DeChambeau gets 2-shot penalty in dramatic late-night British Open ruling
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau has been given a two-shot penalty after his second round at the British Open. That has dropped the American star out of the final group and raised initial doubts about his continued involvement at Royal Birkdale. It was a dramatic late Friday evening development after he shot a 4-under 66. DeChambeau was taken back out to the course and specifically to the fifth hole where footage taken during his round showed him stomping around in high grass to the right of the fairway trying to figure out his shot. DeChambeau was seen in a lengthy, heated exchange with rules officials. He was deemed to have inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing. The two-shot penalty turned his score to a 68.
DeChambeau penalized 2 shots at British Open after Herbert and Burns shoot 62s in wild 2nd round
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns are in the history books by matching the major championship record with 62s at the British Open. Bryson DeChambeau is in the spotlight for a two-shot penalty. DeChambeau finished birdie-birdie and was one shot behind 36-hole leader Herbert. But after the round officials took him back to the fifth hole. Video indicates DeChambeau might have improved the path of his swing by stomping around in high grass behind his ball. DeChambeau was visibly frustrated during the discussion. His score was changed from a 66 to a 68 and he was three shots behind Herbert.
NFL suspends Arizona Cardinals executive indefinitely for violating league’s gambling policy
The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. The league said Friday that its investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 draft selections by the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games. The league didn’t say who Gold had provided with the information. Gold, who is in his 13th season with the Cardinals, was promoted to director of college scouting in June 2025.
Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn’t think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until years later when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal. Now those images of Messi and an infant Yamal have exploded in popularity in the runup to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
Lionel Messi speaks in advance of World Cup final, says Argentina 'will give it our all'
NEW YORK (AP) — The lineup of sports legends simultaneously on the stage at Fanatics Fest on Friday night was almost absurd. There was Tom Brady, the greatest Super Bowl champion of all time. There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men’s Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else. There was Kevin Durant, the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men’s basketball history. And before they left, they all got a selfie with Lionel Messi. Let that be the latest proof of Messi’s power: Even the biggest stars in the sports universe clearly enjoy a chance to be around the best soccer player of all-time. They’ll all be watching Sunday — along with probably 1.5 billion other people worldwide — when Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.
Uncertainty clouds the forecast on whether wildfire smoke will affect the World Cup final
NEW YORK (AP) — It's unclear how much, if at all, smoke from Canadian wildfires will affect the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday. Conditions improved in the New York City area and northern New Jersey on Friday after the air quality was hazardous on Thursday. Rain expected Saturday and the uncertainty about how much smoke will follow is clouding the forecast for kickoff, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern time in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain's Mikel Merino says he and his teammates notice the smoke while outside but are being careful and trying to focus on the game.
Boone faults himself for leaving in Cole, who gives up go-ahead homer to Muncy in Dodgers' win
NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole walked Mookie Betts in the seventh inning with the Yankees leading the Dodgers by one run. New York manager Aaron Boone decided to leave Cole in the game. Seven pitches later, Max Muncy hit a home run, lifting the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory. Boone acknowledged he should have pulled Cole, who had been pitching a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. The Yankees led on an unearned run in the fourth. Los Angeles improved to a major league-best 62-36 and New York dropped to 54-43. The game featured a key defensive play by Mookie Betts, Andy Pages and Dalton Rushing.
Pirates-Guardians game postponed due to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke
CLEVELAND (AP) — Friday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians was postponed due to air quality concerns because of wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota. Heavy, pungent wildfire smoke darkened skies in the U.S. from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast, reducing visibility and prompting warnings that breathing the air outside could be dangerous. Officials in many cities urged residents to stay inside or wear masks outside as air quality reached unhealthy to hazardous levels, meaning it’s unhealthy for anyone, regardless of health conditions. The National Weather Service said a lingering high pressure system has trapped the smoke close to the ground.
MLB restricts dugout iPad use to prevent AI help with strategy. Ottavino says Mets were involved
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent artificial intelligence from influencing game decisions. Former reliever and current broadcaster Adam Ottavino said the New York Mets' use of technology helped prompt the move. The tablets, which have access to video and league data, had custom tabs for other programs. MLB made those tabs inaccessible starting Wednesday night. The change aims to stop AI from influencing decisions traditionally made by players and coaches. Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed surprise at teams using AI. Ottavino noted the Mets' significant investment in AI, which MLB has now curtailed.
Shohei Ohtani had lubricant injected into his knee and is likely to pitch Wednesday at Philadelphia
NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has received a lubricant injection in his left knee, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Ohtani was 0 for 4 with a pair of warning-track flyouts as the leadoff batter and designated hitter in 2-1 win over the New York Yankees that opened the second half. He is not scheduled to pitch this weekend but is likely to start Wednesday in Philadelphia. Roberts said Ohtani had the procedure after Sunday's game against Arizona. Ohtani last pitched on July 3. The team plans to manage his workload, giving him days off after pitching starts when possible.
