Scottie Scheffler is aiming for Open Championship success at Royal Troon but had no idea about the potential of matching Arnold Palmer's piece of history this week.
The world number one has won six times on the PGA Tour this year, with the last player to do so by this stage being Palmer, way back in 1962.
Palmer coincidentally secured his seventh title of that year at the same Troon course in South Ayrshire, with Scheffler out to match that feat when starting on Thursday.
Scheffler will play in all-American three-ball with 2017 champion Jordan Spieth and 2022 runner-up Cameron Young, though admitted that Palmer's history had slipped his mind.
"That would be great [to match Palmer]," the 28-year-old said at Tuesday's pre-tournament press conference.
"No [I wasn't aware]. I try to stay off the internet as much as possible. I like to, when I'm at home, be at home and be present.
"I love the history of the game, and there's certain things that I know and certain things that I don't.
"That was something that for some reason I just never stumbled across, so I had no idea that that was a thing."
Scheffler has two major honours to his name so far, both at The Masters in 2022 and 2024, but finished all four rounds over par at last month's U.S. Open.
The 152nd Open in Scotland will pose a different challenge, yet one which Scheffler is relishing.
"I'm excited for the week. I think the golf course is great," the two-time major winner added.
"I feel like you have to be more creative here [with links golf] and I love that part of it. I feel this is really how golf was intended to be played.
"There's a lot more opportunity for shot-making and being creative around the greens. It really is fun to come over here and play."
Rory McIlroy has no issues with repeated talk over his long wait for another major crown, preferring to have many "close calls" rather than missing out entirely.
The Northern Irishman is preparing to tee off at The Open Championship on Thursday, playing alongside Tyrrell Hatton and American Max Homa in the first two rounds at Royal Troon.
Much of the discussion before the 152nd Open has revolved around McIlroy's near-miss at the U.S. Open, having squandered a late lead by bogeying three of his final four holes.
That collapse included two woeful putts from close range, with Bryson DeChambeau seizing the chance to take the Pinehurst major, and brought further questions over McIlroy's game.
Yet the 35-year-old, who has not won a major since 2014 at the PGA Championship, would rather be close again than not be in the race.
"It [talk about another major win] doesn't bother me," McIlroy said at Tuesday's pre-tournament press conference.
"I know that I'm in a good spot. If I think about 2015 through 2020, that five-year stretch, I seldom had a realistic chance to win a major championship in those five years.
"So I'd much rather have these close calls. It means that I'm getting closer.
"I'd love to be able to play golf and get one over the line, but as soon as I do that, people are going to say, well, when are you going to win your sixth? So it's never-ending."
Messages of support flooded towards McIlroy after last month's disappointment at the U.S. Open, with Rafael Nadal, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods all reaching out.
McIlroy was none the wiser about Woods' kind words, however, having changed his phone number after taking a break following the Pinehurst failure.
"Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the U.S. Open, so I didn't get it until he told me about it today," McIlroy added. "I was like, 'Oh, thanks very much'.
"So I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing. Tiger has been nothing but incredible to me over the course of my career, in the good moments and the bad. He sent me an incredible message after St. Andrews in 2022.
"I met Tiger when I was 15 years old, and I've built up a great relationship with him, his whole family. He really enjoys spending time with my mum and dad as well. It means a lot that he reached out.
"It means a lot that he waited a few days to reach out, which if he hadn't waited that long, I probably would have got it. But I caught up with him earlier.
"It's always nice when your hero and the guy that you had on your bedroom wall is reaching out and offering words of encouragement."
Former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis has expressed gratitude to former rival Hasim Rahman for participating in Lewis’ League of Champions Boxing Camp.
Rahman was among a number of high-profile names in the boxing world who helped coach youngsters at the camp which was held from July 8-13 at the Hopewell Sports & Community Centre in Hanover.
Rahman handed Lewis the second loss of his professional career to take his heavyweight titles back on April 22, 2001 in South Africa before, on November 17 that same year, Lewis got his revenge by knocking Rahman out in the fourth round in their rematch to regain his heavyweight titles in Nevada.
“Me and Hasim have come a long way from trading blows in the ring and the power of giving back to the youth is something that can even bring old foes like us together,” Lewis said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday.
James Ali Bashir, the former coach of current undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, as well as former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Alicia Ashley and former CBF Welterweight Champion Sakima Mullings were also on hand to help out the youngsters at the camp.
“Giving back to the youth has become a central mission in my life but I can’t do it alone. I’m grateful to everyone who helps make it all possible,” Lewis said.
Brandon Aiyuk had been seeking a contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now he's seeking a trade.
Unable to reach a new deal, Aiyuk has reportedly requested a trade from the 49ers.
