Golf legend Gary Player surprised Masters viewers on Wednesday with a remark deemed “creepy” toward a female TV presenter.

Anna Jackson of Sky Sports was reporting from Augusta National’s annual Par 3 event, held just before golf’s prestigious tournament, when she approached the 90-year-old Player for a brief interview.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers ever, with nine major wins to his name, the South African Player caught viewers off guard with his unexpected comment to Jackson.

Without giving her a chance to pose her initial question, Player appeared to address her off-camera colleagues, saying, “Why have you started working with this good-looking chick, huh?”

Jackson, momentarily taken aback by the uncomfortable exchange, swiftly replied, “What an introduction that is.”

The moment quickly went viral and golf fans took to social media to hit out at Player’s inappropriate behaviour.

Gary Player left Masters viewers stunned with a ‘creepy’ comment to a female TV presenter

Sky Sports’ Anna Jackson was working at Augusta’s traditional Par 3 event on Wednesday

One commented: ‘We sat there shaking our heads. The old creep.’

Another posted: ‘He is an old creep and he’s pandered to within golf.’

‘Did anyone else hear Gary Player refer to Anna Jackson as a ‘good looking chick’ live on Sky Sports last night? The worrying thing is, many people will think that type of behaviour is absolutely fine,’ a third outraged viewer added.

A fourth stated: ‘You could tell from her reaction she wasn’t impressed yet she remained professional when Gary then went on to tell everyone how great he is yet again.’

‘That guy always makes my skin crawl,’ another said. ‘Says a lot about Anna’s professionalism that I didn’t even pick up on it.’

‘Sky gotta stop interviewing Gary Player man,’ another demanded.

‘I was disappointed to hear the comment. Anna was totally professional. Not sure how much GP is aware of current norms but I’m sure he should be. I hesitate to suggest it may be entitlement and putting it down to a man from a different era, not that it excuses it,’ one viewer added. 

Other golf fans were defensive of Player, with one posting: ‘He is from a totally different generation, the man is 90 years old. So the channel probably knows what they might get in terms of output.’

Another added: ‘He’s 90 years old. Comes from a different era in a country with far bigger issues than upsetting a few bedwetters by calling a good looking girl, a good looking girl. Of course, you’ve never, not once, said a girl (or boy) was good looking I bet.’ 

Player’s son Wayne (top, second from left) is banned for life from the Masters for holding up a packet of golf balls during a tribute to Lee Elder (bottom left) in the honorary starters ceremony

Despite the incident, Player will once again take part in the ceremonial opening tee shot at the Masters event on Thursday. 

He has been one of the honorary starters since 2012, teeing off alongside fellow golf icons Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to officially open the tournament.

Player became the first ever non-American to win a green jacket back in 1961, before adding another two to his collection in 1974 and 1978.

He has also competed in The Masters more times than any golfer in history after making 52 starts between 1957 and 2009.

However, while he is undoubtedly a great of the course, Player’s relationship with Augusta has become a little more complicated in recent years.

His son, Wayne, is actually banned for life from The Masters over a tacky ambush marketing stunt while a tribute was being paid to Lee Elder at the 2021 honorary starters ceremony.

Acting as a caddie, Wayne was on the first tee for the ceremony with his father, Nicklaus and Elder – the first African-American to play in the Masters. During a speech from chairman Fred Ridley in tribute to Elder, Wayne, who was stood behind him, held up a packet of golf balls with its brand on show.

Elder’s poor health meant he was unable to play a tee shot, as is tradition in the ceremony, alongside Player and Nicklaus. He died six months later, in November 2021.

Wayne later wrote a letter to Augusta National to apologize for the gesture, but it fell on deaf ears and he received the lifetime ban.

‘It said thanks but no thanks,’ he said of Augusta’s reply. ‘It said, you know, we appreciate you reaching out and apologizing, we accept your apology, but we are not changing our position, we are not going to allow you back. You ruined a special moment in the history of the game of golf.’

In a significant legal development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged a former Army employee from North Carolina with leaking classified information. The individual, 40-year-old Courtney Williams, was taken into custody by the FBI on Tuesday, as outlined in a press release issued by the DOJ on Wednesday.

Williams faces an indictment from a federal grand jury for allegedly transmitting sensitive national defense information to unauthorized individuals, including a journalist. This breach of protocol highlights the severe consequences of mishandling classified material.

