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Tiger Woods’ Iconic Flex: A Tale from The Open Championship 2024

Tiger Woods at the Open Championship 2024: The golf legend who once used a billboard as a credential to outsmart security.

During the The Open Championship 2024, the golf world is reminded of an amusing story from Woods’ illustrious career.

The Open Championship 2024 – All Scores

A Memorable Encounter at The Open Championship

During The Open Championship in the 2000s, when Tiger Woods was dominating the golf world, an interesting incident occurred. PGA Tour pro Michael Kim shared the anecdote on social media platform X about how Woods handled a forgotten credential. At the Major in the early 2000s, Woods forgot his access card and encountered a vigilant security guard at the lounge entrance.

The Open Championship 2024 Tee Times

A Legendary “Flex” to Remember

Responding with his characteristic composure and resourcefulness, ‘El Tigre’ noticed a prominent poster bearing his image nearby. He cleverly pointed to it and calmly stated to the guard, “That’s my credentials.” The guard had nothing more to say, and Woods continued on his way into the lounge.

Woods’ Return to The Open Championship 2024

Leading up to the The Open Championship 2024, there has been much speculation about Woods’ participation. Despite his advanced age and past injuries, he is determined to compete for the title at Royal Troon Golf Club once more. In a recent interview, he emphasized his readiness and unwavering will to measure himself against the world’s best once again.

The Open Championship 2024 – Live Blog
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The Open Championship 2024 – Rory McIlroy: “I Blanked Tiger Woods”

The Open Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy (Image: Getty)
The Open Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy (Image: Getty)

Before the start of The Open Championship 2024 Rory McIlroy spoke to the media about Tiger Woods, adapting to links golf and – obviously – the US Open.

The Open Championship 2024: Leaderboard

The Open Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy talks to the media

Q. Rory, how are preparations going this week, and how much are you looking forward to the challenge ahead?

RORY MCILROY: I feel like preparations have been going well. I feel like preparations probably started last week at the Renaissance.

Just getting myself familiar again with links conditions, links turf, green speeds. Obviously we play a majority of our golf in the States and green surfaces that are quite different to here. So just trying to get, I guess, reacclimated to that. Not that — obviously grew up playing a lot of links golf, but when you only come back to play once or twice a year, it just takes you a little time to adapt.

Yeah, it’s been going well. Got my first look at the golf course this morning early. It’s basically a tale of two nines on this course. You feel like you have to make your score on the way out and then sort of hang on coming in.

Looking forward to the week. The course is in great shape. Obviously we’ve got an amazing field, as these major championships produce now. It’s the only time four times a year that we get everyone back together. So looking forward to the week.

Q. We had Tiger in a little while ago, and he was mentioning after the dust settled for you after the U.S. Open, he shot you a text. Just kind of wondered what that meant to you to hear that from him.

RORY MCILROY: Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the U.S. Open, so I didn’t get it until he told me about it today. I was like, oh, thanks very much. So I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing.

Tiger has been nothing but incredible to me over the course of my career in the good moments and the bad. He sent me an incredible message after St Andrews in 2022.

I met Tiger when I was 15 years old, and I’ve built up a great relationship with him, his whole family. He really enjoys spending time with my mom and dad as well.

So, yeah, it means a lot. It means a lot that he reached out. Actually it means a lot that he waited a few days to reach out, which if he hadn’t have waited that long, I probably would have got it.

But I caught up with him earlier. It’s always nice when your hero and the guy that you had on your bedroom wall is reaching out and offering words of encouragement.

Q. On a quick follow, obviously you had last week under your belt to play, but where is your head space at a month or so removed from Pinehurst to where you sit now?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, it’s good. Game’s in really good shape. Had a nice reset after Pinehurst that was needed and felt like I shook off a little bit of the rust last week and played okay. Felt like I probably could have given myself more of a chance to win the tournament.

I thought it was a solid week. Again, it’s like one eye on preparing for this week, but another eye on trying to get into contention as well.

Overall I’ve been in the UK now for a couple of weeks, and it’s felt nice to get back over here and get back into the swing of things.

Q. Do you have to change your phone number a lot? Is that something you do a lot?

RORY MCILROY: I actually haven’t done it in a while. So I thought it was time, yeah.

Q. That was a totally separate thought. Tiger also was saying that you said you felt uncomfortable on 16 and 18. He said you feel that basically every time you’re trying to win a tournament. Were you surprised at that feeling, and how will you deal with it, I guess differently, moving forward than you did a couple weeks ago?

RORY MCILROY: No, not surprised. I think the last few holes of a major championship with a great chance to win, if you’re not feeling it, then it probably doesn’t mean as much to you as it should.

No, it wasn’t a surprise. It was just more a disappointment that I didn’t handle those uneasy feelings as good as I could have. I alluded to this. I was probably more aware than I should have been of what was happening behind me and sort of got out of my own little head space a little too much. That was a big part of the reason why I didn’t close it out coming down the stretch.

“I don’t like to tinker too much with the putter”

Q. You mentioned a couple things in your introductory comments. Slow greens, is there anything you do mechanically that you change or with your club? Then also, the forecast is for the wind actually to be the complete opposite the first couple days, from the south. Do you have memories of how this golf course, have you played it that way, or have you thought about that yet about Royal Troon?

RORY MCILROY: Definitely was cognizant of that today in the practice round. It was very, very calm starting off, but I would say, once we reached probably like the 7th hole, it started to blow like north-northwest, like straight down on the front side, and then it was really straight back in coming in. Maybe a little tiny bit off the left, if anything.

The forecast looks like it’s going to be basically straight off the right going out and straight off the left coming in, so quite a few more crosswinds, which presents its own challenges in a way.

Yeah, I think we’re all — you know, you would like to play the golf course in the conditions you’re going to play in the tournament, but sometimes Mother Nature just doesn’t let that happen. But it won’t be too dissimilar to what it was in 2016, sort of down off the right usually on the way out and off the left coming in. Maybe just a few more crosswinds than there usually is.

Then the slower greens, I don’t like to tinker too much with the putter. Fax was out there walking with me this morning, and so was Luke Donald. I asked Luke — I really try to focus on the strike more than anything else here and put a good roll on it because any putt here that’s misstruck just doesn’t get to the hole.

So I sort of picked Luke’s brain a little bit, and he always said he liked to focus on the tempo of his stroke and really, if anything, make it a little shorter and a little brisker on greens like this. So that’s something that — you know, the strike and maybe just think a little bit more about the tempo of the stroke, two good things this week.

Q. Rory, you mentioned earlier that you grew up playing links golf. Was it harder to adjust to the style that’s played more around the world, or is it harder to go back the other way?

RORY MCILROY: For me personally, it’s probably a little harder to go back the other way because my natural game is to hit it in the air and to play more of a game that’s suited to big American sort of parkland golf courses.

But I’ve gotten much better over the years to adapting and hitting the shots that are required on links courses in blustery conditions, and I’ve sort of prided myself on that. My record in the Open Championship over the last few years has been very, very good.

Yeah, it still takes a little while when you play 11 months of your golf every year in very different conditions. That’s why I thought it was so important for me to get back and play the Scottish Open last week, just to refamiliarize myself with the turf, the types of shots needed around the greens, and even the wind. You feel like in warmer conditions in America, like a wind that’s a similar strength doesn’t affect the ball as much as it just feels like a real heavy wind here, especially when you play at seaside links.

So just getting refamiliarized with all that I think is important.

Q.They say there are five stages of grief, and going back to Pinehurst, when did you think — you added another one, the sixth stage, which is changing your phone number.

RORY MCILROY: It wasn’t out of grief, but okay. (Laughter).

Q. When do you think that you finally came to the acceptance stage, and how was that process?

RORY MCILROY: I would say maybe like three or four days after, went from being very disappointed and dejected to trying to focus on the positives to then wanting to learn from the negatives and then getting to the point where you become enthusiastic and motivated to go again.

So it probably took three, four, five days. It’s funny how your mindset can go from I don’t want to see a golf course for a month to like four days later being can’t wait to get another shot at it. When that disappointment turns to motivation, that’s when it’s time to go again. But, yeah, three, four days.

Q. You mentioned earlier that you met Tiger for the first time when you were 15. Do you ever sort of sit home and think like how surreal it is that that 15-year-old lad has now become fairly close mates with Tiger Woods? And like it was said earlier, like a global superstar?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I get reminded of it or I remind myself of it every day. I always say this, and it sounds cliche, but I don’t take it for granted that I can wake up every day and try to live out my childhood dream. And one of my childhood dreams was to meet Tiger Woods, but not only that, to compete against him and to befriend him and become close to him.

Yeah, not in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d end up in the position that I’m in, but I’m very grateful for it. I still have to remind myself a lot that this is my life.

Q. They said at the Scottish that you went to Manhattan for a few days, and you were talking about walking the high line a little bit with your AirPods in. What’s a day of meditative thinking like, and what does it do for you?

RORY MCILROY: It’s liberating in some way. The thing is just to get out, to not be on a screen, to look around, to — I think trying to find the joy from the small things in life I think is really important.

Going there especially is a good reset, just in terms of seeing everyone living their lives and the hustle and the bustle. Honestly, no one gave a shit if I missed the putt at Pinehurst. It’s a nice perspective to keep.

Yeah, just to go and get lost in a big city like that and just be one of the herd sort of going about your day, it’s — for me anyway, it’s a nice feeling.