The news was first reported by NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo on Tuesday.
Aiyuk and the 49ers reportedly haven't discussed a contract extension since May, prompting the star wide receiver to ask the team to trade him.
Finding a trade partner could be difficult, however, seeing as he's presumably looking for a long-term deal that will pay him like one of the top receivers in the NFL.
He's also still under contract in 2024, due to make $14.1million in the option year of his rookie deal.
The 26-year-old is coming off a huge season, earning second-team All-Pro honours while ranking seventh in the league with a career-high 1,342 receiving yards. His average of 17.9 yards per catch ranked second in the NFL, while his 16 receptions of 25 or more yards trailed only Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins.
Since being drafted 25th overall in the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards with 25 touchdown catches in 62 games.
Rafael Nadal is through to the second round of the Swedish Open after holding out for a straight-sets win over Leo Borg on Tuesday.
In his singles return in Bastad, the Spaniard triumphed 6-3 6-4, to follow up his doubles win with Casper Ruud on Monday.
Nadal raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set, and though Berg was able to peg him back to 5-3, the former world number one served to love in the final game to seal it.
He got another vital break in the opening game of the second, which was enough to help him hold off the Swede's attempted fight back to book a place in the next round, where he will face Cam Norrie.
Data Debrief: Running back the clock
Nadal last played in Bastad in 2005, winning the clay tournament as a 19-year-old.
And he made a strong start to the tournament this time around; he won 41 of his 53 service points (77%), but got a vital break in either set to put him out of Borg's reach.
Finals series are defined by big moments.
Across the history of the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League, successful sides have had players who stand up when those big moments come along and Adelaide Thunderbirds, West Coast Fever, Melbourne Vixens, and Sunshine Coast Lightning are all equipped with such quality.
Throughout the 2024 season, these players made it their mission to push not only themselves, but also their teammates towards ultimate glory, and with the business end of the campaign now on the horizon, nothing less is expected.
In fact, it would be hard for many to disagree with the fact that these four players—Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Kiera Austin, Alice Teague-Neeld, and Steph Fretwell—will be key in shaping their respective team’s chances in the bid to be crowned 2024 champions.
The top two teams, Thunderbirds and Vixens, will lock horns in the major semi-final, while Fever and Lightning will cross swords in the minor semi-final. Both are scheduled for Saturday.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
There is no denying the Adelaide Thunderbirds have the best defence in the competition, marshalled by one of the world's best, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.
Sterling-Humphrey has been sending shivers down shooters’ spines for years, but has become the games ultimate x-factor in recent times as she gains more big game experience.
She played a crucial role in Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls success at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and decided to make that a habit in 2023.
The superstar defender was named the 2023 SSN Most Valuable Player and played a starring role in the Thunderbirds unlikely premiership, finishing the finals series with 13 gains, 9 deflections, 6 intercepts, 5 rebounds, 4 pick-ups and 158.5 Nissan Net Points across two inspirational wins.
Jamaica went deep in the 2023 World Cup, going down to Australia by three goals in a nail-biting semi-final. Sterling-Humphrey had 4 gains, 2 rebounds and 2 intercepts as she tried to push her side into their first ever World Cup final. But it wasn’t to be.
She hasn’t slowed down in 2024, leading the league in gains (108), deflections (96), intercepts (44), and defensive rebounds (36), contributing to the Thunderbirds standing as the number one goals from gain side in the competition.
The 28-year-old’s presence behind the ball is intimidating, with sides forced to alter their ball movement in an attempt to nullify her influence on the game.
Sophie Garbin and Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard are likely opponents for Sterling-Humphrey and her dynamism not only allows to negate their influence, but also start the Thunderbirds attacks through flying intercepts and outrageous deflections, an integral part of the Adelaide side’s push for back-to-back championships.
Kiera Austin (right) prepares to shoot under pressure from Jamaican Kadie-Ann Dehaney of West Coast Fever.
The World Cup final is the biggest stage in netball, and in 2023, Kiera Austin owned it.
After not experiencing any court time in the Diamonds semi-final win over Jamaica, Austin was thrown on mid-way through the second quarter of the final against England, with Australia holding a one-goal lead.
The Vixens superstar was unstoppable, finishing the game with 15 goals from 17 attempts, 18 feeds, 16 assists, one gain and one deflection in a player of the match performance, combining beautifully with now Vixens teammate Sophie Garbin in attack.
However, SSN glory has evaded Austin to this point in her career, but she still has plenty of SSN finals experience to go alongside her big game credentials with the Diamonds, having appeared in both the 2022 and 2023 finals series.
Austin is the most complete goal attack in the competition, if not the world, with her elite work rate allowing her to influence the game in both defence and attack.
She’s the highest ranked in her position across the SSN in 2024 for intercepts (11), and gains (18), while only Sophie Dwyer (25) has more deflections this season than Austin (22).
Austin is still one of the biggest attacking threats in the competition, sitting 8th for goals scored (293), 4th for super shots (55), 15th for goal assists (192) and 15th for feeds (265), as she has seemingly saved her best performances for the big sides this year.
The 26-year-old is averaging 23.7 goals, 4.7 super shots, 17 feeds, 12.5 assists, 2 deflections, one gain and one intercept per game against the Thunderbirds and Fever, two sides she’ll likely have to face along the way to the ultimate prize.
Alice Teague-Neeld
When you think West Coast Fever, you think about Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. How could you not? But the Jamaican superstar can’t do much without the ball, and Fever's wing attack, Alice Teague-Neeld, is her main source.
Fowler-Nembhard’s abilities mean that most of the time, Teague-Neeld doesn’t get the credit she deserves.
Teague-Neeld was named wing attack in 2023 SSN Team-of-the-Year, after averaging 85.5 Nissan Net Points across the campaign, and she has carried that form into 2024, fulfilling the role of chief creative outlet for the Fever.
She is ranked second behind Diamonds captain Liz Watson for total feeds (494), assists (353), and a superior conversion rate, with 71.4% of her feeds resulting in goals.
Teague-Neeld also rates highly for centre pass receives, ranked second with 294, and second phase receives, ranked 7th with 146. Her other strength is her durability and reliability.
Interestingly, Teague-Neeld has recorded just 36 turnovers and only Fowler-Nembhard and Jess Anstiss have played more minutes for the Fever this season.
The 28-year-old has tasted success at SSN level before, as a member of the Fever’s victorious 2022 side, and was one of their most consistent finals performers over the past two seasons, averaging 76.7 Nissan Net Points, 36.3 feeds, 22 assists and 29.5 centre pass receives across four finals appearances.
Flair might not be her strong suit, but consistency is, and her Fever teammates love her for it.
Steph Fretwell
The Lightning have been well off the pace set by the top three this season, but they still pose a huge finals threat. Such is the match-winning quality on their list, headlined by World Cup winner Steph Fretwell.
Fretwell has an enormous amount of finals experience, having played in five straight national league grand finals from 2015 to 2019, winning back-to-back premiership in 2017 and 2018 with the Lightning.
Fretwell was as important to the Lightning then, as she is now, averaging 16.5 goals, 24.5 feeds, 18.5 assists and 22.5 centre pass receives in those dual premiership glories.
Known for being one of the best ball handlers in the competition, Fretwell’s ability to find space and remain calm under pressure makes her the perfect player for the big moments, something she displayed in the Diamonds 2023 World Cup semi-final against Jamaica.
Fretwell played the entire match and shot her 29 goals at 90.6%, as well as providing 14 assists and receiving 19 centre passes to help drag the Diamonds into another World Cup decider.
The 32-year-old remains one of the best sharpshooters in the league, sitting in the top 10 league-wide for one-point goals and super shots, as well as doing plenty of work out the front, contributing 175 assists (17th) and 234 feeds (17th).
Her connection with Liz Watson and Cara Koenen was built over a lengthy period of time, across multiple teams, and that synergy will come to the fore as the pressure intensifies across the finals series.
Simply put, if Lightning requires a last second super shot to ice the game, they would certainly want the ball in Fretwell’s hands.
Jon Rahm hopes he can "continue this stretch" of Spanish sporting triumphs with victory at the Open Championship this week.
Spain were given plenty of reasons to celebrate on the sporting front last weekend.
Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Wimbledon crown on Sunday, a few hours before Spain won Euro 2024 with victory over England, while Sergio Garcia won his first title in four years at LIV Golf Andalucia.
Rahm, who finished tied-second at this event 12 months ago, hopes he can continue the trend by going one step better this time at Royal Troon.
"A lot of history is being done, with Alcaraz being the sixth player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year and [winning] four Grand Slams at a very young age, Spain winning the fourth European championship," the Spaniard told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
"And Sergio and his team doing what they did on Sunday, quite special. Coming back to a venue like this with so much history, it would be quite incredible to earn an Open Championship on this golf course in this tournament.
"It's arguably my favourite week in golf. And to maybe even continue this stretch of great Spanish sports, it would be absolutely fantastic."
As a result of Spain's victory over England in Berlin, Rahm revealed he has subsequently received a warm welcome from the Scottish locals.
"I played all 18 holes yesterday and I think I got more congratulations for something that I didn't do than I ever have in my life," the two-time major winner laughed.
"I don't know what they've done, but anytime anybody plays against the English national team, every other country in Europe just unifies against them. I don't know why or what they've done. I'm not aware of the history.
