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UPCOMING

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BBO--POSTSEASON

FORMATS: Text

WITH: BBO--PHILLIES-BRAVES

DESCRIPTION: Atlanta right-hander Tyler Mahle is expected to face Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in Wednesday’s second game of the series. Mahle was 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine games with Atlanta. By Charles Odum. 500 words, photos. Game scheduled for 2:15 p.m. start

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 2:15 p.m. EDT

WITH: BBO--WHITE SOX-ASTROS

DESCRIPTION: Just a season removed a third straight 100-loss season, the Chicago White Sox can advance to the AL Division Series with a win over the Houston Astros in Game 2 of a Wild Card Series. 600 words.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

BBO--WILD CARD #3-DIV. WINNER #3

DESCRIPTION: NL plays NL at NL City. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Text

BBO--WILD CARD #2-WILD CARD #1

DESCRIPTION: AL plays AL at AL City. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--WNBA PLAYOFFS

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: BKL--LIBERTY-ADVANCE

2. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — It was a roller coaster regular season for the New York Liberty, who finished as the eighth-seed in the playoffs. That didn’t matter to them as they knew that the playoffs were a whole new affair. New York pulled off a historic upset, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history by completing the two-game sweep of the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night with an 87-71 victory in Game 2 of the quarterfinals. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

3. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKL--WNBA PLAYOFFS

5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the first round of the WNBA playoffs

6. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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FBC--T25-WHAT TO WATCH

DESCRIPTION: The ability of No. 8 Florida, No. 14 Iowa and No. 16 Mississippi State to avoid letdowns after emotional victories will be put to the test in their Week 5 matchups against opponents also ranked in The Associated Press Top 25. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 850 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 7:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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OLY--CONGRESS-SAVING THE OLYMPICS

DESCRIPTION: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The bill is called the Protect College Sports Act. If it becomes a law, one of the most important outcomes could be its ability to save Olympic sports in the United States. By Eddie Pells. AP Photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--GIANTS-QUARTERBACKS

DESCRIPTION: J.J. McCarthy practices with the New York Giants for the first time since they acquired him in a trade from Minnesota, while Jameis Winston remains the starter for at least this weekend’s game against Arizona. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAIDERS-COUSINS

DESCRIPTION: Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the bridge quarterback until Fernando Mendoza was ready to take the reins for the Las Vegas Raiders. But Cousins has been anything but that in leading the Raiders to a 3-0 start and tied for the league lead with nine touchdown passes.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--ASTROS-PLAYOFF CROWD

Sparse crowd, empty seats greet .500 Astros for wild-card opener vs White Sox

SUMMARY: The crowd at Daikin Park was surprisingly sparse as the Houston Astros — baseball’s first division winner with a .500 or worse record — opened their Wild Card Series with a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Large swaths of seats, especially in the upper deck, sat empty while right-hander AJ Blumbaugh delivered the game’s first pitch at 4:10 p.m. The bottom two levels were much fuller than the upper deck, but many seats in the lower two decks were also empty. The announced attendance was 34,011, in a park with a capacity of 40,963.

WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 1:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62b31bc1912459e50ee1528cf99bd52c&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-CHARGES-EXPLAINER

Man City scandal: What to know about the controversy surrounding the Premier League soccer team

WORDS: 1288 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 1:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:279a90a5081834b9efe06b09ca25b033&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-GRAY IN THE BRONX

Sonny Gray was booed out of the Bronx. He’s back and trying to save the season for the rival Red Sox

SUMMARY: Sonny Gray will have to save Boston’s season on the mound where his big league career derailed. With the Red Sox trailing after losing the opener of the best-of-three Wild Card Series against the Yankees 9-0, Gray on Wednesday night will face a fan base that gave him the Bronx brush-off in 2017 and 2018. Approaching his 37th birthday, Gray tied for the major league lead with 18 wins this year along with a 2.72 ERA, his best in a full season. He took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning against the Yankees at Fenway Park in June.

WORDS: 642 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 12:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60779cd96b5c2ca6e9f677188c606725&mediaType=text

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BKL--LYNX-LIBERTY

No. 8-seeded Liberty sweep top-seeded Lynx 87-71 in quarterfinals, advance to WNBA semifinals

SUMMARY: Jonquel Jones had 21 points and 13 rebounds and the No. 8 seed New York Liberty beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 of their WNBA playoff series and advanced to the semifinals. Breanna Stewart added 21 points and Sabrina Ionescu had 18 to help the Liberty become the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history. The WNBA has undergone a number of different playoff formats. And in many of the formats, it wasn’t possible for those seeds to match up. However, in 2022 the league changed to the current format in which the top eight teams play in the quarterfinals. Now, New York awaits the winner of the Atlanta-Washington series. The Dream are up 1-0 and play at Washington on Wednesday night. The semifinals begin Sunday.

