Kesha slams Diddy in tweaked ‘Tik Tok’ lyrics at Coachella

In gentle of current occasions, Kesha is giving certainly one of her largest songs a rewrite.

The singer carried out her mid-aughts monitor “Tik Tok” with Reneé Rapp at Coachella on Sunday, however tweaked its opening lyric that references Diddy after the rapper’s houses have been raided by legislation enforcement.

Instead of the road “get up within the morning feeling like P. Diddy,” Kesha as an alternative sang “(expletive) P. Diddy” whereas elevating a center finger.

Her shock look got here throughout Rapp’s Coachella set, and the “Imply Ladies” star joined Kesha in cursing out Diddy and elevating a center finger within the air.

Final month, U.S. Homeland Safety Investigations officers raided two of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ houses, which a number of retailers reported was a part of a intercourse trafficking investigation. In current months, Diddy has confronted quite a few allegations of sexual assault in a slate of civil fits filed towards him.

This is not the primary time Kesha has tweaked the lyrics of “Tik Tok.” In November, she dropped Diddy’s identify from the tune solely, singing at a Los Angeles live performance, “Get up within the morning feelin’ similar to me.” That change got here on the heels of a lawsuit filed by Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who sued him for rape and intercourse trafficking in November.

“Mr. Combs asserted full management over Ms. Ventura’s private {and professional} life, thereby guaranteeing her incapacity to flee his maintain,” the lawsuit stated. “He supplied unprecedented avenues for achievement for the aspiring artist, however in return, demanded obedience, loyalty and silence.”

Cassie and Diddy shortly reached a settlement. Diddy’s lawyer has stated the rapper is harmless and criticized the raid on his houses as a “witch hunt based mostly on meritless accusations.”

Diddy investigated for intercourse trafficking:A timeline of allegations and the rapper’s life, profession

Talking to MTV Information in 2009, Kesha defined the Diddy lyric took place “as a result of one morning, I awoke surrounded by a bunch of sizzling babes, and I used to be like, ‘I am like Diddy, man.'” Diddy additionally contributed vocals to the tune.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Naledi Ushe

Michael Douglas jokes he and Catherine Zeta-Jones ‘seduce’ their kids with vacations

They gotta pay to play.

Michael Douglas joked he and his spouse, Catherine Zeta-Jones, “seduce” their two kids, Dylan, 23, and Carys, 20, into hanging out with them by providing them lavish holidays.

“Catherine and I are blessed with the truth that our youngsters Dylan and Carys nonetheless wish to journey with us,” the legendary actor, 79, shared on Tuesday’s episode of the “Right now” present.

“And so, we simply completed 5 weeks in India at Christmastime. And we’re all the time planning subsequent yr, what our journeys can be and the place we’ll go.”

Michael Douglas joked he and his spouse, Catherine Zeta-Jones, “seduce” their two kids, Dylan and Carys, into hanging out with them by providing them lavish holidays. Michael Douglas/Instagram
“Catherine and I are blessed with the truth that our youngsters Dylan and Carys nonetheless wish to journey with us,” the legendary actor shared on the “Right now” present Tuesday. Right now Present/NBC

Douglas — who additionally shares son Cameron, 45, together with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker — mentioned it’s a “deal with” having his grownup youngsters round him.

“Particularly if you’re not forcing them. [I] mentioned, ‘Catherine, look, they really need to hang around with us.’ I mentioned, ‘You understand, it’s good,’” he mentioned.

“However we’ve acquired good journeys. We seduce them with good locations to go.”

Douglas and Zeta-Jones, 54, met on the 1998 Deauville Movie Competition whereas selling their movies.

Douglas — who additionally shares son Cameron together with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker — mentioned it’s a “deal with” having his grownup youngsters round him particularly after they don’t need to “drive” them. Right now Present/NBC
“However we’ve acquired good journeys. We seduce them with good locations to go,” he joked. Right now Present/NBC

Douglas famously informed the “Masks of Zorro” actress, “I need to father your kids.”