"I think because we've heard 'It's Coming Home' so many times the last few years, that nobody wants to see it come home at this point."
Tiger Woods revealed he sent a message of support to Rory McIlroy following the Northern Irishman's heartbreak at the U.S. Open.
McIlroy suffered a remarkable collapse at Pinehurst, where he scored bogeys on three of his final four holes to hand victory to Bryson DeChambeau.
It meant the 35-year-old's wait for a major title goes on, having last triumphed at the PGA Championship in 2014.
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal and NBA legend Michael Jordan both reached out to McIlroy, who finished tied-fourth on his return to action at last week's Scottish Open, in the aftermath of that disappointment.
And addressing reporters at a press conference ahead of this week's Open Championship at Royal Troon, Wood revealed he followed suit.
"I just sent him a nice text. That was it," the 15-time major winner said. "I waited a week before I sent it. I wanted to let it calm down, as I know he was being besieged by a lot of different things going on.
"It basically went, as you know, I'm your friend. I know this is a difficult moment. We've all been there as champions. We all lose.
"Unfortunately it happened, and the raw emotion of it, it's going to be there for, I'm sure, some time. The faster he's able to get back on a horse and get back into contention, like he did last week, the better it is for him.
"There's a lot of times I felt discomfort, absolutely. Nervous, shaky, uncomfortable, all of it. I've missed plenty of putts. I've missed plenty of shots.
"Just like [Michael] Jordan, when they said how many shots have you taken? You see all the game-winning shots, but he's also missed a ton of game-winning shots, too.
"The thing is you still take the game-winning shot, and I still want the last putt."
Woods also spoke of his decision to decline the Team USA captaincy for next year's Ryder Cup, with the role ultimately going to Keegan Bradley.
"The decision was very difficult for me to make," he added. "My time has been so loaded with the tour and what we're trying to accomplish - I'm on so many different sub-committees. It takes so much time.
"I just didn't feel like I could do the job properly. I couldn't devote the time. I barely have enough time to do what I'm doing now.
"TGL starts next year, as well as the Ryder [Cup]. You add all that together, along with our negotiations with the PIF - all concurrently going along at the same time - there's only so many hours in the day.
"I don't think I would be doing the captaincy, or the players and Team USA justice if I was captain. Keegan is going to be a great leader. He is very passionate about what he does and the event."
Bryson DeChambeau says winning the 2024 U.S. Open proves he can win more majors as he prepares for The Open Championship.
The American profited from Rory McIlroy's late collapse at Pinehurst, snatching the victory by a single stroke.
It was his second major win, having also won the U.S. Open in 2020, while he also finished as a runner-up at the PGA Championship and in the top 10 at The Masters this year.
However, DeChambeau has only finished inside the top 30 once in six tries at The Open - in 2022 - though he is aiming to change that at Royal Troon this week, drawing confidence from his recent success.
"2020 [U.S. Open] was a bit of me showing that I could do it," DeChambeau said. "It's always difficult to get that first major win.
"The second one [2024] was more about cementing my own comfort levels of knowing I can do it again and again. That's really cool.
"I can give myself more runs at majors... I've obviously played well at a lot of them this year."
DeChambeau finished tied in 60th place at The Open last year, his worst finish at the major.
He boasts the strongest form going into the tournament and is confident he can maintain that to put him in the running for the trophy.
"If I play well this week, I think I can give myself a good chance obviously," he added.
"I'm very confident, but it all depends on if I'm striking it well. I can come in here with the most confidence, off of a major championship win, but really what matters if I can continue to drive the ball as well as I have and continue to strike my irons the way I know I can and putt like I can. If I do those things well, I'll give myself a good chance.
"I know how to get the job done, it's just a matter of whether I'm as consistent as what I was at the U.S. Open."
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez edged local product Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in the final round to win MLB's 2024 Home Run Derby on Monday night.
Hernandez had 14 homers in the final to hold off Witt, who grew up just minutes from the Texas Rangers' home stadium of Globe Life Field, the site of Monday's event as well as Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Witt just missed tying Hernandez on his final swing, but his last attempt hit the base of the wall in center field to give Hernandez the title.
Hernandez also narrowly advanced in the semifinals by winning a swing-off with Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm after both players finished their rounds with 14 homers. Each then received three additional swings, with Hernandez hitting two more homers to Bohm's one.
The 31-year-old Hernandez became the first Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby. Joc Pederson reached the finals at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park in 2015 but was defeated by the Reds' Todd Frazier.
Witt advanced to the finals by outperforming Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez 17-12 in the second round and finished the event with 50 homers, one more than Hernandez's three-round total of 49.
