Two years after he became an ordained monk, Sadom Kaewkanjana is assured of returning to the Open Championship after securing a spot at Royal Portrush via his victory at the Asian Tour’s Kolon Korea Open on Sunday.
Five-time major champ Rory McIlroy thinks it might be even more difficult for Jordan Spieth to join the Grand Slam club. And McIlroy’s reasoning makes perfect sense.
Golf can be a cruel and complex game, particularly at the elite level. Sergio Garcia, after 26 years as a pro, was reminded horribly when he came within three feet of securing a place in the Open Championship at the Asian Tour’s International Series Macau in China.
The R&A has restated it has no intentions of returning the Open Championship to Trump Turnberry, but largely due to logistics and commercial enterprise.
In a wide-ranging interview at the end of his tenure, R&A chief executive Slumbers cautions: “The constant dialogue of money has damaged the reputation of the sport.”
To see Xander and Stefan Schauffele embrace – Xander holding on tight, Stefan’s sunglasses unable to conceal the tears that flowed from behind – was a reminder of the spell this beautifully dumb game has on so many of us.
For all that the former US Open champion performed with notable distinction en route to a tie for second place in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, there is certainty that he is nearer the end of his career than the beginning.
Xander Schauffele’s second major championship of 2024 suddenly, maybe has started an unexpected debate for who the PGA Tour Player of the Year is. But there’s no debate who was the best player in the year’s four major championships.
The book on Xander Schauffele heading into this year’s major season said he couldn’t close after finished in a tie for second at The Players. After his performance Sunday at Royal Troon, Schauffele clearly is in the midst of a major rewrite.
Schauffele certainly got the job done with his irons. He ranked second in strokes gained/approach the green, picking up more than 10 shots on the field average. He also ranked second in greens in regulation.
Australian Golf Digest
