The story of the underdog is one of life’s favorite fables.

David’s rock crashing into Goliath’s head, Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali, defeating heavy-favorite Sonny Liston, or Mike Eruzione firing team USA ahead during the Miracle on Ice – it is written into human nature to route for, and then remember, the unlikely hero.

When Harry Ford walked up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh at Chase Field, the Great Britain baseball team was already on the cusp of adding themselves to this list of longshots – with a World Baseball Classic win against Colombia in the team’s tournament debut.

Leading off the innings in Phoenix, Arizona the 20-year-old did not seem burdened by the potentially historic feat and, with a one and two count, Ford got the pitch he was waiting for.

The Seattle Mariners prospect crushed a home run into left-field and gave Great Britain some much-needed breathing space with a 6-3 lead.

Despite being born in America, Ford has quickly become one of the faces of British baseball during his young career.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia to British parents, the catcher was crucial to his side’s entry to the World Baseball Classic and has continued his good form on the big stage.

Speaking to MLB.com before joining up with his Great Britain teammates, Ford touched on his Britishness.

“My dad is the big one. My mom’s British, too. But my dad is like really, really British,” Ford explained.

“He still has his accent and everything. For him, [playing for Team GB] was one of the best things ever. Just because he’s always been at every single one of my baseball games since I started, and being able to just to represent his country and play and be the first Great Britain team to make it this far, too, has really meant the world to him.”

Like Ford, a lot of the players in the GB squad were not born in Britain, but the players have fully embraced their role of representing the nation.

With Britain trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Bahamian born Chavez Young hit a single to left-field and enabled Nick Ward and Darnell Sweeney to score.

After an error from Colombia’s Harold Ramirez, Young advanced to second and celebrated by pretending to sip from a cup of tea – a celebration which has become a staple of the team’s repertoire.

After Young’s two-run single, Great Britain was now level at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, and with runners waiting on second and third, youngster Jaden Rudd stepped up to the plate. The 20-year-old hit hard and low to left-field – sending Ward and Sweeney home for their second runs of the game.

Ford’s homer followed two innings later and for Great Britain it was now time to believe. After sending the ball to space, Ford was draped in a regal robe by his teammates and sported a crown fit for a king as he made his way back to the dugout.

With Ward capitalizing on a wild pitch for his third run of the game, Great Britain took a 7-3 lead.

Ian Gibaut was then tasked with seeing Great Britain home. The pitcher grew up on the much more traditionally British sport of cricket. His father, Russel, played professionally for Welsh team Glamorgan and English team Lancashire before emigrating to the US.

The 29-year-old must have inherited his dad’s ability in bat and ball sports and entered the game in the top of the eighth with Colombia looking to mount a comeback.

The Cincinnati Reds reliever survived the late scare and Great Britain won its inaugural World Baseball Classic game 7-5.

Speaking after the game to the MLB Network, Great Britain manager Drew Spencer exclaimed that this could be a turning point in the future of baseball on the island.

“I think there will be people who can use this moment as inspiration to come out and play the game and to believe that someone with [Great Britain] on the front of their chest can be successful,” he said.

The season’s first nor’easter has dropped nearly 3 feet of snow over parts of the US Northeast as of Tuesday evening, piling on trees and power lines and causing power outages for tens of thousands in the frigid weather with more snow possible into the night.

More than 240,000 customers across the region were without electricity as the sun went down Tuesday, including in New York, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us.

Areas from upstate New York into southern New England have reported snowfall totals of at least 2 feet since Monday night, and parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine could see another 6 to 12 inches through the night, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

The heavy snowfall, coupled with strong wind gusts, created dangerous conditions for drivers Tuesday, with New York state’s transportation department warning residents the safest place to be is home.

Millions of people in the region were under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories Tuesday evening during the nor’easter – a type of storm that travels along the Eastern Seaboard and brings winds from the northeast.

Live updates: Snow, rain and flooding pummel US coast to coast

Here’s what to expect going into Wednesday:

• The nor’easter is expected to continue dumping snow across New England overnight and taper off early Wednesday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

• The winds won’t slow down as quickly: Areas from the mid-Atlantic through the Northeast will experience strong wind gusts through Wednesday afternoon, which could mean more power power outages and woes for travelers.

