MON SIX

STERLING, Va. (AP) — Lucas Herbert had seven birdies to go along with an eagle, leading to an 8-under 64 at Trump National and a two-shot lead in LIV Golf Virginia on Thursday.

The 57 players were back to golf after weeks of questions about their future funding with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia announcing the financial support stops after this year.

Marc Leishman of Australia, who lives in Virginia, shot a 66 and was tied for second along with Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Munoz.

Herbert was feeling sick earlier in the week and only played nine holes on a course he had never seen. He figures that might have helped him not trying anything bold, instead listening to his caddie and trying to follow directions.

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He had not seen the front nine, where he made his eagle and ran off three straight birdies.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, each with two wins this year on LIV Golf, each shot 69 and were five shots behind.

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Whether it's chess, a drawing contest or table tennis, San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama hates to lose. A loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals to the Minnesota Timberwolves only magnified that loathing.

Timberwolves Spurs Basketball

Wembanyama responded by setting a suffocating tone as San Antonio handed Minnesota its largest postseason loss in franchise history,beating the Timberwolves 133-95on Wednesday night to even their series at one game apiece.

Despite posting 11 points, 15 rebounds and setting an NBA postseason record with 12 blocks, Wembanyama shouldered much of the blame for the Spurs' 104-102 loss to the Timberwolves on Monday in Game 1.

The 7-foot-4 All-Star knew he needed to do more, especially offensively.

Was there some anger and frustration and a desire to get back on the court for Game 2? Absolutely.

“There always is,” Wembanyama said. “In the playoffs, magnify that.”

What resulted was what Minnesota coach Chris Finch said was a punking before a raucous sellout crowd.

The Timberwolves were held to 35 points in the first half while shooting 7 for 24 from the field and 2 for 15 on 3-pointers.

Minnesota closed the game shooting 40% from the field, 30% on 3-pointers while committing 22 turnovers. San Antonio had a 58-36 scoring advantage in the paint, a 55-43 rebounding advantage and had nine blocked shots compared to two for Minnesota.

“We got beat in every way possible, it’s as simple as that,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said. “There’s not really much to say from this game. They outhustled us, out-physicaled us, executed, played better defensively, more energy. They just beat us in every way in this game. We’ve got to come back in the next game and be better.”

Game 3 is Friday in Minneapolis followed by Game 4 on Sunday at the Target Center.

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The Spurs and Timberwolves went deep into their benches Wednesday with 10 minutes remaining in the game with only the margin of defeat undecided.

San Antonio's 38-point victory toppled Minnesota’s previous largest postseason defeat of 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.

“I know this team’s capable of doing all of this,” Wembanyama said. “To be honest, I’m expecting this kind of response from myself, from my teammates. So, I’m not surprised by any means and I’m just going to keep working so we approach more games like we did tonight.”

After blowing a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter Monday, Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox both took accountability for the two-point loss.

Wembanyama andFox combined for only 21 points in Game 1. The All-Star duo was a combined 0 for 12 on 3-pointers with Wembanyama missing eight.

“They acknowledged it, them being the leaders on our team,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. “Coming out of Game 1, I mean, it’s going to happen. You're going to have bad shooting nights, but I mean, we have nothing but confidence in those two. So, I expect them to play well the rest of the series like they did tonight.”

Wembanyama set the tone early in Game 2, scoring seven points on 3-for-4 shooting.

The Spurs missed their first three shots, but Wembanyama followed the third attempt by flying through the lane and throwing down a right-handed dunk to open the scoring.

Wembanyama had 14 points and nine rebounds in the first half while leading a defensive effort that limited Minnesota to 35 points, the fewest points by a San Antonio opponent in the first half of a playoff game since Memphis had 31 in 2013.

“I just think we respond well to adversity,” Castle said. “I think we’ve done that all year. I mean, I don’t think we were too shell shocked coming out of Game 1. I think we knew why we lost Game 1 and we addressed it right away. And I feel like that’s what carried us through tonight.”

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Billie Lourd watched Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope — starring her mother Carrie Fisher — with her children to celebrate Star Wars Day.

Key Points

• Lourd said that "nothing brings me more joy" than her son Kingston and daughter Jackson being "even bigger Star Wars nerds than me."

• Fisher, who died in 2016, endeared herself to generations of fans as Princess Leia.

Billie Lourdis celebratingStar WarsDay in a sentimental way.

On May 4, which is known as Star Wars Day, playing on the phrase "may the Force be with you,"Lourd shared a pictureon Instagram of her son Kingston and daughter Jackson watching their grandmother,Carrie Fisher, inStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

"Kingston and Jackson are officially even bigger Star Wars nerds than me and nothing brings me more joy," Lourd wrote on her Instagram Stories.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Lourd's mom, Fisher, portrayedPrincess Leia Organain the original Star Wars trilogy andStar Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens,endearing herself to generations of fans.She died in 2016at 60 after suffering a heart attack.

Lourd has been vocal about missing Fisher and the actress' legacy. She recently spoke about showing her children Fisher as Princess Leia andhow emotional it made her.

“A year ago, I showed them[Return of the] Jedifor the first time, and they were a little bit confused,” Lourd toldE! Newsin December. “They're like, ‘Wait, that's my grandma?’ Like, ‘No, that's Princess Leia, your grandma's Carrie, but that's Princess Leia.’ And they were just so enthralled. I sat behind them and cried while they watched it.”

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Lourd added, “It's like the ultimate high-budget home movie. For me to get to have those things and to get to show them my mom in those movies is so special.”

Lourd also revealed who her children's favoriteStar Warscharacter is. Spoiler: they're "obsessed" with Princess Leia. “I have some of these dolls that I don't want to take out of the box. I have a Leia shelf at my house, and they're like, ‘Why can't we take them out of the box?’ I'm like, ‘No. You'll understand later, but like, it has to stay in the box,’" she said.

"So sometimes I’ll have to buy two and have one that they're allowed to play with.”

InDecember, on the ninth anniversary of Fisher's death, Lourd posted about her bittersweet feelings as her mother "lives on" through the "joy" of her children. "Watching my dad with my kids is one of the greatest joys I’ve ever known. The kind of joy that makes your face hurt because you can’t stop smiling,"she wrote in parton Instagram.

"Then I started thinking about how this joy wouldn’t be possible without my mom. This joy only exists because she existed. So even though she is not physically part of this joy, she is part of the reason for it. Even though she is not alive she lives on through this joy," added Lourd.

She concluded her tribute with something Fisher told her that continues to resonate. "As my mom wisely said, 'Nothing is ever really over. Just over there,'" Lourd said. "My mombys life isnt really over. Just over there — in my kids and in this joy I’m able to experience because of her. Thank you momby. I will never stop missing you."

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

After upsetting theHouston Rocketsin the first round of the NBA playoffs in six games, theLos Angeles Lakerswill get back to work on Tuesday in Game 1 of their second-round matchup against theOklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are the defending world champions, andvirtually no onefeels the Lakers have any real shot at winning the series.

Luka Doncic is still out of action due to his Grade 2 hamstring strain, and there still doesn't seem to be any timetable for his return. For Oklahoma City, rising star forward Jalen Williams will be out of action in Game 1 because of a hamstring strain of his own. Reserve center Thomas Sorber is also out with a torn ACL that has kept him out all season.

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While Doncic has begun to do some light shooting by himself during Lakers practice sessions, he doesn't seem to be close to doing even one-on-one work. He sustained his hamstring strain on April 2 when L.A. wasdestroyed 139-96by the Thunder at Paycom Center.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire:Lakers release injury report for Game 1 versus Thunder

A rarehantavirus outbreaklinked to a cruise ship raises new health questions andfears about travel safetyahead of the2026 World Cup.Here's what health officials are saying about the global risk amid risinguncertainty around how the virus spreads.

The World Health Organization has confirmedeight hantavirus cases, three of which have died as of Wednesday, May 6, after contracting the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people. This strain is found in parts of Argentina, where the cruise ship MV Hondius originally departed, according to reports.

On Wednesday, authorities inSwitzerlandalso confirmed another hantavirus case in a man who returned from a trip in South America and traveled on the same cruise ship.

With millions expected to travel internationally in the coming months for the 2026 World Cup, concerns about infectious disease risks — heightened since the COVID‑19 pandemic — are resurfacing.

The WHO has assessed the risk to the global population from this event as low, noting on itswebsite, that it "will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment."

