July 17, 2026 4:26 am
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — So much focus was on the new Royal Birkdale. What the British Open delivered Thursday was a bunch of newcomers. Leading the way is Jackson Suber. This not only is his first time on links golf, it’s his first time to Europe. But the 26-year-old American delivered superb shots at the end of his 65 to lead over Dan Brown and Sungjae Im. Bryson DeChambeau quietly had a 67. He was joined by four players in the British Open for the first time. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler shot 68. Rory McIlroy had a rough day on the greens for 72.
July 17, 2026 4:25 am
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James remains undecided about where he’ll play this season. The NBA’s all-time scoring leader and current free agent spoke Thursday but didn’t reveal his next team choice. Fans at Fanatics Fest in New York eagerly awaited his decision. James, recording an episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast, mentioned teams such as Cleveland, Miami, and Golden State but gave no hints. He confirmed leaving the Lakers after eight seasons. James, the NBA’s oldest active player, has a storied career and is entering his 24th season. Speculation continues as fans await his next move.
July 17, 2026 4:28 am
Lionel Messi has a message for Argentina’s detractors: “Nothing was handed to us.” The Argentina superstar responded to critics who have been bashing the reigning World Cup champions over perceptions of beneficial officiating and favoritism by the soccer establishment. He says the team’s ability to overturn late-game deficits, most recently the semifinal victory over England, is the result of championship pedigree and nothing more. After trailing 1-0 going into the 85th minute, Argentina rallied for a 2-1 win over England on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final. Argentina earlier survived by beating Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time, and rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt.
July 16, 2026 4:17 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder. Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of McCullers’ remaining salary, leaving his cost to the Brewers at $2.5 million. Milwaukee cleared space on the 40-man roster by sending left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.
July 16, 2026 2:54 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 and reach the World Cup final. Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez scored for Argentina. Anthony Gordon had given England the lead, but Lionel Messi and Co. had other ideas. Argentina pushed for an equalizer and the pressure eventually led to Fernandez scoring in the 85th minute. Martinez headed in the winner two minutes into injury time. Argentina will play Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
July 16, 2026 4:18 am
Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson was selected first in the WNBA All-Star draft for the exhibition game that will be played on July 25 in Chicago. Acting as honorary general managers, WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon each drafted All-Star teams from players that previously were either voted as starters by fans, media and fellow players, or chosen as reserves by the league’s coaches. Paige Bueckers headlines Cooper’s team and Caitlin Clark is atop Weatherspoon’s squad. Joining Bueckers in the starting lineup playing for coach Becky Hammon are Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams. Weatherspoon picked Wilson, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston and Jessica Shepard, who will play for coach Cheryl Reeve.
July 15, 2026 4:28 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dylan Cease struck out the side in the first inning, combining with 10 relievers on a three-hitter in a show of pitching dominance that led the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League in the All-Star Game. Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single and Ben Rice followed with an RBI single in the first against Cristopher Sánchez of the host Philadelphia Phillies. Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox added an eighth-inning home run off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Wrobleski for the game’s only extra-base hit. The AL won for the 18th time in 23 games and holds a 49-45-2 overall advantage.
July 15, 2026 4:29 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The head of baseball’s players’ union criticized management for its salary cap campaign. Bruce Meyer says the sport is thriving despite claims that change is needed. He accused MLB of trying to persuade fans the game is broken. Attendance has increased this season. Commissioner Rob Manfred says the cap proposal responds to fans’ concerns about competitive balance. He argues smaller markets need hope for success. MLB’s recent changes, like expanded playoffs and a pitch clock, have been popular. The current labor contract expires Dec. 1 and a lockout is expected. Meyer believes a cap would harm players long-term.
July 14, 2026 4:27 am
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a heady play by teenager Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro added another goal and Spain advanced to its first World Cup final since winning in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France. Yamal was denied a goal on a close offside call that came soon after Porro’s give-and-go with Dani Olmo in the 58th minute had put Spain up 2-0. But it was Yamal’s smart play against a veteran defender that put Spain in the lead. Spain will face either defending champion Argentina or England on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They face each other on Wednesday in Atlanta.
July 15, 2026 4:30 am
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Scottie Scheffler had to figure out what to do with himself after missing the cut in the Scottish Open for the first time in four years. But it’s not all bad. It has given the world’s No. 1 player a chance to hit the reset button. And it gave him an extra day to get to know Royal Birkdale. What he saw was a yellow links course that is fast and firm. Scheffler and Justin Rose are among those who believe learning the right bounces on the fairway are going to be key to winning the silver claret jug.
