Category: Celebrities

 

As the 2024 Open Championship approaches its climax, the stage is set for an electrifying final round, with major debutant Dan Brown making an impressive charge towards the top of a fiercely competitive leaderboard.

 

Overnight leader Billy Horschel faces fierce competition from a stellar lineup that includes Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, and Adam Scott. The stakes are high as these golf giants vie for the prestigious Claret Jug, a trophy with a rich history dating back to its first award in 1872, and a winner’s cheque of $3.1 million (£2.4 million).

 

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) has boosted the total prize fund to $17 million (£13.4 million) for this year’s Open, an increase of $500,000 from last year. Despite this increase, The Open remains the least lucrative of golf’s four major championships. For comparison, Bryson DeChambeau pocketed $4.3 million for his U.S. Open victory, Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million for winning the Masters, and Xander Schauffele received $3.3 million for his triumph at the PGA Championship.

 

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers addressed the issue, stating, “A, I didn’t know, and B, I don’t care. While we will always offer a very competitive prize fund for the Open, our wider focus is on increasing participation and improving pathways in golf. We have to make choices about how we allocate resources and make the resources we have go as far as they can. Our responsibility is to ensure the game is thriving 50 years from now.”

 

#### Open Championship 2024 Prize Money Breakdown:

– **First place:** $3.1 million (£2.4 million)

– **Second place:** $1,759,000

– **Third place:** $1,128,000

– **Fourth place:** $876,000

– **Fifth place:** $705,000

– **Sixth place:** $611,000

– **Seventh place:** $525,000

– **Eighth place:** $442,500

– **Ninth place:** $388,000

– **Tenth place:** $350,600

 

As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the players as they navigate the pressure and challenges of the course, each one determined to etch their name in the storied history of The Open Championship.

 

Scottie Scheffler has a knack for lurking under the radar, and his performance at The Open has been no exception. With a level-par third round of 71, the world No. 1 has put himself just two shots off the lead, positioning himself as a formidable contender for his second major of the year.

 

Scheffler’s rise has been so subtle that many didn’t notice him sneaking up the leaderboard, even before the final pairing of Dan Brown and Shane Lowry stumbled on Troon’s 18th in the gathering gloom last night. Now, officially a serious threat to claim his maiden Open title, Scheffler’s quiet ascent has the rest of the field on high alert.

 

What’s remarkable is how Scheffler has maneuvered himself into this position with little fanfare. Like a stealthy assassin, he’s crept up on the competition, going about his business quietly and efficiently. Saturday was yet another day when the world No. 1 largely flew under the radar, putting together a steady round in tough conditions.

 

While a level-par round might not sound extraordinary given some of the scores posted earlier in the day, the context is crucial. Scheffler faced brutal weather on the back nine, which he described as “the hardest nine holes I’ll ever play.” Despite the challenging conditions, he played those final nine holes in just one-over-par, dropping shots at the 13th and 15th but recovering with a sensational three-wood on the par-three 17th, setting up a birdie with a shot to two feet.

 

Scheffler’s account of his round highlights the difficulty: “I probably don’t hit a 3-wood on a par-3 very often,” he said. “I probably don’t hit driver and a 3-wood really solid on a par-4 and don’t get there in two, either, which is what happened at 15.” He continued, “At 18, I hit a good driver and a really hard 3-iron. I’m hitting that 3-iron super low and as hard as I can, and yesterday Jordan [Spieth] hit a driver there and had 30, 40 yards to the front edge. It was 160-, 170-yard difference in length off the tee there, from his drive yesterday to my drive today. Yeah, it was pretty wild out there, but I did a good job of grinding it out.”

 

Scheffler’s Struggle with the Putter

To be honest, if Scheffler had been more effective with his putter, he might be leading the tournament by now. Despite numerous birdie opportunities on the front nine, he ranks 114th in the field in putting this week. However, he remains composed despite the missed chances. “I think about the putts I hit on eight and nine where I look up and I think it’s going in and it goes up to the hole and it lips out,” he reflected. “It can be frustrating, but I felt like today was another one of those days where I just did a really good job of not getting overly frustrated, staying in a good head space and did a good job of really staying in the tournament.”

 

Scheffler’s ability to stay focused is remarkable. Few golfers could endure the kind of tumultuous events he faced at the US PGA in May, including an arrest for second-degree assault of a police officer and reckless driving, and then come back to shoot a 66 in a major championship hours later.

