FORT WORTH, Texas: Scottie Scheffler knew he had to make a bunch of birdies in the third round at Colonial for any chance to win in his third consecutive start. The world’s No. 1 player did just that, but also had three bogeys on the back nine.
Coming off his third major victory at the PGA Championship a week ago, but starting the weekend 10 strokes off the lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Scheffler shot a 6-under 64 Saturday with eight birdies and an eagle at Hogan’s Alley. That got him to 7-under 203 and within six strokes of co-leaders Ben Griffin and Matti Schmid, who both birdied the first three holes before settling for 2-under 68s.
“You are always going to hope to go play a perfect round. It basically never happens,” Scheffler said. “I mean, three bogeys definitely hurts, especially when you are trying to chase, but overall I did some good things.”
With another big round Sunday, Scheffler could become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win in three starts in a row, and the only player other than Ben Hogan in 1946 to win the Byron Nelson and Colonial in the same season. Scheffler won his beloved hometown CJ Cup Byron Nelson earlier this month when matching the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 253 for an eight-stroke win.
“I would say mentally I definitely am a bit tired. I’m definitely taking a lighter schedule this week than I normally would at a tournament, but overall my game, it feels like it’s in a good spot. I felt like I was able to get some good rest to start this week,” he said. “I’m just out here battling. I had a good day today. The first two days definitely could have been a bit better, but we’ll see how things shake out ... and see what I can do tomorrow.”
Two Colonial winners have overcome seven-stroke deficits in the final round, including Sam Burns three years ago when he beat good friend Scheffler on the first playoff hole. That matched Nick Price’s record seven-shot comeback in 1994, when he caught Scott Simpson and won on the first extra hole.
Scheffler, who teed off about two hours before the co-leaders, got to 8 under for the week with an eagle at the 637-yard 11th hole, where he got on the green in two shots and made the 15-foot putt. That followed consecutive birdies as Nos. 9 and 10, and starting the back nine with an approach to 2 1/2 feet.
His most impressive shot of the day came after his 347-yard drive at No. 7 into a native area of grass well left and at least 20 feet below the fairway. His ball was about 140 yards from the hole in an area where he said “the grass was more airy than it was thick.” With a gap through the trees to the green, he hit it to 15 feet of the pin and just missed making a spectacular birdie.
“It was kind of an interesting one because the lie at first looked bad,” Scheffler said.
But Scheffler didn’t avoid bogeys after tee shots into bunkers at Nos. 12 and 13. He eventually two-putted from 40 feet at the 453-yard 12th hole, then his tee shot at the par-3 13th went into the sand fronting the green on the edge of a pond. He hit that within 5 feet, but missed the par save and after tapping in the bogey batted the ball out of the air and off the green with his putter.
He had consecutive birdies at Nos. 16 and 17 before missing the fairway at No. 18 to finish with another bogey.
“I think maybe you have to do a little bit more to amp yourself up when you are sitting 10 shots back versus when you are already near the lead,” he said. “Today I had to go out there and make a bunch of birdies, which I was able to do early in the round. I struggled a touch on the back nine, but overall I put up a decent score.”
One that could have been even better.
PGA champ Scheffler still has shot at 3rd win in row with big move at Colonial despite 3 late bogeys
https://arab.news/nxp79
PGA champ Scheffler still has shot at 3rd win in row with big move at Colonial despite 3 late bogeys

- Scheffler got to 8 under for the week with an eagle at the 637-yard 11th hole
Injured Rauf and Shadab to miss Pakistan’s T20 series in Bangladesh

- Haris Rauf injured a hamstring in Major League Cricket in the United States last week
- Uncapped fast bowlers Ahmed Danial and Salman Mirza were picked in a 15-man squad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and allrounder Shadab Khan were injured and will miss the Twenty20 series in Bangladesh this month.
Rauf injured a hamstring in Major League Cricket in the United States last week, and Shadab recently underwent shoulder surgery.
Uncapped fast bowlers Ahmed Danial and Salman Mirza were picked in a 15-man squad on Tuesday to supplement Abbas Afridi and fast bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf.
Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was also recalled after he was overlooked for the last home series against Bangladesh.
Spin allrounder Mohammad Nawaz has also made his way back into the national squad since last appearing in January 2024 against New Zealand, after impressive performance in the Pakistan Super League.
The three-match T20 series will be played in Mirpur from July 20-24.
Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem.
UAE Team Emirates–XRG to wear first global GEN AI-designed helmet at Tour de France

