NEWS: Open champions set for St Andrews reunion
THE 32 living Open champions have been invited to play in a four-hole event at St Andrews in July to celebrate the championship’s 150th anniversary, writes Joe Whitley...
The Open Champions’ Challenge takes place on Wednesday 14 July, the day before the Open itself starts, and will be played over four holes – the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th.
The event, which will be televised on the BBC, was first played in 2000 when 22 former champions celebrated the millennium Open and the inaugural challenge was won by a three-man team comprising of Tom Weiskopf, Tom Lehman and Paul Lawrie.
Other attendees included the late Sam Snead, who treated the galleries to a tap dance on the Swilcan Bridge. Over £40,000 was raised for charity.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be found at www.opengolf.com or by calling 01334 460 010.
There was good news for Tom Watson from the R&A recently, in the form of a new rule following his Turnberry heroics.
Prior to the eight-time Major winner’s display, where he missed a putt to win a sixth Claret Jug, past champions were only granted exemptions until the age of 60, meaning Watson would not be eligible to play after this year’s event.
But the game’s governing body has now introduced a ruling that will allow any past champions over the age of 56 a five-year exemption if they finish in the top 10.