Tag: Europe

Top 10 Notre Dame men’s basketball players according to ChatGPT

Let’s see what AI knows about Irish men’s hoops.

For the past few months, I’ve heard quite a bit about the AI information bot known as ChatGPT. It was the subject of an episode during this past season of “South Park”. More importantly, I’ve heard how it’s such a game-changer that writing jobs are done for. We’ll see about that as I’m not too worried about it, but then again, I’m sure newspaper employees said the same thing about the internet in the mid-1990s.

When our editor Nick Shepkowski decided to ask ChatGPT what it thought Notre Dame’s 10 best football players were, I decided to follow suit and ask the same question but for the 10 best men’s basketball players instead. Keep in mind that even the bot knows this list is subjective:

“Please note that there are many other outstanding players who have played for Notre Dame and could also be included on this list.”

So keep that in mind as you go over the following list, which also includes ChatGPT’s description of each player:

Discover the most beautiful places in the world in these 8 photos

Come enjoy these natural wonders.

If you need to renew your sense of wonder, exploring the world’s most incredible destinations can help. The dreary weather, traffic jams, and packed schedules of day-to-day life can take their toll on a person’s mental state. For just a moment, break free from all that stress and enjoy the simple pleasure of appreciating nature. Marvel at Bolivia’s serene salt flats, stand on top of the world at Trolltunga in Norway, and bask in Banff National Park’s beauty — even if you can’t visit these places in person. The gallery below will transport you to the world’s most beautiful places and explain their allure in eight magical photos.

All aboard for these spectacular train rides through Switzerland

Find your ticket to paradise.

Europe is home to countless scenic destinations. While every region boasts unique geographic curiosities, the magical landscapes in Switzerland showcase spectacular sights seen nowhere else in the world. Tourists exploring the country can expect to see everything from soaring mountaintops to roaring waterfalls. Several incredible Swiss train routes make it surprisingly easy for travelers to enjoy these sights from a comfortable window seat. In Switzerland, train rides are a reliable and relaxing way to travel. If you’re ready to leave your car behind and go on a Swiss adventure, plan a trip aboard these five mesmerizing train rides.

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Photos: Luke Donald through the years, from Northwestern and world No. 1 to European Ryder Cup captain

Take a scroll through Luke Donald’s career in golf.

Luke Donald has seen it all throughout his career in golf.

The Englishman came to America for college, where he won the individual title at the 1999 NCAA Championship while at Northwestern, as well as the Haskins Award as the top men’s college golfer of the year.

Donald then turned professional in 2001 where he tallied his first of five PGA Tour wins at the 2002 Southern Farm Bureau Classic (which was shortened to 54 holes due to weather). He also has seven DP World Tour wins, the first coming at the Scandinavian Masters in 2004. Some of Donald’s biggest victories include the 2011 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in 2011, as well as a pair of BMW PGA Championships in 2011 and 2012.

He became the first player to top both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour money lists in the same year in 2011 and was also named player of the year for both tours. Donald spent 56 weeks ranked as the world’s No. 1 player, and joins fellow countryman Lee Westwood as the only players to achieve the title of world No. 1 without winning a major.

Donald was named as Henrik Stenson’s replacement for the 2023 Ryder Cup matches in Italy after Stenson joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series. The 44-year-old Englishman previously represented Europe in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 and served as a vice captain in the past two Ryder Cups. Donald, who boasts a 10-4-1- record in the competition, is set to be the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 2008 to captain the Europeans.

Take a scroll through Donald’s career in golf.

Luke Donald named European Ryder Cup captain for 2023 matches in Italy; replaces LIV Golf winner Henrik Stenson

Donald represented Team Europe as a player in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 and as a vice captain in 2018 and 2021.

Just 12 days after removing Henrik Stenson from his captaincy, the European Ryder Cup team has already announced a replacement.

Previous reports were confirmed on Monday morning when four-time Ryder Cupper Luke Donald was officially named as the captain for Team Europe for the 2023 matches at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Sept. 29-Oct 1.

The 44-year-old Englishman previously represented Europe in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 and has five PGA Tour wins and six DP World Tour wins under his belt. The former World No. 1 also served as a vice captain in the past two Ryder Cups. Donald is set to be the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 2008 to captain the Europeans.