 

Arriving at Troon on Saturday a couple of hours before his tee time, Scheffler looked as if he might have spent the night at a local jailhouse. One might have feared he had caught whatever bug had caused his caddie, Ted Scott, to lie down during Friday’s round. But from the moment he biffed an iron up the first fairway in heavy rain, it was clear Scheffler was laser-focused. Even as birdie putts refused to drop, his overall accuracy ensured the field came back to him.

 

“I got a good amount of guys in front of me,” Scheffler noted at the finish. “But yes, my goal going into the back nine was to do what I could to stay in the tournament and steal some shots where I could. And there wasn’t really much to steal on the back nine so it was good getting in. Other than the missed short putt on 15 there where I got a bit distracted, it was a really solid back nine.”

 

History in the Making?

By a curious coincidence, the last person to win six tournaments in a year by this stage was Arnold Palmer in 1962, who clinched his seventh at The Open at Troon. If Scheffler can find his putting form on Sunday, the rest of the field had better watch out.

 

Daniel Brown narrowly avoided a disastrous mishap on day three of The Open, coming perilously close to hitting Scottie Scheffler with a wayward tee shot. Brown, a surprising standout in this year’s tournament, had an unforgettable moment for all the wrong reasons when his tee shot on the seventh hole went wildly off course.

 

Competing in his first major tournament at 29, Brown sliced his shot sharply to the right, immediately shouting a warning of “fore.” The misdirected ball came frighteningly close to striking Scheffler and his playing partner Dean Burmester, who were preparing to putt on the adjacent eighth green.

 

The ball ultimately landed in the middle of the eighth green, barely missing Scheffler’s head. Burmester also narrowly escaped being hit as the ball rolled to a stop on the edge of the eighth fairway, near the rough.

 

Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray was taken aback by how close Scheffler came to being struck, exclaiming, “Oh, there’s the eighth green! Wow, coming through. I never saw that play and neither did the guys on the eighth! That’s one way to take out the world No. 1, on the back of his head. Jeepers. He air-mailed the green.”

 

Brown has emerged as one of the most unexpected contenders in Open history, starting strong and leading the field at the end of day one with a six-under-par opening round. He remains in contention for the Claret Jug, which would be a monumental upset.

 

As the tournament progresses, Brown aims to outpace Shane Lowry, with top players like Scheffler, Billy Horschel, and Xander Schauffele close behind.

 

In other news from The Open, Si Woo Kim delighted fans with the tournament’s first ace on the 17th hole. Kim’s brilliant 238-yard tee shot landed just outside the green before rolling into the cup. Instead of following the tradition of buying drinks for everyone in the clubhouse, the Korean hopeful promised to treat his team to a celebratory fish and chips meal.

 

As the competition heats up, the unexpected twists and turns at The Open continue to captivate golf fans worldwide.

In a surprising twist, the wife of The Open contender Adam Hadwin has sparked a debate among golf fans. Jessica Hadwin has openly criticized the dedication of those willing to disrupt their sleep to watch golf, calling them “sick.” This controversy comes as her husband competes at the prestigious Royal Troon in Scotland, far from their home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

 

Adam Hadwin secured his spot in the final major of the year after a strong performance, finishing third at last month’s Memorial Tournament. He began his tournament on Thursday morning, teeing off with Lucas Glover and Christiaan Bezuidenhout at 9:14 am BST. However, the time difference meant that his tee-off time was 1:14 am in Scottsdale.

 

Jessica Hadwin chose not to travel to Scotland, opting instead to stay in Arizona. On X, she expressed her disbelief at the dedication of golf fans willing to wake up in the middle of the night, saying, “I’m blown away reading how many people on here are getting up in the middle of the night to watch golf. Y’all are sick lol.” When retired NFL player Dan Orlovsky mentioned he would be up at 3 am to watch, Jessica posted a meme saying, “Go to a hospital.”

 

The interactions didn’t stop there. When a follower asked if her husband was playing at The Open, Jessica replied, “That’s what he told me he was doing when he left two weeks ago.” She admitted to another fan, “This brings me a little guilt as I’m choosing sleep over watching my husband in a major.”

 

Adam Hadwin finished the first day of The Open tied for 83rd place with notable players such as Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, and Hideki Matsuyama, ending four over-par. His second day began at 2:15 pm BST, a more reasonable 6:15 am in Arizona, allowing fans to follow his progress without the early morning disruption.

