Sports
Final Field Set for 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship
Published
3 years agoon
By
FNN SPORTSBRADENTON, Fla – The field is set for the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship, the first full-field event of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. From Jan. 25-28, Bradenton Country Club, a classic Donald Ross venue celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, will host a who’s-who of the world’s best golfers, kicking off a season of exciting storylines and fierce competition.
Who to watch…
The 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship includes four of the top-five players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings – No. 1 Lilia Vu, No. 2 Ruoning Yin, No. 3 Celine Boutier and No. 5 Nelly Korda. Korda, who lives in Bradenton, is one of six Floridians in the field, along with Tampa-area native Brittany Lincicome and fan-favorite Lexi Thompson. Korda, Lincicome and Thompson are three of the 22 major winners teeing it up, led by five-time champion Yani Tseng, who is competing in her first LPGA Tour event since 2021. There are also 31 Olympians in the Drive On field, including 2020 gold medalist Korda, silver medalist Mone Inami and bronze medalist Lydia Ko.
U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis will compete alongside nine U.S. Team members from 2023, including leading American points earner Megan Khang. Lewis will name her 2024 team in August, following the AIG Women’s Open.
There are 15 2024 rookies in the field, led by 2023 Epson Tour graduates Isabella Fierro, Minji Kang, Auston Kim and Gabriela Ruffels. Mariajo Uribe, a 15-year LPGA Tour veteran who will retire at the end of the season, and amateur Laney Frye, a senior at the University of Kentucky, received the tournament’s sponsor exemptions.
The final two spots in the LPGA Drive On Championship field will be filled with the top-two finishers at Monday’s Local Qualifying Round. For a complete list of tournament entries, click here.
What to do…
Across the four competition days at Bradenton Country Club, fans can put their golf skills to the test at two interactive stations. Got chops on the green? Stop by the Long-Putt Challenge and show off talents with the flatstick. Fans who sink the long putt will be entered to win special prizes. Better off the tee? Visit the Bradenton C.C. Pro Shop and go long in the Long-Drive Competition. The long-drive champion will earn bragging rights, along with a $500 LPGAProShop.com gift card.
Before heading to the course, fans can visit the Tito’s Trailer and enjoy five signature cocktails: the Tito’s Transfusion, the Bradenton Bloody, the Sunrise Stinger, the Fairway Fizz and the Mulligan Mimosa. Non-alcoholic options will also be available for fans participating in Dry January.
On the way out, commemorate the visit to Bradenton C.C. with a selfie at the Fan Photo Booth. Snap a pic with friends and family and get an instant copy of your photo to share on social. Tag the LPGA’s social channels and use the hashtag #DriveOn for the chance to appear on the official tournament feeds (@LPGA, X; @lpga_tour, Instagram).
How to visit…
Tickets are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. Daily tickets start at $30 for General Admission, with weekly passes starting at $99. Champions Club hospitality tickets start at $225 for daily admission and $800 for weekly access. The Champions Club provides premium access to an open-air structure with views of the 16th green and 17th tee and includes an open bar and lunch/snack options.
To honor those who serve our country in the United States Armed Forces, the LPGA is pleased to offer both current and former members of the U.S. Military and certain guests complimentary grounds tickets regardless of sell-out. Click here for information on military tickets. Additionally, juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit SeatGeek.com.
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Central Florida News
2027 Arnold Palmer Invitational Tickets Go on Sale With Exclusive Mastercard Presale
Published
1 day agoon
September 12, 2026By
FNN SPORTSGeneral public ticket sales begin Sept. 17 for Central Florida’s signature PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Golf fans can begin making plans for the 2027 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, with tickets and upgraded fan experiences now available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders ahead of next week’s general public sale.
The Mastercard presale began Sept. 10, a date that would have marked golf legend Arnold Palmer’s 97th birthday. The tournament returns March 18-21, 2027, to Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, Sept. 17.
Ticket Prices Start at $40
General admission tickets start at $40 for Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds. Thursday tickets begin at $85, while admission Friday through Sunday starts at $99.
Prices are before fees and are subject to change.
Mastercard cardholders can save 10% on ticket purchases, excluding taxes, when paying with a Mastercard.
“We strive to create unique experiences at all price points,” Tournament Director Drew Donovan said. “From our special events to our premium experiences, there is something for everyone.”
Donovan said spectators can choose from experiences ranging from Bay Hill Clubhouse access at The Orange Grove to front-row viewing at the Michelob Ultra Fan Deck and the premium Lakehouse experience.
Premium Fan Experiences Return to Bay Hill
The Orange Grove returns in 2027 with enhanced amenities, including access to the Bay Hill Clubhouse. The all-inclusive experience features tournament grounds admission, daily clubhouse access, entry to Arnie’s at the Orange Grove, food and beverages, private greenside seating at No. 9 and parking with the four-day Tournament Experience package.
The Michelob Ultra Fan Deck, located between the 15th green and 16th tee, also returns following a full rebrand. The venue features upgraded concessions, a large live video wall and front-row views of players competing at No. 16. Fan Deck tickets, including grounds admission, start at $150.
The Lakehouse returns after selling out in each of its first two years, including an even faster sellout in 2026.
Tournament organizers also plan to bring back Wine & Dine on 9, Birdies & BBQ and Throwback Thursday presented by Corkcicle. All three events sold out last year. Dates, prices and additional details are expected to be announced later.
Akshay Bhatia Set to Defend Title
Defending champion Akshay Bhatia is expected to return to Bay Hill following a career-best year and will compete for a share of the tournament’s elevated $20 million purse.
