Fitzpatrick wins Valspar week after finishing second. DeChambeau takes LIV playoff

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Matt Fitzpatrick put the disappointment of a close call at Sawgrass behind him Sunday when he birdied the 18th hole from just inside 15 feet to cap off a 3-under 68 and win the Valspar Championship by one shot over David Lipsky.

Valspar Golf

Fitzpatrick managed to play bogey-free on a sunbaked Copperhead course at Innisbrook that ruined the hopes of so many others, from Sungjae Im to Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker.

Fitzpatrick holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3 15th to take the lead, only for Lipsky — playing in the group behind him — to make a 7-foot birdie on the 14th to catch him.

Fitzpatrick, who won the DP World Tour Championship to close out the European tour season last November, had the final say. His birdie putt was pure and the 2022 U.S. Open champion was emphatic thrusting his fist down to celebrate.

The victory, his third on the PGA Tour to go along with nine European tour titles, came one week after Fitzpatrick felt he did everything right only to see Cameron Young beat him on the final hole of The Players Championship.

Fitzpatrick finished at 11-under 273 on a Copperhead course that was a stern test.

LIV Golf League

MIDRAND, South Africa (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau won for the second straight week by saving par on the final hole for a 6-under 65 and hitting 3-wood from a wet lie in the rough to set up birdie in a playoff to beat Jon Rahm in LIV Golf South Africa.

DeChambeau's final start before the Masters brought out some of his best work in winning his fifth overall LIV title. He won last week in Singapore.

DeChambeau had to get up-and-down for par on the closing hole to finish on 26-under 258 and force a playoff with Rahm (63). The par also gave Crushers the team time over South African-based Southern Guard.

Returning to the par-5 18th, DeChambeau pulled his drive into the mud and muck left of the fairway on the rain-soaked course. He hit 3-wood to 12 feet. Rahm went into a bunker and failed to make birdie, leaving DeChambeau two putts for the win.

European tour

HAINAN ISLAND, China (AP) — Jordan Gumberg got up-and-down for par on the final hole for a 2-under 70 to hold off Jorge Campillo of Spain and win the Hainan Classic.

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It was the second European tour title for the 30-year-old American. Gumberg was on the verge of losing his European tour card when he holed out for eagle on the final hole of the Genesis Championship, which enabled him to move into the top 115 and keep his card for 2026.

Campillo closed with a 71 and had birdie chances on the final three holes to catch Gumberg, all of them narrowly missing.

Zhou Yanhan, the 17-year-old from China who played the Puerto Rico Open on the PGA Tour two weeks ago, closed with a 69 to tie for third with Adrian Otaegui of Spain (64) and Marcus Armitage of England (69).

PGA Tour Champions

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Alker won the Cologuard Classic with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff for the second straight year, beating Padraig Harrington with a 4-footer in mid-90 degree heat.

Last year at La Paloma, Alker beat Long Island club pro Jason Caron with a 12-foot putt on the first extra hole.

Alker won for the 11th time in 100 career starts on the PGA Tour Champions. The 54-year-old New Zealander was nine strokes back after opening with an even-par 71, then shot a 62 on Saturday to pull within two.

Alker closed with a 65 to post at 15-under 198. Harrington, playing behind Alker in the final group, hit his approach long and bogeyed the par-4 18th — missing a 10-foot comebacker.

Zach Johnson closed with a 67 to tie for third at 13 under in his second start on the 50-and-over tour. He won two weeks ago in Florida in his senior debut.

Other tours

Hannah Green won her third consecutive tournament and made it a major double in her native Australian by closed with a 2-under 69 for a four-shot victory in the Australia WPGA Championship. This comes a week after Green won the Australian Women's Open. Her winning streak started by capturing the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. ... Maddie McCrary won the Orlando Health Championship at Grasslands in Lakeland, Florida, for her first Epson Tour title. She had a bogey-free week, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Mariel Galdiano. ... M.J. Daffue of South Africa closed with a 3-under 69 for a one-shot victory over Jhared Hack in the DP World PGTI Open on the Challenge Tour. ... Ritsuko Ryu closed with a 2-under 70 for a two-shot victory in the V Point SMBC Ladies on the Japan LPGA.

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

byAlpha World

in

March 22, 2026

Fitzpatrick wins Valspar week after finishing second. DeChambeau takes LIV playoff

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Matt Fitzpatrick put the disappointment of a close call at Sawgrass behind him Sunday when he bi...

