July

  • Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson in final round Open shoot-out

    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...

  • The Open 2016: Henrik Stenson wins first major at Royal Troon

    Written by Edward Colman on Friday 15 July 2016

    The Swede, known as the Icemen, beat American Phil Mickelson after a brilliant final round 63 at Royal Troon Golf Club. Mickelson’s final round of 65 was quite possibly the finest round to ever lose a major championship.  While there may have been a lot of 63s in previous Open Championship’s they are rare to say the least during the last round,...

  • Lefty Phil Mickelson lording it up at The Open

    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...

  • Stars from stage, screen and sport turn out at The Open

    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 –...

  • Phil Mickelson was a millimetre away from making golfing history at The Open

    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...

  • Grinding Justin Rose gets off to flying Open start

    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...

  • Reed takes the early clubhouse lead at Troon

    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...

  • Colin Montgomerie revels in Royal Troon return

    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...

  • Dustin Johnson reveals why he decided not to go to the Olympics

    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...

  • Justin Rose and Danny Willett confirmed as part of Team GB’s golf line-up for Rio 2016

    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...

  • Justin Rose striving for first home Open title

    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...

  • Who do the bookies think is going to win The Open?

    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...

  • Watching Rory McIlroy take six shots to get out a bunker will make you feel better

    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,...

  • Jordan Spieth – missing the Olympics was the toughest call ever

    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,...

  • Rory McIlroy…Olympic golf doesn’t matter!

    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...

  • Danny Willett laps it up at Silverstone and Wimbledon

    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...

  • ‘Mudder’ Zach Johnson ready to defend Claret Jug

    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...

  • Jason Day turns to Tiger Woods for advice ahead of the Open

    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...

  • Emotional return to Troon for Colin Montgomerie

    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...

  • Here’s the final list of players for Olympic Golf

    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...

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