Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhova will miss the Alpine skiing world championships next month after a setback in her recovery from a knee injury and is already focusing on the 2026 Winter Games, her team said Monday.
Vlhova has been Mikaela Shiffrin’s main rival in slalom for the past decade. However, Shiffrin’s participation at the worlds in Saalbach, Austria, is also in doubt as the American has yet to make her return from abdominal surgery following a crash in November.
Vlhova has not raced since tearing the ACL in her right knee one year ago after crashing in a World Cup giant slalom in her native Slovakia.
“Unfortunately, the setbacks she faced in December and January have made it impossible for her to participate in the world championships in Saalbach,” Vlhova’s coach Mauro Pini said in a statement. “We had hoped she could compete for medals, but that won’t happen this time.”
The 29-year-old Vlhova’s focus is “already shifting to the Winter Olympics” next year, her coach said. “Petra’s knee rehabilitation is finally on the right track, with encouraging progress every day.”
Missing Saalbach will end Vlhova’s run of competing at six straight worlds since her debut in 2013 at age 17.
Vlhova has five career medals at the biennial worlds, including one gold in giant slalom in 2019 at Are, Sweden. Shiffrin took bronze.
The 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics would be Vlhova’s fourth. She finally got a medal in her 10th race, when she won the slalom at the Beijing Olympics three years ago.
Shiffrin rival Vlhova out of world championships after setback
Slovakian skier Petra Vlhova, one of Mikaela Shiffrin’s biggest rivals on the alpine skiing circuit, has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming world championships due to a setback in her recovery from injury.
Vlhova, who has been battling a knee injury for several weeks, made the difficult decision to pull out of the prestigious event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 26-year-old was considered a strong contender for multiple medals at the championships, particularly in the slalom and giant slalom events.
Vlhova’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans and competitors alike, as her fierce rivalry with Shiffrin has produced some of the most thrilling moments in recent ski racing history. Shiffrin, who is currently ranked second in the world in the slalom discipline behind Vlhova, will now have one less competitor to contend with as she looks to add to her impressive collection of world championship titles.
While Vlhova’s absence is a disappointment, her health and well-being must always come first. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the slopes soon, ready to challenge Shiffrin and the rest of the world’s best skiers once again.
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Shiffrin rival Vlhova, world championships, setback, skiing, Mikaela Shiffrin, Petra Vlhova, ski racing, Alpine skiing, World Cup, ski competition, ski news
Jacolby Criswell, the talented quarterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks, recently suffered a devastating injury during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies. The injury, a torn ACL, has left Criswell sidelined for the remainder of the season and has raised questions about his future in football.
For many athletes, a season-ending injury can feel like a setback, a major roadblock on the path to success. However, for Criswell, this injury could be seen as a stepping stone to even greater achievements.
Despite the challenges he now faces, Criswell has shown resilience and determination throughout his career. He has overcome obstacles and setbacks before, and there is no doubt that he will do so again. His work ethic, talent, and leadership skills have made him a standout player on and off the field, and these qualities will serve him well as he navigates this latest challenge.
Injuries are unfortunately a part of the game of football, and many players have found ways to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and development. Criswell can use this time off the field to focus on his rehabilitation, strengthen his body and mind, and come back even stronger next season.
Additionally, this injury could provide Criswell with a new perspective on the game and his career. It may give him the opportunity to study the game from a different angle, to learn new skills, and to develop a deeper understanding of the sport. This could ultimately make him a better player and leader when he returns to the field.
While it is certainly disappointing to see Criswell sidelined, his injury does not have to be the end of his football career. With the right mindset and determination, he can use this setback as a stepping stone to even greater success. As he works towards his recovery, fans can look forward to seeing Criswell back on the field, stronger and more determined than ever before.
The Philadelphia 76ers were thrilled to see the quick development of their first-round draft selection, Jared McCain. Unfortunately, Paul George and the rest of the team recently witnessed the young guard suffer a setback that might’ve prematurely ended McCain’s rookie campaign.
During a matchup against the Indiana Pacers, McCain dealt with multiple setbacks. He was tested for a concussion and cleared to return to the court. Although McCain finished the game, he reported knee soreness to the training staff.
An MRI the following morning revealed a meniscus tear. McCain was set for surgery just days later. While Sixers officials could not confirm an official recovery timeline for McCain, the rookie guard revealed on his YouTube channel that his rookie season is over.
