Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Q. Obviously this is the first chance you’ve had to compete in The Open since you lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool two years ago. How much are you looking forward to challenging here this week? RORY McILROY: Yeah, I’m excited to be back. Obviously missed last year at St. Andrews. It was one that I’d earmarked since 2010, and...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Reigning Masters champion Danny Willett gives a fascinating insight into what it’s like to be a major winner and gives his frank views on competing at the Olympics, his Open aspirations….and a lot moe besides. Q. How much would it mean for you to lift the Claret Jug this week? DANNY WILLETT: It would be amazing. It’s everyone’s to win, and being...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Tuesday 12 July 2016
American Zach Johnson reveals all about his Open-winning year, returning to the scene of his first Open in 2004, the Olympics…..and his total admiration for Tiger Woods. Q.I know this morning you returned the Claret Jug, and I guess a little bit sad to let it go. Can you talk us through your thoughts on coming back here this week as...
Written by Edward Colman on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Speaking at Royal Troon ahead of the Open, Jason Day has been talking about what he learned from three time Open Champion Tiger Woods. “When I talk to him, it’s about how mentally tough he was,” said Day. “Being able to — I want to put it this way, he was the smartest guy — not the smartest guy at times, but...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Colin Montgomerie talks about The Open, majors, his beloved Royal Troon….and hitting that opening tee shot at 6.45am on Thursday! Colin, you came through final qualifying to play here at Royal Troon, a place you obviously have great connections with, and you now have the honour of hitting the first tee shot on Thursday morning. Can you talk us through your...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Barely a day has passed during the last few months without another big-name player withdrawing from the Olympics. But a strong field still remains. With the Olympic Golf qualification period ending yesterday, we now have the final list of qualifiers. Despite Jordan Spieth’s last-minute withdrawal, Team USA looks favourite for a medal, with four players thanks to having four in the...
Written by Edward Colman on Tuesday 12 July 2016
View the latest leaderboard for the Open Championship at Royal Troon. The Open leaderboard...
Written by Kevin Brown on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Danny Willett didn’t just win the Masters in April – he bagged everything that comes with being the first Brit to win at Augusta National since Nick Faldo in 1996. The Green Jacket could be worth up to £5 million in bonuses and new endorsements. There’s a GB Olympic team and Ryder Cup debut on the cards. The public has a new...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 11 July 2016
It’s been less than a month since Dustin Johnson’s U.S. Open win was marred by a poorly handled rules issue. Unfortunately, a bizarrely similar situation occurred at the U.S. Women’s Open which finished yesterday, and the USGA again did not cover itself in glory. In the aftermath of the DJ debacle, which drew intense criticism from numerous big-name players, the USGA...
Written by Rob McGarr on Sunday 10 July 2016
Having led from Friday evening, Sweden’s Alexander Noren shot a two-under-par 70 on the final day of the Scottish Open to secure a one-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton. “This is by far the biggest win,” said the 33-year-old, who turns 34 on Tuesday. “The amount of players that are here, and on a course like this in Scotland, it’s only...
Written by Denis Pugh on Friday 8 July 2016
He has a name straight out of Hollywood, the looks to match, and a demeanour that suggests he not only owns the place, but the place next door as well. Bryson DeChambeau is golf’s latest poster boy, but is he the real deal? I saw him for the first time ‘live’ on the practice ground at Hilton Head – less than...
Thursday 7 July 2016
With 35 years under his belt, Troon course manager Billy McLachlan is well versed in setting up a course for a Major. He has overseen four Open Championships at Royal Troon and this year will be his third in charge of the greenkeeping team. But what can we expect when golf’s biggest names descend on Ayrshire? How is the course shaping up?...
Thursday 7 July 2016
1ST SEAL Par 4, 370 yards A good birdie chance if you can negotiate a difficult opening tee shot. The line is to the bunkers on the right. A hybrid or long iron leaves a lofted club into a slightly elevated green. 2004 average: 4.10 (rank 11) 2ND BLACK ROCK Par 4, 391 yards Another tight tee shot just short of...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Even off the back tees Troon’s Postage Stamp is only 123 yards. It’s the shortest hole in Major Championship golf, so should be a simple wedge for the world’s most elite players. It’s not. Throw in the ever-present breeze, the pressure of a Major, a green that’s only 10 yards wide and some of the deepest bunkers on the course, and...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Andrew Cotter will commentate on the Open for the BBC. His brother, Colin, has been a Troon caddie for 30 years. Both are members here. Both have single-figure handicaps here. And both know these links better than just about anyone. The Cotter brothers know Royal Troon like the back of their hands. They grew up here. It’s in their blood. BBC...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Did the massive Troon crowds drive and spur you on? I always seemed to draw encouragement from the crowds when I was playing. I wanted to hit shots that they enjoyed seeing played. And the gallery in Scotland was always so supportive of me. They had as much to do with my success as the shots. How did you deal with...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Did you ever think you’d win a Major? I dreamt about it. I don’t know if that really is believing it, but I certainly always hoped it would happen. Being honest, it was just such a relief to get my card that year as things hadn’t really been going all that well. I’m a true believer that if you can...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Did you ever think you’d win a Major championship? Yes, actually. I almost won the Masters in 1988 only to be denied when Sandy Lyle pulled off that amazing shot from the 18th bunker. I definitely thought I’d win the Masters. But I didn’t think too much about The Open, especially after I shot a million at Royal Lytham in...
Thursday 7 July 2016
Nick Dougherty, a three-time European Tour winner, loves The Open. In his rollercoaster up-and down playing career the 2007 Dunhill Links champion has played in a handful of them and he hasn’t given up hope of adding another to the list and playing at Royal Troon. He’ll be seeking to qualify at Royal Birkdale’s neighbouring links Hillside, but first –...
Thursday 7 July 2016
James Montgomerie has lived and breathed Royal Troon for almost 60 years – 11 of them as the club’s secretary. He’s overseen two Royal Troon Opens, and the 86-year-old’s passion for the club, and the game, continues to burn brightly. He still gets to grips with the famous old links twice a week, saying: “I try my best, though my legs...