The 2018 Major calendar reaches its conclusion this week, with the first round of the US PGA Championship getting underway at Bellerive later today. Another highly competitive tournament awaits, with Rory McIlroy second-favourite to lift the Wanamaker Trophy behind Dustin Johnson. Philip Reid is our man in Missouri and, as he writes, a fascinating few days lie in store: "In this championship, the storylines are entangled like a woven golden necklace in need of unravelling. There's Jordan Spieth's bid for the career Grand Slam. Justin Thomas's quest to win back-to-back, in both weeks and in years. Dustin Johnson. McIlroy. The Tiger factor. A stream of possibilities; not quite equating to all of the 156 players in the field, but enough to make for an intriguing fourth and final Major of the season." There are four Irish golfers in action - McIlroy, who tees off with Woods and Thomas (2.23pm Irish time), Shane Lowry (1.34pm), Padraig Harrington (1.56pm) and Paul Dunne (2.29pm). You can follow all of the action live on the Irish Times liveblog, or through the online broadcaster Eleven Sports.
In today's GAA Statistics column Eamon Donoghue has looked ahead to this Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final clash between Dublin and Galway, and suggested Jim Gavin's champions must look to shut down Ian Burke, who "has either converted or directly assisted exactly one third of Galway's scores from play so far this summer." By stopping Burke play the Dubs will have one foot in next month's All-Ireland SFC final, where Tyrone or Monaghan await. "The 25-year-old's peripheral vision and decision making, combined with his intent and energy when in possession, creates pockets between the lines and links Galway's running game with a diagonal out ball in the inside line."
It could be a day to remember for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships, with two medal chances on the track in Berlin tonight. Thomas Barr has an outside chance of making the podium as he goes in the men's 400m hurdles final (7.15pm), before Leon Reid lines up in the men's 200m final (8.05pm). 24-year-old Reid was only cleared by the IAAF to represent Ireland in Germany last Friday, and already has the chance to become the first Irish male sprinter to medal at the championships. Reid, who represented Britain at junior and Under-23 levels, clocked a time of 20.38 in yesterday's semi-finals - the third-best of his career. After his impressive debut, he said: "It's like being in a super suit. . .It's like a dream come true."
Chelsea have made Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga the world's most expensive goalkeeper after the 23-year-old secured an €80 million move to Stamford Bridge yesterday. He replaces the outgoing Thibaut Courtois, who joins Real Madrid in a deal worth €35m. The Premier League transfer window shuts at 5.0pm today, with Manchester United's pursuit of a centre-half ongoing.
Last night Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw by AEK Athens at Parkhead in the first leg of their Champions League third round qualifier, meaning it's advantage to the Greeks. Tonight Cork City face Rosenborg at Turner's Cross in the first leg of the third round of Europa League qualifying.
And Ayeisha McFerran has been named the Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Month for July after her heroics during Ireland's run to the Hockey World Cup final. The 22-year-old goalkeeper was pivotal in the penalty shoot-out victories over India and Spain.
