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Nick Taylor finally made a major cut again. Some big names failed to do the same at the Masters

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Nick Taylor, of Canada, hits from the bunker on the second hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Nick Taylor finally made the cut in another major. Brooks Koepka missed the weekend at the Masters in agonizing fashion.

Then there was Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples, two former Masters champions, who took their attempts at making the cut all the way to the 18th hole Friday. The 67-year-old Langer missed a par putt that would have gotten him into the weekend, while the 65-year-old Couples made bogey when he needed birdie on the par-4 finishing hole.

They certainly weren’t alone in their tournament ending early.

Koepka, a five-time major winner, was in good shape with two to play. He had opened with a 74 but was 2 under on the day when he bogeyed the par-4 17th. Then came the 18th and catastrophe: Koepka was so far left off the tee he took a penalty shot and hit again, then missed the green with his approach and three-putted from 12 feet to miss the cut by two shots.

He had made eight straight cuts in majors, including his second PGA title and a tie for second at the Masters two years ago.

There were other painful moments Friday.

Russell Henley had been one of the hottest players in the game coming into the week, making the cut in each start this season and winning against a loaded field at Bay Hill. He opened with a 79 that put him near the bottom of the leaderboard, but Henley rallied with a second-round 68 on Friday that left him in Langer’s group one shot shy of the cut.

“Yesterday just was terrible. It was such a tough day,” Henley said. “There’s a lot to be thankful for. I’m healthy and I feel good and I feel like I can play some good golf this year. No matter what, I feel like I’m in a great spot.”

Dustin Johnson, who set the tournament scoring record when he won in 2021, also finished at 3 over.

“I’m playing better than that I scored for sure,” he said. “Played pretty solid all day until last two holes, but you know, this golf course, it’s a pretty tough finish. If you drive it in the fairway it’s not tough. You miss the fairway, it’s difficult.”

You can guess where Johnson drove it.

Mike Weir and Sergio Garcia, a pair of former champions, missed the cut with Couples at 4 over. Two more Masters champions, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson, were in the group with Koepka at 5 over.

“I’ve been playing good golf this year,” Mickelson said, “so I’m disappointed with my score this week.”

Angel Cabrera beat just one other player, shooting 75-80 in his return to the Masters. The 2009 champion generated a bit of controversy simply by showing up. He spent 20 months in an Argentine prison after he was accused of making threats toward former partners. Cabrera was released on parole in August 2023 and won a PGA Tour Champions event last weekend.

The only player Cabrera beat was Nick Dunlap, who was 19 shots better than his first-round 90 with a 1-under 71 on Friday.

Then there were those who managed to slip inside the 2-over cut line.

Xander Schauffele was at 2 under for the tournament, extending his streak to 61 consecutive made cuts. Wyndham Clark was able to rebound from an opening 76 with a 4-under 68 on Friday. Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth made the cut on the number, with the 2015 champion making a two-putt bogey on his final hole to scrape into the weekend.

Taylor also made the weekend at a major — finally.

He has five PGA Tour wins, including one each of the last three years, and his triumph at the Sony Open in January gave the Canadian some momentum early this season. But the majors had given him fits. Taylor had missed the cut in his last eight tries, including the Masters last year. In fact, his last made cut was the Masters five years ago.

“Yeah, it’s never the objective but it certainly has crossed my mind,” Taylor admitted. “It is different, and it’s easy to make it bigger than it is. But each golf shot is the same as you are playing the RBC Heritage next week or Zurich with Adam (Hadwin). You’ve got to make your decisions, commit to them. It’s just a little more difficult here.”

___

AP Masters coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/the-masters





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Buccaneers Draft Targets: EDGE – Sports Talk Florida

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April 21, 2025

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By: Carter Brantley

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers much-maligned pass rush room has seen an attempt to upgrade their talent in the recent years, both through the draft and free agency.

Unfortunately not much has worked out, as JTS is now gone after 4 years of middling production and Randy Gregory didn’t even show up for training camp last season.

The Bucs have gone back to the free agency well with their signing of Haason Reddick, and it’s expected they might try to address the position in the draft again.

Whether it’s a first rounder, a mid-round selection, or a day 3 flyer, here are 3 guys the Bucs could conceivably target in this year’s draft class.

Probably the most athletic edge rusher in this class, Pearce Jr.’s status in the 1st round has shifted from top-10 pick to maybe even falling all the way to the Bucs at 19.

If he’s there and Will Johnson and Jihaad Campbell aren’t, the Bucs wouldn’t be totally stupid to take a swing at the former Volunteer.

Pearce, Jr. has the athletic pedigree to be an impressive player, earning a 9.38 RAS due to his elite 40 time and 6’5 height.

