how does the challenge tour work

The ATP Challenger Tour: Path to the Big Time

• Last updated on May 2, 2023

Established in 1978, the Challenger circuit has grown into an important stepping stone for young tennis players looking to make it to the highest levels of the sport. 

History of the Challenger Tour

The Challenger circuit was established as a way to provide a professional level of competition for tennis players who weren’t yet ready to compete on the main tour. The circuit initially consisted of just five tournaments in the United States, but quickly grew in popularity and spread around the world.

By the mid-1980s, the Challengers had become an important part of the tennis landscape, with dozens of tournaments held each year. In 1986, the ATP officially recognized the circuit and began awarding ranking points to players based on their performances.

Since then, the circuit has continued to grow in popularity and importance, with the number of tournaments held annually growing steadily year by year. In 2008 there were 178 events played across 40 different countries. 

And although numbers have occasionally diminished, for example in the first quarter of 2013 and an inevitable dip due to Covid-19, they’ve since bounced back with 184 events taking place in 2022 and a record 190 plus planned for 2023.

Format of the Challenger Circuit

Challenger tournaments are generally smaller than those on the ATP World Tour, with most events featuring a draw of 32 or 64 players.

The format of the tournaments is similar to that of other professional tennis events, with players competing in singles and doubles matches. The matches are generally played over three sets, although some tournaments may have different rules depending on the surface and location of the event.

The winner of a Challenger event typically earns around 80 ranking points and a prize purse of between $50,000 and $125,000. By contrast, the winner of an ATP Tour event can earn upwards of 1,000 ranking points and a prize purse of more than $1 million.

However in 2023 the ATP launched a new tier of Challengers known as Challenger 175s in which, as the name suggests, the winner can earn 175 points along with prize money of $220,000. 

Importance of the ATP Challenger Circuit

For young, ambitious players, the Challenger circuit is vital. It provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience playing against other pros, while also earning vital ranking points and prize money.

Many of the world’s top players have competed in Challenger events at some point in their careers. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray all spent time on the Challenger circuit before making it to the main tour. In fact, Nadal won his first professional title at a Challenger event in 2002, Djokovic in 2004.

The circuit is also an important way for players to gain exposure and build their profiles in the tennis world. While it may not have the same level of media coverage as the ATP Tour, it provides a platform for players to showcase their talents and gain recognition from fans and sponsors.

In addition to helping young players make their way up the rankings, the Challenger circuit also plays an important role in the overall development of the sport. By providing a professional level of competition for players who are not yet ready for the ATP Tour, the circuit helps to ensure a strong pipeline of talent coming up through the ranks.

Challenger Challenges

Despite its importance, the circuit faces numerous challenges in the modern era. One of the biggest is the high cost of hosting events, which can run up to $200,000 when accounting for prize money, player accommodations, and other expenses. With smaller prize pools and less visibility than ATP Tour events, hosting organizations may struggle to justify the expense of hosting a Challenger tournament.

Another issue is the emergence of alternative tours and circuits, such as the ITF World Tennis Tour and the PTPA Challenger-style circuit. These tours provide players with additional options for competing at the professional level, which may lead some players to prioritize these events over Challenger tournaments.

The Challenger Circuit has been criticized for being financially unsustainable for players who are not in the top 100. The prize money on offer at Challenger tournaments is significantly less than that on the ATP Tour, and the costs associated with travelling to tournaments and paying for accommodation can make it difficult for players to make a living on the Challenger Circuit.

Rising to the Challenge

If you get the opportunity, the Challenger circuit is a great way to get to see up and coming stars before they hit the big time – and the occasional wizened pro. Keep an eye out right here for info on individual tournaments and if you’re looking to start your own path to the Challengers check out our round up of the best tennis rackets for beginners .

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How To Earn A European Tour Card

There are many ways to qualify for a European Tour card which gives membership to the European Tour, now known as the DP World Tour

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There are two basic ways to get a European Tour card and thus membership of the European Tour, or DP World Tour as it is now known : you have it and retain it, or you qualify to move onto the Tour. There are many different routes to retain membership, just as there are for qualification.

The DP World tour operates, in effect, a promotion and relegation system with the Challenge Tour. It used to be that the top 110 on the Race to Dubai were guaranteed ‘staying up’ and the top players on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca were ‘promoted’. Those promoted this way used to be the top 15 but with Q-School (more of which later) suspended during the pandemic, it has been the top 20. Similarly, it has been the top 121 on the Race to Dubai who have ‘stayed up’ recently.

There are other ways to retain Tour membership which do not rely upon the final position in the Race to Dubai. Winning a DP World Tour event earns exemption from ‘relegation’, with the more prestigious the tournament, the more the number of seasons exemption a victory earns. Race to Dubai winners also gain lengthy exemptions. Some players can even retain membership on the basis of career performances, under a category of membership known rather delightfully and officially as ‘Legends’.

But how can you qualify for the Tour for the next season if not already on it during the current season? Well, a strong finishing position on the Challenge Tour’s order of merit is one way. Winning the order of merit of other selected tours around the world also brings with it DP World Tour membership.

But what if you are a golfer who fancies joining the Tour and none of the above applies? For them there is Qualifying School, or Q-School as it is known.

This was not held in 2020 or 2021 because of the pandemic. But ordinarily it is run over three stages and the top 25 in the final stage earn Tour membership. Some players are exempt from having to enter at stage one, and automatically qualify for either stage two or stage three.

Stages one and two are four-round tournaments at various venues. Stage three is a six-round tournament at one venue in Spain (most recently at in Tarragona at Lumine Golf Club , now renamed Infinitum )  with 156 entrants, with a cut after four rounds. The top 25 win Tour membership.

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It costs to enter Q-School – the fee was €1,800 in 2019, the last time Q-School has been held. That year 842 golfers teed it up in the first stage across nine different venues with 183 players qualifying through this process to join those players whose exemption took them straight into stage two. 

You do not need to become a PGA Professional if you fancy a shot at Tour glory and a European Tour card. The good news is any male amateur golfer can enter Q-School so long as they have a handicap of 0.4 or lower. The bad news is that shot is probably the longest of longshots: the last time Q-School was held, more than 1,000 golfers entered in quest of those 25 spots.

Contributing Writer Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests and he was contributing editor for the first few years of the Golf Monthly Travel Supplement. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is the author of five books, four of which are still in print: T he Novel Life of PG Wodehouse ; The Don: Beyond Boundaries ; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder .

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Challenge Tour unveils 2023 schedule with record-breaking prize fund and 29 events

11.26am 15th December 2022 - Sponsorship & Events

The European Challenge Tour has announced its schedule for 2023, with Europe’a second tier tour set to feature a record overall prize fund and a minimum of 29 tournaments staged across three continents in 18 different countries.

Players will compete for total prize money of €8.2m, which will begin with the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open in February, the first of four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.

India returns as a host country for the first time since 2013 with two events in March, the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge followed by The Challenge presented by KGA.

The Challenge Tour also returns to the UAE in April for the first time since 2018 with back-to-back events, including the Abu Dhabi Challenge, as part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation.

It will then head to Spain in May for the Challenge de España, which will kick-start a run of 20 tournaments in 22 weeks and see the Road to Mallorca travel through 15 countries in Europe, including Italy for the Italian Challenge at Golf Nazionale, the venue which will then host the first two days of the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup in September.

The 2023 season will conclude with the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, at Club de Golf Alcanada from November 2-5, as the top 45 players on the Rankings battle it out for one of the life changing 20 DP World Tour cards.

Those 20 players who benefit from this formal pathway to the DP World Tour will then be eligible for the DP World Tour’s Earnings Assurance Programme, guaranteeing them minimum earnings of $150,000 for the 2024 season if they play in 15 or more events. The top five graduates will also benefit from the John Jacobs Bursary, similarly designed to provide security and a strong platform for their first season on the European Tour group’s top tier.

T he full Challenge Tour schedule for 2023 can be viewed by clicking  here .