The pair tied the knot in November 2000 on the Plaza Resort in New York Metropolis.

Though Dylan and Carys have two well-known mother and father, that doesn’t imply they don’t embarrass them typically.


For extra Web page Six you’re keen on…


Douglas and Zeta-Jones met in 1998 at a movie pageant and tied the knot two years later. Michael Douglas/Instagram
The “Deadly Attraction” actor famously informed the “Masks of Zorro” actress: “I need to father your kids.” catherinezetajones/Instagram

Final yr, Dylan who can be an actor, mentioned his dad tells loads of “unhealthy jokes.”

“Extra by way of what he says, fairly than who he’s,” he completely informed Web page Six on the Broadway opening of “Good Night time, Oscar” in April 2023.

“Simply dad stuff. [He’s a] bit out of contact, unhealthy jokes for certain!”

Though Dylan and Carys have two well-known mother and father, that doesn’t imply they don’t embarrass them typically. Catherine Zeta-Jones/Instagram
Dylan beforehand informed Web page Six that his dad makes loads of “unhealthy jokes.” WireImage

And in December 2022, Zeta-Jones, who performs Morticia Addams on “Wednesday,” in contrast Carys to her onscreen daughter’s character on the hit Netflix collection.

“Carys, my actual daughter as a little bit lady. 🤣,” the Oscar winner captioned footage of her daughter at a recital.

“I’ve had a Wednesday Addams in my life for 19 years and 9 months.🤣. Morticia and I like you my little rain cloud🖤.”

Kesha Switches “Tik Tok” Lyric About Sean “Diddy” Combs at Coachella

The occasion do not cease, however this lyric has. 

When Kesha made a shock look at Coachella alongside Reneé Rapp, she modified a longstanding lyric to her music “Tik Tok” that references Sean “Diddy” Combs

Whereas the unique opening line was, “Get up within the morning feeling like P Diddy,” throughout her April 14 efficiency, Kesha as an alternative sang, “Get up within the morning like f–k P. Diddy.” And in footage shared to social media, each she and Rapp may be seen holding up their center fingers. 

E! Information reached out to reps for Combs however was unable to achieve them for remark. 

The change comes amid authorized hassle for the rapper and is actually not the primary time Kesha has swapped the lyric whereas performing. In November whereas performing in Los Angeles as a part of her Solely Love tour, the 37-year-old sang, per The Hollywood Reporter, “Get up within the morning feeling similar to me.” 

That efficiency occurred sooner or later after Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura—Combs’ former girlfriend of over a decade—filed a lawsuit towards the rapper in New York, accusing him of bodily and sexual abuse all through their relationship.

Two extra lawsuits have been filed towards the “I am going to Be Lacking You” artist that very same month over separate alleged incidents of sexual misconduct. He denied wrongdoing in every occasion and settled the case with Ventura on November 18.

Michael Douglas Jokes He and Catherine Zeta-Jones ‘Seduce’ Kids with Trips

Michael Douglas’ youngsters love to hang around with their dad and mom — and it helps that they get to go on superb journeys when doing so.

The actor, 79, who stars because the titular character within the Apple TV+ sequence Franklin, appeared on Right now on Tuesday, April 16, and spoke with host Savannah Guthrie about how he and spouse Catherine Zeta-Jones, 54, have turn out to be empty nesters.

“Catherine and I are blessed with the truth that our children Dylan and Carys nonetheless wish to journey with us,” Douglas shared. “And so we simply completed 5 weeks in India at Christmastime. And we’re at all times planning subsequent 12 months, what our journeys can be and the place we’ll go.”

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free each day publication to remain up-to-date on the very best of what PEOPLE has to supply, from juicy superstar information to forcing human curiosity tales.

“It is only a deal with,” the star responded when requested if it is good to spend time along with his grownup youngsters. “Particularly once you’re not forcing them. [I] stated, ‘Catherine, look, they really need to hang around with us. I stated, ‘, it is good.'”

“However we have good journeys,” Douglas joked. “We seduce them with good locations to go.”

