Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Golf-DeChambeau reflects on uncertain days ahead after LIV liquidation announcement

American Bryson DeChambeau said on Sunday ​he would face the next chapter of his career with "humility and respect", days after LIV Golf announced ​plans to liquidate. LIV Golf's financing plan collapsed this week and the circuit ‌said ​it would wind down operations after the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced it would cut funding.

Soccer-Messi becomes first to win MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi became the first to win MLS' Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons, the league said on Saturday, the final day of the regular season. Messi ‌scored a league-high 26 goals across 31 matches, while FC Dallas forward Petar Musa followed with 22 goals and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge recorded 21.

Motor racing-Norris unscathed after bottle and fireworks mishaps

Lando Norris emerged unscathed from an eventful Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium celebration on Sunday after smashing a champagne bottle and appearing to get an unexpected blast from fireworks moments after winning the race. The McLaren driver, who won from pole position at Interlagos for the second year in ‌a row, broke his champagne bottle as he attempted his trademark celebration of banging it against the podium floor to pop the cork.

Ice Hockey-Norway replaced by Russia for World Junior Championship after CAS ruling

Norway ‌have been replaced by Russia at the 2027 U20 World Championship after the International Ice Hockey Federation took steps to reinstate the nation following a sports court ruling, the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association (NIHF) said on Sunday. Norway say they have been relegated from the U20 World Championship in Canada as the lowest-ranked team, with their spot given to Russia

Motorcycling-Bezzecchi dominates Qatar Grand Prix as Marquez made to wait for MotoGP crown

Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi led from start to finish to win the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, denying Marc Marquez a ⁠chance to seal the ​MotoGP title under the lights at the Lusail International ⁠Circuit after the Ducati rider finished second. Marquez needed to win the race while Jorge Martin had to finish outside the points to seal an eighth premier-class title but his Aprilia rival finished seventh, taking the championship fight to the penultimate round of the season ⁠in Portugal.

Golf-Rahm marks DP World Tour return with victory in Abu Dhabi

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm sealed a triumphant return to the DP World Tour on Sunday, winning the Abu Dhabi Championship a month after leaving LIV Golf. It was the ​former world number one's first tournament since he left the breakaway circuit, and the Spaniard hit a five-under 67 in Sunday's fourth round to finish 23-under, earning his 11th title on the DP ⁠World Tour.

Trump says 'only kidding' about naming UFC CEO as White House press secretary

President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was "only kidding" when he suggested UFC CEO Dana White could become his next White House press secretary, after a social media post a day earlier stirred speculation about ⁠recruiting ​his feisty ally and signaled a combative approach to dealing with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress. Trump said White, a prominent supporter, "loves the idea" of taking the job but insisted he had not been serious about the prospect, describing the suggestion as "just a little fun."

Motor racing-Norris wins in wet Brazil as Mercedes take constructors' title

Mercedes secured their ninth Formula One constructors' world championship and completed a title double on Sunday ⁠in a wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix won by McLaren's Lando Norris from pole position for the second year in a row. The title was Mercedes' first team crown since 2021 and came a week after 20-year-old ⁠Italian Kimi Antonelli made headlines as the youngest drivers' champion ⁠with four races to spare in Mexico City.

Golf-BC Partners seeks control of LIV Golf from Saudi wealth fund, FT reports

BC Partners has revived efforts to create a successor to LIV Golf, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, after the breakaway circuit said it would wind down operations following the collapse of a proposed financing ‌deal with the London-based private equity firm. LIV ‌Golf, which shook up professional golf after its launch in 2022, said on Thursday it would liquidate after losing ​key players and the funding needed to continue operating.