Here are the numbers:
This is the 148th British Open. It hasn’t been played in Northern Ireland since 1951, 68 years ago if you’re keeping the score at home. About 190,000 people are expected to attend, as tickets sold out almost immediately. Beginning Thursday, 156 golfers will seek to be among the 70 who make the cut and compete on Saturday and Sunday for the Claret Jug.
Royal Portrush Golf Club was the scene of Max Faulkner’s Open victory in 1951. It has undergone major renovations since it was named in 2014 as this year’s site. The tournament has been contested in Britain, Scotland and on this links course in Northern Ireland’s coast.
Here are some terms you will hear that will endear Royal Portrush to you:
The fifth hole is nicknamed White Rocks. The green is at the end of the course, not far from White Rocks Beach. The seventh hole is called Curran’s Point, the eighth Dunluce (sounds like a Harry Potter novel).
The par-3 16th hole is known as “Calamity Corner.” That’s not good news for the contestants who will find the green extremely small and the rough near it very, well, rough.
The Open is the last of this year’s majors. If it can generate anywhere near the excitement of the just-concluded British Open tennis tournament, it’s going to be a fascinating event.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman
-
The Bears got Claypool in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick. This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers cut a deal...
-
Belichick has cycled through several players in search of the right one. Recently, the New England Patriots have been...
-
The field needs new posts after overzealous fans dumped the old ones in the river. Over the weekend, the...
-
Hutchinson grew up idolizing the Patriots and Tom Brady. This Sunday, the Detroit Lions are scheduled to take on...
-
Judge has broken Babe Ruth’s record and tied with Roger Maris. Last week, New York Yankees center fielder and...
-
Judge is one homer away from beating the Bambino’s record. Babe Ruth, AKA The Great Bambino, AKA The Sultan...
-
Trout is one homer off from an MLB record. Last night, the Los Angeles Angels played the Cleveland Guardians....
-
Jones spoke about the new offense at their training camp. The New England Patriots are currently in the midst...
-
A fight broke out on the last day of joint practice. Thursday was the last day of joint practice...
-
Donaldson clinched the game for his team in extra innings. Wednesday night saw a major nail-biter game between the...
-
The Yankees have landed two impressive players from the Oakland Athletics. The New York Yankees, superstars of the American...
-
NFL+ offers game coverage for $4.99 a month. Following suit with other companies and brands establishing their own streaming...