WORDS: 617 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 11:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:643a3d0ea736e5e0939bdfea2d39c894&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-YANKEES

Schlittler and Rice torment hometown team as Yankees beat rival Red Sox 9-0 in playoff opener

SUMMARY: Cam Schlittler pitched another playoff gem against the Boston Red Sox, and Ben Rice also burned their hometown team with a late grand slam and six RBIs as the New York Yankees opened this Wild Card Series rematch with a 9-0 victory. With the Yankees minus star slugger Aaron Judge because of a calf injury, Rice homered twice, doubled and finished with four hits to power the offense. No. 9 batter Austin Wells drove in two runs for New York, and 21-year-old rookie George Lombard Jr. had three hits in his postseason debut. Rice and Schlittler were both raised among Red Sox fans in Massachusetts and went to college in New England before getting plucked by the Yankees out of Boston’s backyard in baseball’s amateur draft.

WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 11:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aaa3ead5b27def19d8b986e75e2c43dd&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Dodgers expect a healthier Shohei Ohtani for Game 1 of the NLDS

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to be healthier for the postseason. The two-way superstar played the final five games of the regular season after recovering from injuries. With five days off before the National League Division Series begins Saturday, Ohtani has time to rest and refine his hitting. He went 5 for 21 in those five games. General manager Brandon Gomes says Ohtani is feeling great physically. Despite injuries, Ohtani hit .275 with 30 home runs in the regular season. Manager Dave Roberts is confident Ohtani will be a threat at the top of the lineup.

WORDS: 365 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 10:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bf1ab64dc3c5a6b5b837d26bcf199b73&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-CHARGES

Man City guilty of almost all the 115 financial charges, Premier League says in explosive verdict

SUMMARY: The Premier League says Manchester City has been found guilty of almost all of the 115 charges of financial wrongdoing in one of the biggest scandals in English soccer history. City now faces severe sanctions that could include a huge points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League. It is set to cause huge reputational damage to its Abu Dhabi ownership. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says the explosive verdict by an independent commission “details how the club systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade.” The case that was initiated by the Premier League more than three years ago and first arose in 2018 from leaked club emails and documents.

WORDS: 1049 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 9:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2da2890d5a18b1cf234d39fb40c2a3d&mediaType=text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-ASTROS

White Sox strike first in AL wild card, beating Astros 6-3 in Game 1

SUMMARY: Colson Montgomery hit a solo homer and Sam Antonacci drove in two runs to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series. The White Sox, in the postseason for the first time since 2021, made a remarkable turnaround this year to become the only team in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. They had lost 100 games three straight seasons, including 121 defeats in 2024, setting the record for most losses since 1899.

WORDS: 787 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 9:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:912000ff28793cf78855e0de641d4941&mediaType=text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-POPE LETTER

White Sox receive a letter from Pope Leo XIV before winning playoff opener

SUMMARY: The Chicago White Sox received a letter from Pope Leo XIV on the same day of their playoff opener against the Houston Astros. The Sept. 9 letter was addressed to White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The team says the note arrived at Chicago’s Rate Field ahead of Game 1 of its AL Wild Card Series against the Astros. Leo is a White Sox fan dating to his days growing up in Chicago. He was known as Robert Prevost or Father Bob when he went to the World Series opener 21 years ago, a 5-3 White Sox victory over the Astros.

WORDS: 274 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 9:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:496912767228ea6f4a77d93c7a26977b&mediaType=text

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SOC--US-REAM

Longtime captain and defender Tim Ream announces retirement from US men’s national team

SUMMARY: Tim Ream, the longtime captain and defender for the U.S. men’s soccer team, is ending his national team career. Ream had previously told head coach Mauricio Pochettino that he would not retire from national team play, but says now that the evolution of the team and the game has changed things. The 38-year-old Ream has 86 caps since making his national team debut on Nov. 17, 2010, in a friendly against South Africa. Ream has worn the captain’s armband for 26 matches, including four at the World Cup earlier this year.

