Latest news with #Scot
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Titan sub Scot branded 'hero' for trying to halt dive before being fired for raising concerns
Glaswegian David Lochridge, who was the former Director of Marine Operations, warned OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush about the dangers of the Titan sub before he was sacked for speaking up A Scot who tried to halt the journey of the fatal Titan submersible has been "unsung hero". Glaswegian David Lochridge attempted to stop the sub ahead of its doomed journey to the wreckage, which led to the death of five people on board. David has been praised by viewers for his admirable efforts amid the release of a Netflix documentary on the disaster. The streaming platform released TITAN: The OceanGate Disaster last week, which explores the events leading up to the tragedy on June 18, 2023. The submersible had been making a trip to the Titanic ruins in the north Atlantic when it imploded, killing everyone in an instant. Among the dead were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61, French Pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, British businessman and explorer Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, a Pakistani/British/Maltese businessman, and his teenage son Suleman Dawood, 19, who was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The documentary shows the shocking footage of the moment American born Rush fires his Director of Marine Operations, Lochridge, for expressing his expertise concerns about the safety of the Titan vessel. In one incident shown in the film, Rush told Lochridge at the last minute that he wanted to pilot the sub for a test dive to the Andrea Doria shipwreck despite the Scot's vast experience. Lochridge managed to persuade Rush that he should at least let him join him and the other four paying passengers onboard. Luckily, he did, because at one point Rush crashes the sub onto the wreck and it is Lochridge who herocially guides them out of the danger. After the incident, Lochridge explained how Rush told him "I owe you one" but then went on to leave him out of important meetings. He said Rush "never really spoke to me the rest of the trip," adding the "dynamic changed" between them. He added that he was "cut out by senior management from the Titan project," and "was dropped from all email communications, verbal communications," leaving him "totally out of the loop". After asking Lochridge to carry out an inspection on the sub, Rush fired him that day after receiving his notes which detailed faults. In a recording of the moment Lochridge was let go by Rush, viewers can hear him telling him he was "full of s**t" as he says, "I don't want anyone in this company who is uncomfortable with what we're doing". After Rush fired Lochridge, he then said he felt a duty to report his concerns to the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations, revealing that the sub was made from carbon fibre and that the OceanGate CEO has chosen not to classify the Titan vessel. Lochridge, who repeatedly made his feelings clear about the doomed vessel, is hailed as an "unsung hero" by submersible consultant Rob McCallum who was also against the Titan being used. Lochridge, who had previously piloted OceanGate expeditions, was advised that he would be protected after filing the complaint. However, OceanGate discovered his responsibility and filed a lawsuit against him for breach of contract and fraud. CEO Rush is heard saying in the documentary that he has no issue in "ruining a life" and Lochridge was forced to withdraw his complaint due to the financial impact it was having on his family and the slow pace which the case was moving at as OSHA investigator Paul McDevitt explained they had a number of other pressing cases to deal with first. Lochridge described OceanGate's lawsuit as an attempt to "keep [him] quiet so they could proceed with the project". He added that he could not believe Stockton and other staff members "were willing to play Russian roulette". Speaking about the potential dangers of the Titan in 2017, he said: "The worst things that can happen take place at shallow depths - that's where you see the biggest pressure changes. "The biggest hurdle, especially with the Atlantic, is that the weather conditions are at the beck and call of Mother Nature. We have a mobile subsea launch and recovery system, which we can deploy from once the sub is down at depth, so we should be out of the way of all the topside weather conditions."
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Everton respond as Liverpool include Jarrad Branthwaite on two-man wishlist
Liverpool are the latest club to be credited with an interest in Jarrad Branthwaite but Everton have made a move to try and lock the England defender down with a new deal Everton have opened talks with Jarrad Branthwaite over a potential contract extension amid fresh transfer interest in the defender, whose suitors now include Liverpool. Branthwaite, 22, has established himself as one of the Premier League 's top young defenders and was the subject of a £50million bid from Manchester United last summer. And after another stellar season for the Toffees, Branthwaite is once again attracting interest. It emerged earlier this week that Tottenham have set their sights on the former Carlisle United man as they seek to refresh their squad under Thomas Frank. And they are not alone in courting Branthwaite with Liverpool - Everton's bitter rivals - also among the talented defender's suitors. Everton, though, have no interest in cashing in on Branthwaite this summer and have already started to speak with the player's representatives in a bid to lock him down with a new contract. The Echo report that retaining Branthwaite's services for the 25-26 campaign is a priority for Everton, who finished last season with a flourish following the return of David Moyes. The Scot is determined to 'build his defence' around Branthwaite, who still has two years left to run on his current deal. But interest from elsewhere in the Premier League could complicate matters for Everton. While Liverpool are admirers of Branthwaite, it seems they are poised to step up their interest Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace defender who was also courted heavily by top clubs last summer. Join the debate! Where do you think Branthwaite will be playing next season? Let us know here The 24-year-old England star was the subject of two failed transfer bids from Newcastle 12 months ago but is now in the final year of his deal, meaning Palace's bargaining power is not as strong as it once was. Guehi has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Jarell Quansah, who is in talks over a move to Bayer Leverkusen. A deal - which would be separate to the agreement which will see Florian Wirtz become a Liverpool player this weekend - could happen with the Bundesliga outfit ready to pay around £34m. The Reds are also closing in on a deal for Milos Kerkez, who would join from Bournemouth, while they are also said to be on the lookout for a new striker with Darwin Nunez expected to move on in the transfer window.
Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish golf round up: Watters win, Marshall marathon plus lots more
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The golf season is now in full swing and here is our latest round up of grass-roots stories around Scotland. Watters win in Foremost Championship made special by sons It was a family affair as Gourock's Derek Watters created history as the first Scot to win the Foremost Head Professionals' Championship. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With one of his sons caddying for him and the other one watching, Watters claimed the crown after coming out on top in a six-man play-off at The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel & Spa. Gourock Golf Club professional Derek Watters shows off the trophy with his two sons after winning the Foremost Championship at The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel & Spa | Will Johnston Photography It was mission accomplished for Watters as he made a great save from a greenside bunker at the second extra hole. 'The support of TaylorMade and the Foremost staff make this trip a must', said the winner. 'It is a long way for us to travel down from Scotland, but this event is always circled on my calendar each year. 'As a TaylorMade partner, I appreciate their help each and every day and more so at events like these. It's really nice to get this one over the line, and the fact my sons were there with me made it extra special!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ladybank staged an 18-hole event on the Golfbreaks Scottish Women's Amateur Tour | Contributed Martine Pow lands SWAT spoils at Ladybank Former Scottish Women's champion Martine Pow, a Selkirk member these days, won the 18-hole Golfbreaks Scottish Women's Amateur Tour at Ladybank. She carded a three-over-par 74 - she birdied the 16th and 18th on the tough back nine at the Fife venue - to win the scratch section by one shot from Cori Lee of Dumfries & Galloway. In the net category, there was a three-way tie on 68 between Karima Hassan (Glasgow), Kristy Bambridge (Bridge of Allan) and Caroline Steedman (Murrayfield), with Hassan securing the top prize with a better back nine. Bathgate's Joe Bryce is congratulated by Andrew McIntyre, the general manager at Hilton Park | PGA in Scotland Joe Bryce shoots bogey-free 64 in Hilton Park triumph Bathgate's Joe Bryce produced a classy display to win the 36-Hole OOM Challenge at Hilton Park on the Arnold Clark PGA in Scotland Tartan Tour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bryce, a prolific winner over the winter on the East Alliance circuit, carded rounds of 67-64 for eight-under-par total to win by a shot. Picked up a cheque for £1325, he carded a bogey-free second-round effort, picking up birdies at the first, seventh and ninth going out before adding gains at the tenth, 12th and 16th coming home. Chris Maclean (Hayston) and Gavin Hay (East Renfrewshire) shared second spot on seven under. In other recent events on the circuit, Fraser Hughes (The Gleneagles Hotel) won the ProScot Golf Tour Young Pro OOM Sprint at Deeside with a two-under 68 while there was a five-way tie in the Muir of Ord Pro-Am. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was a result of Kyle Godsman (Nairn), Ross Munro (golfclubs4cash), Rob Paterson (Kilspindie), Jordan Ferrie (Golspie) and Scott Henderson (Kings Links Golf Centre) all signing for two-under 66s. Golfbreaks Get Back to Golf Tour founder Alan Tait pictured with some of his fellow competitors at Duddington | Contributed Duddingston delight for Malcolm Pennycott Royal Burgess amateur Malcolm Pennycott landed the spoils in the Golfbreaks Get Back to Golf Tour event at Duddingston with a four-under-par 68. Pennycott carded five birdies, with the only blemish on his card being a bogey at the par-4 12th at the Capital course, He won by two strokes from Gullane professional Lewis Hannah, with Neil Henderson (Renaissance Club) a shot further back on 71. Tour organiser Alan Tait (Golfbreaks) finished fourth with a level-par 72. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pennycott's win moved him up to second in the Golf Finance Ltd Order of Merit, just 3 points behind Kilspindie professional Rob Paterson. The leading 12 players from the end-of-season OOM will compete in the Dumbarnie Links Tour Final in October. Sculptor David Annand, left, and Professor David Bell, past captain of Royal Dornoch, pictured with the clay model of the statue of Highland icons Donald Ross and John Sutherland, which will feature at the entrance to the new clubhouse | Liz Rankin Royal Dornoch statue will commemorate two key figures Royal Dornoch has commissioned Scots sculptor David Annand to create a bronze statue commemorating two key figures in the history of the renowned Highland club. At a new eco-friendly clubhouse that is on target for an official opening next year, members and visiting golfers will be greeted at the entrance by a statue of legendary golf course architect Donald Ross and John Sutherland, the influential club secretary who served Royal Dornoch for nearly 60 years from 1883 until his death in 1941. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Annand's acclaimed sculpture of Old Tom Morris, was unveiled last year in St Andrews near the Royal and Ancient clubhouse. And, with the new £13.9 million clubhouse nearing completion and the club's 150th anniversary looming in 2027, past captain Professor David Bell and general manager Neil Hampton turned to the Fife-based sculptor to create a statue which would celebrate the rich legacy of Sutherland and Ross. 'The statue has been made possible by a generous donation by an anonymous member based in America,' said Professional Bell. The club has also set up a charity – the Royal Dornoch Foundation (Heritage) – to channel member donations from both sides of the Atlantic into maintaining and publicising the club's rich history.' Maggie Marshall, the ladies' captain at Blairgowrie, is set to take on a marathon challenge in aid of Alzheimer Scotland | Contributed Maggie Marshall tees up golf marathon at Blairgowrie Maggie Marshall, the ladies' captain at The Blairgowrie Golf Club is teeing up an emotional tribute to her mum, who died from Alzheimer's at the age of 85. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On 26 June - the day which would have been her mum's birthday - Marshall will take on a marathon challenge to support Alzheimer Scotland. 'I will be attempting to play 85 holes of golf in one day at Blairgowrie,' explained Marshall. 'It's very much a step into the unknown because I've never even played two rounds in one day before. She will be joined for the final round by her vice-captain Heather Dawson, gent's captain Alistair Batchen and his vice-captain, Steve Bruce. 'We should finish around 10pm if everything goes to plan,' added Marshall, who, in addition to four rounds over Rosemount, will also tackle 13 holes on the Wee Course at the Perthshire venue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Monifieth Links staged the last event on this season's Golfbreaks Scottish Women's Amateur Tour | Contributed Claire Penman pips Jocelyn Mackie in SWAT event at Monifieth Links Carnoustie Caledonian member Claire Penman won the scratch section in the seventh event on this season's Golfbreaks Scottish Women's Amateur Tour at Monifieth Links. In blustery conditions, Penman posted a 152 total over the two days, which included an impressive 72 on the final day. Ladybank's Jocelyn Mackie matched Penman's effort after back-to-back 76s but lost out in a card play-off on the second-round scores. Karen McGuinness (Newmachar) won the net category after posting scores of 71-74, with Mackie being pipped again on a countback. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Leanne Wilson (Kelso) and Sandra Stanton (Broomieknowe) top the scratch and net order of merits respectively with seven events left. The leading six players in each section from the end-of-season OOM's will secure their spots at the Tomatin Whisky Tour Championship Final at Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart in September. Elaine Moffat, right, is presented with the trophy by captain Morag Wardrop after winning the Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association Midland Championship at Muckhart | Contributed Elaine Moffat wins SSWGA Midland Championship Elaine Moffat is this season's Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association Midland champion after beating Alison Davidson in the title decider at Muckhart Davidson beat Lorna McKinley 5&4 in the semi-finals, where Moffat progressed with a 4&3 win over Dorothy Johnson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the final, which was played in blustery and chilly conditions, Davidson found herself four down through ten holes as her putter turned cold. She fought back to two down but ran out of holes as Moffat, playing steady golf, eventually won 3&2. Moffat also claimed her own trophy for the best gross in the qualifying round, pipping Jeanne Bell in a countback after tying on 74. Moffat will go on to represent the Midland Division against the other divisional champions at Blairgowrie in September. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Poppy Paperweight, the net prize for over 65s, was won by Rhonda Didcock with a 67 while shot of the day was host club member Kathryn Champness making a hole in one at the 156-yard unnamed (44) Robbie Bowie-Cameron is set to compete for the DeaflympicsGB Team at the Tokyo 2025 Games | Scottish Golf Robbie Bowie-Cameron set to compete for DeaflympicsGB Team in Tokyo Glasgow golfer Robbie Bowie-Cameron is set for the journey of a lifetime when he competes for the DeaflympicsGB Team at the Tokyo 2025 Games. The Deaflympics gives deaf athletes from all over the world the chance to experience international competition and go for gold. Around 4000 athletes from 80 nations will compete in an event that is the second oldest multi-sport gathering in the world dating back to 1924, when the first games were staged in Paris. 'I was completely unaware of the opportunity until I saw an email from Scottish Golf,' said the 38-year-old civil servant. 'It caught my attention, and I started to do a bit of digging to find out the eligibility rules. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I got in touch with my audiologist to make sure that my level of deafness met the qualifying criteria and when it did, I decided to put my name forward. 