Latest news with #TheR&A
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
153rd Open sets 'new benchmark' for on-course fans as well as TV viewers and digital audience
Record-breaking figures announced for both traffic and use of official Open App 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... The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush has set a new benchmark for attendance, broadcast viewership and digital engagement, according to The R&A. On the back of both Sky Sports and NBC and Peacock in the US revealing the event in Northern Ireland had delivered huge TV audiences, the St Andrews-based organisation has announced that it was a huge success as well from both an attendance and a digital perspective. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A record 278,000 fans marked the highest attendance for The Open held outside of St Andrews while, for the first time, all practice days were sold out with a record 90,000 fans attending. Scottie Schefflertees off on the 14th hole during the final round of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club |In addition, 19,000 children were able to enjoy The Open as part of the long-running Kids go Free initiative while more than 1.2 million applications were received for tickets in the ticket ballot. On the digital front, experienced record-breaking traffic, achieving its most daily users and pageviews ever recorded with pageviews up 60 per cent compared to 2024. The official Open App also saw its highest daily users ever, up 21 per cent, with four days recording over 400,000 users. Social media engagement soared, gaining nearly 400,000 new followers, a 178 per cent increase from 2024, and generating over 436 million views across platforms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Event received 'incredible support from the fans' "The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush has truly set a new standard in attendance, TV viewership and digital engagement,' said Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A. "The incredible support from the fans at The Open and those watching around the world combined with the outstanding performances on the course to create an atmosphere that will be remembered for years to come. 'These record-breaking figures are a testament to the enduring appeal of The Open and the passion of the fans for links golf at its finest. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together with our partners.'
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Downfield double tees up Scottish Challenge start for Tartan Pro Tour player
Rhys Thompson joins Rory Franssen and Bradley Neil in securing Schloss Roxburghe start 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... Rhys Thompson joined Rory Franssen and Bradley Neil in securing a Farmfoods Scottish Challenge spot as a Tartan Pro Tour winner after completing a Downfield double. Hot on the heels of Neil becoming the first player to defend a title on Paul Lawrie's circuit, Thompson also achieved the feat in the Downfield Masters presented by Piper Sandler. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rhys Thompson shows off the trophy after winning the Downfield Masters presented by Piper Sandler | Tartan Pro Tour After opening with back-to-back 66s at the Downfield venue, in-form Liam Johsnton led by a shot from both Thompson and Connor McKinney heading into the closing circuit. Following a nip-and-tuck last-day battle, Thompson emerged as the winner, signing off with a 68 for a 12-under-par total to pip Johnston (70) by a shot, with John Henry, who stormed home in 29, a further shot back in third place. 'The Downfield double, aye - back at it,' said Thompson, who picked up a top prize worth £4,500. 'I'd been there before and knew the course, so I was excited to be heading back there. I'd played well there before, so I decided 'yeah, why not have another go'.' Franssen secured his spot in next week's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A through winning the Cardrona Classic presented by Martin Gilbert, with Neil doing likewise with his victory in the Newmachar Classic presented by Boskalis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The incentives were there,' added Thompson of a third spot being up for grabs at Downfield. 'They had three Challenge Tour spots from the three events and I wasn't in the hunt for the top two on the Order of Merit for the Scottish Challenge, so I knew I had to win one of the three events. 'I was playing okay going into it, so I just had to go for it, really. Liam was playing well, having been up there every week on the Tartan Pro Tour, so I knew what I had to do.' In addition to Franssen, Neil and Thompson, Johnson and Craig Ross will also be teeing it up at Schloss Roxburghe near Kelso through Tartan Pro Tour tickets as the leading two players on the Order of Merit not otherwise exempt. They'll be taking on the likes of David Horsey, James Morrison and David Law - all recent winners on the HotelPlanner Tour - as well as Eddie Pepperell and Renato Paratore. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rhys Thompson will be teeing up in next week's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Schloss Roxburghe in the Borders | Tartan Pro Tour 'It always is a strong field for the Scottish Challenge,' noted Thomspon of an event won last year by Brandon Robinson Thompson at Newmachar. 'It will be tough, but all the Challenge Tour events are tough to do well in.' After topping the Tartan Pro Tour Order of Merit in 2023, Thompson played on the HotelPlanner Tour last season but, to his disappointment, it proved to be a fruitless rookie campaign. 'Ultimately, it was a great experience, but it was tainted from not playing my best golf, which was obviously frustrating,' he said. 'I can't complain, though, because I had a great year. 'Yes, I didn't play my best golf and it's now how I wanted to perform, but it's golf. You can't always be good. I took the brunt of it and still went out there every week and I tried to make the most of the experience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I want to be back there for sure and give it a go again playing some better golf. I always felt the way I'd played the year prior to setting up that opportunity, even if a small percentage of that I'd probably have been alright but I didn't, unfortunately. That was the frustrating part as I knew I was capable of doing better.' 'People have realised how good the Tartan Pro Tour is' Having been a bit of a trailblazer, Thompson is now being joined by lots of other English players making the journey north to compete on the Tartan Pro Tour, which was set up during the Covid pandemic to provide playing opportunities for Scottish-based players but has blossomed into a Satellite Tour for the HotelPlanner Tour
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
The next World Golf Hall of Fame induction will be held at the home of golf
After a dozen years, the induction ceremony for the World Golf Hall of Fame is returning to the home of golf. Per a release from Hall officials on Thursday, the next ceremony will be held in St. Andrews, Scotland, during the week of the 2027 version of the Open Championship. 'There is no better connection to golf's rich history and the origins of the game than at St Andrews,' Mike Trostel, director of the World Golf Hall of Fame, said in the release. 'We are thrilled to celebrate the next class of golf's greatest figures at the home of golf and are grateful for the collaboration with our partners at The R&A.' After the trip across the pond, the ceremony will return to Pinehurst, N.C., in June 2029 stretch that will see the U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. Open played at famed No. 2. "It is an honour to once again host the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during the week of The Open at St. Andrews,' said Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A. 'It is entirely fitting that the next class of inductees will be celebrated here at the home of golf, and we look forward to welcoming current World Golf Hall of Fame members and our partners from across the sport.' The last ceremony was held in Pinehurst during the 2024 U.S. Open, with three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, two-time major champion Sandra Palmer, 1973 Open champion Tom Weiskopf, three-time major champion Beverly Hanson, 1928 U.S. Open champion Johnny Farrell, as well as the 13 LPGA Founders, all inducted. The Hall, which was previously a fixture in St. Augustine, Florida, from 1998 to 2023, is now just a short walk from the 18th green at Pinehurst No. 2 – where Payne Stewart, Martin Kaymer, Michelle Wie West, and Bryson DeChambeau won U.S. Open championships. Set among the North Carolina pines, the World Golf Hall of Fame houses an unparalleled collection of golf memorabilia and artifacts. If you want to learn about the history of the game or the men and women who have played the biggest roles in its growth over the past two centuries, this is the place to visit. Warm wooden floors and soft lighting give the space a clean, modern aesthetic without feeling pretentious. Visitors to Pinehurst for golf can easily spend 45 minutes or an hour exploring the Hall while staying immersed in the game. From the release: Since 2024, the Hall of Fame has been managed by the USGA and is housed at Golf House Pinehurst in North Carolina. The updated Induction Ceremony cadence moving to odd years underscores the USGA's deepening commitment to Pinehurst as an anchor site and permanent home, with four future Induction Ceremonies (2029, 2035, 2041, 2047) aligning with U.S. Open Championships contested at Pinehurst No. 2. There are three categories through which an individual may be eligible for induction: Male Competitor, Female Competitor and Contributor. To be eligible, a player must be at least 45 years old during the year of an Induction Ceremony or retired from competitive golf for at least three years. To be considered for selection in the Contributor category, an individual must have impacted the game significantly in areas outside of the competitive arena. Each new class of inductees is selected after a vetting process by committees made up of World Golf Hall of Fame Members, the golf media and golf industry representatives.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