John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, underscored the gravity of such breaches in a statement. “Clearance holders accept a solemn obligation to protect the classified information entrusted to them,” he emphasized. “Ensuring they uphold this duty is critical to our nation’s security. When they violate this trust, the National Security Division is committed to taking swift action to hold them accountable.”

According to court documents, Williams held a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance. She was employed by a Special Military Unit (SMU) for a six-year period beginning in 2010, a role that demanded the utmost discretion and responsibility.

The DOJ said that Williams had “a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance” and was an employee of a Special Military Unit (SMU) for six years starting in 2010, per court documents. 

From 2022 to 2025, Williams, who worked at Fort Bragg, allegedly talked to a journalist on multiple occasions on the phone and by text, the DOJ said.

“During this period, Williams and the Journalist had over 10 hours of telephone calls and exchanged more than 180 messages. In one such message, the Journalist identified themselves as a journalist and stated that they sought information about the SMU in support of an upcoming article and book,” the DOJ said in its press release.

“After these communications with Williams, the Journalist published a book and article that named Williams as a source and attributed specific statements to her. Some of these statements contained classified national defense information.”

This Friday marks a special occasion for the Dodgers in 2026, as fans will have the chance to snag Shohei Ohtani-themed bobbleheads for the first time this year.

Those planning to visit Chavez Ravine should brace themselves for a lively scene as they attempt to collect these coveted collectibles.

Historically, Ohtani giveaways at Dodger Stadium have been synonymous with chaos, often leading to traffic congestion and extensive queues on distribution days.

In 2024, when the team offered Ohtani memorabilia featuring the star player and his dog, dedicated fans donned in Dodger blue started arriving nearly seven hours before the game to secure their treasures.

The newest Ohtani bobblehead honors his extraordinary performance during Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS against the Brewers.

Ohtani hit three home runs that day, and his new bobblehead shows him post-swing on a platform that reads “3 HR.”

The Dodgers are calling it the “Shohei Ohtani ‘Greatest Game’ Bobblehead Part 1,” as LA is slated to give away its Part 2 companion — which pays homage to the six scoreless innings he pitched in the series clinching win over Milwaukee — in July.

The Dodgers have seemed to try to dilute the expected madness by ensuring the first 54,000 fans to arrive at Dodger Stadium will secure the item.

However, if the team’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto giveaway last month is any indication, it almost certainly won’t make a noticeable difference.

On March 31, the Dodgers passed out Yamamoto-themed Yoshi trinkets, and lines at gates were overwhelming. Some fans told The California Post they knew to arrive several hours early to avoid the mayhem.

Angelinos with tickets to Friday’s Dodgers matchup with the Rangers — which kicks off at 7:10 p.m. PT — would be wise to do similar.

PHILADELPHIA — A tragic incident unfolded in Philadelphia as a parking garage under construction suffered a partial collapse, resulting in at least one fatality and leaving two others missing.

The collapse occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, situated on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue.

WATCH: Video captures the dramatic moment of the Philadelphia parking garage collapse.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson reported that upon arrival, rescue teams managed to save three individuals. Sadly, one of the rescued was later declared dead at a nearby hospital, while the other two received medical attention and have since been released.

Efforts are ongoing as crews continue their search for two more people who are feared to be trapped under the debris.

“We are not we will not give up on these individuals, and we will not rest until everyone is accounted for from this tragedy,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.

The identities of those involved have not been released. Our sister station WPVI-TV has learned that at least some of the workers are with the Ironworkers Local 401 union in Philadelphia.

Drone video showed a large pile of debris on one side of the structure, along with significant cracks running down a corner of the building. First responders have focused their search efforts on the lower levels of the garage, specifically a stairwell.

In doorbell video obtained by WPVI, you can see the tragedy unfold from several blocks away.

One witness described the structure collapsing floor by floor.

“The floors was like going like one by one as it was like collapsing. And then there was a guy that was trapped underneath,” recalled Kurtis Carter.

Others initially thought an earthquake had struck.

“I was in the kitchen, and we heard like an explosion, thought it was a storm, bomb…we didn’t know what it was,” said Andrew Martines. “My wife, she was upstairs, and she heard people screaming and running out. She saw a huge cloud of smoke. The house was shaking.”

What we know about the collapse

Mayor Parker said eight permits were required for the project and were properly issued, with all inspections up to date.

