The 2023 Tour Championship is luring golf's elite with a hefty prize purse. (Photo: Getty)
Georgia opened its doors once again for the 2023 Tour Championship. Payday on the PGA Tour. The final tournament of the FedEx Cup 2023 offered prize money that set its own standards. Almost 20 million US dollars awaited the winner at East Lake Golf Club. But it wasn’t just Viktor Hovland, who won the tournament by five strokes, who cleaned up well, because an entire season came to a spectacular end here. Last year, Rory McIlroy rallied from a six-stroke deficit at the start of the week and a five-stroke deficit at the start of the final day to defeat Scheffler by one stroke and claim the prize money. The size of this prize pool is spectacular: for the enormous sum is as large as the combined salaries of the U.S. Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the British Open.
As play heads into the final stretch this weekend in Atlanta, the payout of the $75 million FedEx Cup bonus pool that players receive for their finishes in the season-long points race is drawing ever closer. As with regular PGA Tour events, the money will be split equally among players if there is a tie in the standings in this final event of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. So each of the top 150 players in the FedEx Cup rankings will receive something from the bonus pool.
Tour Championship: $75 million to be distributed
Scottie Scheffler will not have forgotten last year and so the world number 1 went into the FedExCup final with extra motivation. He started the tournament at -10 ahead of Viktor Hovland (-8) and Rory McIlroy (-7), while Sepp Straka had a more difficult time in 30th place and started at even par. This put Scheffler in pole position for the event at the Tour Championship. However, the American was unable to maintain this position, playing only one round under par and thus relinquishing the leading position to Viktor Hovland, who did not rest on his starting capital, the eight strokes under par and increased to 7-under par. The young Norwegian thus secured the astronomical prize money of 18 million dollars for the victory.
Places 150 to 125 will receive 85,000 dollars, after which the prize money will increase continuously. From 50th place onwards, the prize money is around 200,000 dollars. However, over half a million dollars was waiting for the top 30 at the Tour Championship. Straka and Co. are therefore already guaranteed the 500 000 dollars after the Tour Championship. The mark of 1,000,000 dollars will be cracked from 10th place in the ranking. In 5th place, there are already 3 million dollars waiting. This is followed by 4th place with 4 million dollars, 3rd place with 5 million and the runner-up with 6.5 million dollars. But as if that wasn’t enough, first place will receive almost triple that amount and can look forward to a whole 18,000,000 dollars. A list of the prize money probably makes some amateur golfers jealous.
Tour Championship 2023: The prize money at a glance
The British Open became a target for "Just Stop Oil" protests. (Photo: Getty)
On the second day of the British Open 2023, despite efforts by the organizers, some climate activists from the protest group “Just Stop Oil” made it onto the grounds of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Using orange paint, the four individuals targeted the 17th green of the golf course.
British Open 2023: Billy Horschel helps police with “Just Stop Oil” protest
On the morning of the second round, the four activists from the climate group “Just Stop Oil”, who have already caused a stir at other sporting events such as Wimbledon, arrived on the grounds of the Open Championship. On the 17th green, one activist threw orange paint in the direction of the course. Shortly after, however, she was already taken into police custody with the help of Billy Horschel. His flight was about to putt on the short par 3 during the action.
There will be no more holes in one when our society collapses. We must stop our government’s 100 new oil and gas licenses before they go on to cause more harm. https://t.co/HaNZKBsfLFpic.twitter.com/ZLDAgOqj5X
After the incident, the R&A released a brief statement on the incident. “A protester was quickly apprehended on the 17th hole and is one of 4 people who have been arrested by the police. Play was not disrupted and we would like to thank the marshals, players and other spectators for their vigilance and understanding as the protestors were removed.”
R&A and police already prepared for protest actions
Police have already been working in advance with the organizing R&A on plans for incidents of this nature to minimize disruption to match operations, visitors and local residents. “The public should be prepared for the police to maintain a high presence throughout the event as we complement and support other security agencies. There are a number of plans and processes in place to deal with any incidents and prevent significant or ongoing disruption to spectators, residents and businesses,” said local police Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins.
