Before Thursday’s opening round of the U.S. Open, Collin Morikawa made a “stupid” decision.

On Friday, he smartened up.

The result was an 8-shot improvement. In breezy sunshine at Shinnecock Hills, Morikawa fired a five-under 65, rebounding from a first-round 73 to leapfrog up the leaderboard. He finished the day at two-under for the tournament, in a tie for fourth, with much of the field still on the course.

What accounted for the turnabout?

His wedges. Specifically, the soles of them.

On Friday afternoon, Morikawa revealed that he’d played his first round with a new wedge — same TaylorMade model he usually employs but without the bounce ground off. The move backfired.

“I usually kind of [take] a little bit of the bounce off. Stupid of me to do it,” Morikawa said.

The decision traced back to Monday’s practice round. Shinnecock had taken on rain Sunday night, leaving the course soft and wet for Morikawa’s first look at the setup. Working on chips on the back of the 10th hole, he found himself digging the club into the turf.

A lot of golfers would read that as a reason to add bounce, not remove it, as more bounce helps keep the leading edge from digging into the ground. But Morikawa was playing the long game. He expected the course to firm up considerably by Thursday, and figured the trickier, grainier lies that come with firmer turf would suit a lower-bounce wedge just fine.

“I knew it was going to dry out,” he said. “I felt like it was okay. So I didn’t grind it off.”

He took that new wedge into Thursday’s opening round and his short game wasn’t as sharp as he’d hoped.

“Just yesterday, average chip shot,” he said. “Partially bad technically, but partially [it] felt like everything was just going to bounce. Out here, you have to just have a great low point. You have to know what the spin is going to be.”

Golf is nothing if not a game of adjustments. After finishing his weather-delayed first round Friday morning, Morikawa undid his decision. Back into his bag went the wedge he’d trusted all season, bounce and all.

“I went back to my old wedge just after I finished up this morning,” he said. “Whether it worked or not, it just gave me enough confidence to say I can kind of dial them in. Felt like I hit a lot better chip shots out there.”

It’s been that kind of season for Morikawa, a campaign marked by changes beyond his control. A back injury sidelined him at the Players in March and kept popping up enough to cost him more starts before the Masters. He’s been managing that issue ever since. On Thursday, though, his body seemed fine. It was his decision-making and his equipment that betrayed him. By Friday, he’d gotten those right, too.

Joaquin Niemann says he is “not proud” of being the first golfer penalised for breaking the new code of conduct introduced for major championships in 2026.

The Chilean was given a two-shot penalty by US Open officials on Friday, shortly after completing a fog-delayed first round.

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The 27-year-old was punished for “serious misconduct” under rule 1.2b after throwing his sand wedge in frustration on the sixth hole after he twice hit tee shots out of bounds and then had an awkward lie while playing his next shot.

That meant Niemann’s nine was upped to an 11 on the par-four hole and he eventually signed for an eight-over 78 before responding with a five-under 65 in the second round to sit just inside the projected cut line at three over par overall.

“I finished my round, signed my scorecard, and then a referee came up to me and said ‘I need to talk to you’,” Niemann said.

“I knew I had a misbehaviour but I feel like everybody had some and it’s never going to be anything major like two-shot penalty, you know?

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“They considered with the whole committee that it was a right decision to give me a two-shot penalty.

“I was trying to argue back but it’s their decision and I feel like I wouldn’t be happy seeing players throwing clubs and behaving that way so, yeah, I agree.”

Niemann had been at level par for his round before reaching the sixth hole and reportedly had to have his club delivered back to him by a police officer.

“I hit it two times out of bounds then got pretty frustrated,” he added.

“I had a bad lie, I saw a lot of ants and I was just asking the referee if they were fire ants and he said ‘no’.

“I wasn’t angry asking him. I think they blew the horn (to suspend play for darkness) but after I hit that shot all the frustration came inside me and I had my club in my hand and I couldn’t resist to throw it away. There was no-one there but I’m not proud of it.”

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The code of conduct policy has been a major taking point this season with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Spain’s Sergio Garcia both reprimanded for their behaviour at The Masters in April.

USA’s Jessica Pegula reacts during the women’s singles quarter-final match against USA’s Madison Keys during the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

BERLIN–American world number four Jessica Pegula reached the semi-finals of the Berlin Open after beating countrywoman Madison Keys on Friday.

Pegula, a 2024 champion on the Berlin grass, won 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) over her close friend and podcast co-host Keys in sweltering conditions in the German capital.

In their first meeting since Pegula ended Keys’ title defence at the Australian Open in January, both players each broke serve once in the opening set and forced a tiebreak, which Pegula won.

Pegula ran out to a 4-2 lead in the second but Keys fought back to once again set up a tiebreak. Pegula triumphed 10-8 in the tiebreak to extend her winning run to seven without defeat over fellow Americans this calendar year.

The 32-year-old American will face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Nikola Bartunkova in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Eighth seed Linda Noskova defeated Spanish wildcard Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 in Friday’s second quarter-final.

Later on Friday, world number eight Elina Svitolina takes on Alexandra Eala, who eliminated Elena Rybakina on Thursday.

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning the singles quarter final match against Czech’s Nikola Bartunkova at the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

BERLIN–World number one Aryna Sabalenka stormed back from the cusp of defeat to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova and reach the last four of the WTA 500 Berlin Open on Friday.

Sabalenka won 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in sweltering conditions in the German capital in the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event.

“I was thinking ‘wow, that’s how it is to play against me’,” a smiling Sabalenka said of her opponent’s early dominance, adding: “I thought it was her match for sure… I was just trying to stay in the game.

“I think it was a lucky match. I somehow, miraculously, came back in that second set.”

Bartunkova, the world number 62, stormed to take the first set and led 4-0 in the second as a visibly frustrated Sabalenka struggled on serve and could not pose any kind of danger with her return.

With elimination looming, the Belarusian suddenly clicked into gear, winning five straight games before taking the second set in a tiebreak.

The heat began to wear on both players in the third set, with Sabalenka breaking her opponent three times but suffering two breaks herself before taking the match in two hours and 23 minutes.

Sabalenka will face American world number four Jessica Pegula, who beat close friend and podcast co-host Madison Keys 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) earlier on Friday.

After 16 NHL seasons, three Stanley Cups and a couple of Olympic gold medals, Jonathan Toews has announced that he’s calling it a career.

Toews spent last season with the Winnipeg Jets — his hometown team — after sitting out for two full seasons.

At a press conference on Friday, the future Hall of Famer officially hung up his skates.

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“I’m way more nervous than I thought I would be,” Toews said after stepping up to the podium. “I just want to recognize, first of all — it’s a privilege to be standing up here to say goodbye to the game of hockey and the NHL. I think there’s a lot of great players out there that don’t get this opportunity.

“So, [I] just want to be cognizant of that. Thank you all for coming today.”

Jonathan Toews spent his final NHL season playing for his hometown Winnipeg Jets. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)

Well, Toews is hanging ’em up the way he played: with class.

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And what a career it was. I mean, the hardware — which also includes a Conn Smythe, a Selke and a Mark Messier Leadership Award — speaks for itself, but look at these numbers.

Of course, Toews is best remembered for his 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. They drafted him in 2006, and he went on to lead them to three Stanley Cups in 2010 (when they ripped this Flyers fan’s heart out of his chest), 2013 and 2015.

But one of the most admirable things about Toews’ career is how he battled back after two years out of the league due to inflammatory and immune-system issues that also affected his last couple of years with the Blackhawks.

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Jonathan Toews spent 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and led them to three Stanley Cups. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

What a career. Those early 2010s Blackhawks teams were nasty, and they were all led by Toews.

There’s no question that he’ll be getting a call from the Hockey Hall of Fame in a few years.

U.S. star Christian Pulisic missed today’s World Cup match against Australia because of a calf injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Ricardo Pepi.

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino made the announcement during an interview with Fox about 90 minutes before the kickoff at Lumen Field in Seattle. On Thursday, Pochettino said Pulisic is in a “much better” spot than he was last Friday, and that he would be available for the Americans’ next game against Turkey if he could not play against Australia.

“Today, he was training in the morning in the camp and I’ve seen the feelings are good,” Pochettino told Fox on Friday. “I hope as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and to be part of the team. Now, we need to be focused on our team and the players that are going to play.” 
The move is a setback for a U.S. team that defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its opener on June 12 and with a win would clinch advancement to the round of 32.

Pulisic left the game at halftime after helping create the opening goal by splitting a pair of defenders before passing to Weston McKennie, then setting up Folarin Balogun for the second goal.

Pochettino said the 27-year-old attacker was kicked in the back of his left calf during a training session ahead of the game and felt tightness during the match. Pulisic trained on his own in the leadup to the game against Australia. 

Pulisic has 33 goals in 87 international appearances.

Pepi was the only addition to the U.S. starting lineup. Pochettino decided to insert the 23-year-old striker, who was one of the final cuts from the 2022 World Cup roster, over a few other accomplished players.

Brenden Aaronson, a winger who had four goals and five assists for Leeds last season, and Tim Weah, a Marseille forward who can impact a game with his speed on either wing, both remain on the bench.

Gio Reyna, who scored the Americans’ final goal against Paraguay and has provided moments of dynamic playmaking from the wing, will be a reserve once again.

With Pepi in for Pulisic, the U.S. hopes to reward its supporters and justify the wave of momentum that is building around the team.

“What excites me is that the entire world, the entire nation is behind us,” midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “I think that they enjoyed watching us play, and at the end of the day what we want to do is inspire and motivate the next generation. … We have to build off it, and that’s the truth. We can’t just talk about it: We have to show out against Australia.

FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–For a second straight night, Alex Eala toppled a top-ranked player, this time beating world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Berlin Open.

