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Golf's power structure took a sharp shift to the players Tuesday when Tiger Woods was named as the sixth player director on the powerful PGA Tour policy board.

Young England fans have been reacting to the team’s World Cup win against China on Tuesday, 1 August. In the video, young fans are asked how they feel about the team’s 6-1 victory in their latest World Cup match. “I’m very happy for them. I think it’s good we scored lots of goals,” said one young fan. Another one said: “The match was excellent. Lauren James was definitely really great”. There were concerns over the Lionesses’ chances to win with the absence of Keira Walsh, who did not play due to a knee injury. But those fears have been put to rest with an emphatic performance.

Conor McGregor has taken aim at Justin Gaethje for the second time in a week, after the American played down McGregor’s callout in the wake of UFC 291. Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier in the second round on Saturday, avenging a 2018 loss to his compatriot and winning the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title. McGregor was apparently unimpressed, however, tweeting after the lightweight fight: “Justin, I’ll slap you around. I KO him one shot. Guarantee it.” Gaethje, 34, dismissed the former dual-weight champion’s callout, referencing the fact that McGregor is currently absent from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) testing pool. Athletes must be in the pool for six months and return two negative results – and zero positives – in order to fight in the UFC. Although McGregor, 35, has never failed a drug test, Gaethje said: “I’m not going to fight someone on steroids [...] I don’t want to fight someone that’s cheating [...] I think he’s turned me down six times. And usually you have to lose to fight him, so don’t know what’s going on.” McGregor has now hit back, tweeting on Tuesday (1 August): “This guy is about as smart as two planks. “He is a one shotter for me. I snipe him dead in one single shot. And easily.” McGregor has not fought in two years, since suffering a broken leg in his second straight loss to Poirier. The Irishman is set to face Michael Chandler next, but no date, location or weight class has been announced for that bout, with McGregor’s absence from the Usada pool proving problematic. Meanwhile, Gaethje has won two fights in a row since suffering a submission loss to Charles Oliveira in May 2022. The American outpointed Rafael Fiziev in March before knocking out Poirier at UFC 291. Gaethje may yet challenge for the UFC lightweight title – for the third time – in his next fight. Champion Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend the belt against ex-champion Oliveira in October. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Justin Gaethje reacts to Conor McGregor callout after knocking out Dustin Poirier Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier share wholesome backstage moment after UFC 291 KO Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend

Errol Spence Jr has doubled down on his intention to move up in weight, following his stoppage loss to Terence Crawford on Saturday. Crawford outclassed Spence en route to a ninth-round win in Las Vegas, becoming undisputed welterweight champion by adding Spence’s unified titles to his WBO belt. At the post-fight press conference at the T-Mobile Arena, Spence expressed his desire to activate a rematch clause. The 33-year-old also suggested that he would prefer the rematch to take place at super-welterweight. And Spence has now updated his Instagram bio to read “154[lbs]”, in reference to his intended new division. “Hell yeah, we got to do it again,” the American said on Saturday (29 July), after suffering the first loss of his professional career. “I’m going to be a lot better, [the rematch] is going to be a lot closer. It’s probably going to be in December, because it’s set before the end of the year.” Crawford, 35, added: “It definitely doesn’t have to be at 147lbs [welterweight]. I’m in the hurt business. One hundred and forty-seven was kind of hard for me, too. “I was already talking about moving up in weight and challenging [Jermell] Charlo, so 154 wouldn’t be out of reach.” American Crawford remained unbeaten with his victory over Spence, in a fight that was five years in the making. What many saw as a 50-50 bout, prior to Saturday, was a one-sided beating by Crawford. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in conversation to be an all-time great Errol Spence reveals date of Terence Crawford rematch – ‘We got to do it again’ Inside the phone calls that made Spence vs Crawford – a generational fight

Wyndham Championship picks and best bets at Sedgefield Country Club this week as we have an outright, Top 10, One and Done, and more PGA Tour expert picks for golf.We've arrived at the last event of the PGA Tour regular season with the FedExCup Playoffs beginning next week in Memphis. But t...