WORDS: 407 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 9:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07abcc3992cc5c35a97a7e9609455855&mediaType=text

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BBO--WILD CARD ROSTERS

Aaron Judge left off Yankees’ Wild Card Series roster against Red Sox with calf injury

SUMMARY: Injured captain Aaron Judge has been left off the New York Yankees’ roster for their AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox because of a calf injury and did not join the pregame introductions. Giancarlo Stanton, out since April 24 because of strained calf muscles in both legs, was included. So was center fielder Trent Grisham. Both were on the bench for Game 1 in the best-of-three series Tuesday night. Sidelined since Sept. 16 by a strained right calf, Judge took live batting practice on the field Monday in an effort to persuade manager Aaron Boone he could play. Boone says the team “just felt like he’s not quite there yet.”

WORDS: 958 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 8:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e3b25154d3b84fffe27483d405f12453&mediaType=text

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US-JACK-SMITH-SCHMITT

Hawks? Hawkeyes? Schmitt in probing Smith mistakes basketball mascots

SUMMARY: In Sen. Eric Schmitt’s effort to trip up former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith Tuesday, the Missouri Republican seemed to mistake basketball teams playing about 650 miles apart. Schmitt accused Smith of perjuring himself after repeatedly prodding him about whether he’d attended an NBA game in Atlanta on the evening of Feb. 3, 2024. The hometown Hawks were playing the Golden State Warriors. Instead, Smith said, he had attended a University of Iowa women’s game that evening at the University of Maryland, where the visiting team was the Hawkeyes.

WORDS: 254 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 7:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a180c286d571cf70e25693513b1f418&mediaType=text

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SOC--NATIONS LEAGUE-ROUNDUP

Nations League: Yamal helps Spain extend unbeaten run in homecoming game. Gordon, Kane lead England

SUMMARY: Lamine Yamal led World Cup winner Spain as it defeated Croatia in the Nations League to add to its record unbeaten streak in its homecoming game, while England rebounded from its opening loss to the world champions with a win over 10-man Czech Republic. Yamal scored twice and set up another goal as Spain beat Croatia 4-1 at home to reach 40 games unbeaten. England needed second-half goals by Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane to defeat the Czechs 2-0, with the hosts playing a man down from the 23rd minute after Pavel Sulc was shown a red card.

WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 6:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b29515f64d08e612c00d061098e307dc&mediaType=text

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BBO--PHILLIES-BRAVES

Austin Riley’s 3-run homer off Jhoan Duran rallies Braves past Phillies 5-3 in NLWCS opener

SUMMARY: Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on Tuesday in the opener of a best-of-three National League Wild Card Series. Duran, who allowed just two homers in 61 regular-season games, gave up a single to Michael Harris II before hitting Ozzie Albies with a pitch. Riley drove the go-ahead blast over the wall in right-center field. Harris had three hits. Braves ace Chris Sale dueled for much of the game against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was sharp after missing the last couple weeks of the regular season with left shoulder inflammation.

WORDS: 790 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 6:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:28957ca43b85aded99c7bde1a0a7b55a&mediaType=text

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FBN--GIANTS-BECKHAM

Giants release receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after three games and zero catches

SUMMARY: Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to the New York Giants lasted just three games with no catches. The Giants released Beckham and signed receiver/returner Braxton Berrios off the practice squad. The 33-year-old was thrown at just once during his brief cameo back with the team that drafted him. Beckham made the roster out of training camp after being out of football for more than a year. Berrios was out of practice squad promotions, hence the need to clear a spot.

WORDS: 505 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 5:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:127330ab7130cccba8ff469edf8417d9&mediaType=text

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HKN--PENGUINS-CROSBY

Sidney Crosby knows he won’t play hockey forever. On the eve of his 22nd season, it’s hard to tell

SUMMARY: Sidney Crosby continues to show no signs of slowing down as he enters his 22nd NHL season. The longtime Pittsburgh Penguins captain is still grinding through intense practices while preparing for the season opener against Philadelphia. Crosby remains passionate about the game. Despite being in the final year of his contract, Crosby is in no hurry to sign a new deal, focusing instead on listening to his body and maintaining his performance level. With 1,761 career points, Crosby is close to moving up the all-time scoring list but insists that personal milestones are not his motivation.

WORDS: 1264 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 5:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:358b6d23abe5b1cbac8242800861ebfe&mediaType=text

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US--COLLEGE SPORTS BILL-WHAT TO KNOW

Now that it has passed the Senate, what comes next with the Protect College Sports Act?

