The delayed 2020 US Open gets underway later on today, with the year's second Major taking place at the notoriously devilish Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York. There are four Irish players in the field - Rory McIlroy (1.07pm start, Irish time), Graeme McDowell (1.18pm), Cork amateur James Sugrue (5.54pm) and Shane Lowry (6.05pm). And the quartet have a stern test awaiting them, writes Philip Reid: "But the challenge of a course, with its fearsome reputation, will ensure mental strength as much as any shot-making will be a crucial element in determining its latest winner." Meanwhile he has compiled a comprehensive hole-by-hole guide to the West Course at Winged Foot, which is available here. And he has also picked out five players who could be in for a strong week in New York, with Dustin Johnson the current bookies favourite at 17-2. The Irish Times liveblog will be running throughout all four days of the tournament - join us today around 1pm as Malachy Clerkin and then Ruaidhrí Croke take you through the action.
There will be no fans present to witness what could be one of the defining nights in the history of Shamrock Rovers later this evening, as they take on seven-time champions of Europe AC Milan in a one-legged Europa League qualifier in Tallaght (kick-off 7pm, RTÉ2). No Irish side has ever scored a competitive goal against an Italian side in Europe, but the Premier Division leaders will be hoping to catch the Rossoneri cold in what will be the visitors' first competitive fixture of the season. And yes, Zlatan has travelled. Dundalk are also in Europe League action tonight, as they take on Andorra's Inter Club d'Escalades at Estadi Comunal with Filippo Giovagnoli looking to make it three wins from three since he replaced Vinny Perth at Oriel Park (kick-off 6.30pm).
Elsewhere this morning Gavin Cummiskey has questioned if Mark McCall's silver-laden period with Saracens really counts, following the English club's points deduction and fine for breaking Premiership salary cap rules. The soon to be relegated champions of Europe take on Leinster in the Champions Cup quarter-finals at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, in a repeat of last year's final. That result has since been sullied, and Cummiskey writes: "The life and times of Mark McCall will always be connected to Saracens FC. That also means the Bangor native is tainted by a level of disgrace attainable only by cheating."
Sam Bennett extended his green jersey lead over Peter Sagan in Stage 17 of the Tour de France yesterday, after a brutal day on the Col de la Loze - a combination of the race's steepest hill and highest mountain. Bennett edged a further two points clear of Sagan, meaning he now leads by 278 to 231. The stage was won by Colombia's Miguel Angel Lopez, as Slovenia's Primoz Roglic remains in the driving seat in the yellow jersey.
Ireland centre-half Shane Duffy made it two headed goals in two appearances for Celtic last night, the champions coming from a goal down to win 2-1 away to St Mirren. In the League Cup Everton were 3-0 winners over Salford at Goodison Park, West Brom beat Harrogate Town 3-0 at the Hawthorns and Leeds were dumped out on penalties by Hull.
And in her column this morning Joanne O'Riordan has written about taking up surfing - something thrilling and therapeutic in equal measure: "Looking around Lahinch beach, I noticed that irrespective of people flailing around, getting up on a board, falling off the board, the general attitude and vibe was how happy and buzzed everyone was to be out catching waves and throwing themselves around into the sea."