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How does ‘The Challenge’ work? MTV’s reality TV show explained

MTV’s The Challenge has been a staple on the network for 25 years, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. With nearly 30 seasons and several spin-offs, the reality television competition show debuted in 1998 and has continued to bolster a cult following.

But, for the uninitiated: what is it?

In this article, I’ll break down what The Challenge is all about, how it works, who’s involved, and more. So, let’s get into it.

Although the format changes every season, The Challenge’s paradigm remains virtually the same

The Challenge blends fierce physical and mental competition with social dynamics, and it orbits around a grand prize check. A crop of around 20 contestants — who are usually in their 20s and 30s, and sign on for each season — typically live in a sprawling mansion somewhere around the globe with catered food and all the amenities someone needs to train, relax, and create drama. Although the availability of alcohol has waned through the years, it’s still a factor in The Challenge as well.

With all that being said, the MTV franchise at its core is a reality show. And the nature of The Challenge forces the contestants to make alliances, politic, backstab, and build friendships — think CBS’s Survivor or Big Brother . Cut off from all communication with the outside world (besides the odd phone call), the contestants live and interact with each other for weeks and months on end. This leads to typical reality show drama, like arguments and rumors, and it can even develop into physical altercations.

But, there’s also a game to focus on. And if a player is off their A-game, they could see themselves eliminated from The Challenge sooner rather than later.

If the contestants leave the house, it’s usually for three reasons: they’re competing in a daily challenge, watching or battling in an elimination round, or partying at a pre-arranged venue suited with cameras. Here I’ll break down the typical flow of an episode, and explain the main layers of The Challenge.

Note: every season is different, but this is the sort of pattern MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions follow.

Daily challenge

The cast will leave the house and show up at a location, and they’ll be greeted by longtime host TJ Lavin. He’ll then point to some looming overhead contraption or vehicle racing by that the contestants will have to interact with to win, for example. Each daily challenge requires contestants to use certain skills to come out on top, whether it be puzzle prowess, cardiovascular/physical dominance, iron-clad courage, and/or sheer resolve.

The players will compete in the daily challenge, and it’ll produce a winner — whether it be an individual, pair, or team (more on that later) — and a loser. The loser is usually sent directly into the elimination round and the winner is granted safety from being sent home, as well as another power, depending on the season’s theme.

Deliberation

The reality TV stars then leave the daily challenge location and head back to the house. At this point, they wind down from the extreme stunt or mind-bending puzzle they completed. Then, a crew will undergo deliberation to nominate another contestant or contestants to face off against the daily challenge losers in the elimination round. The daily challenge winners may have some sort of power that influences the nomination period as well — if not straight-up pick them.

Social time

With the daily challenge and deliberation out of the way, it’s time for the players to socialize. In the newer seasons, the contestants will usually travel to a club or venue to party and strategize, or they’ll just hang around the house. This is when Challenge fans see bonds and alliances form, as well as plans to eliminate or derail others.

Elimination

The final part of the episode typically marks the elimination round. The cast arrives at the set, and they usually stand above and overlook a massive sand pit. There, TJ welcomes the contestants and calls on the daily challenge’s losing team to join him. Then, their opponents are named, and they make their way to the battleground as well. The rest is self-explanatory: the competitors duel in a loser-goes-home match that tests their abilities in some sort of way. Once the dust settles, a winner is determined and the defeated is sent packing.

Rinse and repeat all season

After the cast is trimmed, they depart the elimination arena and go back to the house to await the next daily challenge, all the while strategizing and dramatizing. This cycle is repeated through the season until the numbers have dwindled considerably.

Final challenge

Once only a few contestants are remaining, they’ll compete in the final challenge. It’s heralded as the hardest challenge of the season as it pushes each player to their mental, emotional, and physical limits. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: the competitor(s) who comes out on top wins the grand prize, which is typically hundreds of thousands of dollars. The others who make it onto the podium will usually get some coins as well.

After the season is all said and done, the cast reassembles for a reunion show, which is typically taped months after they finished filming the season. There, they discuss the happenings of the house, the challenges, the triumphs, as well as the backstabbing, lying, and gameplay that steered the contestants through the game.

There have been 38 seasons of MTV’s mainline Challenge series with the most recent airing earlier this year

From Road Rules: All Stars to Real World/Road Rules Challenge , The Challenge’s franchise name has evolved throughout the years. And its seasons and formats have changed as well. All in all, 38 seasons of MTV’s mainline series have come and gone, as well as several spin-off shows and specials — with some airing on CBS and Paramount Plus, for example.

Road Rules: All Stars , the MTV series’ first season, debuted in April 1998, and its most recent season, Ride or Dies , wrapped in March. Each iteration is filmed in a beautiful or exotic location. For example, season 15’s The Gauntlet III took place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, season 18’s The Ruins was shot in Phuket, Thailand, and Ride or Dies was done in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

As alluded to in the last paragraph, every season has its own name and theme that dictates how the game is played. For example, season 34’s War of the Worlds 2 pitted two teams against each other: Team USA and Team UK. The groups faced off every episode and eliminated each other until the remaining competitors represented their respective teams in the final challenge. The season produced a winner and each remaining member of the victorious squad earned their share of $1 million.

It’s not unlike a season to change its format halfway through, though. For example, season 33’s War of the Worlds began with the contestants forming duos, but midway through the season the remaining reality TV stars broke up and began competing as individuals.

But, regardless of the format, some things always remain consistent: players try and win safety through the daily challenge and the field is dwindled via elimination rounds.

The Challenge features recurring cast members, some of which have been competing for decades

Parts of The Challenge mirror other reality competition shows. For example, living in a house while cut off from the outside world: hello, Big Brother . Or, contestants battling it out in grueling games: enter Survivor .

However, the lifeblood of The Challenge is its recurring cast members. Of course, shows like Survivor and Big Brother have had all-star seasons or iterations where some former players return for another chance at reality TV glory.

But, The Challenge leans into its stars. Every season is typically littered with veteran challengers who have competed several times, leading to fans connecting with the show’s longtime players year after year. This leads to the contestants having a storied history with the show, as well as the other cast members, which in turn, adds layers to every season that are shaped by the past.

For a comparison, Survivor’s most prolific player is “Boston” Rob Mariano, a one-time winner who has been marooned on an island five times. Well, John “Johnny Bananas” Devenanzio has competed in 21 seasons of MTV’s version of The Challenge , as well as three spin-offs, and he’s wracked up a total of eight championships.

Or, how about the Ride or Dies winners? Tori Deal and Devin Walker had been on a collective 17 seasons before either of them won a championship.

Lastly, The Challenge pulls cast members from other reality TV staples, something it has always done. It started by recruiting stars from MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules , and it evolved into taking talent from shows like Survivor , Ex on the Beach , and Amazing Race. For example, a mainstay on The Challenge is Kaycee Clark, Big Brother’s 20th season champion. She’s participated in five seasons of The Challenge since winning the CBS show and has one trophy on her mantel.

Perhaps the reason why The Challenge has lasted so long is because of its recasting nature. Fan favorites aren’t just one-and-done in the franchise. If there’s an appetite for a player, and they’re open to the experience, fans can expect to see them again and again.

Challenge Tour announces 2023 global schedule

12/14/2022 by Elena Reiter

The Challenge Tour announces its tournament schedule for the coming year. Even more tournaments and a record prize money are waiting for the players.

Challenge Tour schedule 2023. (Photo: Getty)

The European Challenge Tour today announced its global 2023 Road to Mallorca schedule, featuring a record overall prize fund and a minimum of 29 tournaments, staged across three continents in 18 different countries.

Players will compete for total prize money of €8,200,000 on the 2023 Road to Mallorca, which will begin with the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open in February, the first of four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.

India returns as a host country for the first time since 2013 with two events in March, the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge followed by The Challenge presented by KGA.

The Challenge Tour also returns to the United Arab Emirates in April for the first time since 2018 with back-to-back events, including the Abu Dhabi Challenge, as part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation.

