WILL GRAVES Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Thriston Lawrence, of South Africa, lines up a putt on the 12th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Friday, June 13, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

At the US Open, golf’s toughest test starts with two (or three) of its longest days

June 13, 2025

There’s no such thing as a quick 18 holes at the U.S. Open, particularly when it’s at Oakmont. Players needed more than 5 1/2 hours or more to get through each of the opening two rounds, much slower than what they might find at a regular tour stop. Oakmont’s daunting layout is part of the issue. The difficulty of the course doesn’t help. Viktor Hovland, who will head into the weekend in contention, tried to see the silver lining. Hovland said the lengthy wait between shots helped him to mentally reset after a difficult hole or a poor shot.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, right, talks with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during practice at NFL football minicamp in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

It didn’t take DK Metcalf long to show the Steelers what they’re getting in their new wide receiver

June 11, 2025

New Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is quickly making an impression. Metcalf nearly chased down safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on an interception return during the first day of minicamp. The play echoed Metcalf’s memorable 90-yard sprint to tackle Arizona’s Budda Baker five years ago. Metcalf says it doesn’t matter this it was only practice, running after a defender who gets his hands on the ball is part of the job. Metcalf is the unquestioned leader of Pittsburgh’s mostly young wide receiver group. The 27-year-old says he plans to lead by example but also considers himself an “open book” to more inexperienced players such as Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson.

Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play in Pittsburgh this season was ‘best for my soul’

June 10, 2025

Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers is centered on his love for the game. The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year deal to join the Steelers earlier this month and joined his new teammates on the field for the opening day of minicamp. The 41-year-old Rodgers spent most of his time getting to know his surroundings, but head coach Mike Tomlin said Rodgers is the team’s starting quarterback. Rodgers said the decision to come back for a 21st season was not driven by ego but what was best for his soul.

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers first round draft pick linebacker T.J. Watt participates in a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp, May 12, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, file)

Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt skips the start of mandatory minicamp

June 10, 2025

Aaron Rodgers is ready to take the practice field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is not. The star outside linebacker is skipping the start of mandatory minicamp. Watt likely is eyeing a new deal as he enters the final year of his current contract. The four-time All-Pro and 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension in September 2021 that was scheduled to pay him $112 million and made him the highest-paid defender in the league at the time. Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett now holds that honor after signing a deal worth $40 million a season in March.

New York Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse, right, watches during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker File)

Penguins hire Rangers assistant Dan Muse to replace Mike Sullivan as coach

June 4, 2025

Dan Muse is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins hired the former New York Rangers assistant and tasked him with helping the franchise navigate a rebuild during the twilight of longtime captain Sidney Crosby’s career. Muse replaces Mike Sullivan. Sullivan and the Penguins split in April after a nearly decade-long tenure that included a pair of Stanley Cup titles. The Rangers scooped up Sullivan, naming him their coach in May. The 42-year-old Muse was hired after a monthlong search by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas. Muse’s hiring leaves the Boston Bruins as the last of eight teams with offseason head coaching vacancies.

Despite the ‘constant noise’ surrounding Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph happy to be back in Pittsburgh

May 27, 2025

Mason Rudolph says he’s focused on being the best quarterback he can for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and not the club’s pursuit of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year deal in March. At the moment, he is also the most experienced quarterback on the roster. That would change if Rodgers signs. Rudolph says he’s learned during his career that there’s always noise surrounding a team and that he can only control what he can control.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: ‘Anybody can play GM’

May 24, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes says he’s not paying attention to the suggestion that the club should trade him. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year says he laughed when someone told him that someone asked Pirates general manager Ben Cherington if the club would consider moving on from Skenes to bolster its prospect pool. The 22-year-old Skenes says he brushed the speculation off, adding that ‘anybody can play GM.’ Cherington said trading Skenes is ‘not part of the conversation’ for the last-place club. Skenes is 3-5 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 starts this season for Pittsburgh and pitched six solid innings in what became a 6-5 victory over Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Pirates GM Ben Cherington says trading ace Paul Skenes is ‘not at all part of the conversation’

May 22, 2025

The last-place Pittsburgh Pirates have no interest in trading young ace Paul Skenes. General manager Ben Cherington says moving the 22-year-old Skenes is “not part of the conversation at all.” The Pirates are already 11 games out of playoff position before Memorial Day thanks in large part to an offense that ranks near the bottom of the majors in nearly every major category. While the Pirates have a deep pool of pitching prospects, they are lacking in quality young position players in the minors. Trading Skenes might help, but Cherington says that discussion is a non-starter. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year is 3-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 2025.

WILL GRAVES Sports Writer.

At the US Open, golf’s toughest test starts with two (or three) of its longest days

It didn’t take DK Metcalf long to show the Steelers what they’re getting in their new wide receiver

Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play in Pittsburgh this season was ‘best for my soul’

Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt skips the start of mandatory minicamp

Penguins hire Rangers assistant Dan Muse to replace Mike Sullivan as coach

Despite the ‘constant noise’ surrounding Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph happy to be back in Pittsburgh

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: ‘Anybody can play GM’

Pirates GM Ben Cherington says trading ace Paul Skenes is ‘not at all part of the conversation’

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