From K-Drama to Clubhouse: How The Open sparked a Korean superstar's golf passion
It all started with a quiet Sunday at The Open Championship, but for South Korean superstar Song Joong-ki, it was the beginning of something much bigger. Known across the Middle East thanks to hit dramas like Descendants of the Sun and the global Korean Wave, which has captured hearts here alongside K-Pop sensations and Korean cultural hits like Squid Game, Song's journey into golf is inspiring new fans across the UAE and Arab world. What began on a day as a spectator quickly turned into a passion. Today, Song isn't just a fan, he's The R&A's first Asian Global Ambassador, using his star power alongside sports icons like NBA's Stephen Curry to grow golf across Asia and beyond. Song confessed that he didn't know much about The R&A at first. 'I asked a friend who knows golf well, and they told me to say yes without hesitation. My wife and father-in-law were proud that I joined The R&A,' he said. Song is married to Katy Louise Saunders, a British citizen and former actress and model. With golf booming in the UAE, a melting pot where Korean expats, mingle with local enthusiasts, Song's story connects with this vibrant scene, showing how golf transcends cultures and unites diverse communities, just like K-Dramas and pop culture from the dynamic East Asian powerhouse. Song's path from national-level short-track speed skater to global actor to golf advocate reflects a spirit of resilience and passion admired by fans in the Middle East. He's also actively supporting junior golf initiatives, making the game accessible to all, a message that resonates in the UAE's growing golf ecosystem. For golf fans who already cheer for Korean players, Song Joong-ki's ambassadorial role brings a fresh connection between entertainment, sport, and regional enthusiasm. One Sunday at The Open changed everything. Now, Song is helping reshape golf for a new generation, including those in the Arab world who are discovering the joy of the game, whether through a TV drama or a first swing on the fairway.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Open: How long Scottie Scheffler can keep Claret Jug after being caught off guard
Scottie Scheffler won The Open at Royal Portrush to claim the fourth major title of his career, and aspects of the Claret Jug took him by surprise Scottie Scheffler has etched his name into golfing history by claiming the coveted Claret Jug at The Open. The American won the historic major for the first time at Royal Portrush on Sunday. Scheffler, who finished T7 at last year's tournament, soared to victory at Portrush with a three-under-par round on Sunday. The 29-year-old finished on 17-under at The Open, four shots ahead of runner-up Harris English. Scheffler, who is already a two-time Masters winner and clinched the PGA Championship in May, is no stranger to picking up trophies. However, the Claret Jug seemed to fascinate Scheffler shortly after his victory. In a video by The R&A, the champion golfer remarked on the trophy's unexpected weight. He turned to a person carrying the Claret Jug and said: "It's light, isn't it?" The footage tracked Scheffler's journey after his Open triumph, from heartfelt celebrations to expressing gratitude to staff and engaging with the press. Upon closer examination of his newly acquired trophy, Scheffler spotted an intriguing detail. Having inspected the trophy's past engravings, Scheffler shared: "The first thing I noticed was this, '2020: No championship owing to global pandemic.'" The Open has awarded Scheffler a replica of the iconic Claret Jug, which he must return to The R&A next year. The tradition of players keeping the same replica trophy for 12 months began in 1928. For the coming year, Scheffler has the privilege of showcasing the trophy and taking it to events, but the new Open champion must hand back the silverware before next year's tournament. The original Claret Jug is on permanent display at The R&A. Alongside the Claret Jug, Open champions are also presented with a gold champion's medal, which Scheffler will retain. The Claret Jug has been awarded since 1873. It was commissioned in the previous year, and although Thomas Morris' name was the first to be engraved on it, Tom Kidd was the inaugural champion to lift the trophy when he triumphed 152 years ago. Scheffler's recent string of successes has led some to compare him with Tiger Woods, who has won The Open on three occasions. Yet, Scheffler dismissed such comparisons as premature during his post-championship press conference. "I still think they're a bit silly," Scheffler admitted. "Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there. I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf. "He was inspirational for me growing up. He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf. I don't focus on that kind of stuff."
