Sports News Roundup: Golf-Johnson leads LIV charge at U.S. Open, two back of leaders; Motor racing-Hamilton expects wins mark to fall to Verstappen and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Golf-Johnson leads LIV charge at U.S. Open, two back of leaders

LIV Golf players have made their presence felt at the majors this year and on Thursday it was Dustin Johnson who led the charge with a solid start to the U.S. Open. The former world number one, who picked up the first of his two major titles at the 2016 U.S. Open, fired a six-under-par 64 at Los Angeles Country Club to tie his career-low round in a major.

Motor racing-Hamilton expects wins mark to fall to Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton holds the record for Grand Prix wins but the seven-times Formula One world champion recognised on Thursday that Max Verstappen could smash that mark. Even though Hamilton is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Mercedes and will have an opportunity to add to his 103 victories -- including seven at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve which will host this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix -- he said the 25-year-old Dutchman had time on his side.

Australia recommends testosterone limits for transgender athletes in elite female sport

Australia's peak sports authority has recommended testosterone limits for transgender athletes seeking to compete in elite female competitions as part of guidelines on inclusion released on Friday. The non-compulsory guidelines issued by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) allow for national federations to determine that testosterone suppression is required for eligibility to compete in female categories.

Soccer-Jamaica Women's World Cup players slam federation over lack of support

Leading Jamaica players, including Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw, have expressed their "utmost disappointment" at the lack of support from the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) ahead of the Women's World Cup. The players said their focus had been hindered by a number issues such as inadequate planning and access to proper resources ahead of the showpiece event, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Golf-Fowler, Schauffele lead U.S. Open with record 62s, Johnson in pursuit

Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele shared the lead after a record-setting start to the U.S. Open on Thursday while Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy faltered late in a low-scoring day at the Los Angeles Country Club. Fowler and world number six Schauffele fired matching eight-under-par 62s that marked the lowest round in U.S. Open history and equalled the lowest major round of all time.

US Justice Department to investigate PGA Tour-LIV Golf pact - WSJ

The U.S. Justice Department will review the PGA Tour's plan to merge with Saudi-backed LIV Golf to determine if it violates antitrust law, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit, which had been involved in a bitter fight that split the sport, announced an agreement last week to merge and form one unified commercial entity.

Exclusive-Soccer-Brazil forward Vinicius Jr to lead new anti-racism committee - FIFA

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr will lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee made up of players who will suggest stricter punishments for discriminatory behaviour in football, president Gianni Infantino told Reuters on Thursday. Brazil forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans when Madrid played Valencia in May, the 10th such incident involving the 22-year-old that LaLiga has reported to prosecutors this season.

Soccer-Joselu's late winner puts Spain into Nations League final

Substitute Joselu scored a fortunate winner three minutes from the end as Spain booked their place in a second successive Nations League final with a deserved 2-1 victory over Italy on Thursday. Coach Luis de la Fuente's side will meet Croatia in Sunday's decider in Rotterdam having lost to France in the final two years ago. Italy takes on hosts Netherlands for the bronze medal.

Soccer-Man United can gain up to $2 billion via global fan base, says finance expert

Manchester United could add up to $2 billion to the club's market value if they make investments to further monetize their global fan base, finance expert Neil Joyce told Reuters on Thursday. The club is negotiating granting exclusivity to the consortium led by Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani in talks to sell itself for more than $6 billion, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Soccer-Pulisic leads US past Mexico to reach CONCACAF Nations League final

Christian Pulisic's double helped the United States to a 3-0 win over Mexico in their CONCACAF Nations League semi-final on Thursday, earning the defending champions a place in the final against Canada. Pulisic capitalised on some sloppy Mexican defending to score the opener in the 37th minute, finding space to fire a low shot past keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

(With inputs from agencies.)