Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Sunday 17 July 2016
In a lengthy, insightful and, as always, entertaining interview earlier in the year Henrik Stenson was preparing to celebrate his 40th birthday and was upbeat about breaking his majors duck. That belief and confidence in his own ability was finally realised at Troon this evening. With a string of major near-misses behind him, the Swede wasn’t going to let it slip...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Saturday 16 July 2016
Saturday is meant to be moving day but there wasn’t a great deal of movement at the top of the Open leaderboard. Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson dominated the opening two rounds and there was clear daylight between them and the rest of the field….and that’s how is stayed after a ding-dong third round. The dynamic duo maintained their form and comfortable...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Saturday 16 July 2016
Swede Henrik Stenson reflects on an outstanding 3rd round showing and his hopes for an historic Open win tomorrow….. Q. What are your thoughts taking a one-shot lead into the final round tomorrow? HENRIK STENSON: I thought it was just a wee breeze (laughter). Yeah, it was tough out there again, even though as normal the front nine has given you some...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Friday 15 July 2016
It’s early doors but already can anybody catch ‘Lefty?’ With The Open reaching its halfway point, 2013 champion Phil Mickelson was setting a scorching pace and seemingly in a class of his own, threatening to leave his rivals trailing in his wake. Mickelson, who yesterday missed shooting the best round in Open history, was in similarly devastating form in the 2nd round...
Written by Courses & Travel editor Kevin Brown on Friday 15 July 2016
Golf-loving celebrities took time out to visit the Open at Royal Troon this week including One Direction superstar Niall Horan. And several of them put in an appearance at The Glenmorangie House Bar in the Spectator Village, taking part in a putting challenge event. The fun competition proved a major attraction and saw former England footballers Alan Shearer and Martin Keown –...
Written by Rob McGarr on Thursday 14 July 2016
A lip-out is painful at any moment, but few can match the one Phil Mickelson experienced on the 18th at Royal Troon during round one of The Open. Starting the hole at eight-under-par, Mickelson needed a birdie to shoot 62 and set a new record for the lowest score in a major championship. He couldn’t have come any closer… “It started on...
Written by Courses & travel editor Kevin Brown on Thursday 14 July 2016
The Open hasn’t been kind to Justin Rose since he first burst onto the scene as a teenage amateur at Royal Birkdale nearly two decades ago. His best performance since them saw him finish sixth last year at St Andrews and Rose came into this week at Troon stressing how dearly he would love to add his ‘home’ Open to the...
Written by Michael Catling on Thursday 14 July 2016
He wasn’t the most popular man in Scotland during the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014, but Patrick Reed got the Open crowd pretty excited with a stunning five-under-par round which yielded seven birdies. The world No.13 put on an exhibition of ball-striking last weekend at the Scottish Open to finish 10th and continued where he left off by slam dunking...
Written by Courses & Travel Editor Kevin Brown on Thursday 14 July 2016
Colin Montgomerie would have arrived at Troon at the crack of dawn this morning dreaming of a dream return to the golf course where it all started for him half a century ago. And then he went and double bogeyed the first. Golf, especially The Open, can be a cruel game and nobody knows that more than majorless Monty. But to his...
Written by Courses & Travel Editor Kevin Brown on Wednesday 13 July 2016
Cool dude, ultra-laidback reigning US Open champion Dustin Johnson on finally getting the majors monkey off his back, withdrawing from the Olympics and his hot pursuit of world domination…Q. Dustin, it has obviously been a fantastic few weeks for you since winning at Oakmont and your win at Bridgestone. How does it feel to have that kind of form coming...
Written by Michael Catling on Wednesday 13 July 2016
The British Olympic Association has confirmed that Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew will represent Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio next month. The announcement, which comes just days after Jordan Spieth became the latest high-profile name to withdraw, means Rose and Willett will be two of the favourites to win gold when they tee it up...
Written by Courses & Travel editor Kevin Brown on Wednesday 13 July 2016
How Justin Rose would love to celebrate his second major success at Troon this week. The Englishman won the US Open at Merion 2013 but victory in South Ayrshire would be the pinnacle of his career. And after a plucky performance last time round at St Andrews, he has plenty to build on… Q. Last year, you tied sixth in The Open...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 13 July 2016
If you struggle in the sand, it can be sickening to watch the world’s best players splashing it out to a few inches every time they go in a bunker. If you’re in that boat, you’ll likely get extra enjoyment from the fact that Rory McIlroy took no fewer than six shots to escape the famous Coffin bunker at Royal Troon,...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 13 July 2016
The bookies don’t always get it right – the fact they were almost certain the Brexit vote was going to be remain is proof of that – but they’re generally pretty clued-up on what’s going to happen. So who do the leading bookmakers think is going to win this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon? Dustin Johnson – 10/1 DJ has only finished...
Written by Kevin Brown, Courses & Travel editor on Tuesday 12 July 2016
Former World no.1 Jordan Spieth has a torrid time in the Media Centre being asked question after question about his decision to withdraw from the Olympics. He admits it was one of the haardest decisions he’s ever had to make…and promises to be there in Tokyo in 2020. If golf is still on the Olympic agenda that is….. Q. Last year,...
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 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 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...