• Parts of Massachusetts could also see minor coastal flooding and beach erosion Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

More than 1,000 flights canceled

The weather caused major disruptions for air travelers, with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed Tuesday.

More than 1,100 flights within, into or out of the US were canceled, and more than 5,200 were delayed, according to FlightAware.com.

Among the most affected airports in the US were New York’s LaGuardia Airport and the Boston Logan International Airport – both of which urged passengers to check their flight status before going there.

Also in New York, the nose gear of a Delta Air Lines plane went beyond the paved taxiway at Syracuse Hancock International Airport while taxiing for departure to LaGuardia on Tuesday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

‘Please check on your neighbors’

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across dozens of upstate counties that went into effect Monday night.

The governor’s office said it activated the state’s emergency operations center Monday in response to the severe weather, and also activated the state’s National Guard to help with any response efforts.

“This winter storm has already dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in some of the eastern regions of the state, north of Westchester County, with heavy, wet snow causing power outages,” state Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said Tuesday.

“As power restoration and snow removal efforts continue, please check on your neighbors and loved ones to make sure they are weathering the storm safely,” Bray added.

In Massachusetts, roughly 1,700 pieces of equipment were deployed to help with snow and ice response, the state’s transportation department said.

“Right now, the biggest concern for residents is to make sure they stay home and they stay safe,” he said.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills closed all government offices on Tuesday and advised residents to “stay off the roads if they can, plan for extra time if traveling, and give plenty of space to road crews and first responders working hard to keep us safe.”

Utilities and transit agencies announced preparations and gave advice in anticipation of the storm’s impacts.

Power company ConEdison, which serves New York City and neighboring Westchester County, brought in more than 400 outside workers to assist with possible outages, the utility said in a news release.

ConEdison warned customers to avoid downed wires – which could be hidden by snow, leaves or water – and report them to the utility or local authorities.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which serves a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York state and Connecticut, announced plans to maintain as much service as possible.

“MTA employees will be deployed throughout the operating region spreading salt and clearing surfaces of snow, keeping signals, switches, and third rails operating, and attending to any weather-related challenges,” a news release from the authority said.

Another atmospheric river is walloping storm-ravaged California, inundating cities already flooded by recent rain and forcing residents to flee – or risk not getting help if they need it.

About 30 million people across the state were under flood alerts as the 11th atmospheric river to hit the West this season slammed Northern California on Monday and took aim at central and Southern California on Tuesday.

“We weren’t expecting it to be as bad as we’re seeing it,” Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson said.

Rain could fall as fast as 1 inch per hour in some places – which could result in significant flash flooding. The two areas of most concern are along the central California coast between Monterey and Santa Barbara counties, as well as parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills near Fresno to Bakersfield.

More dangerous flooding is expected over Central and Southern CA today with another strong atmospheric river. 40% of ALL flood related fatalities and 80% of ALL flood related damages occur within WPC High Risks. Be prepared to act quickly should a warning be issued for your area. pic.twitter.com/t1AcvqKFa1

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) March 14, 2023

The atmospheric river also brought hurricane-force wind gusts to parts of central California Tuesday, along with widespread rainfall totals of up to 3 inches – and nearly half a foot in some areas. A high wind warning was in effect for almost 15 million people in the state.

Many parts of California haven’t recovered from last week’s deadly atmospheric river – a long, narrow band of moisture that can carry saturated air thousands of miles like a fire hose.

Heavily saturated soil can’t soak up much more water, and melting snow could amplify dangerous flooding.

More than 360,000 residences and businesses were without electricity Tuesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.US. Many of the outages – just over 130,000 – were in Santa Clara County.

The alerts affect residents in several counties:

• Santa Barbara County issued an evacuation warning Monday night for southern parts of the county and said it planned to upgrade the alert to an evacuation order on Tuesday. Those who refuse to heed the order might be on their own if they get trapped, the county warned.

“BE PREPARED to sustain yourself and your households for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding, or a debris flow,” the county said in a written notice.

• The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order Tuesday for parts of the county. “An evacuation order means you should leave immediately,” the sheriff’s office warned.

• An evacuation alert was issued for parts of Monterey County, where residents along the Salinas River were ordered to flee.

• In Los Angeles County, “Due to increased potential for debris flows and mudslides, the County has issued several evacuation warnings in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County that have burn scarring from recent wildfires,” the office of emergency management said.