'I then got the invite to play in the qualifier and while I prepared as best I could, I really didn't know what to expect. 'I had never been in that scenario before playing with other deaf golfers in a competitive environment, but I was made to feel really welcome. And, when I played well enough to qualify and become the only Scot on the team, it was amazing. 'I still can't quite believe what has happened to me and that I'm heading off to Tokyo. We have three training camps as a squad before then. The first is at Cannock at the end of June and maybe then it will start to really sink in.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SCHLOSS Roxburghe, venue for this year's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A, is now being operated on the golf side by IMG | Contributed Ross Ovens becomes head of golf at Schloss Roxburghe IMG Golf Course Services has increased its relationship with Schloss Roxburghe in the Scottish Borders. The full golf operation at the venue for this year's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A is now being managed by IMG. To support this increased relationship, Ross Ovens has been promoted to Head of Golf at the Kelso venue. A central part of the greenkeeping operation there for more than 25 years, including more than a decade as Golf Course & Estates Manager, Ross will report directly into IMG's management team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paralympian David Smith MBE has returned to golf this year | Scottish Golf Paralympian David Smith teams up with Scottish Golf Paralympian David Smith MBE has joined forces with Scottish Golf to help showcase the developing opportunities within the game for players with a disability by charting his own remarkable and inspirational return to the sport during 2025. A multi-sport athlete, Smith struck gold for GB in rowing at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. This achievement came just two years after undergoing life-saving cancer surgery which involved cutting into his spinal cord, removing three vertebrae, bypassing his voicebox and rebuilding his neck with metal cages and screws. A subsequent blood clot left him paralysed and requiring more surgery before an intensive spell of rehab where Smith learned how to walk again. This year, the 47-year-old embarked on a fresh challenge by making a return to golf. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Golf has been with Smith every step of the way to film his progress and Smith said: 'If you'd told me six months ago that I'd be back playing golf, getting an official handicap index and playing in a national open, I'd have laughed at the prospect. Ludicrous! 'Hopefully, by sharing my journey back to golf I can help spread the word that this wonderful game really is accessible to anyone who wants to pick up a club. I love the game and always have, but the last six months have given me a new appreciation of the sport. 'In the world of sport, golf really is unique – a game where I could choose to tee it up alongside any other player, no matter their ability and, because of the handicap system, enjoy a competitive match. It's an incredible sport for both body and mind and I want to shout about this to anyone who will listen.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scots golf star abruptly DROPPED from PGA Tour's live TV coverage despite US Open exploits in shock snub
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROBERT MACINTYRE was all set to show the world the talents that took him to within a whisker of winning the US Open. But then the PGA Tour's broadcaster had other ideas. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Bob MacIntyre in action at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut Credit: Alamy 3 The Scot was supposed to be one of the Featured Groups at the event Credit: Getty 3 But he and his playing partner were pulled from the live coverage Credit: Getty The Scot finished runner-up after thriving while others struggled at Oakmont at the weekend, only just pipped at the post by some brilliance from JJ Spaun. It was MacIntyre's best finish in a major championship and he's now determined to ensure he doesn't wait too long before getting his hands on one of golf's biggest prizes. He gained an army of new fans for his reaction to Spaun's winning moment but he and the rest of the golf world's focus turns back to the regular PGA Tour this week, with many of the sport's top stars in action at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. The eighth (and final) Signature Event on the PGA Tour, a total purse of $20million (£14.8m) is up for grabs for the 72 players taking part. MacIntyre, 28, rose to 12th in the world rankings after his efforts in Pennsylvania. Also in contention late on last week was Viktor Hovland, one of MacIntyre's Ryder Cup team mates. They were selected to be paired together for their first round at the Travelers and earlier this week were announced as one of the featured groups at the elevated event, meaning they would be the one of the main focuses of the broadcast. But just hours before they were due to tee off they were DROPPED by the broadcaster, ESPN. On the morning of the first round, ESPN decided that they would pull the European duo in favour of American