Rachel Daly paid tribute to her late father after scoring her first World Cup goal in England’s win against China. The Lionesses won 6-1 to emphatically secure the top spot in Group D and book their place in the knockout rounds, with Daly rounding off the scoring in the 84th minute. After netting her first-ever World Cup goal, the 31-year-old was seen kissing her wristband with the word ‘Dad’ on it. Daly lost her father, Martyn, in September 2021. “He was the reason I played football, going back to birth really,” the England star has previously said. “I don’t think I’d have got that passion for the game if it wasn’t for him.” Read More England fans celebrate at Boxpark as Lionesses score against Denmark in World Cup Gaelic football commentator expertly carries on after spilling water on equipment Watch: Moment Trent Alexander-Arnold told he will be Liverpool’s vice-captain

Much like Lauren James’ divine second goal, this might be dropping beautifully for England. Certainly, Sarina Wiegman suddenly has clarity in a World Cup characterised by uncertainty and unpredictability. James’ very role illustrates that. The young winger’s influence from that wide role was a driving force in this crushing 6-1 win over China, that confirmed an expected first place. It is a first place, however, that suddenly looks very different. The sight of the semi-finals, at least, is something else that’s so much clearer. It now won’t feature Australia or Canada, and may not have any of France, Brazil or Germany. A thrilling Colombia and dangerous last-16 opponents Nigeria are huge threats, but there is the prospect that such developing teams have had their main highs. Just as importantly, the World Cup’s stand-out performers so far, in Japan, are on the other side of the draw. On that, and the elusive momentum that defines tournaments, England now have none of the sudden doubts that are afflicting other previous favourites in Spain and - above all - USA. This is what was even more encouraging about this display than the scoreline, even if that was a badly-needed big win, amid the context of a very disappointing China. The only potential slip here came for Chloe Kelly’s gift of a fifth goal, although even that was from James’ genius. Part of that, though, was through the commanding competence of Wiegman. She may have found another solution. It shouldn’t be overlooked that the England manager went into this campaign with more issues to solve than all of those sides. They were here missing Keira Walsh, to go with Leah Williamson and Beth Mead. And yet it might have led to a formation that just fits. Having worked on a few different systems in the last few days, Wiegman opted for the 3-5-2 that really stood out for the players. It seemed to address most of their flaws, while adding to their strengths. With a reshaped midfield led by the increasingly important Georgia Stanway - conspicuously taken off at half-time due to her previous yellow card - England were much more difficult to open up. There were none of the sudden breaks that made the previous two 1-0 wins so fraught. It also offered security for England’s attackers to cut loose. Three of the players who needed goals, got goals, in Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and - eventually, with a driving late strike, Rachel Daly. The Hemp goal may not have had the bombast of either of James’, or even Daly’s, but it was perhaps the most significant so far in that it was not a piece of genius out of nothing. It is a fluid team movement, Millie Bright bursting through, James flicking it on and Hemp taking it on in such a smooth manner to slide it past Zhu Yu in one moment. Wondrous. It was still James that took the stage, though, in a display that represented such an exciting escalation from her match-winning performance against Denmark. It was actually quite satisfying in how you can so clearly see a player getting better with more comfort, now flying on the sort of trajectory that is a tradition for triumphant young players coming into their own in a tournament. She may yet make this World Cup her own. Her three strikes were themselves an escalation in quality, the only pity being the second of those was ruled out. She certainly isn’t afraid to let fly from distance, though, which is another dangerous weapon for England. It offers an out in any situation. But the third goal emphasised she can offer genius from any situation. As inviting as that dropping ball from Jess Carter was for James’ second goal, it still takes a lot to get right. It wasn’t just right, it was perfect. It would have added up to a perfect close to the group for England, especially after how difficult it had been, but for one blemish. Mary Earps has now conceded a goal, albeit from a somewhat debatable penalty decision maximised by Wang Shuang. The irony was of course this was the most secure England have looked. A much sterner threat is to come. England need only look at the fates of Australia and Canada to stave off complacency at the fact they are facing neither. Nigeria beat the former to make the hosts’ group stage much more nervy than it might have been, and ultimately eliminated Canada. They will now more than fancy their chances of eliminating England. It just isn’t the same England as even Monday. That is the rhythm of a tournament. Teams will now start to find their feet, especially after two weeks of competitive football, and the dawning reality of the knock-outs. The mood of the final week could be very different to now. The mood around England is certainly different to a week ago. Read More When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed? Lauren James: England’s mercurial forward who has found goalscoring touch at World Cup Sarina Wiegman’s brave England switch solves key Women’s World Cup problem Millie Bright: England’s captain leading Lionesses into last-16 of Women’s World Cup When do USA women play next? World Cup fixtures and route to the final

Rip it up and start again: if Keira Walsh’s injury spelled the end of something at the Women’s World Cup, it only did for England’s starting formation. Against China, Sarina Wiegman made her most dramatic change as Lionesses manager yet, switching to a 3-5-2 system to counter the blow of losing their key midfielder. In doing so, Wiegman unlocked England’s best performance of not just this World Cup, but in months. The Lionesses looked like themselves again, and while England’s 6-1 win against China made sure of their progress to the last-16 as Group D winners, as much focus will be on how Wiegman has recalibrated and recharged her side ahead of the knockout stages. After two 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark there was an element of danger coming into the decider, but from the opening moments the tempo and fluidity of England’s performance erased doubts. England have done so while veering drastically from the course they set at the Euros, where Wiegman named the same starting line-up in all six matches. But this is a new tournament and England are facing a very different challenge, which Wiegman has reacted to decisively. Wiegman could have chosen the easy option, to bring in Laura Coombs for Walsh and stick with England’s 4-3-3. Instead, Wiegman’s tweak has sparked England into life. From looking slow and predictable in their opening game, England carried threat from all areas against China: Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly, wing-backs who played as wingers, stretched China out of shape, allowing space for Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp to create havoc down the channels. The back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood compensated for the loss of Walsh in England’s build-up play, with Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem, starting for the first time at the World Cup, creating a box midfield in front. It all unlocked room for Lauren James, who didn’t even start England’s opening game but is now so central to everything they do. To almost illustrate that, James was shifted inside to No 10, given the freedom to drift and pick up the ball where she could cause the most danger. James, who is quickly becoming England’s most important player at the World Cup, sparkled again, displaying the confidence of a player who knows she has been given the stage to become one of the stars of the tournament. But to do so, James also needs a structure that suits her, and Wiegman has landed upon a formation and line-up that does that for not just her, but for every other player in the team. Bright looked exposed in a back four when England faced transitions, but had excellent cover when alongside both Carter and Greenwood. Russo has gone from being isolated to having more options around her, and the sheer speed of Hemp is now able to play off her shoulder. Stanway did not have sole responsibility to screen England’s defence, with Zelem providing balance alongside her. Wiegman could not replace Walsh, but they could recreate her control. Even without their metronome, England still dominated the ball, particularly in the first half when the game was live and the Lionesses played at their highest intensity. To add to the possession, England’s shape gave them penetration and pace, with movement and rotation. The 3-5-2 seemed to give every player another option. That isn’t to say this will be England’s plan for the rest of the tournament. From being able to predict Wiegman’s selection last summer, the Lionesses have shown they are prepared to change for their approach with the opposition in mind. China were a side who were always going to sit deep with two blocks of four, so England looked to pull them apart. It could be different against Nigeria in the last-16, given the threat of Asisat Oshoala and wingers like Uchenna Kanu who stay high and wide. But from the blow of losing Walsh, England now have confidence that will elevate any system that Wiegman selects against Nigeria: Russo, Hemp, Daly and Chloe Kelly all scored, further lifting the mood in the camp and adding to several other impressive performances. World Cups and major tournaments are all about the journey - yet, even as the Lionesses comfortably progressed to the knockout stages as group winners, no one expected it to unfold quite like this, or is able to predict what comes next. Read More England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score as Lionesses shine in Adelaide When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed?