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More than 600 Californians have taken refuge in 32 shelters across 13 counties, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said.

‘Extensive street flooding is likely’

Los Angeles County is the nation’s most populous county, with about 10 million residents. But some of those residents could find their neighborhoods under water.

“Heavy rain and excessive runoff may result in dangerous flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service’s local office said.

“Extensive street flooding is likely. There may be mudslides and rockslides, especially in and near steep terrain.”

Across California, 40 of the state’s 58 counties were under a state of emergency. Crews positioned across the state are bracing for more overflowing rivers, floods, mudslides and impassable roads.

A wave of life-threatening flooding is likely along much of the coast, central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, the National Weather Service said.

The “high-impact” atmospheric river was expected to thrash Southern California on Tuesday afternoon before starting to taper off Wednesday, forecasters said.

A levee breach widens, threatening more flooding

Crews are racing to patch up a broken levee in Monterey County that was breached Friday by the swollen Pajaro River – forcing thousands to evacuate as water flooded the nearby community.

“It was 120 feet when the levee initially broke, and now it’s expanded to 300 feet,” the mayor of Monterey said Monday.

Engineers are focusing on short- and long-term fixes. “The situation is dynamic and evolving,” said Jeremy Arrich, manager of the division of flood management for California’s Department of Water Resources.

For now, crews are trying to use a temporary rock-and-sand wall to slow the flow of water into Pajaro.

“A permanent fix will be undertaken once this crisis has passed,” Monterey County officials said.

Aside from the Pajaro River, the bloated Salinas River “is looking at breaching one of the major highways that folks use to get to the (Monterey) Peninsula,” said Williamson, the Monterey mayor.

It’s not clear how badly Highway 68 will get hit. But some Monterey Peninsula residents could soon find themselves on a virtual island, cut off by floodwater.

‘A whole hell of a lot of water’ packed in snow

This new wave of storms is pummeling areas already buried by heavy snowfall from the past two weeks.

Now, snowmelt could exacerbate flooding in the Sierra Nevada, where there’s likely 3 to 5 feet of snow at elevations higher than 7,500 feet, the National Weather Service said.

During the last storm, the deep snowpack generally absorbed more water than it melted, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said.

“There is more snow water in the southern and possibly central Sierra than there has ever been at this time of year – and possibly at any point during the year, especially in the southern Sierra,” Swain said.

“So there is a whole hell of a lot of water up there right now stored in the snowpack.”

Yet another atmospheric river is on the way

After this system, another atmospheric river is expected to hit the West Coast next week.

“Heavy rain, melting snowpack, saturated soils, and swollen streams may lead to prolonged flooding concerns and the potential for shallow landslides in some areas of California,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.

“High winds could lead to coastal erosion and may exacerbate localized flooding.”

From severe flooding to long droughts, water-related disasters have intensified over the past two decades as global temperatures climbed to record levels, new research shows.

Across the country, another major winter storm is walloping the Northeast. Widespread, heavy snowfall is forecast from northeast Pennsylvania through much of New York state and New England.

The Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunters” are flying missions in both the atmospheric river on the West Coast and the nor’easter on the East Coast, collecting data to help improve the forecast for those regions impacted by the storms.

We at it again flying another #AtmosphericRiver in the Pacific and the developing #snow storm in the Atlantic. The @53rdWRS is continuing to gather critical data from coast to coast to improve forecasts of these highly impactful late-season winter storms. pic.twitter.com/x0KSub68OT

— Jeremy DeHart (@JeremyDeHart53d) March 14, 2023

Until the last few years, forecasters had to rely solely on satellites and forecast models for forecasting atmospheric rivers – which can become very muddy without truly knowing what’s happening inside the storms.

Now, the University of California, San Diego, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes have teamed up with the Hurricane Hunters, who are able to drop instruments called “dropsondes” inside an atmospheric river to relay pinpointed live weather data.

The information is immediately put into weather forecast models, which drastically improves the accuracy of the forecast.

If you’re ever stranded in your car because of a bad winter storm, being prepared can be the difference between survival and serious harm or death.

Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions can be frightening and dangerous for travelers, and “are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter,” according to AAA.

“Just as we prepare for hurricane season — even if a hurricane doesn’t come to our location, it’s still better to be prepared,” she added.

Gray speaks from experience. “I learned it the hard way — that Atlanta snow jam in 2014. I was stuck on the road for 15 hours, and I didn’t have anything in my car,” she said. “It was incredibly scary.”