He’s a bit skinny compared to many of his pass-rushing counter-parts, but there’s enough to potentially fill out with an NFL-level dietary and workout program.

He also had a great final season with the Volunteers, racking up 52 total pressures for the season and a 91.9 total pass rush grade on PFF.

Overall, Pearce, Jr. is the best pass-rushing prospect this side of Abdul Carter in my mind, but we’ll see if NFL teams agree.

While not nearly the athletic freak Pearce, Jr. is, Kennard is quite impressive in his own right, racking up an 8.47 RAS due to another elite 40 time and a decent height at 6’4 and an ok bench showing.

He too is in need of a bit more muscle to fill out, but his production at South Carolina in 2024 was undeniable, winning the Nagurski and earning All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

His PFF scores disagree a bit with that production, only earning a 77 flat for the season overall and 80.1 in pass rush, but the raw production is too good to ignore, especially if he manages to fall to the 3rd round and the Bucs haven’t invested in the position yet.

Kennard is my overall favorite edge prospect in terms of draftability and upside, as Kennard is still only 23 and won’t turn 24 until December.

Yeesh, I’m falling into a bit of a pattern here; Robinson is yet another guy in need of adding some bulk, but him way more than the previous 2 prospects, as he comes in at only 240+ and 6’5.

Luckily the athleticism is there, as he’s explosive off the line and has quite a bit of length.

He’s also a great special teams add, and even is a former safety, meaning the Buccaneers can drop him back into coverage out of that outside linebacker spot if needed.

He’d be at best a rotational pass rusher, sort of an Anthony Nelson type, but these hidden gems can sometimes work out, especially for someone like Robinson who dealt with being behind some other uber-talented players while playing for the Crimson Tide.

Hopefully he can shine on his own in the NFL.

Follow @ctbrantley12 on Twitter and listen to him on the RBLR Bucs Podcast

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Sardja Tosses a Complete-Game One-Hitter as USF Softball Sweeps Memphis

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15 hours ago

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April 21, 2025

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GOUSFBULLS.COM – Belle Sardja was phenomenal inside the circle for the University of South Florida softball team in the series finale against Memphis on Saturday. Sardja tossed a complete-game one-hitter as the Bulls (36-12-1, 15-5-1) run-ruled the Tigers (16-30, 4-17), 8-0, in five innings inside the USF Softball Stadium.

The Bulls remain 1.5 games out of first place behind the Florida Atlantic Owls after both teams recorded American Athletic Conference sweeps. North Texas stays in third place, a half-game behind South Florida.

Sardja recorded her sixth complete game of the year and produced her second complete-game one-hitter of the season. She improved to 14-4 on the season. She did not give up a hit until one out in the top of the fifth inning. She finished with two strikeouts and had one walk.

Offensively, Alexa Galligani led the Bulls with a 3-for-4 day at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. She extended her streak of reaching base safely to 14 games. Camille Ortiz-Martinez recorded her ninth home run of the season, which moved her into a tie for 10th on the USF single-season list. Josie Foreman and Ortiz-Martinez drove in two runs each. Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to eight games with a single in today’s contest.

Elliott led off the bottom of the first inning with a five-pitch walk. Galligani singled to third base and gave the Bulls two runners on and no outs. Wilkes dropped down a perfect sac bunt and moved the runners up. Josie Foreman notched a sac fly to left field. After Alanah Rivera drew a walk, Galligani stole home on a delayed steal. Ortiz-Martinez battled at the plate and hit the 10th pitch of the at-bat over the right-center wall for a two-run home run. USF took a 4-0 lead into the second inning.


Elliott reached on an error by the shortstop with two outs in the second inning. Elliott stole second and moved into scoring position. Galligani delivered a clutch RBI single up the middle. USF extended its lead to 5-0.


Elliott was hit by a pitch to lead off the home half of the fourth inning. Wilkes drew an eight-pitch walk and moved Elliott into scoring position. Foreman produced an RBI double down the right-field line.


DaNia Brooks doubled down the left-field line to start the bottom of the fifth. She advanced to third on a wild pitch. Karhys Pierce notched a sac fly to center as the Bulls moved closer to a run-rule. Elliott singled to left field to keep things going for USF. Galligani doubled to right center and drove in Elliott to enforce the 8-0 run-rule victory.

Key Stats:

  • The Bulls are 33-0-1 when they record more hits than their opponents.
  • Belle Sardja tossed her sixth complete game of the season and her second complete-game one-hitter.
  • Camille Ortiz-Martinez recorded her ninth home run of the season, which moved her into a tie for 10th on the USF single-season list.

Notables:

  • Alexa Galligani has reached base safely in 14 straight games.
  • Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to eight games.
  • Kathy Garcia-Soto collected two assists, moving her season total to 113. She moved into the top 10 in the nation in assists.
  • The Bulls recorded their third conference sweep of the season.