Douglas shares daughter Carys and son Dylan with Catherine Zeta-Jones. He’s dad to son Cameron, 45, whom he shares with ex-wife Diandra Luker.

In August, each Douglas and Zeta-Jones posted on Instagram in honor of their son Dylan’s twenty third birthday.

“Joyful birthday Dylan! Could YOUR new 12 months, convey you pleasure, creativeness, and love,” the proud dad wrote, signing the put up, “Your greatest fan, Dad.”

The Masks of Zorro actress commented, “Joyful birthday my boy❤️.”

In her personal tribute, Zeta-Jones shared a photograph of her and Dylan when he was an toddler. “23 years in the past in the present day, my boy @dylan__douglas was born,” she wrote.

“He’s the present that retains on giving, again and again and over and over. I like you my love♥️.”

In December 2022, Zeta-Jones instructed PEOPLE that her household life has simply been getting higher and higher. “Each my daughter and Dylan have been so extremely supportive to me, not simply as an actor, however simply me, you recognize. I am extraordinarily blessed to have the ability to have each of them in my life.”

WNBA draft 2024: Former Oregon prep star Cameron Brink goes to the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 2 pick

Cameron Brink will start her WNBA profession enjoying simply down the street from Stanford.

The Stanford Cardinal star ahead was chosen by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 2 decide of the 2024 WNBA draft. The previous Southridge Excessive College and Mountainside Excessive College star was chosen after the Indiana Fever used the No. 1 decide to pick Iowa Hawkeyes’ star Caitlin Clark on Monday.

The 6-foot-4 Brink posted a profession season at Stanford. She’ll journey south to play for the Sparks.

“The faculty season is difficult,” Brink informed ESPN’s Holly Rowe. ”However I’m simply so trying ahead to a brand new problem and able to get to work.”

Brink simply completed an All-America marketing campaign at Stanford, the place she averaged a career-high 17.4 factors, together with 12 rebounds and three.7 blocks per sport this season. She led the nation in blocks and was third in rebounding.

The senior was chosen because the Pac-12 Participant and Defensive Participant of the Yr, changing into simply the third participant in Pac-12 historical past to comb the league’s Participant and Defensive Participant of the Yr awards, together with Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike (2013, 2014) and Arizona’s Aari McDonald (2021). Brink was additionally chosen because the Naismith Ladies’s Defensive Participant of the Yr.

ABS Appoints Mark Rigolle as CEO 

Mark Rigolle

Satellite tv for pc operator ABS “Agility Past House” has appointed former O3b Networks CEO Mark Rigolle as the corporate’s new CEO. He can be based mostly within the ABS workplace in Dubai, UAE.

ABS highlighted Rigolle’s expertise in multi-orbit constellations. Rigolle joins ABS from Rivada House Networks, the place he was COO. He was beforehand CFO of SES and CEO of O3b Networks. He additionally co-founded Kacific, was the CEO of former LEO enterprise LeoSat and later CEO of Kleo Join.

“ABS is uniquely positioned to reveal how the sector can return to development after a few years of contraction. We’ve got the belongings, the folks, the capabilities, and supportive shareholders to make that occur,” Rigolle commented. 

ABS’s former CEO Amit Somani left the corporate in January after lower than 2 years within the function, rejoining Yahsat as chief development and technique officer.  

ABS lately rebranded as Agility Past House (ABS), shifting away from its former identify Asia Broadcast Providers. The corporate operates a fleet of satellites masking the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Center East, and CIS. 

Sparks select Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in WNBA draft

For the primary time in franchise historical past, the Sparks had two of the highest 4 picks within the WNBA draft, and the staff selected Stanford middle Cameron Brink at No. 2, then College of Tennessee ahead Rickea Jackson at No. 4 on Monday night on the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Brink was chosen Pac-12 participant of the 12 months after main the nation in blocked photographs (3.74 per recreation) whereas averaging 17.4 factors and 11.9 rebounds. The 6-foot-4 senior additionally received the Lisa Leslie Award because the nation’s finest middle and was the Naismith Ladies’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months. As a freshman, Brink helped the Cardinal win the NCAA title.