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NC State's Zoe Brooks out vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament with injury

NC State will attempt to pull off what would be the biggest upset in the Women's NCAA Tournament so far this year without starting guard Zoe Brooks.

Brooks has been ruled out for the No. 7 Wolfpack's second-round matchup with No. 2 Michigan on the Wolverines' home floor in Ann Arbor. The junior suffered a foot injury in the Wolfpack's first-round win over Tennessee. She played just 17 minutes, scoring eight points.

Brooks is NC State's second leading scorer this season at 16.1 points per game and leads the Wolfpack in assists with 4.3. She also averages 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. NC State is 3-0 this season when she scores 25 or more points.

NC State coach Wes Moore said Brooks didn't practice on Saturday and was wearing a walking boot.

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"Obviously, the first priority is going to be her health and making sure she's not at risk as far as her future goes," Moore said. "I've got a lot of confidence in (freshman guard Ky'She Lunan) and I think the other players do as well. That helps. Still not the same as having Zoe out there, a junior with her experience and all that she's done, but either way we'll be ready to play."

The Wolfpack will likely have to lean heavily on Zam Jones for scoring. The sophomore guard scored a career-high 30 points in the win over Tennessee. Junior forward Khamil Pierre is also averaging 16.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game this season.

NC State hasn't played Michigan since 2018, when the Wolfpack and Wolverines faced off in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.

A win for NC State would mark its seventh trip to the Sweet 16 in the last eight NCAA Tournaments.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NC State's Zoe Brooks out vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament with injury

byAlpha World

in

March 22, 2026

NC State's Zoe Brooks out vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament with injury

NC State will attempt to pull off what would be the biggest upset in the Women's NCAA Tournament so far this year wit...

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Report: Syracuse hero Gerry McNamara returning as coach

Gerry McNamara, who led Syracuse to its lone national title in 2003 as the starting point guard, is close to finalizing a deal to be the school's next head coach, ESPN reported on Sunday.

McNamara, 42, has been the head coach at Siena the last two seasons, guiding the Saints to the NCAA Tournament this season after winning the MAAC conference tournament. As a No. 16 seed, Siena gave top-seeded Duke a scare in the first round on Thursday before losing 71-65.

Before taking over at Siena, McNamara served as an assistant coach under Jim Boeheim and Adrian Autry for 15 seasons.

Per the report, McNamara has had multiple discussions -- virtually and in person -- with Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair over the past week.

During the process, school officials reportedly emphasized a commitment to being among the top third of ACC schools in terms of NIL.

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Along with helping Syracuse win the national title during his freshman year alongside Carmelo Anthony, McNamara holds the program records for 3-pointers (400), 3-point attempts (1,131), free-throw percentage (88.8%) and minutes played (4,799). An All-Big East honoree three times, he started all 135 games of his career from 2002-06 and had his No. 3 jersey retired in 2023.

McNamara returned to his alma mater in 2009 as a graduate assistant, then was elevated to an assistant in 2011 under Boeheim. He received another promotion, to associate head coach, when Autry was named Boeheim's successor in 2023.

McNamara left for Siena in 2024, posting a 37-30 record in two seasons. Before this spring, the Saints had not made the NCAA Tournament since 2010.

Autry, also a former star player at Syracuse, was fired earlier this month after the Orange missed out on the NCAA Tournament in his three seasons at the helm.

Syracuse did not qualify for each of the last five NCAA Tournaments, which represents the school's longest dry spell since 1967-72. From 1973 to 2021, the Orange participated in 39 of the 48 tournaments.

--Field Level Media

byAlpha World

in

March 22, 2026

Report: Syracuse hero Gerry McNamara returning as coach

Gerry McNamara, who led Syracuse to its lone national title in 2003 as the starting point guard, is close to finalizin...

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Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sundaydefended U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's infrastructure, saying "sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate."

His comments came just hours after President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he wasgiving Iranian leadership 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuzor risk strikes that "will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!"

Bessent defended Trump's rhetoric, saying it's "the only language the Iranians understand."

Earlier Sunday, a spokesperson for Iran's military command headquarters warned that if the U.S. strikes oil infrastructure, Tehran willrespond in kind with further escalation.

"If Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked, then fuel, energy, information technology systems and desalination infrastructure used by America and the regime in the region will be struck," Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, according to the IRNA state news agency.

More news on the Iran war:

• A warning: Iranian missile strikes injured 115 people in Israel, officials said, puncturing air defenses in two towns close to a nuclear site.

• Price hikes: The war has already hit your gas budget. Here's what it's coming for next.