Q. You’ve hit this shot off the tee a few times this season, this ultra low drive, like apex is at 30 feet, 35 feet. Just wonder if that’s a skill you’ve always had, if you’ve had to develop it over the years, how you practice it. Where does that shot come from?

RORY MCILROY: It’s definitely something I’ve developed over the years, and honestly it’s only a shot I’ve been able to hit since I’ve become a little stronger.

Really it’s about trying to keep my right side high on the way into the golf ball. I’ve talked about my sort of low tee and high tee. I tee it down low, which helps me keep on top of it and keep that right side high. If I tee it up a little higher, I can get some right side bend going.

When you time it well, it can be awesome. When you don’t time it so well, it can create some issues. It’s a really nice go-to shot for me if I don’t feel 100 percent comfortable on a tee shot or if a tee shot doesn’t fit my eye, to be able to tee it low and hit that shot.

12 at Pinehurst was an example. It’s a wide fairway, but I got up there, and I just didn’t see anything. So to just get the ball on the deck and get it running, especially on fairways like that, conditions like this, it’s something that — it’s a shot that I’ve went to more and more over the last couple of years since I’ve been able to practice it and develop it. It’s been a nice go-to when I’m struggling to see a certain shot. Just tee it low and sort of squeeze one out there, and it still gets out there quite a long way, which is nice.

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Tiger Woods on the Ryder Cup “I Wouldn’t Be Doing the Captaincy Justice”

Tiger Woods at The Open Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at The Open Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Tiger Woods is in high demand. Not only from fans and journalists, who will be following his every move at The Open Championship 2024, but also in official capacities. So much in demand, in fact, that he has now had to issue a clear cancellation on one point: the Ryder Cup.

Tiger Woods: ‘You only have so many hours in the day’

The decision was very difficult for me to make,’ said Woods at his press conference during The Open Championship. The PGA of America had been waiting a long time to see whether the 15-time major winner would lead the American team in New York after all. But the 48-year-old simply doesn’t have the time.

‘My time has been so loaded with the Tour and everything and what we’re trying to accomplish,’ he explained. ‘I’m on so many different subcommittees that it just takes so much time in the day, and I’m always on calls.’

‘I just didn’t feel like I could do the job properly. I couldn’t devote the time. I barely had enough time to do what I’m doing right now, and add in the TGL starts next year, as well as the Ryder Cup. You add all that together and then with our negotiations with the PIF, all that concurrently going on at exactly the same time, there’s only so many hours in the day.’

‘I just didn’t feel like I would be doing the captaincy or the players in Team USA justice if I was the captain with everything that I have to do.’

The Open Championship 2024 – Live Blog

‘That way I can give back to the game in a different way’

A large part of his time is taken up by work for the tour and negotiations with the PIF. Woods never imagined that he would be so involved in the administrative side of things. ‘It’s enjoyable in the sense that I’m able to help the Tour and I’m able to help the next generation of players. Now the players that are coming up now, they have equity in the Tour, and that’s never been done in any major sport in history. It’s a way of me giving back to the game in a different way other than just playing.’ Even if he sometimes wishes he was out on the golf course rather than sitting in a three-hour sub-committee meeting.

The effort seems to be paying off, because he is also happy with the direction in which the negotiations are developing, says Woods. ‘I can tell you that we are making progress,’ he continues, even if he cannot go into details. ‘It’s evolving each and every day. There’s e-mails and chains and texts and ideas that we bounce back and forth from both sides. There’s a good interchange of ideas and thoughts of how the game could look like going forward. It’s just a matter of putting that all together legally. Obviously we have the DOJ with oversight looking into that as well and making sure that we don’t do anything improperly there, as well, but also making sure that all the players benefit from this as well as everyone who’s involved. They want to make money as well. They want to make that return.’

‘We’re now into not just charitable endeavors, we’re into a for-profit model. So we have to make returns.’

‘I will play as long as I feel I can still win the tournament’

And in addition to PIF, PGA and TGL, there is of course Tiger’s own golf game. Because Woods is not yet ready to end the practical part of his career. Only recently, Colin Montgomery called on him to hang up his golf clubs. ‘He didn’t seem to enjoy a single shot at Pinehurst and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing there?’ He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either,’ predicted the 31-time DP World Tour winner, who has a very special connection to Troon, in an interview with the Times of London. ‘There’s a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go,’ he said. ‘Obviously he still believes he can win. We are more realistic.’

Woods confirms the assumption: ‘I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel I can still win the tournament,’ but also has a very specific answer to Montgomery: ’Well, as a former champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not. He’s not a former champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t have the ability to make that decision. I do.’ Woods will end his career on his own terms and won’t let Colin Montgomery, a broken back or a car accident dictate the end.

The Open Championship 2024 Tee Times
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The Open Championship 2024: Tee Times for Tiger Woods and Co.

Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas 152nd The Open Championship Tee Times. (Image: Getty)
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas 152nd The Open Championship Tee Times. (Image: Getty)
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The Open 2024: Harman, McIlroy and Co. – Who Wins the Title?

Contenders for the Win at the British Open 2024: Brian Harman (l.) and Rory McIlroy (r.). (Image: Getty)
Contenders for the Win at the British Open 2024: Brian Harman (l.) and Rory McIlroy (r.). (Image: Getty)

Surely not the last highlight, but certainly the last major of this year is coming up this week. From July 18th to 21st, The Open Championship 2024 will be held at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. After The Open was last held there in 2016, the major returns this year. Back then, the winner was Henrik Stenson, who is part of the field again this year. However, the Swede is considered at most an outsider for the overall win. At the same time, the question arises as to who has the best chances for the major title. We take a look at the defending champion, in-form players, and stars who are always good for a win.

Defending Champion at the 2024 Open Championship: Brian Harman

Brian Harman travels to Scotland as the defending champion of The Open. When the major was held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club last year, the American won the major convincingly by six strokes over the runner-ups. Harman especially impressed in the first two rounds, building a significant lead early in the tournament. However, he has not won a tournament this year. His best finish was a tied second place at the Players Championship in March. Subsequently, Harman did not perform well in the three major tournaments and only managed one more top-10 finish in the other PGA Tour events. Considering the form of the defending champion, a victory would be rather surprising.

Recent Winner at the US Open: Bryson DeChambeau

The situation looks somewhat different for Bryson DeChambeau. Although his performances in the LIV Golf League could be better, it’s clear that the American is definitely a contender for major titles. He contended for the title at all three majors this year, narrowly missing the win at the PGA Championship 2024 with a tied second place and ultimately winning the US Open 2024. It is expected that DeChambeau will again be in contention for the overall victory at the Open Championship 2024.

World Number 1 Returns: Scottie Scheffler

The world number 1 has already recorded six wins this year. After winning both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship, Scottie Scheffler claimed the first major of the year by winning the Masters 2024. While he achieved three more victories on the tour, his performance in majors slightly declined. Most recently, he placed a disappointing tied 41st at the US Open 2024. After winning the Travelers Championship in a playoff the following week, the 28-year-old took a break, partly to spend time with his newborn. It will be exciting to see how Scheffler returns at The Open 2024.

Long Overdue: When Will Rory McIlroy Win Another Major?

It seems like only a matter of time before Rory McIlroy wins another major tournament. However, such predictions have been made for quite some time now. McIlroy last won one of the four big tournaments in 2014, when he claimed both The Open and the PGA Championship in the same year. Since then, the Northern Irishman has experienced a drought, coming very close to a fifth major victory multiple times. He has narrowly missed the title as a runner-up four times. His performances in recent years and his current form are promising. All he needs is a major tournament win.

The Third Major Winner in the Mix: Xander Schauffele

With Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau already mentioned, the third major winner of this year comes into focus. Xander Schauffele won his first major tournament at the PGA Championship 2024, narrowly beating Bryson DeChambeau, who finished second. Although it was a debut win for the American at a major event, his success had been foreshadowed. Schauffele has had a good season with 11 top-10 finishes in the 16 tournaments he participated in this year. Thus, Schauffele is also among the close favorites for the Open Championship 2024.

Dark Horse for The Open 2024? Robert MacIntyre

The next name might be unfamiliar to some, especially when discussing potential title contenders. However, Robert MacIntyre has proven with his good form in recent weeks that he can be considered a contender. The Scot has already secured two victories on the PGA Tour this year, and he achieved a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship. Admittedly, a win would be more surprising than for the previously mentioned candidates, but perhaps MacIntyre feels particularly comfortable on home turf.

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Watch: PGA Tour Highlights from Round 3 of the ISCO Championship

NICHOLASVILLE, KENTUCKY - JULY 12: Pierceson Coody of the United States reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the second round of the Kentucky Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club on July 12, 2024 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The ISCO Championship, part of the PGA Tour, is currently being held at the Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course) in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA. The tournament features a total prize money of $4,000,000. The focus today is on the highlights of Round 4, showcasing the performance of the leading players and notable rounds.

As of the end of Round 4, Pierceson Coody from the USA holds the top position on the leaderboard with a total score of -20. Tied for second place are Harry Hall from England and Rico Hoey from the USA, both with a total score of -19. Sam Bairstow from England, Neal Shipley from the USA, and Johannes Veerman, also from the USA, are tied for the fourth position with total scores of -18 each.

Today’s best rounds were recorded by Sam Bairstow, who had a daily score of -10, Harry Hall with a daily score of -8, and Kevin Chappell from the USA, who achieved a daily score of -7. These scores have significantly impacted their standings on the leaderboard.

