The world of golf focuses its attention on Royal Troon with its famous par 3 8th dubbed the Postage Stamp, for the 152nd edition of The Open as the DP World Tour remains in Scotland for a second consecutive week. Entry List
The Open Championship returns for the first time since 2016 as players compete for the Claret Jug and their final chance of the year to achieve Major glory.
First held at Royal Troon in 1923, the club will celebrate hosting duties for a tenth time this year, boasting a storied list of champions - six of which are American.
After Arnold Palmer in 1962, the United States enjoyed exclusive success as Tom Weiskopf (1973), Tom Watson (1982), Mark Calcavecchia (1989), Justin Leonard (1997) and surprise package Todd Hamilton (2004) all celebrated victories.
The last time Royal Troon played host it saw one of the most memorable head-to-head final round battles in Open Championship history between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson, with the Swede posting a final-round 63 to win his first Major title in 2016.
After a thrilling finish to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club which saw Robert "Bob" MacIntyre win his national Open, all eyes turn to the final Major Championship of the year.
On Monday, the R&A announced that the total prize fund for this year’s Open Championship, will be USD 17 million, a USD 500,000 increase on 2023 at Royal Liverpool.
The Champion Golfer of the Year will receive $3.1m (2.38m) - the highest amount in The Open’s history as it returns to the renowned Ayrshire links for the tenth time.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, expressed concerns that continued rises in prize funds at elite events could become unsustainable and warned about its impact on the perception of the sport.
“The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining The Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally,” he said.
“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future.
“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability. We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”
Winner: $3,100,000
2: $1,759,000
3: $1,128,000
4: $876,000
5: $705,500
6: $611,000
7: $525,000
8: $442,500
9: $388,000
10: $350,600
70: $38,900
Tiger Woods, who last played in The Open at Royal Troon in 2004, and McIlroy are among 19 past champions of The Open teeing it up.
The Major season this year has already seen World Number One Scottie Scheffler win the Masters Tournament for a second time, Xander Schauffele win his first Major of the year at the US PGA Championship, and DeChambeau claim his second U.S. Open victory. Will we see a clean sweep of American winners at the Majors this year?
There will again be inevitable focus on Rory McIlroy following his top five finish in Scotland. it was his first start since coming up agonisingly short to Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst last month, and the Northern Irishman said that his game is in really good shape heading into the final Major of the year.
No Scot has won The Open since Paul Lawrie in 1999 but MacIntyre will lead the hopes of Scotland this week after becoming the first home player to claim the Genesis Scottish Open in 25 years. He is joined by fellow DP World Tour winner Ewen Ferguson, who earned his way into the field through his victory at the BMW International Open.
European Challenge Tour member Jack Mcdonald, who played in the Walker Cup in 2015, earned his place through Final Qualifying, while amateur Calum Scott qualified through the Open Amateur Series, which was introduced in 2023.
Brian Harman heads to Royal Troon as the defending champion following his dominant victory at Royal Liverpool last year to become the 2023 Champion Golfer of the Year.
edit **There are 4 Canadians, Nick Taylor, Mac Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners..
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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