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Scottie Scheffler is on the verge of another major at the British Open by building a 4-shot lead

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler looked like the best player in golf at the British Open and now has a four-shot lead going into the final round at Royal Portrush. Scheffler played bogey-free for a 67. He had an eagle and a two birdies to build a cushion. The big difference was par saves from deep rough behind the 11th green and deep rough left of the 14th fairway. Li Haotong had a 69 and was four shots behind. Rory McIlroy had the loudest cheers and the weirdest moment when one swing unearthed two golf balls. He shot 66 but was six shots behind.

Buried ball baffles McIlroy in wild ride for hometown hero at British Open

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy has delivered a British Open roller-coaster round of 5-under 66 that he described as “incredible” and an “absolute pleasure” and contained one of the most baffling incidents he’s ever seen on a golf course. With one swish of his wedge, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough on No. 11 but also dug out another ball that was buried underneath the turf. The second ball popped out of the ground and settled between his feet, much to McIlroy’s surprise. He picked it up and burst out laughing. What’s not so funny with one round left of McIlroy’s Royal Portrush homecoming is a six-shot gap to leader Scottie Scheffler.

Usyk KOs Dubois to become undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time

LONDON (AP) — Oleksandr Usyk has scored a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois to became the undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time in London. The undefeated southpaw retained his WBA, WBC and WBO belts and regained the IBF belt he relinquished just over a year ago. The Ukrainian dropped Dubois with a heavy left midway through the fifth round to end the bout at a packed Wembley Stadium.

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.”

Texas attorney general sues adult swimming group for allowing transgender competitors

The Texas attorney general has sued an adult swimming program after two transgender women were allowed to compete at a meet this spring in San Antonio, with one placing first in several events. The suit alleged that U.S. Masters Swimming undermined the trust of consumers because it said other swimmers faced what it described as an unfair disadvantage in the Spring Nationals. U.S. Masters Swimming said in a statement that it has been cooperating fully with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s investigation, which comes as a nationwide battle over the participation of transgender athletes has played out at both the state and federal levels.

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.

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.

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 one of the first times 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.