NAPLES, Fla. – Akshay Bhatia and Jennifer Kupcho met for the first time at a cocktail party on Tuesday at the Grant Thornton Invitational. The mixed-team partners didn’t see each other again until they warmed up next to each other on the range Friday. With tournament pro-ams scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday, there’s not much time to build team chemistry. “Jennifer and I were texting yesterday trying to figure out like a team name,” said Bhatia. “That didn't work.” The newness of it all, however, did nothing to dampen their success. Kupcho and Bhatia opened with a 13-under 59 at Tiburon Golf Club in the scramble format to sit one shot behind former UCLA players Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp, who also met for the first time this week. While this marks the second playing of the Grant Thornton Invitational, there aren’t many repeat teams from last year. In fact, of the 16 total teams, only three played together last year, including defending champions Lydia Ko and Jason Day. Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, who finished second in 2024, and Lexi Thompson/Rickie Fowler round out the trio of returners. “You know, you just don't want it to be awkward,” said Bhatia of teeing it up with a well-known stranger. Cameron Young and Lauren Coughlin met for the first time on Monday and had dinner together on Thursday evening. They hadn’t played a round of golf together until Friday’s opening round, but Young knew of Coughlin's breakout season on the LPGA. “It was a scramble, so we figured one of us would hit one good shot,” said Coughlin of the day’s strategy. Things are bound to get more complicated on Saturday, however, when the format changes to foursomes (alternate shot). When asked what they learned about each other’s games on Day 1, Coughlin said, “He hits it really far and really straight.” Young noted that he made Coughlin putt all the three- and five-footers first on Friday. “Really nice kind of just leaning on my putter over there and watching her make those,” he said. France’s Celine Boutier and Matthieu Pavon met for the first time at the Paris Olympics. Boutier arrived at the venue early to watch Pavon hit the first tee shot and was in shock by how many people were there. Pavon had never felt more emotional inside the ropes than he did that day. The Grant Thornton provides a rare opportunity for the two compatriots to get to know each other. “This is why I feel like it's a great tournament because I'm not sharing a lot of time during the year with Celine,” said Pavon, “and she's probably the best player ever in France. She won a major, she had a very, very successful career so far. It's all about like watching what she's got and what she does better than most other players, and that's very nice for me.” As for the leaders, well, they met on Tuesday for a practice round. Tavatanakit had planned to only play nine holes but had so much fun with Knapp that she carried on after the turn. “I feel like I haven't played golf like this free in a while,” said Tavatanakit, “so it is actually a really nice feeling. I feel very secure out there because I know I have a really good partner.” The pair birdied every hole on the front nine to shoot 27. On the back, they finished eagle-birdie to post a 58 on a windy day in south Florida. Their team name – Rocco’s on Thursday – is an ode to a favorite bar in Westwood. Last week, Knapp spent some time with another Bruin, Solheim Cup player Alison Lee, and got some insight on his new partner. “She said she can get a little upset at times and get down on herself maybe,” said Knapp of what he learned, “so she was like just don't let her get that way. I was like, that's fine, I get upset, too. “No, it was just kind of more so just like keep the conversation going and just make sure we have a good time between shots.” “Basically, he's just babysitting me,” Tavatanakit replied with a smile. The banter is already flowing.
The HDMI Forum, the governing body behind the ubiquitous HDMI standard, has announced that the next generation of HDMI technology, HDMI 2.2, will be officially unveiled on January 6th, 2025, just before the commencement of CES 2025 in Las Vegas. This news has sent ripples of excitement through the tech world, as HDMI 2.2 promises to redefine home entertainment, gaming, and more with its significantly enhanced capabilities. But what exactly does HDMI 2.2 bring to the table, and how will it impact consumers? This article delves deep into the anticipated features of HDMI 2.2, exploring its potential benefits and addressing the key questions surrounding this upcoming technology. From higher resolutions and refresh rates to a brand-new cable design, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this exciting development. The Need for Speed: Why HDMI 2.2 Matters In a world of ever-increasing digital demands, our connectivity standards must keep pace. With the rise of 8K content, 120Hz gaming, and the growing complexity of multimedia experiences, the limitations of current HDMI versions are becoming increasingly apparent. HDMI 2.2 emerges as the solution, addressing these challenges with a substantial leap in bandwidth and capabilities. Think of it like this: imagine trying to water your garden with a small hose. It works fine for a few plants, but as your garden grows, you need a wider hose to deliver enough water effectively. Similarly, HDMI 2.2 provides a much wider “pipe” for data, enabling the seamless flow of high-resolution images, audio, and other information. Key Features and Enhancements: A Closer Look While the official specifications are still under wraps, the HDMI Forum has hinted at several key improvements in HDMI 2.2. These include: What This Means for You: Practical Implications The arrival of HDMI 2.2 has significant implications for various aspects of our digital lives: However, it’s important to note that to fully leverage the benefits of HDMI 2.2, you’ll need compatible devices, including TVs, gaming consoles, and media players, as well as the new HDMI 2.2 cable. My Personal Take: A Glimpse