2 months ago
Four Tennessee women's tennis players earned a spot on the first singles and doubles rankings of the season, which were announced Tuesday by the ITA.
The Lady Vols totaled three entries, including one singles player and two doubles teams.
Sophomore Rinon Okuwaki is ranked No. 40 nationally. She enters her first season with the Lady Vols after a freshman campaign at Clemson. A native of Saitama, ******* an, Okuwaki began her freshman season with the Tigers by winning her first 16 matches. She lost her first match on April 3 to North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier, who was ranked No. 2. Okuwaki finished her first collegiate season as the ITA's No. 72 ranked player with a 19-6 singles record.
She and doubles partner Francesca Mattioli are ranked No. 55. Last season, Mattioli and Vanessa Suarez finished ranked No. 36 with a 13-7 record.
Maeve Thornton and Stefani Webb enter the season as the No. 68-ranked doubles team. Thornton, who enters her third season at Tennessee, teamed with Katrina Scott for a 12-9 (7-3 SEC) record.
#doubles #okuwaki #record #vols
The Lady Vols totaled three entries, including one singles player and two doubles teams.
Sophomore Rinon Okuwaki is ranked No. 40 nationally. She enters her first season with the Lady Vols after a freshman campaign at Clemson. A native of Saitama, ******* an, Okuwaki began her freshman season with the Tigers by winning her first 16 matches. She lost her first match on April 3 to North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier, who was ranked No. 2. Okuwaki finished her first collegiate season as the ITA's No. 72 ranked player with a 19-6 singles record.
She and doubles partner Francesca Mattioli are ranked No. 55. Last season, Mattioli and Vanessa Suarez finished ranked No. 36 with a 13-7 record.
Maeve Thornton and Stefani Webb enter the season as the No. 68-ranked doubles team. Thornton, who enters her third season at Tennessee, teamed with Katrina Scott for a 12-9 (7-3 SEC) record.
#doubles #okuwaki #record #vols
2 months ago
ONE SAMURAI 3 has been bolstered by another massive addition, as four-time Muay Thai World Champion Ryuya Okuwaki collides with Chokdee Maxjandee in an atomweight Muay Thai showdown built for fireworks.
Their high-stakes clash emanates live from Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama, ****** an, on Saturday, September 12, further fueling the buzz around a card already featuring some of ****** an's finest martial artists — reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka, former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya "Little Piranha" Wakamatsu, Hyu "Mister Pepper" and Shimon Yoshinari.
That evening, Okuwaki, who trains out of EIWA Sports Gym in Yokohama, will have a chance to improve to 4-0 inside ONE Championship on home turf.
The 25-year-old brings an eight-fight winning streak into this matchup, a run built on speed, explosiveness, and a knack for picking his shots with surgical precision. Since making his promotional debut in August 2025, Okuwaki has proven himself every step of the way.
He opened his account with a second-round head kick knockout of Nueaphet Kelasport, followed that up with a clean unanimous decision over Pet Suanluangrodyok, and most recently folded Hern Looksuan with a vicious body-shot barrage in the second round.
#okuwaki #built
Their high-stakes clash emanates live from Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama, ****** an, on Saturday, September 12, further fueling the buzz around a card already featuring some of ****** an's finest martial artists — reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka, former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya "Little Piranha" Wakamatsu, Hyu "Mister Pepper" and Shimon Yoshinari.
That evening, Okuwaki, who trains out of EIWA Sports Gym in Yokohama, will have a chance to improve to 4-0 inside ONE Championship on home turf.
The 25-year-old brings an eight-fight winning streak into this matchup, a run built on speed, explosiveness, and a knack for picking his shots with surgical precision. Since making his promotional debut in August 2025, Okuwaki has proven himself every step of the way.
He opened his account with a second-round head kick knockout of Nueaphet Kelasport, followed that up with a clean unanimous decision over Pet Suanluangrodyok, and most recently folded Hern Looksuan with a vicious body-shot barrage in the second round.