Recently, the nine-time NBA All-Star, Paul George, offered his reaction to the setback on the latest episode of ‘Podcast P.’
“I saw him in the training room before he had the surgery. Man, I was just like, ‘This is the real welcome to the NBA, man.’ Dealing with your first injury and how do you respond after that? To be honest, we’ve all dealt with some injury, whether we had surgery or not. How are you going to respond from this point on? The chase is back on to finding who you are when you left the game and if you can be better than that person when you left the game. It can be dark. The one thing about surgeries, man, especially at that age and him with the success that he’s had, I know damn well he wanted to be in that Rookie of the Year finalist and be the last one to win it.”
PG shares advice he gave Jared McCain after his ROY campaign was cut short.
McCain surely wasn’t shy about his desire to win the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Many would say he was on pace to do so before he got hurt.
In 23 games, McCain averaged 15 points, two rebounds, and three assists. He shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Regardless of whether his season is truly over or not, McCain has a long recovery ahead. George wants to make sure the always-positive rookie maintains his positive attitude throughout the dark times of dealing with an injury through a long season.
Paul George, star player for the Los Angeles Clippers, recently shared his honest reaction to teammate Jared McCain’s major setback. McCain, who has been an integral part of the team’s success this season, suffered a serious injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year.
In an emotional post-game interview, George expressed his support for McCain and his disappointment in the setback. “Jared is not just a teammate, he’s a brother to me,” George said. “To see him go down like that, it’s heartbreaking. But we know he’s a fighter and he’ll come back stronger than ever.”
George also emphasized the importance of rallying around McCain during this difficult time. “We’re a family here, and we’ll all be there for Jared every step of the way,” George said. “We’ll play for him, we’ll fight for him, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure he knows he’s not alone in this.”
As the Clippers continue their playoff push without McCain, George’s words serve as a reminder of the bond that exists within the team and the resilience they possess in the face of adversity. McCain may be sidelined for now, but his spirit and determination will continue to inspire his teammates as they strive for success on the court.
The Atlanta Falcons kicker, Younghoe Koo, has been dealing with a setback as he recovers from a groin injury. Koo suffered the injury during practice last week and was initially expected to be out for just a few days. However, the injury has proven to be more serious than originally thought, and Koo is now facing an extended period of recovery.
This setback is a blow to the Falcons, as Koo has been one of the team’s most reliable players this season. He has made 29 of 32 field goal attempts and all 24 extra point attempts, earning himself a Pro Bowl selection. Koo’s accuracy and consistency have been crucial for the Falcons, especially in close games where every point matters.
In light of Koo’s injury, the Falcons have been forced to make plans for a replacement kicker. They have signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad, who will likely be called up to the active roster to fill in for Koo. Joseph has previous NFL experience with the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans, and he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Falcons’ kicking game.
While Joseph may not have the same level of consistency as Koo, the Falcons are confident in his ability to step up and perform when called upon. Head coach Arthur Smith has expressed his faith in Joseph, stating that he has been impressed with the kicker’s work ethic and preparation since joining the team.
The Falcons will need Joseph to be ready to go as they enter the final stretch of the season with playoff hopes still alive. Every game from here on out will be crucial, and having a reliable kicker will be key to the team’s success. The Falcons will be counting on Joseph to deliver in clutch situations and help them secure wins down the stretch.
As for Koo, the Falcons are hopeful that he will be able to make a full recovery and return to the field before the end of the season. In the meantime, they will be supporting him in his rehabilitation process and ensuring that he is ready to go when he is able to return.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but the Falcons are confident in their ability to adapt and overcome this setback. With Greg Joseph stepping in to fill the void left by Koo’s injury, the Falcons are poised to continue their push for a playoff spot and finish the season strong.
Welcome back to the Monday Finish, where after a lengthy offseason (Four months long! Unless you include the FedEx Fall, the Presidents Cup, the Hero, the Grant Thornton, the PNC Championship, the Showdown…) we’re finally back, gang. PGA Tour season has arrived. To the news!
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GOLF STUFF I LIKE
Golf’s image makeover.