The Challenge Tour will head to Spain in May for the Challenge de España, which will kick-start a run of 20 tournaments in 22 weeks and see the Road to Mallorca travel through 15 countries in Europe, including Italy for the Italian Challenge at Golf Nazionale, the venue which will then host the first two days of the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup in September.

The 2023 season will conclude with the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, at Club de Golf Alcanada from November 2-5, as the top 45 players on the Rankings battle it out for one of the life changing 20 DP World Tour cards.

Those 20 players who benefit from this formal pathway to the DP World Tour will then be eligible for the DP World Tour’s Earnings Assurance Programme, guaranteeing them minimum earnings of $150,000 for the 2024 season if they play in 15 or more events.

The top five graduates will also benefit from the John Jacobs Bursary, similarly designed to provide security and a strong platform for their first season on the European Tour group’s top tier.

Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “Our expansive global schedule gives our members the opportunity to play for a record total prize fund and benefit from our formal pathway to the DP World Tour, as we continue to provide an incredible platform for the next generation of golf’s superstars.

“I would like to thank the integral support of our promoters, national federations, and tournament sponsors, who have helped make this possible. The fact that 20 of our current national federations and promoters have extended their support through to next year is testament to their commitment and the strength of our Tour heading into 2023.

“We are also very grateful for the commitment of Rolex, The R&A, and DP World through their title partnership of the DP World Tour, all of whom have helped us to provide this comprehensive global schedule for some of the brightest talents in world golf.”

In 2022, 25 former Challenge Tour players won on the DP World Tour – including 2021 graduates Ewen Ferguson and Yannik Paul, while five finished inside the top ten on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex. Sean Crocker became the 200th former Challenge Tour player to win on the DP World Tour when he secured a wire-to-wire victory at the Hero Open, while the total number of wins by Challenge Tour alumni is now 544.

The full 2023 Road to Mallorca International Schedule can be viewed below or by clicking  here .

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All the Secrets on How MTV's The Challenge Is Really Cast

Supervising producer skye topic exclusively broke down the challenge 's intense worldwide casting process and previewed spies, lies and allies , which premieres tonight at 8 p.m..

Oh, you thought the world's biggest sporting event was over now that the 2020 Olympics have come to an end? Don't let T.J. Lavin  hear you say that.

The Challenge returns for its 37th season on Wednesday, Aug. 11, and it's easily the MTV reality hit's most ambitious season yet. Spies, Lies and Allies features 17 international players alongside the United States' finest, including returning champ and legendary Challenger C.T. Tamburello . But, more importantly, this season's cast is made up of the same amount of rookies as veterans, bringing in competitors from Survivor , Love Island and other franchises.

And if you thought winning The Challenge was hard, imagine assembling the cast for it, which is exactly what supervising producer and casting lead Skye Topic has been doing since season 26. If the show is a circus, consider Topic the ringleader, assembling and managing the talent that makes it to the main stage. And she broke down her process in an interview with E! News, opening up about taking the show global, the difference between a good reality TV contestant and a Challenger and which rookies to keep an eye on in Spies, Lies and Allies .

Oh, and she answers many fans' biggest question: Where the f--k is Johnny Bananas ?!

E! News: How long is the casting process for each season and what comes first, the format or the cast members?  Skye Topic: It was quite a long process for this one. We will start digging through all the potential names and interviewing them before the format has been fully locked because there's a lot of people to interview and a lot of new faces. I'll talk to all the vets and get their availability. So at least I have something in the mix for when The Challenge team lock in the format, I can immediately pull down who I think can work for it. So it sort of happens before but it's all sort of happening at the same time.

E!: The show has pulled from other reality TV franchises and international shows for the last few seasons. Where did that idea come from? ST:  Once Viacom opened it up not just  The Real World and Road Rules and then to the MTV shows, the world was our oyster basically. That first idea to cast Brits really came from us seeing strong talent in the U.K. and looking at how we could really amp up the eyeballs on The Challenge , not just for the U.S. audience, but for the global audience, which is I think where we're trying to go as a whole for the casting of the show. Like, how does this become an international Challenge where people from all over the world are competing in an Olympics-type game that happens to be on Viacom?

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E!: What is it about someone that makes you consider them for The Challenge ? ST: Kyle Christie is a great example. He obviously popped on his season of Geordie Shore . A big part of it is how they pop in the interview sitdowns. I'll do them pre-production, sometimes you'll see someone pop on their show and then they're like, "Oh, is this person a Challenger?" You'll realize maybe they're not. With Kyle, we knew that The Challenge was going to be a much more stripped-down environment for him. He was such a partier and the Challenge is the very intense environment—no phones, it really is a bubble—and we just kind of knew from the answers that he was going to thrive.

Sometimes you'll get great people, but during the pre-production you'll realize they're not quite a Challenger and you don't want to set someone up for failure. You have to have a pretty political mind to play our game well because it's not just about can they scale a beam above the water for 20 minutes, but can they do that and then get back to the house and start navigating how I keep myself out of elimination? That part is equally as difficult.

E!: So what makes someone a good Challenger in your mind? ST:  I would say that if I was going to play this game I would really, really focus on the house politics. I think if you're an incredibly strong and intimidating athlete, say like Fessy [Shafaat] or C.T., that can you keep you safe for a while, but ultimately, you're in trouble, right? People want to keep you out of that final. So if you play a clever game, politics-wise, you can really get to that final over and over. Often, the house is very stressful and sometimes just being funny...I think honestly sometimes that's why Kyle is there for a lot longer. They don't see him as a threat even though he is actually much stronger than we all think, but he's so funny and he's so warm and I think people are like, "I don't want to eliminate Kyle because he's keeping this house a little buoyant." I think sometimes that social game is super valuable if you can play it the right way.

E!: For Spies, Lies and Allies , how did you assemble the right mix of veterans and rookies along with adding in over a dozen new international competitors? ST:  We have initially over 300 names in this initial casting desk and we slowly go through all those people, who's available and who's interested. Then we basically get to around 65 names of people we will do full interviews with and then you get to half of that and you get to your cast of around 32. It's a massive jigsaw.

As far as finding the names, there's really nowhere we can't pull from now. We really do envision the show as a place where it's an intersection of society and it's a place to see people collaborating and living and working together of all different races and sexual orientations and geography and gender. We're not really looking at anything specific, but we'll scour through all the shows, we'll see who popped and then sometimes I'll scour through someone I thought was good and see who they're friends with. A lot of these reality show contestants are friends with each other.

E!: And how does the alternates process work? ST: The amount of alternates we need depends on the format of the season. So, for example, the season coming up, we needed an equal amount of rookies and vets as alternates, but on Rivals , you'll need teams as alts because you can't just insert someone. It is a big process to be an alt because you have to go through the same process as everyone else competing on the show and we do have a lot of alts in the mix. But we honestly end up using so many of them, it's quite crazy what happens in people's lives. You always need a lot of alts. We tell them their alts though. We're very transparent.

For people who have never been on the show before, I tell them, "Listen, this is a really good way for you to get in process because once you're on that alt list, you are immediately transferred to my life for the next season and for availability calls at the very list." It's worth taking the shot at being an alt, even though you get all your hopes up and it potentially doesn't work, because you're suddenly part of this family and maybe pulled in for the next season.

E!: Are there any rookies viewers should keep an eye out for this season? ST:  There are some absolute surprises and gems in this season and rookies that I think people are going to really root for and really going to get a lot...There's a lot of laughter, there's a lot of partying, there's a lot of incredible athleticism from these rookies and some of them felt like this was the opportunity of a lifetime, a really thrilling experience for them. And that joy and pleasure was just so rewarding for the producers because sometimes you've been on the show a lot, it's quite grueling, you're maybe coming in with a little bit of, "Oh my God, here we go again," and these faces were just so excited and it was very, very contagious in a great way.

