Just in time for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon later this month, the R&A has a new chief executive and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club has a new secretary. In waiting, that is.
The strokeplay portion of the event that makes the cut for matchplay at the top-64 and ties produced a 19-man playoff. That’s right, nineteen golfers. And that wasn’t even the craziest part.
If seeing the throngs of fans at Pinehurst for the US Open motivated you to catch the last glimpse of men’s major-championship golf this year, you still have some options to book travel to Scotland for the Open Championship at Royal Troon. However, options are dwindling, especially if you’re going to try to take the train into Glasgow.
The initiative, called the “Global Amateur Pathway”, will reward the top non-collegiate competitors with status on the DP World Tour and partner tours around the world.
Fred Ridley offered his support of the governing bodies’ efforts, but most of his other comments on the subject seemed to note his concern about where the game is headed on distance.
Amid a tidal wave of scorching hot takes after the R&A and USGA announced a universal golf ball rollback last week, there was Padraig Harrington shining like a beacon in the night.
Wherever you sit on the matter, it’s increasingly clear that something is going to happen, and probably soon with a rule that will apply eventually to all golfers, not just elite players.
Australian Golf Digest