#okuwaki #built
2 months ago
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Europe captain Anna Nordqvist finalized her Solheim Cup team Monday by adding veteran Leona Maguire and three rookies as her picks for the Sept. 11-13 matches in The Netherlands.
Charley Hull of England easily earned one of the two automatic spots from the Ladies European Tour points list. The other went to Esther Henseleit of Germany, who surged to No. 2 in the final two events.
Henseleit finished fourth in the Women's Scottish Open and then lost in a playoff at the Women's British Open (points are double in a major) to narrowly beat Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland for the second spot.
Henseleit's 40-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with AIG Women's Open winner Shiho Kuwaki wound up costing Tamburlini a spot. Even without making it on points, Henseleit would have made her second straight team as one of the leading six players in the world ranking.
Those six spots instead fell to Solheim rookie Lottie Woad of England, Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Celine Boutier of France and Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark.
#points
Charley Hull of England easily earned one of the two automatic spots from the Ladies European Tour points list. The other went to Esther Henseleit of Germany, who surged to No. 2 in the final two events.
Henseleit finished fourth in the Women's Scottish Open and then lost in a playoff at the Women's British Open (points are double in a major) to narrowly beat Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland for the second spot.
Henseleit's 40-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with AIG Women's Open winner Shiho Kuwaki wound up costing Tamburlini a spot. Even without making it on points, Henseleit would have made her second straight team as one of the leading six players in the world ranking.
Those six spots instead fell to Solheim rookie Lottie Woad of England, Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Celine Boutier of France and Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark.
#points
2 months ago
The women's golf major championship season is officially over, after Shiho Kuwaki earned $1.5 million for winning the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club on Sunday.
But it was Nelly Korda who won the most prize money overall at the five women's majors this year, taking home a combined $4.59 million—boosted by her victories at the Chevron Championship and U.S. Women's Open, which came with $1.35 million and $2.5 million paydays, respectively. Korda missed the cut at the Amundi Evian Championship and did not earn any prize money. She did, however, cash in a $275,235 check for finishing tied for eighth at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and made $465,601 for placing T4 at the AIG Women's Open.
Not only does Korda's major haul top all other women's golfers this year, it also surpasses all but two men's golfers—Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark—despite the five women's majors paying out a combined $53.6 million in prize money, compared to $83.25 million at the four men's majors. The top earners at this year's women's majors were as follows:
Nelly Korda: $4.59 million
Haeran Ryu: $3.72 million
#million #majors #money #golf
But it was Nelly Korda who won the most prize money overall at the five women's majors this year, taking home a combined $4.59 million—boosted by her victories at the Chevron Championship and U.S. Women's Open, which came with $1.35 million and $2.5 million paydays, respectively. Korda missed the cut at the Amundi Evian Championship and did not earn any prize money. She did, however, cash in a $275,235 check for finishing tied for eighth at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and made $465,601 for placing T4 at the AIG Women's Open.
Not only does Korda's major haul top all other women's golfers this year, it also surpasses all but two men's golfers—Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark—despite the five women's majors paying out a combined $53.6 million in prize money, compared to $83.25 million at the four men's majors. The top earners at this year's women's majors were as follows:
Nelly Korda: $4.59 million
Haeran Ryu: $3.72 million
#million #majors #money #golf
2 months ago
The 2026 AIG Women's Open concludes on Sunday, August 2, with the fourth round at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in England. You can find full AIG Women's Open tee times for Sunday's fourth round at the bottom of this post.
If you didn't have Yealimi Noh in your office pool this week, you're not alone. The 25-year-old Californian arrived at Royal Lytham and St. Annes with just two top-10 finishes in majors and one LPGA Tour victory to her name.
Now, after a tidy two-under 69 on a wind-swept Saturday, she heads into the final round at seven-under, holding a three-shot lead. It's the first time she's ever been the front-runner at any point in a major.