She said Precast Services Inc., a subcontractor on the site, was installing precast concrete floor decking and roof segments on Wednesday. After placement, a precast roof segment failed and fell to the level below, triggering a progressive collapse of connected sections across all seven levels.

Parker said the precast concrete components were manufactured off-site and installed by the manufacturer.

“This process does not require standard L&I inspection. Instead, it falls under required special inspections that include periodic inspections for precast concrete installations. These inspections were assigned to Valerie Moody of GAI Construction Monitoring Services,” Parker explained.

Crews working to stabilize the structure

Officials have expressed concern that the remaining structure could collapse, prompting closures in the surrounding area. Heavy equipment is expected to help with debris removal.

Thompson stressed the process could take some time, but he vowed to find those missing.

“We have to very carefully, emphatically deconstruct this building for the safety of the people working on it and ultimately for the safety of the first responders who will continue to search,” said Thompson.

The massive effort is expected to continue through Thursday.

Controversy over the project

The seven-level parking garage was under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was being built to expand CHOP employee parking.

“We are prioritizing the safety of the construction workers at this time and working closely with the City of Philadelphia and our construction partners. We will share additional information as it becomes available,” said CHOP in a statement.

The project had been the subject of controversy, including protests earlier this year. The group that protested was concerned about the increased congestion and potential impacts on environmental health.

Community members said they’re even more concerned than they were before, but Wednesday night, their thoughts remain with families of those impacted.

“Even if they didn’t live in 19146, they worked in our community. Therefore, they belonged to us. They’re part of our community,” said DeMorra Hawkins, a member of No CHOP Garage Coalition, who has protested at the site earlier this year.

How will OSHA be involved?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will lead the investigation into the collapse. OSHA personnel are already on scene and will conduct interviews and a comprehensive review of the construction work.

“What OSHA is going to be looking at, and L&I is going to be looking at, is whether there were any issues with either prefabricated materials or the concrete pour of the steps themselves,” said Aidan Carickhoff of the law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky. “So they’ll be digging back through all of the pour materials and all the construction information to make sure that part of the job was done correctly.”

Permits list HSC Builders as the general contractor. The company develops large-scale projects, including life science facilities and museums.

OSHA will review whether the stairwell and other structural elements were built to engineering specifications. Work by subcontractors and material suppliers will also be examined.

But for now, construction is on hold.

“OSHA will stop the work so that they can inspect the integrity of that building. We’ve been involved in a lot of building collapse cases before and the work will be stopped so that OSHA and L&I can make sure no one else gets injured on this construction site,” Carickhoff explained.

OSHA’s investigation will likely take at least six months due to the backlog within the agency. A written report and any citations or violations will be made public.

A search and rescue mission is actively being conducted in Philadelphia after a parking garage partially collapsed on Thursday. This tragic event has resulted in at least one fatality and left two individuals missing, as confirmed by the city’s mayor.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker reported that the distressing incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon. The collapse took place while the garage was under construction near the intersection of 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue in South Philadelphia.

“Our first responders acted swiftly, and the search and rescue efforts are continuing. Tragically, one life has been lost, and two people are still unaccounted for,” Parker stated on X late Wednesday. “We remain committed to our mission and will not rest until everyone is found.”

The mayor emphasized that the area remains an active search and rescue site. Consequently, the immediate vicinity, including a shopping plaza and nearby stores, is temporarily closed. As of now, there is no specified timeline for reopening these areas.

The event, marked by the partial collapse of a Philadelphia parking garage, took place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (WTXF)

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson said two other people were rescued at the site and treated at a nearby hospital, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. He reportedly added that crews need to stabilize the parking garage before rescue efforts can continue. 

The garage was under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and officials said all seven levels of its stair system were impacted by the collapse, FOX 29 reported. 

The station cited Parker as saying that eight permits were properly issued and all inspections were up to date, and that the collapse happened when a roof segment being installed by a subcontractor failed.

The garage was under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a report said. (WTXF)

 “Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is aware of a serious construction incident at our parking garage construction site on 3000 Grays Ferry Avenue in Philadelphia,” the organization told FOX 29. “We are prioritizing the safety of the construction workers at this time and working closely with the City of Philadelphia and our construction partners. We will share additional information as it becomes available.” 

The identities of the deceased and missing were not immediately released.

“All of our prayers are with the family of the individual who has passed and the families of those we are still searching for tonight. I humbly ask all Philadelphians to join me in prayer for them,” Parker said on X. 