The 151st edition of the British Open: the weather forecast (foto: getty)
The British Open is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the world. It will be held this year at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course. The weather conditions on the rugged coast of Great Britain will in itself have a major impact on the tournament, but rain or storms can make the already demanding links course even more challenging for the professionals.
Weather forecast for the Open Championship 2023
The golf course has been through almost every weather condition in the past week. There have been thunderstorms, heavy rains, lots of wind and even the sun has made an appearance once. At least the start of the tournament is supposed to stay mostly dry.
Thursday, 20.07.
The tournament will start with a mostly sunny day and possible small showers.
Friday, 21.07.
On the day of the decision, who will be allowed to continue the weekend, it will be very cloudy with again small rainfalls.
Saturday, 22.07.
In the night from Friday to Saturday there may be heavier rain. On Moving Day, rain is expected to be almost continuous, easing during the day.
Sunday, 23.07.
On the final day, light showers are expected again and there may even be thunderstorms. On the other hand, the wind will drop a bit.
Can we rely on the forecast?
No. Especially in Great Britain, the weather is very erratic and can change every minute. Even professional golfers like Jon Rahm, don’t pay very much attention to the forecast. “We’re in England. We’re right next to the Channel, too. I don’t really look at the forecast because it changes so quickly. I hope we still see certain weather conditions because it’s the Open. There will always be wind. Hopefully the rain will stay away, but there will always be a period that favors some more than others. It doesn’t look like it’s going to play extremely fast or extremely firm because the rain and some of the humidity should stay, but you never know. I think it will play similar to 2014.”
Impact of weather conditions on the tournament and players
The weather in Liverpool can play a crucial role during The Open Championship. Rain can soften the ground on links golf courses and affect ball roll speed. The strong and unpredictable wind can affect the trajectory of the balls and pose tactical challenges to the golfers. Players will need to adapt to the changes and adjust their shots accordingly to be successful.
The 2023 Open Championship promises to be a compelling tournament on the links course near Liverpool. Weather conditions could play an important role and increase the challenges for the players. With the right preparations, golfers can bring out the best in each other. It is sure to be a tournament full of excitement, skill and fascinating moments as the best golfers in the world compete for the coveted title.
A look at the favourites for the Open Championship 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Ever since his success at the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy has been the clear favorite for this year’s Open Championship in Liverpool. We take a look at what speaks for him and who could challenge him for the title.
A Rory McIlroy in top form at the Open Championship
At the beginning of the year, there seemed to be nothing that the Northern Irishman couldn’t win. But then the outside pressure mounted, it was as much about LIV and the PGA Tour as it was about sporting success, and McIlroy seemed to have reached his limit. The results failed to materialize, and time out was necessary, even from the Elevated events, which he had promised to participate in when they were first conceived. But with June 6 and the negotiated merger between the PGA and PIF, the pressure is also falling off. What happens at tour level is no longer his business, McIlroy thinks to himself, and plays as freely as he did at the beginning of the year. A second place at the US Open in June was the first bright spot, then the links victory last week. The signs are all pointing to McIlroy.
The fact that he is the last Champion Golfer of the Year to be named at Royal Liverpool further helps his odds. And let’s not forget the duel against Cam Smith at the 2022 Open Championship. McIlroy’s colleagues also know that the 34-year-old is a force to be reckoned with this week. Last year’s triumphant Cam Smith, for example, said. “There are a lot of guys who, if the week goes well, can be up there on Sunday. I’m sure Rory is one of them.” For Jon Rahm, McIlroy is also the main favorite. “If I had to pick one player, it would be Rory,” he said in an interview with Mercedes Benz. Matt Fitzpatrick even expresses a tiny bit of jealousy at the four-time major winner’s outstanding form. “I think everyone would like to play golf the way Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are doing right now. But that’s pretty rare for the rest of us.”
The unbeatable Scottie Scheffler
If there is anyone who can outperform Rory McIlroy in terms of form, it is Scottie Scheffer. You’ll look in vain for a missed cut this year and all season for the world No. 1. His worst finish in 2023 is a split 12th.If there isn’t at least a top 10 for him this week, it almost has to be a disappointment. In his last ten major appearances, Scheffer missed the cut only once and finished outside the top 10 only once, but that was at the 2022 British Open. At St. Andrews, the currently unbeatable Scheffler apparently found his master. But he showed that he has no problems with links golf per se with a shared third place at the Scottish Open last week.
The defending champion Cameron Smith
Not to be forgotten, of course, is the defending champion. When Cameron Smith handed the Claret Jug back to Martin Slumbers of the R&A, he reluctantly let the trophy go. “I’ll just win it again,” he jousted. Even though Smith’s Ripper GC is only in the lower midfield of the LIV Golf League, things look very different for the captain. He ranks second in the season standings behind only Talor Gooch after his win in London. In addition, he boasts four top 10 results, an eleventh place finish and a twelfth place finish. His major record this year is not without its problems either. Although T34 at the Masters, where he particularly shone in previous years, the trend developed positively: T9 at the PGA Championship, 4th place at the US Open, what will he achieve at the Royal Liverpool?
The fiery Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm also looked unstoppable at the beginning of the year. Since the spring and his Masters win, however, he’s cooled off a bit. More breaks, results good enough to keep him in the top 3 in the world, but not to challenge Scheffler for the top spot. He is well aware of that himself, he explained before the tournament. “Obviously Rory and Scotty are more the favorites because they’ve been playing better lately, but I’m glad people still think I have a chance.” At the same time, he said, his expectations of himself are probably higher than what people on the outside think of him. “Whether people think you’re going to win or not, I’m still coming here to win.” He’s already won one major this year, and a second would definitely be in the cards.
Honourable Mentions
But, as Jon Rahm also says, “This is golf, all 150 of us have a chance.” Figures like Rickie Fowler, with chances to win the US Open and end his winless streak are also aiming for the title, as is Brooks Koepka, who has major title number 6 in his sights, but has had very inconsistent results at the Open Championship so far. With Tommy Fleetwood, who finished T4 behind Rory McIlroy last year and T6 last week, standing just as high with the bookmakers as world No. 5 Viktor Hovland, with whom Fleetwood shared fourth place in 2022. But in the end, there can only be one Champion Golfer of the Year 2023.
Jon Rahm at The Open Championship. (Credit: Mercedes Benz)
Jon Rahm, preparing for his first Open at Royal Liverpool, has positive memories of the course from a previous tournament. He reflects on Tiger Woods’ 2006 win, adapting his strategy to the course conditions. Rahm hopes to be the first Spaniard since Severiano Ballesteros to claim the Claret Jug. He looks forward to the passionate fan support and acknowledges Rory McIlroy’s strong form. Rahm seeks advice from past champions and fondly recalls winning the Masters. With the Ryder Cup ahead, he’s focused on winning. Rahm admires fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz’s tennis success, providing inspiration for his golf performance.
Jon Rahm speaks ahead of the 151. Open Championship
This is your first Open at Royal Liverpool. Have you had a chance to play here before as a junior or amateur or have you had the chance to practice much? What are your impressions of the course?
Jon Rahm: I played 18 today and I played a Brabazon trophy here. I can’t remember the year, it was a good 11, 12, 13 years ago. It’s funny because a lot of the names in that tournament on the leaderboard are names that you see nowadays. I liked it from the beginning, it was one of my first experiences of links golf. It’s a little bit different to what we play in The Open rotation. Those fairway bunkers, a lot more penal, a lot of those greenside bunkers, a lot more penal. You have to obviously hit it really well. Tee to green, it’s a bit of added pressure. It’s a lot of holes, we’re on hole 14 right now. This 14th hole is a very difficult second shot, hole 12 very difficult tee shot and second shot. At first
glance I am surprised of how low they’ve shot here in the past, but really happy because I like the golf course.
Famously, Tiger Woods’ only hit his driver once over four days when he won at Hoylake in 2006, even with quite benign winds. What will be your approach to playing this course?
Jon Rahm: It was very dry and firm and yellow that year, you could get away with not hitting drivers in a lot of holes. Today, I played early, it was wet. There were some holes where I hit drivers and I didn’t get into any bunkers. I was hitting it on the same spots he was hitting the irons. I understand what he was trying to do, which is basically keep it just short of the bunkers and take on with longer clubs that give himself a more percentage shot. When the Greens are firm, it makes sense, have a little bit more control of the fairway. I don’t know what I’ll be doing. The game has evolved since then. When Rory played and won in 2014, he hit a lot of drivers. It is getting to a point nowadays where if you can hit a driver, you’re going to have to. Not only because of you, but somebody is going to be able to do it. It’s a little bit different game than what was played in 2006.
Jon Rahm not afraid of conditions: “It’s England”
Conditions are key to how an Open venue plays – what do you make of the forecast weather and speed of the course going into the week?
Jon Rahm: It’s England. It’s right next to the channel too. I don’t really look at what the forecast says because it changes so fast. I’m hoping we still see certain weather conditions because it’s The Open. There’s always going to be a wind. Hopefully rain is fair but there’s always going to be a wave that’s benefited one more than the other. It doesn’t look like it’s going to play extremely fast or extremely firm just because the rain and a little bit of the moisture should stay around but you never know. I think it’s going to play somewhat similar to what it did in 2014.
What would it mean to you to claim the Claret Jug as the first Spaniard since Severiano Ballesteros
in 1988?
Jon Rahm: Any time you can do something for the first time since Seve did it, it’s obviously a very big deal. It’s crazy that Sergio Garcia and Ollie (José María Olazábal), many other great players that had a chance, didn’t get to do it for Spain, but it’s not easy. I would be a true honour to be able to join Seve’s (Severiano Ballesteros) name on that list of The Open champions. Even aside from that, just being able to call yourself an Open champion is so unique, so special. To me, it is the most prestigious tournament we have in golf and there’s nothing like it.
“We are expecting over 250,000 passionate fans”
We are expecting over 250,000 passionate fans to cheer you on here this week – what are your expectations about the special atmosphere when the Open comes to Liverpool?
Jon Rahm: It’s always amazing when we come to this side of the world. The respect and knowledge for the game is so much higher than anywhere else and the fans know it. The only tournament in the world where we get celebrated for hitting a shot, sometimes even a wedge hit to 30 feet, just because they understand the conditions and how difficult it can be. You just hit it on the green no matter where you are, most of the time you will get claps. Sometimes you make a five or a bogey and they understand that it was a good five. It’s different and it’s really, really fun to play here.
Although Rory won here in 2014 and arrives here this week with a win at the Scottish Open and some recent strong finishes at the US PGA and US Open, many have you down as the favourite to win. How do you manage the pressure going into a Major?
Jon Rahm: Whatever people say, it doesn’t a really make a difference. Most likely I am going to have higher expectations than most people have about me either way. Luckily, I’ve been playing good for the last few years, I’ve heard that a few times, so you get used to it. Whether people think, if you’re going to win or not, I still come out here to win. Obviously, Rory and Scotty might be more of a favourite because they’ve been playing better lately, but I’m glad people still think I have a chance.
Which other players in the field do you think have the game and the momentum to perform well this week?
“If I have to say one player, you have to say Rory”
Jon Rahm: It’s golf, all 150 of us have a chance. That’s a beautiful thing about this game. When you tee off on Thursday, we’re all on equal ground and that’s it, weather aside. There’s a difference in weather, but nobody would have expected, let’s say, Tom Watson to do as well as he did in 2009, Greg Norman to do as well as he did in 2008 in Birkdale. Those are the circumstances that you can’t foresee and can only happen in Open golf. If I have to say one player, you have to say Rory (Rory McIlroy) because of what he did last week and how he is playing this year.
Ahead of adapting your game to links golf, do you chat to any of your fellow players or friends on tour about the best strategies for posting a low score at The Open?
Jon Rahm: I like to get advice from past champions and players that have done well. We all hit the golf ball in a different way, we all play golf a different way, but there’s always little things that you can learn. It’s always nice to ask for a little bit of advice to see what they consider they did well that week or what they think that needs to be done.
Three months down the road of another stellar year for you. Can you share some more reflections on winning the Masters?
Jon Rahm: Sometimes I still wake up in the morning and realize that I won the Masters this year. It’s crazy. The one thing I keep thinking about is just being able to join my other three fellow major champions from. Becoming part of the fraternity of golfers is very special. The only major that is played on the same golf course every year. It is a bit of a different feeling to it, just because we all know the golf course and just to come out on top is very special for me. If we’re talking especially about the week, just the weather conditions I had to deal with and then play as good as I did is what makes it so special.
After the last Major of 2023, all eyes will turn to the Ryder Cup and you will be a leading figure in the European team. What are your thoughts and expectations looking ahead to Rome in September?
Jon Rahm: My thoughts: Winning. Expectations: Winning. That’s all I can say. It’s such a fun event. It’s so different to what we do throughout the year. To be able to represent our continent, our countries, and play golf for European golf and do an exhibition. At the end of the day, it is an exhibition. Nobody’s getting paid and we’re playing for the love of the game and the love of our nations. It’s a lot of fun to be able to be a part of that. We have teammates celebrating with each other and we’re looking forward to getting that cup back to European soil.
“Hat’s off, his future is very, very, very bright”
For many people, a good way to unwind and relax is to take themselves off on a drive. What car are you driving here this week? Are you able to carve out any time to hit the road for some headspace or are the demands of a Major pretty all encompassing?
Jon Rahm: I have a Mercedes-Benz GLS this week. It’s not relaxing when I’m driving on the other side of the road. It’s very stressful but after a few days, you get used to it. In my case, my favourite car to drive is still at home. I know it’s not the most popular choice, but it is still the G-Wagon. That’s what I’m going to keep driving until I can get my hands on the EQG. It’s still a G-Wagon but a little different one.
Carlos Alcaraz made history yesterday at Wimbledon in a thrilling win over Novak Djokovic. You must feel proud to see the success of your fellow Spanish sport star – hopefully providing some extra energy and inspiration going into this important week for you? Have you ever met Carlos and if so, can you describe your relationship?
Jon Rahm: I’ve not met him but I followed his career. The last few years have been incredible, to be the youngest number one tennis player in the world. This isn’t likely with the three great players we had ahead and with Rafa’s (Rafael Nadal) shadow on Spanish tennis as well. To go and win the US Open and now Wimbledon and still stay the number one with Novak playing at the level he’s been playing. His first final on Centre Court and Wimbledon and beat basically, and this is hard for me to say as a Rafa fan, the best player ever in tennis after losing the first set six to one is quite incredible. The determination and strength he showed in all those sets, even after losing the fourth and come back in the fifth one and get it done was quite impressive. Hat’s off, his future is very, very, very bright. As a tennis fan, you’re kind of wondering, Rafa is coming to an end, Federer is done, Djokovic obviously might have a few years left. Alcaraz might be the next big thing, for somebody like him to come up and just burst into the scene like that was very, very special. So I’m really happy for him and hopefully he has a very long and great career. Interview distributed by Mercedes Benz
Scottie Scheffler wins 4,5 million dollar at the Players Championship 2023. (Credit: Getty)
Sunday is payday on the PGA Tour. The Players Championship has always been one of the highest-paying tournaments of the season, but in 2023 a new prize money record was set. 25 million dollars were distributed among the players, with winner Scottie Scheffler alone pocketing 4.5 million dollars. Fünf Spieler verdienten siebenstellig, auch das ein Novum auf der Tour.
Die deutschsprachigen Spieler Matthias Schwab (T54), Stephan Jäger (T44) und Sepp Straka (T65) schafften alle knapp den Cut. Auch wenn es am Wochenende nicht mehr allzu weit nach vorn ging, bleiben auch für sie noch ordentliche Preisgelder bei der Players Championship 2023 übrig.
Taylor Montgomery lost 1.4 million dollar within 3 holes. (Credit: Getty)
Taylor Montgomery is playing his first season on the PGA Tour and doing a good job. Already four top ten results this season and so far best prospects to keep his tour card. At the Players Championship, the 28-year-old was on the verge of collecting the biggest cheque of his career so far. At ten under par, he was in the top five with four holes to go. With four pars, he would have finished third and, like Tom Hoge and Viktor Hovland, would have collected 1.475 million US dollars in prize money.
Bogey, double-bogey, triple-bogey
But no Players Championship is complete without drama on the 17th! The legendary island green finally ruined the day for the American. But the misfortune already began on the 15th hole, where Montgomery still managed to get away with a bogey after a weak bunker shot. On the 16th – the par-5 is one of the easiest holes on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass – the next bad news: a double bogey. Now his stroke gains were used up and he was back at even par for the final day. But the real fiasco was yet to come.
The legendary 17, the island green, one of the most iconic and famous holes in the world of golf, cost Montgomery another four strokes. First, he sank his tee shot into the water on the short par-3, which is particularly nerve-racking but always unpredictable because of the wind, which is difficult to assess. Then, after the drop, the second attempt was also too long and landed in the water. Visibly shaken, the man from Las Vegas rushed down the leaderboard. At least he managed a halfway conciliatory finish with a par on the 18th. Hopefully he will spend the 75,000 US dollars in prize money for 44th place on something that will make him forget the disaster.
The coveted trophy of the Players Championship 2023. The prize money for the winner is 4.5 million US dollars. (Photo: Getty)
The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is the most important tournament on the PGA Tour. Accordingly, the US Tour pays out the most prize money at the so-called “flagship tournament” in Florida. This year, the prize money is – once again – at a record level and significantly higher than the financial contributions of the majors. The Players Championship 2023 awards prize money of 25 million US dollars.
Players Championship prize money: PGA Tour draws level with LIV
This increases the purse by five million compared to the previous year, when Cameron Smith took home 3.6 million US dollars. In 2022, the prize money had already risen from 15 to 20 million. The PGA Tour saw itself forced to distribute significantly more prize money in the face of threatening competition from LIV Golf. The Players is one of the new Designated Events, which are endowed with an average of 20 million US dollars. As the flagship event, however, the “fifth major” stands out once again and draws level with the competition.
The tournaments of the LIV Golf League are also worth 25 million dollars each. One fifth of the prize money is intended for the team ranking of the Saudi League, the rest is paid to all 48 players in the individual ranking. At TPC Sawgrass, however, as usual only the 65 best and tied players who make the cut after two rounds will receive a share of the opulent prize money (see table below).
Fifth place earns seven figures
The winner of the Players Championship 2023 will walk away from Ponte Vedra Beach with a massive 4.5 million US dollars, while the runner-up will receive even more prize money (2.75 million) than, for example, Scottie Scheffler earned at the US Masters 2022. Even the fifth-placed player can be happy about more than one million US dollars.
By comparison, the major tournaments awarded significantly less prize money than the Players Championship or the new Designated Events in addition to the prestigious trophies last year. The US Masters 2022 offered 15 million US dollars, as did the PGA Championship 2022. The US Open 2022 gave the players a total of 17.5 million, the British Open 14 million US dollars. The prize money of the majors is typically only announced shortly before the respective tournaments. This year, the pots are likely to be bigger as well.
Prize money breakdown of the Players Championship 2023
Luke Donald will tee up at the BMW International Open 2023. (Photo: BMW)
The BMW International Open will be held for the 34th time this year. Once again a very interesting field will gather at BMW Group’s headquarters for Germany’s most prestigious and most tradition-steeped pro golfing event. The tournament loved by spectators and athletes alike, thanks to its special atmosphere, will be held at Golfclub München Eichenried from 21st to 25th June 2023. This year, the Ryder Cup, taking place in Rome (ITA) in autumn with Worldwide Partner BMW, will also play an important role.
With only a few months to go until the unique duel between the best golfers in Europe and those of the defending champions, the USA, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup teams will slowly take shape, and the captains will become clearer on who they want as wild card picks. Europe’s captain Luke Donald will have the opportunity to take a look at a wide range of aspriants in Munich. The former world number one and two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship will also be reaching for his clubs himself. The tournament’s huge significance for the Ryder Cup’s Team Europe is highlighted by the fact that all three vice captains – Thomas Bjørn (DEN, two-time BMW International Open champion), Edoardo Molinari (ITA) and Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) – will be teeing off.
No doubt the quartet will be keeping a close eye on the many German players who have been attracting attention with excellent results on the two major world tours in recent months. Yannik Paul in third place on the “European Points List” would even qualify for the European team immediately as it stands. Paul won his first title on the DP World Tour (DPWT) last year, as did Max Kieffer, and both golfers will be in action in Munich. Matti Schmid, who made a splash on the PGA Tour when he finished in tied sixth place at “The American Express” in January, will also be teeing off in his home state of Bavaria.
In Marcel Siem, the player of the hour is returning to the golf club in which he grew up as the child of the then club restaurateurs. The 42-year-old not only recently reached the impressive milestone of 500 DPWT tournaments, he also won the Hero Indian Open last weekend, which saw him celebrate a title win once again, more than eight years after his last victory (BMW Masters). Alex Cejka, who has been enjoying success on the Champions Tour since 2020, has won two majors there, and is currently ranked seventh in the season standings, will return to Germany and the DPTW for the BMW International Open.
A range of younger European players who have increasingly attracted attention and will also be part of the field at Golfclub München Eichenried have good reason to hope for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. These include 21-year-old Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who with two and three DPWT wins to their name respectively have already proved they have what it takes on several occasions. In Abu Dhabi, France’s Victor Perez won the first Rolex Series tournament of the year, and his third title on the DPWT. The interesting quartet is rounded off by Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, who so far on the DPWT has won the “Rookie of the Year 2019” award and two tournaments.
Last year’s winner Li Haotong (CHN), whose emotional reaction to winning the play-off will be remembered for many years to come, will be looking to defend his title in June. Last year’s third-placed golfer, Ryan Fox, will also be teeing off again. The New Zealanders was presented with the Seve Ballesteros Award for the best DPWT player of the year after an incredible 2022 season – beating majors winners Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) to win the award. Spectators can also look forward to seeing three players who are as successful as they are likeable and popular: the two Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Pablo Larrazábal (two-time BMW International Open champion) and Andrew “Beef” Johnston (ENG), who are also eager not to miss out on the BMW International Open.
Entry to the BMW International Open Pro-Am tournament is free on Wednesday 21st June 2023. Entry is free for children and young people up to the age of 16 on all days.
Day tickets and tournament tickets, as well as VIP tickets for the Fairway Club, are available to purchase online: www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets
See the online ticket shop for further information on all ticket categories – and on concessions for young people over the age of 16, pupils, students, and people with disabilities.
LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)
Quietly, the US Open and the 2023 Open Championship are allowing LIV golfers to participate. Back in December, Augusta National announced that it would not exclude LIV players from the Masters, and now the US Open at LA Country Club and the British Open at Royal Liverpool are following suit. The major tournaments announced their qualifying criteria in February and the lists of players who have already qualified include LIV players.
The qualified LIV players get their eligibility mostly through past major victories, for example Martin Kaymer is still qualified for the US Open after his victory in 2014. However, due to the lack of world ranking points and the exclusion from the PGA Tour, it will be harder and harder for LIV players to qualify for the majors as long as there is no separate LIV criterion. However, the way is open for them, especially for US Open and British Open, via the qualifying tournaments.
LIV players at the US Open
Prior to last year’s edition, a statement from the USGA said, “We are proud to be the most open championship in the world, and those players who have earned the right to participate in this year’s championship, both by exemption and qualification, will have the opportunity to do so.” The same is true for 2023. The following LIV players are currently qualified for the US Open: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer (former U.S. Open winners for the past decade), Phil Mickelson (because of his 2021 PGA Championship victory), Cameron Smith (2022 Open Championship) and Joaquin Niemann (qualified for the 2022 Tour Championship).
In addition to major victories and the world rankings, there is the possibility of securing a place in the tournament via tournament victories, FedExCup and Race to Dubai, and for amateurs via various amateur competitions. In addition, the qualifying tournaments are open to all.
LIV players at the Open Championship
Also at the R&A and the Open Championship the motto of open competition is still valid. 13 current or former LIV players are qualified for the tournament in Royal Liverpool according to the current status: Louis Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith (former winners under 60), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau (top 10 at the 150th Open), Thomas Pieters, Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnau, Richard Bland (top 30 in the final Race to Dubai 2022), Brooks Koepka (US Open win), Patrick Reed (Masters win), Joaquin Niemann, Talor Gooch (top 30 in the FedExCup 2022).
In addition to the qualifying criteria, there will be the Qualifying Series. There will be 16 spots across a series of Regional and Final Qualifying, as well as a total of 34 spots at tournaments on the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. Provided they are eligible to play on the tours, these tournaments are also open to LIV golfers in an attempt to gain a Major entry.
