FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers
Bahamas defeats Nicaragua 73-67
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
IN another nail-biting encounter, The Bahamas pulled off a 73-67 win over Nicaragua last night to push their win-loss record to 1-1 at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers. The Bahamas, coming off a 72-69 loss to the Dominican Republic in their opening game on Sunday, made sure that they didn't have another collapse in the fourth quarter at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua. Nicaragua made it a close game, outscoring The Bahamas 17-16 ih the final period. But their comeback was a little too late as
Ladies’ national basketball team in win column at FIBA AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers
The Bahamas was able to seal the deal. Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, assisted by Donillo “Donnie” Culmer, Jaraun 'Kino' Burrows and Diasti Delancy, said the team just needed to take care of the ball down the stretch and they did. “I think the team did a good job. They learned from the last game,” she said. “We felt like we liked that one game (against the Dominican Republic). It was our win. So they were
intentional in correcting the things that they didn’t do. We only had four days of training camp, so we can only grow as we go. What you saw tonight was just growth from our last game,” said McPhee-McCuin.
Lashann Higgs came up big with a game high 25 points, four steals, three assists and a pair of rebounds. Valerie Nesbitt had 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists
SEE FIBA, Page 2
Wanya McCoy signs pro contract with Adidas
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
WANYA McCoy has reached another milestone in his athletics career after announcing that he has signed a professional contract with Adidas Running, becoming the latest Bahamian sprinter to earn the backing of one of the sport’s biggest brands. McCoy revealed the signing on his Instagram page with the caption “Next Chapter /// Life,” bringing the curtain down on a collegiate career that saw him develop into one of the NCAA’s top sprinters while competing for Clemson University and the University of Florida. The signing comes after five years in which he collected conference titles,
All America honours, an NCAA team championship and an Olympic berth while steadily establishing himself among The Bahamas’ fastest sprinters. The announcement did not come as a surprise to those who have followed his journey. Just weeks earlier, McCoy reflected on his time in college in a social media post thanking Clemson and Florida for helping shape both his career and his life.
“If you had told me five years ago that I would be a D1 track athlete I’d probably laugh in your face, but who knew that I would ever make it to this stage,” McCoy wrote. He also looked back on a career that included four ACC championships, ACC Freshman of the Year honours, ACC MVP recognition, an SEC title, four SEC runner up finishes, 14
All-America honours and an NCAA team championship before adding, “College was a great experience and extremely rewarding. Now it’s time to get into some real fun.”
For McCoy, the road to professional athletics started far from the bright lights of the NCAA. Originally from Bullock’s
Harbour in the Berry Islands, he spent much of his childhood playing basketball. After moving to New Providence, he attended Doris Johnson High School, where basketball remained his primary sport. His athletic ability eventually caught the attention of coaches, and after transferring to Queen’s College he began focusing on track under coach Everette Fraser and the Fast Forward Track Club. It proved to be a decision that changed the direction of his career.
McCoy accepted a scholarship to Clemson University in 2021 and made an immediate impact.
Representing The Bahamas that summer at the NACAC Under 23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, he swept the 200 metres, 400 metres and the 4 x 100 metre relay, giving The Bahamas three gold
Jazae and Jahcario take the spotlight
medals and introducing himself as one of the Caribbean’s rising sprint talents. His development continued over the next three seasons with the Tigers.
Competing in one of the nation’s strongest conferences, McCoy developed into a versatile sprinter capable of competing from the 100 metres through the 400 metres. He earned ACC Freshman of the Year honours, was named ACC Indoor Track MVP and helped Clemson win multiple conference relay championships. By the end of his Clemson career, he had won four ACC titles and established himself as one of the conference’s premier sprinters.
After the 2023 season, McCoy entered the transfer portal looking for another challenge. He chose the University of Florida, joining
Miller to
legendary coach Mike Holloway’s programme, one that has produced Olympic champions, world champions and numerous professional sprinters. While changing schools is never easy, McCoy later admitted he believed the move would help him reach another level.
