⛳ Phil's Skill To Chase The Mill'

Stuck in the middle, it's Wednesday, 27 April

🔊 Sport Today Podcast

This morning, Martin Gabor and Lucy Watkin are at the mic.

Today's listen time: 10 minutes.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📺 What we're watching

⚾ 9.30am - MLB - Cardinals v Mets - Busch Stadium, St. Louis - Foxtel, Kayo

🏀 12.00pm - NBA Playoffs - Suns v Pelicans - Footprint Centre, Phoenix - Foxtel, Kayo

⚽ 5.00am (Thu) - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool v Villareal - Anfield, Liverpool - Stan Sport

All times are in AEST

⛳ Mickelson's a rebel with a cause 

The rebel golf league in Saudi Arabia looked to have found the rough following Phil Mickelson’s comments in February. But it’s back on track and eyeing off its first major star… Phil Mickelson.

Golden points: The 6-time major winner hasn’t played since he said the Saudis were scary and that he’d look past their human rights issues to put pressure on the PGA tour for more money.

• But Mickelson’s manager has asked for a release from the PGA tour so he can play in the first LIV Golf International Series event in London.

• There’s a lot of money involved in these tournaments, and that’s why the 51yo could be joined by some other high-profile players.

• Spaniard Sergio Garcia is one of several European stars who have reportedly asked for a release that could see him banned from the Ryder Cup showdown between the USA and Europe.

What are the chances… Mickelson defends his PGA Championship title next month? The major starts May 19 but the PGA has said anyone who joins the rebel league will be suspended and could be banned for life.

Key click: Here’s the schedule for the LIV series.

🏉 No alarm bells for wounded Waratahs

The Waratahs were facing a bit of an injury problem heading into this weekend’s game against the Crusaders, but they’ve been saved by the Bell.

Golden points: Prop forward Angus Bell is free to play on Saturday after he was cleared by the judiciary for a tip tackle on Sam Cane during Super Round.

• The 21yo was shown a red card inside 3 minutes that tipped the All Blacks skipper onto his head and was facing up to a 6-week ban.

• But the judiciary said it wasn’t entirely his fault and that other players contributed to that tackle.

• That means Bell can play this weekend, which is important because the Waratahs will be without fullback and goal-kicker Will Harrison, who suffered a major knee injury.

Watch it: Here’s the tackle that left the Tahs a man down very early last week.

🏉 Injury spoils Collingwood's party 

Collingwood fans usually celebrate for days whenever they beat Essendon on Anzac Day. But the party has been cut short because one of their best players is injured.

Golden points: Brodie Grundy is more than just a handy ruckman. He is one of the best in the league but he could be out for up to 12 weeks.

• He hurt the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the win over the Bombers.

• He played through the pain and thought he was okay after the game, but scans have shown damage to his PCL.

• The Magpies and their fans really hope this is only a few weeks, but this kind of injury can be much longer.

What are the chances… the Magpies can win without him? Grundy has the 3rd most hitouts in the league and is so important to their midfield. He’s on about $1 million a season so he's a key player for the Pies.

What’s next: The 28yo will meet with specialists later this week to decide how many games he’ll miss.

🥊 Trailblazing boxer off to Birmingham 

Tina Rahimi stepped into a boxing ring for her first fight 4 years ago. Now, she’s one of 4 women who will represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in July.

Golden points: That’s a fair effort on its own. But Rahimi will make a bit of history in Birmingham because she’s the first Muslim woman picked to fight for Australia in the Comm Games.

• Watch out if you’re in the 57kg division because Rahimi can fight. She’s got a 15-2 record and won a national title earlier this year.

• The 26yo from Sydney is one of 8 debutants in the boxing team.

• Rahimi will be joined on the plane by Kaye Scott who has qualified for her 3rd Comm Games.

They said it: “I feel like it would show anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Just because you dress or look a different way, come from a different religion, that doesn't mean it should stop you from achieving your dream.” - Rahimi wants to be a role model.

🎱 Robertson's perfect frame not enough for victory 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for Neil Robertson. But whichever way you look at it, the Aussie is a snooker star.

Golden points: Robertson lost 13-12 to Jack Lisowski in the 2nd round at the snooker World Championship. But in defeat, he produced a moment we’ll never forget.

• Darts players look for 9-dart finishes. 10-pin bowlers want a perfect 300. But the Holy Grail in snooker is a maximum break of 147.

• That means potting 15 reds and 15 blacks followed by the rest of the colours in one visit to the table.

• It had been done 11 times at the Crucible… that was until yesterday when Robertson ticked off the magical moment from his bucket list.

Watch it: Check out what no player had done at the Crucible since 2020.

👀 Quick singles

🏀 The NBL’s most valuable player will be announced tonight, with Perth’s Bryce Cotton looking to win the award for the 3rd year in a row. You can see who wins on Foxtel and Kayo from 6.30pm (AEST) with the playoffs to begin tomorrow night.

⚽ Manchester City beat Real Madrid in an instant classic in the UEFA Champions League this morning. The 4-3 win at home sets up an epic 2nd leg next week to see who qualifies for the final.

🎾 There will be no women’s tennis events in China because the WTA is still trying to resolve the Peng Shuai situation after she went missing for a few weeks following a social media post. The WTA says a return to China is still possible in 2023.

🏉 The AFL could start streaming some games as part of its next broadcast rights deal. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is in America meeting up with streaming services as he looks to lock in the new deal before he leaves at the end of the year.

🎾 Unvaccinated players have been cleared to play at Wimbledon. It means 6-time champion Novak Djokovic will be able to defend his 2021 title.

🏀 Ben Simmons won’t get the chance to play a game in the NBA this season after the Brooklyn Nets were eliminated from the playoffs. The pre-season favourites were swept 4-0 by Boston with the Aussie out injured.

🏁 Mercedes driver George Russell says he won’t be able to finish the season if changes aren’t made to his car. He says he has back and chest pains caused by his car bouncing up and down on the straight at high speeds.

🙃 Left of field…

Ultimate frisbee is not just something you play with your mates at the park. It's a full on sport and on the weekend Australia's national champs were crowned.

Golden points: The Ultimate National Championships were held in Nelson Bay in NSW over 4 days.

• 24 teams and more than 400 players from across Australia and New Zealand competed in the men's and women's comps.

• It’s kinda like netball on a soccer field but with a frisbee that you pass around to try to get into the end zone.

• Some of the team names were great. Ellipsis Ampersand won the women’s division and Sunder Slice from NSW won the men’s open division.

Watch it: Click here to see some of the best plays from the tournament.

📽 The highlight reel

Toronto's Bo Bichette had been in a bit of a batting slump before yesterday. But he bounced back big time with his first career grand slam to help the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox in their Major League Baseball clash.

📸 Photo finish

We got a first look at new Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson in uniform following his off-season move from Seattle.

🏃‍♀️ The finish line

🏆 Today's trivia answer

James O'Connor from the Queensland Reds is leading the way with 74 points.