General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

Golf & Tournament Updates

The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is underway, with organizers aiming for a more controlled environment after the 2018 controversy. USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer confirmed that officials learned a great deal from previous experiences, while Rory McIlroy has urged tournament leaders to ensure course conditions do not get out of control this weekend. Despite Scottie Scheffler remaining the favorite among bettors, his odds for a career grand slam have lengthened, and Brooks Koepka has confirmed he plans to play despite a recent hand injury. Meanwhile, Robert Mac Intyre, who nearly claimed the title in 2025, looks to find major redemption at the iconic course, as top-ranked amateur Jackson Koivun seeks a successful transition to the professional ranks following this event.

The broader landscape of professional golf remains in flux as the R&A and USGA pushed back new rules initially intended to limit how far golf balls can travel. The proposed rollback, which now targets a single-date implementation in January 2030, aims to address distance concerns without immediate disruption. Rory McIlroy also voiced concerns regarding the PGA Tour’s proposed "Track Two" events, warning they could devolve into glorified Korn Ferry events rather than premium competitions. Elsewhere, 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell is sharing his return to major competition with his son, while fans continue to debate the experts' picks and betting tips for the week's field.

UFC & Combat Sports

The UFC’s recent event at the White House has drawn intense scrutiny after Alex Pereira accused Ciryl Gane of illegal strikes during their bout, specifically citing blows to the back of his head that went unpunished by referee Herb Dean. The controversy was compounded by security concerns after the FBI thwarted planned attacks on members of Congress, and fighter Josh Hokit sparked further outrage by disparaging Michelle Obama during his post-fight interview. Despite the turbulence, the event featured a series of all-knockout finishes, and officials are now determining the next steps for top fighters like Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Meanwhile, heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is targeting a September return in Paris to face Gane, and Ian Machado Garry is preparing to make history as the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to fight for a UFC title on 15 August.

In other combat news, Rico Verhoeven has confirmed that his appeal against his loss to Oleksandr Usyk was formally dismissed. Amy Pu is breaking barriers as a referee, becoming the first female to officiate a professional boxing fight in Britain despite significant challenges. In the rankings, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez is soaring following a successful debut at bantamweight, and Estefany Alegria has entered the women's divisional rankings after securing her status as a three-belt champion. Former world champion Floyd Mayweather faces legal trouble in Las Vegas, where he is facing two felony charges related to an alleged $200,000 bad check for a luxury watch.

College Athletics & Administration

The landscape of college sports faces significant legislative and logistical shifts. The Senate Commerce Committee voted 19-9 to advance the Protect College Sports Act to a full Senate vote, while leaders continue to weigh the logistics of a 24-team CFP field. In the Men’s College World Series, North Carolina and Oklahoma have advanced to the championship round after the Tar Heels rode a hot offense to a 12-7 victory over West Virginia. The trip has been a major success for fans, who have transformed Omaha into a focal point of college baseball, though Troy’s program suffered a setback when photographers lost $35,000 in gear after a theft from their team bus.

Legal and personnel issues continue to plague several major programs. Cincinnati officials denied claims that they knowingly played a gambler in Brendan Sorsby, and the NCAA is currently seeking an expedited ruling to resolve the quarterback's eligibility status before the season. Dan Wetzel has argued that the entire Sorsby saga highlights a need to remove local judges from athletic governance. At Michigan State, Tom Izzo expressed he was disgusted by leadership overhauls, while individual athletes like Yaxel Lendeborg are raising their draft stock through deliberate collegiate development. Other prospects, such as LSU commit Ahmad Hudson, are refusing to choose between football and basketball, while Shedeur Sanders is making significant strides in his development as a professional quarterback.

Team Sports & Global Events

The WNBA is looking toward long-term growth, with plans to expand the schedule to 50 games by 2027. On the court, the Las Vegas Aces have powered into the Commissioner's Cup final following an 86-76 win, and the Indiana Fever have settled into winning ways at a critical point in their season. The New York Liberty have reclaimed the top spot in the power rankings after an impressive seven-game winning streak. In the world of football, Lionel Messi’s hat trick in the 2026 World Cup captivated fans in Kansas City, while Erling Haaland expressed his readiness to fulfill a lifelong dream by making his own World Cup debut for Norway.

Rugby and cricket updates show high stakes across the board. In the Prem final, Exeter's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has declared himself fit to play, while Northampton captain George Furbank is pushing for a fairytale finish to his career on Saturday. England’s Test cricket team is attempting to move on from the Ben Stokes controversy after the captain was dropped for breaking a curfew, a move Michael Vaughan called a travesty for the sport. Meanwhile, Fatima Sana is set to become the first Pakistani woman to participate in The Hundred, and South Africa’s women’s cricket team has bounced back with a win over Pakistan in T20 World Cup action. In cycling, Urska Zigart is recovering after suffering a fractured jaw in a crash at the Tour de Suisse Femmes, while Wout van Aert is set to miss the Tour de France due to an elbow injury.