Here are nine things we’re loving about this week’s U.S. Amateur at Merion.

1. Merion has always been cramped, charming, difficult, great. This week has proved once again that not only is Merion ideal for a match-play event, such as this U.S. Amateur, but that it will be superb for the three U.S. Opens on its docket, in 2030, 2040 and 2050. (Plus the Women’s Open in 2034 and 2046.) If you want to diminish the value of the smashed driver, you need a shorter course, not a longer one. You need a course with peculiar angles and sledding-hill slopes.

Enter Merion, at 6,900 yards, with two long par-3s and two longish par-5s and a selection of mix-and-match par-4s. So good. Like, one of the best. Obviously, as Dustin Johnson might add here.

2. This Jay Leng Jr., a rising junior at Stanford with the widest stance you’ve ever seen on a good golfer and one of Saturday afternoon’s four semi-finalists, does something every golfer should do when hitting an approach shot into a greenside bunker: He grabs his sand wedge right away! It’s not complicated, people. The second one shot has ended is the time to start plotting your next one.

3. Leng’s Saturday afternoon opponent, Logan Reilly, a rising sophomore at Auburn, with a tangly and distinctive red mullet, has been a fixture in a clubhouse tent beside the 13th green, hanging with his people (his father is a prominent agent), iced tea in hand, in no rush to go anywhere, taking it all in.

4. This Jack Whaley from England, a rising senior at Florida State and one of Saturday afternoon’s four semi-finalists, endured the indignity of giving up three-hole leads twice in one match and never showed a moment of outward anxiety. This guy brings new meaning to Keep Calm and Carry On.

5. Whaley’s Saturday afternoon opponent, Carter Loflin, on the cusp of finishing his degree at Georgia after four years of golf there, sips water from a bottle that features a Grateful Dead Steal Your Face logo, wears a cotton golf shirt that Arnold Palmer would envy. The Last Days of Persimmon is paging this young golfer, welcoming him into the fold.

6. The USGA write-ups on these matches, posted in its website and written by a veteran newspaper writer David Shefter, a longtime USGA in-house writer: the pieces are loaded with information you’re unlikely to find elsewhere and have a style all their own, too, getting quotes down to their colorful essence. Carter Loflin, for instance, referring to Emilia Migliaccio Doran, the former Curtis Cup player, as “the Golf Channel lady.”

7. The incredible level of courtesy shown by fans, marshals, police officers, members, USGA officials, players, caddies. There was not a moment of boorishness. There was never a time you could not see any shot you wanted to see. There was, at times, a 15-minute line to get into the pro shop. Nobody seemed to mind.

8. Forgive me: I missed last call for lunch one day. A server invited me into the kitchen, gave me a plate, pointed to the leftovers and told me to have at it.

9. The golf had wild and unexpected turns in it, the four gents still at it on Saturday afternoon, brilliant at times, on edge at others. Whaley and Loflin were tied going into 18. Whaley won the home hole . . . with a bogey. Not what you want to see, but what happened. Leng defeated Reilly 2&1. So Leng and Whaley will face each other in the Sunday finale, likely in the rain, the electric SEPTA trains whistling on by. Timeless Merion. I haven’t heard a ringing cellphone yet.
 
Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments at Michael.Bamberger@golf.com.

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India begin their Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against a formidable China side today, with the ninth-ranked team taking on the Olympic silver medallists, who are ranked second in the world.

The Pool D clash could prove crucial to India’s campaign, with England and South Africa also in the group. Under the tournament’s new format, India will be keen to avoid dropping points in their opening fixture.

India banking on experience

India have spent considerable time adapting to European conditions, training at the Wagener Stadium and facing defending champions Netherlands in a practice match.

While 11 members of the squad are making their World Cup debuts, India have plenty of experienced players. Goalkeeper Savita leads the way with 313 international appearances and is playing in her third World Cup. Sushila Chanu has 262 caps, while Navneet Kaur, Nikki Pradhan and Neha Goyal have all crossed the 200-cap mark.

China present a major challenge

India will be wary of China’s recent record against them. China defeated India 4-1 at the 2025 Asia Cup before going on to win the tournament. They also claimed silver at the Paris Olympics and have finished fourth in the last two Pro League seasons.

China’s resurgence has coincided with the arrival of Australian coach Alison Annan, who previously guided the Netherlands to World Cup and Olympic gold.

India enter with confidence

India’s recent form offers encouragement. They won the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand to return to the Pro League, while Deepika and Navneet have emerged as key attacking threats.

Deepika scored six goals in the Pro League, while Navneet was named Player of the Tournament during the World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Sjoerd Marijne believes the team is ready for the challenge, with a strengthened support staff focusing on analysis, fitness, sports science and drag-flick expertise.

A positive result against China would give India an important early boost and provide confidence ahead of their remaining Pool D fixtures and next month’s Asian Games.  Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 live telecast: Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will be broadcast live on Star Sports network.  Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 live streaming: Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will be streamed live on JioHotstar.

Pro wrestler LaBron Kozone signed a multi-year deal with Major League Wrestling (MLW) in March and was immediately described as a blue-chip and “generational” prospect.

Kozone won a few matches and is heading into Saturday’s “Fusion” looking to enact some revenge against Joe Coffey after the Scottish superstar took out legendary authority figure Teddy Long on a previous show.

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LaBron Kozone waves to the crowd on MLW “Fusion.” (MLW)

Kozone talked to Fox News Digital about his decision to sign with MLW in a recent interview.

“It was just a great opportunity just with how things are going today in the wrestling world. You want to put yourself in a predicament where you become most effective, you know?” he said. 

“You just look at the states where you have so many different promotions out there, what’s going on in their universe. And I know a lot of people in different universes, and I’m looking at MLW and it’s just like, ‘OK, for me, it’s probably the best situation with everything that I have going on in my obligation in pro wrestling.’

“It goes deeper than just inside the ring and wrestling, but it’s how can I help people out outside the ring because I run Firestar Pro Wrestling Training School. So, it’s not only an opportunity for me, but it’s an opportunity for a lot of my students who are already getting a lot of opportunity. 

“And, plus, MLW is the fastest rising pro wrestling promotion out there right now. It’s the most accessible, and it’s the fastest rising. Every show that I’ve attended — even before I got signed — it’s been sold out. I feel like they’re definitely pressing on something game changing.”

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LaBron Kozone looks around the arena before MLW’s “Fusion.” (MLW)

MLW owner Court Bauer called Kozone a “blue-chipper and a generational prospect” earlier this year when the company announced Kozone’s signing.

Kozone said he wasn’t quite sure what being a “blue-chipper” was but agreed with the notion that he was a “generational” talent.

“Honestly, just to be quite frank, I don’t know what blue chip means. But generational talent, I can understand that,” he said. “I appreciate (it). That means once in a lifetime, which I do agree with. 

“I feel like I am a once-in-a-lifetime, not just talent but once-in-a-lifetime person. To (have) done what I done, have as much impact as I’ve had if only been in it for a little bit over a decade.”

LaBron Kozone clotheslines Okumura during a match on MLW’s “Fusion.” (MLW)

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He previously told Fox News Digital that if he’s able to dispatch Coffey, he’s looking to go after some gold next.

Islam Makhachev had barely finished fighting at UFC 330 before questions about his next opponent started coming up.

The Russian defended his welterweight title by getting the better of Ian Machado Garry. The Irishman put up a good fight, and if Garry had been a little more aggressive, he could have won.

Makhachev’s face was a bit of a mess, and during a segment with Paramount+, he was asked about who could be his next opponent.

The champion didn’t dodge the question, and instead named three welterweights who could have been next. Makhachev believed that Carlos Prates is the best option for his next bout:

“Honestly, if you ask me today, Shavkat is not fighting. Prates is still fighting, still active, and maybe Prates.”

Makhachev also brought up the undefeated Michael Morales, but didn’t think he deserved the next title shot:

“Morales is also good, but Morales fight I don’t last time, I don’t remember when he fight.”

The champion concluded by bringing up Prates’ name again:

“If you ask like who is most deserving guy, I think Carlos Prates.”

Check out Islam Makhachev’s comments below:

Makhachev’s thoughts on his next opponent do make sense. Shavkat Rakhmonov is undefeated in his career, but the 19-0 Uzbek has had some terrible luck with injuries and even was involved in a serious accident which has kept him out of action since 2024.

Morales last fought at UFC 322, but hasn’t fought since. However, Morales is the next big thing in the division and isn’t that far off from a title shot.

Prates has been on a tear and has won seven of his eight fights with a Performance of the Night bonus in each of the wins.

His only loss in that time was against Garry, and Prates has already beaten former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena.