Choi defends
K.J. Choi became the first South Korean to win a Senior Major Championship 12 months ago as he claimed a two-stroke victory at Carnoustie Golf Links. The 54-year-old started slowly but ignited around the turn to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack as he signed for a closing two under round of 70 and a winning total of ten under par, two clear of Australia’s Richard Green. “It’s unbelievable, today’s game,” he said. “I prayed all week. Either way I started very nervous and some speed was off, which was the difference, and I made three bogeys after six. I kept my attention and prayed. I felt more comfortable in the swing. This event is historical in Korea, first-time champion at The Senior Open. Very proud this week.”
Sunningdale takes centre stage
Sunningdale will host The Senior Open for the fourth time this week. The famous Old Course first hosted the event in 2009, when America’s Loren Roberts defeated compatriot Fred Funk and Ireland’s Mark McNulty in a play-off. Another American, Marco Dawson, was triumphant when the Senior Major returned in 2015, finishing one stroke ahead of Bernhard Langer. After the postponement of the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Europe’s senior showpiece returned to the Berkshire venue in 2021 as Welshman Stephen Dodd won his maiden Senior Major title, holding off past champion Miguel Ángel Jiménez to claim victory. In addition to three Senior Opens, Sunningdale has also hosted the British Masters, the European Open, The Seve Trophy, Walker Cup, AIG Women’s Open, Curtis Cup and has been a qualifying venue for The Open.
Major names in play
All of the reigning Senior Major champions are in action this week with Angel Cabrera, Pádraig Harrington and Miguel Ángel Jiménez joining Choi in teeing it up. Four-time winner and 12-time Senior Major champion Bernhard Langer is also in the field alongside Welshman Dodd, who lifted the trophy the last time the event was held here. Add in a further 14 winners of The Open, Masters, U.S. Open and US PGA Championship, along with numerous Ryder Cup players and Captains and you have a recipe for a memorable week.
Debutants looking to dazzle
Among the gathered established names in the senior game, we have a collection of players who will be teeing it up at the Senior Open for the very first time. In fact, the list of players who have turned 50 since last season’s Senior Open could go on to be truly leading lights in the senior game. David Howell and Stephen Gallacher are multiple DP World Tour winners and Ryder Cuppers; Anthony Wall, Darren Fichardt, Felipe Aguilar and Søren Kjeldsen have 13 DP World Tour wins between them, while David Drysdale made 576 DP World Tour appearances across more than 20 years. What odds on a debutant winner?
ISPS HANDA comes on board
ISPS HANDA has extended its involvement in global golf by becoming title partner of Europe’s Senior Major. ISPS HANDA, founded in 2006 by the Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa, is a long-term partner of professional and amateur golf, as well as a wide array of other sports. Through these events, ISPS HANDA promotes the ethos that sport has the power to unite and inspire communities around the world and has sponsored European Tour group events worldwide since 2013. Dr Handa said: “ISPS HANDA is delighted to become the title partner of this iconic championship – one of the great tournaments in global golf, played at some of the sport’s most historic and inspiring venues.” This year’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open will also feature a Birdie Challenge with the aim of raising at least $50,000 to help introduce golf to children in Battambang in Cambodia.
