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.
In the first round, the pros at the 2023 British Open had to contend with the treacherous pot bunkers at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. For round 2, the conditions were adjusted.
In the first round, the pros at the 2023 Open Championship had to contend with the treacherous pot bunkers at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. For round 2, the conditions were adjusted.
The deep pot bunkers are characteristic of the links courses in Scotland. The steep bunker walls give players a hard time on such courses anyway. Not infrequently, bad luck adds to the problem, so that a normal stance is not an option when playing out of the bunker. So the players have to get creative, play with one leg and in the worst case play back towards the tee. Complicating matters further is the sloping topography of the greens towards the bunkers, which causes balls to roll towards the sand time and time again.
Even some professionals despair of the challenging obstacles at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Justin Thomas, for example, ended his first round with a 9 on the par-5 18th because he was unable to free himself from a tricky bunker location.
Adjusting the bunkers at the 2023 Open Championship
In addition to sloping greens and steep bunker walls, the subsoil in particular poses a special challenge for the pros. The greenkeeping team has smoothed out the bottoms of the bunkers in preparation for the British Open 2023, so that the balls stay in tricky positions in the corners of the bunkers. With dry conditions in mind, the greenkeeping team was asked to adjust the bottoms of the bunkers after the completion of the first round.
The R&A explained, “We would like to inform you that we have adjusted the way the bunkers are raked overnight. Yesterday afternoon the bunkers dried out more than they have in recent weeks, and this resulted in more balls being left directly against the walls than we would normally expect. (…) We routinely rake the bunkers flat at most Open venues, but we decided this adjustment was appropriate given the drier conditions that occurred yesterday. We will continue to monitor this closely for the remainder of the championship.”
For now, then, it’s a case of breathing a sigh of relief for the players at the British Open. With a little luck, such hopeless situations as there were in the first round can be avoided.
Travis Smyth has reason to celebrate. (Photo: Getty)
Loud cheers on the 17th in Liverpool. Travis Smyth holes the first hole-in-one of the 2023 British Open, which is also the first hole-in-one in history on the newly designed 17 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Although the Australian has no chance of making the cut after two rounds, he nevertheless ends his experience at the British Open 2023 with an absolute highlight.
From double bogey to ace
After Smyth conceded a double bogey on the “Little Eye” the previous day by botching three tee shots before hitting the green, he turned his tee shot on the par-3 today into an ace from about 130 yards. As quickly as the ball disappeared into the hole, those in attendance could hardly look.
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
Galvin Green, the premium hi-tech apparel brand, has scripted striking outfits for four of its leading Tour ambassadors taking part in The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool this week, including three players on the cusp of making Europe’s Ryder Cup team in September. They are led by Englishman Jordan Smith – fresh from a strong showing at the Genesis Scottish Open where he finished in a tie for 12 th. Two-time DP World Tour winner Jordan currently occupies 12 th place in the European Ryder Cup standings, followed by former Ryder Cup star Dane Thorbjørn Olesen in 15 th and Sweden’s Alexander Björk in 20 th spot. They will be joined by England’s Laurie Canter, one of the LIV Golf trailblazers. Here are the colourful, high-performance garments that the four are set to wear as they take on the challenging Hoylake links, in addition to the market-leading Galvin Green outerwear and mid-layers they might need.
The Open Championship 2023: The looks of Galvin Green
Jordan Smith will step on the first tee on Thursday wearing the bold MADDEN short-sleeve shirt featuring a free-flowing wave print in the Navy/White colourway along with the matching NOAH trousers in Navy. Smith’s full-line up of performance-driven designs include: The MAXIMUS shirt inspired by a still, calm ocean in Sharkskin and NOAH pants in Black; the tri-tone MO shirt offering a contemporary look in the Cool Grey/White/Navy colourway and navy NOAH trousers; MADDEN shirt in the refreshing Cool Grey/White colourway with matching NOAH trousers in Sharkskin.
(Photo: Galvin Green)
Thorbjørn Olesen, winner of the Thailand Classic earlier this year, will be looking to elevate his season with a strong showing at Royal Liverpool wearing the following outfits: The distinctive MARKOS shirt in a gleaming water-themed print to deliver a supremely eye-catching look paired with the NOAH trousers in the Ensign Blue/Navy and Navy colourways respectively; MADDEN design in the bright Blue/White option and NOAH in White; the MAXIMUS in Sharkskin and NOAH pants in Black; plus the MO shirt in the vibrant Cool Grey/White/Sunny Lime colour and NOAH in Sharkskin.
(Photo: Galvin Green)
Alexander Björk, who has played in Galvin Green apparel since turning Professional in 2009, will sport a selection of athletic looks that include: The MARKOS shirt in a mesmerising Navy/Orange colourway paired with the NOAH trousers in Navy for a super stylish appearance; vivid MO shirt in Black/White/Sharkskin and black NOAH trousers; distinctively bright MANOLO shirt in a fun print of small lighthouses and tee pegs, along with the NOAH trousers in Sharkskin; plus the MADDEN style in a super vibrant Orange/White colour complemented by the contrasting NOAH trousers in Navy.
