Event of the Day: The Opening Day of the 147th Open Championship
Our event of the day is the opening round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links on the North Sea Coast in Scotland. The oldest tournament in golf, the Open Championship is the only Major to be held outside of the United States. Carnoustie first held the tournament in 1931 and with this year’s rendition will have hosted it eight times in total. Considered one of the best courses in the world, Carnoustie has a reputation for being one of the toughest as well. The seaside course is 7,400 yards long and has it’s fair share of nasty blind spots and treacherous bunkers. Golfers can usually count on gusty winds and wet weather as well.
Irishman Pádraig Harrington won the tournament when it was last held at Carnoustie in 2007. He will tee off today at 2:48pm alongside American Bubba Watson and British golfer Matt Wallace. Last year’s winner Jordan Spieth will tee off earlier in the day at 9:58am in a group consisting of Kiradech Aphibarnrat and world number three, Justin Rose. Another group that will attract much fanfare will be Rory McIlroy’s. The world’s 8th ranked golfer will be playing alongside Marc Leishman and Thorbjørn Olesen for the opening two rounds. McIlroy won the Open Championship in 2014 but has not won a Major since that year. Still, he is among those favoured to win the tournament. Others looking to claim victory this weekend are the white-hot Justin Thomas, streaking Tommy Fleetwood, and the always dangerous Rickie Fowler. This year’s field is chocked full of high profile names looking to make a splash over the weekend. Golf fans should be in for an entertaining opening round of the Open Championship on Thursday.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Stage 12 of the Tour de France. Thursday’s route from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Alpe d’Huez is the last day of a 3-day stretch in the mountains. The cyclists will be pushing themselves today knowing they will have an easier circuit ahead of them on Friday. In cricket, a pair of matches in the Natwest T20 Blast will be played between Middlesex and Somerset in London and Northamptonshire and Derbyshire in Northampton. MLB action will be taking place at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals in the Windy City. In a National Rugby League clash, the Eels take on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Super League action will take place at the DW Stadium in Wigan as the Warriors play host to St. Helens. Football fans looking for their fix after the FIFA World Cup ended on Sunday can revel in Europa League qualitying action taking place today. Among the 42 fixtures being played is the second leg match between FC Copenhagen and Kuopion Palloseura.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by The Open