E!: Speaking of vets, one massive name has been M.I.A. since winning his seventh Challenge. Where is Johnny Bananas?! ST:  Johnny is obviously a huge star of the franchise. That last win on Total Madness , I think he couldn't believe it and it was everything he needed. I think in a weird way, he personally just needed to take a pause. We always call all the vets that we feel are valuable, just to see if they're interested. Obviously, we call Wes [Bergmann] , we call C.T., Aneesa [Ferreira] always wants to come back and we love her, but sometimes these people need a pause because their return to the franchise after a little break is just so great for the fans. Bringing names we haven't had in the mix for awhile back who are big tentpole names is a big conversation every season and it's just who makes sense based on who can actually do it and who makes sense based on the mix of names we have that we for sure want.

E!: It seems like the veterans often take breaks to come back at the right time. How do you know when that is? ST:  Every case is very personal and I take every person's story very seriously. It's not a joke. I'm all over what's happening in their life. Does it make sense? Are they in the right head space? I adore Devin [Walker-Molaghan] and after Final Reckoning [he] needed a pause, he had gone through a lot of family trauma and it wasn't quite right. We always call a lot more of the vets than we need just to see who's around because you never know, someone might get sick or someone has to bail at the last second. I had been calling Devon for example after he had taken a break, but it just didn't seem exactly right. And when we brought him back, he was so ready to go and it was a much more rewarding experience for the audience.

E!: Looking back, have there been contestants that you've cast that you really thought would pop who end up not really connecting with The Challenge fans? ST:  I don't want to say names, but we have cast people where we think they are going to be really good based on their original show and their pre-casting tapes and sometimes they can't handle it. Honestly, it is a very, very intense and tough life to live in that house. It is no joke. When I see a cast member meditating or getting up early when everyone else is asleep and taking some time for themselves, I'm always like, 'Let's watch that person because they're going to have the mental strength to get through this season.'"

E!: And which more recent additions do you think have really worked well? ST:  I mean Kyle blew us all away from the beginning and continues to deliver for us. Big T [Fazakerley] is someone who at first we didn't think she was going to be as incredible as she was. This was a great example of bringing someone back for a season two and that's where she thrived. Sometimes it takes one season for people to find their footing and then obviously she killed it in Prague [season 36]. She's someone that we all absolutely root for and love because she's really a strong person and brings something really unique and different.

E!: Is scouting the primary way you are casting new contestants? ST:  It's mostly scouting and then sometimes a cast member will give me a lead.  Ashley Mitchell will tell me, "I was partying with someone in Vegas and they're incredible, you should interview them." I'll trust Ashley's recommendation because she's a great cast member. They're not going to get cast because of her recommendation, but I may take them to the next level because someone will recommend them to me.

E!: Are there any reality TV franchises you haven't tapped yet that you would like to in the future? ST:  There really is no one who is off limits. What I think we really are looking to explore more are people who have a big presence in a sporting world or shows that are popular overseas that we haven't explored, like obscure shows that maybe don't have a lot of eyeballs. We are trying to get different countries in that we haven't before. 

The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies premieres Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m. ET.

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The Santos Tour Down Under is the first event on the UCI WorldTour road cycling calendar and takes place each January. 

The UCI WorldTour is the competition that the highest level of world cycling, and the Santos Tour Down Under is the first event in the southern hemisphere to be elevated to this level. 

It is not only a world-class, international event but an 10-day festival celebrating all things cycling and the state of South Australia. The Santos Tour Down Under offers something for everyone.

UCI stands for Union Cycliste Internationale or International Cycling Union. The UCI is the world governing body for cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland.

The UCI issues racing licenses to riders and enforces disciplinary rules. The UCI also manages the classification of races and the points ranking system in various cycling disciplines including mountain biking, road and track cycling. This applies to both men and women at amateur and professional levels. The UCI also oversees the World Championships.

Stuart O'Grady is the Santos Tour Down Under's Race Director.

Annette Edmondson and Carlee Taylor are the Assistant Race Directors. 

The Santos Tour Down Under is held annually, typically in the third week of January. 

The next event will be held from 12-21 January 2024.

It is held at this time of year as this is the timeslot allocated to the event by the UCI. Being held in January makes the event the first of the UCI WorldTour calendar each year.

The first Santos Tour Down Under was held in January 1999.

All men's UCI WorldTour teams must compete in the Santos Tour Down Under, and the women's WorldTour teams are invited. These teams, along with the national team, make up the Santos Tour Down Under peloton. Each team has seven riders.

In 2024 there is six men's stages plus a separate city criterium, and three women's stages. 

Explore the 2024 stages here.

The Santos Tour Down Under is sanctioned by the UCI and is staged according to the UCI WorldTour guidelines.

The Santos Tour Down Under awards four jerseys throughout the race.

Read more about the different jerseys.

The  Santos Ochre Leader's Jersey  is awarded to the rider with the fastest cumulative time at the end of each stage and to the overall winner at the end of the race. 

The ochre colour, introduced in 2006, is strongly associated with Australia and is unique to the Santos Tour Down Under.

The Schwalbe Classic is a closed circuit road race (criterium). It is held as a preview to the stages of the Santos Tour Down Under. Riders do not receive UCI points in this circuit race.

Official Santos Tour Down Under merchandise will be available to purchase in the coming months.

There are many ways to get involved in the Santos Tour Down Under and the Santos Festival of Cycling. You can register for expressions of interest to volunteer as part of the team here.

Yes! We have a number of participation events that will give you the best seat in the house. In 2024, there will be daily group rides across South Australian regions, the return of the Car Park Climb , and race against Richie Porte in our new Willunga Hill Time Trial . Explore all our participation events here.

The Santos Tour Down Under event organisers are continually innovating to make an exciting offering for recreational riders at the event every year.

We have built a program for 2024 which enables cyclists to experience more of South Australia, in a smaller bunch and to be closer to legends, such as Richie Porte.

The Challenge Tour was a much-loved element at the last TDU and while it may return in the future, the 2024 program will feature more variety to suit a broader range of cycling interests and abilities.

We encourage visitors to explore our regions with the cycling community by riding to the race starts and finishes. Explore popular riding trails through our Bike Atlas and participate in our new events such as the Willunga Hill Time Trial , daily Group Rides and Carpark Climb.

Volunteers play a vital part in the running of the Santos Tour Down Under. 

Joining the Santos Tour Down Under team as a volunteer is a great way to experience an international sporting event first hand. We have all sorts of roles on offer - there's sure to be something that suits you! 

Read more about the volunteer opportunities available.

Yes, the Santos Tour Down Under will be shown on television in Australia and around the world. 

Broadcast times are published here when confirmed.

The Santos Tour Down Under is owned and managed by the Government of South Australia on behalf of all South Australians.

The Santos Tour Down Under is partially funded by the South Australian Government, with all other revenue generated through corporate partnerships, valued event sponsors and sales from associated events.

The 2023 race generated $66.5m in economic impact to South Australia – up slightly (0.02%) from 2020. This is a number we hope will grow even higher through next year’s event.

In 2023 we had a live audience of approximately 690,000 spectators, and attracted 38,488 visitors from interstate and overseas, as well as a record broadcast audience up 11% from previous years. 

Twelve months of planning, negotiations, operational logistics and technical racing requirements by the race director and event team determine where the Santos Tour Down Under will travel.

The Santos Tour Down Under welcomes expressions of interest from host councils and regional towns in South Australia interested in being involved with future events. 

Contact the Event Manager  from the Santos Tour Down Under team for more information. All towns involved with the Santos Tour Down Under are no more than a 2 hour drive from the city of Adelaide.

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Power Rankings: Scottie Scheffler Looks to Ride the Wave at RBC Heritage

• Author: Jim Stracka

Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete . This week the PGA Tour drops into Harbour Town for the RBC Heritage. Here’s how our model sees this week shaping up:

2024 RBC Heritage Preview

Designed by the legendary Pete Dye in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town Golf Links was first opened in 1969. It’s a par-71 stretching over 7,099 yards and characterized by narrow fairways, small greens and strategic play. (And of course, for the distinctive lighthouse near the 18th hole.) The course is less about the long game and more about precision, strategic thinking and adaptability. Here are the players our model likes this week: 

KeyCompete’s 2024 RBC Heritage Power Rankings

1. Scottie Scheffler (+360): Fresh off a dominant win at the Masters , Scheffler enters as the favorite in the sports books and in our rankings. Everything is clicking for him, and this week his precision off the tee could turn out to be his biggest asset. Paired with fellow Texan Jordan Spieth for Rounds 1 and 2.