SUMMARY: The Senate has passed a bill aimed at controlling spending and addressing issues in college sports. The bill, which took over four months to pass, faces challenges in the House. Sen. Ted Cruz hopes the House will pass it within four weeks, but the House isn’t scheduled to return until after the midterm elections. Some Republicans and Democrats have concerns about the bill, including antitrust protections and the employment status of student-athletes. The bill offers lawsuit protections to the NCAA and increases revenue-sharing with athletes. If the bill doesn’t pass, conferences may consider self-governance models.

WORDS: 1097 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 5:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6daad95b402fb37f142a7cc018080f0c&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-LEBRON’S FIRST DAY

Get to the chopper! 76ers try to stay cool as LeBron James brings extra attention to start of season

SUMMARY: LeBron James has made a splash at 76ers training camp. James’ arrival has brought more attention to the Sixers as they try and win their first NBA championship since 1983. Sixers coach Nick Nurse had conversations with the team about looking out for each other and staying connected while navigating a spotlight season that already has a postseason-type of aura around the franchise before the Sixers even played a game. Nurse says James had a great first day of practice as the Sixers opened camp.

WORDS: 795 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 4:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f84c5e4f3ced5722c4d13ddf748537e2&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-RESTORING ROOTS

NASCAR shrugs off fisticuffs and swearing, heads back to old tracks as it embraces its rugged past

SUMMARY: NASCAR is embracing its roots again. It passed on punishing drivers Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney for their pit road brawl. This approach recalls the sport’s past, when fights and rivalries were common. NASCAR is also returning to traditional tracks and emphasizing grassroots racing. The organization even introduced a “swear jar” for colorful language, further embracing its gritty heritage.

WORDS: 1349 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 3:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc52dbe986c46f2c70d8f8d1f54f777a&mediaType=text

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BKN--KNICKS-WHITE HOUSE

Knicks coach says the NBA champions are still discussing if they will visit the White House

SUMMARY: Coach Mike Brown says the New York Knicks are still deciding if they will become the first NBA champions to visit the White House under President Donald Trump. The president has traditionally invited the reigning champions, but that has not been the case under Trump. No team went during his first term or after he was elected again in 2024. But Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan are close. They sat together when Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, and Dolan indicated after the Knicks won the championship that an offer would be accepted.

WORDS: 292 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 3:13 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26d686bd84b03d9023e862d888c4bda3&mediaType=text

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FBN--BEHIND THE CALL

A late flag, a wiped out interception and Pat Bryant’s blunt admission after Broncos-Rams thriller

SUMMARY: Pat Bryant’s acting skills have drawn comparisons to famous sports “floppers.” On Sunday night, Bryant sold a defensive pass interference call against Josh Wallace, negating an interception and setting up a Denver Broncos touchdown. The Broncos won 30-26 over the Los Angeles Rams. Broncos coach Sean Payton acknowledged the theatrics but said it wasn’t rehearsed. Replays showed some contact between Bryant and Wallace but the call stood. Rams coach Sean McVay refused to blame the loss on the call. Analysts debated the decision, recalling a similar controversy involving McVay’s Rams in 2018.

WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 2:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac392194168c9fc4ec53bfd53e33cd0f&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA ELIGIBILITY

Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen gets court injunction to play this season

SUMMARY: Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen has been granted a temporary injunction that will allow him to play this upcoming season. Circuit court judge George Wright granted the injunction during a hearing in Alachua County. Gators coach Todd Golden and several players attended the proceedings. Golden says “we’re pleased with today’s ruling, and we’re especially happy for Denzel.” Aberdeen’s attorney filed a lawsuit against the NCAA earlier this month. His motion noted that more than 30 courts across the country have ruled that the NCAA’s “arbitrary decision” against student-athletes who began college careers during the 2022-23 season and completed four seasons of eligibility is “unlawful.”

WORDS: 446 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 2:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3da8325b96dd5e847d247ad98c00cbd9&mediaType=text

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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-CUPS

The Americans have won another Presidents Cup. What matters is whether they can win the Ryder Cup

SUMMARY: The Americans celebrated a big comeback to win the Presidents Cup. That doesn’t change the fact they have lost 11 of the last 14 times in the Ryder Cup. That’s the competition that defines their success in team golf. U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker made a few curious comments reacting to the emotional win. He says this U.S. team will be a problem in Ireland. But while the formats are similar, these cups are nothing alike. Americans would do well to remember what went wrong at the Ryder Cup instead of what went right at Medinah.

WORDS: 897 - MOVED: 09/29/2026 1:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af05b7ae8220159bb753671b4f0314c4&mediaType=text

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