At the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed Provide Drama

Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed have a long history of dueling when it matters most. The rivalry has produced some epic golf matches, the most surprising of which may have been last year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, being played again starting on Thursday on the DP World Tour in the United Arab Emirates. At the …

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Players to Watch

The DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which begins on Thursday at the Emirates Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates, has delivered big-name champions over the past 35 years, including Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy. Will another marquee player walk off with the …

As Draymond Green returns, can he and Warriors wind down a dynasty the right way?

In the backyard of Draymond Green’s $10 million home in the Los Angeles suburb of Brentwood, where white columns and a marble patio overlook the greenest of grass, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr chatted with the heartbeat of his team. Hours earlier, the Warriors had landed in Los Angeles to a whirlwind of drama. …

Christian Pulisic interview: ‘I want to show the world what the U.S. can do’

Christian Pulisic is perched on a bar stool in the old clubhouse overlooking the first-team training pitch at Milanello, AC Milan’s training ground. He makes a hand gesture, one he didn’t need the past six months living in Italy to learn. Pulisic is talking about himself as one of the “older guys” on the USMNT …

Cutter Gauthier’s teammates and coaches speak out after death threats, criticism: ‘Just a humble kid’

Nikita Nesterenko had awakened from an afternoon nap on Monday when he received a cellphone notification. Nesterenko, a former Boston College forward now playing for the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls, saw the name of former college teammate Cutter Gauthier pop up in a post sent out by the Anaheim Ducks. “Originally, I felt …

Norm Snead, Veteran N.F.L. Quarterback, Is Dead at 84

Norm Snead, a National Football League quarterback for 16 seasons in the 1960s and ’70s and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, died on Sunday. He was 84. A spokesperson for Wake Forest University’s football program, where Snead played before turning pro, told The Associated Press on Monday that the school learned of Snead’s death from …

Brian Daboll vs. Wink Martindale: Inside the Giants coaches’ messy divorce

The relationship between New York Giants coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale came to an explosive end Monday, less than 24 hours after the team finished a disappointing 6-11 season. Neither side looked good as details emerged about the final hours of their partnership, with Daboll’s firing of Martindale’s two most trusted assistants, …

After years of American growth, has F1’s U.S. fandom plateaued?

As Donny Osmond sang the opening notes of “Star-Spangled Banner,” wearing a Las Vegas Grand Prix letterman jacket, the Sphere illuminated red, white and blue against the night sky. Formula One was minutes away from its third race of the year in the United States, following Miami and Austin. As Osmond’s voice built to a …

The footballers who escaped one of the most dangerous countries on Earth

“We see potential spies and enemies everywhere,” says David. “It can be at border control or it can be in a cafe. The other day, a guy was looking at me strangely, so I left without finishing my breakfast, and jumped in a taxi — asking the driver to take me to the wrong address.” …

Naomi Osaka, The Comeback Interview: A tale of pregnancy, fear and a ballerina

It was late September when Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion and transcendent star of her sport, finally got on the phone with her former coach to talk about her next comeback.  Wim Fissette is a cerebral Belgian who thinks long and hard before taking on a player, even one with a resume like …