world number 94 Max Homa and 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day. Fans on social media speculated that the decision was made purely so that ESPN could feature another United States player in their coverage. Tearful JJ Spaun sinks monster putt on final hole as 120/1 underdog pips Robert MacIntyre to US Open crown at Oakmont This fan said: "Of course they are, [MacIntyre and Hovland] aren't American." A second said: "They'd cover the 500th ranked American before a European." And another said: "That's a poor decision after both of their performances at the weekend." Due to the Travelers being an elevated event there is no cut so all 72 players will compete over four rounds at TPC River Highlands. MacIntyre carded a relatively underwhelming 71 for a score of one over par, with two birdies, a bogey and a nasty double bogey on the 16th. Hovland had a better day however, posting a 66 for a score of four under par. Masters champion Rory McIlroy bounced back from a difficult US Open to end the first round on six under par but leading the way on eight under are two Americans: world number one Scottie Scheffler and world number 73 Austin Eckroat. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Todd: My career has been stop-start, but now I'm building momentum
Despite having turned professional four years ago, the Glaswegian has racked up only four pro fights. Postponements, cancellations and withdrawals have ensured that Todd's competitive appearances have been considerably more sparse than she'd have liked but finally, she's optimistic she's going to be able to start building momentum within the sport which will, in the not too distant future, lead to titles. This evening, Todd will step into the ring for the fifth time as a professional fighter when she faces Welshwoman Ashleigh Johnson on the undercard of the Commonwealth Super Flyweight title fight between Matty McHale and Sean Bruce at East Kilbride's Playsport Arena. And she admits that this fight, and the prospect of moving onto bigger and better things in the near future, is a welcome reward for the hundreds, if not thousands of hours she's put in at the gym over recent months and years. 'In the past couple of years, when I was training so hard in the gym and then having to face these setbacks with fights not happening, it was really demoralising,' the 27-year-old says. 'But I love training so that helped me keep plugging away, even when there were tough times. 'I've always been obsessed with training but it was when I turned pro that I became really locked-in at the gym. I don't do anything other than train, so I'm in really good shape despite the fact I've only had a few fights.' Cassidy Tod won her most recent fight in February (Image: .) Todd, who was Glasgow's first-ever female pro boxer, boasts a flawless 4-0 record while her opponent, Johnson, is 3-2, with this bout, which is a Commonwealth super bantamweight title eliminator, Todd's first ten-rounder. But rather than be daunted by the extended bout, the Scot is supremely confident that the longer outing will suit her perfectly and a victory will serve as a springboard to the title fights that she's craved for so long. 'I'm buzzing - this is the most excited I've ever been ahead of a fight,' she says of tonight's bout. 'The longer fights suit me, and allow me to get into my groove. I'm confident that I'll get the win and can then move on to a title fight, which will put me right in the mix and things will start to happen for me. It feels such a relief that my hard work is now paying off.' To date, Scotland's most successful female boxer is two-belt world super welterweight champion, Hannah Rankin. But with Rankin having moved into bare knuckle fighting in recent months, there's an opening for another female fighter to become the new standard-bearer for women's boxing in this country. There's every chance that woman will be Todd, and the Glaswegian is confident she has the ability to emulate the success of Rankin and continue to grow the sport in this country. She certainly knows how important it is for female fighters to be recognised and respected. Todd first walked into a boxing gym as a 14-year-old when female fighters were an endangered species but in the years since, she's seen a significant shift in the attitudes of most towards female fighters. There is, she acknowledges, much work still to do to close the gap between women's boxing and men's but she's hopeful of continuing the progress, and is optimistic she can play a significant role in continuing the growth of women's boxing in this country. 'I would like to hope I could be the next big Scottish female fighter. I'm not all that comfortable being in the spotlight but my fighting style is really exciting and so to get recognition would be great,' she says. 'Female fighters do get more respect now than in the past, but it's still harder for female fighters to catch people's attention. But actually, there's so many people within boxing who think the female fighters produce more exciting fights. All I can do is hope that my hard work pays off and if I keep winning then people will take notice. 'There's never been a female British champion from Scotland so I'd love to get that belt and then move on to world titles after that.'