“It was a whole new environment, new coaches and you didn’t know how you would do,” McCoy said last year. “But I had the faith and confidence that I would be able to do it. I think I made the right choice. I made the choice of my life.”
The decision paid off almost immediately.
During the 2024 indoor season, McCoy captured the SEC 200 metre title in 20.29 seconds and finished second in the 60 metres in 6.63. He later earned First
, Page 4
Wilson and Jazae Johnson, top, with the medals they won at the 2026 North, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) U23 and U18 Championships.
JAHCARIO Wilson became the fourth fastest U18 110m hurdler ever, while Jazae Johnson produced a pair of medals to highlight The Bahamas' performance at the North, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) U23 and U18 Championships. Held at the Una Nueva Historia track in Apizaco, Mexico, which is located 2,380 metres above sea level, was conducive to producing fast times and strong jumps, though excessive wind made many of the top performances ineligible for personal bests or championships records. Thankfully for Wilson, the wind settled to a perfect 2.0m/s during the time of the boys’ U18 110m hurdles final. He stormed from the blocks and cruised to victory in 12.94, two tenths of a second faster than his previous best. The time places him fourth on the World U18 all-time list and is just 0.07 shy of Sasha Zhoya’s World U18 best. Born on the last day of 2009, Wilson has succeeded in both sprint and long hurdles, winning silver in the 110m and finishing fourth in the one-lap event at the CARIFTA Games in April. At only 15 years old, Bahamian prodigy Jazae Johnson cruised to an 11.42 victory in the girls’ 100m. A long and triple jump champion at this year’s CARIFTA Games, she added the long jump silver in Apizaco with a PB of 6.13m, finishing behind Jamaica’s Zavien Bernard (6.21m). Bernard also won the U18 triple jump (12.73m). The Bahamas finished third at the championships with 20 medals, including nine gold, nine silver and two bronze. Mexico and Jamaica took the top two spots.
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WHILE there is a large contingent going to represent The Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean Games, Wellington Miller will be in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as a technical director. The former Bahamas Olympic Committee president Miller will be leaving on Wednesday for his special duties at the games that will take place from July 24 to August 8.
"Even though we have done all of the walkthroughs making sure everything is in order, they want us there 10 days before the games to make sure that everything is set," Miller said. "We have to make sure that all of the facilities and the games village is in tiptop shape before the games start. It's a very important position. I'm glad that I was invited to come back and serve in that capacity." This is not Miller's first rodeo, having served in that
capacity at the last games in El Salvador. He also served as a technical director for three Commonwealth Games. As the only Bahamian to fulfil the role in two of the four games that falls under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, the other two being the Pan American and Olympic Games, Miller said he's pleased to work with five sporting disciplines during the games. "It's not a fun position. It's a working
JAHCARIO
WANYA MCCOY
LET’S GO TO WORK: Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin cheers on Team Bahamas last night as they beat Nicaragua 73-67 last night in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers.
Bahamas’ Freedom Farm team into semifinals of Little League Caribbean Region Tournament
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter
jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
TEAM Bahamas’ Freedom Farm Little League team has secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 Little League Caribbean Region Tournament after bouncing back from its lone loss with a commanding 17-0 victory over Puerto Rico yesterday in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.
Represented by Freedom Farm Little League, the Bahamian champions improved to 3-1 in round robin play with the dominant shutout, eliminating Puerto Rico from playoff contention while officially clinching a semifinal berth. The tournament, which runs from July 10-17, features champions from Aruba, Bonaire, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sabana Grande and the US Virgin Islands competing for the Caribbean title and
Lockhart finishes 9th in Italy
BAHAMIAN karting
driver Lenox Lockhart delivered a determined recovery drive at Round 3 of the WSK Euro Series in Cremona, Italy, finishing ninth in the Mini Gr.3 Final for Parolin Motorsport. Starting P15 in the 36-kart Final, Lockhart made immediate progress and moved into the top 10 on the opening lap. After being shuffled back during the middle stages, he regrouped and fought his way forward again, crossing the finish line in P9. The result saw Lockhart gain six positions over the 10-lap race and secure 15 championship points against a highly competitive international field. His performance highlighted his composure, racecraft and ability to recover under pressure. It was another positive step in his European campaign and another strong international showing for The Bahamas. Lockhart continues to build valuable experience with Parolin Motorsport as he works toward establishing himself consistently among the front-running drivers in European karting.
