This week brings an exciting combination of new trials and old returns to the sporting scene. As the PGA Tour prepares for the conclusion of its regular season at the 2025 Wyndham Championship, golf fans are gearing up for a fiercely competitive battle for FedEx Cup Playoffs qualification. At 45, Venus Williams amazes fans again with a US Open Mixed Doubles wild card, marking a stunning and remarkable comeback.
Wyndham Championship: The Final Push for Playoff Glory
The 2025 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, is not a typical tournament. It is a chance for most golfers to earn their ticket to the FedEx Cup Playoffs. With only 70 players qualifying for next week’s FedEx St. Jude Invitational, the pressure and stakes are at their peak.
The tournament is a mix of veterans and new challengers. Current favorite Matt Fitzpatrick is +2000, having played well recently at The Open. Defending champion Aaron Rai, who won his first PGA Tour title here, returns as a strong contender with +2200 odds. Keegan Bradley, the sole top-10 ranked player for the tournament, is another favorite at +2500, with Ben Griffin. Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott aim to make an impact, entering with odds of +3000, +3300, and +5500.
Interestingly, Sedgefield Country Club’s history in the past is that long shots do indeed have a valid chance. Lucas Glover, for example, won the title in 2023 with a staggering +9000 payout. This year, a top model known for correctly predicting 16 majors, including all 2025 majors, is making bold new predictions.
The model surprisingly predicts 13-time PGA Tour winner Jordan Spieth might disappoint and only secure a top-10 finish. Spieth has not enjoyed a good couple of years without a win and inconsistent recent form. The reverse is the case with +3500 candidate Akshay Bhatia; the model is anticipating a late surge. The 23-year-old American has had some highlights this season with seven top-25 finishes and three top-10s. Aaron Rai’s accurate ball-striking makes him a strong contender again, especially on a course tailored to his playing style.
With many players on the bubble, expect a thrilling finish where each shot could determine their season’s fate. History at the course. With seven of the last eight winners finishing at 20-under, a birdie fest is likely, making accuracy and approach play crucial.
Venus Williams: A Timeless Return to the US Open
At 45, tennis legend Venus Williams gets a wild card to compete in mixed doubles at the upcoming US Open. She will partner up with Reilly Opelka, and it is a great moment in her phenomenal comeback to the sport.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles and two-time mixed doubles major champion, recently returned to the tour after over a year away. Her DC Open comeback featured singles and doubles wins, proving her enduring tennis skill, determination, and passion remain as strong. She was also handed a wild card at the Cincinnati Open, further establishing her place on the tour.
Her US Open showing is particularly significant given that mixed doubles is the only Grand Slam title she has not yet achieved. Venus and Opelka were among six wild card winners as the USTA revealed 14 teams for the new mixed doubles event. The tournament’s new structure, offering a tempting $1 million prize for the winning team, adds an extra layer of excitement.
Venus’s return is not merely about competition; it’s a testament to her relentless dedication and belief in “no limits for excellence.” As she explained it, “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall. Doesn’t matter how many times you get sick or get hurt or whatever it is. If you keep believing and putting in the effort, there is a chance, there is room, for you.”
Her powerful shots and precise groundstrokes continue to inspire, reflecting her enduring impact on fans and fellow competitors alike. Pro golf’s fierce battles and a tennis legend’s fight against time reveal sports’ relentless intensity and unyielding drive to succeed.
