July 18, 2026 4:31 am
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau has been given a two-shot penalty after his second round at the British Open. That has dropped the American star out of the final group and raised initial doubts about his continued involvement at Royal Birkdale. It was a dramatic late Friday evening development after he shot a 4-under 66. DeChambeau was taken back out to the course and specifically to the fifth hole where footage taken during his round showed him stomping around in high grass to the right of the fairway trying to figure out his shot. DeChambeau was seen in a lengthy, heated exchange with rules officials. He was deemed to have inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing. The two-shot penalty turned his score to a 68.
July 18, 2026 4:37 am
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s unclear how much, if at all, smoke from Canadian wildfires will affect the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday. Conditions improved in the New York City area and northern New Jersey on Friday after the air quality was hazardous on Thursday. Rain expected Saturday and the uncertainty about how much smoke will follow is clouding the forecast for kickoff, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern time in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain’s Mikel Merino says he and his teammates notice the smoke while outside but are being careful and trying to focus on the game.
July 18, 2026 4:35 am
The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. The league said Friday that its investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 draft selections by the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games. The league didn’t say who Gold had provided with the information. Gold, who is in his 13th season with the Cardinals, was promoted to director of college scouting in June 2025.
July 17, 2026 4:27 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is set to have its earliest opening day next year on March 24 except for international games — if there is an opening day. MLB said Thursday its 2027 season will start with a single game to be televised that night by Netflix. The teams have not been chosen. Baseball’s labor contract expires Dec. 1 and a management lockout is expected. In 2022, an agreement wasn’t reached until March 10, causing opening day to be pushed back from March 31 to April 7.
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.
