opening round – Michmutters

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FedEx Cup, Scottie Scheffler walks over Cameron Smith’s lie amid LIV storm, video, highlights, reaction

FedEx Cup, Scottie Scheffler walks over Cameron Smith's lie amid LIV storm, video, highlights, reaction

Scottie Scheffler is coming under fire for his cardinal sin during the opening round of the PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

The world No.1, who won this year’s Masters and backed it up by finishing runner-up at the US Open, walked across Open Champion Cameron Smith’s line on the 12th hole as the world No.2 prepared to make a putt.

As a seemingly oblivious Scheffler walked across the green, Smith, 28, looked up at his rival quizzically before returning his focus on the hole.

Eagle eye fans didn’t miss the moment, however, as they highlighted Scheffler’s actions as a not-so-subtle attack on Smith, who is reportedly sitting on a deal to join the rival LIV Golf Series on a deal worth an estimated $AU140 million.

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Cam Smith holes out for EAGLE! | 00:24

“This is basically golf’s version of throwing at someone’s head,” one Twitter user wrote.

Another said: “Spicy head games from Scottie LIV related?”

Interestingly, though, only a hole earlier Smith and Scheffler had high-fived each other on the green.

But, then again, Smith did record an eagle on 13 as he holed out from 156 yards. Did it help his focus on him?

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While Scheffler has not criticized Smith for his coy responses regarding his future, the world No.1 hit out at the golfers, including Australian Matt Jones, who tried to gain an exemption to play at this week’s FedEx playoffs despite joining the rebel golf league.

“Those guys kind of made their decision to go join another tour and they broke the rules and regulations of our tour and now they’re trying to sue us, which is definitely a bit frustrating,” Scheffler said ahead of the tournament.

“I definitely am surprised to see some guys now suing us. If they win, come out here and play, that’s something that’s up to the courts, I can’t control what’s going to happen in a court case. Definitely interested but at the end of the day it has no effect on my preparation for the week.”

Scheffler had a frustrating opening round, finishing one-over. Smith managed to put a difficult fortnight to rest, posting a respectable three-under pair to be firmly in the mix.

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, rumour, Manchester United, transfer, Erik ten Hag

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, rumour, Manchester United, transfer, Erik ten Hag

Premier League legends Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have slammed disgruntled star Cristiano Ronaldo, amid the uncertainty and speculation about his future at Manchester United.

Ronaldo returned to United’s match day squad for a game against La Liga side Rayo Vallecano earlier this week, after missing the clubs pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia.

But after being subbed off at halftime by manager Erik ten Hag, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly walked out of Old Trafford with 10 minutes to run on the game clock.

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The infamous walkout was described as “unacceptable” by ten Hag, and only fueled rumors that Ronaldo is desperate for a transfer away from the Red Devils.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the club needs to sell the Portuguese international, as he suggested how Ronaldo’s actions may be hurting the club.

“Ronaldo’s achievements in football go beyond, to be fair, anyone could ever wish for and imagine. He’ll go down in the top players of all-time and he always will be, ”Neville said on The Overlap.

“What happens this summer at Manchester United will be forgotten about in 20 years.

“The star player in the dressing room is playing up. It happened at times over the last few years where you had Pogba’s agent, not necessarily (Paul) Pogba all the time but his agent always playing up with the club.

“You can’t have your star player in a club running the shop. You cannot have it. When Sir Alex Ferguson potentially in the past moved players on, it was because that player was needed to be moved on.

“I know Manchester United fans want Ronaldo to stay, but if Ronaldo wants to leave, Manchester United in my mind should facilitate that.”

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Ronaldo, who has won the Champions League five times, was reportedly set to be benched for United’s Premier League season opener against Brighton after missing most of the pre-season.

But a thigh injury to French attacker Anthony Martial could see the star named as a surprise starter for Sunday night’s match (AEST).

Asked if Ronaldo will start, coach Erik Ten Hag said: “We will see on Sunday.”

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Liverpool great Carragher always expected to follow Ronaldo after he signed his contract, as the 37-year-old never would’ve wanted to “play second fiddle” to a teammate.

“I always felt this situation would come. Even if Ronaldo did great for a year, he signed a two-year deal plus another year which I couldn’t believe. He’s never going to play second fiddle to anyone,” Carragher said.

“As players, at a certain stage in your career we all know that you’re not the same player and his (career) has gone on longer because he’s such a great professional.

“He’s not the same player, he’s still a great goal scorer but he’s not the same player. No other club in Europe at this moment wants him.

“I think if you ask (Erik) ten Hag, I don’t think he wants him and I’m not quite sure the dressing room at Manchester United would want Cristiano Ronaldo right now.”

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While it’s been said that Ronaldo missed the pre-season tour due to personal reasons, the rumor mill was in full swing as fans and pundits alike speculated about his future.

It’s believed that he’d handed in a transfer request after United failed to qualify for the Champions League last season – finishing sixth, 35-points behind rivals and champions Manchester City.

While in Australia, new manager ten Hag was bombarded with a number of questions about his key player.

Ten Hag insisted that Ronaldo wasn’t for sale, but Ronaldo continued to dominate headlines over rumors of a potential transfer to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and even Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain.

“Ten Hag literally has had every single press conference that he does just obliterated by the Ronaldo issue,” Neville added.

“If a player becomes the dominating factor and a distraction in a press conference for a manager, there’s only one thing that needs to happen. We all know it.

“You might have to go back to go forwards and this season Manchester United, they may have to go back without Ronaldo.”

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Golf: Aussie world No.2 Minjee Lee within striking distance at British Open

Golf: Aussie world No.2 Minjee Lee within striking distance at British Open

World No.2 Minjee Lee took the opening day honors in the British Open super group and is well placed to not only emulate compatriot Cameron Smith but also seize the No.1 ranking.

Lee recovered from a flat start and made three crucial birdies in the last seven holes to finish three shots off the lead as she chases her second major of the year.

Playing with world No.1 Jin Young Ko and No.3 Nelly Korda, Lee was one over par after six holes but turned for home at even par after a birdie on the seventh at Muirfield in Scotland and then began her climb up the leaderboard.

Lee finished the opening day three shots behind former champion Hinako Shibuno in the $10m event and will be back in action on Friday afternoon Australian time with an early second-round tee time for the Open super group.

“I made really quite a few good up-and-downs on the back nine,” Lee said.

“And to be three under the back nine I think is quite good considering how 14 and 15 play really tough.

“The wind got up – it was pretty similar to yesterday when I played in the pro-am – so I think I got a little used to the conditions while I was out there yesterday

“But I feel like I was quite committed on every shot that I hit because it was so windy, and I just think I did that really well today.”

Korda finished two shots back from Lee after opening with a one-under 70, while Ko struggled to five-over after shooting 76.

Steph Kyriacou is the best of the other Australians in the field with a one-under 70, placing her equal 13th.

Hannah Green posted an even-par 71 and Whitney Hillier a one-over 72, but Su-Hyun Oh never recovered from dropping three shots on the opening two holes, finishing with a 77.

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