“This can be a nerve-racking surroundings, however I’m so pleased with all of us who’re right here in the present day,” mentioned Brink, whose mom, Michelle, and NBA celebrity Steph Curry’s mom, Sonya, (Brink’s godmother) had been roommates at Virginia Tech. “It takes a village and I’ll hold leaning on all of the folks in my life,” mentioned Cameron Brink. “My ardour is reignited being right here.”

Jackson, who averaged an SEC-leading 20.2 factors whereas grabbing 8.2 rebounds a recreation, was an all-conference first staff honoree and scored 33 factors in her final recreation for the Volunteers. The 6-foot-2 submit participant completed her faculty profession with 2,261 factors (17.8 per recreation) and 773 rebounds (6.1 per recreation) and began 106 of 127 contests in three at Mississippi State and two at Tennessee.

“I’m versatile and wish to proceed to be a greater participant,” Jackson mentioned. “My household is the explanation I’m right here… I do every thing for them and hold God No. 1. I’m excited to convey my character right here, construct new relationships and I’m able to win. Candace Parker performed for Tennessee and performed a few years right here in L.A., in order that’s fairly cool.”

Caitlin Clark, who turned the NCAA’s all-time scoring chief in March whereas main Iowa to the nationwide championship recreation, was chosen No. 1 by the Indiana Fever, as anticipated. Indiana additionally had the highest decide final 12 months and selected Aliyah Boston from nationwide title winner South Carolina.

The Chicago Sky had the third decide and selected South Carolina middle Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 senior who averaged 16.6 factors and 10.2 rebounds per recreation whereas capturing 63.8 % from the sphere throughout the Gamecocks’ run via the NCAA event.

The Sparks didn’t have a second-round decide, however with the fourth decide within the third spherical (twenty eighth general), they nabbed USC graduate scholar McKenzie Forbes, a 6-foot guard-forward who grew up within the Sacramento space and performed one season at California and two extra at Harvard earlier than transferring to USC, the place she helped the Ladies of Troy attain their first Elite Eight since 1994.

Interviewed after the draft, new Sparks common supervisor Raegan Pebley may hardly include her pleasure: “We got here in ready and we’re thrilled with the path we’re going. We wish our protection to gas the offense, we wish to assault the rim and defend the rim and Cameron and Rickea will each try this. As for McKenzie, I’ve watched her since she was at Harvard and knew we could need assistance from above to get her however we’re thrilled to maintain her near dwelling.”

The Sparks wish to finish their franchise-record three-season playoff drought and Pebley is assured the group has planted seeds that can bear fruit.

“After we contacted them [before the draft], all three had been fired up and talked about successful and being in LA and with the items we’ll have round them it units them up for fulfillment.”

Embacing her first govt position within the WNBA after a protracted faculty teaching profession, Pebley was busy within the free company interval, including ex-UCLA standout Monique Billings at ahead and bringing extra depth at guard with Kia Nurse and Aari McDonald to enhance Layshia Clarendon, Lexie Brown and Zia Cooke.

Regardless of not having a longtime star because of former No. 1 decide Nneka Ogwumike turning into a member of the Seattle Storm in free company, the Sparks will likely be younger and proficient and coach Curt Miller is trying ahead to what he believes will likely be a aggressive camp.

“I like to show and I can’t wait to get these gamers on the ground,” Miller mentioned. “We had been low [in the league] in rebounding and rim safety final 12 months and Cameron will assist us rather a lot in these areas along with her capability to dam photographs. We’ve lots of depth within the submit.”

Among the many checklist of athletes and executives who attended the Sparks’ watch occasion at Degree Lodge in downtown Los Angeles had been former USC girls’s basketball nice Cheryl Miller and Lakers Corridor of Famer and five-time NBA champion Magic Johnson, who can also be part of the Sparks’ possession group.

