July 18, 2026 Issue, Page 3 of 12

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026 • 3 Tom Kim - Winner 2026 Scottish Scottie Scheffler - Open Champion- Open ship Defending Champion Wimbledon Women's Champioon - Linda Noskova Wimbledon Men's Champion - Jannik Sinner Jordan Spieth - Last Winner at Royal Birkdale Professional Individual Sports By Alex Alvarez ters, played outstanding golf and missed the cut for the first time at -5: Y.E. Yang (1), Miguel Angel 9th at -12… and #1 player in the Muchova in three sets 6-2, 5-7, won one of the most important in 78 tournaments played wince Jimenez and Darren Clarke (1). world, Nelly Korda missed the cut, 6-3. It was Noskova’s first major SCOTTISH OPEN national championships of all. 2022. All will be playing the Open All players in bold letters with a making it the first time ever that win. Since the Scottish Open became Probably the 4th most important Championship which finishes July number in parenthesis have won concurrent #1’s in the world miss On the men’s side, it was a lit- part of the PGA Tour and DP one behind the Open, U.S. Open 19th. majors on the main tour before. the cut in the same week (Scot- tle more predictable, with #1 and World Tour schedule, the tourna- and Australian Open. Maybe 5th if tie missed the cut at the Scottish #2 facing in the final. However, ment has had some great cham- you count the Canadian Open in SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LPGA: EVIAN MASTERS Open). #4 Ben Shelton was eliminated in pions who have won elsewhere: front of it. AT FIRESTONE C.C. South Korean Haeran Ryu won the first round and #3 Felix Au- 2023 Rory McIlroy, 2024 Robert Tom played steady and finished Zach Johnson (2), a “rookie” her second major in a row by win- WIMBLEDON: ger-Aliassime was eliminated by MacIntyre, 2025 Chris Gutterup with a stellar round of 64, six un- on the Senior Tour, captured first ning the Amundi Evian Cham- There were not many surprises #7 Novak Djokovic in the quar- and now, 2026, Tom Kim who just der par at the Renaissance Golf senior major at the Kaulig Com- pionship by beating Canadian in the men’s side of the Champion- terfinals in a great five set match won his fifth professional event. It Club in Scotland to jump ahead panies Championship, a PGA Brooke Henderson with a birdie ships, but there were sure several that went to a tie breaker in the is also a great place to get used to of several golfers who started Tour Champions major held at in the first hole of sudden death in the ladies singles champion- fifth set, with Novak winning it links golf, as the following week, with a better score after 54 holes, Firestone Country Club in Ak- playoff. Haeran had a round of 60 ship… 10-4. Both top seeded players won 90% of the field will play the 154th including past champion, Robert ron, Ohio, from July 9–12, 2026. on Saturday, the best score ever in In the ladies championship #’s their semifinal match in straight Open Championship at Royal McIntyre who closed with a 69 Zach Johnson won the event with a major, men or women and took 1-4 were eliminated before the sets: Jannik Sinner won his against Birkdale, a links golf course of the and ended four shots behind Tom a 15-under 265, securing a six- the lead. But on Sunday, she only quarterfinals. The highest seeded Djokovic 6-4,6-4,6-4 and Alexan- most demanding kind. Kim who beat some pretty famous shot victory over runner-up Boo made two birdies, one on her last player in the semis was American der Zverev won his 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 As you can see, there’s cham- golfers: 1st Tom Kim (-17); 2nd Weekley who finished at -9. It was hole of regulation to catch Brooke #7 Coco Gauff who missed a shot against unseeded player Arthur pions of different kinds, because Min Woo Lee (-15 and champion a lesson on consistency, and never who had finished with a 64 several at the net that would have sent Fery who beat #9 Flavio Cobolli links golf is not about power, but in 2021), T3rd Robert McIntyre, looked back after his third round groups ahead of her; and one on her to the final in the tie breaker in the quarterfinals. It was Jannik about lots of accuracy so you don’t Keita Nakayima, Johnny Keefer of 7 under par 63. In third place the playoff hole. against #10 Karolina Muchova, in- Sinner’s 5th major since the Aus- end up in the gorse or a pot bun- (1st in Korn Ferry Tour 2025) and was Rori Sabbatini at -8, followed In third place was Aki Iwai at stead Muchova won the last three tralian Open in 2024. ker than you can’t see from the tee. Matt Fitzpatrick (major cham- by Stewart Cink (1) at -7; three -18; followed by three players at points of the tie breaker and ad- Tom Kim, who was hitting #3 & pion) all at -13; T7th at -12 were golfers tied for 5th at -6: George -15: Miyu Yamashita, Mao Saigo vanced. In the other semifinal #9 Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, #4 irons to the greens instead of Michael Thorbjornsen and Rory Mcneil, Ben Crane and Cameron and Jin He Im. The best American Linda Noskova beat # 12 Marta PGA Tour, Wikipedia.org, Google, #7 to #9 irons like the longer hit- McIlroy at -12. Scottie Scheffler Percy. And three more tied for 8th was Auston Kim who finished solo Kostyuk. In the final Noskova beat On-Line media sports. Professional Team Sports By Alex Alvarez there is a tie, there are two ex- game for third place between the the most exciting and closest ever. goals in 13 minutes and won 3-2. Central: Chicago White Sox (50- tra periods of 15 minutes each, semifinals losers. After regulation time, they were Three times in the history of 45), Cleveland Guardians (51- FIFA WORLD CUP: complete. There is no a “sudden After all of these games in tied at 2 goals a piece. Argentina the World Cup, has the final gone 46); West: Texas Rangers (49-47), WOW! TRIPLE WOW! If some death” goal where the first team Mexico, Unites States and Can- had taken the lead by 2 goals, but to penalty kicks: 1994, Brazil beat Seattle Mariners (48-49). of these games have not inspired to score wins. And there is a tie ada, eight teams made it to the France scored two goals in the last Italy after a 0-0 tie after extra NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAD- the USA Soccer community, I after these two extra periods of 15 quarterfinals (unfortunately nei- 12 minutes to tie the game and time; 2006 Italy beat France 5-3 ERS: East: Atlanta Braves (55- don’t know what will! To many, minutes, then, the dreaded Penal- ther of the host nations made it send it to overtime, where both in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw; 40), Philadelphia Phillies (54-43); this is a boring sport because usu- ty Kick Shootout comes up. Five past the “Sweet Sixteen”). The scored one goal to finish tied at and 2022 as mentioned above. Central: Milwaukee Brewers (59- ally, it is very difficult to score and kicks per team, alternating be- upper bracket featured France three goals each, and the final was So France, if it gets to the final, 37), Chicago Cubs (54-42); West: all you see is 22 players, 11 on each tween teams. If there is a tie, then facing Morocco and Spain fac- sent into penalty kicks. France does not want to get to penalty Los Angeles Dodgers (61-36), Ar- side, kicking a ball between their it becomes a “sudden death play- ing Belgium; and in the lower kicked first and missed, then Ar- kicks, where they have lost twice. izona Diamondbacks (49-47). partners only to lose it to the other off ”. Each team kicks one, when bracket Norway facing England gentina’s Messi scored on the first If France and Argentina face in Los Angeles Dodgers were the team, time and again…. Imagine a one misses and the other makes, and Argentina facing Switzer- kick, France made the next as well the final, it will be the only the first team in 2026 to reach sixty baseball game with great pitching it is the end of the game. land. France and Spain won their as Argentina, but missed the third second time ever that the same wins! and fielding. It goes to the last in- In this World Cup, 48 teams games and faced in one of the kick. When Argentina scored the teams face in the final in back to ning, and it is 0-0, it makes it sus- begun play, and thirty two qual- semifinals last Tuesday (after our next two to get to four, it was all back cups, it happened once in WNBA STANDINGS: penseful. That is as close as I can ified for the called “knockout deadline) and Argentina faced over for France who could only 1986 and 1990 when Argentina Eastern Conference: Indiana compare the suspense. round” where there is no tie: thir- England on Wednesday. get to three. Final score 4-2. and Germany faced each other, Fever 14-9, Atlanta Dream 13-10, After 48 teams played three ty-two become sixteen (the sweet The winners or course will face One of the most exciting games Argentina winning in 1986 and New York Liberty 13-11. games (3 points awarded to the sixteen), sixteen become eight on Sunday the 19th in the final was the round of 16 when Argen- Germany winning in 1990. Western Conference: Minne- winner, and one point each if (Elite Eight or Quarterfinals), and the losers of the semifinals tina