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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
The Open 2025: Perthshire pair Daniel Young and Phil McKenna team up at Portrush
Daniel Young pictured during a practice round for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush | Tom Russo/The Scotsman HotelPlanner Tour player aims to shine on major debut before bidding to secure DP World Tour card Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Daniel Young is determined to follow in David Law's footsteps by becoming a winner on the HotelPlanner Tour this season and then secure a step up to the DP World Tour - but that can wait! A debut major appearance in The 153rd Open is the job at hand and, naturally, the Perth man is excited about stepping on to the first tee at Royal Portrush on Thursday, albeit having to wait until 4.05pm in the penultimate group. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Yeah, it's been a good experience so far,' said Young, who secured his spot in the Claret Jug event through one of the Final Qualifiers at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire a fortnight ago. Daniel Young pictured during a practice round for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush | Tom Russo/The Scotsman 'I feel like Monday was a bit of just getting used to everything being a bit bigger than what I'm used to anyway. Then went out yesterday, got our work done and stuff and, yeah, it's been great.' Tuesday's practice round was in the company of the three other Scots in the field as he joined world No 14 Bob MacIntyre, as well as amateur duo Cameron Adam and Connor Graham for nine holes. 'Yeah, it was good to see Bob,' said Young of his conqueror in the final of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Muirfield just under nine years ago. 'I've obviously not seen him in a wee while, so it was good to catch up with him and play with the younger lads as well. Yeah, everybody was in good spirits and stuff and we just had a good time, to be honest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'All four of us are obviously rooting for each other to do well being from Scotland, but, at the end of the day, you want to beat all three of them. I asked Bob a couple of questions just from 2019, obviously, when he played well here (finishing joint-sixth), but his memory was lacking a little bit (laughing). 'But we're all trying to do our prep and figure it out and we've all got different games as well. How he sees stuff and how I see stuff and Connor and Cammy as well, we all see stuff differently. So it's just doing our own prep and seeing how I see it.' Daniel Young celebrates with his caddie, fellow Perthshire man Phil McKenna, after coming through one of The Open Final Qualifiers at Dundonald Links | Ross Parker/R&A/R&A via Getty Images Young's caddie this week is fellow Perthshire man Phil McKenna, who was also on Bradley Neil's bag when he played in this event at Royal Liverpool in 2014 then for Korean Gunn Yang, the US Amateur champion at the time, at St Andrews the following year. 'Yeah, he's got more experience than me,' joked Young. 'It's great to have him on the bag. We've done a few events now, so he knows my game as well as most people do. But it's nice to just have a friendly face. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We just have fun. We know when to get serious and when to have a laugh and things like that. And he knows when to say the right things as well, which is important for a caddie, especially in an environment like this. It's nice just to have that sort of calming influence, I suppose.' Helped by top-three finishes in his last two outings, Young sits tenth in the HotelPlanner Tour's Road to Mallorca Rankings, with Law up to third after his win in the D+D Real Czech Challenge on Sunday. 'That was fantastic,' said Young of his compatriot's title triumph, with the top 20 at the end of the season securing DP World Tour cards. 'It's looking like it could be a really good season for the Scots, absolutely.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
State of the Nation: Scotland is the home of both golf and some gifted golfers ... but is the country's grassroots game making the cut?