“I’m so excited for the Sparks,” Cheryl Miller mentioned. “Cameron is a banger who’s actual cellular and Rickea is only a beast. This can be a actual stepping stone for them. There was no head scratching. These are nice picks!”

Sparks guard Rae Burrell expressed optimism on the draft outcomes.

“I’m tremendous excited to play with a fellow Woman Vol,” she mentioned of Jackson. “We’re headed in an awesome path, we’ve added size and extra protection. We’re fairly younger, however we’ll use that to our benefit and play freely. Our staff will likely be enjoyable to look at.”

Added McDonald: “Being a lottery decide means nothing, actually. You simply do your factor. Everybody in my household was so joyful after I received traded to L.A. We’re going to be operating like loopy and I’m excited to speak to the ladies and hope they ask lots of questions. My rookie 12 months I needed to navigate myself, so I look ahead to giving them recommendation and serving to them any manner that I can.”

UCLA guard Charisma Osborne, who averaged 14.9 factors, 5.6 rebounds and three.1 assists, was taken by the Phoenix Mercury with the twenty fifth decide general, the primary decide of the third spherical. The one different native participant taken within the third spherical was USC ahead Kaitlyn Davis, who went to the Liberty with the thirty fifth decide general. Davis averaged 10.5 factors, 7.1 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists. She shot 48.5% from the ground.

With the fifth decide, the Dallas Wings chosen Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon. Three forwards had been then taken: the Washington Mystics selected Connecticut’s Aaliyah Edwards, the Chicago Sky took Louisiana State’s Angel Reese and the Minnesota Lynx chosen Utah’s Alissa Pili.

International gamers had been chosen with three of the final 4 picks within the first spherical. Guard Carla Leite of France went No. 9 to the Dallas Wings, Guard Leila Lacan of France went No. 10 to the Connecticut Solar and forward-center Nyadiew Puoch of Australia went No. 12 to the Atlanta Dream. Mississippi guard Marquesha Davis was chosen by the New York Liberty at No. 11.

Satellite veteran Mark Rigolle appointed CEO amid ABS upheaval 

TAMPA, Fla. — Satellite tv for pc business veteran Mark Rigolle is taking the helm of ABS after Amit Somani’s sudden departure early this 12 months within the newest shake-up for the Dubai-based regional satellite tv for pc operator, the corporate introduced April 16.

Rigolle, most not too long ago chief working officer for the proposed Rivada House Networks low Earth orbit constellation (LEO), will be part of ABS as CEO April 29.

Incoming ABS CEO Mark Rigolle. Credit score: ABS

Somani left in January after lower than two years with ABS for private causes, the corporate mentioned, which not too long ago modified its title from Asia Broadcast Satellite tv for pc to Agility Past House after shifting headquarters from Hong Kong.

Somani had joined from Yahsat, a regional satellite tv for pc operator additionally primarily based within the United Arab Emirates.

ABS introduced its rebranding in October 2023, saying it mirrored a push towards constructing strategic, long-term relationships within the business after not too long ago coming underneath new possession.

The geostationary satellite tv for pc operator has not introduced its new possession construction and didn’t reply to requests for remark. 

British personal fairness agency Permira, which purchased a majority stake in ABS in 2010 and first tried to promote the corporate about six years later, lists the operator as offered on its web site however didn’t present particulars concerning the deal.

In its newest earnings outcomes Jan. 10, when ABS introduced Somani’s departure, the corporate mentioned it recorded growing income from gross sales to different operators with satellites reaching the tip of their design life. 

The corporate didn’t element these preparations. Whole gross sales got here in flat at $69 million for the 12 months to Sept. 30.

ABS chair Parm Sandhu mentioned within the earnings launch that the corporate is in lively partnership talks concerning its spectrum rights protecting Europe, the Center East, Africa and Asia Pacific “to unlock the hidden worth in our holdings,” together with two orbital slots with permission to beam navy Ka-band radio waves.

ABS offers connectivity and broadband providers over these areas with 5 satellites: ABS-2, ABS-2A, ABS-3A, ABS-4/Mobisat-1 and ABS-6.

