Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy led from the first round as he stormed to Golf’s US Open title by a mammoth eight shots at the Congressional Club in Maryland.
The 22-year-old, who squandered a similar position in the final round of this year’s Masters, won his first major and set a dozen records in the process.
His 16 under par was the lowest score in the competition and he became the youngest US Open winner since Bobby Jones in 1923 plus the youngest major winner since Tiger Woods in 1997.
In Football, England were knocked out of the European Under-21 Championship at the group stage after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic.
Manager Stuart Pearce’s team needed to win to reach the last four and led through Danny Welbeck’s 76th-minute header. However, Czech substitutes Jan Charmosta and Thomas Pekhart scored late goals to send England home.
Tottenham face a battle to keep playmaker Luca Modric after the Croatian said he wanted to move to Chelsea, who had a £22million bid rejected. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said the midfielder is not for sale at any price, but Chelsea were expected to make an improved offer with Manchester United and Manchester City also possibly bidding.
In Rugby Union, England won the last Churchill Cup with a 37-6 win over Canada in the final at Worcester. It was the final chance for several players to make their case for the 45-man extended World Cup squad, which was due to be announced on Monday. Prop Matt Stevens, who has served a two-year drugs ban, was expected to be included.
In Rugby League, Matt King’s hat-trick helped Warrington stay top of Super League with a 46-16 win over Hull KR. Huddersfield are level on points with the Wolves thanks to a 28-20 victory against Catalan Dragons.
Wigan are third and St Helens fourth after the Warriors’ 32-10 win over Saints. Leeds are fifth following a 12-7 victory versus Crusaders. Hull FC beat Bradford 28-14, Harlequins saw off Wakefield 40-22 and Castleford defeated Salford 15-8.
In Cricket, England were on course to win the Test series against Sri Lanka going into its final day. Ian Bell’s unbeaten hundred allowed Andrew Strauss to declare with a lead of 193 and the tourists were 112 for three at stumps on day four of the third Test at the Rose Bowl. Paceman Chris Tremlett had taken six first-innings wickets on his former home ground. England led the series 1-0.
Domestically, Nottinghamshire and Sussex were top of the Twenty20 North and South groups respectively going into a week of County Championship games.
Finally, in Tennis, Wimbledon fortnight arrived with Britain’s hopes again pinned on Andy Murray, who was due to play Daniel Gemeno-Traver in the first round on Monday.
