Scottie Scheffler admits he does not allow himself to look too far ahead as he prepares to launch his bid for a first PGA Championship title.
The world number one, who finished tied-second behind champion Brooks Koepka at Oak Hill last year, is the player in form and favourite to go one better 12 months on and claim his third major.
The reigning Masters champion is aiming to become only the third golfer since the turn of the century to win the opening two majors in a calendar year, after Tiger Woods (2002) and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Scheffler arrives at Valhalla having won four of his last five tournaments, and is 161 under par across his 10 PGA Tour events in 2024 - shooting 60s in 30 of the 39 rounds he has played.
One of only two players to finish inside the top 10 in each of the last three majors - along with Cameron Smith - big things are expected of the 28-year-old, but he highlighted the importance of staying grounded.
"I don't really try to look that far ahead," he said. "If I listen to the narratives around myself, if it was two months ago, it would probably look significantly different than it does now.
"I'm sure that wasn't a conversation you were all having two months ago and, all of a sudden, now it's like: 'Oh, he's going to win this many tournaments, or do that and do this'.
"I don't really pay attention to it, I don't really care about it. I'm trying to do the best I can out there each and every week, and as far as anything else, I'm not really too concerned with it.
"I may win a lot of major championships, I may be stuck at two the rest of my career. It doesn't really concern me at the moment. I'm just trying to prepare as best as possible for this week."
Inter Miami v Columbus Crew: Black & Gold aim for further road joy against gutsy Herons
Inter Miami are sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference table but face a challenge on Thursday when Columbus Crew visit for an MLS clash at Chase Stadium.
The Herons are two points clear at the summit of the East standings after snatching a 2-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union last time out.
Yet Wilfried Nancy's Crew have triumphed in their last four road games in the league, battling to a 3-2 victory over New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Friday.
"It's a massive run and just shows how good we are mentally" Mohamed Farsi said of the streak.
"I think we have more away wins right now than last year all season. I think so or the same, so I'm happy for that."
Farsi has become a central figure for Columbus and scored the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute against the Pigeons, much to the delight of head coach Nancy.
"The idea for Mo is to be more consistent because he brings a lot of energy to the team," Nancy said.
"He wants also to show himself that he's a better player than last year when we had the same deal here. Good for him.
"Now, he knows that he has to work on certain things, but I'm happy for him. He's doing a good job."
Despite missing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Matis Rojas – all of whom are on Copa America duty – the nine-man Herons overcame the Union thanks to Leo Afonso's last-gasp strike.
"It is clear that in 10 times, nine of these games we would end up losing," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said.
"Absolutely all the credit belongs to them. That has to do with the effort, with the character, with the guts that the boys had."
Afonso echoed his coach's sentiment ahead of another crunch match-up.
"It's difficult when you're missing the best players in history in their positions," he said. "But we got to keep working, and we got to try our best."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Jordi Alba
With stars Messi and Suarez on international duty, Jordi Alba will be expected to step up once more for the Herons.
The former Barcelona full-back has two goals this year in MLS, as well as five assists – that creative tally is only bettered by Messi (13) and Julian Gressel (six) among Miami team-mates.
Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi
Diego Rossi remains an integral figure in attack for the Crew, whose Javier Hernandez (five goals) has only scored more than the forward's four in 10 MLS games this year.
With other Uruguayan colleagues at the Copa, Rossi will hope to extend his fine scoring form here.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Miami may be leading the way in the East but a draw appears the most likely outcome at Chase Stadium.
The Herons have never lost a home match against the Crew (W2 D1), though Columbus did earn their first away point against David Beckham's Miami-based side on the last visit to Fort Lauderdale, a 2-2 draw in July 2023.
Martino will hope to continue a strong run of form with another victory, however.
Miami have won eight of their last 11 regular-season matches (D2 L1) following a 2-1 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. Since that run began in mid-April, Martino's side have managed 26 points and scored 28 goals – both league-leading figures.
Yet Columbus should not be ruled out for a win either.
The Crew have won four straight regular-season away matches for the second time in club history after a four-match run in August-September 2015.