You should, of course, minimize non-essential travel during severe winter weather, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency recommends.

Regardless of where you live, “no part of the US can handle a road turning into an ice rink,” Gray said. “It doesn’t matter how good you are as far as a driver in winter weather.” But if you simply must travel, here’s how to prepare in case you encounter severe weather this winter.

Winterizing your car

Regardless of whether a severe storm is coming, prepping your car to handle winter weather is something you should do every fall, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Have your vehicle serviced as often as its manufacturer recommends, and do the following, the CDC advises:

• Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
• Replace windshield wiper fluid with a winter-suitable mixture (which will contain additives to prevent freezing).
• Ensure the tires have sufficient tread and air pressure, which you can measure with a tire gauge. Replace worn tires and fill low tires with air to the pressure recommended for your car.
• Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Keep your car in proper working condition by checking the heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil and battery.

Preparing and packing

Before leaving, check the weather forecast and tell loved ones where you’re going. If you become stuck in your car during a storm, being able to keep warm, signal distress, and stay safe, energized and nourished are top priorities, according to AAA, the Georgia agency, State Farm, the CDC and Almanac magazine.

For such purposes, these organizations recommend you pack the following items (you can download the full list at the bottom of this story):

Well-being

• Nonperishable, high-energy foods such as nuts, granola bars, dried fruit or beef jerky
• Extra bottled water (using an insulated bottle can help prevent freezing)
• Cup or makeshift cup in which you can melt snow — using waterproof matches — for drinking water
• First aid kit including adhesive bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap and pocketknife
• Rags and hand cleaner (such as baby wipes)
• Medications
• Books, games or DVDs for occupying children, if applicable

Warmth

• Hats, wool socks, coat, hand and feet warmers, gloves, scarves, and blankets (which you can use to both cover up with and insulate your car by putting them in your windows)
• Hiking boots (especially important if you must leave your car)
• Sleeping bag
• Rain poncho

Tools, distress signals and navigation

• Battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries and flares
• A brightly colored cloth, which you could tie to your vehicle’s antenna or secure atop your rolled-up window to ensure you are visible
• A cell phone (which you should fully charge beforehand) and portable cell phone charger
• Jumper cables, booster cables with fully charged battery or an external battery charger to start your car if the battery dies
• Basic tool kit
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Small fire extinguisher (5-pound, Class B or Class C type) in case of car fire
• Tire gauge to check pressure
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Tire or tow chains
• Glass scraper for clearing windows
• Small, collapsible shovel to clear snow from exhaust pipe, since a blocked exhaust pipe can cause sickening or deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the vehicle while the engine is running
• Sand or cat litter for gaining traction
• Road salt
• Anti-gelling fuel additive if your vehicle runs on diesel
• Extra winter windshield wiper and antifreeze
• General car emergency kit, which you should have on hand during any season: local and regional road maps, garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels, and gas can
• Jack and lug wrench to change tires
• Duct tape
• Foam tire sealant for minor tire punctures
• Scissors and string or cord
• Spare change and cash
• Compass

Behaviors to avoid

If you’re stuck in snowy or icy conditions, there are a few behaviors you should avoid. Don’t leave your car unless you have to, as staying inside it provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you, according to AAA.

You can exercise in your vehicle to keep warm, but don’t exhaust yourself while doing this or clearing your windows or exhaust pipe. Turning your car on for about 10 minutes each hour — and then off for the rest of the hour — can help you conserve gas and ensure you’re able to occasionally generate warmth.

During nighttime, keep your dome light on if possible, since it uses only a small amount of electricity and can help rescuers find you.

If traffic is still moving, slow down to at least half your normal speed and use a low gear, but not cruise control. When driving up a hill, don’t stop — get some inertia going on a flat road before you drive up the hill. Avoid steering or braking in an abrupt manner so you don’t skid or spin out. At night, keep your headlights on low beam to avoid glare, and leave at least double the typical following distance between yourself and the car in front of you.

If you see a truck spreading salt and gravel, don’t try to pass it. Gravel could bounce upward and break your windshield.

Travelers headed to South Beach for its ballyhooed, party-till-dawn bar and dance club scene will soon find their revelries shortened by hours.