- G42, the UAE’s leading AI and technology holding group, has teamed up with the cycling team and MET Helmets for the launch
ABU DHABI: G42, the UAE’s leading artificial intelligence and technology holding group, has teamed up with UAE Team Emirates–XRG and MET Helmets to launch the world’s first GEN AI-designed helmet for the team to wear at the Tour de France today.
Designed using G42’s advanced generative AI technology, the unique livery blends data, performance and creativity, interpreting movement through airflow and negative space, for the riders on all terrain.
From the helmet came the idea for a global community-driven project known as Helmetverse, a design challenge that invites cycling fans to design their own AI-generated head gear.
Live now at helmetverse.ai, the digital platform allows fans worldwide to design custom cycling helmets using cutting-edge AI tools. With simple text prompts, users can generate unique helmet designs in seconds.
All submissions can be viewed, shared and voted on, with the 10 most-voted entries reviewed by a panel of judges from G42, UAE Team Emirates–XRG and MET Helmets.
Andrew Jackson, G42’s group chief AI officer, said: “Partnering with a world-class team like UAE Team Emirates-XRG allows us to showcase the power of AI, not just in performance, but also in creativity.
“Helmetverse is an example of human-AI collaboration, providing a platform for people to design something personal. It’s AI at its most accessible, and most exciting.”
The winning helmet will be produced and worn by UAE Team Emirates–XRG during the 2026 UAE Tour, becoming a first for fan-created AI design in a UCI WorldTour race. Submissions are open and will close on Sept. 15, 2025.
Faheem Ahamed, G42’s group chief marketing officer, said: “Helmetverse gives cycling fans a new way to get involved with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the world’s best cycling team.
“It puts creativity at the forefront of innovation, bringing more people closer to the sport, with the chance to see their creation on the WorldTour stage.”
Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates-XRG team principal and CEO, said: “Cycling is a unique sport because it is not only about competition and racing — both professional cyclists and casual riders can share the same roads and enjoy the ride together.
“Helmetverse gives fans a new way to be part of that journey. It’s an open, inclusive idea that brings fresh energy to the sport and reflects our ambition to lead both on and off the road.”
A key pillar of this partnership will have G42 act as the official AI partner of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, working closely to explore new opportunities across cycling, including optimizing training, race strategies, team performance, and fan engagement.
Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale

- Europa League champions reportedly paid a fee of $6.82 million for the 20-year-old
- Kota Takai is the third center back to join the north London club this summer
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Japan defender Kota Takai on a five-year contract from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said Europa League champions Tottenham paid a fee of $6.82 million (£5 million) for the 20-year-old.
Takai, a product of Frontale’s youth academy, was part of the side that missed out on the Asian Champions League Elite title after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the final in May.
He has also made four appearances for Japan’s national team.
Takai is the third center back to join the north London club this summer, further bolstering their defense after the arrivals of Luka Vuskovic from Hajjduk Split and Kevin Danso, whose loan move from RC Lens was made permanent.
Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought with their Europa League victory last season, but also endured their worst domestic campaign for nearly half a century and finished 17th in the Premier League.
HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President’s Cup in Hamburg

- Race marks leg 7 of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup series, now in its 32nd edition
ABU DHABI: HM Alchahine (France), a 4-year-old Purebred Arabian gelding owned by Helal Alalawi (France), stormed to victory in The UAE President’s Cup over 1,600 meters at Hamburg’s Horner Rennbahn on Sunday.
The race marked the seventh leg of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup series, now in its 32nd edition.
It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the presidential court.
The series highlights the UAE’s continued commitment to preserving and promoting the global stature of Purebred Arabian horses, a key pillar of Emirati heritage, the Emirates News Agency reported.
Staged in conjunction with the 156th edition of the historic German Derby, the UAE President’s Cup drew a crowd of nearly 30,000 spectators and featured a record prize purse of almost $293,500, making it the richest Arabian race in German history.
Trained by Jean-Francois Bernard and brilliantly ridden by Cristian Demuro, HM Alchahine powered home to claim his second UAE President’s Cup win, following his earlier triumph in the Italian leg.
He crossed the finish line decisively, clocking a winning time of 1 minute, 45.42 seconds, further cementing his reputation on the European circuit.
Finishing second was Al-Wakrah (France), owned by Al-Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean-Loup de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d’Andigne. Al-Zeer (France), owned by Mohamed Fahad A.H. Al-Attiyah, finished third under trainer Francois Rohaut and jockey Adrie de Vries.
Also in the field were Papillion T (Holland), representing the Netherlands and trained and owned by Gerard Th. Zoetelief; Al-Zwair (France), also owned by Al-Shaqab Racing; and Djafar (France), owned by Abubaker S.A. Kadoura, with both horses showcasing competitive spirit.
The race and prize ceremony were attended by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, first mayor of Hamburg, Ahmed Al-Attar, UAE ambassador to Germany, Faisal Al-Rahmani, general secretary of the Higher Organizing Committee for the UAE President’s Cup, and Ahmed Al-Samarrai, president of the German Arabian Horse Association.
The winning trophy was presented to Nasser Hilal Al-Alawi, a representative of the owner, in the presence of the trainer and jockey, amid a celebratory crowd.
Speaking on the occasion, Al-Rahmani congratulated the winning team and said they were “extremely proud of the success achieved in Hamburg.
“The outstanding organization, strong participation, and warm reception all reflect the UAE’s growing impact on the global Arabian horse racing scene, a vision driven forward by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.”
He added: “These results reaffirm the strength of UAE-owned horses in international racing.
“The UAE President’s Cup continues to act as a cultural bridge, introducing European and global audiences to the history, values, and noble legacy of Purebred Arabian horses.”
Paolini parts ways with coach after early Wimbledon exit

- Jasmine Paolini last year became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon final
- Paolini won her second WTA 1000-level crown at the Italian Open under coach Marc Lopez
World number four Jasmine Paolini has parted company with coach Marc Lopez just days after her second-round exit from Wimbledon, the Italian said.
Paolini, who last year became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon final, lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to Russian Kamilla Rakhimova last week.
The 29-year-old began working with Lopez in April after ending a decade-long partnership with Renzo Furlan.
Under the guidance of Lopez, a former doubles world number three who was once part of Rafa Nadal’s coaching team, Paolini won her second WTA 1000-level crown at the Italian Open and also lifted the women’s doubles title at the French Open.
“We had some great results together. Especially in Rome and Paris,” Paolini wrote on social media on Monday. “I appreciate all the hard work and energy Marc gave every day.
“Now that this part of the season is over, I’ve decided to make a change. “I’ve learned a lot and made good progress. And now I’m taking the time to reflect on what the next step will be. Thank you again, Marc, for everything.”