For those interested in viewing the action, a highlights video of Round 4 is available, showcasing key moments and performances from the players.

In summary, the ISCO Championship has concluded with Pierceson Coody leading the field. The tournament, part of the PGA Tour, took place at the Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky, featuring notable performances in the final round. The highlights video offers a comprehensive view of the standout moments from today.

show ISCO Championship Leaderboard

ISCO Championship: The PGA Tour round 3 highlights

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the largest American professional golf tour. There are 36 tournaments on the tour’s schedule this season. The tournaments mainly take place in the USA, but there are also some international venues over the course of the season. The signature events introduced in 2023 offer higher prize money and a smaller field of participants. There will be a total of eight of these events in the 2024 season. The four Majors and the Players Championship are also part of the PGA Tour. At the end of the tours season, the 70 best players in the FedEx Cup season rankings will play in a three-tournament play-off for overall tour victory and an extra 18 million dollars in prize money.

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McIlroy and Fleetwood: The Field of Participants for the Open Championship 2024

The field of participants promises an exciting competition. (Photo: Getty)
The field of participants promises an exciting competition. (Photo: Getty)

The Open Championship 2024 is the last major tournament of the year. Around 150 players will once again have the opportunity to secure one of golf’s most coveted titles. The Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland will host the only major to be held in Europe. To prepare for the course and weather conditions, many players are already taking part in the Genesis Scottish Open.

Below are all the players who will be taking part in the Open Championship 2024. It also shows which regulations they have used to qualify for the tournament. The qualification options are summarized at the end of the article.

