Canada’s Conners shares lead at Canadian Open

TORONTO>> Corey Conners shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open, the first PGA Tour event since its announcement of a merger with Saudi-funded rival LIV Golf.

Conners is seeking to become the tournament’s first Canadian winner in 69 years. Also at 67 were Aaron Rai, Justin Lower and Chesson Hadley. Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy opened with a 71.

NBC’s Bevacqua to replace Notre Dame AD Swarbrick

SOUTH BEND, Ind. >> Jack Swarbrick will step down as Notre Dame’s athletic director next year after a 16-year run in which he helped the school maintain the football program’s independent status amid unprecedented realignment.

Notre Dame announced Thursday that NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua will succeed Swarbrick. Bevacqua, a 1993 Notre Dame alumnus, will join the university July 1 as a special assistant to the president for athletics before taking over the athletic department in 2024.

Vote on A’s stadium in Las Vegas pushed to next week

CARSON CITY, Nev. >> The Nevada Senate adjourned Thursday without voting on a financing bill for a proposed $1.5 billion Las Vegas Strip stadium for the Oakland Athletics, extending the special legislative session into the next week amid negotiations over whether to contribute $380 million in public funding.

Dodgers place pitcher Syndergaard on injured list

CINCINNATI >> The Los Angeles Dodgers placed pitcher Noah Syndergaard on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a blister on the index finger of his right throwing hand. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the timetable for Syndergaard’s return is unknown.

Blackhawks, Athanasiou agree to $8.5M contract

CHICAGO>> The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks locked in one of their top scorers, agreeing to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with forward Andreas Athanasiou on Thursday. The 28-year-old Athanasiou tied for the team lead with 20 goals and ranked third with 40 points in his first season with Chicago.

Italy to face Uruguay in Under-20 World Cup final

LA PLATA, Argentina>> Italy and Uruguay will each be bidding for a first Under-20 World Cup title when the countries meet in the final on Sunday. Italy knocked out South Korea with a 2-1 win in the semifinals Thursday after Uruguay beat Israel 1-0.

Gragson out for Sonoma with concussion-like symptoms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> Noah Gragson will miss Sunday’s NASCAR race at Sonoma Raceway with concussion-like symptoms from a crash last weekend outside St. Louis. Legacy Motor Club said Thursday that Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger will make his Cup debut as Gragson’s replacement in the No. 42 Chevy.

Hunter-Reay returns as Daly replacement

Ryan Hunter-Reay will return to the IndyCar Series as Conor Daly’s replacement at Ed Carpenter Racing, the team announced Thursday. Hunter-Reay was out of IndyCar last season but returned this year for the Indy 500 and finished 11th. He will make his debut in the No. 20 Chevrolet next weekend at Road America.