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents which can be spread when particles from rodent droppings, urine or saliva become airborne. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes it is rare, the hantavirus can be contagious and spread between people, leading to severe respiratory illness and often leading to death.

There is no specific cure, vaccine or treatment for hantavirus infection, however the CDC reports it is survivable if medical care is sought early.

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Will hantavirus outbreak impact travel for 2026 World Cup?

At this time, the hantavirus outbreak appears confined to the cruise ship and the risk to the general public remains low, according to authorities. However, travelers are encouraged to take precautions, including practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with rodents or potentially contaminated environments.

“We understand the concerns sports fans might have when it comes to attending an event with so many others, from the U.S. and from other countries,” Dr. Gregory Sugalski, an Army veteran and chair of emergency medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center,told The New York Post.“But I want to say two words to them: ‘No fear.’

New York and New Jersey infectious disease experts have been prepping for the millions of anticipated World Cup travelers for the past two years, according to reports. With large numbers of foreign visitors comes the threat of infectious or deadly diseases, including tuberculosis, measles, varicella, hepatitis A, typhoid, malaria, SARS, and hantavirus.

“The whole health care system in New York City will be on the alert for ALL of these events,” Dr. Vikramjit Mukherjee, chief of critical care at Big Apple’s Bellevue,told Healthbeat New York. “We’re looking at it like a huge migration event.”

Is hantavirus contagious?

Person-to-person spread is extremely rare, according to the CDC. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted to people from contact with rodents such as rats or mice, expressly when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva by inhaling the virus particles or touching surfaces contaminated with the rodent waste. In rare cases, it can also be spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Hantaviruses can causetwo syndromes, the most common of which is found in the Western Hemisphere, including the US and causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). It is spread by the deer mouse. The other is hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), found mostly in Europe and Asia. Here's the symptoms for both:

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) symptoms similar to flu-like symptoms usually start to show in 1-8 weeks after contact with infected rodent with early symptoms including fatigue, fever and muscle aches according tot he CDC. About half of HPS cases also reportedly experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. 4-10 days after the initial onset of HPS, more serious symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid can appear. HPS can be deadly with a reported 38% mortality rate.

• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) symptoms usually develop within 1-2 weeks after exposure, albeit in rare cases can also take up to eight weeks to develop. Initial symptoms which begin suddenly include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea, blurred vision and even flushing of the face, inflammation or redness of the eyes or a rash. Other symptoms that come later include low blood pressure, acute shock, internal bleeding and acute kidney failure. The mortality rate is less than 15%.

According to theCDC, it is difficult to diagnose a person who has been infected less than 72 hours and may require repeat testing after early symptoms start. If you suspect hantavirus disease, see a doctor immediately, noting any potential exposure to rodents.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Hantavirus outbreak 2026; is it safe to travel amid the World Cup

Would a 24-team College Football Playoff be better forTennessee? The answer may differ between UT fans, players and coach Josh Heupel.

On this podcast episode of "The Volunteer State," beat writerAdam Sparksgoes solo whileJohn Adamsis out of pocket. He breaks down the pros and cons about the playoff expansion, which is likely to come in 2027.

Playoff expansion is a hot topic right now because the SEC leadership wants a 16-team bracket and the Big Ten wants a 24-team. Heupel and Tennessee athletics director Danny White are among a few SEC figures that have come out against their own conference, instead favoring a 24-team playoff.

Sparks also talked to former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, whoprefers a 16-team playoff for a surprising reason.

To hear the full analysis, listen to the 45-minute podcast. Here are a few highlights.

Why does College Football Playoff need to expand again?

A 12-team playoff will remain in place for the 2026 season, but it could expand as early as 2027.

Obviously, money is a major motivator for expanding the playoff. But there's also an argument that college football needs greater access to the postseason like other sports.

Less than 10% of football teams make the 12-team playoff. Almost 20% of Division I basketball and baseball teams make the NCAA tournament. That's why White says theCFP should expand to 24 teams.

USA TODAY college football writerMatt Hayeswrote that theSEC wants a 16-team playoffbecause its leadership believed that a 24-team playoff would be the first big step to the 10 FBS conferences consolidating and sharing media rights. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and the league's presidents don't want that.

Which playoff format is better for Tennessee fans?

