The Open Championship may well be the best of the major championships in golf. First, it is the oldest, second, it is the only major played outside the United States. Third, the natural elements that come into play make it a setting unlike any other in championship golf. And if all of that wasn’t enough, it is links golf — golf in its purest form, played the way golf was invented centuries ago.
Here are 10 things to really, really love about the Open Championship.
THE USGA IS NOT INVOLVED: Thank goodness for that. The Royal and Ancient runs the show and this week Royal Troon is the setting for the 145th contesting of the championship. The R&A does not need to “trick up” the courses as the USGA loves to do. Greens that hit in excess of 15 on the stimp-meter are simply un-natural and a total abomination to everything that is good about golf. Don’t look for any rules craziness at the Open Championship.
THE CLARET JUG: It’s the best trophy in championship golf. You can take your Green Jacket off the grounds at Augusta National for a year. You can’t drink out of the Green Jacket, so what good is it? The Claret Jug, one of the truly iconic symbols in sports, is exactly that — a jug. Perfect for your favorite beverage. You can fill it up and pass it around to all your friends to drink out of. How cool is that? You can bet Zach Johnson had one last beverage session with “The Jug” before he returned it. The good news is that most of the past champions have replicas made and they look just like “The Jug.” Jack Nicklaus has his on display at the Bears Club, his home course in Jupiter.
THE WEATHER: When it rains in Scotland, the rule is “play on!” It has to get to the massive puddle and flooding stage like it did at St. Andrews last year before they halt play. There will be wind and rain. Play on. Fun to watch the best players in the world battle the elements. Makes for great viewing.
THE TIME DIFFERENCE: You don’t have to wait all day for the action. It will start early in the morning here in the United States. It’s great to rise early, get the coffee going and watch the first two rounds. After that, it’s “Breakfeast At The Open” for us Americans. How do you like your Bloody Marys?
IN SCOTLAND YOU CAN DRINK YOUR LUNCH: The Scots have nothing against a “liquid lunch.” In fact, many prefer it. There are plenty of pints to be handled during the four days. And the action in the pubs is second to none.
YOU CAN BET ON IT: Phil Mickelson has to love being over there. You can virtually bet on EVERYTHING! And it’s legal. You can actually bet on golf as well. So if you think your game is in order this week, place a pile on yourself.
YOU CAN TAKE A TRAIN: The great thing about the courses in the Open rota is that they are all accessible by rail. You can catch a train from Glasgow to Royal Troon and the train station is only a mile from the golf course. Makes for perfect spectator commuting. And that means more beverages without having to drive. Perfect.
THE OPEN ROTA: First, The Open is played at St. Andrews every five years. Makes for easy trip planning if you want to head across the pond for the first time. And the rest of the courses are great — Carnoustie, Royal St. George, Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, Royal Liverpool and this week’s site — Royal Troon. Muirfield has been threatened with elimination from the rota because the members haven’t voted to admit women but that’s coming and Muirfield should remain in the rota. Wonder if we can bet on that?
THE FOOD PAVILION IS A “HAGGIS-FREE” ZONE: The great news is that you don’t have to eat Haggis if you attend the Open Championship. Haggis consists of a sheep’s heart, liver and lungs ground up and cooked inside a sheep’s stomach membrane and served. So for now we will declare the on-site food pavilions as “Haggis-Free Zones.” Everything else will be consumed in massive proportions. The Scots love their hearty meals.
THE WINNER ACTUALLY GETS A TITLE: This is the only major where the winner actually gets a title. The 2016 Open winner will be declared: “Champion Golfer Of The Year.” Awesome. Nick Faldo, the last Brit to win the title, has three Open Championships and as a result was eventually knighted by The Queen.
Yes, this week is special. A special game contested at special places, natural golf with heather and gorse ready to ambush wayward shots. This is the land where bunker really ARE hazards and the weather is as important as the championship itself. This is links golf, the way golf was meant to be played. Grit, determination and imagination will help.
Bring on the wind, the rain and the golf.
And leave the Haggis at home.
