Grant85
Head Pro
He was also in the previous president cup team, so would have qualified anyway through this method.
Also, a 10 year exemption would still have got him in the field in 2012 as he won it in 2002.
Past Champions
- Thread starter User101
- Start date
He was also in the previous president cup team, so would have qualified anyway through this method.
Also, a 10 year exemption would still have got him in the field in 2012 as he won it in 2002.
There will always be the odd exception, how many times has Todd Hamilton challenged in Majors since he won the open...let me think...and Darren Clarke scored well today, I absolutely bet you I could've scored better than Clarke today in these conditions.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
I'm all for giving past champions a slot but for me only until they're 50 or if they are older and qualify through the necessary means
Play him 30 times on championship courses and see how you fair. One shocking round isn’t a barometer for someone’s class (or lack of).
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Todd Hamilton hasn’t challenged for anything since the day after he won the Open
So what if Clarke had a bad round - he has won the Open and earned the right to play again in it.
There are 156 entries into the Open and your grumbling about a handful of players. Who exactly replaces them ? A handful of very low ranked players who would prob have the same sort of result as the Past Champions
I think it’s the reason why Woods is playing this year as well
shortgame
Tour Rookie
Sorry I’m afraid not - did you not read the rules ?
You must stick with that opinion and defend where possible - enjoy
:rofl:
ExRabbit
Club Champion
I think that the rule for past champions is fine as it is.
John Daly being the 9th alternate in the 1991 PGA would be up there in the lowest ranked to win a major though!
Winning the Open in 1995 gives him a few more years over here too.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
Earned the right to play by winning the thing.
Gives the paying public a chance to see past champions in the flesh even if past their best.
Gives the paying public a chance to see past champions in the flesh even if past their best.
Should Borg or Navratilova still play at Wimbledon? How about Billie Jean King? If people want to see past champions then watch Seniors golf.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Not really comparable is it
The nature of golf has shown that people into their 50’s can still compete and have won on tour
The past champions rule is what has Woods playing
They have won the Open - why shouldn’t they be able to keep playing in it until they are 60
You are right, I was over egging it to make a point. How far do you go to satisfy sentimentality though?
Why shouldn't they keep playing? The answer is because they are not competitive. If they were then they would qualify by standard means, not because they won the tournament 15-20 years ago.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Tom Watson was 59 and nearly won The Open. Past Champions should be able to play as long as they want to. We've had great moments like Watson's week at Turnberry and Jack's retirement at St Andrews which just wouldn't have been possible without this exemption.
Pathetic Shark
Tour Rookie
Who would you rather see in the event?
A past champion and the chance to reminisce about their past performance?
or No.126 in the world rankings or the 4th placed finisher from one of the final qualifiers?
No contest. Bring back Sandy, Sir Nick (if he wanted) and any other former champion until the age of 60 or whenever they choose to say goodbye.
A past champion and the chance to reminisce about their past performance?
or No.126 in the world rankings or the 4th placed finisher from one of the final qualifiers?
No contest. Bring back Sandy, Sir Nick (if he wanted) and any other former champion until the age of 60 or whenever they choose to say goodbye.
Sandy Lyle and David Duvall have both only made one cut each in the last 10 Opens. Other than a nice time for them I don't see the point.
There were good players at the Scottish Open last week who finished high but just missed out. I'd rather one of them made it as they may stand a genuine chance.
I see the sentimental side to this, I just don't agree with it.
There were good players at the Scottish Open last week who finished high but just missed out. I'd rather one of them made it as they may stand a genuine chance.
I see the sentimental side to this, I just don't agree with it.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
If they were that good they would have qualified by right over the past 12 months - 156 slots and Your whining that people that have actually won it take the spot as opposed to World 150 odd - how many people ranked that high have actually won
I guess you don’t mind Woods being in
Some people always want to change a tradition when it does no harm
There are prob a damn sight more people that want to watch Sandy Lyle play as opposed to Mr Smith ranked 120 in the world
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Dan2501
Tour Winner
Jens Dantorp came 3rd at the Scottish Open last week and is tied last - behind Lyle, Duval, Clarke et al. People are going to play bad no matter where they finished the week before, or how they qualified. If the past-winners exemption gives us the chance of seeing another Watson at Turnberry week then I'm all for it.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Sandy Lyle just made a putt on 18 to huge cheers - long may some sentimentality in a cold world remain.
ademac
Q-School Graduate
Its only cold if you dont let the warmth in....
mat100p
Assistant Pro
I like seeing past champions.
Sandy Lyle only finish 3 worse than the current no.1 and 2 in the world . Mark Calcavechia and Ernie Els only one shot worse than no.1 and 2 in world. Tom Lehman beat the current no.1 and 2 in world . Have some respect for past champions it's called tradition that's why it's a great game..
Sandy Lyle only finish 3 worse than the current no.1 and 2 in the world . Mark Calcavechia and Ernie Els only one shot worse than no.1 and 2 in world. Tom Lehman beat the current no.1 and 2 in world . Have some respect for past champions it's called tradition that's why it's a great game..
Jacko_G
Blackballed
Yip tradition. That's why I've looked out the plus 4's, Tweed jacket and hickory bats for tomorrow's competition. Now where did I put my stash of feathery balls!