As we’ve arrived at the end of 2024 I’ve read plenty about how, big-picture, this was a bad year for professional golf. While I don’t think that’s true on a micro level — there was so much good stuff, like Scottie Scheffler‘s entire season, Xander Schauffele‘s major breakthrough, Lydia Ko‘s fairy tale, Nelly Korda‘s dominance, Bryson DeChambeau‘s star rise — I understand the point. Ratings are stagnant at best, golf fans are somewhere between “annoyed by” and “apathetic to” the ongoing division between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, and the divide continues to distract and detract from the on-course action with no clear end in sight. Not good.
But let’s set that aside for a moment and consider a completely different narrative, one largely removed from the professional golf sliver of the game. Golf, on the whole, has completely remade its image. People like golf now. Before, they didn’t. Seriously.
New research from the National Golf Foundation (NGF) sheds light on this phenomenon thanks to a “Perceptions of Golf” study (here) it has conducted several times over the past decade. The findings? A clear decline in Americans describing golf negatively. In 2013 a whopping 57 percent of respondents described golf negatively. The NGF’s research found common descriptors like boring, stale, pretentious, intimidating. Anybody who has spent time around golf is familiar with this country-club stigma and the sense that the game is too exclusive and unwelcoming and, even if you do decide to play, too slow.
But the NGF’s data shows that that perception was already changing before the Covid golf boom. In 2019 47 percent used negative descriptors. By 2022? Just 37 percent. And in 2024 that number dipped to 31 percent. That’s a massive swing, cutting the negativity in half. That’s huge for golf. It’s huge for people who love golf. And it’s a sign that something has worked — even if it’s not clear exactly what that something is. It can sound a bit like a USGA focus-group fever dream but the NGF highlights words like fun, exciting, engaging and cool.
The NGF says people are feeling good about golf. That has me feeling good about golf.
NGF
Over that same time period, there has been a “massive” increase in golf participation, which means 15 percent of Americans now play on- or off-course golf (think TopGolf, etc. for “off-course”), up from 10 percent. But that’s still a tiny sliver of the population, which means that non-golfers must be feeling much better about the game, too. Specifically, that 26 percent shift in negativity translates to 70-80 million people feeling better about golf. It may not solve the PGA Tour-LIV divide. But as someone who likes golf and wants other people to feel the same way? More people like golf now. That’s golf stuff I like.
According to the OWGR, there were no official events that took place last week. I’m very confident this is the only week of the year that’s true. So there are no tournament winners. But hopefully some of you turned out winners thanks to new golf clubs under the tree and the promise of a new golf season on the horizon. Next week we’ll get back to the real thing. Winners. Losers. Everything in between. For now? We’re all winners.
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NOT-WINNERS
Our last two FedEx Cup champions.
Plenty of us look forward to the holidays as a time to rest up and recharge, ready to hit the ground running in the new year. And plenty of us hit the actual holidays and realize it doesn’t always work that way. Enter Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland. While our two most recent FedEx Cup champs may not emerge from the holidays overfed and overserved like the rest of us, they’re hardly arriving at Kapalua in top form.
Scheffler, in fact, isn’t arriving at all. He suffered a glass-related injury while preparing Christmas dinner that, according to a statement from his agent Blake Smith, involved “a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass.” There was still glass in his hand, which required surgery. Smith said he was expected to be back at 100 percent in 3-4 weeks and is scheduled to play the American Express — but after a nine-win 2024 this is hardly the way Scheffler wanted to kick off the new year.
Hovland, meanwhile, will be in Hawaii but may be slightly limited. The Norwegian posted what appeared to be the X-ray of a broken toe to Instagram with the caption reading, “Bed frame 1 – 0 me”. The 27-year-old is No. 8 in the world and had been looking to 2025 as a bounce-back year after a frustrating 2024 and a four-month tournament layoff. This isn’t the start he’d envisioned; he told Norsk Golf he’s facing a four-to-six week recovery.
SHORT HITTERS
Five things that happened at last year’s Sentry.
Does a year ago feel like forever — or just yesterday? From Jan. 2024:
1. Viktor Hovland confirmed his split with swing coach Joe Mayo due more or less to creative differences. Yes, this just happened again (more on that in a minute). Time is a flat circle.
2. Jason Day released his new Malbon sponsorship. It may feel like they’ve been together forever but Day x Malbon is only one year old. Same with Xander Schauffele and Descente, for that matter. The Monday Finish hears we’ve got some partnerships coming this week, too…
3. Tiger Woods left Nike, the first domino to fall in the launch of Sun Day Red. Okay, this didn’t happen at the Sentry. But on Jan. 8, 2024, Woods confirmed the split with the Swoosh, the end of arguably golf’s most famous sponsorship.
4. Scottie Scheffler finished T5. It was his first top-five finish of the season; he’d wind up with 15 of ’em in 21 events, including nine wins. Yowza.
5. Chris Kirk won. It was his only top-five finish of the season, though he threw down two other top-10s and made it all the way to the Tour Championship. Big week ahead — somebody’s gonna make it count.
ONE SWING THOUGHT
From Xander Schauffele.
Don’t let a pre-round shank get you down.
So says Xander Schauffele, this week’s pre-tournament favorite, the World No. 2 and my latest guest on Warming Up, a delightful driving-range interview show that I encourage you to watch here or below.
“I used to shank it a lot. Warming up in college, for some reason,” Schauffele said. “Not a lot, but like, there were probably four tournaments in a row where I hoseled it, and it kind of helped me understand how insignificant a warm-up is. It was a big learning lesson for me then.”
ONE BIG QUESTION
Where will Hovland land next?
If the answer was “on his feet,” well, that just got a little bit tougher. But the plot thickens for our Scandinavian hero, who was arguably the hottest golfer in the world at the end of 2023 but recorded just two top 10s in 2024 as he shuffled swings and swing coaches. To some extent this was always the plan; we talked in 2023 about his responsibility to be the CEO of Viktor Hovland the company and his desire to use coaches as resources; he’s never wanted to be overly dependent.
Hovland told Norsk Golf that he and Joe Mayo split about a month ago; I don’t trust my Norwegian enough to provide an exact translation but it’s clear they didn’t agree on the way forward for Hovland. Here we’ll lean on Google Translate:
“I feel like I’ve learned so much now and have so much expertise, that I don’t need anyone holding my hand anymore. It’s always good to have someone who can watch what I’m doing, check out the steps I’m taking. So I send some videos to another coach, but he’s more of a consultant.”
One lesson Hovland took from last season: he can compete even when he doesn’t have his best stuff. Last year he finished T3 at the PGA Championship, after all, in the midst of a semi-slump. That bodes well for his 2025, even if he’s getting off on the wrong foot. So even though he’s feeling sluggish from a Norwegian winter break, rusty off a four-month competitive hiatus and now a broken toe on the toughest walk of the PGA Tour season?
“But golf is a strange sport,” Hovland told Norsk. “I could suddenly find something that works.”
ONE THING TO WATCH
Happy Gilmore 2.
Adam Sandler‘s back. Christopher McDonald‘s back. Julie Bowen‘s back. And now we have a cast that includes Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and… Travis Kelce? Here comes Happy Gilmore 2. In an era of hit-or-miss sequels, here’s hoping we’re glad to reboot this one.
NEWS FROM SEATTLE
Monday Finish HQ.
Back in the Pacific Northwest feeling reflective and grateful. Missing people and places and experiences gone by. Eager for the good stuff yet to come. Sometimes both all at once. Lucky to do this job and live this life and to think about golf in this space a couple times each week. Glad to have you reading, listening, watching — none of it would work without you.
So we’ll see you [smirks] next year!
Before you go, a quick request: If you like the Monday Finish, subscribe for free HERE to get it in your email inbox!
Dylan Dethier is a senior writer for GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a graduate of Williams College, where he majored in English, and he’s the author of 18 in America, which details the year he spent as an 18-year-old living from his car and playing a round of golf in every state.
It’s been a whirlwind week in the world of golf, with Viktor Hovland making a surprising coaching change and rising star Scottie Scheffler facing a setback. But perhaps the biggest news of all is the sport’s surprising makeover that has fans and players alike buzzing.
Hovland, the young Norwegian phenom who has been turning heads on the PGA Tour, announced that he would be parting ways with his longtime coach, putting an end to a successful partnership. While the reasons for the split remain unclear, many are speculating that Hovland is looking to shake things up and take his game to the next level.
On the flip side, Scheffler, who has been on a tear this season with multiple wins and a rise in the world rankings, faced a setback when he suffered a minor injury that forced him to withdraw from a tournament. While the setback is disappointing, Scheffler remains optimistic about his future and is eager to get back on the course as soon as possible.
