Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy said the LIV Golf experiment created a false economy and that professional golf needs a reset to become sustainable. Speaking before the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, he reflected on LIV’s collapse and its effect on the sport while aiming to win the Race to Dubai for a record‑equalling eighth time.
World number one Nelly Korda claimed her second points‑based LPGA player‑of‑the‑year award after a dominant start to the 2026 season, winning four tournaments including two majors. The 28‑year‑old is now one victory away from qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Sussex Cricket announced the historic appointment of Beth Barrett‑Wild as its first female chief executive, bringing 13 years of experience from the ECB. The club also proposed former England bowler Holly Colvin and other notable figures to join the board as non‑executive directors.
Leinster Rugby announced that Noel McNamara will succeed long‑time head coach Leo Cullen after the 2026‑27 season. McNamara, currently Bordeaux Begles’ attack coach, returns to the Irish province having previously held several coaching roles there. The move follows Cullen’s decision to step down after a trophy‑laden 12‑year tenure.
A new trailer has been released for the BBC documentary “Rivals: Fury v Joshua”, which explores the contrasting styles and careers of heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The film offers an inside look at the rivalry that has divided boxing fans for over a decade and will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds for UK audiences.
Ireland cricketer Rebecca Stokell has accepted responsibility for a breach of anti‑doping reporting rules after testing positive for a prescribed substance during the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. She has entered a voluntary suspension while the ICC investigates the case.
More than 350 athletes and sports figures have signed a letter supporting sprinter Beth Dobbin’s call for the UK prime minister to meet her and boost funding for ME research. The petition highlights the stark funding gap between ME and other diseases and seeks to bring the condition onto an equal footing with illnesses such as Parkinson’s and dementia.
Swedish athlete Andreas Almgren claimed victory in the men’s New York Marathon on his debut, clocking 2:06:01 and edging out Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa by 13 seconds. His win marked the first time in three decades that a European-born runner has taken the title, while Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race.
Namibia clinched the series 3‑2 after a dominant performance in the fifth ODI in Windhoek. JJ Smit’s four‑wicket haul helped restrict Ireland to 129, and Namibia chased the target with five wickets in hand. The win gives Namibia a confidence boost ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifier.
Ciara Mageean, a 34‑year‑old Irish middle‑distance runner and 2024 European champion, died after a battle with cancer. She had previously represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and won multiple medals at European and Commonwealth competitions.