“I feel extremely privileged to have been given that responsibility and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” Donald said. “Some of my best experiences in golf have been in the Ryder Cup and I would not swap those for anything. It is an event like no other, and I cannot wait to create more special memories in Italy next year.

“I love everything the Ryder Cup embodies, from the camaraderie and companionship of being part of a team, to the history of the contest, but most of all playing for something bigger than yourself.”

Thomas Bjørn and Edoardo Molinari will remain as vice captains.

“In my opinion, it was essential that Thomas and Edoardo remained part of the team,” Donald said. “They were the first two calls I made once I got the nod to be captain and I’m delighted that they are fully on-board.

Donald was competing at the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic last Thursday when the Telegraph reported his captaincy. When asked about the Telegraph report, Donald said: “If I got this captaincy I would live up to my word and see it through. Let me put it that way. I wouldn’t be doing a Henrik.”

“Everything is totally fine between us. We’re friends,” said Donald on Monday, noting how he and Stenson had spoken since his comments in Detroit. “And next time I see him I’ll congratulate him. He obviously played great yesterday and fair play to him.”

Stenson was ousted July 20 for joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, where he won in his debut Sunday at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.

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Henrik Stenson on losing European Ryder Cup captaincy: ‘I don’t feel like I’ve given it up’

“I just expect to be treated fairly going forward depending on what the outcomes are in this whole case,” Stenson said.

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Henrik Stenson is either naïve, in denial or an unhappy mix of the two.

During a press conference on Thursday ahead of his LIV Golf Invitational Series debut, the 46-year-old Swede said he was disappointed to lose his European Ryder Cup captaincy for the 2023 matches in Italy, but he’s still holding out hope for a resolution.

“I don’t feel like I’ve given it up,” Stenson said. “I made every arrangement possible here to be able to fulfill my captain’s duties, and I’ve had great help here from LIV to be able to do that. And still, the decision was made that I was to be removed.”

In his own statement last week announcing his move to LIV, Stenson also noted how he made “specific arrangements with LIV Golf” to make sure he could “fulfill the obligations of his captaincy.” Maybe he should’ve made arrangements with the European Ryder Cup folks, too.

When the DP World Tour announced Stenson’s dismissal, the statement read, “it has become clear that (Stenson) will not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had committed to prior to his announcement as Captain on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of Captain.”

Despite being asked, Stenson failed to address which section of the “private contract” led to his ousting.

“I believe we’re still all eligible to play,” added Ian Poulter, who joined Stenson for the press conference alongside their fellow Majesticks teammates Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield. “No decision has officially been made as far as I’m aware.”

“I’m still eligible to play on the (DP World) Tour. I don’t think I’ve been banned from playing any events,” chimed in Westwood, the team captain. “The (BMW) PGA Championship is still my next event on the (DP World) Tour at Wentworth. I’ve had no correspondence on that. That’s an event, a qualifying event, for the European Ryder Cup Team.

“So you know, no decision’s been made on qualification for the team, and my future or any of our futures playing the (DP World) Tour. So that leads me to believe that we’re still eligible to play in it, unless you can tell me otherwise.”

OPINION: Stenson is another dishonest player, but Europe knew he was a risky Ryder Cup gamble

Westwood hopes the DP World Tour makes a decision sooner rather than later, noting how it’s only fair for everybody, no matter what tour they play on, to know where they stand. Stenson agreed.

“I just expect to be treated fairly going forward depending on what the outcomes are in this whole case,” added Stenson, who had already been planning for the 2023 matches and even made a trip to Rome earlier this year.

Reports broke Wednesday night that Luke Donald would be Europe’s new captain, and Stenson was visibly surprised when asked for his reaction to the news. In that moment, it seemed as if he finally realized his rare opportunity had passed.

“Well, that’s — that’s news to me. If that’s — is that something that’s been announced just as we walked into this room, or … I mean, I’ll wait,” Stenson stammered. “Obviously I’m not in the loop on these things at this point.”

Or perhaps, any point going forward.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Euro Captain Henrik Stenson names Thomas Bjorn as his first vice captain

Bjorn was the winning captain for Team Europe in 2018 in France.

Henrik Stenson will have at least one experienced, victorious Ryder Cup captain by his side in Italy next year.

The 2023 European Ryder Cup captain announced on Wednesday that Thomas Bjorn will serves as his first vice captain at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from Sept. 30-Oct 1, 2023.