 

Despite the early drama, Hadwin’s chances of winning appear slim. Irish star Shane Lowry has shown impressive form, leading the leaderboard with a score of seven under-par by mid-afternoon on the second day. Other top contenders include Daniel Brown, Justin Rose, Billy Horschel, and Dean Burmester, all performing well at South Ayrshire.

 

This incident has certainly added an unexpected layer of drama to The Open, highlighting the sacrifices and decisions made by players and their families during major tournaments.

Phil Mickelson refuses to ‘sit and chat’ with Tiger Woods after comment at The Open

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have not always seen eye-to-eye over the years.

For years, the golfing world has watched the legendary rivalry between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods unfold. Though their fierce competition has mellowed over time, their relationship remains complex and often strained. This was evident at The Open, where Mickelson admitted he was in no mood for casual conversation with Woods.

 

During their primes, Mickelson and Woods delivered some of the most memorable duels in golf history. Yet, the dynamics between them have shifted dramatically, especially in light of recent developments. Mickelson’s move to LIV Golf in 2022, a controversial breakaway series, has only heightened tensions. Woods, a staunch advocate for the PGA Tour, has been a vocal critic of the Saudi-funded league.

 

As the two prepared for play at The Open, they found themselves warming up side by side. Despite the proximity, Mickelson revealed that their interaction was minimal, limited to a brief greeting. “We said hi,” Mickelson recounted. “Yeah, we said hi, but we were both preparing. It’s not like we’re going to sit there and chat. But we said hello, yeah.”

 

This cold exchange underscores the ongoing friction between the two golfing icons. Their interactions have become increasingly rare, and any semblance of camaraderie seems to have dissipated. The potential merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, discussed for over a year now, remains a distant dream with little progress made.

 

When asked about the possibility of collaborating with Woods to facilitate a breakthrough in these talks, Mickelson was non-committal. “I don’t know, we’ll see. We’ll see. I don’t know about that stuff, I’m not involved. I’m not sitting in those rooms. I am enjoying where I’m at and what I’m doing and playing. I’ll let other people figure that stuff out,” he said.

 

At The Open, Mickelson’s performance has been less than stellar, though he managed to make the cut with a score of five over par. Woods, on the other hand, struggled significantly, missing the cut after finishing his second round at 14 over par. Despite this setback, Woods has expressed his determination to return and compete at Royal Portrush next year.

 

The story of Mickelson and Woods is far from over. As the landscape of professional golf continues to evolve, so too will the dynamics of their relationship. For now, the tension remains palpable, adding yet another layer of intrigue to their already storied rivalry.

“Prove Monty wrong!” resounded across the first tee at Royal Troon as the legendary Tiger Woods commenced his initial round at The Open Championship. The 15-time major winner and 82-time PGA Tour champion faced the crowd with determination yesterday, marking only his fifth tournament appearance this year.

 

Despite persistent fitness challenges, Woods remains a figure of intense public interest. Before the championship, his future was hotly debated after Colin Montgomerie suggested that it might be time for Woods to retire. Montgomerie, speaking to The Times, reflected on Woods’ illustrious past, saying, “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think ‘What the hell is he doing?’.”

 

Montgomerie further referenced Woods’ own words about retiring when he could no longer compete, adding, “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there. There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”

 

However, as Woods teed off at Royal Troon, the support from spectators was palpable. The 48-year-old drew a substantial crowd, clearly demonstrating that fans still relish watching the iconic athlete compete at the highest level.

 

Addressing Montgomerie’s comments during his pre-championship press conference, Woods did not shy away. He highlighted his right to compete as a past champion, contrasting his situation with Montgomerie’s. “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not. He is not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t,” Woods remarked bluntly.

 

Adding to the chorus of support, Rickie Fowler, a close friend of Woods, also shared his perspective on Tuesday. Fowler insisted that Woods, a three-time Open champion, still has much to contribute to the sport. “He still has plenty of good golf in him,” Fowler told Mirror Sport. “The game is better when we have him around… I love being able to have Tiger [here]. He has been trying to continue to make sure he is ready to go, playing the majors and then hopefully a few other events on top of that… I would love to see him continue to stay healthy so he can play a select group of events throughout the years.”

 

As Tiger Woods embarks on this latest chapter of his career, the message from fans and fellow players is unequivocal: they are not ready to say goodbye to this golfing legend.

