There’s something soothing about watching golf on TV. The moment of quiet before a player hits the ball, followed by the polite clap when they do.

The commentator whispering as if they are on the green right beside the golfer. And yes, it’s taken some ageing on my part to adapt to this kind of spectating.

The Open, the fourth men’s golf major of the year, teed off about an hour ago at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It should make for a lovely weekend of viewing.

P.S. Get your footy tips in!

One
The total number of world titles Australia has won in 10-kilometre open water swimming events. Moesha Johnson became the first and only Australian to win a world title in the event on Wednesday in Singapore at the World Aquatics Championships. Johnson’s title came after the race was postponed twice due to water quality concerns. Fellow Australian Kyle Lee won bronze in the men’s event. Both titles were contested in ‘soupy’ conditions, with the water temperature sitting at over 30℃. 

"I've finished my fights, I'm getting on with my life. I'm not going to gloat, it's been a long time coming. I got the job done and that's all that matters."
Former rugby league star turned boxer Paul Gallen after he defeated former dual-code international turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams in a long-awaited bout last night. Gallen won the fight in a split points decision, meaning that two judges scored the fight in favour of 43-year-old Gallen and one in favour of 39-year-old Williams. 

A medieval French game called ‘jeu de paume’ (game of palm in English) was the precursor to modern tennis as we know it today. The game was played without rackets, and competitors used the palm of their hand to hit the ball back and forth. Rackets were introduced in the 16th century. 

🚴‍♂️ Stage 11 of the Tour de France was won by Norway’s Jonas Abrahamsen, who edged out Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid in a sprint finish after the two riders had formed a breakaway. The finish was disrupted by a protester who ran onto the course with a t-shirt that read “Israel out of the Tour”; he was subsequently arrested. The man’s t-shirt was referring to Israel Premier-Tech, one of the 23 teams competing in the race this year. There was more drama earlier in the day as race favourite Tadej Pogačar crashed with six kilometres to go. He recovered quickly and rejoined the race, saying afterwards: “I’m a bit beaten up, but we’ve been through worse days.” Irishman Ben Healy remains in the yellow jersey as the overall leader ahead of Stage 12 tonight (AEST). 

🏉 Rugby league veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is reportedly considering joining R360, a Saudi-backed rugby union competition. R360 is planned to launch in 2026. If Tuivasa-Sheck were to leave the NRL, he would join R360 in 2027, after his contract with the New Zealand Warriors expires. Reports suggest that Tuivasa-Sheck would be paid up to $1 million per year, almost double his current contract, which sees him earn about $550,000. His manager, Bruce Sharrock, told The Sydney Morning Herald: “I’ve always encouraged all my players to look at all options, and that's where we are at right now.”

⛷️ Audun Grønvold, a Norwegian Olympian who won bronze in the ski cross at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, has died after being struck by lightning while on a family holiday. Grønvold was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries, but died on Tuesday evening (local time). The president of the country’s skiing federation, Tove Moe Dyrhaug, said: “Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities.”

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A 90th-minute goal from Italian captain Cristiana Girelli has propelled her side into the semi-finals of the Women’s Euro after they upset Norway 2-1. 

It marks the first time in 28 years that the Italian women’s team has made the final four at the tournament. 

The match between Italy and Norway was the first of four quarter-finals. 

The first goal of the match was not scored until the 50th minute, when Girelli scored her first of two to put Italy ahead. Norway had an opportunity to strike back via a penalty goal soon after, but captain Ada Hegerberg steered her shot wide. Hegerberg made up for it soon after with an equaliser in the 66th minute. Then, in the 90th minute, Girelli scored a stunning header off the back of a deft cross to claim a last-gasp victory.

Understandably, Girelli was named the Player of the Match. She said: "It's a dream come true! It's really something special, amazing. I felt something different, something special in this team, I've seen in the eyes of my teammates a special light.”

The second quarter final will be played between Sweden and England tomorrow at 5:00am (AEST). England head into the match as defending champions and favourites to beat Sweden. The last time the two sides met in a major tournament was the semi-final of the 2022 Euros, where England won 4-0 on their way to the final and the championship.

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The Wallabies side to start against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night has been named. Coach Joe Schmidt has made some bold calls as he brings in one player to make his starting debut against the touring side. 

Western Force star Nick Champion de Crespigny has been named to make his first appearance in a Wallabies jersey. The 29-year-old will play in the back row with  Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson (the captain). De Crespigny’s call-up comes as incumbent back-rower Rob Valetini recovers from a calf injury. 

The other call that will have rugby pundits talking is the selection of Queensland Reds fly-half Tom Lynagh to start. While Lynagh has come off the bench for the Wallabies three times, he has never started before. He will replicate his father, Michael Lynagh, who made his first start for the national team in the opening match of the 1989 Lions tour. Lynagh steps into the team in place of Noah Lolesio, who injured his neck in a Test against Fiji earlier this month. 

Schmidt said: “The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what’s going to be a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team… We’re very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.”

The first Test is being played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, a venue where the Wallabies have never beaten the Lions from eight attempts. On the most recent tour in 2013, the Lions won the Brisbane fixture 23-21. 

The Lions have played five matches on Australian soil so far, beating all four Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams as well as the AUNZ XV — a combined side of Australian and Kiwi players who are not in the current Wallabies or All Blacks squads. 

Lions coach Andy Farrell brought a squad of 40 players to Australia and has used the opening five games to test different lineups. 

For the opening Test, Farrell has called on an all-Scottish midfield with Finn Russell at fly-half, Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre, and Huw Jones at outside centre.

Meanwhile, the only Welsh representative in the squad, flanker Jac Morgan, missed out on selection with Farrell opting for England flanker Tom Curry instead. It’s the first time the Lions have played a Test without a Welsh representative since 1896.

England captain Maro Itoje will lead the side from the lock position.

Starting XV: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’li’i, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright

Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway