Day makes friends as Australians start US Open quest

Jason Day might have some extra support at Oakmount when he plays in this week's US Open after playing a practice round bedecked a pair of red, white and blue American flag shorts.
To complete the patriotic all-American look, the flamboyant Queenslander sported a quarter-zip jacket that featured a blue and white star-lined collar.
Day is one of six Australians in the event, with their challenge to be led off by Adam Scott when the 125th US Open starts just outside Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Scott will tee off at 7.18 am local time (2118 AEST) alongside Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan.
The veteran's best finish was a tie for fourth in 2015, two shots adrift of winner Jordan Speith.
Cam Smith, who also tied fourth in 2015, a finish he repeated in 2023, is another early starter paired with fellow former British Open winner Brian Harman and LIV Golf colleague Phil Mickelson, who still needs this major to complete a grand slam.
Smith goes off at 8.02 (2202 AEST) from the 10th, just as Cam Davis is teeing off at the first. He is with American Davis Thompson and Thomas Detry of Belgium.
Day, Min Woo Lee and Marc Leishman start in the afternoon.
Lee is in one of the higher-profile groups with major winners Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka, who won the US Open in 2017 and 2018.
Matt Vogt, a former Oakmont caddie who now works as a dentist, but qualified as an amateur last week, will hit the opening tee shot at at 6.45 am local time.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau is grouped with two-time major winner Xander Schauffele and reigning US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester, who recently joined DeChambeau on the LIV Golf circuit.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, winner of last month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, shares the tee box with two-time major winner and World No.4 Collin Morikawa and Norway's Viktor Hovland.
World No.2 and 2025 Masters champ Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland will play with Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Justin Rose. Rose (2013) and McIlroy (2011) are former US Open champions and Lowry tied for second in 2016 - the last time the event was held at Oakmont, when Dustin Johnson won.
He is grouped with Spieth and 2021 champion Jon Rahm of Spain.
US Open: selected tee times
First hole - 10th hole (Thursday/Friday unless stated). All Times AEST
2129 & 0314 (Sat): Xander Schauffele (US), Jose Luis Ballester (Spain), Bryson DeChambeau (US).
2202 & 0347 (Sat): Cam Davis (Australia), Davis Thompson (US), Thomas Detry (Belgium).
0303 (Fri) & 2118: Min Woo Lee (Australia), Justin Thomas (US), Brooks Koepka (US).
0325 (Fri) & 2140: Viktor Hovland (Norway), Collin Morikawa (US), Scottie Scheffler (US).
0336 (Fri) & 2151: Corey Conners (Canada), Jason Day (Australia), Patrick Reed (US).
10th hole & first hole (Thursday/Friday unless stated)
2118 & 0303 (Sat): Ludvig Aberg (Sweden), Adam Scott (Australia), Hideki Matsuyama, (Japan).
2140 & 0325 (Sat): Shane Lowry (Ireland), Justin Rose (England), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland).
2202 & 0347(Sat): Cameron Smith (Australia), Brian Harman (US), Phil Mickelson (US).
0314 (Fri) & 2129: Jordan Spieth (US), Jon Rahm (Spain), Dustin Johnson (US).
0358 (Fri) & 2213: Marc Leishman (Australia), Aaron Rai (England), Nick Dunlap (US).
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Fiji set to challenge Wallabies before Lions series

West Australian

an hour ago

West Australian

Fiji set to challenge Wallabies before Lions series

Fiji are set to provide the Wallabies with a benchmark for their preparations for the British and Irish Lions after the Pacific islanders named a strong squad for their Test match in Newcastle next month. Fiji and Australia will meet on July 6 in Australia's only international before facing the Lions in a three-Test series beginning in Brisbane on July 19. It's the first time the teams have squared off since Fiji shocked the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, breaking a 69-year drought. The Fiji win helped send the Australians crashing out of the tournament at the pool stage. Coach Mick Byrne on Thursday announced a 32-member squad to face the Wallabies and also Scotland in Suva on July 12. While 13 players are from the Fijian Drua, who finished 10th in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition, Byrne has also selected 10 players based in France and five in England. The backline is set to include European stars such as Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), who scored a try in their World Cup win over Australia, Sireli Maqala (Bayonne) and Salesi Rayasi (Vannes). Former powerhouse NRL winger Semi Radradra, who plays for Lyon, is a notable omission. Veteran forwards Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Samuel Matavesi (Lyon), and Albert Tuisue (Gloucester) bolster a dominant forward pack. Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, and Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki are among players named from the Drua after strong Super Rugby performances. "Both Australia and Scotland are established Tier One sides, and we know the level we need to rise to," Byrne said in a statement. "We've focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit. "We want to win but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby. "This squad reflects the depth, strength, and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud." Fiji squad: Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Setareki Turagacoke, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Etonia Waqa, Motikai Murray. Backs: Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Sam Wye, Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi.