General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Golf Majors and Professional Tournaments

The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills lived up to its reputation as a brutal test of skill, with Rory McIlroy navigating the fog-delayed opening round to card a one-under. Amid the challenging conditions, Keith Mitchell rebounded in record fashion on the back nine after a dismal start to his first round, while 2010 champion Graeme McDowell returned to the major stage with his son, acknowledging the diminishing window of his competitive career. Tournament officials continue to face scrutiny, as Rory McIlroy urged organizers to exercise caution with course setups to avoid the chaos seen in previous iterations of the tournament, a sentiment echoed by USGA officials who confirmed they learned significant lessons following the 2018 event. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler faces lengthening odds as bettors hedge against the pressure of his career grand slam bid, even as amateur sensation Jackson Koivun prepares to turn professional following his participation this week.

Cricket and International Test Matches

England’s Test squad faces a volatile period as the team spiraled during a chaotic morning on day two of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, leaving the side in a precarious position. The turmoil has been exacerbated by captain Ben Stokes, who broke a team curfew, prompting criticism from Lord Botham and calls from Michael Vaughan to protect the captaincy for the sake of team stability. Despite the controversy, bowler Sonny Baker lifted the team mood with a composed performance, while the squad made a solid opening in the match despite the absence of their skipper. In other developments, England’s women’s side left out Charlie Dean for the historic Test at Lord's, and Nat Sciver-Brunt suffered a calf injury during the T20 World Cup, leading to further scans as the team tries to secure a path to the knockouts.

UFC and Combat Sports

The UFC continues to navigate the aftermath of the Freedom 250 event at the White House, where officials thwarted a planned terror attack after a mother raised concerns about her son. In the cage, the promotion delivered exclusively knockout results, though the main event sparked controversy as Alex Pereira accused Ciryl Gane of illegal blows to the back of the head. Referee Herb Dean faced criticism for his handling of the bout, mirroring the scrutiny seen in the controversial Usyk-Verhoeven fight, where the official intervened in the 11th round before the final bell. heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall confirmed his September return against Gane in Paris, while Ian Machado Garry is set to fight for the welterweight title against Islam Makhachev in Philadelphia on 15 August.

WNBA and Basketball Prospects

The Las Vegas Aces secured a championship berth for the third time after an 86-76 victory over the Mercury, signaling the team's strong form as the league prepares for a significant expansion to a 50-game season by 2027. The Indiana Fever have settled into winning ways following a difficult 4-4 start, while Gabby Williams signed a multiyear agreement with the Unrivaled league. On the collegiate and professional transition front, Shedeur Sanders showed marked improvement during his offseason with the Browns, and Yaxel Lendeborg elevated his draft projection by returning to Michigan for another year of development. Meanwhile, the Bulls hired Tiago Splitter as their new head coach following a 42-40 interim tenure with the Trail Blazers.

College Sports and Recruiting

The Men’s College World Series has reached its conclusion as North Carolina rolled past West Virginia to reach the finals for the first time since 2007, where they will face Oklahoma. The Branch brothers have dominated the headlines in Omaha, with Kyle’s Oklahoma squad ousted Kolby’s Georgia team in a high-stakes sendoff. Legislative efforts to standardize the industry have advanced, as the Senate Commerce Committee voted to move the bill regarding college sports to a full floor vote. Meanwhile, Texas A&M bolstered its 2027 recruiting class by securing a commitment from four-star linebacker Kaden Henderson, and Cincinnati denied allegations of misconduct regarding their handling of quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s gambling history.

Cycling and International Athletics

The Tour de Suisse Femmes was marred by a high-speed incident as Slovenian rider Urska Zigart suffered a fractured jaw in the final kilometer of stage two. In other endurance news, Wout van Aert withdrew from the Tour de France due to an elbow injury, while the 2026 Tour of Britain organizers announced a three-region route starting in Lincolnshire. Olympic medalist Jenny Simpson is making encouraging improvement in a hospital after collapsing during a track event in Raleigh, North Carolina. World Athletics has also launched a project to refine pregnancy and childbirth support policies for female athletes, reflecting a broader shift toward inclusive sports governance.

Tennis and Football Headlines

British teenager Hannah Klugman claimed her first WTA win by sweeping aside Harriet Dart at the Nottingham Open, while Dan Evans missed out on a wildcard for Wimbledon and must now navigate the qualifying rounds. At the HSBC Championships, Arthur Fery kept home hopes alive by defeating Adrian Mannarino to reach the quarter-finals. In football, Vincent Tan converted £42M of debt into equity for Cardiff City, while Exeter Chiefs received a boost as wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso declared himself fit for the upcoming Premiership final against Northampton. Meanwhile, the legal system remains involved in sports as a judge dismissed the rape charge against former BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston, although prosecutors intend to refile the case.