The result came just 24 hours after she ousted world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 grass-court tournament.

Eala came out firing against the more experienced Svitolina, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set and taking control of the match, which lasted one hour and 23 minutes.

In the second set, the Filipino tennis ace, who entered Berlin as a wildcard, broke Svitolina three times for a 5-2 lead before the Ukrainian won back-to-back games to pull within one.

But Eala once again showed composure and closed out the match on serve.

Marching ON 💪

Alex Eala is a semifinalist in Berlin, defeating Svitolina 6-3, 6-4!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/k0zHYyYfWt

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— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026

“Of course, Elina is a huge fighter and I’ve seen it many times. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. So to be able to compete with her today is such an honor,” Eala said. “I really admire her. She’s a mother and I find her to act with such elegance and strength.”

Eala has now beaten six top-10 players in the WTA rankings, a run that began during her Miami Open campaign last year that launched her into stardom.

Against Svitolina, she once again found a way against a big-hitting opponent with her clinical returning.

“I think I’m getting better [at absorbing the pace]. I hope I’m getting better,” Eala said. “Of course, being exposed to this kind of level more often really pushes you to your limits and forces you to showcase what you’ve got. Some weeks are better than others, and I’m really enjoying this week.”

Eala faces fellow 21-year-old Linda Nosková, who beat Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 earlier Friday, in the Final Four.

Also reaching the semifinals are Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage enters a crucial phase on June 20 as teams take the field for their second matches, with qualification scenarios beginning to take shape. Several nations have the chance to secure an early place in the Round of 32, while others face must-win encounters after disappointing starts. 

Heavyweights Brazil and the Netherlands will be under pressure to deliver, while the USA, Australia, Morocco and Sweden look to build on positive opening-round results in a packed day of action.

USA vs Australia

The United States and Australia meet in a pivotal Group D clash at FIFA World Cup 2026, with both sides aiming to build on winning starts and move closer to the Round of 32. The USMNT impressed in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia secured a disciplined 2-0 win against Türkiye. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will monitor captain Christian Pulisic’s fitness after a minor calf issue, though he is expected to feature alongside in-form striker Folarin Balogun. Australia, meanwhile, will once again rely on the pace and creativity of rising star Nestory Irankunda, while goalkeeper Patrick Beach arrives full of confidence after an eight-save clean sheet in the opener. The winner could take a major step toward qualification.

Scotland vs Morocco

Morocco and Scotland are set for a crucial Group C showdown at Boston Stadium in Foxborough as both sides look to strengthen their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification hopes. Scotland sit atop the group after a narrow 1-0 win over Haiti, though their performance was far from convincing and they created few clear-cut chances. 

Brazil vs Haiti

Brazil head into their second Group C match against Haiti seeking their first win of FIFA World Cup 2026 after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Morocco. Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain among the tournament favourites but know a victory is essential to strengthen their qualification hopes before facing Scotland. 

Brazil have dominated previous meetings with Haiti, winning all three encounters and scoring 17 goals across those matches. Haiti, meanwhile, showed promise despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland and will look to build on that performance. However, another loss could end their hopes of progressing, making this a must-win encounter for both teams.

Turkey vs Paraguay

Türkiye and Paraguay face a crucial Group D clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara as both teams look to revive their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns. With the USA and Australia currently leading the group, defeat could severely damage either side’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. 

Türkiye arrived at the tournament in strong form after ending a long World Cup absence and building an eight-match unbeaten run, but suffered a disappointing defeat to Australia in their opener. Paraguay, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years but were beaten 4-1 by hosts USA and now desperately need points.

Netherlands vs Sweden

Netherlands and Sweden meet in a pivotal Group F encounter at Houston’s NRG Stadium, with both sides targeting a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds. The Dutch were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by Japan in their opener and will be eager to secure their first win of the tournament. 

FIFA World Cup 2026: June 20 matches live streaming and telecast details

Which two teams will feature in the first game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?

USA and Australia will kick-start the June 20 action of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at 12:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the second game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?

Scotland and Morocco will play in the second match of the day from 3:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the third game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?

Brazil will play their 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Haiti in the third game of the day at 6 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the fourth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?

Turkey will play their 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Paraguay in the third game of the day at 8:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the fifth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?

Netherlands and Sweden will play in the fifth match of the day from 10:30 pm IST.

Where to watch the live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 matches in India?

The broadcast of the June 20 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels for fans in India.

Where to watch the live streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 matches in India?

The live streaming of the June 18 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Zee5 app and website for viewers in India.

USA winger ​Christian Pulisic will miss the key Group D ​game against Australia due to injury, after training separately from his teammates ​this ‌week , coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. Ricardo ⁠Pepi, who came off the bench in the Paraguay game, replaces ​Pulisic as the only change.

The starting XIs

USA: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, ​Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi; Folarin Balogun

Australia: Patrick Beach; Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, ⁠Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Aiden ⁠O’Neill, ​Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay; Mohamed Toure

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures