Golf

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 …

Pundit Arena announced today, Tuesday, it has secured a partnership with The 148th Open which will take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019. The partnership will see the innovative Irish sports media house create a variety of content in the build-up to The R&A’s flagship tournament, while also hosting a hub of Open content. An unprecedented demand from …

Jordan Spieth has been grouped with Justin Rose and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat as he looks to retain his Open Championship at Carnoustie on Thursday. Spieth earned his third Major at Royal Birkdale last year, winning by three shots from compatriot Matt Kuchar. The trio will begin their tournament at 9:58 am on Thursday morning. Rory McIlroy who is also looking …

The course record at Gullane Golf Club was broken multiple times this week, but the best was saved until last. Scotsman Connor Syme shot a 62 on Friday to set the new record, which only lasted a matter of hours. Hideto Tanihara of Japan followed him into the clubhouse with a second round 61. Brandon Stone timed his stellar round …

Little-known Swede Jens Dantorp birdied the last three holes on Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Scottish Open, ahead of a chasing pack including Rickie Fowler. World number 322 Dantorp, who has not even managed a top-10 finish this season, poured in a birdie putt on the 18th late in the day to sign …

One of the enduring questions in golf concerns when Rickie Fowler will finally win a Major championship. Eight top five finishes in those big tournaments, including a best finish of sole second at this year’s Masters have teased both the fans and Fowler himself. The American’s chances at Carnoustie next week look pretty good though, judging by his showing in …

It was a warm Sunday afternoon, the heatwave was showing no sign of relenting and the north of Ireland in all its splendour opened up as I slalomed through its winding roads en route to the beautiful Portrush. Serene, soothing, smooth. How Sundays are meant to be. A little over 60 miles west, the Scottish golfer Russell Knox was in the midst …

An unprecedented demand from fans for tickets to The 148th Open at Royal Portrush has led to the fastest-selling opening day of ticket sales in the history of the Championship. Next year’s Open Championship which will take place from July 14th – July 21st has already sold out over 20% of its entire ticket allocation in just 48 hours. The …