Tennessee fans want the Vols in the playoff frequently and certainly in contention every season. A 24-team bracket would accomplish that, but it also could water down the field too much for some fans' tastes.

Let's consider how the Vols would've fared during Heupel's five seasons.

• In a 12-team format, UT would’ve made the playoff in two of five seasons (2022, 2024).

• In a 16-team format, UT would’ve made the playoff in two of five seasons (2022, 2024) and been in contention in November in two additional seasons.

• In a 24-team format, would’ve made the playoff in three of five seasons (2022-24) and made it a fourth time if it had beaten Vanderbilt in the 2025 regular-season finale.

Which expanded playoff is better for Tennessee players?

Some college football players may prefer a 24-team playoff because of the condensed calendar. There would be no conference championship games, and the playoff would arrive quickly.

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In a 24-team playoff, first-round games would be in the second weekend in December, quarterfinals around New Year's, semifinals in the first week of January and the final in mid-January. Most playoff teams would be eliminiated by the time traditional bowl games would've been played in previous years.

Of course, more games would be more physically demanding for teams that made deep playoff runs.

Josh Heupel wants 24-team playoff, but there's a downside

Self-preservation is why most coaches want a 24-team playoff, including Heupel, Georgia'sKirby Smart, Missouri's Eliah Drinkwitz and others.

If Tennessee went 8-4 against a strong schedule or 9-3, it would make a 24-team field. That sets the bar one or two games lower than the current standard. Remember that Vanderbilt didn't make the 2025 College Football Playoff with a 10-2 record.

But Heupel might need to be careful what he wishes for. In a 24-team bracket, most SEC coaches would immediately go on the hot seat if they missed the playoff for one season. They would probably be fired if he missed it in back-to-back seasons.

Also, coaches would face increasing pressure to make deep runs in a 24-team playoff. On the podcast, Sparks joked that "Coach Quarterfinal" would be attached to some SEC or Big Ten coach after a few seasons of the 24-team playoff.

How Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer would've fared in 24-team playoff

A playoff could alter how successful coaches are viewed, which Heupel may experience if the bracket expands.

UT would’ve made a 24-team playoff in six of the last eight seasons of Johnny Majors’ coaching tenure before Fulmer took over in 1993.

And then the Vols would’ve made a 24-team playoff either 12 or 13 times in Fulmer's 16-year tenure. His 1994 squad was ranked 24th in the coaches poll but unranked in the AP poll going into the postseason, and there’s no way to know where a CFP selection committee would’ve placed it.

Fulmer’s teams would’ve made a 16-team playoff eight times in 16 seasons.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel:Josh Heupel, Tennessee football benefit from CFP expansion to 16 or 24 teams

MORRISTOWN, N.J. –Khamzat Chimaevwelcomes whatever may come his way fromSean Stricklandbefore or after UFC 328.

The pre-fight drama quickly ramped up when Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) went on a heated rant, calling the current UFC middleweight champion derogatory names and even threatening to shoot him and his team if they crossed paths and things got heated. Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) welcomes the threat, but so far during fight week, he has yet to see his UFC 328 headlining opponent.

"I don't think it's possible (for Strickland to shoot me) because they don't let me see this guy," Chimaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight media scrum. "So, I don't know where he is. I've been here for three days in the lobby, and the guy said he's gonna shoot me. Let's go. Do that. I will be happy to die."

Despite the juvenile insults Strickled hurled his way, Chimaev insists that none of the trash talk is personal for him. Regardless of how Chimaev feels about everything, the UFC has taken extra precautions to keep the two parties separated until they meet inside the cage Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark.

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"Let him come," Chimaev said. "I think they took him to some other hotel... I don't know. I tried to find the guy – and that's not so much personal. The guy just talks too much."

After the fight, Chimaev has no interest in reconciling differences with Strickland. For the champ, it's all about handling business, securing the biggest payday he's had in the UFC to date, and moving on to the next challenge. If Strickland wants to shake hands after the fight or not, Chimaev explained why either outcome makes no difference to him.

"What's the point if I shake hands or not?" Chimaev said. "After the fight, I beat him up, maybe never see him again. Other 15 guys I've already beat, I almost didn't see them again. I don't care about his life, I'm doing my life."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie:Khamzat Chimaev welcomes pre-UFC 328 altercation with Sean Strickland