With the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning captain Leah Williamson forced to miss out on the World Cup through injury, coach Sarina Wiegman has entrusted the responsibility for leading the team to experienced Chelsea centre back Millie Bright. Bright has been passed fit for England’s match against Haiti after recovering from knee surgery and the defender will lead the Lionesses in their Group D opener. Now 29, Bright grew up in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, overcoming infant pneumonia and asthma to enjoy a career as a top level athlete, although her first love was equestrianism, not football. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here Showing early promise when she did take to the field aged nine, she was soon scouted playing for Killamarsh Dynamos by Sheffield United and joined their academy before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles aged 16 in 2009. Making her debut that same year and scoring on her first start, Bright spent a year on loan at Leeds Ladies before establishing herself at Doncaster, where she played with future Lionesses Mary Earps and Bethany England. In December 2014, she signed for Chelsea and has remained with the West London club ever since, picking up four Barclays Women’s Super League titles, three FA Women’s Cups and reaching the UEFA Champions League Final, scoring 14 times across 218 appearances. For England, she was an essential part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the last FIFA World Cup in France in 2019 and of last summer’s triumphant Euros team. She has represented her country, to date, 66 times and scored five international goals, striking up solid defensive partnerships with Williamson and Houghton during that time and posing a significant aerial threat from set plays. Read More How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup?

The United States survived an almighty scare to advance from the Women’s World Cup group stage - keeping alive hopes of a third successive title. Portugal hit the post late to ensure the United States avoided an early exit at the group stages. The defending champions opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory against Vietnam but were held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands, in what was a rematch of their 2019 World Cup final. And the goalless draw against Portugal has prompted widespread criticism back home, including from legendary American player Carli Lloyd. The USA progress as runners-up from Group E, behind the Netherlands, who thrashed Vietnam 7-0. Here’s everything you need to know about the next match for the USA: Who are the United States playing at the World Cup? The defending champion USA were drawn alongside Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam in Group E. They opened their title defence with a 3-0 win against Vietnam, with Sophia Smith scoring twice, before Lindsey Horan’s second-half equaliser rescued a point against the Netherlands after they trailed at the break. There is still work to do in their final fixture against Portugal, although a win or draw would confirm a spot in the knockout stages. When are the USA’s group matches? (All times ET) 22 July - USA 3-0 Vietnam 27 July - USA 1-1 Netherlands 1 August - USA vs Portugal (3am ET) What is the USA’s potential path to the final? (All times ET) If the USA win Group E 5 August - Winners Group E vs Runners-up Group G (22:00, Sydney) 10 August - Winner Match 49 vs Winner Match 51 (21:00, Wellington) 15 August - Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) If the USA finish runner-up in Group E 6 August: Winners Group G vs Runners-up Group E (05:00, Melbourne) 11 August: Winner Match 50 vs Winner Match 52 (03:30, Auckland) 15 August: SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) Group E standings 1. USA - 4 points (+3 goal difference) 2. Netherlands - 4 points (+1) 3. Portugal - 3 points (+1) 4. Vietnam (E) - 0 points (-5) Results and fixtures USA 3-0 Vietnam Netherlands 1-0 Portugal USA 1-1 Netherlands Portugal 2-0 Vietnam Vietnam vs Netherlands (8am BST) Portugal vs USA (8am BST) How does each team qualify? United States - The USA will qualify for the last-16 as long as they do not lose to Portugal. They will finish top of Group E if Netherlands draw or lose, or if they win by a greater margin than the Dutch. Netherlands - The Netherlands will qualify with a win or draw against Vietnam. The Netherlands could still qualify with a defeat, as long as they had a better goal difference than the USA. Portugal - Portugal will reach the last-16 if they beat the USA but will be out if they lose. If Portugal draw, they would require the Netherlands to lose Vietnam by at least two goals. Vietnam - Cannot qualify for the knockout stages. Read More Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup group tables and standings: How can each team qualify? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today USA’s narrow escape spells the end of Women’s World Cup dominance Jess Carter: England defender brought back in by Sarina Wiegman for China clash Katie Zelem: Lioness star making her World Cup start vs China

