Golf - Woods and Co.: Who and what matters at the British Open
The Aura of Tiger Woods is already detectable prior to the 152nd British Open on the Scottish west coast. Numerous fans accompany the now 48-year-old Superstar from California at the training sessions in Royal Troon Golf Club - starting this Thursday, when the fourth and final Major tournament of the year begins, thousands will once again admire the 15-time Major Champion at the side of the Fairways.
Although Woods participates in only a few select tournaments after numerous surgeries and the severe car accident in February 2021, the long-time number one in the world has not lost an ounce of attraction and charisma. He is no longer considered one of the favorites for the British Open title, but Woods is not thinking about retirement from golf. "I will play as long as I can and I still feel like I can win this tournament," he said at a press conference in Troon.
The Tournament
The British Open is the oldest golf tournament in the world. In 1860, the Open Championship era began at Prestwick Golf Club on the Scottish west coast. The only one of the four Major tournaments that does not take place in the USA, is held annually at various locations throughout the United Kingdom.
The Golf Course
For the tenth time, the British Open will be played at Royal Troon Golf Club - an hour southwest of Glasgow. The Par-71 course by the coast is a typical so-called links course. Dunes, stormy wind, deep sand bunkers, dense gorse bushes, and extremely hard and undulating fairways demand a lot from the golfers. The last nine holes are among the most challenging in the world.
The Prize Money
The British Open is endowed with $17 million US-Dollars ($15.6 million Euros). The winner receives a check for over $3.1 million US-Dollars ($2.85 million Euros) and the Siegertrophy Claret Jug - a silver wine jug - is presented. The winner may also call himself "Champion Golfer of the Year".
The Top Favorite
Scottie Scheffler: The world number one wants to win his first British Open. The 28-year-old American currently dominates the golf scene. In this season, Scheffler has already won six tournaments on the PGA Tour - including the prestigious Masters in Augusta for the second time. With his earnings from the 15 season starts, Scheffler has already exceeded $27 million US-Dollars ($24.4 million Euros).
The German Players
Stephan Jaeger: The current best German golf pro is ranked 46th in the world. After the British Open, the 35-year-old Munich native, who lives in the USA, will represent Germany at the Olympics in Paris. In early April, Jaeger celebrated his first win on the PGA Tour at the tournament in Houston.
Yannik Paul: The 30-year-old from Mannheim won his first tournament on the DP World Tour in 2022 on Mallorca. Paul qualified for the British Open, as he was among the top 30 players on the European ranking list (Race to Dubai) in the previous year.
Marcel Siem: The 44-year-old routine player from Ratingen loves the big stage. Due to his emotional character, the Rhinelander, who lives in Mauritius, is always popular with British Open fans. At the end of June, he won the Italian Open for the sixth time on the DP World Tour.
Alex Cejka: The 53-year-old is the defending champion of the Senior British Open and therefore eligible to play in Troon. Otherwise, Cejka plays together with Germany's golf idol Bernhard Langer on the PGA Tour Champions in the USA.
- Despite participating in limited tournaments due to surgeries and a car accident, Tiger Woods still maintains his allure and charm on the PGA-Tour, preparing for the British Open in the United States of America.
- Tiger Woods, the 15-time Major Champion, expressed his intent to continue playing golf in the upcoming British Open, stating, "I will play as long as I can and I still feel like I can win this tournament."
- The British Open, the oldest golf tournament in the world, will be held at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland, marking its tenth consecutive appearance at the links course.
- American players, including Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler, will compete against international players for the British Open title, which offers a prize pool of $17 million US Dollars.
- The top favorite for the British Open, Scottie Scheffler, aims to secure his first major victory, having dominated the golf scene with six tournament wins on the PGA-Tour this season and exceeding $27 million US Dollars in earnings.
- Several German golfers, including Stephan Jaeger, Yannik Paul, Marcel Siem, and Alex Cejka, will represent their country in the British Open, with Jaeger and Paul qualifying based on their strong performances on the PGA-Tour and DP World Tour, respectively.