(Photo: Galvin Green)
Laurie Canter, who successfully booked his place at the 151 st Open through winning the Final Qualifying event at Royal Porthcawl in challenging conditions, will wear the following outfits: The MARKOS shirt in Blue/Navy and matching NOAH pants in Navy; MALCOLM shirt in a stylish Black/Sharkskin/Red colour combination that is inspired by the natural beauty of coastal golfing venues and NIXON trousers in Black; trendy MICO shirt designed to project a bird’s eye view of the ocean from above and NIXON pants in Sharkskin; as well as the MADDEN in Navy/White and matching NOAH trousers in Navy.
(Photo: Galvin Green)
“We’ve assembled these top-quality outfits to ensure our Tour Ambassadors look the part and perform at their best on the biggest stage,” said Conor Petters, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland. “Wearing our hi-tech clothes will hopefully give our players the edge to play at their peak and help secure a Ryder Cup spot further down the line in some cases,” he added. All VENTIL8 PLUS shirts and trousers provide excellent moisture transportation properties and breathability to keep the body dry, while offering UV 20+ protection in warmer temperatures. Easy to maintain, the garments also dry quickly and without the need to iron. To explore the Galvin Green looks that will be worn at Hoylake, visit www.galvingreen.com.
In addition to the famous Claret Jug, the winner of the 2023 British Open can also In addition to the famous Claret Jug, the winner of the British Open 2023 can also look forward to three million dollars in prize money. (Source: Getty)
The Champion Golfer of the Year will receive the highest amount in The Open’s history as it returns to the renowned Hoylake links for the 13th time.
The R&A announced that the total prize fund for The Open, played from 16-23 July 2023, will be USD16.5 million, an 18% increase on 2022.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “Our aim is to ensure The Open remains at the pinnacle of world golf and we have almost doubled the prize fund since 2016. While we are seeing substantial increases in prize money across the men’s professional game, we are fulfilling our wider obligation to the sport by elevating the AIG Women’s Open, strengthening pathways in the elite amateur game and encouraging more people around the world to play golf. We believe that getting this balance right is vital to the long-term future of the sport.”
Place
USD
1
$3,000,000
2
$1,708,000
3
$1,095,000
4
$851,000
5
$684,500
6
$593,000
7
$509,500
8
$429,700
9
$377,000
10
$340,500
11
$310,000
12
$274,700
13
$258,300
14
$241,800
15
$224,800
16
$206,600
17
$196,600
18
$187,500
19
$179,600
20
$171,100
21
$163,100
22
$155,000
23
$146,700
24
$138,500
25
$133,800
26
$128,000
27
$123,300
28
$119,100
29
$113,900
30
$108,000
31
$104,500
32
$99,200
33
$95,700
34
$93,000
35
$89,800
36
$86,200
37
$82,200
38
$78,000
39
$75,200
40
$72,800
41
$69,800
42
$66,400
43
$63,400
44
$59,800
45
$56,400
46
$53,400
47
$51,300
48
$49,300
49
$47,000
50
$45,900
51
$44,900
52
$44,100
53
$43,400
54
$42,800
55
$42,100
56
$41,500
57
$41,100
58
$40,800
59
$40,500
60
$40,200
61
$40,000
62
$39,800
63
$39,600
64
$39,400
65
$39,200
66
$38,900
67
$38,600
68
$38,300
69
$38,000
70
$37,800
Prize Money shall be allocated only to professional golfers.
If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. Prize money will decrease by USD125 per qualifying place above 70 to a minimum of USD36,550.
Non-qualifiers after two rounds: Leading 10 professional golfers and ties USD12,000; next 20 professional golfers and ties USD10,000; remainder of professional golfers and ties USD8,500.
Jin Young Ko has been ranked No. 1 in the world for 159 weeks of her career (Photo: getty)
Following her tie for 20th at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Jin Young Ko remains at No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings for the 159th week in her career. Ko has now outlasted Lorena Ochoa’s record of 158 weeks at Rolex Rankings No. 1, which Ochoa held consecutively from April 2007 to May 2010.
Ko has held the No. 1 position five different times since April 2019. With her sixth consecutive week since May 2023, she now sits on top of the record list ahead of notable names including Lydia Ko (125 weeks), Yani Tseng (109 weeks), Inbee Park (106 weeks) and Annika Sorenstam (61 weeks).
Player
Weeks at No. 1
Jin Young Ko
159 weeks
Lorena Ochoa
158 weeks
Lydia Ko
125 weeks
Yani Tseng
109 weeks
Inbee Park
106 weeks
Annika Sorenstam
61 weeks
Nelly Korda
35 weeks
Stacy Lewis
25 weeks
Jiyai Shin
25 weeks
Shanshan Feng
23 weeks
Ariya Jutanugarn
23 weeks
Sung Hyun Park
20 weeks
So Yeon Ryu
19 weeks
Ai Miyazato
11 weeks
Cristie Kerr
5 weeks
Atthaya Thitikul
2 weeks
Jin Young Ko only one of five Koreans at the top of the world rankings
At 27 years old, Ko has the most career weeks at Rolex Rankings No. 1 by a player from the Republic of Korea. She is one of five Korean players to hold the No. 1 position, alongside Inbee Park (106 weeks), Jiyai Shin (25 weeks), Sung Hyun Park (20 weeks) and So Yeon Ryu (19 weeks).
“It’s an honor people saying with Lorena and me in the same sentence. It makes me happy, but also it makes me humble,” said Ko, who has had Ochoa’s long-time caddie Dave Brooker on her bag for most of her time at Rolex Rankings No. 1. “It’s great to honor, to stand with Lorena.”
In 2023, Ko has claimed victories at the HSBC Women’s World Championship and the Cognizant Founders Cup. In addition, she has four top-15 finishes this year, most recently at the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open, and represented the Republic of Korea in this year’s Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown.
She currently ranks third in greens in regulation (75%), fifth in scoring average (69.34) and sixth in birdies (140) on the LPGA Tour for the 2023 season. In addition to being the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1, she also sits on top of the leaderboard in the Race to the CME Globe, an honor she previously won in 2020 and 2021.
Jin Young Ko’s achievements
A 15-time champion on the LPGA Tour, Ko has captured major titles at The Chevron Championship and Amundi Evian Championship in 2019. Just a year prior, she became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2018 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in her first event as an LPGA Tour member. Before her career on the LPGA Tour, she won 10 times on the KLPGA Tour and won the LPGA Tour’s 2017 LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship as a non-member.
Ko won Rolex Player of the Year in honors in 2019 and 2021 and was the 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year. In 2019, she won the Vare Trophy, which is given to the player with the season’s lowest scoring average. That same year, she also won the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which is given to the player with the season’s best overall performance in major championships.
Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jiménez will return to the Senior Open. (photo: Getty)
Langer, a two-time Masters Champion, will bid to capture The Senior Open Presented by Rolex for a fifth time next month, with two of his four victories having come at Royal Porthcawl.
Jiménez, a 21-time DP World Tour winner, is looking to win the Major for the second time in his career after clinching victory at St Andrews in 2018, where he finished one shot ahead of Langer.
Langer loves the Senior Open
Langer, a former World Number One with 42 DP World Tour wins to his name, made history at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2019 as he secured his fourth Senior Open title, overtaking Gary Player and Tom Watson who have both won the Championship three times.
His triumph four years ago was his 11th Senior Major Championship, the most of anyone in the history of the game, and he also set a new milestone as the oldest player to win a Senior Major at the age of 61.
The German picked up his second and third Senior Open titles at Royal Porthcawl in 2014 and 2017 respectively, and he is hoping to complete the hat-trick when he returns to the renowned Welsh links in July.
“I have such fond memories of Royal Porthcawl in 2014 and 2017 and I cannot wait to try and win the Senior Open for the fifth time and third time at this amazing venue,” he said.
“This Senior Open Presented by Rolex is one of the highlights of the year and I am really excited to return to the UK to play in July.
“Royal Porthcawl is one of the best golf courses in the world and one that will test every aspect of your game. I’m relishing the challenge and hopefully I can put on a show for the Welsh crowds again.”
Jimenéz back to where he made his Senior Open debut
Jiménez, a two-time Ryder Cup winner, has two Senior Major titles to his name following victories at the Regions Tradition and Senior Open in 2018, and the Spaniard is relishing the opportunity to add to his back catalogue when he tees it up for the ninth time in this prestigious event.
“Royal Porthcawl will always be special to me because I made my Senior Open debut there in 2014,” he said. “The feeling of winning the Championship in 2018 is something I will never forget and I am incredibly excited to have that opportunity again next month.
“I’ve got some great golfing memories in Wales, including my win at the Wales Open in 2005 and our Ryder Cup victory in 2010 and I’m hoping to make some more this year.”
The duo will join already-announced former Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Ian Woosnam as a star-studded field assembles in South Wales.
Royal Porthcawl is a third time Senior Open host
Royal Porthcawl was founded in 1891 as a nine-hole course before an agreement was made four years later to add another nine holes. In 1909, the club was bestowed the honour of using the prefix Royal – only the second club in Wales to be granted the privilege after Royal St David’s – before hosting its first significant championship in 1951 when The Amateur Championship took place.
This year will mark the third time the venue has hosted The Senior Open Presented by Rolex, with Langer winning in 2014 and 2017. His win in 2014 was by a Championship-record 13 strokes. Northern Ireland’s Clarke will defend his title in South Wales this year, having claimed his maiden Senior Major at Gleneagles in 2022.
Tickets for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex are on sale now, with prices starting at just £25 for adults for championship days. Season tickets, giving holders access to all four championship days plus the Wednesday practice day, are available for only £95. Click here to purchase yours.