• Long-range attack: Iran fired missiles at remote U.K.-U.S. base, claiming long-range capabilities it previously denied.

• Energy crisis: The U.S. eased Iranian oil sanctions in a scramble to contain energy prices, handing Tehran a boost.

Robert Mueller, former special counsel who led Trump-Russia probe, dies at 81

Robert Mueller III, thelong-serving FBI director who later served as the special counseloverseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, died at 81.

Mueller took his post just days before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He worked under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who credit him with transforming the bureau in the wake of the tragedy.

A decorated Marine, Mueller became a frequent target of Trump's after his probe found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in a sweeping and systematic fashion, including efforts to boost the now-president's campaign.

'Meet the Press'

Cuba's deputy foreign minister said Saturday that the nation's military ispreparing for "the possibility of military aggression" from the U.S.and that it would be "naive" for Cuba's leaders to ignore the possibility of conflict.

"Our military is always prepared, and in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression," Carlos Fernández de Cossío told NBC News' "Meet the Press" in an interview that aired Sunday.

Fernández de Cossío said the country's leaders "truly hope that it doesn't occur. We don't see why it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever."

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The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba come as the island nation beganrestoring its energy systemSunday, a day after a nationwide collapse of the entire grid left millions of people in the dark for the third time this month.

Politics in brief

• ICE at airports: White House border czar Tom Homan said agents will assist with security at airports where lines have been particularly long because of TSA shortages and the partial government shutdown.

• 'Not a done deal': Virginia Democrats are starting to sweat over their redistricting referendum as they face challenges ahead of next month's special election.

• Trump administration sued: An Underground Railroad museum in New York is alleging the government canceled its grant on the basis of race.

• When seeing isn't believing: AI-generated campaign ads are stoking concerns of voter deception ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Children's entertainer Ms. Rachel has a new cause: Freeing kids from ICE detention

Rachel Accurso, the popular children's entertainer known as Ms. Rachel, has become a prominent voice speaking out on the plight of kids in war-torn Gaza and Sudan.

Now, she's embarking on a mission closer to home: working with lawyers and immigration rights activiststo close the family detention center in Dilley, Texas, and "make sure that kids and their parents are back in their communities where they belong," she told NBC News.

Last week, Accurso heard directly from children held there, including 9-year-old Deiver Henao Jimenez, who won his school spelling bee and is worried he'll miss New Mexico's state competition in May.

"We're just trying to get a child out of a jail to do a spelling bee," Accurso said. "I just never thought those words would go together."

Russia is killing Telegram, its most popular messaging app, despite fears of pushback

The Kremlin's tightening grip on Russian life has a new target: the country's most popular messaging app.

Ordinary Russians and even pro-Kremlin hawks have offered rare public pushback againstthe campaign to throttle Telegram, warning it could backfire, not just at home but for Russia's military in Ukraine.

The app is woven into the daily existence of those who support and oppose the government alike. But the Kremlin is instead pushing people to its new "national" messenger MAX, which many fear could be used to surveil them as part of a deepening crackdown on freedoms since the invasion of Ukraine.

"I can only assume that there is a lofty goal of making everything sovereign, but what's happening right now is just sabotage," said pro-Kremlin gamer and activist Grigory Korolyov, who uses the app to help fundraise for the Russian army.

Two jobs, $75,000 in student debt: How one Florida woman works to get by

Some days for Rachel Jordan start at 5 a.m. and don't end until midnight — sometimes for multiple days in a row.

"I'm just exhausted, honestly," she said.

The Florida resident, 43, is one of the millions of Americans whowork two jobs to get by as they try to pay down debtsthey incurred early in life. With about $75,000 in outstanding student loan debt, Jordan often works 70 hours a week, but worries she's still financially behind.

Notable quote

It just looked like a rock, and ain't no rocks got no business falling out of the sky.

Houston-area resident Sherrie James on a meteor fragment crashing into her home

A bright fireball that was spotted Saturday afternoon in the skies over southeastern Texas wasconfirmed to be a meteorthat likely broke apart over the Houston area, according to NASA.

In case you missed it

• The Guthrie family said they were "deeply grateful" for the Tucson community where their missing mother Nancy lived before her disappearance and suspected abduction seven weeks ago.

• The much anticipated opening of a new bar in Washington, D.C., by the prediction platform Polymarket was botched by a power outage.

• Chappell Roan addressed outrage from fans after Brazilian soccer player Jorginho Frello accused the pop star's security team of treating his 11-year-old daughter in a way that left her in tears and "extremely shaken."