Based in 2006, the operator additionally moved firm accounts from Bermuda to the UAE as a part of its technique refresh. 

Going by means of adjustments

Somani joined ABS as CEO in October 2022 to exchange James Frownfelter, who took over from Jim Simpson in 2018 when he left after only a 12 months within the position.

Rigolle’s profession has additionally seen its justifiable share of adjustments. Earlier than Rivada, he served because the chief monetary officer for SES and was CEO of its medium Earth constellation O3b Networks. 

He additionally co-founded regional geostationary satellite tv for pc operator Kacific and was CEO of LEO startup LeoSat till its collapse following a scarcity of funding.

“The distinctive breadth of his expertise in our business will allow him to hit the bottom operating,” Sandhu mentioned in an announcement.

“We stay up for benefiting from his management and from his insights into multi-orbit constellations throughout this time of speedy market evolution.” 

Rigolle famous he was becoming a member of ABS “at this pivotal time for the corporate and certainly the entire [fixed satellite services] business,” as geostationary gamers face mounting competitors from SpaceX’s sprawling LEO community.

‘DJT’ stock tumbles as Trump and many others file for the sale of their shares

By Tomi Kilgore

Whole variety of shares Trump Media information for the sale of is greater than triple the general public float

Shares of Trump Media & Know-how Group Corp. took a deep dive Monday, after the social-media firm filed for the sale of a considerable amount of shares so its stockholders, together with Donald J. Trump, might money in.

The corporate’s (DJT) S-1 submitting with the U.S. Securities and Alternate Fee consists of the potential sale of as much as 114,750,000 shares held by the previous president.

That quantity consists of the 78,750,000 widespread shares Trump obtained after the merger with the special-purpose acquisition firm, or SPAC, Digital World Acquisition closed on March 25. It additionally consists of 36 million in “earnout shares,” which can be issued to Trump relying on how the inventory performs over the subsequent three years.

However even with the S-1 submitting, Trump’s shareholdings are topic to a lockup interval, which implies they cannot be offered till Sept. 25.

The inventory, whose ticker image matches the initials of the previous president who’s the presumptive Republican nominee on this November’s presidential election, sank 17.3% in afternoon buying and selling, placing it on monitor for the bottom shut since Jan. 19. The inventory has now plunged 46% since March 25 and has plummeted 59.3% because it closed at a postmerger excessive of $66.22 on March 27.

The inventory’s selloff additionally comes on the day that the primary legal trial in opposition to Trump is about to start, as the previous president faces prices that he tried to cowl up hush-money funds made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to maintain particulars of a purported sexual encounter from turning into recognized to voters forward of the 2016 election, wherein Trump upset Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Learn: Trump’s ‘DJT’ inventory dives to lowest shut since Ron DeSantis dropped out

The checklist of different promoting stockholders consists of Trump associates and Wall Avenue large wigs:

Pam Bondi, who’s presently a companion at authorities lobbying agency Ballard Companions, and was Florida’s Lawyer Common from 2011 to 2019 and has been a well known Trump supporter, has filed for the sale of as much as 106,250 shares, valued at about $2.9 million at present costs.Trump Media Chief Govt Devin Nunes, a Trump-aligned former Republican congressman, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump, filed for the sale of 115,000 shares presently valued at about $3.1 million.Boaz Weinstein, founding father of Wall Avenue funding adviser Saba Capital Administration L.P., has filed for the sale of 534 shares, whereas Saba Capital has filed for the sale of 194,901 shares, with the entire valued at $5.3 million.Funding financial institution EF Hutton LLC filed to promote 86,719 shares, valued at $2.3 million.

The checklist of promoting stockholders begins on Web page 127 of the S-1 submitting.

In complete, the S-1 is for the issuance of as much as 21.5 million new widespread shares, and for the sale every so often of as much as 146.1 million shares held by stockholders. The corporate wouldn’t obtain any proceeds from the sale of shares by stockholders.

