Keegan Bradley is having an incredible 2025. Not only was he named America’s Ryder Cup captain earlier this year, making him one of the youngest captains in Ryder Cup history at just 38 years old, but he’s also taking the Masters by storm. The return of his incredible mustache and his father-son playtime at Augusta National have been some of the highlights of the pre-Masters fanfare.

However, with the Par 3 Contest going down today, Bradley is also making waves for his stellar play. On Hole 6, Bradley knocked in a hole-in-one.

Ever since being snubbed from the 2023 Ryder Cup team, Bradley has become somewhat of a fan favorite. His endearing reaction to that same Ryder Cup from which he was snubbed, captured by the Netflix documentary ‘Full Swing’ has made him one of golf’s most beloved athletes, and making his ace on No. 6 that much sweeter.

Bradley’s ace means the mustache might stay for good

Bradley is a very superstitious man. For those unaware, he didn’t always have the mustache. In fact, it made its triumphant return for this Masters tournament. During the Par 3 Contest broadcast, Bradley jested, ‘I shaved it off and I played two weeks and did not play well at all, so I had to bring it back.’

Despite the stellar play, even Bradley was not immune to jabs from the broadcasters. Scott Van Pelt joked that he looked ‘like a 1978 middle reliever for the Red Sox.’

Still, Bradley understands the power and responsibility that comes with a hairy philtrum. ‘I know if I win with it or play well with it, it’s gonna have to stay,’ Bradley said. ‘So you know it’s a dangerous, dangerous thing that I’m messing with here.’

A hole-in-one is clearly a sign that he needs to remain unshaven.

When does Bradley tee off tomorrow?

Bradley kicks off the Masters with a 9:58 a.m. tee time paired with Phil Mickelson and Jason Day.

LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić continues settling in as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers while the team positions itself for a postseason run.

Dončić joined the Lakers after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2 and has been working his way back into playing shape.

The point guard has already played against his former team once since the trade in Los Angeles but he will have an opportunity to play against his former team in Dallas tonight.

He will be back in a familiar setting when the Mavericks host the Lakers on Wednesday evening at the American Airlines Center.

“Dallas had been my home for almost seven years,” Dončić said to reporters on March 20. “It really felt like home, but coming here, it’s like building a new home and I’m getting more comfortable.”

How is Luka Dončić getting along with his Los Angeles teammates?

After a convincing home game against the Denver Nuggets on March 19, Dončić was seen icing his feet in front of his locker.

He took an aggressive approach in the contest and scored 21 of his 31 points in the first quarter against Denver. He nearly produced a double-double, adding eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block in the 120-108 victory on March 19.

The Slovenian player looked around the room with a smile and began interacting with any teammate in sight.

He looks across from his locker toward Dorian Finney-Smith and shares his disappointment in his teammate’s outfit.

“Pink pants, man?” Dončić said jokingly to Finney-Smith. “Seriously?”

The duo have a longstanding friendship that started several years back when they were teammates on the Mavericks.

Dončić also sang his rendition of Vanilla Ice’s ‘Ice Ice Baby’ before saying, “Oh, sorry, A.R.” with a grin on his face toward teammate Austin Reaves, who was within arm’s reach, doing his postgame media availability.

How are the Lakers and their fans embracing Luka Dončić?

The organization has used music to embrace Dončić as part of its effort to make Los Angeles his home away from home.

On multiple occasions when he arrives from out of the home tunnel for pregame warmups, a Serbian song will immediately play over the Crypto.com Arena loudspeaker from various music artists such as Ana Bekuta, Ceca and Funky G.

Fans in Los Angeles and across the country also continue to embrace the point guard.

Dončić has been seen in multiple videos over recent weeks on social media where he takes the time to sign autographs of his jerseys, both new and old, for groups of people who are waiting for him to get on a team bus in different cities.

Dončić was No. 8 in jersey sales during the first half of the season when he was still with the Mavericks, according to a post shared by the NBA’s official Instagram on Jan. 28.

The account has not posted similar information since Dončić was traded in the week that followed, but he likely climbed up that leader board with a strong demand for his new jersey in a big market.

Lakers forward LeBron James was ranked second for the same period behind Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.

Fanatics had sold out the gold Lakers jersey with Dončić’s name on the back just days after news of the trade took place, according to Yahoo Sports. 