• The first episode of "Saturday Night Live UK" aired, with reviewers calling it "shockingly competent."

• Jessi Pierce, a beloved National Hockey League reporter for the Minnesota Wild, died in a house fire along with her three young children. She was 37.

byAlpha World

in

March 22, 2026

Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sundaydefended U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's infrastructure, saying "so...

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Evacuation orders lifted, flood watch remains for much of Hawaii

Evacuation notices Hawaii have lifted aftercatastrophic flooding prompted evacuation alertsin parts of the state, but flood watches remain in place for most of March 22.

Much of the stateremains under a flood watchinto the evening of March 22, including Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island, according to the National Weather Service, following what authorities described as the worst flooding the state has seen in 20 years.

Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads and threaten to bust through a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20. TheHawaii Emergency Management Agencylater clarified that the 120-year-old dam had not failed but "is at imminent risk of failure."

Haleʻiwa and Waialua also saw evacuations on March 21 as an alert warned that all roads out are at risk of "imminent failure," though those alerts have since been lifted. Most recently, flash flood warnings were issued through the morning of March 22 in parts of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and are set to expire at 8:30 a.m. local time,according to the Honolulu National Weather Service office.

Additionally, the National Weather Service in Honoluluwarned of potential excessive rainfall and flash flooding later in the dayas the forecast showed possible heavy rain and showers continuing through March 22 into the work week, including in Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island.

"Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages," the weather service said. "Roads in several areas may be closed, along with property damage in urban or low lying spots due to runoff. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain." The March 22 forecast includes rain showers and possibly a thunderstorm, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii is seen during a crew flyover with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, on March 20, 2026. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, "is at imminent risk of failure," the local emergency management agency warned.

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See floodwaters overwhelm communities across Hawaii

A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore ofOahu, Hawaiiis seen during a crew flyover with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, on March 20, 2026. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, "is at imminent risk of failure," the local emergency management agency warned.

Worst flooding in 20 years hits Hawaii;Evacuations say 'LEAVE NOW'

Gov. Josh Green: 'Make sure your family has a plan'

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said there have been no deaths or people unaccounted for during the flooding, USA TODAY previously reported, but called it the worst the state has seen since the early 2000s. Some 200 people have been rescued from the flooding and about 10 presented at hospitals with hypothermia, he said.

"This is a major threat to our people and to our state," Green said at a news conference March 20.

Green said some areas of Hawaii received between 40 and 50 inches of rain in a March 21update posted to X, adding that while storms are moving away from Oahu and over to Maui, 4 to 12 inches of rain are expected and could produce flooding.

"Don't drive through heavy water, make sure that you're kind of laying low…everyone please be safe," Green warned in the post. "You've done a wonderful job. No loss of life so far, a few serious injuries, but don't take this storm lightly. There's still more storm force out there, though it does appear to finally be clearing somewhat on Oahu."

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Pictures:See floodwaters overwhelm communities across Hawaii

Hotels are also available at discounted rates for residents needing to move locations, Green added in asecond post on X, directing people to go toready.hawaii.govand call hotels directly to make reservations.

"Check on your neighbors and make sure your family has a plan," Green wrote. "We will continue to provide updates throughout the day. Stay safe and take care of one another."

March has seen series of severe storms in Hawaii

The flooding and rain are a result of a series of low pressure systems that have struck Hawaii throughout the month.

They're a winter phenomenon, often calledkona lows or kona storms, for the Hawaiian word "kona" for leeward. The winter storms typically impact the leeward side of the islands that are usually sheltered from tradewinds and intense rains, according to Steven Businger, a professor in the meteorology department at the University of Hawaii.

On average, one to two kona storms impact Hawaii during the November-to-March season, but it's very rare for two to form within the same month, let alone within a week, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

The first round of stormsimpacted the islands from March 10 to March 16, and brought local rainfall totals of over 4 feet. These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet,spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirsin the state.

Damage from the March flooding could total $1 billion, Green said. That includes damage to numerous homes, roads, schools, airports and a hospital on Maui, he said. Flooding from the most recent batch of storms have swept away a house in Mokuleia andclosed multiple roads in the state, part of a road in Makaha Valley on Oahu in both directions March 20 after part of it collapsed, sending vehicles over the edge, USA TODAY previously reported.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Flood watch extended for parts of Hawaii after historic storms, flooding

byAlpha World

in

March 22, 2026

Evacuation orders lifted, flood watch remains for much of Hawaii

Evacuation notices Hawaii have lifted aftercatastrophic flooding prompted evacuation alertsin parts of the state, but flo...

Read More