Categories
Senior Tours

Bernhard Langer is Denied a Golf Cart at the Senior British Open

At the Senior British Open, Bernhard Langer and three other golfers are refused permission to drive a golf cart.

Bernhard Langer at the Senior British Open. (Image: Getty)
Bernhard Langer at the Senior British Open. (Image: Getty)

The US-magazine Golf Digest reported yesterday on the golf cart situation involving five golfers – including Bernhard Langer – at the Senior British Open. In addition to Bernhard Langer, John Daly, Vijay Singh, Tim Herron and Paul Broadhurst also asked for permission to drive a golf cart. All five golfers gave various forms of physical problems as the reason. In the case of Langer, it is known that he is still suffering from pain after tearing his Achilles tendon at the beginning of the year. Of the five requests, only one was ultimately approved by the tournament organizers, that of Tim Herron. The result even led to John Daly withdrawing from the tournament.

Senior British Open: Englishman has to walk despite arthritis

In a statement quoted in the Golf Digest article, the tournament committee explains its procedure as follows: “As per the championship’s rules and terms of entry and participation, competitors can request use of motorized transportation on or before the closing date for entries. The championship committee received five applications which were carefully considered before one was granted to Tim Herron.” According to the article in the sports magazine, the four seniors did not receive a permit because they had competed in at least one tournament on foot within the last year and are therefore classified as fit. Note: The rules for senior tournaments vary depending on the organizer; in this case, the aforementioned rule was the deciding factor. This means that Paul Broadhurst, who is currently suffering from chronic inflammation in his right ankle (arthritis), must also play the Carnoustie Golf Links on foot. Paul Broahurst: “It’s tough. It’s severe arthritis. It is bone on bone. It’s an operation and a year out probably and no guarantee that I’ll be able to play to this level. So I’ve made a decision that if I can get through next season, I will probably call it a day. Monday was the first time I’d walked on a golf course in a year.” The Englishman was also surprised by the decision of the R&A and European Legends Tour, the tournament organizers.

Paul Broadhurst is using a walking stick in Carnoustie. (Image: Getty)

Differences depending on the organizer

On the Champions Tour and at the USGA Senior Championship, however, Broadhurst received permission to drive due to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nevertheless, he has to walk the rest of the tournament in Carnoustie. The 58-year-old uses a walking stick to help him.