Columbus have lost only one of their last 11 regular-season road matches, dating back to last September (W5 D5), and that streak could continue here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami win – 37.4%
Columbus Crew win – 36.3%
Draw – 26.4%
Mbappe injury leaves Deschamps concerned after France's Euro 2024 triumph
Kylian Mbappe suffering a late head injury marred France's Euro 2024 victory over Austria as Didier Deschamps was left concerned about the Les Bleus star.
The Real Madrid-bound attacker sustained a blow to his nose after an aerial challenge with Austria's Kevin Danso before Mbappe was withdrawn on Monday.
France held on for a 1-0 victory in Dusseldorf to move level with fellow Group D leaders Netherlands, but Deschamps will have to sweat over Mbappe's fitness before facing Ronald Koeman's men on Friday.
"[His] nose is not good at all," the France head coach, who hit 100 wins in charge of his country with the victory over Ralf Rangnick's side, told reporters.
"Even if it's just the nose, it's the big negative point for us tonight."
Mbappe missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the second half as his wait for a European Championship goal continued.
The former Paris Saint-Germain man remains without a goal from a total of 18 shots in the tournament, while he has registered 12 strikes from 39 attempts at the World Cup.
Mbappe played the cross in for Max Wober's decisive first-half own-goal, however, as the centre-back's inadvertent error proved the difference in the pair's tournament opener.
France are the first European side at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) to benefit from 10 own-goals, four more than any other side – Germany are the next best on six.
Deschamps was still satisfied with Les Bleus' work, though acknowledged their failure in front of goal.
"Happy with what the players did even if we missed opportunities to double the tally," he added. "It was not perfect but we were solid.
"We could have been more efficient offensively but it's good to start with a win.
"There's quality and talent but being solid and working together is also important. We're not going to be over-confident, but it's a good start."
N'Golo Kante was named as the Player of the Match after his efficient display in midfield, having only returned to the international setup for this tournament after a two-year absence.
No France player made more successful tackles than Kante's two (level with Jules Kounde), while the midfielder's pair of interceptions marked the most for Les Bleus.
"Everything was not perfect but we have the result we wanted, this is a good start," Kante said. "There are solid foundations, we have to be more efficient.
"It makes me happy to be back. Things have changed, makes it feels good to get back into this jersey."
The defeat ended a run of seven games without a loss for Austria in all competitions (W6 D1), while it was only their second reverse in their last 17 matches (W12 D3).
Yet former Manchester United boss Rangnick refused to point the blame at any of Austria's players.
"We are all very disappointed... we allowed France to go ahead, they didn't shoot their goal, it was an unlucky own goal by us," Rangnick said.
"I think no one can accuse the team of not being engaged enough, not running enough. They gave their everything.
"They didn't always make the right decisions with the ball. But it isn't easy, the French were aggressive, and played compactly and that wasn't a surprise."
McIlroy set for break after toughest day of career in US Open collapse
Rory McIlroy intends to take a break from golf after his US Open collapse as the Northern Irishman bemoaned the toughest day of his career following further major disappointment at Pinehurst.
The four-time major champion has not triumphed in one of golf's top events since 2014 at the PGA Championship.
McIlroy came within touching distance of ending that decade-long wait on Sunday but fell short in disappointing circumstances as Bryson DeChambeau claimed the US Open title by a shot in North Carolina.
The 35-year-old McIlroy managed to bogey three of his final four holes in the last round at Pinehurst's No.2 course, including a woeful miss from a short putting distance on the 18th.
DeChambeau was left to save par with an impressive up-and-down from the near-side bunker, leaving McIlroy to rue another missed opportunity on the major stage.
"Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer," McIlroy wrote on social media.
"Firstly, I'd like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.
"As I reflect on my week, I'll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day.
"But, as I always try to do, I'll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have.
"The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I've shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again."
McIlroy was expected to play in this week's Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
However, the world number two confirmed he will not feature as McIlroy prepares for a break after suffering a brutal blow to his major hopes.
"I'm going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defence of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon," he concluded.
The Scottish Open does not start until July 11, leaving McIlroy with almost a month to recover from this setback.
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