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Sam Bennett realises Tour dream; DeChambeau bashes his way to US Open win

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

A bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau bashed his way to a six-shot US Open victory overnight, silencing any lingering questions as to whether his brawny game could translate to the major stage. World number nine DeChambeau, who began the day two shots back of US Open debutant Matthew Wolff, clinched his first major title with a mix of jaw-dropping drives and clutch putts, shooting a virtually flawless three-under-par 67 to reach six under for the tournament at Winged Foot. Ireland's Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for eighth after a disappointing final round of 75, while Shane Lowry finished with a final round 72 for 295 for tied-42nd position. The Offalyman then headed for a flight home, where he will be the headline act in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle, which starts on Thursday.

Sam Bennett completed a new chapter in Irish sporting history, winning the final stage of the Tour de France racing down the magnificent Champs-Élysées to secure the green jersey. The 29-year-old from Carrick-on-Suir became the first Irish rider to win in Paris, and only the fifth rider in history to win there in the green jersey, which rewards the Tour's most consistent finisher based on points gained in each stage. Holding back the tears, there was no disguising his pride as he admitted: "if you told me this, three weeks, no, I wouldn't have believed you. It's a dream I never really knew I had, because I never thought I'd be good enough to do it, never thought I'd be strong enough to do it."

Premier League champions Liverpool gave big spending Chelsea a nasty reality check just two games into the new season, with a commanding 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Sadio Mané settled the contest with two sharp goals while Thiago Alcântara made his debut. In his column this morning, Ken Early explains why Kai Havertz is already becoming a conundrum for cautious Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: "He has to play attacking football, and he has to find a way for Havertz to thrive. If not Chelsea will soon go and get someone else who can. It's nothing personal, just business." Irish striker Aaron Connolly scored one of three in Brighton's impressive win over Newcastle, Son Heung-min netted four times as Tottenham recovered from a poor first half to thrash Southampton, and Irish defender Jimmy Dunne scored a consolation goal for Burnley on his debut in a 4-2 defeat at Leicester.

Meanwhile Ulster's European dream was clinically crushed by Toulouse in yesterday afternoon's Champions Cup quarter-final. South African winger Cheslin Kolbe scored two first-half tries as the dominant French Top14 side eased to a 36-8 victory at Stade Ernest Wallon. For the fourth time in five seasons Cuala are Dublin hurling champions. They came through at the end of quite the titanic battle, eventually breaking Ballyboden's stout resistance with a string of late scores. From the second-half water break on, they outscored Boden by 1-5 to 0-2. Championship minutes from a championship team. Knockmore claimed their first Mayo senior football championship title in 23 years on Sunday, extending the agony for Breaffy who lost their fourth final in seven years, and in the Tipperary hurling decider a last minute goal in extra-time won Kiladangan their first title in a pulsating contest against Loughmore/Castleiney. Racehorse owners are allowed go racing again for the first time since March today, an easing of coronavirus restrictions that allows 200 people onto racecourses will see owners attend two fixtures at Listowel and Fairyhouse.