faced Egypt, and Egypt took sota Lynx 17-6, and Las Vegas there is a draw), the top 32 went eight become four (The Final will face on Saturday for third the lead 2-0 with about 15 min- MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Aces and Golden State Valkyries to the so called “knockout round” Four or Semifinals), four teams place, or “consolation” game. utes left in regulation. Somehow, STANDINGS: 17-7. where every round reduces the become two (The Final) and one In the last World Cup, held in the powerful offense of the South AMERICAN LEAGUE LEAD- field in half. There are no ties becomes the champion. This is Qatar, France faced Argentina in American team who is the de- ERS: East: Tampa Bay Rays (56- Sources: ESPN, GOOGLE, here. If after 90 minutes of play the only sport where there is a the final which turned into one of fending champion, scored three 38); New York Yankees (54-42); SPORTS CHANNELS. Sports Tidbits The Open Championship By Alex Alvarez next major will be the U.S. Open next month and his last chance for a major before he By Alex Alvarez Thursday and hopefully he still has fairways, it is uniquely the only club MLB BASEBALL turns 40 in 2027. a chance to defend, something that to have hosted both The Open and Shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the No.1 Everyone was pulling for Djokovic in the It is great to close the golf major has been very difficult to do over the the Ryder Cup in the same year (1965) overall pick in last weekend’s MLB Draft, has quarterfinals e Felix, and everyone was pull- championship season with the oldest years. Since the 1950’s only seven golf- and easily recognizable by its striking agreed to a record $10.35 million signing bo- ing for him in the semis, but Jannik is too championship of all. The one cham- ers have been able to defend the title 1930’s Art Decon clubhouse designed nus with the Chicago White Sox, MLB.com much to handle! pionship that started the whole thing the nest year: Bobby Locke (1950-51), to resemble the upper deck of an reported on Monday. That’s a lot of money! Serena Williams lost her only singles of importance about majors. the one Peter Thompson (1954-56), Arnold ocean liner! Did you know that Baseball’s All Start match at Wimbledon in 2026, she looked championship that people like Ben Palmer (1961-62), Lee Trevino (1971- It has also hosted the Women’s Brit- Game began in 1933 because of a sports ed- like exactly what she was: someone who had Hogan, Sam Snead and others thought 72), Tom Watson (1982-83) and Tiger ish Open, the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup itor idea? Yes, Chicago Tribune’s Arch Ward not played competitive tennis in over four they should have in their list of wins. Woods (2005-2006) and Padraig Har- and Ryder Cup, 1965 and the most fa- was behind the first game in Chicago. years. Then she withdrew from the doubles The one championship that Arnold rington (2007-2008). As you can see, mous in 1969, the year of “The Con- championship which she was supposed to Palmer revived by attending and Peter Thomson won three in a row. cession”, when Jack Nicklaus conceded GOLF play with sister Venus. winning the 1961 and 1962, the one This year the Open Championship a four foot putt to Tony Jacklin on the Royal Birkdale might be an unlikely spot championship that Jack Nicklaus nev- is being held at Royal Birkdale, the site last hole to tie their match and the Ry- for a wedding rehearsal but Joe Dean and FIFA WORLD CUP er missed, winning it three times and where Tom Watson won his second in der Cup (this sudden concession was fiancée Emily might have to make new The “final four” are set: Spain vs France naming his golf course with the same a row in 1983 (he won five Opens in not a “favorite moment” of Sam Snead, plans, as he was the last qualifier to the Open (two former champions) and Argentina vs name (Muirfield Village) of one of the total) and the site where Jordan Spieth the USA captain!) Championship. And caddie Emily will be England (two former champions as well). most famous courses in the United won in 2017, finishing with five under This concession gave birth to the right there. By the way, he has played it twice Three European teams of the best quality Kingdom, Muirfield Golf Club, and par in the last five holes: birdie, eagle, Nicklaus-Jacklin Award presented by and made the cut both times. nowadays, and the best South American designing the logo of his club to re- birdie, birdie, par which followed a 20 Aon that goes to the players who see How did Dean qualify? He qualified for team now, since