The last “major” of the year in golf is coming up: the injured superstar Tiger Woods is missing from the British Open, but a German tiger is there. Oldie Marcel Siem will also be fighting for the 16.5 million euro prize money from Thursday (July 20th, 2023/live ticker from 7.30 a.m. at sportschau.de).
The very tranquil village of Hoylake in the county of Cheshire on the Irish Sea with almost 11,000 inhabitants and a three kilometer long beach has amazingly two golf courses. One of them is a legend. The Royal Liverpool Golf Club has been playable since 1885, and the 7,218-yard links course, which is typical of England, has hosted “The Open” twelve times, for the first time in 1897 and for the last time in 2014.
Strong wind, wavy fairways, deep bunkers
After nine years, the world’s golfing elite is now returning to the gates of Liverpool: the 151st British Open will be held in Hoylake. The wind traditionally plays a very special role here, the fairways are hard and wavy, the sand bunkers are deep and often damp due to the spray.
In 2014, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland won in Hoylake with four class rounds of 66, 66, 68 and 71 on the par 71 course. He has actually been waiting for his next major triumph since this tournament. He came very close again this year, missing a single shot at the US Open in June to force a jump-off against surprise champion Wyndham Clark from the USA.
McIlroy back among the top favorites
The return to Hoylake is now set to end a nine-year losing streak and McIlroy is in gala form, having won dress rehearsal, the Scottish Open in North Berwick last weekend, becoming the first player in history to win the Open tournament in Scotland, Ireland and England to triumph.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy completes a practice round on the par 71 course.
Scottie Scheffler is also very strong this year. The world number one from the USA, Masters winner of 2022, was in the top ten in all majors in 2023: He finished tenth at the Masters in Augusta, second at the PGA Championship and most recently third at the US Open.
Cameron Smith is the defending champion at the British Open. The Australian made his debut as a Major winner in St. Andrews last year and emotionally accepted the Claret Jug, the famous wine carafe trophy. Shortly thereafter, he switched to the controversial LIV Tour, financed from Saudi Arabia, which has since celebrated its reunion with the PGA. Smith has finished in the top ten eight times in the majors.
A tiger is missing, a tiger is present
Not there is superstar Tiger Woods, who is recovering from the consequences of a foot operation. Among the 156 players there are also four Germans, one of whom also has the first name Tiger.
This tiger is Tiger Christensen (Hamburg/19): The son of the well-known music producer Alex Christensen and the former singer Nicci Christensen (known as “Rollergirl”) surprisingly qualified for the tournament at short notice. The teenager left well-known names like Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia behind.
The University of Arizona student is still an amateur and is therefore not allowed to collect any prize money. Nevertheless, Christensen is extremely ambitious, has high goals and wants to win the “Silver Medal” for the best amateur in Hoylake.
Long, Paul and Siem the other Germans
Hurly Long (Heidelberg/27): The German Olympic participant in Tokyo is still missing a top result this year. For Long, who starts Thursday in the final group of the day and turns 28 on Friday, it’s the first major start of his career.
Yannik Paul (Mannheim/29): The currently best German golf pro won his first tournament on the DP World Tour in 2022. And this season, the 100th in the world rankings is convincing with strong performances. Paul has a good chance of taking part in the Ryder Cup at the end of September for the European selection.
Marcel Siem (Ratingen/43): The veteran shared 15th place at the Open in Sandwich two years ago. The emotional Rhinelander, who lives in Mauritius, has fought his way back to the top of European golf in recent years and won another tournament in New Delhi in February. Siem plays the first two days together in a flight with Tiger Christensen.
Good memories: Marcel Siem finished 15th at the British Open in 2021.
Three million dollars for the winner
The British Open is endowed with 16.5 million US dollars (around 15 million euros). The winner alone will receive a check for three million dollars (2.72 million euros) and the Claret Jug. The winner can also call himself “Champion Golfer of the Year”.