2. Xander Schauffele (+1000): Steady play and excellent iron game make him a strong pick. Never quite contended at Augusta but finished solo 8th.

3. Ludvig Åberg (+1200): His rapid ascent continues. Analytical and also possessor of a great short game. Solo runner-up at Augusta in a performance that could be a turning point in his career.

4. Patrick Cantlay (+1600): A strategist at heart, his game fits well here. Iron play and experience on similar courses make him a threat.

5. Rory McIlroy (+1100): Driver won’t carry him this week, but his improved wedge play and putting could see him defy expectations.

6. Matt Fitzpatrick (+2200): Defending champion. Known for his tactical intelligence, controlled irons and accuracy, he’s likely to be in the mix once again.

7. Cameron Young (+2500): An aggressive player, he’ll need to blend his natural power with precision.

8. Will Zalatoris (+2500): T9 last week at the Masters as he builds his way up following an injury-marred lost season. Iron play a great fit here.

9. Sahith Theegala (+3500): T5 here last year. Another great iron player looking to take the next step.

10. Jordan Spieth (+2500): MC at Augusta was a reminder of his nagging inconstancy, but when locked in still possesses an exceptional short game and will always be a threat at a course like Harbour Town. Winner here in 2022, runner-up last year.

2024 Masters Recap

Scottie Scheffler won the Masters while leaning on his trademark consistency and mental toughness. From the outset, he demonstrated a level of control and composure that separated him from the rest of the field, which was only magnified under pressure Sunday afternoon as his closest pursuers wilted around him. It should also be said that Ludvig Åberg, participating in his first Masters, exceeded all expectations and proved that he’s ready to become a star.

KeyCompete modeling had a strong week and brought our yearly record on our picks to 65-48.

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What happened Thursday and Friday at the 2024 Masters

Day two at the Masters

It was a windy, gusty Friday at Augusta National for the second round of the Masters.

It's a three-way tie atop the leaderboard heading into the weekend with Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa all at 6-under-par.

DeChambeau, who was the 18-hole leader, shot a second-round 73. He is searching for his second major championship this weekend.

Scheffler shot even par in his second round. The 2022 Masters champion is also searching for his second major after victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship.

Then there's Homa, who continued his brilliant play after his first round Thursday was suspended due to darkness. After playing 23 holes Friday, Homa shot a second-round 71, putting himself in contention to win his first major.

Tiger Woods shot a second-round 72 and made a record 24th cut at the Masters. Woods also played 23 holes on Friday after completing his first round in the morning.

Follow live coverage of the third round here.

⛳ Follow The Athletic 's golf coverage

Leaderboard:

T1: Scheffler -6 (72)

T1: Homa -6 (71)

T1: DeChambeau -6 (73)

4: Højgaard -4 (73)

T5: Davis -3 (72)

T5: Morikawa -3 (70)

T24. Woods +1 (72)

Third-round tee times

Third-round tee times for the Masters are out.

Tiger Woods is teeing off at 12:45 p.m. ET with Tyrrell Hatton.

Below are the final Saturday groupings:

2:05 p.m. ET: Cameron Young/Tommy Fleetwood

2:15 p.m. ET: Ludvig Åberg/Matthieu Pavon

2:25 p.m. ET: Cameron Davis/Collin Morikawa

2:35 p.m. ET: Scottie Scheffler/Nicolai Højgaard

2:45 p.m. ET: Max Homa/Bryson DeChambeau

Read the full Saturday tee times here .

Finally, here's the link for our live coverage of the third round .

See you there.

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How Neal Shipley claimed Masters low amateur honors: ‘A little bit of grit’

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Neal Shipley wasn’t raised in a golf family. But he did grow up with a family that loved golf.

The Sunday afternoon of the 2004 PGA Championship was all it took for the Ohio State graduate student — the only amateur to make the cut at this week’s Masters — to fish his dad’s neglected golf clubs out of a closet and give this humbling game a lifelong shot.

“Me and my dad were on our couch,” Shipley said on Friday after finishing 36 holes at Augusta National in 3-over and making the cut by three shots. “And Vijay Singh won. The next day I took my dad’s golf clubs, which were dusty and probably never used, and started swinging around. I decided to get my own little set, and it took off from there.”

Shipley wasn’t just hooked, he was adamant. As an elementary schooler, he told anyone in his hometown of Mt. Lebanon, Penn. that he intended to become a professional golfer. In the second grade, he took his bag to school for “show and tell.” Shipley’s class ventured outdoors at recess to watch him launch drivers into the schoolyard. He was a regular at his local junior league. Shipley’s family eventually decided to join St. Clair Country Club, so he could properly hone his craft.

“We joined a country club so that he’d have a place to play,” says his father, also named Neal Shipley, “But we’re not country club people.”

Twenty years later, Shipley will play the weekend at the 88th Masters at a firm and fast Augusta National after being invited as the 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up. He’s tied for 30th, hanging right in there with legends of the game, including 61-year-old Singh, who sits at 4-over, one stroke behind the 23-year-old on the leaderboard through 36 holes.

Round of the day: Ludvig Åberg

(Photo: David Cannon / Getty Images)

Ludvig Åberg shot the round of the day Friday with a second-round 69.

The last player to have the round of the day at the Masters — no ties — in his Masters Tournament debut was Smylie Kaufman in 2016 (69 in round three).

History of world No. 1 holding 36-hole lead at Masters

Since the OWGR began in 1986, this will be the fourth time the reigning No. 1 has held the 36-hole lead at the Masters.

1996 Greg Norman — led by four (finished 2nd)

2020 Dustin Johnson — co-led (won)

2022 Scottie Scheffler — led by five (won)

2024 Scottie Scheffler — co-leader

A challenging scoring day at Augusta

Today (75.08) was the highest field scoring average in round two of The Masters since 2007, and just the fourth time in the last 30 years the field averaged higher than 75 in the second round.

Who missed the cut?

The wind was punishing Friday, seemingly eliminating stars in a matter of seconds with one blowup hole being enough to derail a round. Double bogey became a common score to see, like reigning Open Champion Brian Harman (+9) finishing his first round Friday morning by going triple-bogey, double-bogey, double-bogey.

Maybe the most painful missed cut was Justin Thomas. The two-time major winner was even par with four holes to go, but he double-bogeyed 15 and 16, bogeyed 17 and double-bogeyed 18 to miss the cut by losing seven shots in four holes.

Viktor Hovland was one of the best players in the world six months ago, but his fascinating, strange struggles continue as Hovland went from 4-under early Thursday to shooting an 81 in round two to drop to 8-over and miss out on the weekend.

Others to miss the cut include three-time major winner Jordan Spieth (+9), Wyndham Clark (+7), Sam Burns (+9) and Dustin Johnson (+13).

Masters Round 2 takeaways: Scheffler, DeChambeau, Homa share 36-hole lead

LIV has 8 make the cut

DeChambeau is certainly doing most of the heavy lifting for the LIV field as he sits at 6-under for the co-lead, but LIV brought 13 golfers to the Masters and eight made the cut. It might not be looking like the same success as three golfers finishing top four last year, yet multiple players are still in the mix.

DataGolf gives DeChambeau a 23 percent chance of winning the Masters, while Cam Smith sits at 1-under par at the halfway point. Smith is one of the better players at Augusta, with four top-10s here in the last five years. Patrick Reed, another Masters expert who won the green jacket in 2018, is T16 at even par.