A judge ruled on Tuesday that last call for alcohol in parts of South Beach can be shifted from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. following several attempts by Miami Beach officials to address complaints about nightclubs from city residents.

“Hopefully we can begin enforcement very soon,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber in a Facebook post after Tuesday’s decision. “This is a residential neighborhood that should not have to endure 24-hour nightclubs.”

According to the ordinance, “private clubs located in” Miami Beach’s mixed-use entertainment district south of 16th Street, known as MXE, “may only offer alcoholic beverages for sale or on-premises consumption between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.”

In years past, Miami Beach officials have voted to roll back alcohol sales in the MXE to 2 a.m. temporarily for spring break season.

Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Reemberto Diaz on Tuesday denied a motion for temporary injunction filed by attorneys for Amnesia International.

The ruling allows the city to make the earlier cut-off time permanent.

Amnesia International owns Story, a 27,000-square-foot nightclub in the MXE which operates four days a week from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. and has been strongly against the measure taking effect.

According to the new ordinance, “restaurants not operating as dance halls or entertainment establishments” can still serve alcohol until 5 a.m.

Bill Self, the head coach of Kansas men’s basketball, has been released from the hospital and is expected to rejoin the team and coach in NCAA tournament this coming week, the school announced on Sunday.

Last week, Self missed the Big 12 tournament after complaining of chest tightness and balance concerns, the University of Kansas Health System confirmed in a statement.

Self was released from the hospital on Sunday in good condition after undergoing a standard heart catheterization and having two stents put in for the treatment of blocked arteries.

“Coach Self responded well to the procedure and is expected to make a full recovery,” the University of Kansas Health System added.

The 60-year-old Self confirmed he would rejoin the team ahead of the team’s first-round matchup against Howard.

“I’m so thankful for the amazing staff at the University of Kansas Health System for the excellent care I received,” Self said in a statement. “I am proud of our team and coaching staff for how they have handled this and am excited to be back with them as the best time of the season gets underway.”

It is said that a Grandma knows best. Scottie Scheffler, newly crowned The Players Championship winner, would agree wholeheartedly.

Scheffler’s grandmother, Mary, could not have chosen a better week to follow her grandson around all 72 holes of a tournament.

A dominant victory sealed a dream Sunday for Scheffler at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, reclaiming his World No. 1 spot from Jon Rahm and securing him a $4.5 million cut of a record $25 million prize purse.

The 26-year-old American finished five strokes ahead of England’s Tyrrell Hatton, the largest margin of victory at the event dubbed “the fifth major” since Stephen Ames cruised to a six shot win in 2006.

It marks a sixth PGA Tour victory in a remarkable 13 month stretch for the reigning Masters champion, one made even sweeter by having many of his family watching on from the sidelines. And a number were gathered at the final green to embrace the new champion; wife Meredith, Mother, Father, and, of course, Grandmother.

The 88-year-old had made the 20-minute trip from her home in Florida to follow the progress of her grandson, with social media footage showing her walking between holes.

Scottie Scheffler’s 88-year-old grandmother, Mary, has been with Scottie all week.

She’s walked every single hole with him @THEPLAYERSChamp. pic.twitter.com/p8nof2Zy4h

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2023

“It’s pretty impressive she’s walking so many holes out here, she’s a trooper,” Scheffler told reporters.

“I really don’t know what to say. She’s had a rough last year with Grandpa passing away, and we have an uncle that’s pretty sick, and I’m just happy that we’re able to kind of enjoy all this together.”

Though her duties weren’t done for the day, according to Scheffler when asked how he would be celebrating.

“Maybe Grandma’s got some food at home,” he added.

“I know she has some dessert. We’ll see what’s in store.”

Team Scheffler’s live reaction to Scottie winning pic.twitter.com/EPTolwdfSu

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2023

Illustrious company

Scheffler didn’t do his grandmother any favors with the furious pace he set around TPC Sawgrass across the week.

After starting Sunday’s final round with a two stroke lead over Australia’s Min Woo Lee, the American tore away from the field with a run of five straight birdies from the eighth hole. A bogey at the 14th provided a scare, but Scheffler eased home with four straight birdies to shoot three-under 69 for the round, and 17-under overall.

Even a historic finish from Hatton wasn’t enough to get close to Scheffler’s score. The 31-year-old, chasing his second PGA Tour victory after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2020, shot a blistering seven birdies across the back nine – including the final five holes – to card a seven-under 65.