Up Next:
The Bulls play their final midweek game of the 2025 season on Tuesday, April 23. South Florida travels to No. 7 Florida for a 6 p.m. game on the SEC Network+.

Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls softball at the USF Softball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking HERE.

Follow us:
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Softball news, follow the Bulls on social media (X/ Facebook / Instagram).

About USF Softball
The South Florida softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 28th season in 2025 and has accumulated 1,117 wins, ranking seventh among active DI head softball coaches, USF has produced 10 NFCA All-Americans, two USA Softball Top 10 Player of the Year, and one NFCA Pitcher of the Year. In 2022, Georgina Corrick became the first player in softball history to earn the NCAA Pitching Triple Crown. She led the nation in ERA (0.51), Victories (37), and total strikeouts (418).

– #GoBulls –





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The No. 1-ranked University of Tampa baseball team sweeps Florida as the regular season soon will be comong to a close.

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April 21, 2025

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The #1 University of Tampa Spartans swept Florida Tech in the doubleheader and the series.

Final: #1 Tampa 9, Florida Tech 2

Final: #1 Tampa 4, Florida Tech 2

Records: #1 Tampa (35-6, 19-2 SSC), Florida Tech (23-21, 13-14 SSC)

Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall | Melbourne, FL.  

All-Time Series: This was the 169th and 170th meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 135-35 against the Panthers. 

GAME ONE

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Jordan Williams drew a walk to lead off the game. He then stole second and third base. Nico Saladino then followed with a single back up the middle to bring home J. Williams. J.D. Urso then reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Panthers’ second baseman. Brayden Woodburn then doubled to left center to bring home Urso. Jhoander Irigoyen then followed, launching a home run to left field for a 2-run shot. Mid 1 | 4-0 Tampa
  • Maddox King drew a walk to lead off the inning. With one out, he stole second and third base. Saladino then grounded out to second base to bring home King. Mid 2 | 5-0 Tampa
  • Woodburn singled to center to lead off the inning. He then stole second and third and came into score on a throwing error by the Panthers’ catcher. Mid 3 | 6-0 Tampa
  • Edgardo Villegas doubled down the right field line to lead off the inning. He then stole third base. Mike Valdez then followed with a single to left field to bring home Villegas. A.J. Graham came in to pinch run for Valdez. Graham then stole second. After Cole Russo walked, King put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Russo and Graham to second and third. With two outs, the two would advance 90 feet and then Saladino would single to right center to bring in Russo. Mid 9 | 9-2 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

  • Woodburn: 2-3, BB, 3 SB’s, 2 R’s, & RBI
  • King: 1-2, BB, 2 SB’s, & R
  • Villegas: 2-4, SB, & R
  • Valdez: 2-4 & RBI
  • Saladino: 2-5 & 3 RBI’s

ON THE MOUND:

  • Skylar Gonzalez started on the mound. He threw 5 innings while striking out 4 and giving up 2 earned runs. Gonzalez received the win and now has improved to 6-1 on the season.
  • Brayden Heidel came in relief for Gonzalez. He threw 2 scoreless innings while striking out 2.
  • Michael Alfonso came in relief for Heidel. He threw 2 scoreless innings while striking out 3.

GAME TWO

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Valdez would single to left field, and the Panthers’ left fielder would miss fielding the ball on the play, and the ball would roll all the way to the wall. Valdez would end up at third base on the play. Kevin Karstetter then grounded out to shortstop to bring home Valdez. Mid 5 | 2-1 Florida Tech
  • J. Williams led off the inning with a walk. He then stole second. Saladino followed with a single to left to advance J. Williams to third. Urso then grounded into a double play but J. Williams came into score on the play. Mid 6 | 2-2 Tie
  • Valdez led off the inning with a double to the left field corner. Graham would pinch run for Valdez. After Graham advanced to third on a pass ball, Lenny Ashby singled to left field to bring home Graham. J. Williams then followed with a triple to right center to bring home Ashby. Mid 9 | 4-2 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

  • J. Williams: 3-3, 2 BB’s, 2 SB’s, R, & RBI
  • Garavito: 2-4 & SB
  • Valdez: 2-4 & R

ON THE MOUND:

  • Jake Stipp started on the mound. He threw 6.1 innings while striking out 2 and giving up 2 earned runs. Stipp finished with a no-decision on the afternoon.
  • Ryan Stefiuk came in relief for Stipp. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out 1. Stefiuk received the win in his outing and has improved to 3-0 on the season.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will host their final regular season series at home, starting on Friday, April 25th, at 1:00 PM, when they take on Eckerd for a three-game series.







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