Dončić has brought a different level of excitement and energy to the city of Los Angeles and the team, which was 31-19 before acquiring the international star.

After a recent pregame shoot around, he could be found in the tunnel signing more autographs and leaving the crowd in shock by making a trick shot before running back to the locker room.

“You just feel the energy,” Dončić said after the game against the Nuggets on March 19. “There are some crazy shots that I can hit and I know if I make one of those, the crowd will go crazy and give energy to me and the whole team.”

Just days after he arrived in Los Angeles, Dončić became aware of the devastating wildfires that claimed the lives of many in his new community. He donated $500,000 through his foundation to help with immediate recovery efforts on Feb. 10.

‘I am also committed to helping rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed because every kid needs a safe place to play,” Dončić said in a statement when announcing the donation.

When the point guard is playing, he works toward building his on-court chemistry with his teammates and coach JJ Redick through the final games before the playoffs.

The Lakers began Wednesday with a 48-31 record and the third seed in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started, Los Angeles would play against the sixth-seeded Warriors. 

The Lakers are now 17 games back from the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and four games back of the second-seeded Houston Rockets. The Lakers can officially clinch a playoff berth with a win against Dallas and further increase their chances of securing the third seed.

The Lakers managed to get healthy at the right time, with James and Rui Hachimura back in the starting lineup after missing multiple games. The Lakers’ primary starting lineup with James and Hachimura paired with Dončić, Reaves and Jaxson Hayes is 8-3.

Without James, Dončić was the primary focus for the opposing defense.

“He has a pro approach,’ Finney-Smith said. ‘He’s been a pro for a long time, even before the NBA. 

“He is a competitor. He smiles a lot, but once he’s on the court, he is a dog.’

Dončić’s aggressive games led to him racking up double-digit points in the first half.

“It’s not a strategy,” Dončić said after the game. “It’s just what the defense gives you. In the first (quarter), they’ll just switch and let me go one-on-one, so I know at some point, they’re going to double.’

He also produced 19 points in the first half against Indiana, but Dončić isn’t impressed by his performances. He’s much more focused on the Lakers’ winning at this stage of the season.

“I think we just got to look back at the way we played at that eight-game winning streak,” Dončić told reporters on March 24 after the Lakers’ recent three-game skid. “I think we just got a little bit satisfied, we can’t afford that right now.’

Dončić executed a no-look pass that led to an easy slam dunk by James during a game against the Grizzlies on Saturday.

After connecting on one of their first alley-oops in February, James referred to himself and Luka as members of a football team.

“I’m a natural-born wide receiver, and he’s a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly,” James said. “I’ve been running the floor and filling lanes my whole life, and he’s been throwing great passes his whole life. 

“It’s not hard to get a rhythm when you have that kind of connection. It’s all about eye contact and him being the great quarterback that he is.”

With the attention the primary duo attracts on the court, opponents’ game plans tend to shift toward them and leave opportunities for their teammates to take advantage of.

What the Lakers are able to do with those opportunities could be the difference in how far the team’s postseason run can be.

The team had to finish its game Tuesday night against the Thunder without Dončić, who was ejected in the second half of the game after a verbal exchange with a fan.

The Lakers struggled without Dončić available and the Thunder produced a scoring run that put the game out of reach for the remaining players.

Luka Dončić stats

Dončić has averaged 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game in 48 games this season.

Who do the Lakers play next?

The Lakers will play the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

With Serbian star Nikola Jokić — a once-in-a-lifetime player who has turned into one of the game’s all-time greatest players — delivering another historic season, the Denver Nuggets made stunning organizational changes with three games remaining in the regular season and the playoffs looming.

On Tuesday, the Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and jettisoned general manger Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be extended, leaving the Nuggets without two key people who were instrumental in helping the Nuggets win the franchise’s only NBA title in 2023.

It’s a perplexing move given Denver is not only in playoff position, but very well a contender in a deep Western Conference. Malone had taken the Nuggets to the promised land before, and had a chance to do it again for the second time in three seasons. But things were reaching a boiling point in the Mile High City, resulting in the moves that sent shockwaves through the Association.

Why did Nuggets fire Mike Malone?

Nuggets president and governor Josh Kroenke said in a video posted on social media the decision wasn’t taken lightly, but things weren’t trending in the right direction for the franchise.

‘What I would say is that, having observed that group over a period of time, there were certain trends that were very worrisome to me at different points in time,’ Kroenke said.

