• Trump Attends U.S. Women's Open, Greeted With Some Protests
• X Games Draws 110,000 Over Four Days In Minneapolis
• Honda To Sponsor Toronto IndyCar Race For Three More Years
• Allen Iverson Opts Not To Play During BIG3 Event In Philadelphia

South Korean Sung Hyun Park won the U.S. Women's Open yesterday in front of President Trump, and golfers from the U.S. "failed to finish among the top 10" for the first time. The president was at Trump National Bedminster for the third consecutive day, and though he did "not attend the victory ceremony," he applauded the top two finishers "as they passed under his box." When Trump "appeared in his customized tent near the 15th green early in the afternoon, he was greeted with cheers from a gathering of supporters" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/17). 

Nearly a dozen protesters yesterday "arrived near Trump's skybox behind the 16th tee." But after seeing that they "might cause a distraction for the golfers, the protesters rerouted to a concession stand up the road" (Bergen RECORD, 7/17). Four protesters from UltraViolet, a women’s advocacy group, "wore purple shirts that read, 'USGA: Dump Sexist Trump' and stood as close to Trump’s viewing area as security permitted" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/17).

The X Games wrapped up yesterday in Minneapolis, and the four-day event drew attendance "announced at 110,000." After "thousands of pounds of dirt and concrete are loaded out, decisions will be made" on plans for the "second round in Minneapolis" next year. ESPN VP/X Games Tim Reed said this past weekend saw a "pretty successful" first run. Reed "praised the spacious" U.S. Bank Stadium, along with the "outdoor plaza and Commons Park as a unique atmosphere" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/17).

Honda Indy Toronto owner/operators Green Savoree Racing Promotions yesterday announced that Honda "will back the Toronto IndyCar race for at least three more years." Honda Canada has been title sponsor of the race since '09, when Green Savoree "relaunched the event with the Verizon IndyCar Series" (MOTORSPORT.com, 7/16). Promoter Kevin Savoree said that he was "delighted with the race-day turnout" yesterday, "which he said was a seat sellout." Savoree: "You have to love Toronto race fans. There's a 70 per cent chance of rain ... and what do they do? They show up here in the tens of thousands. It's just wonderful" (TORONTO STAR, 7/17).

The BIG3 visited Philadelphia last night, and Basketball HOFer Allen Iverson shortly before the event "released a video announcing his decision not to play." Fans "paid to see" Iverson, who spent much of his NBA career with the 76ers. During play, he "stood on the sidelines with his arms folded" (PHILLY.com, 7/16). Iverson, who to date "has been the face" of the BIG3, "coached and signed autographs." Both he and the league "declined to comment further on his absence from the court." Boos "streamed in and fans streamed out during the game between Iverson's 3's Company team and Tri-State" (USA TODAY, 7/17).

The Big 12's football media days begin today in Frisco, Texas, and the conference is going for a "makeover in perception" by staging the event at the Cowboys' new practice facility. On the expansion issue, the "soonest any shuffling anywhere could occur is five years from now." But by that time, Big 12 mainstays Texas and Oklahoma will be making $60M each "because of the backloaded nature of the media rights contract" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/16). The conference could release a "finalized date" for its championship game. Also holding its media days this week are the AAC (today-tomorrow) and Conference USA (Wednesday-Thursday) (TWITTER.com, 7/16).

Formula E "took over part of the waterfront neighborhood" of Red Hook in Brooklyn yesterday, the "second of two race days for the Qualcomm New York City ePrix." Thousands attended the races, "packing two metal grandstands overlooking the track." Red Hook is "not the easiest neighborhood to reach by mass transit and it's no place to try to park a car." Organizers "ran shuttle buses" from Barclays Center to the race site about three miles away. There were also "ride-share stations, a bicycle valet and water taxis and ferries from Manhattan." Comedian Trevor Noah was "among the VIPs" on hand (AP, 7/16).

Starting today, the LPGA will "enforce a dress code policy that cracks down on athletic wear." In an email directly to players, LPGA player President Vicki Goetze-Ackerman "outlined a list of items that will no longer be allowed," including plunging necklines and leggings that are not under shorts. The length of skirts and shorts must be "long enough to not see" a player's bottom area. Goetze-Ackerman said that it is a "player's 'job' to notify her clothing sponsors of this new policy, and that 'penalties for violating the dress code will be $1,000 and it will double with each offense'" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 7/14).

YouTube picked up the exclusive live-streaming rights to this year’s Soap Box Derby, which will be held July 22 from 8:30am-3:30pm ET in Akron. The one-year deal will see YouTube carry everything from the opening ceremonies and parade to all of the race’s heats. This year’s event will include racers ranging in age from 7 to 21. “Regular linear broadcast television is not the format for this,” said LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media President & CEO Lee Berke, who negotiated the deal for Soap Box Derby. “Online, over-the-top streaming is the way to go. This is television, as it’s defined in 21st century.”

The Derby will produce the event, which will carry First Energy as a title sponsor this year. “It will be a learning experience for everybody,” Berke said. “It will build from a production and programming standpoint for years to come.” The Derby has been around for more than 80 years, but has not had a consistent national media partner for decades, opting instead for local media partners, Berke said.

Roger Federer after winning his eighth Wimbledon championship and 19th Grand Slam title appeared on NBC’s “Today” show live via satellite from London. Federer said, “I wasn't sure if I was ever going to have the chance again to win Wimbledon. I made it now and broke history here at Wimbledon, winning my eighth. It's definitely good times right now.”

NBC’s Savannah Guthrie said to her co-hosts about being a huge Federer fan, “He's such a great player and he is a great sport, and that's truly why I admire him so much. ... Everyone on the Tour loves him, too, so I’m in good company.” NBC’s Hoda Kotb noted, “I’ve never seen you quite like this.” Guthrie: “They were saying you were a real dork around Duran Duran, and I said, ‘That’s fine.’ I love Duran Duran, but that was 30 years ago I had the crush. This is a live crush right now.” NBC’s Willie Geist said as he transitioned over to NBC’s Carson Daly, “Besides a restraining order we’re working on, what’s next?” (“Today,” NBC, 7/17).

Wonder how much @SavannahGuthrie loves @rogerfederer? This GIF says it all. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/y4vqMenZR1

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 17, 2017

The renewal rate for Univ. of Nebraska football season tickets is "almost" 1% higher than '16, when the school "renewed at a rate of about" 94.5%. While the "specific number sold wasn't given, student ticket sales are on the same pace as they were a year ago." Nebraska currently in the midst of a 354-game sellout streak (JOURNALSTAR.com, 7/14).

Single-A Carolina League Potomac Nationals Owner Art Silber said that he has "received contact from 'different parts of Northern Virginia' about locations to move his team" after "negotiations with Prince William County over a new stadium hit an impasse" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/15).

The Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels will host the '19 Eastern League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby at The Diamond ballpark. Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said that Richmond's support of the Squirrels "played a major factor in the league's decision" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 7/16).

With a crowd of 11,632, USL club Louisville City FC "set a new club single-game attendance record Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field" against FC Cincinnati (COURIER-JOURNAL.com, 7/15).

The Double-A Eastern League Hartford Yard Goats on Saturday "celebrated Whalers Alumni Weekend before a record-tying crowd of 6,850 at Dunkin' Donuts Park." The "enduring love" for the city's former NHL team was on display as 13 former players "took part in festivities" (COURANT.com, 7/16).

"It's now The Open. You see? It's gone The British Open, The Open Championship, now its The Open ... In another five years it will be just called 'The" – CBS' Nick Faldo, on Golf Channel and NBC's plans to call this week's major (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/16).

“Ninety-nine percent of the time I’m wearing Bjorn Borg underwear. ... There’s a seniors event in Stockholm, so I try to make sure that No. 1, I go and see him because he’s not really playing much anymore, and b., he’ll say, ‘Come to the store and I’ll give you some underwear’” – Tennis HOFer John McEnroe (N.Y. TIMES, 7/15).

The AP writes, "With the mind-boggling money being doled out in NBA contracts, players don't seem to be overly concerned about state taxes. ... Players are keenly aware of the differences, but it's just one of the many factors in their decisions. How big a factor, it depends on the player and situation."

Also:

• Disney hopes theme parks can "help offset slowing growth at ESPN."
• Despite trash talk, Mayweather-McGregor not a true sports rivalry.
• Former NHLer blasts analytics experts for "undervaluing intimidation."

Phil greeted Jordan Spieth in Birkdale locker room by chiding him for being in wrong spot. "This right here is for past champions,'' he said

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) July 16, 2017

Godspeed, Bob Wolff, who proved for 70 years it was possible to be a Hall of Fame gentlemen as well as a Hall of Fame broadcaster.

— Mike Vaccaro (@MikeVacc) July 17, 2017

I can't explain how Lonzo Ball vs. Dennis Smith Jr. in summer league became modern Ali-Frazier. I'm just accepting that it has. Let's go....

— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) July 17, 2017

#Wimbledon Royal Box:
Michael McIntyre
Eddie Redmayne
Bradley Cooper
Hugh Grant
Sadiq Kahn
Theresa May
Justin Rose
Rod Laver
Chris Evert

— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) July 16, 2017

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Contemporary American Authors.”

“This Pulitzer winner changed his first name to that of an Irish king, avoiding associations with a famous ventriloquist’s dummy.”

“Who is Cormac McCarthy?” The writer was born Charles Joseph McCarthy. Edgar Bergen’s ventriloquist dummy was named Charlie McCarthy.