Other LIV golfers to make the cut include Brooks Koepka (+2), Tyrell Hatton (+2), Joaquin Niemann (+4), Phil Mickelson (+4) and Jon Rahm (+5). Rahm, the defending Masters champ, shot 76 in round two to take himself out of contention but still made the cut. Meanwhile, 2020 Masters champ Dustin Johnson missed out at 13-over.

DeChambeau in lead with new custom-made irons

One of the stories of the tournament has been not just DeChambeau’s impressive play — where he co-leads at 6-under par — but also his fascinating switch to a new set of custom-made, 3D-printed irons that were only approved by the USGA this week.

The approval was down to the wire, with DeChambeau receiving feedback last week they’d be non-conforming due to too sharp of groove edges. He didn’t receive full approval of the set made by a company called Avoda until early Tuesday morning. Despite the Masters being 48 hours away, he switched to them immediately and felt comfortable by the end of Wednesday. Thursday, he shot a first-round 65 for the solo lead.

“They have just got a different curvature on the face than other equipment,” Dechambeau explained. “Most equipment is flat. These have a different curvature on the face that allows me to have my mis-hits to go a little straighter sometimes.”

DeChambeau has had the idea for these irons since 2020, and when asked if he couldn’t find a manufacturer to make them he only said: “I’m not going to speak much more on that but I’ve had this idea for a long, long time.”

The set is one of a kind, with DeChambeu confirming there is no backup set. He said they’re holding up well, but if anything did happen to them he would switch back to his Ping i330s that he’s been using since July. It’s worth noting that since July, DeChambeau has had two LIV wins and four straight top-10s.

Scheffler shoots second-round 72

(Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

After a tricky day at Augusta National, Scottie Scheffler is atop the leaderboard at the Masters.

He shot a second-round 72 with three birdies and three bogeys.

Scheffler is in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa.

JT misses the cut

Justin Thomas will once again miss the cut at the Masters due to an abysmal back nine. The two-time major champion finished double-double-bogey-double to shoot a back nine 42, carding a 7-over 79 for his second round. Thomas suffered a very similar fate last year at Augusta National, when he came in with four bogeys and a double to miss the weekend, playing in a torrential downpour.

While many big names struggled on Friday afternoon on a firm, fast and brutally windy Augusta, Thomas's implosion feels particularly notable, especially in the wake of his recent split with his longtime caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay.

Thomas missed the cut in three of the four majors last season and hoped 2024 would serve as a sort of blank slate. So far, his PGA Tour results have shown signs of hope (he has four top-12s this season) but is Thomas still in the midst of his major championship slump?

Tiger compared to the field average

(Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Tiger Woods beat the field average in each of the first two rounds. Today was the 80th time in his Masters career he's shot a score better than the field that day.

Highest percentage of rounds beating field in Masters history (min. 30 rounds):

Lloyd Mangrum, 81.7 percent

Tiger Woods, 81.6 percent

Ben Hogan, 79.6 percent

Hovland falls to 8-over-par

Viktor Hovland is now 8-over but he's still having a very good week because all golf clothing discourse is now solely about Jason Day/Malbon.

Max Homa is finally having his Masters breakthrough

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Max Homa walked up to the beginning of the most famous three holes in golf, alone, unconcerned with the legend behind him. Unconcerned with the surroundings or the stage.

Back on the 10th green, Tiger Woods and Jason Day took their time reading putts and finishing the hole. But Homa had his par. He had his co-lead at the Masters. So for a full two minutes, Homa walked ahead, up the hill to the start of Amen Corner.

This time was going to be different. This time, he was going to worry about himself.

He thought back to his journal scribblings from Thursday night, a habit he’s been focusing on the past year. He writes what he’s grateful for and mental goals for the day. And on Thursday night he wrote a simple mantra.

However good I am is however good I am.

Read more about Homa's second-round performance here .

Rahm back-to-back birdies

Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, had a double bogey on the 14th hole.

That brought him to 6-over, below the cut line.

How did Rahm respond?

With back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16. His birdie on 16 was well below the hole on the green.

Rahm is 4-over-par and currently inside the cut line. Can he hang on to make the weekend?

Zach Johnson responds to apparent profanity toward patrons: 'That's laughable'

Zach Johnson responded to his apparent profanity toward patrons on the par-3 12th.

"That I swore at the patrons? That's laughable," Johnson said. "That's completely laughable. I can't hear the patrons, number one. Number two, I just made a triple bogey on the 12th hole that evidently is going to make me miss the cut, which at the time I knew was pretty sensitive in the sense that I needed to keep making pars.

"If I've said anything, which I'm not going to deny, especially if it's on camera, one, I apologize, and two, it was fully directed towards myself entirely because I can't hear anything behind me. Does that make sense?"

Scheffler bogeys 13 after finding water

Scottie Scheffler entered the 13th hole with a one-shot lead at the Masters. He left it in a three-way tie with Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau after putting an aggressive second shot into Rae's Creek. His nice chip from the drop gave him a chance to save par, but he just barely missed the putt to ultimately bogey the hole. Some might call it slight karma after Scheffler caught a lucky break on 13 yesterday.

He hit a similar approach that fell short in round one but that time it miraculously stayed up on the hill above the creek. He was able to chip up and still birdie the hole. Now, he enters the final five holes at even par for the round.

Tyrrell Hatton criticizes pace of play

(Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)

Englishman Tyrell Hatton criticized the pace of play in the group in front of him at the Masters on Friday, a group that included LIV teammate Patrick Reed in addition to Sungjae Im and Kurt Kitayama.

"Yeah, the lads in front have been so slow," Hatton said. "It's pretty poor from the officials that it took 32 holes to put them on the clock. Yesterday they'd lost a hole and a half, and then they weren't any better even this morning, and then for the second round they were just brutal. Fine for them; they're not waiting on any shot that they hit. But for us, we stood in the fairway, we stood on the tee. It was really hard to get a rhythm, so it was disappointing that it took 32 holes for an official to go, oh, we've put the group in front on the clock."

Hatton said he said something to a rules official on the eighth hole when his group had to wait to hit on 8 because the group ahead was still putting on the green. He said he knew that group was the culprit because the group two ahead was already teeing off on the 10th hole.

"It's a small field. It's not hard to really keep up with the group in front. I understand if you've had a tough hole, but when it's just like every hole, then it's a bit more frustrating."

DeChambeau shoots 73

(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Bryson DeChambeau shoots a second-round 73.

An up and down back nine for DeChambeau who recorded three bogeys and two birdies.

He also had the content moment of the day when he carried a direction sign with his bare hand.

DeChambeau is currently at 6-under-par and tied with Max Homa.

Scottie Scheffler is the solo leader at 7-under-par.

Howling winds at Augusta

The winds are howling at Augusta National.

Gary Woodland's ball at the par-3 16th moved down the green from its original spot.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele had an extra wait at the par-4 11th.

A difficult conclusion to this second round ahead.

Politics latest: Labour writes to police demanding probe into suspended Tory MP; Rishi Sunak to deliver major speech on welfare

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police demanding an investigation into allegations of fraud and misconduct in public office by Mark Menzies MP, Sky News understands. He strongly disputes the claims. Rishi Sunak is to call for an end to "sick note culture".

Friday 19 April 2024 08:06, UK

• Labour demands police probe into suspended Tory MP accused of misconduct
• Sunak to demand end to 'sick note culture' in major speech on welfare reform
• Nicola Sturgeon's husband charged amid police investigation into SNP funding and finances
• Davidson says she'll be 'surprised' if MP accused of misusing campaign funds 'survives the week'
• Electoral Dysfunction:  The Mark Menzies claims, and what makes a good foreign secretary - listen above as you scroll and  tap here to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

By Beth Rigby , political editor

This is a tale that's more than just a marmalade dropper. It's a story so astounding you have to pick yourself up off the floor.

Mark Menzies MP last December allegedly made a 3.15am phone call to an elderly party volunteer asking for £5,000 as a matter of "life or death" because he had been locked up by "bad people".

To secure his release, the money was paid by his office manager from her personal account and reimbursed from funds raised from donors, according to The Times . The newspaper also alleges Mr Menzies received thousands of pounds from campaign funds into his personal bank account which were used for personal medical expenses.