He added the issues were masked by wins, and as Denver hit a recent slump, Kroenke believed the season would come to a disappointing end. Ownership didn’t want an early playoff exit and believed a deep playoff run was possible if it opted to go in a different direction.

There were rumblings of changes coming in the offseason, but felt it needed to be expediated, even if the timing wasn’t ideal.

‘All that taken into consideration, wanted to try to figure out a way to potentially squeeze as much juice out of the rest of the season as possible,’ Kroenke said. ‘I became comfortable with the thinking of let’s try to shake this tree and squeeze as much out of this as we can.’

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What led to Nuggets firing Mike Malone, Calvin Booth

There was friction between Malone and Booth over Denver’s roster construction. Malone wanted to succeed with veteran players while Booth sought younger talent, mainly through the NBA draft. Despite their differences and trying to work past them, Denver was still successful on the court.

Booth is a strong talent evaluator and has hit on some late first-round picks, including Christian Braun who is a candidate for Most Improved Player this season.

The discord between the two proved to be much. The battle between playing veterans and younger players – Russell Westbrook over Jalen Pickett was an issue – was never resolved, and Malone’s style had worn thin in the locker room. Jokic was privy to the decision before it was announced, and there was not an objection, people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s internal operations.

A re-start with a different coach and different GM was the answer. In a battle of Last Man Standing, neither won.

On Feb. 20, Denver was second in the Western Conference at 37-19. But since then, it’s been 10-14 as the offensive and defensive efficiency numbers dipped.

Denver is 3-7 in their past 10 games and are riding a four game losing streak. Now in a crowded Western Conference where only two games separate the No. 3 seed an No. 8 seed, Denver has slipped to fourth in the conference and is at risk of being in the play-in tournament.

The Nuggets have slipped offensively and defensively since the All-Star break, scoring 119.5 points and allowing 113.7 point per 100 possessions before the break and 116.8 and 118.3 after the break.

They lost to Minnesota April 1 in double overtime, a game in which Jokic recorded a 60-point triple-double: 61 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and lost to Indiana Sunday with Jokic going for 41 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Nuggets’ situation illustrates how difficult it is to maximize a championship window in today’s NBA. When Denver beat Miami for the title in 2023 with Jokic and Jamal Murray, it looked like it was a team built for multiple championships. But Denver lost in the conference semifinals and do not look like a team – at least today – ready to return to the Finals this season.

Ownership isn’t ready to give up on that goal.

Who is Nuggets’ new coach?

David Adelman, who was Malone’s top assistant, will take over the interim coaching duties for the remainder of the season. He is the son of former NBA coach Rick Adelman.

Adelman has been in Denver since 2017 and has drawn head coaching interviews in recent years for his role in developing Denver’s offense around Jokić. The Nuggets lead the league in points in the paint per game (58.4).

‘I have complete trust and belief in our assistant coaches and their ability to step up into different roles,’ Kroenke said.

With just a little more than two weeks remaining until the 2025 NFL draft, all that’s left is the final run of speculation.

The pro day circuit is complete, leaving teams to put the final touches on an extensive process with their final draft meetings. And while the overwhelming majority of behind-the-scenes work has been completed, the end product remains very much a mystery for those on both the inside and outside. This year’s draft has yielded little in terms of consensus and clarity, leaving the possibility for several early surprises to shape the first round.

With all that in mind, here’s USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2025 NFL mock draft:

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

At least the start of the draft seems to have some degree of certainty. With the Titans and Shedeur Sanders canceling their private workout, all signs point to Ward for the No. 1 pick. An electric presence behind center who still occasionally short-circuits when pressing, the 6-2, 219-pounder might seem like an atypical choice for a team looking to pivot from Will Levis’ many miscues. But Ward’s upward trajectory as a composed pocket passer suggests he could help Tennessee achieve some semblance of stability with its aerial attack while still maintaining a big-play flair.

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2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Deion Sanders said Hunter and his son, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, ‘should be going 1-2’ in the draft. While he won’t get his wish, he shouldn’t have to wait long to start celebrating on draft night. Hunter has plenty of buzz to go here as the first non-quarterback taken, and with good reason. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at the NFL Scouting Combine he envisioned Hunter working primarily at wide receiver to start his career, and the Heisman Trophy winner could help Cleveland scrape along with a bridge option at quarterback – or a passer later on in the draft.

3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

If New York goes in a different direction, the selection could turn the draft on its head. Sanders’ settling point would then be unclear, with only so many teams in the first round still seemingly in the market to be buyers in what is widely seen as an underwhelming quarterback class. Additionally, the Giants would be under pressure to identify a passer who could be brought along behind Russell Wilson. But with Hunter off the board, maybe Joe Schoen doesn’t get cute with what could be a tenure-defining choice and instead forges ahead with Sanders.

4. New England Patriots – Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

At the annual league meeting, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the team wouldn’t be boxed in by needs and would instead focus on taking the best player available at No. 4. This scenario would certainly test his commitment to that stance. While taking a left tackle has to be in play given how problematic New England’s current protection plan for Drake Maye looks, Carter would be without peer among the prospects available as a potential game-wrecker for Mike Vrabel and a defense that ranked last with just 28 sacks in 2024.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham’s motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn’t win right away.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Heisman Trophy runner-up is headed to Sin City this week, and many are convinced that will be his draft-night destination. The Silver and Black might be testing just how much value even the most well-rounded running back can provide to an offense with significant deficiencies elsewhere. But Jeanty has shown a rare penchant for creating yardage almost on his own, and an alignment between intention and talent can help the Raiders rejuvenate the league’s worst rushing attack.

7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Steadiness has been the recurrent theme of everything Gang Green has done this offseason, with Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey not seeking to take any shortcuts on what figures to be an extensive rebuild. Membou, then, should have plenty of appeal given that the 6-4, 332-pounder didn’t surrender a sack last season and plays with rare equanimity for a blocker who only turned 21 last month.

8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Walker remained a fixture in this spot since the top of the draft order was first set, and it’s hard to find a better alternative for Carolina. Ejiro Evero’s defense is due for a true difference-maker beyond Derrick Brown, and Walker can deliver plenty of disruption as an edge rusher as he rounds out other parts of his game.

9. New Orleans Saints – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

With the Saints again resisting the full reset many have wondered about, there’s no clear direction for Kellen Moore to take things in Year 1. Warren could at least somewhat solve that, as the versatile threat could do plenty of heavy lifting for the Saints’ uneven receiving corps.

10. Chicago Bears – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Ryan Poles already spent big in free agency to remake Chicago’s front, but the task might not be quite done. Campbell could come in and push left tackle Braxton Jones, who is still recovering from a fractured ankle and is not signed beyond this season.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Cornerback hasn’t been an area at which San Francisco has allotted significant draft capital during the John Lynch era. But as the prototype for the position at 6-2 and 194 pounds with superlative ball skills, Johnson could provide a substantial payoff if the 49ers are willing to deviate from their habits.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Amid a raging debate about whether McMillan is truly a top-flight wide receiver and the pre-eminent prospect at his position, maybe the 6-4, 219-pound target will find a home as a high-end No. 2 option. McMillan would contrast nicely with CeeDee Lamb as a perimeter threat who can elevate one of the league’s worst red-zone offenses.

13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Forgoing the offensive and defensive lines here to select a cornerback might cause quite a stir given the state of the Dolphins’ fronts. But with the top options at those positions already accounted for, Barron could extend Miami’s versatility in the secondary.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Loveland might not be seen by some as on the same level as Warren, but he’s hardly a consolation prize for an Indianapolis offense desperate for a tight end capable of making some kind of imprint on the passing game. More of a field-expander than safety valve, the 6-6, 248-pound seam threat would raise both the floor and ceiling for either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson.

15. Atlanta Falcons – Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College

Maybe this seems early for an edge rusher who can be swallowed up when bigger blockers lock onto him. But Ezeiruaku has an extensive array of tricks to ensure that doesn’t happen, and he leverages his moves, length and agility to become a mainstay in opponents’ backfields. And with Atlanta now approaching a decade since it last had a player reach double-digit sacks, the organization should look beyond the positional prototype for ways to generate pressure.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Though Josh Sweat’s signing was the crown jewel of the Cardinals’ offseason, Monti Ossenfort also added plenty of heft to his defensive line by adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. His next move could be continuing that theme on the other side of the ball with Banks, who would provide flexibility in either pairing with Paris Johnson Jr. at offensive tackle or kicking inside.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

The standoff between NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson and Cincinnati shows no signs of abating, with Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn ratcheting up the pressure at the annual league meeting by saying it’s ‘on (Hendrickson) to be happy at some point.’ Whether it’s as a running mate for the All-Pro defensive end or as his successor, Stewart figures to be the kind of high-upside player who would be of great interest to the Bengals as they try to load up the underfunded defense with young talent.

