General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

Golf

Organizers of the U.S. Open are prioritizing course fairness at Shinnecock Hills this week, aiming to avoid the controversies that marred the 2018 event at the same venue. As Rory McIlroy calls for setup caution to ensure conditions do not spiral, the USGA and the R&A have delayed the implementation of new rules intended to limit golf ball flight distance. Instead of a staggered rollout, the governing bodies have set a single-date target for the ball rollback to take effect in January 2030. Meanwhile, 2010 champion Graeme McDowell reflects on his return to major competition, while Scottie Scheffler faces lengthened odds from bettors despite remaining the favorite heading into the tournament. With Brooks Koepka planning to play despite a recent hand injury and experts analyzing field tiers, the tournament remains a focal point for betting analysts breaking down favorites and potential storylines like Robert Mac Intyre’s pursuit of major redemption.

UFC & Combat Sports

The UFC’s recent event at the White House has left a complex legacy, with president Dana White declaring the event a singular occurrence that will not be repeated. The card, which featured all knockouts, was marred by reports that the FBI thwarted planned attacks against members of Congress in attendance. Controversy followed the fights, as Alex Pereira accused Ciryl Gane of landing illegal blows to the back of his head during his defeat, a sentiment echoed in formal complaints regarding referee Herb Dean’s oversight. Amid the fallout, Tom Aspinall confirmed his readiness for a September return against Gane in Paris, while Ian Machado Garry secured a title shot against Islam Makhachev for 15 August. Elsewhere, boxer Amy Pu navigates systemic challenges as the first female to referee a professional fight in Britain, and Rico Verhoeven confirmed the dismissal of his appeal regarding his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

Cricket

England’s Test squad faces a period of transition as Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker prepare to make their debuts in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. The mood has been notably impacted by the absence of Ben Stokes, whose future as captain remains a point of intense speculation, with former skipper Michael Vaughan labeling potential removal a travesty. While Durham head coach Ryan Campbell reports Stokes is working hard, Brendon McCullum has expressed underlying worry regarding the all-rounder’s situation. In the domestic game, England’s T20 World Cup campaign has been disrupted by a left calf injury to captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is awaiting scan results after the team's victory over Ireland. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s women’s side remains winless following a defeat to Sri Lanka, and South Africa has bounced back with a strong performance from Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen.

College Sports & Recruiting

North Carolina and Oklahoma have advanced to the finals of the Men's College World Series, with the Tar Heels rolling past West Virginia in a 12-7 victory. The excitement in Omaha has been palpable, with West Virginia fans creating a massive presence despite the team’s photographers suffering the theft of $35,000 worth of equipment from their team bus. Legal battles continue to surround Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, as the NCAA seeks an expedited ruling to overturn a temporary injunction and the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit to enforce its eligibility bylaws. Deion Sanders has criticized gambling involvement in the sport, while Cincinnati officials denied prior knowledge of Sorsby’s betting activities. On the basketball front, Tom Izzo has expressed disgust over leadership changes at Michigan State, and recruit Ahmad Hudson remains committed to playing both football and basketball at LSU.

Basketball

The WNBA is preparing for significant expansion, announcing a 50-game schedule to begin in 2027. On the court, the Las Vegas Aces advanced to the championship with an 86-76 win over the Phoenix Mercury, while the New York Liberty reclaimed the top spot in the league’s power rankings. Caitlin Clark continues to dominate the commercial landscape, unveiling her signature shoe and prompting questions regarding the lengthy development timeline taken by Nike. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have finalized the hiring of Tiago Splitter as their new head coach, and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is changing his jersey number after a decade in the league. Following the Knicks' championship run, OG Anunoby predicted a growth surge for basketball interest within the United Kingdom.

Rugby & Football

Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs are preparing for returns of key players for Saturday’s Premiership final at Twickenham. Leinster has confirmed the return of Tadhg Furlong for the United Rugby Championship final, though they will be without Andrew Porter due to injury. In the international game, Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named three uncapped players for the upcoming Nations Championship, and the Barbarians have selected a strong side featuring Duhan van der Merwe. Swansea City is set to appoint Ben Stevens as sporting director, while Vincent Tan has converted £42m of debt into equity to improve Cardiff City’s financial stability. Northern Ireland is awaiting the outcome of the World Cup play-off draw, while Spain’s national team dismissed concerns following a scoreless draw against Cape Verde.

Tennis & Athletics

The tennis world is focused on Wimbledon preparations, with Dan Evans missing out on a wildcard and subsequently criticizing the decision as lacking class. Serena and Venus Williams have been granted a wildcard to play doubles together, a move celebrated by fans of the sport. At Queen’s, Arthur Fery reached the quarter-finals with a victory over Adrian Mannarino, while Cameron Norrie suffered a defeat in his return from injury. Athletics has seen a medical incident involving Jenny Simpson, who collapsed while pacing a mile group in North Carolina and remains under hospital care. World Athletics is also improving pregnancy policies to better support female competitors, while Ciara Mageean opened up about her diagnosis with stage four cancer.