In June, Mail Sport published exclusive stories highlighting concerns over the future of two of the most popular sports in Scotland: tennis and rugby. And with the likes of Judy Murray raising the alarm, such warnings are impossible to ignore. In our new series, State of the Nation, our reporters turn the spotlight on some of the biggest sports in this country for a health check. We're not just looking for what's going wrong — it's important to highlight what's going right, as well. Here, we take a look at golf... As the undisputed Home of Golf, Scotland will always enjoy a place at the game's top table. Boasting so many of the world's top courses, as well as a world-class talent in Robert MacIntyre, the professional game is in fairly rude health. That is reflected in the cast of global superstars who recently teed it up at The Renaissance for the Scottish Open. It's now an A-list tournament. Scotland can also boast several other winners on the DP World Tour in recent years, such as Ewen Ferguson, Connor Syme, Calum Hill and Grant Forrest. But what about the grassroots game? How many people are actually playing golf in Scotland? Is it affordable and accessible? What are the pressures facing golf clubs across the country and how is the sport reacting to the rise of virtual golf and simulators? Grassroots The biggest issue that golf faces centres around cost and accessibility. Quite simply, the game is now more expensive than ever due to the rising costs of equipment and memberships. If we are talking about the top brands and a full new set of clubs, you could easily spend £2,000. Even the budget options still set you back around £500. When you factor in the needs for shoes, balls and all the other equipment, it works out at the same as a monthly mortgage payment for a lot of people. A membership for the average private club can range from anywhere between £500-£1,000, which again, is simply unaffordable for many. This is what makes municipal golf courses so vitally important in Scotland. We need them now more than ever, with the pay-and-play option an increasingly popular choice ahead of an annual subscription. The growing popularity of simulator facilities and 'virtual golf', as well as futuristic driving ranges, are to be welcomed if they help drive interest in the sport. But these facilities also present a challenge in that they could detract people from playing out on the course. Golf is evolving and modernising. In terms of participation levels in Scotland, there are currently just over 210,000 registered playing members at 565 affiliated clubs across the country. That figure represented a slight increase on the previous year. Junior memberships spiked by 18 per cent last year to just under 26,000. That figure offsets slight drops in the number of adult and female memberships. Currently around 12 per cent of golf club members in Scotland are female, an area in which Scottish Golf recognise the chance to grow and develop. Finances Barring a select few elite courses, the vast majority of golf clubs across Scotland are struggling to make ends meet and keep their heads above water. The rise of 'virtual golf', as well as the issue of affordability, is becoming a big factor. At Scottish Golf's AGM last year, the report from the governing body said: 'There are a number of ongoing challenges faced by member clubs and the broader golf community. 'On the expenditure side, the organisation was impacted by a range of wider economic factors, including inflationary pressures and rising operational costs. 'Despite these challenges, the organisation has maintained its commitment to prudent financial management, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the delivery of strategic objectives and sustain long-term financial stability. 'The team at Scottish Golf remains acutely aware of the financial pressures impacting member clubs, particularly in the current economic climate. Rising operational costs and the changing dynamics of the golf industry require ongoing adaptability and collaboration.' Sadly, some clubs have already bitten the dust. Last year, Hirsel Golf Club and Torrance Park both closed, while a host of others announced they were struggling. Kirkcaldy Golf Club drew up emergency plans to survive, Scotscraig and Musselburgh both held EGMs over their futures and Craigie Hill submitted a planning application to reduce its holes from 18 to nine. The threat of closure has been hanging over some other Scottish venues in 2025. Dalmuir was one of the much-cherished municipal courses which looked to be on the brink after having its funding cut by West Dumbartonshire Council, but it was recently saved after plans for a new finance model would see it leased back to the local community. 'We know in recent times that the membership has reduced and golf clubs are struggling all over Scotland,' said councillor David McBride. 'Golf is a difficult and expensive sport to take up and quite often you are introduced to it by perhaps someone within the family, so I think having this at the heart of the community, who want to make sure it thrives, can only be a good thing and we will certainly see more young people playing golf.' Exposure This is where we need to start separating the amateur game from the professional ranks. There is obviously no TV deal to speak of, but there is definitely a greater level of funding and more pathways now than ever before for top amateurs and players looking to make their way in the pro ranks. Previously, exposure would rely predominantly on talent and an ability to secure sponsors. But there is far more help now. A lot of credit should go to the likes of Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher for the work they do with their foundations and offering a platform to players. Created by former Open champion Lawrie, the Tartan Pro Tour offers male and female players the chance to compete against each other and hone their skills on some of the top courses around the country. It is designed to serve as a stepping stone as they progress on to bigger and better things. Former Ryder Cup star Gallacher also has his own foundation aimed at promoting junior golf and has a state-of-the-art practice facility at Kingsfield. English star Justin Rose is another who puts plenty back into the game. Created along with his wife Kate, the Rose Ladies Series has been a fruitful avenue for Scottish players like Louise Duncan and Kelsey MacDonald in recent times. What's happening worldwide? Across the world, golf is a sport that's evolving and modernising. A recent PGA research report highlighted how golf in all its forms is growing and touches different sections of the community in different ways. A key finding of the report showed that 40 per cent of all adults in the UK and Ireland engage with golf in any capacity, equating to a huge community of 22.4million people. Of those 22.4m individuals, 16.3m are playing any form of golf — from adventure golf to pitch and putt — while 4.9m are playing golf out on the course. There is a huge opportunity for clubs to engage with new golfers from all backgrounds and encourage them along the pathway to golf club membership. According to a report released last year by the R&A, participation levels across the globe have increased by a third since 2016. Scandinavian countries, as well as Japan, Korea and