty Simpson wasn’t even going to start at Bama in 2026, and here y’all go calling him QB1 this draft.' This is how GMs get fired. Watch.
Orlovsky, however, stands by his view that Simpson holds the edge over Mendoza. He pointed out that when comparing their bodies of work, Simpson carried more of the load for his team. The gap, he says, is clear when you consider who had to do more and who won more games during the season: that’s Simpson, no contest.
Mendoza enters the draft after an extraordinary season. He led Indiana to an undefeated national championship and took home the Heisman Trophy. Scouts see him as the most pro-ready passer but have concerns over his pressure-to-sack rate, which hovers around 18.9%, potentially an issue for teams with weak offensive lines.
Meanwhile, Simpson’s draft stock rose sharply during a strong four-game run facing Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee. His upcoming performance at Alabama’s Pro Day could be crucial, especially for teams looking at quarterbacks who bring mobility and playmaking alongside pocket passing.
Simpson’s experience is limited to just 15 college games, thanks to the stacked quarterback depth at Alabama. Still, once he became the starter, he delivered solid numbers: 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions in the 2025 season.
Former NFL safety Louis Riddick has been vocal about Simpson’s potential. Speaking on ESPN, Riddick said that seeing him throw in person reveals the kind of physical talent Simpson has. He’s confident in Simpson’s mental game but notes the physical attributes will really stand out when seen up close. Riddick expects Simpson to continue improving his draft stock.
Simpson will get another chance to impress scouts at Alabama’s Pro Day on Wednesday, which could be pivotal in shaping his position ahead of the draft.
DANIEL SUSAC BEAT VETERAN ERIC HAASE FOR GIANTS' BACKUP SPOT
San Francisco Giants release veteran Eric Haase, confirming Daniel Susac as the backup catcher for the 2026 season.
The San Francisco Giants kick off their season Wednesday night at home against the Yankees, looking for a fresh start after missing the playoffs last year.
Before their opening game, the team made a big roster move, letting go of veteran catcher Eric Haase. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic broke the news: “Eric Haase was released with Daniel Susac winning the backup catcher job. Hentges, Peguero and Sanmartin all start the season on the IL, with Sanmartin out for several months.”
Haase, who joined the Giants after a brief stint with the Brewers, hit .229 with two home runs last season but only played 30 games. He's been around for eight big-league seasons, getting his start as a seventh-round draft pick back in 2011. Along the way, he’s spent time with the Guardians and Tigers; his best year by far was 2021 with Detroit, when he pounded out 22 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 48 runs in just 98 games.
Looking at his numbers over 383 career games, Haase owns a .228 average, 48 homers, 160 RBIs, and 134 runs. He’s 33 now, still young enough to become a steady presence for another team whenever an opportunity pops up.
Just a few weeks ago in spring training, Michael Monreal from Just Baseball pointed out, “Eric Haase with a home run to centre field. 99.8 mph, 383 feet. Susac is likely the frontrunner for the backup spot, but Haase has plenty of experience in the big leagues. Many forget he was one of the better offensive catchers in the league in 2021 and ’22.”
Now, the Giants head into the new season fresh off a forgettable 81-81 record. They haven’t seen the playoffs since 2021, when they ran into the Dodgers and bowed out in the NLDS. This year, they’re hoping to change the story.