Can Noh hang on?
To do so, she'll have to hold off a pack of pursuers. Haeran Ryu, who teed off Saturday with the lead while seeking her third consecutive major ***** le, stumbled to a three-over 74 to fall back to four-under. She's joined there by fellow American Lucy Li, Germany's Esther Henseleit, ***** an's Shiho Kuwaki and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is seeking her first major championship.
#open
If you didn't have Yealimi Noh in your office pool this week, you're not alone. The 25-year-old Californian arrived at Royal Lytham and St. Annes with just two top-10 finishes in majors and one LPGA Tour victory to her name.
Now, after a tidy two-under 69 on a wind-swept Saturday, she heads into the final round at seven-under, holding a three-shot lead. It's the first time she's ever been the front-runner at any point in a major.
Can Noh hang on?
To do so, she'll have to hold off a pack of pursuers. Haeran Ryu, who teed off Saturday with the lead while seeking her third consecutive major ***** le, stumbled to a three-over 74 to fall back to four-under. She's joined there by fellow American Lucy Li, Germany's Esther Henseleit, ***** an's Shiho Kuwaki and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is seeking her first major championship.
#open
2 months ago
AIG Women's Open - round three
-7 Y Noh (US); -4 E Henseleit (Ger), L Li (US), J Thitikul (Tha), Ryu (Kor), S Kuwaki (Jap); -3 L Woad (Eng)
Selected others: -2 C Hull (Eng); -1 L Ko (Nz); +1 N Korda (US), L Coughlin (US); +2 C Boutier (Fra), M Rhodes (Eng)
Full leaderboard
England's Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are both in contention heading into the final round of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
#open #kuwaki #korda
-7 Y Noh (US); -4 E Henseleit (Ger), L Li (US), J Thitikul (Tha), Ryu (Kor), S Kuwaki (Jap); -3 L Woad (Eng)
Selected others: -2 C Hull (Eng); -1 L Ko (Nz); +1 N Korda (US), L Coughlin (US); +2 C Boutier (Fra), M Rhodes (Eng)
Full leaderboard
England's Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are both in contention heading into the final round of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
#open #kuwaki #korda
2 months ago
AIG Women's Open
-7 H Ryu (Kor); -6 S Kuwaki (Jpn); -5 Y Noh (US), A Thitikul (Tha); -3 S Joo (Kor); -2 L Woad (Eng), C Hull (Eng), C Wannasaen (Tha), L Li (US), J Yan (US), L Coughlin (US), P Martin (Esp), M Katsu (Jpn)
Selected others: -1 L Ko (NZ), M Rhodes (Eng); +2 A Hewson (Eng), +6 G Hall (Eng), +7 M Yamashita (Jpn)
Full leaderboard
South Korea's Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to bounce back from a poor start and end the second round as leader of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
#open #woad #coughlin
-7 H Ryu (Kor); -6 S Kuwaki (Jpn); -5 Y Noh (US), A Thitikul (Tha); -3 S Joo (Kor); -2 L Woad (Eng), C Hull (Eng), C Wannasaen (Tha), L Li (US), J Yan (US), L Coughlin (US), P Martin (Esp), M Katsu (Jpn)
Selected others: -1 L Ko (NZ), M Rhodes (Eng); +2 A Hewson (Eng), +6 G Hall (Eng), +7 M Yamashita (Jpn)
Full leaderboard
South Korea's Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to bounce back from a poor start and end the second round as leader of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
#open #woad #coughlin
2 months ago
The Women's British Open continues on Friday with second-round action, as the field of 144 players faces the pressure of the cut. After 36 holes, only the top 65 competitors and ties will advance to the weekend at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England.
Shiho Kuwaki and Yealimi Noh sit comfortably atop the leaderboard after two rounds, both with a six-under overall score and heading into the weekend leading the field.
Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked second in the world, also made a strong start after two rounds, securing her spot for the weekend. Thitikul impressed in the opening round, carding a 7-under 64 with seven birdies and no bogeys. Although her second round was more challenging, producing just one birdie against three bogeys, Thitikul remains at five under par overall and will continue the battle for the top of the leaderboard on Saturday.
As the second round draws to a close, the projected cut line sits at four-over par. Here is a closer look at the bubble players, those hovering around the cut line, who are fighting to keep their championship hopes alive.
More: PGA Tour suspends Trey Mullinax for anti-doping violation
#overall
Shiho Kuwaki and Yealimi Noh sit comfortably atop the leaderboard after two rounds, both with a six-under overall score and heading into the weekend leading the field.
Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked second in the world, also made a strong start after two rounds, securing her spot for the weekend. Thitikul impressed in the opening round, carding a 7-under 64 with seven birdies and no bogeys. Although her second round was more challenging, producing just one birdie against three bogeys, Thitikul remains at five under par overall and will continue the battle for the top of the leaderboard on Saturday.
As the second round draws to a close, the projected cut line sits at four-over par. Here is a closer look at the bubble players, those hovering around the cut line, who are fighting to keep their championship hopes alive.
More: PGA Tour suspends Trey Mullinax for anti-doping violation
#overall
2 months ago
Golfer Charley Hull has told critics to "lighten up" after receiving backlash for a scratchcard prank she played on her caddie.
In the lead up to the ongoing Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Hull revealed she had purchased the ticket in a Blackpool joke shop and used it to trick caddie Adam Woodward into believing he had won £100,000 – a moment she caught on camera.
While many people have seen the funny side of the incident, Hull has faced criticism both on social media and from figures within golf, including four-time major winner Dame Laura Davies, who described the stunt as "extremely cruel" when asked about it on commentary.
However, Hull has refused to apologise for her actions, with the 30-year-old stating she would "100%" do it again.
Thitikul leads Open as Ryu and Kuwaki chase
#hull #caddie #golfer
In the lead up to the ongoing Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Hull revealed she had purchased the ticket in a Blackpool joke shop and used it to trick caddie Adam Woodward into believing he had won £100,000 – a moment she caught on camera.
While many people have seen the funny side of the incident, Hull has faced criticism both on social media and from figures within golf, including four-time major winner Dame Laura Davies, who described the stunt as "extremely cruel" when asked about it on commentary.
However, Hull has refused to apologise for her actions, with the 30-year-old stating she would "100%" do it again.
Thitikul leads Open as Ryu and Kuwaki chase
#hull #caddie #golfer
2 months ago
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Jeeno Thitikul took the first step toward the missing prize of her career Thursday when she opened with a 7-under 64 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes for a two-shot lead over Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki of ***** an in the AIG Women's Open.
Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in women's world ranking without ever having won a major, made three straight birdies early in her afternoon round and kept bogeys off her card the rest of the way.
The 23-year-old Thai has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.
Ryu put herself in good position to make it three in a row — not since Inbee Park in 2013 has anyone claimed three straight majors — with two birdies on her last three holes for a 66. She won the Women's PGA at Hazeltine and closed with 60 to win the Evian Championship.
"I was so amazed, and I asked my caddie why I'm playing well this week," Ryu said. "I think it's because I'm more calm and enjoying the golf more, that's why these days my golf is going pretty well."
#lytham #korda #major
Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in women's world ranking without ever having won a major, made three straight birdies early in her afternoon round and kept bogeys off her card the rest of the way.
The 23-year-old Thai has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.
Ryu put herself in good position to make it three in a row — not since Inbee Park in 2013 has anyone claimed three straight majors — with two birdies on her last three holes for a 66. She won the Women's PGA at Hazeltine and closed with 60 to win the Evian Championship.
"I was so amazed, and I asked my caddie why I'm playing well this week," Ryu said. "I think it's because I'm more calm and enjoying the golf more, that's why these days my golf is going pretty well."
#lytham #korda #major