China, have seen the sharpest rise. One of the core principles of amateur golf is that players are not paid even for winning top-level tournaments. Events such as The Amateur Championship, the US Amateur, and the World Amateur team Championship continue to go from strength to strength. In terms of Scottish professionals thriving at the top of the game, we are actually in good health at the moment. Bob MacIntyre is out on his own as the jewel in Scotland's crown. But there's also a crop of really good players just behind him. The likes of Ewen Ferguson, Connor Syme, Grant Forrest and Calum Hill have all won multiple times on the DP World Tour over recent years. While the golf in Scotland certainly isn't without its challenges at the amateur and grassroots levels, the reality is that we are still producing good young players. Future Cameron Adam and Connor Graham will play in this week's Open Championship and are two of the brightest young stars in the amateur game at present. Aidan Lawson from Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is also making big noises by competing at European and world level, and is not even 18 yet. If Scotland is to keep churning out top players, golf clubs across the country need to continue to make the game accessible and affordable to juniors. Especially with the rise of virtual golf and simulators, the sport needs to move with the times and recognise the challenge it faces. The future of the professional game is decidedly uncertain. After shaking up the established order when it was formed a couple of years ago, the future of LIV Golf is unclear, with several of its top players nearing the expiry of their initial contracts. Will the Saudis continue pumping money into a product which has failed to get off the ground in terms of wider interest and with no mainstream TV deal? What's clear is that golf is evolving. Traditional formats are being challenged, much like the way Twenty20 has revolutionised cricket over the past two decades. After dragging its heels for so long and being viewed as the preserve of the middle-class, golf is finally showing an ability to modernise itself and move with the times.
Irish Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘I just want to have my best result in a Major and go from there': Tom McKibbin on his hopes for the Open
The lad strolled the fairways without a care in the world or so it seemed. Tom McKibbin was in good company, for sure. Darren Clarke, the elder, and Rory McIlroy , the master, completed a threeball that crossed the generation game with stories to tale and yet more to create. For McKibbin, this 153rd Open on the Dunluce championship links at Royal Portrush is yet another opportunity to progress a career that has seen him, even at 22 years of age, win on the DP World Tour before making the move to LIV Golf where he has settled in well, his fourth place finish in Valderrama last weekend following up a fifth-place finish in Dallas to show some good form at just the right time. McKibbin is from Belfast and, like McIlroy, learned his craft at Holywood Golf Club, but has also been a member of Royal Portrush for the past 10 years. Wisely he has tapped into Clarke's knowledge of the links in the build-up. Clarke was the one who suggested playing some practice rounds in advance of The Open. McKibbin did not need to be asked twice. READ MORE 'I work with a coach that coaches Darren as well and we had always been planning to get a little bit of a training camp for a couple of days together. He was at home, I was at home, so it made sense to go come up for a couple days and get out on the course while it was nice and quiet. I got to pick his brains for two days,' McKibbin said. This is only McKibbin's second appearance in The Open – he made the cut last year at Royal Troon – and only a fourth appearance in the Majors (he also made the cut at last year's US Open and this year's US PGA). He has looked at home in this elite company. 'I played three of them before, and I've played nicely. I think if I can just keep getting better at every one of them ... I definitely want to try and finish the highest that I have out of the four. But my game feels good. Hopefully I can continue the nice sort of form that I've had over the last couple of events and wherever that is at the end of the week I know that I'll have given it my best.' Strange as it may seem, given his fine amateur career, McKibbin – for one reason or another – was never around to play in the North of Ireland Championship on the course. His only competitive appearance was in the British Boys. And when the 2019 Open was staged here, McKibbin only watched on television as he was in Ohio competing in the US Junior Championships. Tom McKibbin: 'It's nice to see my game translate into some nice scores.' Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO 'Once they announced it was going to come back, it was a big, big goal of mine to get back here and get playing in it,' McKibbin said. His route to the here and now has been a quick one after turning professional in 2021 at 18. McKibbin's win in the Porsche European Open in 2023 showcased his talent and he earned his exemption into this Open through his ranking on last season's DP World Tour order of merit, which enabled him to put it in his schedule from the get-go without the need to look at any other qualifying routes. 'My game feels good. It was very nice at the start of the year, and then towards the middle things just weren't going my way. I felt like I was playing quite nicely, but I couldn't really get the score together. The last couple of weeks have been nice. I finished fifth in Dallas and then fourth last week on two very challenging golf courses, so it's nice to see my game, how it felt like it was playing, translate into some nice scores and post a couple of nice finishes.' Of the challenge ahead on a course he knows well, McKibbin said: 'It's a very good golf course, very demanding off the tee. It's quite strategic. There's bunkers in play no matter what club you decide to take off the tee. The greens are very slopey for links golf, especially with how slow they are [running at 10 on the stimp]. It's hard to see the breaks. I think very demanding. 'I mean, we played early today, and I'm not sure if this is normally the wind at this time or that time of the morning, because it seemed to be the opposite direction that I've normally used to play it in. I'm not sure if that's just a freak day or that changes sort of morning, day, afternoon, but that made it, the first five or six holes, definitely a little bit trickier. I think it's going to be a great test. As I said, there's bunkers everywhere, some patchy rough that can be quite challenging, just off the fairway.' No doubt there will be a sense of expectation once he heads to the first tee given the welcome that he can expect from the galleries. The support shown in the practice days has given a hint of what is yet to come his way. What of his own expectations? 'It's something that's so hard to say. I mean, with the weather and conditions links golf can bring, it's very hard to set expectations or whatever. You sort of have to just go with the flow really, take what you're given and go out there and try and handle that the best you can. I just want to have my best result in a Major and go from there.'
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
McKibbin out to make a name for himself after generation-spanning practice round at Portrush
DAWN BROKE TODAY at Royal Portrush across their generational golfer, but this time Rory McIlroy had company for his crack-of-dawn practice round. Alongside him was the great Northern Ireland golfer of the previous generation, Darren Clarke, and also the stand-out name among the next generation: Tom McKibbin. Where McIlroy's precocity and reputation preceded him right across the island before ever he excelled on the global stage, McKibbin has arrived as a less-known quantity. Having earned PGA Tour status at the end of his second year on the DP World Tour last year, for instance, McKibbbin has elected to swap his card for the lucrative obscurity of the LIV Tour. To accentuate that sense of separation, McKibbin wasn't at Portrush for the 2019 Open: he was playing an amateur event in the United States, and thus watching on television. 'Once they announced it was going to come back', says McKibbin of the Open's rapid return to Portrush, 'it was a big, big goal of mine to get back here and get playing in it.' He ticked that box by finishing among the top-25 on the DP World Tour last year. Of more relevance on the topic of familiarity is McKibbin's with the course. 'I've been a member here for the last 10 years', he says. 'I used to come up here a lot in the winter time as a kid, when the courses up near home were closed. So I've played it a lot, but up until this week, I'd maybe only played four or five times off the championship tees. Advertisement 'And normally you just come up and play off the members tees and things like that. But I played the British Boys here in 2018, which was my only competitive experience around here. And that's sort of all I can I can go off.' He can also rely on a very solid start to life at the majors. This will be McKibbin's fourth appearance at golf's biggest quartet of championships, and he has made the cut at each of the previous three. He also has the ear of Clarke, who reached out to him for a practice round a few weeks ahead of the tournament. 'I work with a coach that coaches him as well', says McKibbin. 'And we had always been planning to get a little bit of a training camp for a couple of days together. And he was at home, I was at home, so it made sense to go come up for a couple days and get out in the course while it was nice and quiet.' Form gives him another reason to feel positive. He finished in a tie for fourth at LIV Valderrama last week, helping his team win the collective prize while injecting another $750,000 into his bank account. His captain, Jon Rahm, carved out a piece of his own pre-tournament press conference to sing a hosanna to McKibbin. 'He's a fantastic young man', said Rahm. For a 22-year-old to be as calm and collected as he is is quite phenomenal. He's quiet by nature, but even in competition when things go wrong, he stays quite calm, and it's just remarkable and an incredible gift to have for a young player. I don't think I can relate to that whatsoever, so I'm a little bit jealous of that. I think it's going to serve him very well in the long run.' Where McIlroy is visceral and emotional, and Clarke is garrulous and expressive, McKibbin strikes you as almost comically unruffled. He is also swerving expectation: asked whether he could win the Open, he replied, 'I don't know.' 'With links golf and the weather and conditions links golf can bring, it's very hard to set expectations or whatever', he continues. 'You sort of have to just go with the flow, really what you're given, and go out there and try and handle that the best you can, and given the conditions and sort of battle for it. I just want to have my best result in the major, and sort of go from there.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Genesis Scottish Open 2025: Third-round tee times, pairings at The Renaissance Club
The Genesis Scottish Open continues Saturday at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. Here's a look at third-round tee times and pairings for the event co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. The Genesis Scottish Open How to watch the PGA Tour's 2025 Genesis Scottish Open and ISCO Championship Advertisement Here's how to watch this week's pair of PGA Tour events, in Scotland and in Kentucky.
