Take a Seat
This year’s Open Championship has grandstand seating for over 14,000, spread across the Royal Portrush course, including 4,000 surrounding the 18th hole where 21 disabled seats are provided. At the 1951 Open, the only previous time it’s been at this venue, it is estimated there were less than 1,000 seats available.
Bagmen & Women
For every one of the 156 players in the 148th Open, there is an important addition – their caddie. Known as, ‘Loopers,’ performing vital tasks, from weather info to yardages, carrying a 15kg golf bag with clubs, clothing, umbrella, food and drink. Lee Westwood has his girlfriend, Helen Storey, on the bag.
David Slayed by Goliath
2001 champion David Duval, playing his 23rd Open, has now missed his 10th cut and withdrawn twice since lifting the Claret Jug 18 years ago. The 47-year-old from Colorado carded a massive 14 on the par-five 7th in Round 1, the second worst single hole in the Open’s 159-year history.
Homeward Bound
The weekend of the 148th Open will miss at least eight past champions, including home favourites Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, as well as US stars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. 13 Asians, including China’s Li Haotong, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattanonond and CT Pan of China Taipei are all on the plane home.
Lefty Honoured
Photo courtesy of OWGR
2013 Open champion Phil Mickelson was presented with the outstanding achievement award for 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). The five-time Major winner got his award from OWGR’s Peter Dawson, who was CEO of the R&A when the American lifted the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013.
Voluntary Service
Over 6,000 people work at the 148th Open at Portrush, of which half are volunteers, conducting a range of duties such stewarding, officiating and scoring. Two volunteers, keen golfers Kevin and Ann are manning a crossing across the 1st fairway. “It’s been amazing, what an atmosphere, a real pleasure,” said Ann.
Ladies to the Fore
In 2013, there was just one women referee officiating at the 142nd Open. Six years later, 13 are at the 148th at Royal Portrush. The increase is down to the R&A’s ‘Women in Golf’ initiative “to increase women and girls’ participation in golf and encourage more opportunities for women to work in the golf industry.”
Cutting Crew
Almost 100 greenkeepers are looking after Royal Portrush at the 148th Open, working dawn ‘til dusk on the links. 30 are from the host club, the rest from other Open venues and Irish courses. One of them, local man Gary McDowell, is the brother of 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell who made the cut right on the mark.
From Mike Wilson at Royal Portrush
