The Open Championship is the final major of the golf season and will take place at Royal Portrush next month, with a whole host of storylines currently dominating the sport
Xander Schauffele is the defending Open Championship winner(Image: R&A via Getty Images)
The prestigious Open Championship is set to return next month, marking the final golf major of the season.
This historic event will take place at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland for only the third time ever, and will showcase top players such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and many others.
In the run-up to the major, there’s been much chatter about the possibility of Tiger Woods taking on the captain’s role for Team USA at the Ryder Cup in September. Although Woods isn’t expected to compete at Royal Portrush, LIV Golf star Jon Rahm is, and the Spaniard has shared his ambition to secure a third career major.
Other key stories that Mirror Sport has explored in the world of golf include Richard Bland opting out of the US Senior Open for LIV, and Viktor Hovland’s pointed comments towards outgoing PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, reports the Mirror US.
Uncertainty over Tiger Woods’ Ryder Cup role
Keegan Bradley, winner of the Travelers Championship, is set to lead Team USA into the Ryder Cup in September, but his recent winning streak has sparked questions about whether he’ll be able to juggle the potential dual role of player-captain.
Sky Sports Golf pundit Laura Davies doubts the possibility of Bradley captaining and playing simultaneously in the golfing spectacle. On talkSPORT, she said: “Back then, there was a lot less for captains to do. So, I could see a captain playing back in those days, but now with all the huge media coverage and all their commitments, and it’s huge commitments.
Speculation surrounding Tiger Woods taking up the role of Team USA captain at the Ryder Cup has heated up(Image: Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)
“I’ve been a vice captain on the Solheim Cup a few times, and I see how much a captain has to do during the week. Obviously the buildup, that doesn’t matter, but during the week there’s so much going on. I don’t think you can play and be a captain.”
Davies further suggested that Tiger Woods wouldn’t want the dual role amid speculation, instead proposing Jim Furyk: “I don’t think Tiger would like to be the captain in those circumstances,” she added. “The reason you have those vice captains, and you choose them carefully, is because you know that they can step in if need be, at any given time.
“Jim’s already been the captain once before. I’m assuming his other vice captains are the ones we’ve known before, Freddy Couples, possibly I don’t know who he’s chosen, but I know Jim’s there, and he would be the obvious one for me.”
Jon Rahm Open plans
Jon Rahm has a history of success in Ireland with wins at the Irish Open in 2017 and 2019, yet The Open has remained out of his reach. His closest brush with victory at the major was in 2023 when he finished tied for second place.
Fresh from a joint-seventh finish at the US Open at Oakmont, Rahm is set to tee off at LIV Dallas this week, aiming to build up steam as he heads into the major tournament. Speaking about the course, Rahm expressed his fondness for Royal Portrush: “I like Royal Portrush,” he said.
“Usually it’s perfectly flat, and there’s other elements to worry about. So that’s what makes Portrush to me a little bit more special. It’s a fantastic golf course where, like every other major, you have to do everything well. I’ve been lucky enough to play in Ireland and Northern Ireland, so I’m hoping that can carry on over into a major championship, as well.”
Richard Bland’s LIV decision
Despite the status and opportunity to defend his US Senior Open title at Broadmoor, Richard Bland has chosen to participate in LIV Golf’s Dallas event instead. The seasoned golfer expressed his aspirations to be among the top 24 players and secure his place on Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC team via his social media platforms.
Richard Bland could earn millions if he wins LIV Dallas(Image: Getty Images)
Given the significant difference in winnings, with the US Senior Open offering £525,000 ($720,000) for first place and Tyrell Hatton pocketing a whopping £2.9million ($4m) at last year’s LIV Nashville, Bland’s decision could be financially motivated. The LIV Nashville event, now replaced with LIV Dallas in the 2025 schedule, illustrates the substantial funds at stake.
Viktor Hovland’s perspective on PGA vs LIV
On the topic of the PGA-LIV predicament, Viktor Hovland offered his perspective ahead of the Travelers Championship, amid the succession planning from Monahan to Brian Rolapp as the new PGA Tour commissioner scheduled for the end of 2026. Monahan, who has steered the tour during its tensions with LIV, came under Hovland’s scrutiny for his leadership and choices.
Speaking on the “Shotgun Start” podcast, the Norwegian golfer expressed his bemusement over Monahan’s extended departure timeline, saying: “I don’t know how normal it is to announce that you’re leaving and still work for another 18 months.”
The Norwegian star had some criticism aimed Jay Monahan’s way(Image: Getty Images)
He continued: “Especially the messaging the last couple of years, certainly in the face of the LIV tour emerging, I think the PGA Tour didn’t really go with the best strategy, y’know? I think the Tour certainly had leverage in terms of just historical events, tradition.
“And I think they should have honed in a little bit more on that. Just playing the money game and the finances – that’s a tough one to compete against the Saudis. So I think they really should just hone in on the tradition.”
Patrick Reed’s Ryder Cup worries
Meanwhile, three-time Ryder Cup team member Patrick Reed has admitted he faces a tough fight to make the prestigious tournament once again. Being part of the LIV series means earning ranking points is a challenge, and even clinching a win at The Open may not be enough to guarantee him a spot on Team USA this September.
“Anytime I get to represent our country, it means a lot to me,” the golfer expressed on Wednesday. “For me personally, I’m always thinking about trying to make every team. Obviously, being a part of LIV where we don’t get points, it’s an uphill battle, but really, for me, it’s focused on playing some great golf and having a chance.
Making a fourth Ryder Cup team looks unlikely for Patrick Reed(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s really going to come down to the Open Championship, having a chance to win there. You have a really good showing and play well there, then you just never know. It is looking like no matter what, it’s going to rely on a pick unless I go ahead and win the Open. Really, the only way I can focus on the Ryder Cup is that one week, go out and give all I have and have a chance to win.”
Presently, in the American Ryder Cup points standings, Reed is placed 33rd with 2821.82 points. At the 10th spot, Harris English sits with 7,666.52 points – which means that even claiming the Claret Jug would leave Reed dependent on a captain’s pick from Bradley.
Jon Rahm has never won The Open(Image: Getty)
“Last Open there I did well. I played a British Am there and had nothing but a good experience. It’s a bit of a unique links because you don’t usually have elevation changes in links golf, and it’s not that it’s massive, but that first hole you have anywhere between a wedge to a seven-iron with a massive upslope and massive crosswinds.
“That’s not something you usually see, the fifth hole is severely downhill, even the seventh going up is not something you usually see. And then 16, 17, 18, with having to go over cliffs and falloffs and elevation changes, it’s not something you usually get to practice in links golf.
