News

2007 British Open Preview

Published

19 years ago

Jul 18, 2007

There is just something about the British Open, maybe it is the history, maybe it is the lore, maybe it is the golf courses, or maybe it is just because it is the greatest golf tournament in the world. Most Americans either love it, or they hate it, but the bottom line is that they all respect it.

The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world and it is also the most historic. It carries with it a sense of pride, which few tournaments have or will ever know. As you watch the British Open you are watching history right in front of your eyes, history that was started some 136 years ago, played on the same type of courses that they are playing on now. This year’s winner will not only be the British Open Champion for 2007, he will be internationally known as this year’s golf champion, a distinction that no other event will ever achieve.

The 136^th installment of The Open returns to Tayside and to the Carnoustie Golf Links. The third major of the year is sure to provide plenty of excitement for the fans, as well as plenty of agony for the golfers. Carnoustie is known as being a super difficult golf course, and showed it’s teeth at the last Open it hosted in 1999, when Jean Van de Velde basically lost the championship on the 72^nd hole with a triple bogey 7, and journeyed into infamy as the guy that lost the Open. Although, this year the weather has been more favorable than the last trip to Carnoustie, and the officials think it will be a much fairer test of golf. The weather has been producing less severe rough, and should play easier than 1999. "We are not seeking carnage," said Royal and Ancient Club Chief Executive Peter Dawson. "We are seeking an arena where the players can display their skills to the best effect."

There are some tremendous stories brewing for this years’ Open. Tiger, Phil, Monty, the course, and weather will all be stories at this years’ Open Championship. One of the biggest stories has to be that of Colin Montgomerie winning just a few short weeks back at the European Open. Ending a winless drought since last year, Monty is obviously in form despite missing the cut at the Scottish Open, and could be ready to claim that major that has eluded him for so long. But instead of considering himself a favorite this week, he has nodded his support in another direction. "We have more players capable of it than ever before but Padraig Harrington and Paul Casey would be my picks”, recently stated by Montgomerie when asked who he thought could win this week at Carnoustie.

Another big story will that everyone will be watching is that of Tiger Woods and is he ready to return to form after becoming a father for the first time. He has taken a little time off and seems to be a little off form. But knowing Tiger Woods and his amazing talent and ability, he will be there on Sunday. Ask Thomas Bjorn who will be playing a practice round with Tiger, "I have a feeling that this Open could be very open, but I have an ‘unless’," said Bjorn at the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. "That ‘unless’ is that it could be very open unless Tiger has spent the last couple of weeks how he normally does before a major," he added. "If he has, then he could blow everybody away again." With that being said he is looking to become only the fourth man to win the Open Championship three times in a row. He would be accompanied by Tom Morris Jr., Jamie Anderson, and Peter Thomson as the only people who have ever achieved that feat. And when Woods was asked about the Open, "I just love the history, tradition and atmosphere," Woods wrote. "You need patience and imagination to play well, plus the fans are great. I’m really looking forward to next week." So keep an eye on Tiger this week because when Tiger is “excited” about an event, it usually does not bode well for the rest of the field.

Phil Mickelson and his now healed wrist will be yet another story. His performance last week at the Scottish Open showed that he is back on form and possibly over the hurt wrist, and looks to be a contender this week at The Open. Mickelson, who finished second at the Scottish Open, looks ready to capture yet another major, and only several weeks after a wrist injury kept him from competing 100 percent during the U.S. Open. A fan of the Open Championship Mickelson said, "I’ve not played as well in the Open as I would have liked, so I still have to perfect some of the shot-making over here. That said – I love it. I think links golf is tremendous." Look for a big week out of Phil.

You might also keep and eye out for surging players Ernie Els, and Sergio Garcia. Both have been playing well as of late, and had strong finishes at the Scottish Open. Reteif Goosen, failed to make the cut at the Scottish Open, but should be a force to contend with at the Open. You may also want to look out for Jonathan Byrd, who won the John Deere Classic to earn a trip to Carnoustie. Most of the world’s top players will be in action this week at Carnoustie, so be prepared for another great Open Championship.

This year’s event will host 156 of the world’s elite, from which the top 70 and ties will go on to the weekend. The golf course will play to a yardage of 7112 and a par of 71. The Champion golfer for 2007 will receive 750,000 pounds ($1,508,925) for his efforts. This will be the seventh trip to Carnoustie for the Open, with past champions such as, Ben Hogan, Henry Cotton, Tommy Armour, Gary Player, Tom Watson, and Paul Lawrie. As you can see aside from Lawrie, the past winners at this historic venue are all hall of famers.

Official Websites

http://www.opengolf.com

http://www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk

Television Times

Thursday, July 19 TNT 7am- 7pm ET

Friday, July 20 TNT 7am – 7pm ET

Saturday, July 21 TNT 7am-9am ET ABC 9am-2:30 ET

Sunday, July 22 TNT 6am-8am ET ABC 8am – 1:30 ET

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

1 day ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

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News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

4 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase