Golfing great Thompson dies

Peter Thomson, a five-time winner of the British Open and the only player in the 20th century to win it three straight years, died Wednesday at his home in Australia. He was 88.

The first Australian to win the British Open, Thomson went on to secure the title five times between 1954 and 1965, a record equaled only by Tom

Watson. Only Harry Vardon, with six titles between 1896 and 1914, won more.

In 1998, he captained the International side to its only win over the United States at the Presidents Cup.

Roger Federer opened his Gerry Weber Open title defense with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Aljaz Bedene at Halle, Germany. It was the 17th consecutive victory on grass for the world’s top-ranked men’s player . ... Andy Murray returned to competitive tennis after nearly a year away because of an injury but lost 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 to Nick Kyrgios in the first round of the pre-Wimbledon Queen’s Club in London. Novak Djokovic’s first appearance in eight years at Queen’s Club resulted in a 6-2, 6-1 victory over John Millman . ...

Deontay Wilder and his advisers are reviewing an offer from fellow heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua for a bout in the United Kingdom, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Wilder and his lead manager Shelly Finkel earlier this month said they’d accept fighting England’s three-belt champion Joshua in the U.K., but terms and the date were not immediately identified.

Andreas Heraf, coach of New Zealand’s women’s soccer team, is on leave pending an investigation of 13 players’ complaints about his conduct, centered around defensive tactics he used in a recent home loss against Japan and his comments to media. Heraf said his players would never have the “quality” to compete with a team of Japan’s ability.