Brazil has not been able to semble the “Claret Jug” synonymous minute delay for a drop on hole #13, the bigger picture and who make bet- the 154th Open Championship by win- form a winning team for years. Who will win with the trophy for winning the Open which made Matt Kuchar, his playing ter decisions critical to sportsmanship, ning the Inaugural Last Chance Qualifier in 2026? Wouldn’t all want to see the same Championship first awarded in 1872. competitor be known as the “most pa- teamwork and performance. on Monday at Royal Birkdale, securing the final as in 2022? Not me, I’d like to see Spain This year is the 154th Open Cham- tient tour player ever”! Back to The Open and its tradi- 156th and final spot in the field. He shot a advance! pionship and it has come a long way All but two of the last 12 champions tions during the week, which include: 2-under 68 in the 18-hole shootout, finish- My favorite team, Brazil, lost too early. A since 1860 when it was held annually will be present: Phil Mickelson (2013) The Greenkeeper’s Revenge: A popu- ing one stroke ahead of Andrew Wilson. great player like Messi or Neymar are great at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, the and Zach Johnson (2015) will not par- lar practice day tradition where the What a wedding present! help to a team, but you need a team effort as indisputable home of golf. It is called ticipate. Royal Birkdale has been the host course’s head greenkeeper sets Both #1’s ranked players in the world much or more, and Brazil has not had a good “The Open” because it is in theory host to the Open Championship ten up absurdly difficult hole locations missed the cut on the same week, Scheffler team in years. Too bad. open to all, i.e. professional and am- times before 2026 and notable cham- for professionals to play during prac- at the Scottish Open, and Korda at the Evian All three host nations lost in the round of ateur golfers. In practice, the current pions include Arnold Palmer, Lee tice rounds. Unlike the U.S. Open, Masters. I’m on the record here saying that 16. TV ads built the American team and ex- event is a professional tournament in Trevino, Tom Watson, Jordan Spieth, there is a strict spectator code of con- Scottie will be in contention on Sunday the pected a miracle (some of the ads mentioned which a small number of the world’s Padraig Harrington and Johnny Mill- duct designed to preserve the spirit 19th! “we believe”), but the reality was that Ameri- leading amateurs also play, by invita- er, all who won other major champi- of the game, which requires fans to What are Jordan Spieth chances at Roy- cans are not ready yet, to enter into the world tion or qualification. The success of onships, adding to the reputation of be respectful of players, keep mobile al Birkdale, where he won in 2017? Man, of futbol. It is a different world! the tournament has led to many other this venue that will play to 7,224 yards phones on silent, and avoid shouting I’d like to say very high, though his stats of Did you know that the Super Bowl is open golf tournaments to be intro- with a par of 70. out during play. You do not want to be the last 12 months would not support my viewed by approximately 125 million people duced around the world, including the Royal Birkdale is located on the asked to leave the premises! thoughts. He is still my active favorite player every year? Peeking at almost 140 million in U.S. Open. northwest coast of England in South- Enjoy the weekend watching The and would be better if he returns to playing the second quarter? Compare that to 1.5 bil- The winner is named “The Champi- port, Merseyside. Situated along the Open, which will be televised by USA, like a kid! lion who watched the World Cup final four on Golfer of the Year”, a title that dates Irish Sea, it is roughly 20 miles north Peacock and NBC… and it will be in years ago, it makes American Football not as to the first Open in 1860. of Liverpool, and the place is as windy the early morning hours! TENNIS – WIMBLEDON CHAMPION- popular as we Americans think! As you read this column, Scottie as you can find in Oklahoma! SHIPS Scheffler from the U.S.A. and current Royal Birkdale is a world-renowned Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, PGA Novak Djokovich search for a 25th major Sources ESPN , Google, MSN Sports, On- #1 player in the world began the de- championship golf course celebrated Tour, Wikipedia.org, Google, On-Line at 39 years old is getting much tougher. His Line, local fense of his championship this last for its towering sand dunes and flat media sports.