The Open
Breaking down the top contenders to win The Open on Sunday
Several golfers have emerged as top contenders to claim the Claret Jug on Sunday at The Open. Jon Rahm, the world number one, seeks his second major title, while Rory McIlroy eyes his fifth major and first Open Championship since 2014. Defending champion Collin Morikawa aims to retain the trophy and solidify his place among golf’s elite. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters champion, is another strong contender. Meanwhile, former Open champions Cameron Smith and Shane Lowry are hoping to repeat their past successes. With a challenging course and unpredictable conditions, this year’s Open promises an exciting finish.
Tee times for the third round of The Open
Tee times for the third round of The 150th Open Championship reveal an intriguing clash with Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland paired together. The Northern Irishman and Norwegian lie three shots apart and will tee off at 2:30pm (BST) on Saturday.
Overnight leader Cameron Smith will go out two groups later alongside playing partner Cameron Young at 2:40pm. Following a stunning second-round 64, Smith holds a two-shot advantage heading into the weekend.
Defending champion Collin Morikawa will play in the penultimate group of the afternoon, teeing off at 2:50pm alongside Xander Schauffele. The American duo are chasing Smith from four shots back.
Will Tiger Woods ever contend in a major again?
Legendary golfer Tiger Woods made his highly-anticipated return to competitive golf at the 2023 U.S. Open after being granted a special exemption from the USGA. Woods hasn’t played in a major championship since The Open in July 2022. His last U.S. Open appearance was in 2020 when he tied for 38th at Winged Foot Golf Club. Woods’ return raises questions about his chances of contending in a major again. Despite his back problems and struggles with form, Woods has shown flashes of his former brilliance, finishing 47th at The Masters and tied for 9th at PGA Championship. Will the 15-time major winner have enough in the tank to lift another major trophy? The 2023 U.S. Open will provide insight into Woods’s chances.
Tiger Woods Discusses Future at The Open
Tiger Woods Prepares for the Open Championship with Impressive Practice Round
After missing recent tournaments due to injury, Tiger Woods returned to the course for an 18-hole practice round at The Open. Despite his physical challenges, Woods showcased impressive performance, impressing fellow player Shane Lowry with his long drives.
The 46-year-old has admitted to not being as sharp as he desired, citing his recent struggles in major championships. However, Woods remains confident ahead of the Open, stating that he feels “good” despite his plantar fasciitis.
With a strong 12th-place finish at the PGA Championship under his belt, Woods sets his sights on making an impact at this year’s Open Championship.
Open leader mishits. He then yells at cameraman, and 20-minute ruling needed
Open Leader Mishits, Yells at Cameraman, and Faces 20-Minute Ruling
U.S. Open leader Collin Morikawa endured a frustrating day on the greens, mishitting numerous putts and grappling with a challenging ruling. In a moment of frustration, Morikawa directed an angry outburst at a cameraman, further disrupting his round.
The incident occurred during the third round of the tournament as Morikawa attempted a short putt on the eighth green. After missing the shot, he expressed his frustration by yelling at the cameraman, who was positioned nearby. The cameraman swiftly moved away, but the incident cast a shadow over Morikawa’s performance.
Adding to his woes, Morikawa was involved in a lengthy ruling on the 12th hole. After his ball landed in a hazard, he deemed it unplayable and dropped in a designated area. However, officials determined that he had gone too far back, resulting in a two-stroke penalty. The ruling took over 20 minutes to resolve, further disrupting Morikawa’s rhythm.
Bunkers at The Open are different this year — here’s why it matters
Headline: Bunkers at The Open Bunkers at The Open are different this year — here’s why it matters
Excerpt:
The bunkers at Royal St George’s are different this year, with a new type of sand having been installed for The Open. The new sand is designed to be more challenging for players, and will require them to use different techniques to get out of the bunkers.
The rough around the bunkers has also been allowed to grow longer, which will make it more difficult for players to extricate their balls. This change will put a premium on accuracy off the tee and on approach shots.
The changes to the bunkers are part of a wider effort by the R&A to make The Open a more challenging test for the world’s best players. The R&A believes that the new bunkers will make the course fairer and more strategic.
The changes to the bunkers and the rough are sure to have a major impact on the outcome of The Open. Players will need to adjust their strategies accordingly if they want to lift the Claret Jug.
Will Scheffler raise his first Claret Jug or can McIlroy bounce back at The Open?
The 151st Open Championship is set to commence on Thursday, with significant anticipation surrounding the battle for the Claret Jug. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, will seek his first Open title, while Rory McIlroy aims to reclaim the trophy he won in 2014.
McIlroy has struggled in recent Open Championships but remains a contender. Other notable challengers include Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele, all of whom have won major titles.
Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland are in contention as well. Shane Lowry, the 2019 champion, will hope to become the first Irish winner of the Open since 1947.
Several long shots could surprise the field, including Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ian Poulter. Matt Fitzpatrick and Guido Migliozzi are young players who could make a breakthrough.
The Open Championship is known for its unpredictable nature, and this year promises to be no different. Scheffler and McIlroy will be the favorites, but any of the 156 players in the field could end up hoisting the Claret Jug on Sunday.