In doing so the Englishman tied the tournament record for a low back-nine score, 29, at TPC Sawgrass, according to the PGA Tour. Having begun the day in 26th place, his late flourish secured him $2.725 million in runner-up prize money, with Viktor Hovland and Tom Hoge finishing two shots behind.

Scheffler also made history. After his maiden major triumph at Augusta last year, he becomes just the third player to hold both The Masters and The Players Championship titles simultaneously after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

With 33 majors and five Players Championships between them, the pair make for illustrious company.

“Quite a special group of people. We could add all our majors and Players together and I have two now and they have a lot more than that,” said Scheffler, laughing.

“Any time you can get mentioned in the same breath as Tiger and Jack it’s very special. I’m very grateful for that.”

Masters mission

The victory continues Scheffler’s excellent start to 2023, and his second win after he defended his title at the WM Phoenix Open in February.

That triumph had seen Scheffler reclaim world No. 1 spot from Rory McIlroy, only for Rahm to leapfrog the American a week later with victory – already his third of the year – at the Genesis Invitational.

Yet the Spaniard’s hopes of a fourth were dashed early on at TPC Sawgrass, as he withdrew following Thursday’s first round citing illness having opened with a one-under 71.

Meanwhile, McIlroy endured an uncharacteristically torrid weekend, shooting 76 and 73 en route to missing the cut at a PGA Tour event for the first time since FedEx St. Jude Championship in August 2022.

For the new world No. 1, attention now turns to whether he can defend his green jacket at Augusta next month.

“I’m just comfortable with where my game is,” Scheffler said.

“I feel like I’m improving. I’m definitely learning more and the more you can get into contention and be in the moments. I would say that’s probably the most valuable thing is knowing what you feel like and being able to prepare for it.

“Going into the Masters, it’s going to be a fun week. Champions Dinner, there’s going to be a lot of fun stuff that I get to do that week, but by the time we tee it up Thursday everybody starts at even par so it probably doesn’t have much of an effect.”

Dick Fosbury, legendary Olympic gold high jumper who revolutionized the track and field event, died Sunday of lymphoma, according to his publicist Ray Schulte. Fosbury was 76.

“It is with a very heavy heart I have to release the news that longtime friend and client Dick Fosbury passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a short bout with a recurrence of lymphoma,” Schulte wrote on Instagram on Monday.

Fosbury showcased his signature technique – the popular “Fosbury Flop” – where he threw himself back first over the bar in the high jump at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Fosbury broke the Olympic and US records with a jump of 2.24 meters to earn the gold medal.

At Oregon State University, Fosbury won the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships in 1968 using the “flop.”

The USA Track and Field and Team USA offered their condolences to the sport legend.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Fosbury, a true legend and pioneer in the world of track and field. Dick’s innovative technique of the ‘Fosbury Flop’ revolutionized the high jump event and forever changed the sport,” Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field said in a statement. “His gold medal victory at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics not only cemented his place in U.S. Olympic history, but also left an indelible mark on the global athletic community. We will always be grateful for his contributions to the sport and his impact on generations of athletes who followed in his footsteps.”

Team USA added: “He was truly an Olympic pioneer and legend. Team USA pays tribute to Fosbury’s remarkable life and enduring legacy.”

Fosbury was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981 and the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 1992.

He is survived by his wife, Robin Tomasi; son, Erich Fosbury; stepdaughters Stephanie Thomas-Phipps and Kristin Thompson.

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has emphatically confirmed he will be returning to the team in 2023.

“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season,” Kelce wrote in a tweet on Monday.

“After talking it over with my wife and many other friends and family, I have decided to return for another year. Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t f***ing done yet!”

The 2023 season – which is set to begin in September – will be Kelce’s 13th in the league, all of which have been with the Eagles.

Philadelphia drafted Kelce in the sixth round in 2011 and the 35-year-old went on to help the team win Super Bowl LII, though he missed out on a second title when the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII last month.

Kelce is a six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro and has started every game for the Eagles’ since the 2015 season.

He has played a total of 176 games for the Eagles throughout his career and could surpass David Akers’ record of 188, though he is two games behind current teammate Brandon Graham.

The Eagles were unsurprisingly delighted with the news, posting a video with the caption: “KELCE IS BACKKKKKKK.”