PGA America CEO Derek Sprague, is stepping away from his role after one year to help support his mother and mother-in-law.

Sprague said he realized he needed to spend more time at home after his daughter’s wedding.

“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in a statement. “Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.”

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Sprague took over in January 2025, becoming the first club professional in 20 years and the first PGA president appointed to the role. He informed the PGA of America board in early December he needed to go home to Malone, New York, and said he would stay on in an advisory role until his successor is found.

Sprague, who served as PGA president from 2014-16, was selected as CEO to replace Seth Waugh, the former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO who had been lured out of retirement in 2018.

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Derek Sprague, CEO of the PGA of America, speaks to the media prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., May 13, 2025. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Waugh had been grooming Craig Kessler, the PGA’s chief operating officer, as a potential replacement, but the PGA board opted for one of its members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.

Sprague stepping down extends the turnover in golf’s executive leadership. Brian Rolapp took over in August as CEO of the PGA Tour Enterprises, Kessler joined the LPGA in July and Mark Darbon is just over a year into his role as CEO of the R&A.

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Derek Sprague, PGA of America CEO, attends a press conference beside the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course Sept. 17, 2025 in Farmingdale, N.Y. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Sprague was the PGA of America executive who reached out to Rory McIlroy to apologize for the verbal abuse that he and his wife endured at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s wife, Erica, previously worked at the PGA of America, and McIlroy said Sprague “couldn’t have been more gracious” in what he described as a “lovely letter.”

He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Alabama‘s Ty Simpson, who is projected to be among the first quarterbacks selected in this year’s NFL draft, is passing up his senior year of college and turning pro.

Simpson wrote in an Instagram post that included a narrated video: “Grateful for every single second. Blessed beyond measure to be able to chase my dreams. Time to roll. Roll Tide.”

“It wasn’t all perfect, and it didn’t have to be, but every moment had meaning, and I gave Alabama my all,” Simpson said in the video. “And I got so much more in return. Coach [Nick] Saban was right — it was all worth it.”

Simpson, who started just one season for the Crimson Tide, informed Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb of his decision Wednesday, sources told ESPN.

Simpson’s father, UT-Martin football coach Jason Simpson, said his son received first-round grades from every NFL general manager they contacted.

“Nobody said second round,” Jason Simpson told ESPN.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Ty Simpson as the third-best quarterback eligible for the draft, behind Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Oregon‘s Dante Moore, who haven’t yet declared.

Jason Simpson said his son also had offers to transfer to other Power 4 schools. Sources previously told ESPN that Miami, Oregon and Tennessee were interested in signing Simpson if he entered the transfer portal.

“There were very, very lucrative opportunities to play another year of college football,” Jason Simpson said.

Ty Simpson, a junior from Martin, Tennessee, completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025, leading the No. 9 Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record.

After getting off to a sizzling start and being mentioned among the leading Heisman Trophy contenders, Simpson struggled late in the season, as Alabama’s lack of a running game put more pressure on him to produce in the passing game.

In the Crimson Tide’s final four games, Simpson completed 57% of his attempts for an average of 158.3 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.

Simpson suffered a cracked rib in the first half of a 38-3 loss to No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. He said the injury occurred after he took a helmet to the rib while scrambling for a first down late in the first half. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 67 yards against the Hoosiers.

Simpson signed with Saban out of high school in 2022. He was a backup for three seasons before finally replacing Jalen Milroe, who was selected in the 2025 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, as the starter this past season under DeBoer.

“You coach players and help them reach their goals and dreams,” Jason Simpson said. “Yes, they would love for him to come back. But if you’ve got an opportunity to go be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, you go. That’s why they pour all that into you, for that individual opportunity, so I really appreciated them.”

Darren Fletcher has an opportunity to make a unique piece of Premier League history when he takes charge of Manchester United on Wednesday.

United have turned to their under-18 manager Fletcher to temporarily replace Ruben Amorim, who was sacked.

Fletcher’s short-term appointment means that he will be in charge of not one but two of his sons, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher, who are part of United’s first-team squad amid a sea of injuries and AFCON exits.

Jack and Tyler, who are 18-year-old twins, were both on the bench for the draw away at Leeds, Amorim’s final game in charge of the club, and are now faced with the novelty of being available for selection under their father.

They would be the first brothers to both play under their father’s management, if they each make an appearance against Burnley.

– Ruben Amorim sacked as Man United manager
– Amorim calls out Man United bosses: ‘Do your jobs’
– Amorim wants control at United, but his outburst could cost him his job

Will Fletcher play either of his sons?

Jack Fletcher, a midfielder, made his United debut against Aston Villa as a substitute on Dec. 21. He then also came off the bench on Boxing Day against Newcastle, then against Wolves too.

Tyler, however, is yet to make a first-team debut. He is also a midfielder.

United started their previous match with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in central midfield. Amorim brought on only one substitute, forward Joshua Zirkzee, in his last game.

Interestingly, the Fletcher family aren’t the only father-son[s] combination in the history of the Premier League, ESPN takes a look at some of the other famous family connections…

Jamie and Harry Redknapp

It was the second time Harry managed his son Jamie, but the first time in the Premier League. Previously, they worked together at Bournemouth in 1989 — when Jamie was just 16. However, they reunited on the south coast in January 2005 when Jamie signed for Southampton on a free transfer, becoming his father’s first signing at the club.

Jamie made 17 total appearances (16 in the Premier League and 1 in the FA Cup) before retiring at the end of the season citing persistent knee injuries.

Nigel and Brian Clough

Brian Clough managed his son, Nigel, throughout Nigel’s first spell as a player at Nottingham Forest from 1984 to 1993. During this period, Nigel made over 400 appearances and scored 131 goals under his father’s management. Together, they also won the Football League Cup in both 1989 and 1990.

Nigel also featured for England, securing 14 caps — all of which were earned during his time at Forest under his father. Nigel would later follow his famous father into management too, where he’d coach Derby County and Burton Albion amongst others.

Darren and Sir Alex Ferguson

Darren was handed his Manchester United debut by Sir Alex and went on to make 30 appearances across four years at the club. One of his longest stints in the team came when captain Bryan Robson suffered injury, resulting in Darren making 15 appearances for United in 1992-1993. As a result of making 10 appearances, Darren qualified for a Premier League winners medal that season.

He later moved on to Wolverhampton Wanderers and has since said that playing under his father at United was a difficult period.

Gavin and Gordon Strachan

Gavin played under his father at Coventry City, but those his appearances were limited. Of the 13 appearances he made during the period, 11 of them were as a substitute. He stayed at Coventry after their relegation in 2001 and left shortly after his father stepped down as manager in late 2001.

Gavin stayed in the game and went into coaching, most notably spending time as first team coach with Celtic. Interestingly, he also had a spell as assistant manager to Darren Ferguson on two occasions.

Alex and Steve Bruce

It wasn’t just the once for the Bruce’s. Alex Bruce played a total of 116 competitive games under the management of his father, Steve Bruce, across two different clubs. Alex first played under his father when he joined Birmingham in 2005 and then again at Hull City in July 2012. Alex played a key role for Hull as they secured promotions to the Premier League and reached the 2014 FA Cup Final.

The bond extended off the pitch and in the dugout too. After retiring as a player, Alex joined his father’s coaching staff at West Bromwich Albion in 2022, continuing their professional association.