Everything you missed on Tuesday at the 2024 British Open | Tiger hits back | Bryson buoyant

We’re on the ground at the British Open this week, bringing you all the action you missed from Tuesday at Royal Troon.

Find out what the biggest names in the game had to say in their press conferences on day two ahead of the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon…

Tiger fires stinging response at Monty

In response to the European golf legend’s suggestion that Tiger Woods’ legacy could be tarnished if he continued to drag out his career on the game’s biggest stages, the 15-time Major Champion hit back with brutal honesty.

“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event”.

“I’ll be the 73rd player,” says Tiger

On the subject of continuing to play at the highest level, Tiger insisted that his lifetime exemption into PGA Tour Signature Events would NOT be at the expense of another qualifier missing out.

“I told them, if I was going to get that exemption, I wasn’t going to take away the last player’s spot. If it happened to be – let’s hypothetically say there are 72 players in the field at each of the Signature Events. If I want to play, I’ll be the 73rd player.”

Bryson hints at commercializing equipment

Often dubbed ‘The Scientist’ due to his objective approach to optimizing his equipment, US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau once again hinted that something could be just around the corner for fans hoping to adopt his marginal gains philosophy in their own setup.

“Would I like to see it more in play around the world and across different amateurs and different levels? Absolutely! That’s the main goal, said Bryson.

“You might be seeing something later today, or tomorrow, on that. I’ll give you more when I can. Certainly, we’re working on some things.”

Happier than ever, despite coach fallout

The Crushers GC captain is loving life at the moment, and who can blame him after that sensational finish at Pinehurst No.2 to claim a second US Open? Speaking on Tuesday at Troon, DeChambeau said “I’m as happy as I have ever been,” despite seeing his relationship with golf instructor Mike Schy breakdown in public.

“It’s an unfortunate situation. I’ve loved that man for all of my life, and it’s a private matter that went public, unfortunately. We tried to figure it out and make it make sense for everyone, and it just didn’t come out that way.”

Rory accidentally ghosts Tiger

Rory revealed he’d had an influx of messages from the media after his final round at Pinehurst last month, leading him to change his phone number just a couple of days after getting home from the US Open. He assured the media in his press conference that it wasn’t due to the fact he couldn’t pay his phone bill.

Woods had mentioned he reached out to McIlroy around a week after his defeat with friendly, reassuring words. Unbeknownst to him, McIlroy had changed his number, and it wasn’t until the two met on the practice ground at Royal Troon that they realised what had happened.

TaylorMade Staff Bag Giveaway

TaylorMade have commemorated the final major of the men’s golfing calendar with a staff bag fit for a king. A royal palette of purple, gold, and white, echoing the noble lineage of the venue that was crowned with Royal status in 1978 on its 100th birthday. 

We’re giving you the chance to have your very own! All you need to do to enter is fill in the form here.

Rahm receives congratulations for Spain’s Euros win

Rahm was tactful when asked about every Spaniard being viewed as a hero north of the border following England’s defeat in the final. He chose his words carefully, avoiding any potential hostility, aware that he would need all the support he could muster to rediscover his best golf this week.

“I noticed that yesterday. Played all 18 holes yesterday, and I think I got more congratulations for something that I didn’t do than I ever have in my life. I don’t know what they’ve done, but anytime anybody plays against the English national team, every other country in Europe just unifies against them. I don’t know why or what they’ve done. I’m not aware of the history.

Woods won’t take up spots in signature events

When asked about playing in more big-money events in the coming years, Tiger appeared incredibly grateful for the signature event exemption he’d been granted recently. But, he assured the media that he wouldn’t be taking a spot away from any player who had qualified to be there on their own merit.

“I told them, if I was going to get that exemption, I wasn’t going to take away the last player’s spot. If it happened to be – let’s hypothetically say there’s 72 players in the field at each one of the Signature Events. If I want to play, I’ll be the 73rd player. There will be an odd man and be a twosome out.”

What a gent.