⛳ DJ Defects To Rebel Tour

Rug up, it's Thursday, 2 June

🔊 Sport Today Podcast

This morning, Sam Ferris and Lucy Watkin are at the mic. 

Today's listen time: 10 minutes.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📺  What we're watching 

🏉 7.50pm - NRL - Titans v Cowboys - Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast - Channel 9, Foxtel, Kayo 

🏏 8.00pm - Test Cricket - England v New Zealand - Lord's, London - Foxtel, Kayo

⛳ 2.00am (Fri) - Women's Golf - US Open 1st Round - Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines - Foxtel, Kayo

All times are in AEST

⛳ Golfers ditch the PGA to chase the green 

Music fans are used to spending time waiting to see if their favourite DJ is on a festival lineup. This time it was golf lovers who were shocked to see a prominent ‘DJ’ on a list we’ve all been waiting for.

Golden points: The Saudi-backed rebel golf tour promised to pinch some of the best players in the world from the PGA. They weren’t lying.

• The playing list for their first event dropped yesterday and it includes world #13 Dustin Johnson, the winner of 2 majors.

• There were 42 players named and they include former Masters champion Sergio Garcia, 16 players ranked in the top 100 as well as 4 Aussies.

• Phil Mickelson is the biggest player linked to the rebel tour but he isn’t down to play. That might change because there are still 6 spots available.

They said it: "I certainly don't think the field is anything to jump up and down about." - Rory McIlroy isn't impressed.

What are the chances… these players are banned from the PGA Tour? The threat of lifetime bans was floated around earlier in the year, but we’ll have to wait to see what happens.

What’s next: After months of speculation, the first event starts next week. The LIV Golf Invitational Series begins just outside of London on 9 June with a prize pool of about $35 million.

⚽ Socceroos slam dunk Jordan 

It’s a case of one down, 2 to go for the Socceroos.

The score: Australia defeated Jordan 2-1.

Golden points: It may have only been a friendly, but this morning’s win was the perfect preparation for the Aussies ahead of next week’s must-win World Cup Qualifier.

• It didn’t look great early when Jordan opened the scoring with this cracking goal from long range.

• But the Aussies were level at half-time thanks to a Bailey Wright header before Awer Mabil flicked one on in the 68th minute to win it.

• Things will start to heat up next week. Well, not literally. It’s boiling in Qatar, but Australia’s game against the UAE is in an air-conditioned stadium.

What’s next: That game is the most important one they’ve played in years. There’s no beating around the bush - the Socceroos have to win. If they do, they get to play Peru for a spot in the World Cup. We’re already sweating and there’s no air-con to save us. 

Watch it: Here’s Mabil’s goal that won it for the Socceroos.

🏐 To the highest bidder go the spoils

It looks like the Super Netball Grand Final is going, going, gone to the highest bidder, and people aren’t happy.

Golden points: The Melbourne Vixens are 2 games clear at the top with 2 rounds to go before the finals. In the past, that’d mean they just have to win their major semi-final and they’d get to host the big one. But that’s all changed. 

• News Corp broke the story yesterday that Netball Australia had sold the Grand Final to the highest bidder. According to the report, that’s Perth.

• The deal is reportedly worth around $650,000. Players aren’t happy, but Netball Australia needs the money after a couple of tough years because of COVID.

• The report says the GF will go on sale for 5 years and to sweeten the deal, the winning team will receive prize money for the first time.

What’s next: We’re still waiting for official confirmation from Netball Australia because this would be the first time the final has been sold since the national comp started in 1997.

🥊 Tszyu ready for the fight of his life 

Tim Tszyu has copped a verbal barrage from rival Jermell Charlo. Now, he can let his gloves do the talking because he’s gonna get his shot at the title.

Golden points: It’s official! Well, almost. The World Boxing Organisation says Charlo has to fight Tszyu, with the details to be locked in by 20 June.

• This won’t be easy. Charlo is just the 7th undisputed champion since 2004 to hold all 4 belts after he beat Brian Castano.

• He’s been calling Tszyu all kinds of things and seems pretty confident that he can beat him, even though the Aussie has a 21-0 record. 

