Golf

Zach Johnson came out firing on all cylinders in the pouring rain at Carnoustie on Friday as the 2015 British Open champion moved to within one shot of overnight leader Kevin Kisner. The 42-year-old American, sporting his trademark dark glasses even in the overcast conditions, bogeyed the first but then rattled in three quick birdies to move to four under par …

Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated return to the British Open after a two-year hiatus sparkled early on before ending in a level-par 71 at Carnoustie on Thursday. The 42-year-old three-time Open champion — who due to back issues had missed the last two editions — admitted afterwards he was suffering from a sore neck but insisted it had not affected his round …

After an absorbing opening round of The Open at Carnoustie, USA’s Kevin Kisner leads the tournament on -5.  Rory McIlroy is the best of the Irish challenge as he posted an opening round of 69 to leave him on -2 going into Day Two, just three shots behind Kisner. Paul Dunne is by no means out of contention just yet and …

Two birdies during the opening nine had Tiger Woods in the perfect position to launch an attack on clubhouse leader Kevin Kisner at the turn but three bogies on the back nine have left him five shots off the leader at the end of Day One.  Woods birdied the first and the fourth as he produced some stellar golf in the …

Rory McIlroy had a strong opening round on Day One of The Open at Carnoustie which leaves him three shots off the leader heading into Day Two after shooting a 69.  McIlroy was on even par at the turn after posting one birdie and one bogey on the opening nine holes. His recent putter woes continued to cause him problems …

American Kevin Kisner put down an early marker at the British Open as a five-under-par first round of 66 gave him the clubhouse lead on Thursday. Kisner narrowly outlasted South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen, who shot a four-under-par 67 after his first round. Ireland’s Paul Dunne finished his first round at level par 71. Shane Lowry shot a disappointing +3 on …

We analyse four key holes at Carnoustie where the third major of the golf season, The British Open, tees off on Thursday. The following four should have a major (pun intended) bearing on the outcome of this year’s championship. _____ Hole: No. 6 Distance:580 Yards Par: Five Known as “Hogan’s Alley” after the legendary American Ben Hogan who won the 1953 …

Rory McIlroy admits it is going to take something special to end the recent dominance of the majors by American golfers as the British Open teed off at Carnoustie in Scotland on Thursday. Now 29, McIlroy is aiming to end a four-year drought without a major victory but the trend is towards the strong contingent from the United States maintaining …

The Irish contingent has descended on Carnoustie ahead of the most eagerly anticipated golf tournament this side of the Atlantic, The Open Championship. The Open kicks off on Thursday at the site of one of Padraig Harrington’s greatest triumphs. Harrington will be looking to add a third Claret Jug to his illustrious list of achievements but has found form difficult …

Luke List will be more emotional than most of the golfers teeing off at The Open on Thursday recalling how his late father first introduced him to links golf. The 33-year-old American, who came agonisingly close to his first win on the PGA Tour earlier this year at the Honda Classic, will be experiencing the unique atmosphere of the only …

The eyes of the golfing world will be on Carnoustie this week, as The 147th Open Championship takes place at the challenging course. The world’s best golfers will battle it out on the Scottish links, with a full complement of Major winners past and present vying for the Claret Jug. McIlroy for one will be desperate to end four years …

Jordan Spieth feels he is back in the groove and capable of becoming the first player since Irishman Padraig Harrington in 2007/08 to win back-to-back Opens. The 24-year-old and a swathe of his fellow young Americans threatening to dominate the future of the sport will also have a returning Tiger Woods. The man who dominated the past until personal and …

Carnoustie or “Car-Nasty” as it is referred to by some stellar golfers who have suffered on the course hosts The Open for the eighth time this week. Such are the unique challenges thrown up by the Scottish links golf course that in the wake of the 1999 Open it inspired a phrase “The Carnoustie effect.” Its definition is: “That degree …

The 147th edition of the British Open Championship is nearly here, bringing with it the promise of high drama, world class talent and perhaps, a new Major Champion. Preview Nestled in the Eastern district of Angus in Scotland, Carnoustie is as far removed from the subtropical climates of Florida and Georgia as it gets. So many of the world’s top …

It’s Open week and Phil Mickelson is already producing the goods in front of the cameras. The 2013 Champion produced this inch-perfect flop shot over fellow pro Gary Evans during practice for the tournament at Carnoustie which begins on Thursday. Evans flinched slightly but did well to keep his composure in what was surely a nerve-wracking situation regardless of who …

Dope testing is due to be introduced at The Open for the first time this week at Carnoustie but South African golfing legend Gary Player questions why it has taken so long. The 82-year-old – one of whose nine majors came at Carnoustie in the 1968 Open – has not shied away from raising the spectre of golfers taking performance-enhancing …

The 2018 Open Championship is upon us, and it provides untold intrigue for both observers and punters. As is often the case in modern Major golf, there’s no stand-out candidate for players and bettors to fear at Carnoustie this week. It’s as wide open as ever, and when you add a course that could play almost as tough as Shinnecock …

American superstar Tiger Woods returns to The Open after three years saying said on Tuesday that it is his best long-term chance to add to his 14 Major victories. The 42-year-old — whose dominance of the sport ended with the emergence of his serial infidelity in 2010 and, from 2014, serial back problems which led to several operations  — told …