Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/26/2026

The late summer sports season is upon us, and while all four golf majors have been finished for the year, that doesn't mean the season is over.  And a surprise winner emerged on the PGA Tour in only his third professional start.  At the age of 21.  Jackson Koivun held off the best player in the world in Scottie Sheffler to win the 3M Open at Twin Cities TPC in a record 25 strokes under par.  The Auburn golfer didn't flinch as Scheffler charged showing nerves that will serve him well in his burgeoning pro career.  His win by three strokes took away drama at the end, but he earned it with his steady play over the four days.  Earning a smooth $1.5M in the process.  Is this the first of many PGA Tour wins?  Inevitable.  Will he be the next star on the Tour?  Stay tuned.  But for now, Jackson Koivun is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/19/2026

Two weeks in a row of World Cup greatness and two weeks in a row of Spanish greatness.  The backdrop for the World Cup Final was perfect.  A Spanish team that was stingy on defense allowing one goal leading into the Final.  And an Argentina defending World Cup Champion team that has been completely resilient scoring late when they needed to in order to beat all the big boys.  The result was an action-packed scoreless tie.  Until in extra time, a new hero emerged.  In the opening minutes of the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres finally broke through.  Argentina goalie Emiliano Martínez set a World Cup final record with 11 saves, but it wasn't enough.  Torres struck a great center with no chance for Martinez for what ended up being the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory.  Torres came on in the 62nd minute with fresh legs and made history for Spain.  Their second World Cup final and second World Cup in history.  Ferran Torres is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/12/2026

Another amazing week of the World Cup as the field winnowed down to four teams.  The four teams aren't necessarily a surprise, but one of the heroes is.  Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has been the death knell for two teams this week.  Coming off the bench in a tie game, he's scored the eventual winning goal twice.  In the final moments.  After subbing in the 85th minute, Merino broke open a scoreless tie in the first minute of injury time (90+1) to score the only goal in a 1-0 goal against Cristiano Ronaldo and rival Portugal.  Then he doubled the achievement in even less time, subbing in the 86th minute, and dealing a 1-1 tiebreaker against Belgium for Spain to advance to the Semifinals in the 88th minute.  In about the 80th minute, watch for Merino to step in and see if he has the same luck against Spain.  Our Sportsman of the Week cannot be doubted!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/5/2026

Another week of exciting World Cup action as the knockout round begins to take shape.  A strong team that has not made a run this deep in recent, and even not-so-recent memory is Norway.  Placed in a bracket with Cup champion favorites France, Norway battled their way to a second place Group finish, poised to run at the Cup starting with Ivory Coast.  Ivory Coast battled to a tie in the waning moments before Norwegian soccer god Erling Haaland scored the deciding goal in the 86th minute to send Norway to their first knockout round victory in the history of the squad.  Then facing Brazil, the formidable foe who won the last World Cup held in North America, Haaland got even better.  Tied the game in the 79th minute, Haaland struck twice in eleven minutes to put Norway up 2-0, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 win sending Brazil home early.  Norway is through to the round of eight, and Erling Haaland has etched his name in the pantheon of great Norwegian athletes.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!