The USA are still clinging on to their defence of the World Cup, but only just. Portugal’s Ana Capeta, brought on in stoppage time, came within the width of a post from sending the two-time defending champions crashing out of the tournament. If that’s how close the USA came to a first World Cup defeat since 2015, it’s a clear indication of how fragile their dominance appears to be. After only scraping through Group E as runners-up and with Sweden, who thrashed the USA at the Olympics two years ago, likely to be next in the last-16, there is little confidence that this is the same side who entered the tournament as favourites. Had Captea’s shot caught the inside of the post then the World Cup would have staged its biggest shock yet, with the dethroning of the four-time winners. Yet, even though Capeta’s strike agonisingly rebounded out, the nerves at the end as the USA survived only confirmed what many thought ahead of the World Cup. After draws against the Netherlands and Portugal, the first time the USA have ever failed to win two games in the World Cup group stage, it is clear that the gap between the defending champions and the rest of the world has closed. The rise of the European club game, with the increased professionalism of its leagues and the development of the Champions League, has fueled that growth. It is in Europe where tactical innovation and improvements in coaching have given teams a different way to play against the USA, reducing the advantage that their superior pool of talent and resources had previously given them. Portugal, denied a place in the knockout stages by the narrowest of margins, were a demonstration of that. Even in their first ever appearance at a Women’s World Cup and a domestic league that is significantly smaller than those in England, Germany or France, their development under Francisco Neto has mirrored the changes in women’s football since the last World Cup four years ago. Portugal are tactically versatile and have been boosted by a new wave of talent who are given the platform to shine. The 20-year-old Benfica forward Francisca Nazareth provided support to Jessica Silva, who is no longer the lone star in the team. The USA were disrupted by Portugal’s approach, as well as their defensive shape and a sophisticated press. Portugal controlled the central areas as Nazareth dropped in to form a midfield diamond and their technical ability allowed spells of possession where the European side took charge of the ball and played through the USA’s more rigid shape. It was the same against the Netherlands, where the USA trailed at half time. Lindsay Horan’s second-half equaliser only grew in significance as Portugal took the USA to the depths of a Group E decider. And yes, the USA have not been been at full strength in New Zealand, losing captain Becky Sauerbrunn and star forwards Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario to injury before the tournament. They were a side who always looked caught between generations, the imbalance between selecting the 34-year-old Alex Morgan and the 37-year-old Megan Rapinoe, the veterans of the two-time defending champions, and the 14 players who were making their first appearances at the World Cup. It could just be the classic case of a team who have stuck together for a tournament too long and it did not take long for questions to be asked of the USA side after the Portugal draw. Carli Lloyd, a champion with the USA at both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, hit out at the lack of motivation and hunger of her former team-mates, accusing those who remained of tacking playing at the World Cup for “granted”. Certainly, there is negativity off the field while on it, Vlatko Andonovski’s team are desperately lacking in inspiration or ideas. It leaves the USA vulnerable ahead of the knockout stages, and a contrast to the ambition of sides like Portugal. Sweden, who dismantled the USA 3-0 in the group stages of the Olympics, bring the same tactical freshness with the added edge of major tournament experience. Sweden will have nothing to fear and after surviving Portugal, the next surprise in the knockout stages would be if the USA are able to perform another escape and reach the quarter-finals. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Australia's TPG Telecom on Tuesday said it received an offer from Macquarie-backed rival Vocus to buy some of