BASEBALL
WINNERS' CAMP
THE Wenty Ford Sports Foundation is scheduled to hold The Winners' Summer Camp from July 27-31 at Windsor Park, better known as the Dorcy Park, where the Ford family grew up playing sports.
The foundation is remembering the phenomenal legend, the late Wenty Ford, the first Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball before he passed away on July 8, 1980.
Among the sponsors for the camp are Solomon's, Bahamas Baseball Association, Addis Huyler Photography, Consolidated Water and Family Guardian Insurance Company.
BASEBALL
BBA ALL STAR WEEKEND
THE Bahamas Baseball Association is scheduled to
hold its second annual AllStar Weekend featuring the Best of the Best in the 8U, 10U and 12U divisions.
The event is scheduled for July 24-26 at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. The weekend will allow the players to have individual and team photos taken, media interviews done, skills competition, team practice and the All-Star game series.
SPORTS FREE CAMP THE Randimac Tigers Sports Club is scheduled to continue its free Summer Sports Camp at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. The camp started on June 29 and will continue from 9am to 1pm through July 21. The camp is designed for basketball, volleyball and soccer and is held to inspire active minds and healthy bodies all summer long.
a berth in the Little League World Series.
Bahamas opened tournament play Friday with a 7-6 victory over the US Virgin Islands before edging host Sabana Grande 3-1 on Saturday to improve to 2-0. The winning streak came to an end Sunday when Bonaire held off a late Bahamas rally for an 8-7 victory, handing Freedom Farm its first loss of the tournament. The Bahamas responded in emphatic fashion Monday, overwhelming the
Puerto Rico champions 17-0 to improve to 3-1. The victory not only secured Bahamas’ place in the playoffs but also ended Puerto Rico’s hopes of advancing.
With one round robin game remaining before the semifinals, Bahamas will face Aruba, which enters the matchup with a 2-1 record, before closing out preliminary play against the unbeaten Dominican Republic.
The top four teams at the conclusion of the
preliminary round advance to Thursday’s semifinals, with the championship game scheduled for Friday.
Freedom Farm entered the regional tournament with plenty of momentum after capturing the Bahamas Baseball Association’s 12U national championship last month to earn the right to represent The Bahamas.
Freedom Farm has long been one of the country’s premier youth baseball organisations, consistently producing national team
players and competing for regional honours.
After responding to Sunday’s narrow setback with a statement victory, Team Bahamas has positioned itself as one of the tournament’s top contenders. With a semifinal berth already secured, the Bahamians will now look to build momentum against Aruba and the Dominican Republic as they chase the Caribbean championship and a coveted place in the 2026 Little League World Series.
The camp instructors are Randy Cunningham for volleyball and basketball, Kevon Spence for basketball and soccer, Deandra Cunningham for volleyball and basketball and Samuel Oliver and Kaile Almonor for basketball.
MEMORIAL
TAYLOR-FINLAY
THE family of the late Christal Aneka Taylor-Finlay has announced the memorial and funeral services for the late former softball player turned umpire and track and field official.
The Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) is scheduled to hold a memorial 7pm Tuesday at the Thoms A Robinson Track and Field Stadium for Taylor-Finlay, who passed away on June 27 at the age of 40.
and Rhema Collins was the only other player in double figures with 12 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Antonicia Moultrie helped out with six points and 10 rebounds and Jonisha Perarjha Rolle added five points and five rebounds.
Madison Reckley and Geontae Simpson both chipped in with two points.
Kiyomi McMiller led the attack for Nicaragua with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
As the quarter got underway, Team Bahamas used a quick 6-2 run to extend their lead to double digits (63-52) in the first two and-a-half minutes as Simpson scored her only basket.
But Nicaragua put a dent into the lead and came under the 10-digit mark to make it a contest all the way to the end of the game. In the third, The Bahamas used an early
The New Providence Softball Association is planning to hold a softball memorial 7pm Wednesday in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The NPSA will also present its championship rings to the men and women champions of the 2025 season. A junkanoo rush out will follow at 11pm.
The funeral service for Taylor-Finlay will take place 10am Saturday, July 18 at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on West Street. Her interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery and the repass will follow in the Events Hall at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.
BASKETBALL
BOWLES SKILLS
CAMP
THE 13th annual Denykco Bowles Elite
6-2 spurt to go ahead 42-37 although Nicaragua came back for a 44-41 deficit.
The Bahamas, however, pulled away for a 57-50 margin at the final break. Nesbitt and Higgs had 21 and 17 respectively on their ledger at that point.
By the half, Team Bahamas held a slim 36-35 advantage with Nesbitt pushing her total to 15 and Higgs at 10. Rolle got on the scoreboard with five and Collins added four.
In a keenly contested first quarter that ended even at 21-21 as Nesbitt, who scored the first two points of the game on a pair of free throws and ended the period with a jumper, led the way with 11, while Higgs had six.
Other members of Team Bahamas are Shennell Stewart, Philicia Kelly, Valicia Demeritte, Tanisha Seymour and Tania Yolanda.
With only four teams in their pool, The Bahamas will
Skills Summer Basketball Camp is all set for the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium from today through July 31.
The camp, dubbed "Building Champions On and Off the Court," will be held daily from 9am to 1pm. It is designed for boys and girls between the ages of four and 18 years, who will go through a series of drills from coach Bowles and his coaching staff.
BASKETBALL
NEX-GEN CAMP
THE Nex-Gen Basketball Camp is set to hold its Elite Player Development at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium from 2-5 pm today through July 18.
The camp is designed for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 19.
Coach JR Cadot, a NCAA Division One player, Nike EYBL Coach, former Bahamas national
have today off and return to action on Wednesday against Mexico.
Group B also consists of Guyana, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and El Salvador.
At the end of the round robin, the first-place team in each group advances directly to the semi-final and the fourth-place teams in each group will play for places fifth through eighth.
The second and thirdplace teams will cross over in the quarter-finals where the winners advance to the semi-finals to face the group winners, while the quarter-finals losers will play the fourth-place teams from each group for places fifth through eighth.
At the end of the tournament, the top three finishers will qualify for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027, excluding El Salvador, which has already qualified as the host nation.
team member, NBA PreDraft Invitee, ex-pro player and elite high school varsity head coach in the United States, is conducting the camp.
The focus is on elite skill development, game IQ training, position specific work, pro-level training and competitive games.
GOLF
7TH SUNRISE
OPEN THE Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise is scheduled to hold its 7th Sunrise Open at the Royal Blue Golf Course starting at 10am on Saturday, August 8. The registration fee is $250 per person and $500 per team. Among the prizes being offered for the two-man scramble will be a 2027 Mercedes-Benz on a Hole-In-One shot.
FIBA, from Page 1
LASHANN Higgs came up big with a game high 25 points, four steals, three assists and a pair of rebounds in last night’s win against Nicaragua.
VALERIE Nesbitt had 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists in the win last night.
Jonquel Jones has double double but Liberty suffer twopoint loss to Tempo
MONTREAL
(AP) — Marina Mabrey scored 30 points, Nyara Sabally made the tiebreaking basket with 52 seconds left after Toronto blew a 20-point lead, and the Tempo beat the New York Liberty 93-91 on Sunday at the Bell Centre.
Mabrey had her second consecutive 30-point game and her fifth this season, including a 53-point performance — which tied the WNBA’s single-game record — in a 125-97 win over Los Angeles on June 25.
Breanna Stewart made a layup that tied it at 91-all with 1:30 to play, but Julie Allemand, who finished with 10 assists, found Sabally for the go-ahead layup as the Tempo snapped
a four-game losing streak, the longest of their expansion season.
Sabrina Ionescu scored 28 points and Stewart added 22 for the Liberty (13-11), who have lost seven of their last nine. Jonquel Jones had a double double - 10 points and 10 rebounds - with one block. Jones contributed 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block on Saturday when the Minnesota Lynx edged the Liberty 90-85. On Sunday, Laura Juskaite had 18 points, Maria Conde scored 15 and Sabally had 13 for the Tempo (10-13), who led 74-54 late in the third quarter. The Liberty ripped off a 16-4 run as Toronto committed five turnovers that
JONQUEL Jones (35) reacts as Tempo’s Isabelle Harrison, right, secures a rebound during the second half on Sunday in Montreal, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
trimmed their deficit to 84-80 when Ionescu made a layup with 5:36 to play.
The Tempo snapped a three-game skid in games which they led going into the final period. Toronto, which was outscored 27-13 in the final 10 minutes, has a minus-49 point differential in its last five fourth quarters.
The Tempo lost 108-95 against Dallas despite 34 points from Mabrey on Friday night, also at the Bell
Centre in front of a WNBA regular-season record crowd of 20,996. Toronto also plays two home games at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, later this season.
New York's Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was ejected in the closing minutes for throwing a shoe at Mabrey.
Laney-Hamilton and Mabrey were hit with double technical fouls after a scuffle in the third quarter.
JONQUEL Jones (35) shoots over Wings forward Awak Kuier during the first half on July 7 in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Age: 32
World ranking: 12
Neither France nor Spain has trailed at this World Cup, but only one can advance to the final
Open on June 18-21, except for recent history at Shinnecock Hills. It has not been smooth sailing off the Great Peconic Bay on Long Island.
Field: 156 players.
Purse: TBA. Last year: $21.5 million ($4.3 million for winner).
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Worldwide wins: 12
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
Majors: PGA Championship (2024), British Open (2024).
US Open appearances: 9.
The 2004 U.S. Open already was brutally tough when the USGA failed to account for the strength of the warm wind.
The par-3 seventh green became so impossible to hold that officials had to douse it with water between groups.
US Open moment: Shooting a 62 in the first round in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club.
ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Kylian Mbappé and France haven’t trailed at all at this year's World Cup. Neither has Spain with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and clutch goal-scoring substitute Mikel Merino. Only one of those teams can make it to the final.
course we have done so far, and we have to be, but always with this humility that has characterised us since the beginning of the competition.”
Backspin: Schauffele has never finished worse than a tie for 14th in the U.S. Open.
The 27-year-old Mbappé has 20 goals in his 20 World Cup matches, including one in the 2018 win over Croatia when he joined Pele as the only teenagers to score in a World Cup final.
France and Spain are both playing at their 17th World Cup, but have met only once previously on soccer’s biggest stage. They play today at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in the first of two powerhouse semifinal matches.
Jon Rahm
SPAIN
Age: 31
World ranking: 8 Worldwide wins: 24
Majors: Masters (2023), U.S. Open (2021)
US Open appearances: 9
After entering this tournament as FIFA’s topranked team, France has outscored its opponents 14-2. Mbappé, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, has eight goals to match Lionel Messi for the scoring lead this time, and is one behind the Argentina captain’s career record of 21 at the World Cup.
US Open moment: Winning his first major at Torrey Pines in the 2021 U.S. Open.
“We are focused,” France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said. “We are confident, of course, with the
Backspin: Rahm comes into the U.S. Open off a runner-up finish in the PGA Championship. He is 0-for12 in the majors since joining LIV, but has a history of competing on a big stage.
When it returned in 2018, the greens got so glassy from sun and wind the last 45 players on the tee sheet failed to break par in the third round. Phil Mickelson staged a bizarre protest by hitting a moving ball on the 13th green. Brooks Koepka saved the week by becoming the first repeat champion in 29 years.
The teen has only one goal while putting 10 shots on target after coming into this World Cup still nursing a left hamstring issue that forced him to miss the final weeks of the season for Spanish club Barcelona.
What could go wrong this time?
France defender Jules Koundé also plays for Barcelona, so he knows Yamal well and didn't feel disrespected by those comments.
“Hopefully, they get the balance right of all the different challenges and it’s not contrived,” said golfer Adam Scott from Australia. “These great tracks, they’ve gotten into trouble when they’ve been manipulated.”
And the star striker for Les Bleus had said he is fine despite exiting in the 77th minute of their 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco after scoring a goal.
of their quarterfinal game.
“I think that from the first game until today, the team needed to catch the rhythm, we had been without seeing each other for a long time,” Spain midfielder Alex Baena said, adding that with more games and practices “the better the team has been.”
Last year: U.S. golfer J.J. Spaun emerged from the pack on a soggy Oakmont Country Club course with two shots that define his career. He drove the green on the par-4 17th for a two-putt birdie and holed a 65-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 2-over 72 and a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre. Spaun finished at 1-under 279, the only player to break par. It was his first major title.
river from New York City.
A third-place game will be played Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Both have raised World Cup trophy since they last met in the tourney
Last time at Shinnecock Hills: Brooks Koepka became the first back-to-back U.S. Open champion in 29 years. He shot 2-under 68 for a one-shot victory over Tommy Fleetwood. The course was so severe that Saturday none of the last 45 players to tee off broke par. The USGA conceded the mistake and put water on the course. Fleetwood shot 63.
Worldwide wins: 3 Majors: None US Open appearances: 6 US Open moment: Contending early Sunday at Oakmont and tying for fourth, his best finish in a U.S. Open.
Backspin: Winless in his PGA Tour career at this point a year ago, winning a major is the next step. His improved putting will be key on the greens of Shinnecock Hills.
In their only previous World Cup meeting, France beat Spain 3-1 in a round of 16 game at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief competitions officer in charge of setting up the course, said the average fairway width would be 48 yards, the widest ever for Shinnecock Hills. The greens won’t be quite as fast as they were for the last two Open.
The blueprint is simple.
Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has already been part of two semifinal wins with Spain over France.
“For me he is a sign of confidence. He always does it with (Barcelona). He trusts a lot in his virtues, in the virtues of the team where he plays,” Koundé said in translated remarks.
“The way we’re thinking about this year is let Shinnecock Hills be Shinnecock Hills,” Bodenhamer said.
“So I see nothing as an extra motivation for him and that’s it, that’s all.”
That should be enough. In the five previous U.S. Opens at Shinnecock, only three players have finished the tournament under par.
He was just days shy of his 17th birthday when he scored in a 2-1 win during the 2024 European Championship semifinals, and Spain then won 5-4 in Nations League play last year.
SCOTTIE’S QUEST
“I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion,” Yamal said after Spain's quarterfinal victory over Belgium. “We were the ones that knocked them out before.”
Spain has outscored opponents 10-1 since a stunning scoreless draw against surprising Cape Verde to open group play, but La Roja needed late decisive goals from Merino after he entered the last two games as a second-half
It was only 13 months ago when Scheffler only had one leg of the career Grand Slam, having won the Masters twice. Then he steamrolled the competition at the PGA Championship and the British Open. “Fixed that,” he said with a laugh. Now he is on the cusp of joining the most elite club in golf. Rory McIlroy had to wait 11 years to get the last leg at the Masters last year. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player each waited three years for their final pieces. Scheffler goes to Shinnecock without having won a tournament in five months.
Merino scored in the 88th minute for that 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday. That came after the Arsenal forward’s goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time for the 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16 at the same stadium where Spain's semifinal match will be played.
U.S. Open champions at Shinnecock Hills: Brooks Koepka (2018), Retief Goosen (2004), Corey Pavin (1995), Raymond Floyd (1986), James Foulis (1896).
Both teams have won the World Cup since then.
Betting odds: Scottie Scheffler (+550), Rory McIlroy (+1000), Jon Rahm (+1200), Cameron Young (+1800).
Spain claimed its only title in 2010, and France won its second World Cup in 2018.
Noteworthy: The average fairway width at Shinnecock Hill will be 48 yards, compared with 32 yards last year at Oakmont.
Quoteworthy: “The way we’re thinking about this year is let Shinnecock Hills be Shinnecock Hills.” -- John Bodenhamer, chief championships officer for the USGA.
Quartet of past champions
This is the first World Cup since 1990 that each of the final four teams are former champions.
Messi and defending champion Argentina, which beat France for the title in 2022, play England in
Television (all times EDT): Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (USA Network), 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Peacock); Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Peacock), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (NBC), 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 8 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 7 p.m. (NBC).
France, which will be playing on its country's Bastille Day national holiday, is trying to join five-time champion Brazil and fourtime winner Germany as the only teams to make three consecutive World Cup finals. Brazil did it in 1994, 1998 and 2002 — winning two titles and losing to host France in the middle of that run. Germany’s championship in 1990 came after
a 3-3 draw. This is France's seventh semifinal appearance, its fifth in the last eight World Cups. Spain's only other semifinals were in 1950 and then 2010 on the way to the title. Wrapping up in Dallas AT&T Stadium in North Texas will be hosting its tournament-high ninth game, and in that onemonth run there have been some soccer superstar moments in the building that has hosted a Super Bowl and NCAA championship games for football and men's basketball.
Brooks Koepka
UNITED STATES Age: 36 World ranking: 109 Worldwide wins: 17 Majors: PGA Championship (2018, 2019, 2023), U.S. Open (2017, 2018) US Open appearances: 12 US Open moment: Winning at Shinnecock Hills in 2018 to become the first back-to-back champion in 29 years.
CENTURY MARK FOR SCOTT
Coaches - Kennard
Coach - David Harris
Messi scored three goals in Argentina's two group games, the first on June 22 when after missing a penalty kick he broke the World Cup career scoring mark with the first of his two goals in a 2-0 win over Austria. He added another goal as a late substitute in the group finale June 27 against Jordan. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old superstar from Portugal, finished his sixth and final World Cup in the 1-0 round of 16 loss to Spain on July 6.
Backspin: Koepka has yet to do anything special in his return from LIV Golf, so the U.S. Open will be a good gauge. He has five finishes in the top 4 at the U.S. Open, including his back-to-back wins.
Wellington Miller to serve as a technical director at CAC Games
led by Robert Butler and he will serve as the chef de mission with Oria Wood as his deputy. Zarya Seymour is the team doctor and Tro-Am Cameron will be the physiotherapist. Also travelling with the team will be Knowles and secretary general Derron Donaldson.
Adam Scott was 21 when he played the 2001 British Open, and he hasn’t missed a major since.
Archery - LeRon Rolle
Coach - Lis Rolle
Mackey, Allan Mortimer and Kyle Higgs
Judo - Karra Hanna and Xavion Johnson
This U.S. Open will be the 100th in a row for the Australian, making him only the second player to compete in at least 100 straight. Jack Nicklaus holds the record at 146. Scott had to go through a 36-hole qualifier for the U.S. Open in 2018. The next longest active streak belongs to Jordan Spieth at 52.
Rory McIlroy
position because the technical committee actually runs the games,” Miller said. “So we have a lot of work to do, starting from 7am with meetings every morning.” On Sunday, the BOC announced a 40-member team that will compete in 10 different disciplines. The team will be
NORTHERN IRELAND
Age: 37 World ranking: 2 Worldwide wins: 42
Majors: Masters (2025, 2026), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), U.S. Open (2011), British Open (2014).
US Open appearances: 17
Named to the team are the following:
LINGERING LIV EFFECT
Athletics - Wendell Miller, Denisha Cartwright, Serena Brown, Semalie Farrington, Ian Kerr, Adam Musgrove, Camille Rutherford, Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Shaun Miller Jr, Tarajh Hudson, Brenden Vanderpool, Tyler Cash and Zion Campbell
Boxing - Arai Powell and Keanu Greene
Coach - Jermaine Gibson
Equestrian - Ama camile
elzabeth melvil Vlasov
Coaches - Heidi Mello, an
Distel and iTna Hald.
