Tag: live-highlight-tours
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A record breaking week in Rome 📊 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/hCa6g25D7E
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) July 9, 2024
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)
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.”
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).
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.
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
The John Deere Classic, part of the PGA Tour, is currently being contested in its fourth and final round at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. The tournament features a prize pool of 8 million US dollars.
Leading the pack is Davis Thompson from the USA, holding the first position with a total score of -28. Three players are tied for second place, each with a total score of -24: Michael Thorbjornsen and Luke Clanton, both from the USA, and Cheng Tsung Pan from Taiwan. Ben Griffin and Carson Young, also from the USA, share the fifth spot with a total score of -23.
On this day, the best rounds were played by Ben Griffin, who recorded a daily score of -9, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Luke Clanton, each with a daily score of -8. These stellar performances have significantly impacted the leaderboard heading into the final holes of the tournament.
For those interested in the key moments, a video compilation of the John Deere Classic highlights from this day is available, capturing the pivotal shots and crucial plays that defined the round. This coverage presents a detailed look at the PGA Tour highlights, focusing on the exciting developments and performances that have taken center stage.
As the final holes approach, the leaderboard remains dynamic, with several players showcasing exceptional skill under competitive pressure. The John Deere Classic continues to be a focal point in the PGA Tour calendar, drawing attention from golf enthusiasts and sports media alike.
John Deere Classic: The PGA Tour round 4 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.
After the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC) refused to allow three qualified athletes to take part in the Paris Games, DP World Tour pro Joost Luiten successfully appealed against his exclusion. The 38-year-old announced this on Instagram on Wednesday. Golf Post spoke to Luiten about the events after his first round at the BMW International Open and the Dutchman explained his situation in detail for the first time.
“I basically sued the National Olympic Committee”, Luiten told Golf Post. “I didn’t agree with the way it went down. I didn’t agree with the rules they had in place. Halfway through the qualification year, they changed the rules. So it was all one big mess and then, you know, I didn’t meet their criteria. But if they would have started those criteria from the start, I would have qualified straight away in two events.”
According to the rules of the International Golf Federation (IGF) and the IOC, the top 15 in the Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR), which is based on the world golf rankings, qualify – with a maximum of four athletes per country. The 60-strong field will then be filled with the best outside the top 15, with a maximum of two participants per country. In the case of the Netherlands, these are Darius van Driel and Joost Luiten for the men and Anne van Dam and Dewi Weber for the women. However, the Dutch Olympic Committee had its own criteria for golf, which Luiten and others did not fulfil after they were implemented. However, this only happened after the IGF qualification process had long since begun.
As obliged by the court, the Dutch NOC nominated Luiten in time for the tournament at Le Golf National near Paris. But now there is a new problem. “There’s another bit of trouble because now all of a sudden there are 61 people in the field, not 60, because the IOC gave my spot away already. So now it looks like I could go from one court case to the next, but that’s not what I want. Hopefully they can sort the issue”, says the young family man, fearing for his eligibility to compete.
Luiten’s dissatisfaction with his National Olympic Committee goes far beyond the refusal to nominate him: “The whole problem in Holland is that if you let some people that only know the traditional Olympic sports, swimming, athletics, and stuff like that, if you let them make the rules on golf, you get some silly rules. And that’s what basically this is all about. Showing them that they had no clue what they were doing and that it had nothing to do with golf. Unfortunately I had to go to court for it, but at least now hopefully it will open their eyes.”
The Open Qualifying for this year’s tournament at Royal Troon presented a spectacle as seasoned professionals and emerging talents vied for coveted spots.
Fierce Competition at The Open Qualifying
A total of 16 players earned their places at The Open through the Final Qualifying events held at four UK venues. Each site offered four spots, with notable performances at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire. At Burnham & Berrow, former US Open champion Justin Rose and English amateur Dominic Clemons each scored eight under par to qualify. Dundonald saw triumphs from Sam Hutsby, Angel Hidalgo, Liam Nolan, and Jack McDonald, while Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire witnessed strong showings from Matthew Southgate and Sam Horsfield among others.
Justin Rose Returns to The Open
Justin Rose secured his place at The Open by delivering remarkable rounds of 66 and 68 at Burnham & Berrow. The former US Open champion reaffirmed his status among the elite, stating, “The Open’s been a bit of a fairytale and love story for me since I was 14 and I qualified at Scotscraig. Obviously there was winning the Silver Medal at Royal Birkdale a couple of years later, so The Open has always been super special.“ Furthermore he says: “Sometimes you take it for granted – you’re exempt, you turn up and play for many years, but as you get older, things get a little harder so in some ways it’s good to have to qualify because it makes you appreciate The Open a little more and how special it is. Coming back to Burnham & Berrow was also special – first time back here since ’97. I was grateful to be back here and walk down memory lane.”
Abraham Ancer also secured his spot in a tense playoff, overcoming a triple bogey late in his second round to qualify. Ancer commented on his experience to Mirror Sports US, saying, “It was definitely a rollercoaster but it made it even sweeter going into the playoff and getting the job done.”
Sergio Garcia Misses The Open Again
For the second consecutive year, Sergio Garcia narrowly missed out on qualifying for The Open. Competing at West Lancashire, Garcia finished three under par, falling short by two strokes. His frustration was evident as he faced slow play warnings and struggled with crowd control, which disrupted his concentration.
Sergio Garcia furious at his slow play warning at Final Open Qualifying – saying fans are causing the delays. Here he is taking his anger out at two R&A officials.
“You’re right, we’re always wrong.” pic.twitter.com/hO2mzYgSRa — Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) July 2, 2024
Garcia expressed his disappointment, noting, “When you have 2,000 people following us with no ropes, nothing. The marshals were trying to do as good a job as they could do but obviously we had to stop pretty much on every tee for two or three minutes to hit our tee shots because people were walking in front of the tee and on the fairway.”