TL;DR

Scheffler wins British Open, Rashford joins Barcelona on loan, O’Ward narrows IndyCar title gap.

Highlights

• Scottie Scheffler won his first British Open at Royal Portrush, finishing 17-under for his fourth career major; Harris English and Chris Gotterup completed an all-American podium18.
• Scheffler is now one U.S. Open title away from a career Grand Slam and has converted his last 10 54-hole leads into wins1.
• Rory McIlroy tied for seventh at 10-under, missing out on a home-soil Open win1.
• Barcelona secured Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United, with a €30 million purchase option; Rashford joins preseason immediately27.
• Rashford returns from Aston Villa after United declined a £40 million buy; Barcelona failed to land Nico Williams and Luis Diaz7.
• Pato O’Ward won the 2025 IndyCar Toronto Grand Prix from 10th on the grid, closing the championship gap to Álex Palou4.
• Tim Wellens won Tour de France Stage 15 with a 44-km solo attack; UAE Team Emirates maintains race lead with Tadej Pogacar5.
• Julian Alaphilippe finished third on the stage despite a crash and communication mishap; he is cleared to continue after the rest day5.
• England defender Jess Carter reported ongoing racist abuse during Women’s Euro 2025; the FA referred the matter to police and the squad will stop taking the knee6.
• President Trump threatened to block the Washington Commanders’ new stadium unless the team restores the “Redskins” name; legal and practical impact is expected to be minimal3.

Commentary

Scheffler’s British Open win further solidifies his status as golf’s most consistent closer, with a dominant performance under pressure and a notable all-American podium18. For fantasy and betting, Scheffler’s reliability in final rounds is increasingly bankable, and his pursuit of the career Grand Slam will keep his odds short in upcoming majors1. McIlroy’s top-10 finish keeps him relevant, but his inability to convert at home may impact sentiment for future events1.

In football, Barcelona’s loan deal for Marcus Rashford addresses their left-wing needs after failed pursuits of Nico Williams and Luis Diaz27. Rashford’s immediate integration into preseason suggests he could quickly become a regular under Hansi Flick, making him a player to monitor for early La Liga fantasy and betting markets2. Manchester United ’s decision to loan rather than sell outright signals ongoing uncertainty about Rashford’s long-term value7.

O’Ward’s comeback win in Toronto tightens the IndyCar championship race, presenting new value opportunities for outright markets as the season progresses4. In cycling, Wellens’ solo victory and Pogacar’s continued race lead reinforce UAE Team Emirates’ dominance, while Alaphilippe’s resilience post-crash keeps him in contention for stage results, though his injury risk warrants attention5.

Off-field, Jess Carter’s public disclosure of racist abuse and the England squad’s response mark a shift in how teams address discrimination, though the direct impact on fantasy or betting is limited6. In the NFL, Trump’s stadium ultimatum regarding the Commanders’ name is unlikely to affect team operations or league schedules but could create background noise around the franchise3.