When 16-year-old Rachel Heck finally hits the professional golf tour, the current world No. 2, Ariya Jutanugarn, plans to give her a lot of respect.
American high schooler Heck made a big impression Sunday completing the Evian Championship — her second major — in a fun grouping with the Jutanugarn sisters, two-time major winner Ariya and 13th-ranked Moriya.
"She surprised me," Ariya Jutanugarn told The Associated Press. "Hit the ball really pretty well, unbelievable getting up and down."
Rachel Heck of the U.S. walks on the fairway during the fourth round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Heck justified her wild-card entry in France first by making the cut, just as she did in her majors debut at the 2017 U.S. Women's Open.
"It was amazing, I was just grateful to be here," said the native of Memphis, Tennessee, adding she had no set targets. "Because last year I made the cut at the U.S. Open, so people were like, 'Oh, you can do it again.'"
She did. On a hillside course overlooking Lake Geneva with deceptive sloping greens, the teenage amateur went 70-73-72-71 to finish on 2 over with no double bogeys all week.
If tied for 44th sounds just OK, it put Heck alongside Evian defending champion Anna Nordqvist and Moriya Jutanugarn, who won her first LPGA Tour title this season. They were set to earn about $16,000 each but Heck's amateur status prevents her getting paid.
"I think she's going to have a really, really good career," said Ariya Jutanugarn, who won the 2018 U.S. Women's Open in July. "I told her, 'I'm waiting for you in five more years.'"
The admiration went both ways.
"They are so nice. They talked to me the whole time," Heck said of the sisters from Thailand. "I was fans of them before and I think I'm bigger fans now."
That Heck is destined for the pros seems in no doubt. It's her clear plan, right after graduating from Stanford University where she has committed to study.
"I really hope that this is what I'll be able to do with my life in a few years after college," she said. "I can't wait to be out here full time."
Heck has another big tournament to play. Disneyland Paris is the venue for the Junior Ryder Cup from Sept. 24-25, before the main event across town later that week.
Then, she can return to classes at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis from her three-week European break.
"After the rounds I've been doing school work, and my parents are here," Heck said. "I'm really enjoying every second of it."
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TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
