The British Open, the ultimate main golf championship of the 12 months, doesn’t tee off till Thursday, however it’s already dominating the sports activities headlines this weekend as 2022’s Tiger Woods comeback and Saudi drama come to a head.
Right here’s what to know earlier than the Open Championship — the oldest golf event on the planet celebrating its one hundred and fiftieth iteration — begins this week.
Tiger’s again, again once more
After Woods’ four-day Masters efficiency — less than his outdated requirements, but an equally spectacular feat in getting back from a automotive accident that almost killed him — he squeezed three days out of the PGA Championship earlier than withdrawing and saying his choice to take a seat out of the U.S. Open to provide himself time to get better.
The 46-year-old golfer participated in a Professional-Am earlier this week and performed Ballybunion with Rory McIlroy. He gained at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005, and the Previous Course this weekend will host the one hundred and fiftieth Open Championship. Woods additionally notched a victory in 2006 at Royal Liverpool.
His shut pal and fellow professional, Justin Thomas, instructed the media that “he’s been circling this on his calendar for some time, and he’s been vocal about that, and it’s I believe his favourite golf course on the planet and he loves it.” Thomas additionally said he and different golfers have been poking enjoyable at Woods for utilizing a cart to get round, although he’ll stroll the course for the precise event.
R&A to Norman: Don’t come
The R&A introduced final month that LIV golfers can be allowed to compete of their main, saying that “openness has been elementary to its ethos and distinctive enchantment,” however they’ve explicitly uninvited two-time Open champion Greg Norman from their champions’ dinner for his function because the Saudi league’s spokesperson.
“The one hundred and fiftieth Open is a particularly necessary milestone for golf and we need to be certain that the main focus stays on celebrating the championship and its heritage,” the R&A mentioned. “Sadly, we don’t consider that may be the case if Greg have been to attend.”
Norman, the CEO of LIV, has been a vocal supporter and energetic recruiter for the Saudi-backed league. I suppose they’ve to attract a line someplace, and that line stops at Greg Norman.
