Wyndham Clark Grabs Early US Open Lead at Shinnecock Hills
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — The USGA adjusted the setup at Shinnecock Hills to account for fierce winds on Thursday, but when those gusts calmed down later in the day, Wyndham Clark made the most of the easier conditions. Clark surged to 6-under par through 16 holes before darkness halted play, giving him a four-shot advantage over a group of seven players that includes Ryder Cowan and Dustin Johnson. Rory McIlroy was satisfied with his round of 69 after battling winds exceeding 30 mph, while Scottie Scheffler leaned heavily on his short game to post a 72. Clark will head back out Friday morning to wrap up his opening round.
Mexico First Team to Reach World Cup Knockout Stage After 1-0 Win Over South Korea
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico capitalized on a costly mistake by South Korea’s goalkeeper to claim a 1-0 victory and become the first nation to advance to the World Cup knockout round. The win is a significant turnaround for Mexico after the team was eliminated in the group stage back in 2022. Luis Romo put the ball in the net in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with teammate Lee Gi-hyuk and fumbled the ball inside the penalty area. Romo had little trouble finishing with an open net in front of him. South Korea nearly tied it up in the 87th minute, but Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel came up with a spectacular stop to preserve the win.
MLB Owners Propose Major Changes to Amateur Signing Rules
NEW YORK — During collective bargaining talks Thursday, baseball’s team owners put forward a proposal that would prohibit high school players from signing directly with major league organizations, raise the minimum age for international amateur signings, and sharply reduce signing bonus pools. Under the proposal, the amateur draft covering players from the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico would be trimmed from 20 rounds down to 12 rounds starting in 2027. Owners also proposed creating a matching 12-round draft for international prospects — a concept the players’ union has previously turned down.
Knicks Celebrate First NBA Title in 53 Years With Manhattan Parade
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks threw a massive celebration Thursday as thousands of fans dressed in blue and orange lined Manhattan’s “Canyon of Heroes” for a ticker-tape parade marking the franchise’s first NBA championship in more than five decades. Finals MVP Jalen Brunson lifted the trophy toward the crowd and let fans reach out and touch it, while other players rode on floats or stepped off to celebrate with cheering supporters. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a noted Knicks fan, along with celebrities including Spike Lee and Alicia Keys, joined the festivities. It was a historic moment for the city, which notably did not hold championship parades after the Knicks’ title victories in the 1970s.
College Sports Bill Clears Senate Committee Despite Opposition From SEC and Big Ten
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan piece of legislation that top lawmakers and athletic leaders have called the best opportunity to bring stability to college sports has passed an important Senate test. The Senate Commerce Committee voted 19-9 to send the bill forward on Thursday. The Protect College Sports Act would regulate how athletes are compensated, limit players to a single unrestricted transfer, and prevent coaches from switching jobs mid-season. Several athletic conferences, along with the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, back the bill. However, the SEC and the Big Ten have withheld their support. Backing and opposition for the measure cuts across party lines.
Jonathan David Hat Trick Powers Canada to Historic 6-0 World Cup Win Over Qatar
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Jonathan David netted three goals to lead Canada to its first-ever World Cup victory, a commanding 6-0 rout of Qatar that also put the team on the verge of advancing to the knockout round. The match turned chaotic after Qatar was reduced to nine players due to red cards. Homan Ahmed was ejected in the first half for a foul on Tajon Buchanan, and Assim Madibo received a second red card early in the second half for a tackle on Ismaël Koné, who was carried off the field on a stretcher with a broken left leg. With the lopsided victory, Canada tripled its all-time World Cup goal total.
Switzerland Storms Back for 4-1 World Cup Victory Over Bosnia-Herzegovina
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Substitute Johan Manzambi announced himself on the World Cup stage with a stunning volley in the 74th minute, sparking a late flurry of goals as Switzerland rolled past Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 to take control of its group. Rubén Vargas added a goal in the 84th minute shortly after Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for a dangerous foul, leaving the team shorthanded. Manzambi struck again in the 90th minute off a pass from Vargas, and captain Granit Xhaka converted a penalty on the final kick of the match. Bosnia’s Ermin Mahmic had scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.
Canada’s Koné to Have Surgery Following Serious Injury Against Qatar
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canada’s landmark first World Cup win was tempered by a frightening injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné. He suffered a broken left leg after a tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who was immediately sent off. Koné was stretchered off the field and transported to a hospital for surgery. Canada coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Koné had family by his side. Nathan Saliba, who came on to replace Koné, went on to score Canada’s fourth goal in the 6-0 victory. Striker Jonathan David spoke out about the tackle, calling it reckless and questioning why it was necessary. The full extent of Koné’s injury has not been officially disclosed.
Angels Star Mike Trout Lands on Injured List With Hamstring Problem
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is heading back to the injured list. The team announced before Thursday night’s game against the Athletics that the 11-time All-Star was placed on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. The Angels brought up infielder Christian Moore from Triple-A Salt Lake as part of a series of roster moves. The 34-year-old Trout had appeared in 74 of the team’s 75 games this season. He is hitting .234 with a .394 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, 36 RBIs, and seven stolen bases.
Big Ten and SEC Push Back on College Sports Legislation — Could a Super League Follow?
The Protect College Sports Act advanced out of a Senate committee, but the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference are not on board and are calling for changes to the bill. Their opposition has sparked talk about whether those powerful conferences might eventually break away from the NCAA to form their own super league. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has stressed that any solution must deliver economic benefits across the board. The financial and athletic dominance of the Big Ten and SEC has raised concerns about competitive balance throughout college sports. A Texas Tech regent named Cody Campbell dismissed the super league concept as unworkable. The bill still needs 60 Senate votes to move forward, plus approval from the House, and legal challenges are expected even if it is ultimately signed into law.
