AP – Sports
July 17, 2026
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns match the major championship record with 62s at the British Open
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns have each matched the major championship scoring record of 62 in the British Open, with one celebration far different from the other. Herbert missed a 5-foot par putt on the tough 18th hole at Royal Birkdale on Friday that would have given the Australian the record alone. Two groups later, Burns capped off an astonishing birdie-birdie-birdie finish for the American by holing out from a greenside bunker on the 18th for his 62 on the par-70 Royal Birkdale links. The record was first set by Branden Grace in 2017, also at Royal Birkdale. It had been matched four times since then at two majors.
Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn’t think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until years later when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal. Now those images of Messi and an infant Yamal have exploded in popularity in the runup to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
This year’s World Cup has generated countless images. AP photographers pick their favorites
NEW YORK (AP) — For news organizations, the World Cup is one of the most complex recurring stories on the planet. It’s not just about match results. It’s politics, economics, culture, human rights, celebrity, nationalism, and spectacle. And all are unfolding in real time, across dozens of countries, with audiences who care deeply. This year’s World Cup was spread over three countries and numerous time zones — and featured 40 more matches than the previous edition. It has showcased The Associated Press’ extensive photographer presence across North America and Mexico, with staff photographers covering many matches in their home cities.
World Cup beer sales are hopping. Brewers hope the stout demand outlasts the tournament
The World Cup has been a bonanza for beer in the United States. Bars in Boston reported needing emergency deliveries to keep taps from running dry on some game days. FIFA says fans downed a total of 290,000 stadium beers during the six matches in Philadelphia. But all that frothy foam obscures a cold reality: Beer sales have been struggling globally for about a decade. Many consumers are cutting back on alcohol for health reasons. Brewers say they’re hopeful the World Cup will remind people how much they like to socialize over beer. It’s unclear if soccer’s world championship tournament can reverse the trend despite having three countries as co-hosts this year.
Kimi Antonelli reveals advice from Roger Federer to get back on track in F1 title fight
Kimi Antonelli heads into the Belgian Grand Prix with a piece of advice he picked up recently from tennis great Roger Federer. After a run of car problems cut into the Italian’s Formula 1 standings lead, Antonelli’s chat with Federer in the Royal Box at Wimbledon offered a fresh perspective on how to stop these blips turning into a slump. So far, Antonelli seems to be staying focused, even as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton threaten Mercedes’ supremacy. He doesn’t seem to have lost any of his race-winning pace, unlike last year when his confidence hit rock-bottom after errors on the European tracks he was meant to know best.
British Open comes to life with 62s by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns on day of low scoring at Birkdale
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns have brought some life to the British Open with record-tying scores. Each shot a 62 just 20 minutes apart. Herbert has the early lead by two shots over Jackson Suber and Cameron Young. Burns was three behind. Burns wasn’t even planning to be here. His wife was due the week of the British Open but gave birth earlier than expected. He birdied his last three holes to match the major championship record now done seven times. Rory McIlroy could only manage a 67 and was seven shots behind. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler played in the afternoon.
Rory McIlroy makes the cut at British Open but needs a big weekend for a 2nd claret jug
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Rory McIlroy has done enough to make it to the weekend at Royal Birkdale. He’ll have to do much, much more to lift the claret jug. The world No. 2 bounced back with a 3-under 67 in the second round at the British Open and moved to 1-under par overall. The projected cut is currently at level par. McIlroy is seven shots off the clubhouse lead held by Lucas Herbert. McIlroy, the 2014 champion, struggled on the greens in shooting 72 on Thursday and says he still hasn’t figured them out.
Eric Cole was checking flights home from the British Open. Then he shot 64 at Birkdale
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Eric Cole had everything go wrong at the British Open and started looking at early flights home to Florida. Then the 38-year-old American had everything go right. He was 12 shots better in the second round of 64 that should keep him around for the weekend. Cole had three straight birdies on the front nine and made four in a row on the back nine. He’s the son of South African golfer Bobby Cole who twice played at Royal Birkdale. Eric Cole made a few memories of his own. He went from three double bogeys one day to seven birdies the next.
Storied men’s mile record set 27 years ago in sights of British runner Josh Kerr
LONDON (AP) — The storied men’s mile record in track that has stood for 27 years will come under attack Saturday from Britain’s Josh Kerr. Kerr is the 2023 world champion over the 1,500 meters metric mile and has called his record attempt “Project 222.” That’s for the 222 seconds he aims to take in breaking Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds. The race is at London Stadium that hosted track and field at the 2012 Olympics. The mile is not a championships event yet has iconic status in track history. The four-minute barrier was finally broken in 1954 by Roger Bannister.