Cracks are seen on the side of a parking garage in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 9, 2026, following a partial collapse the day before. (WTXF)

“Lori and I are praying for those injured in the parking garage that partially collapsed in Grays Ferry today, for the family of the individual who was tragically killed, and for the families who continue to wait while first responders search for their loved ones,” added Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who said his administration is in touch with officials on the ground in Philadelphia. 

Today, the Defence Secretary unveiled that Russia conducted a covert mission targeting key energy and data cables in British waters for over a month.

John Healey disclosed that a nuclear-powered attack submarine, along with two intelligence-gathering submarines, had been observed in the North Atlantic. In response, the UK dispatched a warship and aircraft to the area.

To counter the threat, sonar buoys were deployed. These devices use acoustic signals to monitor underwater activities, aiming to discourage Russian attempts to interfere with the cables that transmit vast amounts of vital data.

Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, Healey warned, “We are aware of your operations near our cables and pipelines. Be assured that any efforts to damage them will be met with serious repercussions.”

The Defence Secretary detailed that the Russian operation involved an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine and two specialized submarines from GUGI, the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research under Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

Aided by allies including Norway, Britain deployed 500 personnel onboard a warship and Royal Air Force P8 aircraft, which flew for more than 450 hours before the Russian subs retreated. 

Mr Healey said the operation showed why it was ‘not in Britain’s national interest’ to deploy large parts of the Royal Navy to help America in the Middle East. He told a press conference that he wanted to expose Russia’s targeting of Britain’s underwater infrastructure and vowed to ‘step up’ efforts to protect it. 

It comes as Putin made a mockery of Sir Keir Starmer’s vow to stop illegal oil tankers using the Channel by sending a warship to escort them, unmolested by the Royal Navy. 

John Healey revealed the ‘covert’ Russian operation in a media briefing at 9 Downing Street 

A Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in waters near Norway in 2022  

Mr Healey said: ‘In response to the Russian submarines, I can confirm that I deployed our armed forces to track and to deter any malign activity by these vessels.

‘A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P8 aircraft alongside allies ensured that the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7.

‘The Akula submarine subsequently retreated home, having been closely tracked throughout and we continued to monitor the two GUGI submarines in and around wider UK waters.

‘Our armed forces left them in no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert, as President Putin planned, and that their attempted secret operation had been exposed.

‘Those GUGI submarines have now left UK waters and headed back north.’

He said the month-long operation had now concluded.

The senior minister said the attack submarine acted as ‘a likely decoy to distract us from the Gugi submarines as they ‘spent time over critical infrastructure relevant to us and our allies in the North Atlantic’.

He continued: ‘Because we were watching them, we wanted to ensure that we could warn them that their covert operation had been exposed and reduce the risk that they may attempt any action that could damage our pipelines or our cables.

‘And I’m confident, we have no evidence that there has been any damage, but with allies, were sure that this is now verifiable.’

It comes at a sensitive time for the MoD after the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich was seen accompanying two ‘shadow fleet’ vessels past Britain’s south coast yesterday, with the Navy only able to rustle up one support ship to watch it. 

Last month, Sir Keir gave approval for Britain’s commandos to board and halt shadow fleet vessels as they pass through UK waters in an attempt to ‘go after’ the sanction-breaking ships ‘even harder’.

Putin pictured today handing Russia highest medal to 23-year-old soldier Alexei Asylkhanov

But according to The Telegraph, RFA Tideforce, an auxiliary tanker armed with only light defensive weapons, simply followed the three-ship flotilla past Dover without intervening.

It followed claims by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch that Sir Keir was ‘all mouth and no trousers’ when it came to defence. 

Asked about yesterday’s incident in the Channel, Mr Healey said Moscow ‘still poses a threat’. 

He added that Britain ‘will continue to do what we’ve done as a matter of course, which is ensure that we can escort any Russian warships through our waters and, in the case of this operation, to ensure that we can track any potentially malign activity, and that we can monitor and make clear that we have exposed any covert operations that Putin wants to mount that may threaten our vital interests’.

Mr Healey claimed the operation to shadow Russian subs showed why Britain had been right not to send more ships to the Middle East. 

He said: ‘When a crisis erupts noisily and dangerously, as it has done in the Middle East, I understand people questioning why all UK military assets and personnel have not been deployed to deal with it, but that is not in Britain’s national interest.

‘The greatest threats are often unseen and silent, and as demands on defence rise, we must deploy our resources to best effect.’

