(As of 12:01PM)
GOLF:
Kevin Kisner has a one-stroke lead following the opening round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie (Scotland).
Kisner posted a score of 5-under-66.
Three golfers are a shot behind at 4-under.
Rory McIlroy is three back after a 2-under-69.
Tiger Woods posted an even-par 71 and is five behind.
Defending-champion Jordan Spieth fired a one-over-72.
Phil Mickelson and the only Canadian in the field, Adam Hadwin, both began with a two-over 73, seven strokes off the pace.
World #1 Dustin Johnson settled for a 5-over-76.
PRINCE GEORGE SENIOR LACROSSE:
Game Two in the PG Senior Lacrosse best-of-five final for the Dale Rolufs Memorial Trophy will be played tonight, 8P at Kin 1.
The RPR Mechanical/J.R. Construction Bandits won the opener, 9-6 over the Westwood Pub Devils.
Dan Martin notched five goals and added two assists for the Bandits, who won their 13th consecutive game.
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Cole Paciejewski of Prince George scored twice and added an assist for Scotland in a 12-6 loss today (Thursday) against the Philippines at the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship in Israel.
Scotland is 0-7 with its final game set for Friday against Ireland.
Paciejewski, a first-team all-star in PG Senior Lacrosse, has six points (4G, 2A) in seven games.
In earlier action, Scotland lost 11-7 to Japan (Wednesday), 14-7 to the Iroquois Nationals (Tuesday), 18-2 to the USA (Monday), 11-8 to England (Sunday), 22-3 to Canada (Saturday), and 18-6 to Australia (Friday).
The tournament concludes Saturday with the USA-Canada final.
TORONTO RAPTORS:
The Toronto Raptors went all in for the 2018-19 season when they pulled off the biggest trade in franchise history.
The Raptors acquired 27-year-old Kawhi Leonard and 31-year-old Danny Green from the San Antonio Spurs in return for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 first-round pick.
The Raptors’ first-round pick is a protected 1-20 selection.
After one year, it becomes two second-round picks.
Leonard is a two-time defensive player of the year and the 2014 NBA FInals MVP, but he has just one year remaining on his contract.
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The Raptors betting odds increased after they acquired Kawhi Leonard.
According to BO-DOG, the Raptors are 18/1 to win the NBA title in 2018-19 season, an improvement from 30/1, which they were listed at before the trade.
The Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming favorites at 4/7.
The Raptors are 9/2 to win the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (10/13) and the Philadelphia 76’ers (3/1).
MLB:
The Baltimore Orioles trade of all-star shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers is official.
LA gave up five prospects in the deal, including pitcher Zach Pop of Brampton, Ontario.
Machado, in the final year of his contract, is enjoying the best season of his career, batting .315 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI’s.
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The (43-52) Toronto Blue Jays begin a six-game homestand Friday when they entertain the (28-69) Baltimore Orioles.
The Jays are 14 1/2 games behind Seattle for the last wild-card spot.
The Mariners, who have lost their last four, are 3 1/2 ahead of Oakland for the second wild-card berth.
CFL:
Week six of the CFL season begins tonight (4:30 PT) with 2-2 Saskatchewan at 2-2 Hamilton.
The B.C. Lions play Friday (4:30) in Ottawa.
Both the Lions and RedBlacks are 2-2.
WEEK SIX: (Edmonton with the bye)
Saskatchewan at Hamilton Thursday 4:30PM PT
B.C. Lions at Ottawa Friday 4:30
Winnipeg at Toronto Saturday 1:00
Montreal at Calgary Saturday 6:00
WEST:
Calgary 4-0, Edmonton 3-2, B.C. 2-2, Saskatchewan 2-2, Winnipeg 2-3
EAST:
Ottawa 2-2, Hamilton 2-2, Toronto 1-3, Montreal 1-3
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS:
The seventh annual Prince George Cougars Alumni Hospital Charity Golf Tournament will be featured Friday and Saturday.
An Alumni Meet & Greet, which includes an autograph session, is set for Friday from 4-5 p.m. with the golf to follow on Saturday at the PG Golf and Curling Club.
The Cougars, the PG Cougars Alumni Association and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation have teamed up to raise just shy of $400,000 towards healthcare in Northern B.C. over the past six years, including a record-breaking $105,000 in 2017.
All proceeds from this weekend’s tournament will complete the Spirit of the North’s Regional Cardiac Strategy for UHNBC.
Confirmed alumni for this year’s tournament include Eric Brewer (1995-1998), Chase Witala (2010-2016), Nick Drazenovic (2002-2007), and Josh Anderson (2013-2018).
BC SUMMER GAMES:
Over 2,300 athletes, who are, on average, 14 years old, are in Cowichan Valley for the 31st BC Summer Games.
Opening ceremonies will be held tonight followed by competition in 18 sports Friday to Sunday.