“I have known Thomas for my whole career,” said Stenson in a press release. “I trust him implicitly and I know any advice he will give me will be honest and direct. He will not simply tell me what he thinks I want to hear and that will be important, so I’m delighted to have him as my first vice captain for Rome.”

Bjørn, a 51-year-old native of Denmark and 15-time winner on the DP World Tour, has been involved in Team Europe in eight previous editions of the biennial contest – three as a player, four as a vice captain and as the victorious captain in Paris in 2018.

“He was very happy when I asked him. He was very honored to be asked and happy to be part of Team Europe again and part of the journey with the players,” Stenson said. “Since the match itself is still over a year away, I know I am going to have a lot of conversations with him about all elements of the Ryder Cup from his experience, both as a vice captain on previous occasions but also, obviously, as the captain in 2018 when we had a great result. I will be depending on him a lot and I’m really looking forward to those chats.”

Stenson was one of Bjørn’s 12 players in that successful team at Le Golf National and the Swede has confirmed his fellow Scandinavian as his first official appointment since he was unveiled as European Captain on March 15.

“I’m delighted to be part of the whole Ryder Cup experience once again. I probably thought that after 2018 that was it for me, but Henrik called me to talk about captaincy in general and that led into him asking me if I wanted to do another stint as vice captain, which I agreed to,” Bjorn said. “I think I can help Henrik outline what he wants to do with his captaincy going forwards. I can keep asking him the right questions and reminding him of things that are going to come his way that he might not have thought about. I will help him prepare in the best possible way and as we get closer to the match, to be an additional support to the players.

“I think Henrik will be a fantastic captain. He is so well respected by players and by everyone in the game. He is a very hard-working golfer and somebody who is true to himself, and his team will represent that. He has a great sense of humor that the players will take to, and he is very well liked across the whole Tour, not just the top where he has played his golf for so many years.”

Henrik Stenson
Team Europe’s Henrik Stenson celebrates after winning the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France in 2018. (Photo: David Davies/PA Wire)

Bjørn became the first Dane to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup in 1997 at Valderrama. He is no stranger to being a part of Team Europe’s backroom, having served on four previous occasions: to Bernhard Langer at Oakland Hills in 2004, then Colin Montgomerie at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2010, José María Olazábal at Medinah in 2012 and Darren Clarke in 2016 at Hazeltine National, which was his lone experience with defeat.

Bjørn oversaw a dominant 17½-10½ victory in France, with Stenson contributing three points from his three matches as Europe extended its unbeaten home record to six consecutive editions dating back to Bjørn’s debut in 1997.

Team Europe will be seeking to regain the Ryder Cup against the United States team which will be led by Zach Johnson, who has named Steve Stricker, the victorious 2020 U.S. Captain, as his own first vice captain.

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New winds are starting to blow in the …

New winds are starting to blow in the European basketball world. The NBA has been actively researching the market for quite some time, but it’s starting to be much more than that now. FIBA has already shown an initiative to sit behind the negotiation table with the EuroLeague while the NBA representatives are watching the situation. The NBA is believed to be the power that finally puts the conflict to bed. FIBA has contacted NBA commissioner Adam Silver regarding the opportunity, and the league’s leader has reacted affirmatively. The EuroLeague did not disregard the invitation as well.

The NBA has wanted to join forces with …

The NBA has wanted to join forces with the governing bodies of European basketball for a long time, especially with the EuroLeague. The organization has been exploring the idea of investing in a current basketball product for several years now. According to BasketNews sources, the NBA gave its European organization a task to evaluate the EuroLeague product as a possible investment opportunity.

NBA vice-president of NBA Europe Jesus …

NBA vice-president of NBA Europe Jesus Bueno: When we look at Europe, a continent where I was born and raised and played in the ACB, we see tremendous basketball culture. Europe has a strong fanbase, and the basketball level is really high here. We want to openly look at how we can benefit the current ecosystem so that it improves even more. We are ready to negotiate with anybody, whether it’s FIBA, EuroLeague, EuroLeague clubs, or representatives from national federations, and find out if we can be beneficial. We are already operating at a ground level, and we’re communicating with more than 28 federations in hopes of developing basketball not only in Europe. We have launched more than 100 Jr. NBA leagues.