into the Future As someone who has closely followed the evolution of HDMI technology, I’m particularly excited about the potential of HDMI 2.2 to unlock new levels of visual fidelity and performance. I recall the days when 1080p was considered cutting-edge, and now we’re on the cusp of mainstream 8K and beyond. It’s a testament to the relentless pace of technological advancement. I believe HDMI 2.2 will be a game-changer, not just for home entertainment, but also for professional applications such as medical imaging, virtual reality, and more. The increased bandwidth and capabilities will open doors to new possibilities and innovations. Addressing Your Questions: FAQs on HDMI 2.2 Looking Ahead: The Future of Connectivity The announcement of HDMI 2.2 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of connectivity . As we move towards a future of increasingly data-intensive applications, standards like HDMI 2.2 will play a crucial role in enabling seamless and immersive experiences. While CES 2025 will officially unveil HDMI 2.2, the journey has just begun. We can anticipate further advancements and refinements in the years to come, as technology continues to evolve and redefine the way we interact with the digital world.The widow of the late England rugby star Tom Voyce has expressed that the family has been "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of support following his tragic disappearance. Tom Voyce, 43, and a former wing for England, was tragically swept away while attempting to drive across a swollen river during Storm Darragh near Alnwick, Northumberland, last weekend. After days of relentless searching by emergency services and local volunteers, a body was discovered in the River Aln on Thursday (December 12), found downstream from where Mr Voyce's car was lost. It has now been officially confirmed that the recovered body is indeed Mr Voyce, who was born in Truro and played throughout his youth in Cornwall. His wife, Anna, released a heart-wrenching statement: "Absolutely devastated and heartbroken doesn't even describe how we feel." She continued with poignant determination, focusing on their son: "My main focus now is our son Oscar, having done what he asked, 'find Daddy'." Anna also highlighted the family's involvement in the search efforts: "All of Tom's family were involved in the search." Expressing gratitude towards those who coordinated the search, she said: "I will be forever grateful to my brothers Hugh and Jamie, Aidan Philipson and Garry Whitfield for co-ordinating the search party working alongside the police teams." Reflecting on the community's response, she added: "Tom would be blown away by the amount of people that were out there helping." "We have all been overwhelmed by the support of friends, many travelling from far afield to help with the search." Anna spoke of the tight-knit community they are part of: "We are just so lucky to live in such a special community that pulled together to find Tom." She concluded by sharing a personal detail about their life changes: the family had moved from London to Northumberland in 2019, and her husband had left his position at Investec bank to start Trevow Vegetation Management. Voyce was well-established within the communities of Northumberland and Scottish Borders, areas that have seen many local residents come forward to aid in the search efforts, according to Mrs Voyce. She mentioned: "Tom was fully immersed in Alnwick Rugby Club and was much loved by Oscar's under sevens team which he coached with gusto, giving back to the game that gave him so much." "Oscar is immensely proud of his daddy and he was the best father and role model that Oscar could have asked for." "Tom was proud, and cherished, his rugby memories and as an adopted 'Northumbrian' local he leaves a hole in so many of our hearts." "With his big warm smile, passion and funny stories he loved nothing better than sitting round a table chatting with family and friends." Tom studied at Cirencester Agricultural College where he encountered his future brother-in-law Jamie and subsequently befriended Anna, leading to their marriage at Babington House, Somerset in 2015. Following her tenure as a consultant for the British Lions, she founded her own web-based homeware brand, OSSKI, post the birth of their child. Mr. Voyce's mother Christine still lives in Cornwall, the county of Tom's upbringing alongside his late father Michael and sister Emily, who has taken up residence in New York. The family expresses immense gratitude to the police, mountain rescue, and all specialist teams involved in the search operations, while requesting privacy during this time. Anxiety regarding Voyce's whereabouts arose on Sunday after he did not return home from socialising with friends the preceding Saturday. His Toyota Hilux was found downstream from Abberwick Ford, leading police to believe he was carried away while attempting to flee the vehicle. The river's level was notably high over the weekend as Storm Darragh battered the UK. A large-scale search operation was initiated, involving Northumbria Police, drone technology, a police helicopter, coastguard officers, and the North of Tyne and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Teams. Family members and friends of the much-admired former rugby player also participated in the search efforts. On Thursday, specialist officers from the Marine Unit of Northumbria Police discovered something in the river near Abberwick Mill. The rugby community expressed its shock and sorrow when he disappeared, with messages coming from World Cup champions Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio, who tragically lost his sister in the Marchioness disaster on the Thames in 1989. During his career, Voyce earned nine caps for England and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, where he contributed to their European and domestic victories. He transferred there from Bath before moving on to Gloucester in 2009. Before retiring in May 2013, he made 220 Premiership appearances.
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