Esports - Derek Wong
Coach- Adam Hanna
Golf - Madison Carroll
Coach - Oneysi Pons
Ireland repeating at the Masters and Aaron Rai of England winning the PGA Championship. That last happened in 2013. Americans have not been shut out of the first three majors since 2011. The only international sweep was in 1994 with Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) at the Masters, Ernie Els (South Africa) at the U.S. Open and Nick Price (Zimbabwe) winning the British Open and PGA Championship.
Sailing - Joshua Higgins, Eliza Denning, Mary Nash, Ellianne Higgs, Patrick Tomlinson, Jose Knowles, Nash Cartwright, and Lori Lowe
Coaches - Jimmy Lowe and Niels Broekhuizen
Swimming - Tristen Hepburn, Jack Barr, Rhanishka Gibbs, Lelah Lewis, Victoria Russell, Caden Wells, Zoe Willimson, Aynton Moncur and Tristen Ferguson.
Coaches - Courtney Jones-Barr and Camron Bruney
Hanna II
Wrestling - Shannon
Coach - Clinton Burdle
Team All America honours after reaching the
US Open moment: Setting the 72-hole record when he won at Congressional in 2011.
NCAA Indoor Champi onships final in the 200 metres.His outdoor season was even better.
LIV Golf will have 13 players in the U.S. Open, and it comes at a crucial time. The rival league already is losing funding from the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund at the end of the year. Speculation is mounting whether LIV will even finish the season, all while executives are scrambling to find outside investors to keep it going. Jon Rahm missed a good opportunity at the PGA Championship when he was runner-up. Bryson DeChambeau has missed the cut in the first two majors of the year.
INTERNATIONAL WINS
For only the fourth time in history, international players have won the first two majors with Rory McIlroy of Northern
fastest Bahamian sprinters in history. McCoy carried that form into the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he finished sixth in the nation in the 100 metres, reached the final of the 200 metres and helped Florida place fourth in the 4 x 100 metre relay.
The Gators also secured the NCAA men’s team championship, giving McCoy the first national team title of his collegiate
in both the 100 and 200 metres against the world’s best sprinters. Injuries slowed his progress over the following year, preventing him from building on his breakout campaign, but he returned this season to remind everyone why he is regarded as one of the country’s brightest sprint prospects.
During the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, McCoy ran a personal
NCAA East Preliminary Round in the 200 metres after running a season best 20.37 seconds while continuing to contribute to Florida’s relay success. McCoy closes his collegiate career with personal bests of 10.02 seconds in the 100 metres, 19.93 seconds in the 200 metres, 20.17 seconds indoors over 200 metres, 6.53 seconds in the 60 metres and 45.91 seconds in the 400 metres. World Athletics currently
Tommy Fleetwood ENGLAND Age: 35. World ranking: 7 Worldwide wins: 9 Majors: None US Open appearances: 10 US Open moment: Becoming the only player to twice shoot 63 in the final round, at Shinnecock Hills in 2018 and at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.
ranks him among the top 40 men in the world in the 200 metres, further evidence of the progress he has made over the past five years.
Now, with an Adidas contract in hand, McCoy moves into the professional ranks carrying one of the strongest collegiate résumés produced by a Bahamian sprinter in recent years.
Backspin: Fleetwood is coming off good finishes in signature events at Quail Hollow and Muirfield Village. In between was a missed cut in the PGA Championship. He set the course record on a soft Sunday at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.
After beginning his athletic career on the basketball court before finding his way to the track, he leaves college as an Olympian, an NCAA champion, a conference champion, a multiple-time All American and the Bahamian indoor record holder in the 200 metres.
His next races will come not in university colours, but as a professional representing both Adidas and The Bahamas on the international circuit.
Scottie Scheffler
FRANCE’s
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)