Open Championship 2024: All starters

Ancer, Abraham – Final Qualifying

Aberg, Ludvig – 5

An, Byeong Hun – 5

Andersen, Mason – 15

Bezuidenhout, Christiaan – 14

Bhatia, Akshay – 5

Bjork, Alexander – 6

Boriboonsub, Denwit – OQS Malaysia

Bradbury, Dan – OQS South Africa

Bradley, Keegan – 5, 13

Brown, Daniel – Final Qualifying

Burmester, Dean – OQS South Africa

Burns, Sam – 5, 13

Campillo, Jorge – 6

Canter, Laurie – 8

Cantlay, Patrick – 5, 13

Catlin, John – OQS Malaysia

Cejka, Alex – 18

Cink, Stewart – 1

Clark, Wyndham – 5, 9, 13

Clarke, Darren – 1

Clemons, Dominic – Final Qualifying

Cole, Eric – 5

Conners, Corey – 5, 13

Crocker, Sean – OQS Italy

Curtis, Ben – 1

Daly, John – 1

Day, Jason – 4, 5, 13

Dean, Joe – OQS Netherlands

DeChambeau, Bryson – 5, 9

De La Fuente, Santiago – 24

Dodd-Berry, Matthew – Final Qualifying

Duval, David – 1

Eckroat, Austin – 5

Els, Ernie – 1

Elvira, Nacho – 8

English, Harris – 5

Ferguson, Ewen – 8

Fichardt, Darren – OQS South Africa

Finau, Tony – 5, 13

Fitzpatrick, Matt – 5, 6, 9, 13

Fleetwood, Tommy – 4, 5, 6, 13

Fowler, Rickie – 5, 13

Fox, Ryan – 6, 7

Glover, Lucas – 5, 13

Griffin, Ben – OQS Canada

Grillo, Emiliano – 4, 13

Hadwin, Adam – OQS Memorial

Hamilton, Todd – 1

Harman, Brian – 1, 3, 4, 5, 13

Harrington, Padraig – 1

Hatton, Tyrrell – 5, 6, 13

Hendry, Michael – 27

Henley, Russell – 5, 13

Hidalgo, Angel – Final Qualifying

Hillier, Daniel – 6

Hisatsune, Ryo – 6

Hoge, Tom – 14

Hojgaard, Nicolai – 5, 6

Hojgaard, Rasmus – 6

Homa, Max – 4, 5, 13

Horschel, Billy – 7

Horsfield, Sam – Final Qualifying

Hoshino, Rikuya – OQS Australia

Hovland, Viktor – 5, 6, 13

Hughes, Mackenzie – OQS Canada

Hutsby, Sam – Final Qualifying

Im, Sungjae – 5, 13

Iwasaki, Aguri – 17

Jaeger, Stephan – 5

Johnson, Dustin – 10

Johnson, Zach – 1, 3

Jordan, Matthew – 4

Katsuragawa, Yuto – OQS Japan

Kawamura, Masahiro – Final Qualifying

Kim, Minkyu – OQS Korea

Kim, Si Woo – 5, 13

Kim, Tom – 4, 5, 6, 13

Kinoshita, Ryosuke – OQS Japan

Kirk, Chris – 5

Kitayama, Kurt – 5

Kobori, Kazuma – 16

Koepka, Brooks – 5, 11

Koh, Guntaek – OQS Japan

Langasque, Romain – 6

Lawrence, Thriston – 6

Lawrie, Paul – 1

Lee, Min Woo – 5, 6

Leonard, Justin – 1

Lindh, Charlie – Final Qualifying

Lowry, Shane – 1, 3, 5, 7

Luiten, Joost – 6

MacIntyre, Robert – 6

Manassero, Matteo – 8

Masaveu, Luis – Final Qualifying

Matsuyama, Hideki – 5, 10

McCarthy, Denny – 5

McDonald, Jack – Final Qualifying

McKibbin, Tom – OQS Italy

McIlroy, Rory – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13

McNealy, Maverick – OQS Canada

Meronk, Adrian – 6

Mickelson, Phil – 1, 3, 11

Migliozzi, Guido – OQS Netherlands

Molinari, Francesco – 1, 3

Montojo, Jaime – Final Qualifying

Moore, Taylor – 13

Morikawa, Collin – 1, 3, 5, 11, 13

Morrison, Tommy – 21

Nakajima, Keita – 16

Niemann, Joaquin – OQS Australia

Nolan, Liam – Final Qualifying

Norrman, Vincent – 6

Ogletree, Andy – 16

Olesen, Thorbjorn – 6

Olesen, Jacob Skov – 19

Oosthuizen, Louis – 1

Pan, CT – OQS John Deere

Paul, Yannik – 6

Pavon, Mathieu – 5, 6

Perez, Victor – 6

Poston, JT – 5

Puig, David – 16

Rahm, Jon – 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13

Rose, Justin – Final Qualifying

Sargent, Gordon – 22

Schauffele, Xander – 5, 11, 13

Scheffler, Scottie – 5, 10, 12, 13

Schenk, Adam – 5, 13

Scott, Adam – OQS Australia

Scott, Calum – 25

Sharma, Shubhankar – 4

Siem, Marcel – 6

Smith, Cameron – 1, 3, 12

Smith, Jordan – 6

Smylie, Elvis – Final Qualifying

Soderberg, Sebastian – 6

Song, Younghan – OQS Korea

Southgate, Matthew – Final Qualifying

Spieth, Jordan – 1, 3, 5, 13

Stenson, Henrik – 1, 3

Straka, Sepp – 4, 5, 13

Stubbs, Jasper – 23

Svensson, Jesper – 8

Taylor, Nick – 5, 13

Theegala, Sahith – 5

Thomas, Justin – 5, 11

Thompson, Davis – OQS John Deere

Todd, Brendon – OQS Arnold Palmer Invitational

Valimaki, Sami – 6

Van der Merwe, Altin – 26

Van Velzen, Ryan – 16

Wallace, Matt – 6

Wang, Jeunghun – OQS Malaysia

Woodland, Gary – 9

Woods, Tiger – 1, 10

Young, Cameron – 4, 5

Zalatoris, Will – OQS USA – Arnold Palmer Invitational

Exemption Categories of the tournament

1. The Open Champions aged 60 or under on 21 July 2024 (for all Champions up to 2024)

2. The Open Champions aged 55 or under on 21 July 2024 (for all Champions from 2024)

3. The Open Champions for 2013-2023

4. First 10 anyone tying for 10th place in The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023

5. The first 50 players on the OWGR for Week 21, 2024

6. First 30 in the Final Race to Dubai Rankings for 2023

7. The BMW PGA Championship winners for 2021-2023

8. First 5 DP World Tour members and any Race to Dubai members tying for 5th place, not otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the Race to Dubai Rankings on completion of the 2024 BMW International

9. The US Open Champions for 2019-2024

10. The Masters Tournament Champions for 2019-2024

11. The PGA Champions for 2018-2024

12. The PLAYERS Champions for 2022-2024

13. Top 30 players for the Final 2023 FedEx Cup

14. First 5 PGA TOUR members and any PGA TOUR members tying for 5th place, not exempt in the top 20 of the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup for 2024 on completion of the 2024 Travelers Championship

15. The 117th VISA Open de Argentina 2024 Champion

16. The first 5 players on the 2024 Federations Ranking List as of closing date

17. The Japan Open Champion for 2023

18. The Senior Open Champion for 2023

19. The Amateur Champion for 2024

20. The US Amateur Champion for 2023

21. The European Amateur Champion for 2024

22. The Mark H McCormack Medal (Men’s WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING) winner for 2023

23. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion 2023

24. The Latin America Amateur Champion 2024

25. The Open Amateur Series winner 2024

26. The Africa Amateur Champion 2024

27. Medical Exemption

Exemptions 19-26 can only be taken up by players retaining their amateur status.

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Panorama

The 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome Generated Record €262 Million in Economic Activity

Over 270,000 people attended the event in Rome. (Photo: Getty)
Over 270,000 people attended the event in Rome. (Photo: Getty)

The 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome boosted economic activity in Italy by €262million, according to an independent report.

The figure, a record for a Ryder Cup held in Europe, is an 11% increase on the €235million generated in 2018 when the biennial contest was held at Le Golf National in Paris, France.

Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) took into account spending by all spectators and other event attendees, plus all organisational spending, including by Federazione Italiana Golf (FIG) on the course and infrastructure upgrades, as well as other indirect or induced spending.

More than 271,000 people from 100 different countries attended last year’s contest at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, where Europe, led by Captain Luke Donald, reclaimed the Ryder Cup with a 16½ -11½ victory against the United States. It was the first-time the Ryder Cup had been held in Italy, which became only the third country in continental Europe to host the biennial contest, following Spain in 1997 and France in 2018.

2023 Ryder Cup: Key Findings

  • Spectators staying in paid accommodation in Rome during Ryder Cup week generated in excess of 318,000 commercial bed-nights, which was worth €34million in revenue for the local accommodation sector.
  • There was €72million in non-accommodation related expenditure by spectators.
  • Around 19% of event-specific visitors to Rome decided to extend their visit prior to or following the event.
  • Almost two-thirds of international spectators who visited for the event expressed a desire to return to Italy for leisure purposes in the next year, fuelled by their Ryder Cup experience.

The report concluded that: “Ultimately, an event responsible for €262million of economic activity in Italy is testament to the time and resources committed to delivering such a memorable sporting spectacle. These findings vindicate the decision to award the Ryder Cup to Rome.”

Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the European Tour Group, said: “The figures highlighted in this independent economic impact report demonstrate the major benefits that Ryder Cup delivers for a host country through spectator and visitor spending, as well as an enduring legacy.

“From a sporting and fan engagement perspective, Rome 2023 has already gone down as one of the greatest Ryder Cup’s in history. We can now confidently conclude that the 2023 contest at Marco Simone also generated record financial rewards, providing a significant direct boost to the economy in Rome and in Italy.

“We would therefore like to thank the Italian Government and the Federazione Italiana Golf for their bold vision in helping to bring one of global sports leading events to Italy for the first time.

“I’d also like to recognise two magnificent teams: Team Europe led by Luke Donald, who performed so wonderfully inside the ropes, and everyone at Ryder Cup Europe, who worked so tirelessly on all facets outside the ropes to deliver the greatest Ryder Cup played in Europe.”

The team from Sheffield Hallam University utilised the same eventIMPACTS.com compliant approach as used previously in Scotland (2014) and France (2018) to estimate the direct economic impact of the 2023 match at three levels of geography – Rome, Lazio and Italy – as well as the wider economic activity supported by the event.

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held in the United States of America at Bethpage Black in New York, with Adare Manor Resort, in Ireland, hosting the next edition in Europe in 2027 when the Ryder Cup celebrates its centenary.

(Text: European Tour Group)

Categories
Highlights Tours

Olympics 2024: Why Is Rory McIlroy Competing for Ireland?

Rory McIlroy will compete for Ireland again at the 2024 Olympics. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy will compete for Ireland again at the 2024 Olympics. (Source: Getty)

As in Tokyo 2020, Rory McIlroy has once again decided to compete for Ireland at the Olympic Games. McIlroy comes from Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and should therefore actually be competing for Great Britain. However, there is an exemption for athletes from Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy chooses Ireland for the 2024 Olympics

Northern Ireland has a unique position in international sport. Olympic athletes from Northern Ireland have the opportunity to compete for either the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain and Northern Ireland (effectively the United Kingdom). This choice reflects the complex and divided history of the region. “Team GB” is the name under which athletes from Great Britain compete at the Olympics, a name that does not directly include Northern Ireland. There have been calls in the past to rename the team ‘Team UK’ to reflect this inclusion.

McIlroy, who always played under the Irish flag in his youth, chose Ireland despite saying he felt more British. “I made it more difficult for myself than it needed to be,” McIlroy explained. “My thoughts were more about what other people would think. Once I put that behind me and just did what was right for me, the decision became easy. It was an internal battle with all those thoughts.” He continued, “Once I gave up trying not to upset anyone, the decision was pretty easy. I’m going to play golf for the country or nation I’ve always played for, from my junior and amateur days through to the professional game. Although the Olympics give me that choice, there really wasn’t a choice because I’ve played golf for Ireland all my life. Why should that change just because the tournament changes? That was my decision.”

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Highlights Tours

The Amundi Evian Championship: Celebrating 30 Years of Golf’s Only Major To Be Staged In Continental Europe

The Amundi Evian Championship is held at the Evian Resort Golf Club. (Photo: ROLEX MEDIA CONTENT)
The Amundi Evian Championship is held at the Evian Resort Golf Club. (Photo: ROLEX MEDIA CONTENT)

Golf’s only Major to be staged in continental Europe, The Amundi Evian Championship is a reference point in the women’s game. First played in 1994, it was elevated to become the fifth women’s Major championship in 2013. Over the years, the tournament has developed its own history, balancing tradition with innovation while maintaining an unwavering respect for the spirit of the game. Rolex has been a Main Partner and Official Timekeeper at this tournament since 2000 as part of its broad and enduring commitment to women’s golf that dates back to 1980 when the Swiss watchmaker became a partner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Celebrating 30 Years of The Amundi Evian Championship

The Amundi Evian Championship is held annually in July on The Champions Course at the Evian Resort Golf Club, nestled between the shores of Lake Geneva and the foot of the Alps. This year’s edition, from 11–14 July, marks the 30th anniversary of the inaugural tournament.

Each year, the tournament gathers the world’s elite from the Rolex Rankings to contest the season’s penultimate Major. Its honour roll of past champions includes Rolex Testimonee Annika Sörenstam (2000, 2002), one of the greatest golfers in the history of the women’s game and who set a benchmark of excellence to which the modern generation can aspire, along with fellow Swede Anna Nordqvist (2017).

Anna Nordqvist at The Amundi Evian Championship. (Photo: ROLEX MEDIA CONTENT)

Reflecting on her victory, which came in a thrilling playoff, Anna Nordqvist said: “Being European and winning a Major championship on European soil was very special. I would say that with all the history associated with The Amundi Evian Championship, the stunning views, amazing atmosphere, how well it is run and it being a tournament that I used to watch every summer growing up, it was an unforgettable moment. To have my name etched on the trophy is so special.“

Other members of the Rolex family to triumph at this visually stunning venue include Suzann Pettersen of Norway (2013), New Zealand’s Lydia Ko (2015) and Brooke Henderson of Canada (2022). In capturing her second Major title at The Amundi Evian Championship in 2022, Henderson became the first LPGA player to begin any Major with successive rounds of 64. She also became the first Canadian golfer, man or woman, to win more than one Major title.

Brooke Henderson at The Amundi Evian Championship. (Photo: ROLEX MEDIA CONTENT)

Commenting on the unique challenge of contesting the Major championships, Brooke Henderson said: “It is truly exciting to be able to compete in the Major championships and go up against the best female players in the world, and on such incredible and differing venues. During those weeks, you have to be at your best mentally, physically and even emotionally. You really do have to be in the right place on all fronts. There is always pressure when competing at Major championships as your career is ultimately defined by your performances and finishes during these tournaments. The challenge of playing impeccably, and to the best of your ability, is what makes those weeks so exciting.“

Steeped in history dating back to 1904, The Champions Course offers an unrivalled golfing experience. In 2013, it underwent significant renovation. The redesign work, undertaken by European Golf Design, has resulted in the course becoming even more befitting of a Major championship venue, adding more drama and spectator viewing areas.

Since 2019, The Prize for a Better Tomorrow presented by Rolex has been awarded at The Amundi Evian Championship. The international prize celebrates initiatives that have significant societal impact and promote qualities shared by this women’s Major championship and the Swiss watchmaker, namely excellence, generosity, continuity and inspiration. The prize shines a light on the commitment of individuals and organizations who champion a charitable cause and implement actions that improve and reinvent people’s lives.

The inaugural recipient of the prize was former World No. 1 and Rolex Testimonee Lorena Ochoa for the creation of her Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation. The prize was awarded by fellow Testimonee Lindsey Vonn, one of the most successful women’s skiers, and rewarded the Mexican golfer for her involvement in the education of underprivileged children in her native country. Shortly after turning professional in 2002, Ochoa pledged to provide financial support to a Mexican school for underprivileged children near Guadalajara. She then became involved in creating her own foundation with a mission to provide opportunities for children and adults via family-based health, education and inclusion programmes delivered through family golf activities.

Rolex has been a committed partner of women’s golf for more than 40 years as part of one of the most successful relationships between a brand and sport. This enduring partnership contributes to the game’s development around the world. The Swiss watchmaker is part of the very fabric of golf and supports the game at all levels, including elite players and legends of the game, Major championships – including all five women’s Majors – the foremost professional tours and the world’s leading team competitions, among them the women’s Solheim Cup. The brand’s support also extends to amateur tournaments, international federations and organizations representing golfers of all ages.

Rolex’s association with the game is built on a strong sense of integrity and respect for tradition that promote the continuity of expertise and transfer of knowledge, and an appreciation of the importance to invest in the sport’s development for future generations.

Text by ROLEX MEDIA CONTENT