General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

Golf's Major and the Open Championship Buzz

The 154th Open Championship is set to, with questions swirling around whether Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy will emerge as the favorite. Meanwhile, the prospect of an English golfer at Royal Birkdale adds another layer of intrigue. Scheffler, coming off a rare weekend off after at the Scottish Open, is preparing for the major, ending a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive PGA Tour starts. Amidst the championship buildup, golfer David Howard, who has cystic fibrosis after a long journey. However, concerns about sports betting have also surfaced, with Matt Fitzpatrick highlighting the issue. English golfers may also face a scheduling conflict, with early Thursday tee times at The Open.

NCAA and Collegiate Landscape

The NCAA women's basketball tournament is set to, with the top 16 teams being seeded according to their true ranking, irrespective of conference affiliation, starting next year. In a separate development, eleven Division I athletes have filed a federal class action lawsuit alleging that the NCAA's new eligibility rules have adversely affected them. On the legal front, former Kansas Jayhawks player Lagerald Vick, who was part of the 2018 Final Four team, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in Tennessee. Meanwhile, NC State's defensive coordinator DJ Eliot continues to find ways to honor his late daughter, who passed away from cancer.

WNBA and Basketball Updates

The WNBA is facing scrutiny over the lack of Black women head coaches, with Wings star Paige Bueckers calling for "the same equal opportunity" for Black women in coaching roles within the league. In player news, Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles, becoming the first WNBA player to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in just 22 career games, leading the Lynx to a victory over the Phoenix Mercury. The Indiana Fever are, moving up to No. 4 in the WNBA Power Rankings with Kelsey Mitchell posting her sixth consecutive game with 25 or more points, while the Golden State. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve indicated that All-Star Napheesa Collier's return could be imminent, for a team tied atop the WNBA standings with the Las Vegas Aces. In a separate incident, New York Liberty's Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was ejected for tossing a shoe that hit Toronto's Marina Mabrey during a close game. The Sparks' general manager, Raegan Pebley, is out after two and a half years, with assistants set to share the role.

International Rugby and Soccer

England's utility back Marcus Smith despite an 11-try victory over Fiji, stating there's still plenty to improve. Ireland's assistant coach Andrew Goodman confirmed that Rob Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman in their Nations Championship match. New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie acknowledged Ireland's ability, stating his side is "well aware" of their opponents ahead of the upcoming match. Wales captain Dewi Lake is, his first game under new coach Steve Tandy. Prop Rhys Carre felt Wales took a "step back" in their performance during their defeat against Argentina in the Nations Championship. Scrum-half Raffi Quirke has been called into the England squad for their upcoming match against Argentina on Saturday. Scotland's ability to score tries was not enough to secure an away win over South Africa, with the chance for a first victory slipping away. Wales were convincingly beaten by Argentina, with the Pumas. In soccer, Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off after a video review showed he was guilty of simulation during a World Cup quarterfinal match against Argentina. England Under-20 flanker Seb Kelly was sent off for a headbutt, ending his team's hopes of regaining the age-grade world title in their semi-final defeat. Spain's World Cup camp is building a strong "all for one" mentality as they prepare to face France's "four musketeers" in the semifinals.

UFC and Combat Sports

UFC 329 saw standout performances from Paddy Pimblett and Gable Steveson, which after Conor McGregor's injury-plagued return. McGregor's comeback fight against Max Holloway ended abruptly in the opening minute due to an injury. Pimblett strengthened his claim for a lightweight title shot with a 52-second submission win over Benoit Saint-Denis. Gable Steveson made an impressive UFC debut, securing a first-round TKO victory over Elisha Ellison on Saturday. Quick wins by Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett may position them for a future bout. Joe Joyce's comeback fight concluded in a bizarre fashion, resulting in a loss to Artem Suslenkov in Moscow.

Other Sports and League News

In baseball, Jordan Walker with his final six swings, becoming the first Cardinal to claim the title. The World Series of Poker main event final table has been set, with nine players competing for a $10 million first prize in the 2026 event. NASCAR saw Ryan Blaney emerge victorious in a three-wide battle on the final lap of overtime at Atlanta. Tennis saw Jannik Sinner return to his dominant No. 1 status after winning Wimbledon, though Carlos Alcaraz's return could challenge that. Great Britain's Alfie Hewett was defeated by Tokito Oda in the men's wheelchair singles final at Wimbledon this year. The dominance of Czech tennis was highlighted by Linda Noskova's victory over Karolina Muchova in a recent match. In cricket, the ICC is considering changes to World Cup structures, semi-finals in the World Test Championship, and a potential World Club T20 competition in an overhaul. The relevance of women's Test cricket is being questioned following the scheduling and announcement of Brendon McCullum's sacking during the historic Lord's Test between England and India this past week. Rugby league saw Brodie Croft score a hat-trick to help Leeds restore their four-point lead at the top of Super League, while Wakefield Trinity ended Hull KR's home winning streak in a recent match. In gymnastics, American star Suni Lee is making a run at a third Olympics, announcing her return roughly two years ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Max Whitlock, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has withdrawn from the upcoming Commonwealth Games due to a hand injury. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is and has stated he does not wish to leave the school, amidst an investigation into the culture of its athletic department. The University of Michigan regents are expected to discuss the review on Thursday.