Category: Sports

Missouri artist Aaron Norris recently completed a 6-foot x 6-foot wall art of Tiger Woods using 25,000 new and broken golf tees. Norris, a 43-year-old golf enthusiast, got the idea from observing broken tees on his local golf course. He collected the tees over the summer and fall, with some help from neighbors who played golf.

The portrait, depicting Tiger Woods reading a putt, has already been sold for an undisclosed amount. Norris spent $400 on additional tees, with roughly half collected from the golf courses. This unique piece adds to Norris’s portfolio, which includes works like a Muhammad Ali oil canvas, an Elon Musk mosaic bead portrait, and a painting of NFL football stars, the Kelce brothers.

While Norris has received many sports commissions, this Tiger Woods portrait marks his first use of actual sports equipment in his artwork.

Naomi Osaka, former world No. 1, marked a successful return to tennis after a year away prioritizing mental health and becoming a mother.

She defeated Tamara Korpatsch in the Brisbane International’s first round. Osaka’s last match was at the 2022 Pan Pacific Open, withdrawing due to abdominal pain. Despite being unranked after 15 months without competition, she played impressively, securing a straight-sets victory with a powerful serve. Osaka acknowledged her growth, expressed gratitude for fan support, and looks forward to facing Karolína Plíšková in the second round.

As the NFL regular season comes to a close, the power rankings have seen a significant shake-up in Week 18. The Baltimore Ravens have overtaken the top spot after a convincing win against the San Francisco 49ers, while the Kansas City Chiefs have dropped a few spots following a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have slipped down the rankings as the playoffs approach.

The Dallas Cowboys have replaced the Philadelphia Eagles in the top five, with both teams looking to secure their playoff spots in the final week of the regular season. The Denver Broncos have also made a strong push, climbing to the 14th spot after a string of impressive performances.

The New England Patriots, on the other hand, have fallen out of the top 10 after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos have also experienced a drop in the rankings, with both teams struggling to find their form in recent weeks.

As we enter the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The top contenders are jockeying for position, while the teams on the bubble are fighting for their postseason lives. The next few days will be crucial for many teams as they look to secure their spot in the NFL playoffs.

Bianca Bustamante, an 18-year-old F1 Academy racer, has made history by becoming the first female driver to join the McLaren Driver Development program. Born in the Philippines, she entered the scene in 2022, securing top rookie honors in the W Series. This year, she notched up two wins and two podiums with PREMA Racing in the F1 Academy.

As part of the McLaren program, Bustamante will race for the team on the 2024 F1 Academy grid, partnering with ART Grand Prix. The McLaren Driver Development initiative aims to nurture talent towards Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula E.

Expressing her excitement, Bustamante said, “Signing with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I’m grateful for this opportunity and believe I have the best structure for my career development. In 2024, my focus is on consistency and mental strength to challenge for the F1 Academy title.”

Emanuele Pirro, Director of McLaren Racing Driver Development, praised Bustamante’s work ethic and alignment with the team’s values. He looks forward to her representing the team in the F1 Academy series in 2024.