The 2027 field is expected to once again feature many of the world’s leading golfers competing for one of the PGA TOUR’s most prestigious titles. Additional player commitments will be announced closer to tournament week.
Continuing Arnold Palmer’s Legacy
The Arnold Palmer Invitational has become one of Central Florida’s signature sporting events while preserving Palmer’s influence on professional golf and the Orlando community.
Proceeds benefit the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and its work supporting children’s health, character development and nature-focused wellness initiatives.
The tournament will be played March 18-21, 2027, at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Central Florida News
Buccaneers-Bengals Injury Report: Jalen McMillan, Justin Skule, Sean Tucker Doubtful
Published
1 day agoon
September 12, 2026Tampa Bay lists three players as doubtful, while linebacker Christian Rozeboom is questionable ahead of matchup with Cincinnati
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without three players when they face the Cincinnati Bengals, with wide receiver Jalen McMillan, offensive tackle Justin Skule and running back Sean Tucker listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom is questionable with a foot injury, while outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and guard Billy Schrauth carry no game-status designation after finishing the practice week as full participants.
Three Buccaneers Listed as Doubtful
McMillan, who is dealing with a knee injury, was limited in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before receiving a doubtful designation.
Skule followed the same practice pattern while dealing with an oblique injury. Tucker did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury before returning as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. Both are also listed as doubtful.
Rozeboom was limited throughout the week with a foot injury and is questionable.
Bain progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday despite a shoulder injury. Egbuka, who is dealing with a toe injury, and Schrauth, who has a knee injury, were full participants throughout the week. None of the three received a game-status designation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen McMillan | WR | Knee | Limited | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Justin Skule | T | Oblique | Limited | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Sean Tucker | RB | Hamstring | DNP | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Christian Rozeboom | LB | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| Rueben Bain Jr. | OLB | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Full | — |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | Toe | Full | Full | Full | — |
| Billy Schrauth | G | Knee | Full | Full | Full | — |
Bengals List Shemar Stewart as Doubtful
Cincinnati defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful with a knee injury after his participation declined during the week. Stewart was a full participant Wednesday, limited Thursday and did not practice Friday.
Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase did not participate Friday because of a knee/rest designation after practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday. Chase, however, received no game-status designation.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins was a full participant throughout the week despite a foot injury and also carries no game-status designation.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen returned to full participation Friday after a scheduled rest day Thursday. B.J. Hill was limited Thursday before returning to full participation Friday.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II did not practice Friday because of rest, while cornerback D.J. Turner II was limited Thursday and Friday with a hamstring injury. Neither received a game-status designation.
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shemar Stewart | DE | Knee | Full | Limited | DNP | Doubtful |
| Jonathan Allen | DT | Rest | — | DNP | Full | — |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Knee/Rest | Full | Full | DNP | — |
| Tee Higgins | WR | Foot | Full | Full | Full | — |
| B.J. Hill | DT | Rest | — | Limited | Full | — |
| Dexter Lawrence II | DT | Rest | — | — | DNP | — |
| D.J. Turner II | CB | Hamstring | — | Limited | Limited | — |
What It Means for Tampa Bay
The biggest concern for the Buccaneers is the potential loss of depth across multiple offensive positions. With McMillan, Skule and Tucker all considered unlikely to play, Tampa Bay could be forced to adjust its receiver rotation, offensive line depth and running back workload against Cincinnati.
The positive development is that Bain, Egbuka and Schrauth finished the week as full participants without game-status designations, putting Tampa Bay in a stronger position at several other key spots.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, enters the matchup with Stewart doubtful but without game-status designations for several other notable players who appeared on the injury report, including Chase and Higgins.
Under NFL injury-report terminology, doubtful means a player is unlikely to play, while questionable means it is uncertain whether the player will play. DNP indicates a player did not participate in practice.
North Florida News
WNBA Bound: Jacksonville Waves Guard Shyanne Sellers Signs With Los Angeles Sparks
Published
2 days agoon
September 11, 2026By
FNN SPORTSFormer Maryland standout becomes the first Jacksonville Waves player to earn a WNBA opportunity after helping lead the team to the UPSHOT League championship game.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers has signed a Player Development Pool contract with the Los Angeles Sparks after a standout 2026 season in the UPSHOT League.
Sellers averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for Jacksonville while ranking third in the league in assists. Her performance helped the Waves reach the UPSHOT League’s inaugural championship game and earned Sellers another opportunity in the WNBA.
From Maryland Standout to the Pros
A former University of Maryland standout and member of a basketball family from Ohio, Sellers has continued building her own professional career.
She was selected No. 17 overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Draft and later spent time with the Dallas Wings before joining the Jacksonville Waves.
The UPSHOT League’s inaugural season gave players such as Sellers another opportunity to compete at a high level, develop their games and position themselves for additional professional opportunities.
Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers drives to the basket against a Charlotte defender during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
First Jacksonville Waves Player to Earn WNBA Opportunity
Sellers’ performance in Jacksonville ultimately put her back into the WNBA pipeline, making her the first Waves player to receive a WNBA opportunity.
Her Player Development Pool contract with Los Angeles represents another significant step in her professional career and an early milestone for the Jacksonville Waves organization.
A Jacksonville Waves player drives to the basket for a layup while being defended by a Charlotte player during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
Jacksonville-to-WNBA Pipeline Takes Shape
Sellers’ signing also highlights the potential role of the UPSHOT League and Jacksonville Waves as a pathway for players seeking to remain competitive and earn opportunities at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.
For Jacksonville, Sellers becomes the franchise’s first player to make the jump from the Waves to a WNBA organization.
_____________________________
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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