“The variety of shares of widespread inventory being supplied for resale on this prospectus exceeds the variety of shares of widespread inventory constituting our public float,” the corporate stated in an S-1 submitting with the U.S. Securities and Alternate Fee.

The resale of inventory represents about 256% of the present public float, or shares presently obtainable for the general public to commerce, and about 107% of the excellent shares as of Jan. 31.

The inventory has tumbled 56.5% in April, which implies the shares presently owned by Trump, pre-earnout shares, have misplaced $2.76 billion in worth this month. The shares he holds at the moment are valued at about $2.1 billion.

-Tomi Kilgore

This content material was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is printed independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Avenue Journal.

 

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Rory McIlroy debunks LIV Golf rumors after Masters – NBC4 Washington

This wasn’t the type of consideration Rory McIlroy hoped for on the day after the Masters.

A London monetary paper, Metropolis A.M., cited nameless sources as saying McIlroy was believed to be near an $850 million deal to affix LIV Golf. The publication didn’t say how the sources would know. That set off hypothesis and innuendo throughout the web.

McIlroy was in a position to shut it down when he arrived on the RBC Heritage.

“I truthfully do not know the way these items get began,” McIlroy advised Golf Channel from the vary at Harbour City. “I’ve by no means been supplied a quantity from LIV and I’ve by no means contemplated going to LIV. I feel I’ve made it clear over the previous two years that I do not suppose it is one thing for me.”

He most just lately stated that at Bay Hill final month.

McIlroy stated he will not decide gamers going to LIV in the event that they really feel that is what it’s best for them. He additionally expressed anew how necessary it’s to have the highest gamers come collectively extra usually than the 4 majors. And he believes some PGA Tour gamers are nonetheless considering going over to the Saudi-funded tour. It is simply not for him.

“I will play the PGA Tour the remainder of my profession,” he stated.

He wasn’t the one particular person getting loads of consideration involving LIV Golf. The commissioner and CEO, Greg Norman, spent three days on the Masters and made his presence felt at each flip.

Norman acquired a ticket to look at like every other spectator — presumably the 104 tickets obtainable to the 13 LIV gamers within the Masters already had been taken — and raved concerning the reception he acquired.

Norman took to Instagram to thank “the a whole bunch if not 1000’s of individuals” for what he known as “unanimous assist.”

“My proper hand is sore from shaking palms with every considered one of you in addition to the hugs given to so many,” Norman wrote.

THE DRIVE FOR FIVE

Nelly Korda has greater than a serious championship at stake this week in The Chevron Championship. She is going to attempt to be a part of Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as the one girls to win 5 straight tournaments on the LPGA Tour.

Korda could be extra just like Sorenstam than Lopez, and never simply because the fifth in a row would come on the LPGA’s first main of the 12 months. There additionally was a big hole.

Sorenstam received twice on the finish of the 2004 season — Japan, every week off, after which the ADT Championship. She skipped the 2005 season opener in Hawaii after which reeled off the following three tournaments on the schedule, capped by profitable the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Korda received the Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida, in January, after which skipped the whole Asia swing, taking a seven-week break. She returned to win in Los Angeles, the Phoenix space after which captured her fourth in a row on the Match Play in Las Vegas.

Lopez received her 5 straight in a six-week span in 1978. She began with three wins in three weeks, skipped the Peter Jackson Traditional in Canada after which received the LPGA Championship and the next week in New York.

Korda is the primary to win 4 straight tournaments since Lorena Ochoa received 4 straight in 4 weeks by seven photographs, 5 photographs, 11 photographs and three photographs. She took every week off after which tied for fifth at Cedar Ridge in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 5 photographs out of the lead.

MAJOR BOOST

The Chevron Championship pledged to improve the primary LPGA main of the 12 months, and it took a giant step Tuesday. It introduced a handbag enhance to $7.9 million, up from $5.2 million. The prize cash has gone up $4.8 million within the three years that Chevron has been title sponsor.

The winner will get $1.2 million.

