- French screen legend Depardieu asks for delay to sexual assault trial
- Paris show spotlights Afghan women who 'lost hope'
- Climate change-worsened floods wreak havoc in Africa
- French screen legend Depardieu faces sexual assault trial
- Japan PM vows to stay on despite election debacle
- Record number of women win seats in Japan election
- Vinicius favourite for Ballon d'Or in post-Messi/Ronaldo era
- Milan and Inter back on long road towards a new San Siro
- Oil prices tumble as Iran fears ease, yen weakens after Japan polls
- Olympus CEO resigns over alleged illegal drugs purchase
- After disastrous election, what happens to Japan's new PM?
- Bangladesh immunity order sparks fears of justice denied
- North Korea says probe 'proved' Seoul to blame for drones
- Wallabies return to Perth and Townsville for 2025 Tests
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff
- Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
- New storm bears down on Philippines after deadly Trami
- 'Wiped off the face of the Earth': How Russia erased a Ukrainian city
- Teacher vs veterinarian: Uruguay's presidential frontrunners
- Down to the wire: Trump, Harris in final week push
- NFL Chiefs stay unbeaten as Commanders win on miracle catch
- Trump's New York rally attacks Harris, draws criticism
- Maxey scores 45 points to propel 76ers over Pacers
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff: estimates
- Debutant Sears shines as US women rally to beat Iceland
- Sainz achieves wish with one more win for Ferrari
- Japan PM under pressure after debacle election
- Timothee Chalamet crashes his own look-alike contest
- McLaren say Verstappen penalties 'not enough' after 'ridiculous' Mexico move
- Eight-try Toulouse flatten Toulon to go top of Top 14
- Ohtani expected to play in World Series game three after injury scare: Roberts
- Centre-left opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Sainz wins Mexico Grand Prix as Norris makes most of Verstappen penalty
- Trump leads New York rally as Harris targets grassroots
- Centre-lift opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Injured Springbok Willemse to miss November Tests
- NFL Browns upset Ravens while Tagovailoa loses in comeback
- Yildiz saves Juve in eight-goal thriller at Inter as Napoli pull away
- Bolivia's ex-president blames govt as shots fired at him
- Japan ruling coalition projected to lose majority in election
- Yildiz drags Juve back from brink in eight-goal thriller at Inter
- Ford added to England squad for New Zealand clash
- Faltering Atletico stumble again at Real Betis
- Ohtani to play World Series game three after injury scare - report
- In uncertain US election, two prestige papers refuse to pick sides
- England's Slade eager to face New Zealand after Exeter return
- 'Venom' still kills, topping N.American box office
- Conservatives top Bulgarian elections but fall short of majority
- Liverpool hold Arsenal in Premier League title clash, Man Utd beaten
- Chelsea's Palmer reminds Maresca of Blues favourite Zola
Tiger works well early as Masters ready for eclipse
Tiger Woods performed well in an early Monday practice round for the 88th Masters as not even an eclipse could stop golf's top stars from shining at Augusta National.
Woods, making a comeback after right ankle surgery last April, went out with Will Zalatoris in a morning foray onto the back nine alongside new caddie Lance Bennett as the 15-time major winner prepared for his 26th Masters start.
The 48-year-old legend, still struggling to walk after severe leg injuries from a 2021 car crash, hopes to make his 24th consecutive Masters cut and break the tournament record he shares with Gary Player and Fred Couples.
"He played great today," Zalatoris said. "He outdrove me a couple times so there was some chirping going on. He looks great. He's moving as well as he can be.
"With everything he has gone through, it's pretty amazing to see how good he's swinging it."
Five-time Masters winner Woods, whose most recent major title came at the 2019 Masters, withdrew last year after making the cut due to plantar fasciitis.
He later underwent ankle surgery and is still in comeback mode, but he withdrew from his PGA return at Riviera in February after one round due to illness.
Zalatoris, who missed most of the 2023 season after back surgery, was second at Riviera and fourth at Bay Hill. He developed a relationship with Woods over injury recovery.
"It's not so much the answers, it has been more the thought-provoking questions that he has given to me, has really been the stuff that has kind of got me back to where I am," Zalatoris said.
Spectators at Augusta National received specially made glasses for the afternoon eclipse, complete with a Masters logo, with up to 76.1 percent of totality of the moon covering the sun over the famed course.
"Found a couple of Masters eclipse glasses, which I will be keeping for absolutely the rest of my life," Zalatoris said. "Those will be some collectables that will be in my office forever. I'll be watching it."
Dimmed conditions are forecast at the course for about 2.5 hours during the practice session, but there was expected to be sufficient light for players to complete work on the course, driving range and chipping area.
Augusta National posted on X the optimal viewing area on the course would be at Amen Corner -- the famed 11th, 12th and 13th holes known more for Sunday drama than Monday stargazing.
It's not the first time the lights have gone out on the Masters.
There was an eclipse during the final round of the 1940 Masters, when Jimmy Demaret fired a 71 to defeat Lloyd Mangrum by four strokes.
- Chasing Masters history -
Several players in addition to Woods are chasing a place in Masters history this week.
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, fancied by oddsmakers, could match Woods as the only players to win the Masters twice while atop the world rankings. Scheffler was also world number one when he captured the 2022 Masters crown.
World number two Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner from Northern Ireland, has not won a major since 2014 but makes his 10th attempt to complete a career grand slam by winning the Masters.
McIlroy, whose six top-10 finishes in his past nine Masters starts include a runner-up effort behind Scheffler in 2022, would join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen with the career grand slam should be capture the green jacket.
Defending champion Jon Rahm of Spain, among 13 LIV Golf players in this week's field, could become only the fourth player to win Masters titles in back-to-back years, joining Woods, Nicklaus and Nick Faldo.
Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old who won at LaQuinta before turning professional, was the first amateur to take a PGA title since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Now the collegian eyes a green jacket, a prize that last went to a first-time starter when Fuzzy Zoeller won in 1979.
"I don't think the awe ever goes away," he said of his Masters debut. "Hopefully come Thursday I'll be ready to kick it into tournament mode."
D.Sawyer--AMWN