Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to reckless driving charges in a Florida court on Sept. 2 and will lose his driver's license for five years, closing a case that began with his March rollover crash on Jupiter Island. Prosecutors reduced the original DUI charge to willful and wanton reckless driving, and a judge also imposed about $1,500 in fines. Judge Darren Steele warned that Woods would go straight to jail if he drives at all. The 50-year-old golfer attended the hearing with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. The suspensions on the two charges run at the same time and do not stop him from competing in tournaments.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina's national team, ending an international career that began in 2005 and delivered the country's first World Cup title in 36 years. The 39-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2022 and two Copa America titles, wrote his farewell statement two days after Argentina lost this summer's World Cup final. He said the death of his father, Jorge, last month confirmed the time had come to publish it. "It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come," he wrote. "I always gave it my all." Messi finishes with 207 appearances for his country, having been a World Cup runner-up in 2014 and again this year, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players football has produced.
Novak Djokovic's US Open ended in tears as Mariano Navone pulled off a stunning upset in the first round at Flushing Meadows. The Argentine qualifier, ranked well outside the top 50, won in four sets and left the tennis world stunned, raising fresh questions about Djokovic's future at age 39. Navone said the win was the biggest of his career and credited his aggressive play and calm nerves. For Djokovic, the loss adds to a difficult season in which he has struggled to match his past dominance. He has won the US Open four times, making this early exit his worst result at the tournament in years. Fans and analysts now wonder whether the Serbian great can add another major title. Navone will face a higher-ranked opponent in the second round.
Scottie Scheffler won the Tour Championship on Sunday, capturing his second FedEx Cup and passing Tiger Woods as the PGA Tour's all-time career earnings leader. The $10 million winner's purse pushed his career total to $130,390,661, eclipsing Woods' mark that had stood for nearly 26 years. Scheffler, 30, came from behind on the final day at East Lake, finishing at 16-under to beat Viktor Hovland. It was his third PGA Tour win of the year and extended his run as the Tour's top earner to five straight seasons.
The US Open kicked off with a field that feels genuinely open for the first time in years. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is out of the tournament, while Carlos Alcaraz has just returned from injury. Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion on the women's side, is struggling with form. The opening day featured debuts by teenage stars and emotional appearances by veterans including Serena Williams and Roger Federer. With so much uncertainty at the top, the tournament could deliver surprise champions. Players ranked well outside the top ten believe they have a real chance, and the draw is full of potential upsets. The first round runs through the week as the year's final Grand Slam plays out in New York.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal carries an average annual value of $20.4 million, the first time any player has reached $20 million per season. Makar, 27, was entering the final year of a six-year, $54 million deal and was set to become an unrestricted free agent. He has been a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman for six straight seasons. The Avalanche won the President's Trophy last season with a league-best 55 wins before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. The extension locks up the team's cornerstone defenseman through the 2034-35 season and resets the market for elite NHL defensemen.
American hurdler Masai Russell broke the women's 100-meter hurdles world record at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday. Russell crossed the line in 12.09 seconds, improving the old mark by 0.03 seconds. The previous record had stood for years and was seen as one of the toughest marks in the sport. Russell ran a clean race despite a slight headwind and pulled away over the final three hurdles. It was the first world record set at the Zurich meeting in a decade. Russell celebrated by pointing at the clock and waving to the crowd. She now heads into next month's world championships as the heavy favorite. Her coach said the record came from a long-term plan built around strength and rhythm training.
Tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event. The test result was confirmed by anti-doping authorities, and Kyrgios has not commented publicly. A provisional suspension bars a player from competing while the case is reviewed, and a hearing will decide on any final penalty.
The SEC and Big Ten have passed rules barring professional athletes from returning to college competition, including basketball players who left early for the NBA or WNBA. The move comes after court orders opened the door for former pros to rejoin college rosters. The new rules aim to block that path, but legal experts say the fight is not over. Coaches and players reacted strongly, with Rams coach Sean McVay joking that the situation left him feeling like he 'took a gummy.' The conferences say the rules protect the amateur model and roster fairness. Opponents argue athletes should have the freedom to compete wherever they are eligible. The decision adds another layer to the ongoing turmoil in college athletics.
The Houston Astros fired general manager Dana Brown, hours after the team fell below .500 and entered a tie for the division lead. Owner Jim Crane and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell will take on bigger roles in baseball operations while the team searches for a new GM. Brown's exit caps a season of inconsistency for a roster many analysts picked to win the American League West. Injuries and an uneven offense have hurt the team all year. Around the league, at least seven other front-office leaders are seen as facing similar pressure if their teams miss the postseason.