Golf World in Frenzy Over Viral Scottie Scheffler Mugshot Ahead of The Open

Golf fans were abuzz as viral mugshots of top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, emerged just before the Olympic Games in Paris.

 

But fear not, golf enthusiasts—Scottie Scheffler has not been arrested at Royal Troon ahead of the 152nd Open Championship’s third round. The recent viral mugshot of Scheffler is linked to his upcoming participation in the Paris Olympics in just two weeks.

 

To provide some context for the social media banter, Scheffler was unexpectedly arrested before starting his second round at the US PGA in May. This incident occurred after the world’s number one golfer misunderstood the traffic situation at Valhalla Golf Club following a fatal collision earlier that day. Scheffler was promptly arrested and placed in a jail cell, with his mugshot spreading across social media and stunning the golf community. Despite the arrest, Scheffler was released an hour later, allowing him to compete in the second round, where he admirably finished tied for eighth place. The following month, all charges against him were dropped.

 

Currently, Scheffler is vying for his first Open title, sitting in fourth place after 36 holes. He also seeks his seventh PGA Tour victory in 2024.

 

Back to the recent buzz, Scheffler’s latest mugshot has made waves as the Olympic Games approach. The men’s golf tournament will take place at Le Golf National, a former Ryder Cup venue, from August 1-4, followed by the women’s tournament. The mugshots of participating players, including Scheffler, have appeared on the official Olympics website, sparking fan discussions.

 

Scheffler is part of a formidable United States men’s golf team, which includes reigning Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark. The USA team can field four players as all are in the world’s top 15, whereas other teams are limited to two players.

 

Rory McIlroy’s mugshot has also garnered attention. He will once again represent Ireland at the Olympics, joining his close friend Shane Lowry, who currently leads The Open. Unfortunately, McIlroy missed the cut at The Open with rounds of 78 and 75, finishing 11-over par.

 

Speculation has arisen regarding McIlroy’s recent performance, with his former agent suggesting that personal issues, including a messy life and a divorce U-turn, may have contributed to his poor showing. McIlroy plans to take a holiday to recover before the Olympics.

 

Despite the setback, McIlroy remains in contention for both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai titles. Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy stated, “Obviously the majors have come and gone, but to sort of refocus and try to reset for the Olympics, which will be another cool experience, and try to play well there. Then again, I’m in contention to try to win both titles on either side of the Atlantic, so still some things to play for until the end of the year.”

Dustin Johnson reveals why wife Paulina Gretzky is not with him at The Open

 

In a surprising twist, Dustin Johnson revealed that his wife, Paulina Gretzky, opted out of joining him at this week’s 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon due to her aversion to the infamous Scottish weather.

 

Johnson, 40, spoke to reporters after a promising second round, where he carded a 2-under 69, lifting his tournament score to 1-over par. Despite being eight shots behind the 36-hole leader, Shane Lowry, Johnson remains in contention with two rounds left to play.

 

The two-time major champion has kept himself within striking distance, albeit with an uphill battle ahead. Yet, should Johnson clinch his first Open Championship title on Sunday, Paulina won’t be present to witness his potential triumph. Instead, she chose to vacation with friends in the luxurious Saint-Tropez, preferring the sunny French Riviera over Scotland’s blustery 30mph winds.

 

“I don’t blame her,” Johnson admitted, understanding Paulina’s preference for warmer climates. He confirmed that he plans to reunite with her in Saint-Tropez after the tournament concludes on Sunday night.

 

This week, Johnson’s sole family support comes from his brother and caddie, Austin. When asked if any family members were present, Johnson responded with a chuckle, “Well, my brother’s here.”

 

His focus, however, remains on overcoming the significant deficit behind leader Shane Lowry. Johnson knows he needs the challenging weather conditions his wife dislikes to play to his advantage. “It all depends on the weather really. Tough conditions, you don’t need to be — you can be pretty far behind as long as you play well,” he stated.

 

Johnson’s season has been a mixed bag. He kicked off the year strong with his third career title on the LIV Golf tour in Las Vegas back in February. However, subsequent performances have been less consistent, with only three top-10 finishes and missed cuts at both The Masters and the US Open. He also finished T43 at the US PGA.

 

While Johnson has never won The Open, his eligibility to compete in the final major of the season stems from his 2020 Masters victory. His first major win dates back to the 2016 US Open, solidifying his status as a former World No.1.

 

As Johnson braces for the weekend, fans are left to wonder: can he pull off a stunning comeback and seize the Claret Jug? If he does, it will be without Paulina cheering from the sidelines but certainly with her in his thoughts.

Rory McIlroy’s reaction to missing Open cut sums him up as major drought goes on

Rory McIlroy’s journey at The Open Championship came to an abrupt halt on Friday, marking a challenging moment for the 2014 champion. McIlroy, who shot 12-over-par across the first 36 holes, missed the cut for only the third time in his career. His performance at Royal Troon means his quest for a fifth major title remains unfulfilled, stretching into its 11th year since his last win at the PGA Championship in 2014.

 

Despite the disappointment, McIlroy remains a fervent supporter of his Olympic teammate, Shane Lowry, who is leading the tournament. “I can’t wait to watch this weekend,” McIlroy shared. “[Lowry is] so creative. Just watching the coverage the last couple of days, that little sort of squeezy cut he can hit, especially going out in that front nine, is going to be really helpful to him. He relishes these conditions. The Open Championship is his favourite tournament in the world. He gets more up for this than anything else. I’m looking forward to cheering him on and hopefully him getting his second [Claret] Jug.”

 

While Lowry has a thrilling weekend ahead, McIlroy faces the challenge of recalibrating his focus. With this year’s major tournaments now behind him, McIlroy is setting his sights on new goals, including the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris. He will represent Ireland alongside Lowry at Le Golf National, marking his second appearance at the Olympics. “There’s still a few things left to play for,” McIlroy commented. “Obviously the majors have come and gone, but to sort of refocus and try to reset for the Olympics, which will be another cool experience. Try to play well there, and then again, I’m in contention to try to win both titles on either side of the Atlantic, so still some things to play for until the end of the year.”

 

McIlroy’s 2024 season has been notable, despite the setbacks in major tournaments. He began the year with a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in January and secured a win at the Wells Fargo Championship in May. In the majors, he came close at the US Open, leading the field by two shots with five holes to play, only to be overtaken by Bryson DeChambeau at the final hole.

 

As McIlroy looks ahead, his next opportunity for a major win will come at the 2025 Masters next April. Until then, his focus remains on new challenges and maintaining his strong form in the remaining tournaments of the year.

Rory McIlroy has admitted he was “resigned” to missing the cut at The Open after playing just four holes of

 

Rory McIlroy’s journey at The Open came to a disappointing halt as he failed to make the cut following two challenging rounds at Royal Troon. The four-time major winner’s struggles with the harsh weather conditions led to a final score of 11 over-par through 36 holes, ending his run before the weekend.

 

Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy confessed he felt “resigned” to his fate after just four holes into his second round. “Once I made the eight on the fourth hole, that was it,” he admitted. “After that, I’m thinking about where I’m going to go on vacation next week.” Despite his attempts to salvage his game, the Northern Irishman found himself battling against the wind and his own frustrations.

 

McIlroy, 35, had hoped to regain his form after a break from golf following a disappointing finish at the US Open in June. His return at the Scottish Open earlier this month saw him tie for fourth place, boosting his confidence as he approached the final major of the year. However, the brutal conditions at Royal Troon proved too much.

 

On the first day, McIlroy’s struggles were evident as he ended 13 shots off the lead with a score of seven over-par. Day two started equally poorly, with a triple bogey on the fourth hole. Despite a slight improvement as the day went on, he ultimately missed the cut by four strokes.

 

Discussing his performance, McIlroy elaborated, “I didn’t adapt well at all on Thursday to the left-right wind on the back nine. This afternoon, going out in that gusty wind on the front, it got the better of me and I felt pretty uncomfortable over a few shots.” He acknowledged that the rough start significantly impacted his game. “That four-hole stretch to start off was what cost me. I got off to the worst possible start being six over through six, but then played the last 12 holes pretty well, bogey-free.”

 

As the wind subsided, McIlroy found his rhythm, playing the last 12 holes under par and feeling more at ease with his shots. However, the damage was already done. “When the wind gets that strong and you haven’t played in wind like that for quite a while, sometimes it’s just hard to adapt,” he explained.

 

Reflecting on the season, McIlroy noted, “I’ll look back at the two majors where I didn’t play my best this year, both here and the Masters. The wind got the better of me on the Friday at Augusta, and the wind got the better of me the last two days here.”

 

McIlroy’s candid assessment of his performance highlights the challenges even the most seasoned golfers face under adverse conditions. As he looks ahead, the golfing world will be watching to see how he rebounds from this setback.