• We'll find out soon. The fight is expected to be in the States in either October or November. 

They said it: “This is the moment that every kid dreams of, and the best thing about it is he reckons it’s going to be a walk in the park. But I guarantee it’s no walk in the park for him.” - Tszyu reckons this will be his Zab Judah moment. 

Watch it: Who is Zab Judah? That’s the guy who taunted Tim's dad Kostya Tszyu 21 years ago and was then knocked down in the 2nd round. Check it out here.

🎾 Foot fault continues to trouble Nadal 

Rafael Nadal reminded everyone that he is the king of clay. But enjoy it while it lasts.

Golden points: The Spanish tennis star beat world #1 Novak Djokovic in 4 sets at the French Open yesterday and then dropped a couple of hints that retirement could be on the horizon.

• Nadal turns 36 tomorrow and his body is starting to feel it after years of being pushed to the limit.

• He’s won a men’s record 21 grand slam titles, including 13 in Paris, but a chronic foot injury is making life difficult for him.

• He says he’s looked for a way to fix it, but at the moment, he and his team can’t find a solution.

What’s next: Nadal plays Alexander Zverev tonight for a spot in the final. 

🏉 It's that time of the week!

Don't Forget Your Tips! is a weekly podcast for footy fans who are keen to get an edge in their footy tipping comp. DFYT! will give you some facts, figures and maybe even a few omens that'll help you out with your AFL and NRL footy tips every week of the footy seasons. Episodes are around 12-minutes long and drop 6am every Thursday. Listen on Apple, Spotify and your favourite podcast app. Enjoy!

👀 Quick singles

🏉 State of Origin will sound very different this year. Veteran commentator Ray Warren has hung up the microphone after 55 years, including 99 Origin matches. 

🏉 The Sydney Swans will be without star forward Lance Franklin for this weekend’s game against the Demons. Franklin lost his appeal at the tribunal last night and has been banned for a game for striking Trent Cotchin. 

🏏 New Aussie men’s cricket coach Andrew McDonald will miss the start of the T20 series in Sri Lanka. He’s staying in Melbourne for a few days because he’s got COVID, so he’ll join the team before the 2nd T20 next week.  

🚴‍♂️ Jai Hindley is set for a well-earned rest after he became the first Aussie to win the Giro d’Italia. He won’t compete in the Tour de France this year but wants to make his debut in 2023. 

🏉 Jai Culley is officially an Eagle after he was taken with the first pick at last night’s mid-season draft. Here’s all the info you need after a big night in the AFL. 

🏊‍♀️ Lia Thomas says transgender athletes aren’t a danger to sports as she confirmed she wants to represent the USA in the Olympics. Thomas dominated the college championships earlier in the year but critics say she has an unfair advantage. 

🏉 The Aussie teams have been named for the start of the Super Rugby Pacific finals this weekend. The Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies all made the top 8, with Queensland in action tomorrow night. 

🙃 Left of field...

Wikipedia tells us that Ralph Gorin pretty much invented spell check. We’d be lost without him, but these kids are too cool for school.

Golden points: The National Spelling Bee is back and a new champion will be crowned tomorrow.

• This started in the States in 1925 and has become one of the most popular competitions for school kids.

• Hang on, is this a sport? Well, the kids spend hundreds of hours training for this and the pressure they have to put up with on stage is intense. 

• There are 234 spellers in this year’s comp and they’ve got to work their way through definitions, origins of words and all kinds of terrifying traps to win the $50,000 prize.

Watch it: Here's the winning word from last year's event. 

📽 The highlight reel

She's just too good. Iga Świątek is through to the final 4 at the French Open after her 33rd win in a row. She beat American Jessica Pegula overnight in straight sets. 

📸 Photo finish

Let's get ready to rumble! Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer is on his way to Melbourne for the fight between George Kambosos Jr and Devin Haney. 

🏃‍♀️ The finish line

🏆 Today's trivia answer

The game was played at Brisbane's Nissan Arena due to COVID. The Swifts beat the Giants 63-59.