The young shortstop was bidding to win the title at a venue located less than 20 miles from his hometown of Colleyville, Texas. Witt's father, Bobby Sr., pitched 11 seasons for the Rangers over two separate stints in the 1980s and '90s.
Pete Alonso's attempt to match Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. as the only three-time Home Run Derby champion came to an early end, as the New York Mets slugger recorded just 12 homers in the first round and failed to advance. Alonso won the event in 2019 and defended his crown in 2021 after the 2020 edition was not held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Adolis Garcia of the host Rangers also had an early exit after hitting 18 homers in the opening round, one fewer than Hernandez for the fourth and final spot in the semifinals. Bohm and Ramirez had the most homers in the first round with 21 each, while Witt advanced by hitting 20.
Also eliminated in the first round were Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Atlanta Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna.
Henderson's 28 home runs this season were the most of this year's participants, but the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year had the lowest total (11) in the first round. Ozuna managed 16 homers after entering the Derby with 26 for the season, the second-highest total behind Henderson.
Brian Harman is certain of his capabilities to defend The Open Championship trophy at Royal Troon, where the American expects crowd heckling to calm down after last year's incidents.
Harman clinched a maiden major title last year at Royal Liverpool after coasting to a six-shot victory for his first PGA Tour triumph in six years.
The world number 13 hopes to reunite with the famed Claret Jug in Scotland, though expects the course – and the spectators – to pose a different challenge to last year's success.
Harman described the abuse as "unrepeatable", with many mocking his pre-shot routines and heckling in an all-round attempt to put off the soon-to-be champion.
"It doesn't bother me," Harman told Monday's pre-tournament press conference when asked about the incidents at the 151st Open.
"I'm ready to take whatever in my stride. I'm here to play the best golf that I possibly can. That's my main focus.
"I've always loved the fans over here. I've spoken a bunch of times about how I find them the most knowledgeable fans of any that we play in front of.
"I kind of chalk last year up as more of an anomaly than anything else."
The 37-year-old finished tied for 21st in the Scottish Open, a warm-up event for the major at Royal Troon, but has three top-10 finishes in the PGA Tour in 2024.
Having shared fifth place at The Sentry, second at the Players Championship and ninth in the Travelers Championship, Harman is in decent form.
He is now looking to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008 to win back-to-back Open titles.
"Anytime that you become a major champion it certainly elevates your status in the game, elevates the way that you're perceived in the game," Harman added.
"I try to take all of that in my stride, but at the same time understand that the golf is the most important thing, and I've tried to improve my golf game and get it in a place where I can maybe contend in some more majors down the road.
"My stats this year have been really good. My ball striking has been as good as it's ever been. The only thing I haven't done well this year is I haven't putted especially well. So I'm just kind of waiting for it all to line up correctly.
"You can work and work and work. You just never know when that work is going to pay off. You never know when the peak is coming, when you're going to catch a little bit of momentum.
The Baltimore Orioles' Corbin Burnes will take the ball first for the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Texas.
AL manager Bruce Bochy revealed Burnes will get the start when he announced the lineup Monday for the Mid-Summer Classic.
Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 118 2/3 innings in 19 starts in his first season with the Orioles. His ERA is the third lowest in baseball.
Acquired by Baltimore from the Milwaukee Brewers just before spring training, the 29-year-old right-hander is an All-Star for a fourth straight season.
Burnes, who won the 2021 NL Cy Young Award, becomes the fifth Orioles pitcher to start an All-Star Game, and first since Steve Stone in 1980.
Burnes will be opposed by Pittsburgh Pirates rookie star Paul Skenes, who was named the starter for the National League team last week by manager Torey Lovullo.
Skenes, who is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts, made his major league debut on May 11, and becomes the fifth rookie to start the All-Star Game, and first since Hideo Nomo in 1995.
Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will leadoff for the NL team, followed by Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and first baseman Bryce Harper, Brewers catcher William Contreras and right fielder Christian Yelich, Philadelphia third baseman Alex Bohm, Dodgers center fielder Teoscar Hernández and Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar.
Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan, who leads all of baseball with .352 batting average, will bat first for the AL, followed by Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Yankees right fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Aaron Judge, Astros designed hitter Yordan Alvarez, Guardians shortstop José Ramírez, Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien.
Rory McIlroy insists his U.S. Open capitulation is behind him as he aims to respond at The Open Championship, backed by support from two sporting stars.
The Northern Irishman collapsed in remarkable fashion at Pinehurst, missing two simple putts as Bryson DeChambeau sneaked in to profit and win the major.
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal and NBA legend Michael Jordan both reached out to McIlroy in the aftermath of that disappointment.
The 35-year-old has now racked up four runners-up finishes in majors since his last such victory at the PGA Championship in 2014.