I will say from the outset that these are claims Mr Menzies, the MP for the Lancashire seat of Fylde, "strongly disputes".

In a statement to The Times, he said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further."

But when the story broke, Conservative chief whip Simon Hart suspended Mr Menzies from the parliamentary party pending the outcome of an investigation.

It is a mega story. Not just because of the staggering, astounding, eye-popping - take your pick - nature of the allegations, but the questions it throws up: If this had happened over three months ago, why is it only now that the Conservative Party are suspending the whip? Was there misuse of money and what are the implications of that? Can Mr Menzies really continue as an MP?

Read Beth's full analysis below:

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As we reported earlier, Sky News understands that Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police demanding an investigation into allegations of fraud and misconduct in public office by Mark Menzies MP.

The MP for Fylde in Lancashire has been suspended from the Tory parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local Tory party funds to pay off "bad people".

Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims, which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

It is understood that Labour is arguing there is a clear public interest in the matter being investigated, and we asked senior cabinet minister Mel Stride if they have a point.

He replied: "Well, this matter is being thoroughly investigated."

He said there has been no confirmation of a police investigation at this stage, but reiterated that the Conservative Party is investigating.

"Conservative HQ is looking now very closely into the circumstances around the various reports that have been made, and the whip has been removed from Mark Menzies in the meantime," he added.

Next, we asked Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride what the PM is set to announce later in terms of ending the UK's "sick note culture".

He said there is a "rising instance of mental health-related long-term sickness, and people going onto those long-term benefits".

"In many cases, there is a better outcome than that," he said, saying they could be given treatment, held within the workforce, or helped to get work, because "we know that people that are in work have better mental health outcomes than those in work".

The aim of the reforms being announced today is to change the system of going to the GP and being signed off work so that individuals will be referred to "Work Well" for "both the healthcare support that they need, but also a work coach will be involved" to help them stay in work or find work.

"We think that work matters, and a personal mission that I have is to drive up the levels of employment, particularly among those that have those kinds of conditions," he said.

We've just been speaking with cabinet minister Mel Stride, and we started by asking for the government's reaction to the news of the apparent Israeli strike in Iran overnight.

He told Sky News that these are "unconfirmed reports" at this stage, although a US source told our partner network NBC News that it was indeed an Israeli strike.

But the minister added: "The government's position is very clear, and that is that we accept that Israel has an absolute right to defend itself".

He noted that the UK helped defend Israel against an Iranian drone and missile attack on Saturday night.

"At the same time though, we do think that de-escalation is absolutely key now, and our message to all in the region, including Israel, is that de-escalation is really important," he added.

Mr Stride said Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is in Italy at the G7 foreign ministers meeting, where it will be discussed in more detail.

Asked if the UK would back Israel's action, he said it is "hypothetical" at this stage, but added: "The overarching message on the military front is that de-escalation now is really important."

The minister refused to say if he would support further action by Israel, nor if there is a red line for the UK in its backing.

The focus needs to be on a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, getting more aid into Gaza, and getting the Israeli hostages out, he said.

Senior Tory Ruth Davidson says she'll be "surprised" if MP Mark Menzies lasts the week, following allegations - which he denies - that he misused campaign funds. 

On the latest episode of Sky's   Electoral Dysfunction  podcast, Baroness Davidson says the claims against him are "utterly jaw dropping".

"It is so out with the bounds of what being a responsible, elected member is and how you treat your constituency association. It is staggering, like utterly staggering," she says.

"I would find it difficult to believe that an investigation can be held and he can be cleared in time to stand a general election. 

"In fact, I would be surprised if he survives the week here and doesn't just resign."

Mr Menzies is alleged to have used thousands of pounds given by donors to fund medical expenses and to have made a late-night call to a party volunteer asking for help because he had been locked up by "bad people" demanding money for his release, according to The Times.

He has been suspended by the parliamentary party while it investigates the allegations.

The MP for Fylde in Lancashire, who was one of Rishi Sunak's trade envoys, disputes the allegations but the Conservative Party said it is taking them "seriously" and "will always investigate matters put to them".

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News earlier: "There's a process in place. He has had the whip withdrawn. 

"There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information. 

"I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it’s important to mention that."

To hear more from Baroness Davidson's conversation with Sky's political editor  Beth Rigby   and Labour MP Jess Phillips, tune into the full episode of Electoral Dysfunction from 6am on Friday.

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Read more here:

By Adam Parsons , Europe correspondent, and Tim Baker , political reporter

Young people could be able to move more easily between the UK and Europe and stay longer to work, study and train under proposed plans by the European Union

Under the proposal, which has been put forward by the European Commission ,  new rules would be drawn up to allow for greater movement between the UK and EU countries for people aged between 18 and 30.

Formal negotiations have not yet begun, and a UK source told Sky News no formal proposal had been put forward by Brussels to begin negotiating on.

The proposal will be further discussed by the European Council, which represents all the nations, before negotiations start in earnest.

The plans proposed by the EU would allow young people to stay in Europe for periods of four years, with the same rules extended to EU citizens coming to Britain.

It would also mean EU students paying the same fees as British ones. Since Brexit, UK universities have charged much higher fees to European students.

Announcing the move, the European Commission said it wanted to take an "innovative" approach to tackling the barriers experienced by young people looking to travel from the EU to the UK and vice versa for longer periods.

Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has been charged by police after he was arrested amid an investigation into the SNP's funding and finances.

Police said he has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

The former SNP chief executive, 59, was questioned by detectives after being taken into Police Scotland custody on Thursday at 9.13am.

He remained in police custody until he was charged just after 6.30pm.

Murrell has since been released from custody.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.

The police investigation into the party's funding and finances has been ongoing for years.

It has been dubbed Operation Branchform.

Murrell became chief executive of the SNP in 2001, and stepped down from the role in 2023.

He has been married to Ms Sturgeon - who resigned as first minister in February last year - since 2010.

Murrell has resigned his SNP membership.

An SNP spokesperson said: "While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment."

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police demanding an investigation into allegations of fraud and misconduct in public office by Mark Menzies MP, Sky News understands.

The Conservative Party said it is taking them "seriously" and "will always investigate matters put to them".

Ms Dodds wrote to the Tory party chair, Richard Holden, yesterday, asking whether the party reported the matter to the police amid reports it was aware of the allegations three months ago.

In the letter to Lancashire Police, the Labour Party chair is understood to have said that the Tory chief whip, party whip's office, and headquarters may have information that could assist with an investigation.

The letter argues there is a clear public interest in the matter being investigated by officers to ensure public confidence in politicians, it is understood.

In a statement to The Times, Mr Menzies said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further."

By Tim Baker , political reporter

Rishi Sunak is to call for an end to the "sick note culture" in a major speech on welfare reform - as he warns against "over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life".

The prime minister wants to shift the focus to "what people can do with the right support in place, rather than what they can't do".

Mr Sunak also wants sick notes to be issued by "specialist work and health professionals" rather the GPs in order to reduce workloads.

The plans, which the government is now set to consult on, come as part of the  government's aims to cut spending on benefits  in a bid to reduce spending and increase employment.

Good morning!

Welcome back to the Politics Hub on this Friday, 19 April.

In breaking news overnight, Israel carried out an operation in Iran in retaliation to a drone and missile attack launched against it on Saturday, a source told our US partner network NBC News.

You can read the latest on that here , and we will bring you any UK political reaction here in the Politics Hub throughout the day.

Meanwhile, here's what's happening in politics today:

• Rishi Sunak is to call for an end to the "sick note culture" and wants sick notes to be issued by "specialist work and health professionals" rather the GPs in order to reduce workloads;
• He is set to deliver a major speech this morning, and we'll bring you live coverage here in the Politics Hub ;
• Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil "five golden rules" for building houses on the "grey belt", and alongside his embattled deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner , the self-declared "YIMBY" (yes in my back yard) will pledge to deliver more affordable housing and boost public services;
• The government is hailing the "successful launch" of the first part of its free childcare programme;
• While the full data is not set to be published until Monday, the Department for Education says the rollout is on the same trajectory as the previous expansion of free childcare hours in 2017;
• The EU is proposing new rules to allow for greater movement between the UK and EU countries for people aged between 18 and 30.