18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

With its evaluations on several free-agent options not resulting in any signings, Seattle’s problems along its interior line are as glaring as ever. John Schneider might be hard-pressed to use a premium pick on an area he has long resisted making a substantial investment in, but the smooth-moving Zabel would slot in as an enticing fit in new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

A shoulder injury that necessitated surgery after the combine might have some jittery about Campbell’s stock. But that setback might be the only thing to slow the ascent of the 6-3, 235-pounder, who could make an early mark in the Buccaneers’ pass rush as he hones his instincts at the second level.

20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

With far more discussion than action so far regarding the Broncos’ plans to build out their backfield, Denver sizes up as a virtual lock to take a running back at some point relatively early in the draft. The only question is how heavily the team will prioritize the position. The hard-charging Hampton represents Sean Payton’s chance to take a major swing and invest in the lead back he hasn’t typically gravitated toward.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

With Aaron Rodgers continuing to take his time as he decides on his football future, the Steelers might enter the draft with an alarming lack of clarity behind center. Dart might not be an ideal contingency plan in the short term given his potentially long acclimation period after playing in a play-action-heavy scheme that afforded him plenty of easy looks, but his confidence attacking downfield would make him an intriguing fit for an offense looking to make the most of George Pickens and DK Metcalf.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Jim Harbaugh isn’t likely to change from his distinct ways anytime soon, but some more juice in the passing game is required for the Chargers to fully unlock their rugged identity. Putting Golden on the outside would help lessen the burden shouldered by Ladd McConkey and give Justin Herbert more easy looks with his knack for creating separation.

23. Green Bay Packers – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

Lukas Van Ness has yet to make a serious jump in the two years after he became a first-round pick, so in comes another pass rusher defined more by his potential than his production. The 6-5, 260-pound Williams looks the part of a Brian Gutekunst selection, and Green Bay could get another crack at maximizing the disruptiveness of an explosive athlete with a formidable bull rush.

24. Minnesota Vikings – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The optimal path for a team with just four draft picks – including this lone one before compensatory selections begin – would be trading back, even to Day 2. Yet Emmanwori could prove compelling as a singularly athletic playmaker capable of returning immense value once he develops a better feel for both run support and route recognition.

25. Houston Texans – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Even after adding Cam Robinson and Trent Brown late in free agency, the Texans’ reworking of the offensive line feels incomplete. Selecting Simmons is a step toward establishing a long-term plan, as the 6-5, 317-pounder has all the tools to hold up against NFL speed rushers, though he’s still finding his way on some of the finer points of pass protection and is recovering from a torn patellar tendon.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

With Matthew Stafford back, the Rams have to balance developing a young roster with capitalizing on the competitive window propped open by their veteran gunslinger. Bolstering the outlook at cornerback would serve both goals, and Los Angeles’ defensive scheme should help Hairston tap into his playmaking prowess in coverage.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Looks like a Raven, plays like a Raven, feels like a Raven. Starks is heady leader on the back end with an extensive playmaking track record. If he can properly harness his aggressiveness and not let it leave him susceptible to big breakdowns in coverage, he could team with Kyle Hamilton to give Baltimore an imposing tandem at safety.

28. Detroit Lions – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Defensive tackle might not seem like the foremost area of concern for the Lions, but Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo’s recoveries from torn anterior cruciate ligaments suffered late last season only further highlight the need for depth along a line that was undone by injuries. Comfortable attacking from almost anywhere, Harmon would surely be a welcome addition to a defense that looks desperate to set the tone up front.

29. Washington Commanders – Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall

Two sexual assault allegations could complicate Green’s draft outlook. But if he’s available at this point – and there’s a chance that his range is closer to the teens – and the Commanders are comfortable with the selection, the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks could be a critical cornerstone for a pass rush that lacks a dynamic presence.