Chevron additionally stated it might lengthen its sponsorship by way of 2029.

The purse is nearer according to the opposite conventional majors in girls’s golf. The U.S. Ladies’s Open stays the best at $12 million, adopted by the KPMG Ladies’s PGA Championship at $10 million. The AIG Ladies’s British Open is $9 million.

The LPGA made the Evian Championship a serious a decade in the past. Its prize cash is $6.5 million.

Along with the massive purse enhance, Chevron is giving $10,000 to each participant who misses the minimize to assist with bills in journey.

REED’S MOVE

Patrick Reed left the Masters with a small measure of frustration due to a poor week driving the ball and never getting any momentum. He closed with an even-par 72 and needed to accept a tie for twelfth.

It may need finished him a world of fine.

Reed had not acquired an invite to the PGA Championship earlier than he arrived on the Masters because the No. 112 participant on the earth rating. With a superb end, the LIV Golf participant moved up 27 spots to No. 85. The PGA Championship at Valhalla is a month away, and it is unlikely Reed could have fallen out of the highest 100 by then.

The PGA of America has a historical past of inviting everybody inside the highest 100 on the earth rating, although it isn’t a part of the factors. Oftentimes officers will go a bit deeper.

At stake for Reed is a streak enjoying in each main relationship to the 2014 Masters.

Reed stated after the third spherical of the Masters he was unsure of his schedule outdoors LIV Golf. He already acquired a small increase on the earth rating — LIV occasions don’t supply rating factors — with a fourth-place end within the Worldwide Sequence-Macau on the Asian Tour.

“Hopefully the PGA and the U.S. Open and The Open Championship check out issues like that and take consideration on who they’re deciding to present exemptions to,” Reed stated. “All I can concentrate on is enjoying good golf.”

A TOUCH OF CLASS

Probably the most poignant reminiscence of a caddie on the Masters was how Shota Hayafuji changed the pin after Hideki Matsuyama received in 2021, after which eliminated his cap and bowed to the course as a present of respect.

Scottie Scheffler’s stylish gesture wasn’t so apparent.

Two years in the past, he walked off the 18th inexperienced along with his spouse, Meredith. She was residence in Dallas this 12 months awaiting the beginning of their first baby. Scheffler hugged two of his sisters, his dad and mom, swing coach Randy Smith and supervisor Blake Smith and was about to stroll to scoring when he stopped and turned.

His caddie, Ted Scott, was nonetheless exchanging hugs when Scheffler known as to him and waited. He had Scott go together with him, main the best way.

“He doesn’t need to make the stroll alone,” CBS announcer Jim Nantz stated. “That was nice of him. What a gesture.”

DIVOTS

The ultimate spherical of the Masters averaged a 5.2 ranking and 9.59 million viewers on CBS, which Sports activities Media Watch stated was 5% down in scores and a drop of 20% in viewership in contrast with final 12 months. Amongst causes for the drop is that final 12 months the ultimate spherical fell on Easter Sunday and benefited from a lift in out-of-home viewers. One different issue could possibly be the streaming possibility on the Masters’ state-of-the-art web site. … Scottie Scheffler is main the PGA Tour in birdie common and bogey avoidance. … Rickie Fowler introduced on social media that he and his spouse expect their second daughter this summer time. His spouse, Allison, stated the infant was due the week of the Olympics in early August. That is also two weeks after the British Open. … Webb Simpson is No. 138 within the FedEx Cup and it isn’t from a scarcity of alternative. He already has acquired sponsor exemptions into two $20 million signature occasions that didn’t have cuts. Simpson is enjoying on a sponsor exemption this week on the RBC Heritage, one other signature occasion with no minimize. Simpson received at Hilton Head in 2020 through the COVID-19 pandemic.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Scottie Scheffler is averaging $431,235 for each spherical of golf he has performed this 12 months on the PGA Tour.

FINAL WORD

“That is what I’m trying ahead to most about being a father or mother is with the ability to love my baby like my dad and mom cherished me.” — Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.