We'll be discussing all of that and more with:

• Mel Stride , work and pensions secretary, at around 7.20am ;
• Matthew Pennycook , shadow housing minister, at 8.20am .

Follow along for the very latest political news.

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How much do caddies make at the Masters? Here's how their pay at the PGA tournament works.

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 3:54 PM EDT / CBS News

Being a caddie at the Masters is an entirely different experience than doing the job anywhere else — just ask Ken Martin.

"Caddies are treated really great at Augusta," said Martin, who caddied for Scottish golfer Sandy Lyle at the major tournament last year. "We had our own locker room. They feed us just wonderful food — the best food I've ever had really. But it's a long week. You have to be fit to get around that hilly course."

Some of the biggest names in professional golf, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, will converge on the famously hilly course Thursday to compete in the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Golfers are playing for a multimillion dollar cash prize and the chance to don the coveted green jacket for a year.

• How to livestream PGA Tour golf: Your options, explained (plus 2024 schedule)
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Much of this year's attention will be on the cash prize the winning golfer will receive at this year's tournament. The purse for the 2023 Masters totaled $18 million, which was $3 million more than the purse the year before — the largest year-over-year increase in tournament history. Of that total, 2023 winner Jon Rahm took home $3.24 million .

But players aren't the only ones in line for a big payout. The winner's caddie can easily go home with a six-figure paycheck after four days of work. But snagging the four-day gig is the culmination of years spent working one-on-one with the same professional golfer, Martin said. 

Caddies develop a strong friendship with a golfer long before it's time for an elite competition like the Masters, Martin said. Fans seated in the stands, as well those watching at home, can only see the caddie handing the player a club, but in reality, there's a constant back-and-forth communication taking place between golfer and caddie during commercial breaks and while the two are walking to the next hole, he explained. Martin, who played professionally from 1982 to 2015, now teaches the sport at Keiser University in Florida. 

Aside from carrying the heavy bag, the caddie also provides input on which club to use, as well as swing technique, Martin said. That's because most caddies working PGA Tour games  are former professional players with a wealth of knowledge on the game. 

But technique is only a small part of the exchange, he added. With a strong camaraderie forged over the years, it's very likely the two spend most of time chatting like old friends, he said. 

"It's boring to talk about only golf for four to six hours," Martin said. "You're out there for a long time together so the friendship part of it plays a larger role." 

How much do caddies make at the Masters?

Caddies like Martin earn a salary from two sources during the Masters. One part is a weekly wage between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on the caddie's experience, the Association of Professional Caddies and the Caddies Network told CBS MoneyWatch. The weekly wage helps caddies recoup financially because they're required to pay their own travel to Georgia, along with hotel and food while working the tournament. 

Caddies also get a percentage of whatever their player earns after the tournament ends. The caddie of the Master's winner will get 10% of the prize money. For context, Jon Rahm won the Masters' last year and got $3.24 million. 

The caddie for the runner up at the Masters will get 7% of that player's prize winnings; every caddie after that will get 5%. 

Caddies Network CEO John von Stade told CBS MoneyWatch there are rare occasions when a caddie has a private contract with the player, in which case that person's salary will not follow the traditional setup. 

Over the past five years, caddie have seen some positive changes. PGA Tour officials have increased caddies' weekly wages and players' prize money has also climbed — potentially giving caddies a chance to bring home six figures after a tournament.

"But what hasn't changed is, if your player doesn't make the cut, there is no other source of money other than the weekly fee," von Stade said. 

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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Want to see the next total solar eclipse in 2026? An expert recommends booking travel now.

• 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years.
• Travelers worldwide will likely head to Spain, Iceland, and Greenland for the event.
• A hotel expert encouraged travelers to start planning and booking their trips now.

It'll be two decades before the next total solar eclipse hits the US .

Another option: hop on a plane to Europe and turn the 2026 total solar eclipse into a viewing vacation.

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told Space.com that up to 3.7 million people likely traveled for the solar eclipse on Monday.

HotelPlanner's chief communication officer, Philip Ballard, told Business Insider that the eclipse was a major revenue generator for many cities. For places like Austin, Texas, and Rochester, New York, it could have created $1 billion in revenue, Vox reported.

"I would say the total solar eclipse has become a global phenomenon," Ballard said.

Ballard added that the next solar eclipse , which will pass through Iceland, Greenland, and Spain on August 12, 2026, could result in similar tourism and revenue influxes.

And if travelers are considering a trip to Europe for the solar eclipse, Ballard recommends planning your trip now.

Determine your eclipse viewing destination

According to Space.com , 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Its path will go through Greenland, parts of western Iceland, and northern Spain.

Choosing where to watch the eclipse will be a tough and important decision for travelers.

Iceland and Greenland have some positives. These regions will experience longer totality times, so viewers can watch the eclipse longer. Plus, the sun will be higher in the sky, so finding a spot to watch the eclipse will be less challenging, Space.com reported.

The downside is that these regions are more likely to be cloudy, according to the outlet.

Related stories

While parts of Spain are likely to offer clearer skies, the eclipse's timing will be shorter and closer to the horizon, which means travelers will need to plan and track down a viewing location with unobstructed views of the western horizon, Space.com reported.

Regardless of the destination, according to the outlet, one bonus is that the strongest meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere will happen the following night, so travelers can pack two events into one trip.

Book flights and hotels far in advance

Ballard encouraged people to book their hotels in their destination of choice as far in advance as possible.

"You should start looking now and booking hotels now because those cities in the path are already going to be at peak season," Ballard said.

Ballard said it's similar to when a Super Bowl city is determined or a Taylor Swift tour date is announced — you immediately see spikes in bookings. He predicts hotel occupancy rates will hit near-record highs, and room prices may double around the solar eclipse date.

Ballard's general rule of thumb is to book international travel at least three months in advance, but since this is such an anticipated event, booking earlier is smart. His advice is to start discussing plans with friends and family. If you decide on a destination, book a refundable room to keep your options open if plans change.

Regarding purchasing a plane ticket, a study from Expedia states that international travel's sweet spot is at least six months in advance.

According to Expedia, travelers who book six months in advance save an average of 10% more than travelers booking within two months or less.

Skip the hassle of planning altogether and book a solar eclipse tour

Another option is to let a tour operator do the work for you. A handful of tour companies have seen the increased interest in the solar eclipse and launched tours designed around the event.

These tours will have predetermined locations to view the eclipse, hotel blocks reserved, and itineraries highlighting both the region and the eclipse.

However, these can sell out quickly. For example, Space and Telescope created an 11-day tour of Spain around viewing the 2026 solar eclipse. The tour has already sold out as of Wednesday, and the waitlist is full.

Other operators, such as Wilderness Travel and Eclipse Traveler, have similar itineraries for the total eclipse in 2026.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

• Main content

What is the cut at the Masters?

Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the third tee box during the first round of Masters Tournament. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – The 36-hole cut at the Masters is different than any other major championship. The 89-man field will be cut to the low 50 and ties after 36 holes is completed.

Thursday’s first round was suspended due to darkness after the start of play was delayed more than two hours by morning storms. The second round is expected to begin on schedule at 8 a.m., however.

The cut was first instituted in 1957, 23 years after the Masters began. The field was cut to the low 40 and ties from 1957-61, but the cut changed the next year with the institution of the 10-shot rule. From 1962-2012, the field was cut to the low 44 and ties, as well as anyone within 10 strokes of the leader.

Over the following seven years, the 36-hole cut was expanded to the low 50 and ties, as well as anyone within 10 strokes of the leader. The 10-shot rule was done away with in 2020, however, and now the low 50 and ties qualify for the final 36 holes at the Masters.

03 - 06 Nov 2022

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