30. Buffalo Bills – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Addressing the void at cornerback opposite Christian Benford might be a necessity for a Buffalo squad on the precipice of a Super Bowl breakthrough. The 6-2, 197-pound Thomas can smother receivers from their release to the catch point, though his physicality mid-route could leave him prone to penalties early in his career.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

After reconfiguring their offensive line by exporting Joe Thuney to the Bears and inking Jaylon Moore to a massive deal, the Chiefs settled in for a relatively quiet offseason. They’d certainly make some noise by taking advantage of a promising defensive tackle class with Nolen, who would give defenses plenty of headaches as they try to account for Chris Jones and him on the interior.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee

Howie Roseman returned to his usual tactics in free agency by buying the dip with one-year deals for a couple of talented edge rushers in Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Here, he can employ the same strategy to find a long-term solution at one of his most coveted spots, with Pearce having the explosive initial burst and closing speed of a top pick despite his occasionally uneven results.

This story has been updated to correct a typo.

There are a handful of hard-and-fast rules at Augusta National Golf Club that you’re not allowed to break, no matter who you are.

Arizona State golf coach Matt Thurmond found that out the hard way on Monday.

Attending this year’s Masters with star pupil Jose Luis Ballester, a two-time All-American at ASU, Thurmond was on the practice range talking to Sun Devils alum Kevin Yu when an Augusta National official tapped him on the shoulder.

His crime: wearing shorts.

Augusta’s strict dress code resulted in Thurmond getting kicked off the grounds. He admitted his mistake in a post on social media.

‘Strolled onto the Augusta range today with my coach badge,’ Thurmond wrote on X. ‘Got removed for wearing shorts. First bogey of the week.’

Thurmond took reponsibility for his mistake, and fortunately packed some pants in his suitcase.

He’ll be back out there when Ballester, a 21-year-old amateur from Spain, tees off on Thursday in his second career major. He also competed in the 2023 British Open.

The reigning U.S. Amateur champion will be paired with Justin Thomas and defending Masters champ Scottie Scheffler for the first two rounds of this year’s tournament.

The annual Masters Champions Dinner took place Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club, and defending champion Scottie Scheffler’s unique palette was on full display with a culinary mix of burgers, chili, ribeye, and fish among other dishes.

Of the 35 chairs reserved for past champions, 32 were occupied. Only Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Sandy Lyle were not in attendance. Singh withdrew from the tournament because of an undisclosed injury, and it will be the first Masters he has missed since he debuted at Augusta in 1994. Lyle, the 1988 winner, citing ‘personal reasons,’ missed the dinner for the second year in a row.

Tiger Woods’ absence at the Champions Dinner

Woods, a five-time Masters champion, won’t compete at this year’s tournament. The 15-time major winner ruptured his left Achilles tendon last month, and it is not clear when he will return to competition.

‘We were putting our jackets away and the guys said that Tiger still can’t put weight on his foot,’ 1971 Masters winner Charles Coody said. ‘They said his weight tolerance just isn’t there to climb up those stairs.’

2025 Masters Champions Dinner menu

Appetizers

Cheeseburger sliders: served Scottie-style
Firecracker shrimp: Sweet Thai chili and sriracha mayo
Papa Scheff’s meatball and ravioli bites: Pecorino cheese, tomato basil sauce

First course

Texas-style chili: Cheddar cheese, jalapeños, corn chips

Main course

Choice of wood-fired cowboy ribeye or blackened redfish: Family style macaroni and cheese, jalapeño creamed corn, soy glazed brussels sprouts, chipotle-lined roasted sweet potatoes

Dessert

Warm chocolate chip skillet cookie: Vanilla bean ice cream

Coming to toy shelves soon: LeBron James in the form of his own Ken doll.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and 21-time All-Star, through his LeBron James Family Foundation, has partnered with Mattel, Inc. to create a toy model in his likeness, which will be the first Ken doll to feature a professional athlete.

‘As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication. Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to,’ James said in a statement.

‘It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams and show kids they, too, can achieve greatness.’

The Lebron James ‘Kenbassadors’ doll will be available to buy online starting on Monday, retailing at $75. The doll will be released by Mattel ahead of Ken’s 65th anniversary.

The doll features James dressed in a varsity jacket with his initials and patches featuring his jersey number 23, his home state of Ohio. It also has a wristband reading “I promise,’ which also is the name of a school in Akron, Ohio, and Beats by Dre headphones, a black hat, sunglasses, a gold watch, and a black LeBron James Family Foundation “We Are Family” T-shirt.

‘We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential,’ Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel said.