TMZ Sports - Page 50

Rory McIlroy has seemingly called off his divorce ... his attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal on his behalf on Tuesday -- and the case has now been closed.

It's not clear yet why the golf star had the apparent change of heart ... we've reached out to his lawyer, Thomas Sasser, for comment -- but so far, no word back yet.

The 35-year-old had just opened the case in Florida on May 13 ... indicating he was ready to split with his wife, Erica Stoll, after seven years of marriage.

Don't give up hope just yet, America -- there's still a chance Joey Chestnut could take the stage and devour dozens of hot dogs this Fourth of July ... with sources telling TMZ Sports event organizers are keeping the door open for the greatest eater of all time.

Here's the deal -- we're told Jaws did, in fact, ink an endorsement with a plant-based food company to promote its glizzy product ... which is a major no-no with Nathan's Famous and Major League Eating, as competitors are prohibited from partnering with rivals.

As it stands ... Chestnut cannot compete at the contest in Coney Island on Independence Day if he goes through with that sponsorship.

Jon Rahm will have to wait at least one more year to try to become a two-time U.S. Open champion ... the golf star just withdrew from this weekend's major -- because of a gnarly sore on his foot.

The 29-year-old showed up to Pinehurst this week and tried to play through the pain after a cut in between his toes developed an infection ... but on Tuesday, he told his fans he simply couldn't perform on the course with it.

Rahm had been walking around the venue with a flip flop and a bandage to try to expedite his recovery ... although he said on X that after consulting with doctors, he'll now head home to get better instead of attempting to tee it up this weekend.

Formula One superstar Max Verstappen is standing by his girlfriend after she was forced to address "false accusations" spreading online ... defending Kelly Piquet and calling on the unnecessary hate to come to a screeching halt.

Piquet -- who started dating the Red Bull driver in 2020 -- released a lengthy statement on Tuesday ... breaking her silence on all the rumors on TikTok and Instagram that paint her out to be a pretty terrible person.

While the negativity has piled on recently, Kelly says it's something she's had to deal with for much longer ... but the accusations coming to light over the past few months have been straight-up defamation -- and those close to her know the truth.

Travis Kelce gave a little taste on Tuesday of what Taylor Swift's cooking is like ... confirming she does make some good desserts -- although, at first, he was reluctant to give any juicy details.

The pop star's kitchen skills were brought up following the Chiefs star's afternoon workout ... when a reporter asked about a video Swift had recently posted of the two.

In the footage, Kelce and the "Love Story" singer can be seen huddling over a pan -- before the tight end plants a kiss on her face.

5:00 PM PT -- Joey Chestnut tweeted an hour ago reacting to the news, saying "I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest"

"I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title."

"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event."

"Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you.  Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!"

This is a doggone shame.

Joey Chestnut -- the world's greatest eater -- will not defend his mustard belt at the Nathan's Hot Dog contest this year ... and it's all the result of a sponsorship deal he inked with a rival company.

According to the NY Post, Chestnut recently joined forces with Impossible Foods to promote its new plant-based alternative to tube steaks ... which created major issues with organizers and the governing body -- Major League Eating.

Team USA selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti is addressing the outrage over leaving Caitlin Clark off the Olympics roster ... saying it simply came down to putting together the best possible squad -- not the most popular.

Many considered the 2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick's omission from competing in Paris a snub ... or at least called it a bad move, as Clark's presence in the sport has attracted a ton of new fans who could tune in to the Summer Games to watch the superstar in action.

Rizzotti defended the team on Tuesday ... and specifically spoke about Clark.

The People's Elbow apparently now needs an MRI ... 'cause Dwayne Johnson just revealed his famed body part suffered an injury on the set of his new movie this week -- and the wound looks gnarly.

The Rock said on his Instagram page Tuesday that he hurt the wing while filming some scenes for "The Smashing Machine" -- an upcoming flick all about the life of MMA legend Mark Kerr.

Dwayne didn't exactly clarify how he sustained the ailment ... although he joked, "Anytime your film is called 'The Smashing Machine,' well, you're kind of going to get smashed up."

22-year-old Michael Jordan broke his foot in 1985 -- the most significant injury of MJ's career -- and now His Airness' Js from the fateful game are on the auction block!

Jordan's Chicago Bulls faced the Golden State Warriors on October 29, 1985 -- just three games into his second season as a pro -- when Michael, wearing the black and red Nike Air Jordan 1s, fractured the navicular bone in his right foot during the first half.

MJ left having played just 18 minutes, scoring 12 points. Chi-town won, 111-105, but lost their rising superstar.

The Madden NFL 25 cover athlete has been revealed ... and it's none other than San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey!!

EA Sports dropped the news on Tuesday ... marking the first time in decades the Niners have had one of their own grace the cover of the video game.

On top of that, it's the first time in 11 years the game gave a running back the honor since Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders landed the cover for the 25th-anniversary installment of the franchise.

An amateur golfer poked some fun at Scottie Scheffler's recent arrest by creating a parody of it at a local tournament ... and it was downright hilarious!!

According to one social media user, it happened this week at Wildwood Country Club in Louisville ... a few miles away from Valhalla Golf Club, where Scheffler was placed into custody back on May 17 for allegedly dragging an officer with his car.

Video shows that as guests were gearing up to hit the Wildwood CC course for a competition ... one of the members rolled up with a dummy dressed as a policeman strapped to his car.

Great news on BJ Thompson ... the Chiefs defensive lineman was released from the hospital days after going into cardiac arrest at a team meeting!

Thompson's agent Chris Turnage confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that the 25-year-old was discharged from the Kansas City, Missouri hospital on Tuesday ... and his loved ones are very grateful for the love they were shown.

"The family thanks everyone for their prayers and wants to especially thank the Chiefs medical and training staff for their rapid response and professionalism throughout this situation," Turnage said.

Charles Barkley gave an unfiltered interview during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday ... accidentally letting an F-bomb slip on live TV.

It all went down during the second-period intermission of the Oilers vs. Panthers matchup ... when Kyle Bukauskas of SportsNet asked the 11-time All-Star for his thoughts on the series so far.

Barkley was in the middle of praising Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky ... when all of a sudden, he slipped up and dropped the expletive.

The New York Jets kickstarted their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday ... but one key player was nowhere to be found -- superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh addressed No. 8's decision to ditch the team workout with reporters just minutes ago ... saying he knew the four-time MVP would not be present due to an "event that was very important to him," but it was considered "unexcused" regardless.

Rodgers' decision will likely result in a financial punishment ... as players who miss mandatory minicamp are subject to a fine.

LeBron James is in good spirits despite missing out on a championship this season ... FaceTiming in to Kai Cenat's stream and cracking jokes about not being in the NBA Finals!!

The hilarious cameo appearance went down as Cenat chopped it up with guests Kevin Hart and Druski on Monday ... when the movie star decided to hit up the Lakers hooper while hundreds of thousands of viewers followed along.

The four-time champ casually dropped the N-word as he greeted the trio ... which caught Druski and Cenat off-guard.

The USGA is helping keep Grayson Murray's memory alive ... the golf org. just honored the late star with a tribute inside the locker room at Pinehurst, the site of this week's U.S. Open.

The silver plaque salute was placed right on the front of what would have been Murray's locker, and it was touching. It read, "The USGA remembers Grayson and pays tribute to the playing accomplishments that merited his place in the 124th U.S. Open Championship."

At the bottom, it added, "Be kind to one another."