Axios

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) this week signed into law a bill that bans transgender athletes from playing on public school and college sports teams that align with their gender identity.

Why it matters: South Carolina is the latest state to enact a law targeting transgender people, following similar legislation enacted in other GOP-led states, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, a State Department spokesperson confirmed to Axios Tuesday.

The big picture: Blinken told Cherelle Griner the case is a top priority for the State Department and that she should reach out if there is anything she is not getting, per CNN.

Phil Mickelson was supposed to be at Southern Hills this week to defend his PGA Championship title. Instead, he's at home — and on bookshelves.

Driving the news: "Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar," a new book by longtime SI writer and bestselling author Alan Shipnuck, is out Tuesday.

The U.S. has been chosen to host the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Why it matters: This is the first time that either event will be held in North or South America, so expect to see lots of rugby initiatives this decade as the U.S. prepares for such a pivotal moment.

Americans have wagered more than $125 billion on legal sports bets since PASPA was overturned four years ago (May 14, 2018).

State of play: 30 states plus Washington, D.C., have live, legal sports betting markets. Five more have legalized it but are not yet operational.

Only in Canada do the Leafs fall in spring.

ICYMI: The Maple Leafs lost 2-1 to the Lightning on Saturday, their 10th straight loss in a series-clinching game and fifth straight loss in a winner-take-all game in the opening round. We've never seen anything like this.