Yet McIlroy is intent on responding when The Open returns at Royal Troon this week.
"Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan," McIlroy told The Guardian. "Two of the most unbelievable competitors that have ever been in sport.
"MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th but both of them got in touch very, very quickly. They just told me to keep going. MJ reminded me of how many game-winning shots he missed. Really nice."
The four-time major champion scored bogeys on three of his final four holes during his U.S. Open downfall.
"Was it a great opportunity to win a major? Absolutely," McIlroy added of his short-putting nightmare. "It hurt and in the moment it was tough, terrible.
"I'd say people would be surprised to see how quickly I got over it and moved on."
McIlroy subsequently took a short break before returning at the Scottish Open last week, finishing tied for fourth place at the Renaissance Club.
"Maybe the one drawback from me not talking [to media] afterwards was that you got three weeks of speculation," McIlroy said, referring to his swift exit at Pinehurst.
"He should have done this, should have done that but we will never know because he didn't say. I trust the people around me. I don't need to go looking for external counsel.
"If the tournament ended after 68 holes, people would be calling me the best golfer in the world. You have to be an eternal optimist. Say you play 25 events a year and win three of those. You are one of the best players in history. We lose way more than we win.
"Yes, I was in a great winning position and should have won but it's not the first time I have let something slip away. It's probably not going to be the last.
"You have to look at it on the continuum. It was tough but it is one tournament, I play 23-25 per year. You have to keep going.
"The great thing about this game is you have an opportunity to get back on the horse right after a tough loss. You try to learn from it and do better next time."
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz does not believe his convincing final victory over Novak Djokovic marks the start of a new era for tennis.
Alcaraz clinched his second Wimbledon title – and his fourth at grand slams overall – in mesmerising fashion on Sunday, thrashing seven-time champion Djokovic in straight sets.
The Spaniard needed just 73 minutes to take the first two sets before being pushed closer in the third, ultimately winning 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4).
Djokovic – who turned 37 in May – could now go a full calendar year without a major title for just the second time since 2010, and the first since 2017.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is the third-youngest man to win back-to-back Wimbledon titles in the Open Era (21 years, 70 days), older only than Boris Becker (18 years, 227 days, 1985-86) and Bjorn Borg (21 years, 26 days, 1976-77).
However, asked by Spanish publication AS whether he was the figurehead of a new era for the sport, Alcaraz said: "I don't really feel that way.
"I've seen a lot of people who have said it's a generational change, a new era, a changing of the guard after Sunday's match, but in the end I don't see it that way.
"We try to work as hard as possible to put Djokovic in trouble, to try to be there as many times as we can, but I don't feel that there is a change of era, a generational change or a changing of the guard, not at the moment."
Sunday was a great day for Spanish sport as Luis de la Fuente's football team beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal netting the winner.
Alcaraz believes the performances of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and 22-year-old Nico Williams point to a bright future for football, and sport in general, in Spain.
"When I finished my game I had a message from [Alvaro] Morata, who is the one I talk to the most, the one I get along with the best," he revealed.
"One of the first people I called in the dressing room was him, who was walking to the stadium before playing the final. I wished him all the luck in the world.
"Lamine, Nico are 17, 22-year-old boys, who have made the difference in this European Championship. It was the first time they played with the national team.
"They have done it in an incredible way. It's great to see new players in Spain who fight like them, who give their all for the flag, for the country.
"I think it's wonderful to have a national team and young athletes who are pointing the way, who are going up. Hopefully we will have many years of enjoyment."
Rafael Nadal was victorious on his first outing since May, teaming up with Casper Ruud to beat second seeds Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela in the Nordea Open doubles at Bastad.
Returning to the clay in Sweden for the first time since he won the singles title as a teenager in 2005, Nadal looked comfortable alongside the world number nine.
The Spaniard was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the first round at the French Open in May, then chose to skip Wimbledon as he prepares to play at the Paris Olympics.
He hit one tremendous forehand winner early in the second set as the star-studded pairing triumphed 6-1 6-4 in 70 minutes.
Speaking alongside Ruud after the match, Nadal said: "It's a pleasure playing with a good friend and an amazing player like Casper here in Bastad.
"Personally, I am happy and I think it was a good match. We played quite well for the first time we played together and I'm happy to be back here after almost 20 years.
"I have great memories from this place from 2003, 2004 and 2005, so I am enjoying this week and hopefully I can keep going."
Nadal will open his singles campaign at the competition on Tuesday, with home hope Leo Borg his first opponent at the ATP 250 event.
Oliver Bearman is looking forward to learning from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton when he arrives at Ferrari next season.
Bearman, who came through the Ferrari Driver Academy, secured his seat on the grid in 2025 after signing with Haas ahead of the British Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old impressed on his debut, finishing seventh for the Italian team at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after stepping in late for Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton secured his first victory of the season at Silverstone a week ago, ending a 945-day wait for a win, triumphing in the British Grand Prix for a record ninth time.
The triumph win the 104th of his career, and Bearman believes that experience will prove invaluable to Ferrari.
"I think he'll bring a lot of experience to the team," Bearman told Sky Sports.
"He's won seven world championships - that's something that not many people can say.
"He'll bring a good mentality to the team, a winning mentality, but of course his talent is undeniable. He's one of the best to have ever done it."
"It's great that in some way he can share his experience with me slightly," Bearman continued.
Hamilton can set more records at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. No driver has won more races (eight), more pole positions (nine), reached more podiums (11) and scored more points (271) at the Hungaroring than Hamilton in the history of Formula 1.
The Brit is also a podium away from reaching 200 in his career (49 with McLaren and 150 with Mercedes) and would become the first driver in history to reach that milestone.
While Ferrari's driver line-up is set for at least the next couple of seasons with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc signed to multi-year deals, Bearman says his ultimate ambition is to emulate the seven-time world champion.
"Of course, I want to win world championships, and to do that with Ferrari is my dream. They've been supporting me since 2021.
"They've seen something from me early on. They decided to trust in me, and even just to put me behind the wheel in Jeddah was a big risk from Ferrari's side.
"So that shows that they believe in me, that they trust in my capability, and of course one day I would love to win a championship, especially with Ferrari."
Bearman will make his fourth of six Practice One appearances with Haas this year in Friday's opening practice session at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Rory McIlroy is hoping to get his putter to "cooperate" at The Open Championship this week after two close-range misses cost him at the recent U.S. Open.
McIlroy was in contention to end his 10-year major drought at Pinehurst last month, only to miss two putts from inside four feet on the last three holes of his final round.
Those missed opportunities allowed Bryson DeChambeau to edge him out by one shot and claim his second U.S. Open title, having previously triumphed in 2020.
McIlroy finished in a share of fourth at the Scottish Open last week, four shots behind winner Robert MacIntyre, as he again struggled on the greens.
Speaking after the conclusion of his final round at The Renaissance Club, the world number two said getting his putting game into shape had been his main aim for the week.
"The reason that I like to play the week before the majors is to knock a little bit of rust off and try to get sharp, and I feel like I've done that this week," McIlroy told the PGA Tour website.
"If I can get the putter to cooperate and get the speed of the greens down... I feel like I'll be in a really good spot."
Reflecting on his overall showing, McIlroy added: "I felt like the ball-striking was there pretty much every day.
"There were a few scrappy bits here and there, but overall, it was a good week to see where my game is heading into next week, especially on the back of three weeks off.
"Pleased with the week with one eye on trying to defend here, but obviously an eye on trying to get prepared for Troon as well."
Cedric Mullins' two-run double capped a big ninth-inning rally for the Baltimore Orioles, who remained atop the American League East standings with Sunday's 6-5 comeback win over the rival New York Yankees.
After rookie Ben Rice's three-run homer in the top of the ninth gave the Yankees a 5-3 lead, the Orioles capitalised on two New York miscues in their half of the final inning to score three times and avoid being swept in the key three-game series.
Mullins' game-winning hit, a line drive that sailed over the head of New York's Alex Verdugo after the left fielder initially ran in on the ball, also snapped the Orioles' five-game losing streak and put Baltimore a game ahead of the second-place Yankees in the division race.
All three Baltimore runs in the ninth came with two outs, with Adley Rutschman extending the game by drawing a walk against New York closer Clay Holmes that loaded the bases. Ryan Mountcastle followed with an infield grounder that Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe bobbled for an error that let in a run and cut the lead to 5-4.
Mullins then drove a pitch over Verdugo's head to bring home Ryan O'Hearn and Rutschman with the tying and winning runs.
The Orioles had a chance to wrap up the game beforehand, but closer Craig Kimbrel walked the first two batters he faced after entering with his team up 3-2 to begin the top of the ninth. Rice then drilled a fastball over the wall in right center field to suddenly put the Yankees in front.
All-Star Anthony Santander went 2 for 4 and gave Baltimore a 3-2 edge with a solo homer off Tommy Kahnle in the bottom of the fifth. The Yankees had tied the game in the top of the inning on Trent Grisham's solo homer off Orioles' starter Dean Kremer.
Grisham finished 3 for 3 and also drove in the Yankees' first run with a second-inning single that plated Volpe, who had reached on a two-out double.
The Orioles went ahead in the third when James McCann drew a walk against New York starter Carlos Rodon and Gunnar Henderson followed with a two-run homer, the All-Star shortstop's 28th long ball of the season.
