SPORTS HEADLINES

Audio By Carbonatix

Trick shot: McIlroy charge at British Open derailed in bizarre fashion

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy’s third-round charge at the British Open has been derailed in bizarre fashion after he unwittingly performed a trick shot at the 11th hole. With one swish of his club, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough to the right of the fairway but also dug out another ball that was buried underneath the turf. The second ball popped out of the ground much to McIlroy’s surprise. He picked it up and held it out in front of him, looking confused. His shot wound up being a poor one, not even reaching the green, and he couldn’t get up and down for par. The bogey dropped him to 2 under for the day and 5 under for the tournament.

Scottie Scheffler in the lead at the British Open on key day of movement at Royal Portrush

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has a one-shot lead over Matt Fitzpatrick going into the third round of the British Open. Saturday is known as moving day in golf. Many of the 70 players who made the cut need to get a move on it if they want to get in range of the world’s No. 1 player. That includes Rory McIlroy before a home crowd in Northern Ireland. He got them going early with a 35-foot birdie putt on the last hole Scheffler took the lead with a 64 in the second round. That’s his lowest score ever in a major championship.

Ionescu wins 3-point contest, Cloud claims skills competition in Liberty All-Star sweep

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu won the 3-point contest and her New York Liberty teammate Natasha Cloud was the skills champion at All-Star Friday night. Ionescu, who won the title in 2023 with a record performance, had a strong final round, scoring 30 points. It was less than her record-breaking effort of 37 two years ago when she made 25 of 27 shots — the most ever in either the WNBA or NBA.

Playing the All-Star Game at home creates special feeling for Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever players

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell spent last week tamping down the All-Star excitement. First, she had to play some crucial games. She finally had a chance Friday to show how she felt about playing Saturday’s game on her home court. Her eyes opened wide, the trademark grin stretched across her face and the words started flying out of her mouth. Not all home All-Star Games are created equal. Just ask some of the players who’ve been there and done that. But for the eight-year veteran who finally made her first playoff appearance last year, this one will be special.

Parry makes the first hole-in-one at this year’s British Open

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The British Open at Royal Portrush has had its first hole-in-one. English golfer John Parry hit an 8-iron at the 192-yard No. 13 that landed at the front of the green, took a couple of bounces and hopped straight into the cup. There were big celebrations on the tee with Parry congratulated by playing partner Justin Leonard, the 1997 Open champion. Parry says “the atmosphere was absolutely amazing.” Parry guessed it was “about” the 10th hole-in-one of his career and was “definitely the best one, 100%.” Parry shot a 4-under 67 and was 3 under for the tournament.

War veterans go from Ukraine front lines to Wembley ringside for Usyk’s heavyweight bout

LONDON (AP) — More than a dozen war veterans from Ukraine will be on hand when Oleksandr Usyk faces Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night in the pair’s fight to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. The veterans are all employees of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, which has partnered with Usyk to raise awareness about the plight of the country’s civilian energy infrastructure since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Usyk says the bout is “very important to my country and the soldiers who protect my country because it’s motivation for my people.”

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. stuns Yankees with incredible throw in Atlanta’s win

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. caught the New York Yankees off-guard with a spectacular throw to end the third inning on Friday night. The Atlanta Braves’ All-Star right fielder threw out Jorbit Vivas at third base when Vivas was trying to tag up on a deep fly to corner in right. Acuña caught the ball just in front of the warning track with his back to the infield. He spun and fired and the throw reached third base in the air just in time for third baseman Nacho Alvarez to tag a slowing Vivas, who ignored third-base coach Luis Rojas’ signal to slide. Alvarez was casual as the throw approached in an attempt to fool Vivas.

Caitlin Clark is still having an impact on WNBA All-Star Game even though she won’t play

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate’s shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday. It may be the most demanding action anyone sees out of Clark this weekend in Indianapolis. Nobody envisioned the Indiana Fever’s biggest star missing the All-Star festivities with another injury. But even as Clark sits this one out, she remains the center of attention. From the 30-story, larger-than-life image covering Indianapolis’ JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city’s maze of skywalks, Clarks seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — than any other All-Star.

WNBA All-Star Basketball Without Borders camp is opportunity for international players to be seen

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Georgia Amoore went to an international basketball camp at the 2019 Final Four and was seen for the first time by Virginia Tech coaches. That led to a scholarship at the school where the Australian guard eventually led the Hokies their first Final Four four years later. Now the Washington Mystics rookie is an instructor at a Basketball Without Borders, which is in its third year, that’s connected to the WNBA All-Star Game this weekend.

Clippers sign three-time All-Star Bradley Beal after Suns buyout

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Bradley Beal after the Phoenix Suns bought out his contract. Beal, a 32-year-old three-time All-Star, played 53 games for the Suns last season, averaging 17 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. He shot 50% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised Beal’s versatility, calling him a rare talent who excels in scoring, playmaking, and improving teammates. Beal brings 13 years of NBA experience to the Clippers, adding depth and skill to their roster.