He added that Putin ‘would have wanted us, I expect, to be distracted and my purpose today is to demonstrate to him publicly that we have not been – that we have our eye on him, that we recognise he and Russia pose the primary threat to UK security and Nato security.’

Russia was likely sharing intelligence and training Iranian forces in drone tactics, with Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine ‘reflected’ in many of the ways that Iran is attacking Middle East countries, he added.

Sir Keir, who arrived in the UAE this morning as part of a visit to the Gulf, insisted he would ‘not shy away’ from taking action against Russia.

He said: ‘I am determined to protect the British people from paying the price for Putin’s aggression in their household bills.

‘That is why we will not shy away from taking action and exposing Russia’s destabilising activity that seeks to test our resolve.

‘Our Armed Forces are among the best in the world, and the British public should be in no doubt that this government will do whatever it takes to defend our national and economic security, wherever in the world that is needed.’

Leading figures in the House of Representatives are urging the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to launch a thorough investigation into U.S. tax-exempt nonprofits that they suspect have been infiltrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to exert influence over American elections and politics.

These organizations, known as “hometown” groups, are typically established by immigrants from the same Chinese towns or provinces. Their intended purpose is to assist new immigrants, organize social events, and help members maintain connections to their cultural roots.

However, recent activities have cast a shadow over these groups. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently conducted raids on the offices of the American Changle Association in New York City. The association is alleged to have operated an illegal “secret police station” on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security. This station reportedly served to intimidate dissidents and closely monitor Chinese citizens living abroad. Two individuals were apprehended for acting as unregistered foreign agents. One of them, Chen Jinping, admitted guilt in conspiring to serve as an unauthorized agent for the Chinese government. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings for the other individual are still underway.

John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan, serves as the chairman of the House Select Committee on China. (Credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In light of these developments, John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, alongside Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, reached out to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS Commissioner-designate Frank Bisignano. In their letter dispatched on Tuesday, they expressed “grave concerns” over the possibility that “hometown” entities with links to the CCP are manipulating the U.S. nonprofit framework to their advantage.

The lawmakers warned that the groups are part of a CCP “United Front” strategy, which a prior congressional memo described as “a unique blend of engagement, influence activities and intelligence operations” used to shape political environments and advance Beijing’s interests abroad. They noted that some of these groups are created under the guise of Chinese expatriates creating “overseas friendship” in the world.

Citing a New York Times investigation published last year, the letter states that at least 53 organizations “endorsed or raised money for political candidates, likely in violation of the rules,” with at least 19 in “clear violation” of federal restrictions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviews the troops during his inspection of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army PLA garrison stationed in the Macao Special Administrative Region, south China, Dec. 20, 2024. (Li Gang/Xinhua)

The letter follows a February hearing by the Ways and Means Committee examining malign foreign influence in the U.S. nonprofit sector, including organizations linked to a tech tycoon, Neville Roy Singham, born in the United States and living in Shanghai, promoting the strategic interests of the CCP and the China.

A Fox News Digital investigation tracked $278 million that Singham poured into a network of groups that fuel anti-American protests in the United States, support China and now back the Islamic Republic of Iran, a strategic partner of China and a major source of its oil imports, in nationwide protests today. Singham and the groups he has funded didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The new letter from Moolenaar and Smith targeted another set of organizations formed in the Chinese diaspora but the wide scope of their concers — from the far-left groups to the diaspora community groups — speaks to a complex influence operations campaign by China.

In the latest letter, the lawmakers warned the People’s Republic of China is “utilizing United Front organizations, proxies and intermediaries within the United States—many granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c)—to engage in political activity that manipulates our democratic institutions.”

The letter highlights concerns about so-called “hometown associations,” community-based groups originally formed to connect Chinese diaspora communities but which lawmakers say have been “co-opted” by the CCP and incorporated into its broader influence network.

Lawmakers allege those organizations have engaged in political activity prohibited under federal tax law, which bars 501(c)(3) groups from participating in campaigns for or against candidates.

The lawmakers also pointed to cases in which individuals and organizations were allegedly pressured or coerced by Chinese officials or affiliated groups, including efforts to block political candidates critical of Beijing from engaging with local communities. They further warned that networks linked to China’s United Front can serve as “cover for other nefarious operations” tied to Chinese security agencies, including the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of State Security.

Lawmakers requested a briefing by April 22 on what steps the IRS is taking “to address these threats to our political institutions.”

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