World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler puts all of his success behind him and starts each tournament with a clean slate at even par.
But even the consistently even-keeled Scheffler admitted Tuesday that he has momentum going into the PGA Championship this week at Quail Hollow. To say otherwise "would be silly."
"When I got my first win in 2022, I won some tournaments pretty quickly after that," said Scheffler, 28. "So it would be silly to say that I don't ride some of that momentum. But I do try to do my best to treat each week as their own tournament, but it's silly to not ride positive momentum."
Scheffler captured his 14th career title on the PGA Tour, and his first in more than eight months, in dominant fashion at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 4 in McKinney, Texas.
The Dallas native won by eight strokes and tied the PGA Tour record for lowest 72-hole score at 31-under 253.
"I think there's definitely a balance there," he said of transitioning from one tournament to the next. "It would be silly to say that I can't ride the positive momentum from a good week like that. To finish off that tournament the way I did and have it not really be too close on the back nine, I played some really nice golf.
"I talked a little bit about how I felt like my game was trending, so it was nice to see some results from a lot of hard work to start the year, and I feel like my game is in a good spot. I think it would be silly to say I can't ride a little bit of that momentum going into this tournament."
He called his ability to "stay in the present" during a round of golf a skill that he honed playing for the University of Texas team, and it applies to his entire life, whether when he was a student or as a husband and father.
"We have certain time throughout the day," he said, "and I think when you're in the present, you're able to make the most of those situations, whether it be enjoying them to the fullest or getting the most out of the work that I put in when I'm at the golf course.
"I think it's a constant battle."
After a hand injury requiring surgery slowed his 2025 start, Scheffler has six top-10 finishes and is fourth in the FedEx Cup standings.
He has two majors to his credit -- the 2022 and 2024 Masters -- and won seven official PGA Tour events in 2024, as well as the FedEx Cup championship and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. As much as the spotlight is on him now, Scheffler reflected on a lower-profile start to his career.
"I didn't really have that great of an amateur career," Scheffler said. "When I first came out, the guys that were being looked at -- I came out about the same time as Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff at the time was a really good prospect as well. I kind of flew under the radar when I first came out.
"Every time you win out here, there's definitely a feeling of that burden being lifted just because it's such a great accomplishment. It's not easy to win out here on any level, and every time you win a tournament, it's a pretty cool feeling."
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and PGA Tour rookie Cristobal Del Solar of Chile each posted a 9-under-par 61 to share the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open on Thursday in Caledon, Ontario. Olesen and Del Solar took full advantage of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in the venue's PGA Tour debut. They own a one-shot lead over Cameron Champ; Jake Knapp is alone in fourth at 7-under 63. Shane Lowry of Ireland went out in 5-under 30 on his way to a round of 64. He is tied for fifth with Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark and Trey Mullinax. The low Canadian for the day was Taylor Pendrith (65), who set the clubhouse lead in the morning wave before several players passed him by. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland is among the several golfers knotted with him in eighth place at 5 under. Del Solar birdied 10 of his first 16 holes to pass Olesen for the outright lead and threaten a score of 59. However, he failed to get up and down from the bunker at the par-4 17th hole and took his only bogey of the day. He missed a 15-foot putt for birdie for the outright lead at No. 18. Del Solar's claim to fame is a round of 57 he shot on the Korn Ferry Tour in February 2024. It was the lowest round ever recorded in a PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament. Olesen, meanwhile, has eight wins on the DP World Tour but is seeking his first title in the United States. Two-time Canadian champion Rory McIlroy is in danger of missing the cut after shooting a 1-over 71, which he ended with consecutive bogeys at Nos. 8 and 9. The Northern Irishman is playing for the first time since a T47 finish at the PGA Championship.
Jordan Goodwin spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He had averages of 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from the three-point range in 29 games. This week, the Lakers waived the 26-year-old. Via ESPN's Shams Charania (on July 20): "The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Jordan Goodwin, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin emerged as a key rotation piece for JJ Redick late last season, playing 29 games and four playoff contests. Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to clear space for arrival of Marcus Smart." Many people reacted to the news on social media. @LakersLead: "Nooooo" @Fullcourtpass: "Looks like no trade coming for the Lakers" Jake Weinbach: "Lakers valued Goodwin but cutting him seemed to be the easiest pathway toward clearing space for Smart. Another contending team in need of backcourt depth should pick him up." @SportsMatt12: "The Lakers were the 3 seed in the West last season. They lost DFS, Markieff Morris, Jordan Goodwin, and Shake Milton. They added Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Adou Thiero. I think that’s easily a trade I make. The Lakers got better." Tony Jones: "Jordan Goodwin is going to have a big market" @Chase_OnX: "Hate to see Goody go but we need Smart. We need his defense. Show goes on." @HoodieNaz_: "he needs to be picked up he’s too good to not have a job" Goodwin has also spent time with the Grizzlies, Suns and Wizards over four seasons.
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline, and one glaring need stands out above the rest: find a new center fielder. Philadelphia’s current outfield mix of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Johan Rojas has underwhelmed, sending the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, to the trade market to find an upgrade. While a long-term solution like Boston’s Jarren Duran or even a rental like Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins would be ideal, the Phillies may pivot toward a cheaper option. One name gaining traction is New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, who CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa predicts the Phillies to acquire in a three-team trade at the deadline. "The Phillies badly need an outfielder. A center fielder, preferably," wrote Axisa. "The Yankees are rumored to be open to moving one of their three non-Aaron Judge outfielders (Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez) for a badly needed third baseman.” Axisa continues by explaining how a trade between the Phillies, Yankees, and Minnesota Twins could fulfill each team’s deadline needs. “The Phillies and Yankees don't match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in. Rental Grisham for rental (Willi) Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they're selling, they won't want a rental. They'll want controllable young players, so a three-team trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards." Grisham is in the middle of a career year, already tying a personal best in home runs (17) and posting a career-high .833 OPS. For Philadelphia, acquiring the left-handed hitter would almost be perfect, outside of a blockbuster deal for the aforementioned Jarren Duran. The Phillies would replace Kepler in the lineup with Grisham and shift Marsh from center to left field, adding depth to the outfield in the process. Moreover, Grisham, an impending free agent, wouldn’t disrupt the club’s long-term plan for top prospect Justin Crawford to take over center field in 2026. He wouldn’t crowd an already packed outfield full of players vying for roles, either. While the move could further agitate Kepler—who’s already criticized manager Rob Thomson over limited playing time—the Phillies must act now. With their World Series window closing, they must capitalize on every opportunity to strengthen the roster.