D'Arnaud's two homers help Braves' Sale earn 13th win
Travis d'Arnaud drove in four runs on a pair of homers to help Chris Sale to his MLB-leading 13th win in the Atlanta Braves' 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Sale yielded just one run and four hits over five innings to improve to 13-3 and send Atlanta into the All-Star break by taking two of three meetings from San Diego in the weekend series.
The All-Star hurler overcame some early trouble, as the Padres pushed home a run in the first inning on consecutive singles by Donovan Solano, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. Sale then proceeded to retire 13 of the final 16 batters he faced as the Braves eventually forged ahead.
Atlanta drew even in the fourth as Ozzie Albies singled off San Diego starter Randy Vasquez, stole second and scored on Matt Olson's single. The Braves went ahead an inning later when d'Arnaud walked, stole second and crossed the plate on an Adam Duvall single.
D'Arnaud extended the margin in the sixth with his first homer of the day, which came after Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna reached via singles, with the three-run blast off Stephen Kolek increasing the lead to 5-1.
The Padres inched closer on Luis Campusano's pinch-hit, two-run homer off A.J. Minter in the seventh inning, but d'Anaud answered with a solo homer in the eighth before Raisel Iglesias retired the side in order in the ninth for his 22nd save of the season.
Vasquez (2-5) struck out five while allowing two runs over five innings.
A's slug eight home runs in 18-3 rout of Phillies
Lawrence Butler had three of the Oakland Athletics' eight home runs as the AL West's last place team earned a surprising series win over the National League-leading Philadelphia Phillies with Sunday's 18-3 rout.
Brent Rooker and Seth Brown each went deep twice as the Athletics tied a franchise record for homers in a single game, a mark set in an 18-2 win over the then-California Angels on June 27, 1996.
Butler drove in a total of six runs for Oakland, which also got a grand slam from Zach Gelof in the ninth inning with the Phillies using catcher Garrett Stubbs as a pitcher. Rooker knocked in five runs, Brown had three hits and three RBIs and JJ Bleday went 3 for 4 with four runs scored.
Philadelphia was dealt a second loss of the three-game series despite leading 1-0 after three innings, courtesy of All-Star Trea Turner's solo home run off Joey Estes in the first.
Estes (4-4) was solid the rest of the way as he allowed three runs - two earned - over six innings while well-supported by his team's power barrage.
Rooker followed a Bleday double with a homer off Michael Mercado (1-2) in the fourth to put the A's ahead, and Butler's two-run blast in the fifth extended the margin to 4-1.
Rooker had another two-run homer in the sixth, with Brown adding a solo shot during the inning to stake Oakland to a 7-1 advantage.
The Phillies put together a mild threat in their half of the sixth when a double by All-Star Alec Bohm put runners on second and third with one out. Bryson Stott followed with a sacrifice fly in which two runs scored on the play, as Bohm came in from second on a throwing error by Oakland left fielder Miguel Andujar.
It was all A's from that point on, though. Butler's two-run homer in the seventh increased the lead to 9-3, and Bleday tripled later in the inning and scored on Rooker's sac fly.
Brown delivered his second solo homer of the day in the eighth, and Butler had another two-run shot later in the frame to put Oakland up 13-3.
The A's scored five more times off Stubbs in the ninth on Brown's run-scoring single and Gelof's slam.
Home favourite Robert MacIntyre admitted he got the "bit of luck that you need" to win the Scottish Open on Sunday.
He was pipped to the title last year thanks to Rory McIlroy's superb finish, but produced a late show of his own heading into the final three holes at Renaissance Club.
MacIntyre was helped by a huge slice of luck on the 16th hole, after discovering a sprinkler head near his ball in the heavy rough.
The Scot took full advantage after getting a free drop, making an eagle on the par five thanks to a brilliant approach shot, which took him level with leader Adam Scott.
Needing a birdie on the final hole to seal his second PGA win of 2024 - six weeks after triumphing at the Canadian Open - he holed from 20 feet to claim victory by a single stroke.
"I think I lost my voice after the scream on that [18th] hole," MacIntyre told Sky Sports. "I thought I was short.
"I've put a lot of work into this. I've changed a lot within the team, and I've just worked hard. I wanted the Scottish Open.
"I got a bit of luck on 16 that you need - a bit of luck to win golf tournaments. I couldn't believe when I heard a sprinkler under my foot where my spike is at, and I'm like: 'no way'.
"It was covered, and I thought I got lucky. It was meant to be."
Scott had set the target of 67 as he looked to win his first title since February 2020.
Defending champion McIlroy finished in a six-way tie for fourth on 14 under, carding 68 in the final round, with Ludvig Aberg, the leader at the halfway stage, also on the same score.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