But perhaps the most exciting news in the world of golf is the sport’s surprising makeover that has been gaining traction in recent months. From new formats and tournaments to innovative technology and social media strategies, golf is undergoing a transformation that is attracting a new generation of fans and players.
With the game evolving at a rapid pace, it’s an exciting time to be a golf fan. Whether you’re following Hovland’s coaching change, Scheffler’s comeback, or the sport’s surprising makeover, there’s no shortage of excitement and drama in the world of golf. Stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds.
Injury issues continue to plague AC Milan, with leading scorer Christian Pulisic now out of Sunday’s Serie A clash against Roma after a setback during his recovery, coach Paulo Fonseca said.
However, eighth-placed Milan, who were missing eight players when they beat Verona 1-0 on Dec. 20, are expecting forward Álvaro Morata to return to the squad, Fonseca told reporters on Saturday.
“I expected to have Pulisic. He is fine, he has recovered from his calf problem, but in the last two days he has had an ankle problem,” the coach said about the United States international.
“It has arisen in the recovery process, and he is not ready to play tomorrow, not even for the bench.”
“We’ll have 11 anyway,” the 51-year-old coach added.
Fonseca, who previously coached Roma for two years, said it would be special to face his former club.
“Roma is a great club; they have a great team … I have many friends there,” he said. “But … in the 90 minutes, I only have the thought of winning.”
Milan, who have 26 points from 16 matches, are five points behind the top five, with frustrated fans booing their performance earlier this month. Fonseca said it was too early to write his team off.
“The mood is good. I can’t be more positive after the last training sessions,” he added.
Christian Pulisic, the talented winger for the US Men’s National Team and Chelsea FC, has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury. Pulisic, who has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past few weeks, aggravated the issue during a recent training session.
The news comes as a blow to both Pulisic and his fans, as the young star had been making progress in his rehabilitation and was hoping to return to action soon. However, the setback has caused concern among his team’s medical staff, who are now reassessing his recovery timeline.
Pulisic’s absence has already been felt on the pitch, with Chelsea struggling to find their rhythm without his dynamic playmaking abilities. His injury has also raised questions about his durability and ability to stay fit over the course of a grueling season.
Despite the setback, Pulisic remains determined to overcome this latest obstacle and get back to full fitness as soon as possible. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition and hoping for a speedy recovery for the talented young winger.
After Dragusin limped off in the 87th minute of the 1-0 defeat at Forest, Spurs finished with 18-year-old Archie Gray, who has been filling in in defence, and fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma in the centre-back roles.
Full-back Djed Spence is also suspended for the 15:00 GMT kick-off against Wolves as Postecoglou said the injury crisis is the worst he has faced in his managerial career.
“There’s always been issues at different times but not to this extent,” he added.
“I think we’ve had close to pretty consistently 10 first-team players not available for a significant run of games.
“We’ve been kind of getting through it for quite a while and keeping our fingers crossed we don’t get any more issues, but the nature of football and fixture scheduling we’ve had, we’ve always been on a fine line of being able to get through.
“It’s another test for us, but it is what it is, and whatever we need to deal with, we’ll deal with and get ready for Sunday.”
The Forest defeat was Spurs’ ninth of the season and left them 11th in the Premier League.
They play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next month and Postecoglou said he still feels the support of the club’s fans despite the increased pressure and criticism of his attacking style.
“They love their football club, they care about their football club and they want their football club to succeed,” said the Australian. “They make those feelings and emotions seen.
“I haven’t felt anything but support since I have been here. I still feel that support is there. I will keep doing what I think is the right thing to bring success to this football club, that doesn’t change.”
Tottenham Hotspur have received a blow in their defensive department as left-back Ben Davies has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury. The Welsh international had been sidelined with a calf problem and was expected to return to action soon, but it seems that he may be out for a longer period.
Moreover, Spurs could also be without a fit centre-back as their defensive options are dwindling. With Davies unavailable and other defenders like Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga also dealing with injuries, Tottenham’s backline is looking thin.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will have to find solutions to cope with these defensive issues as the team continues their campaign in the Premier League and other competitions. It remains to be seen how Tottenham will navigate through this injury crisis and whether they will look to bring in reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window.
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