"Cautious optimism" for fans at The Open
Shane Lowry wins The Open
Travel abroad might be in doubt right now but The R&A yesterday expressed “cautious optimism” about welcoming spectators to The Open in July.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry will defend the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s in Sandwich and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, hopes that there will be galleries at the Kent venue to see it.
“We are acutely aware that this remains a difficult time for so many people and the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is causing substantial disruption to all our lives but there is growing cause for optimism with the rapid roll-out of the vaccination programme,” Mr Slumbers said in a statement.
“There are undoubtedly many more pressing concerns facing people at the moment but we are trying to look forward with cautious optimism.
“We believe that seeing the world’s best men’s golfers in action at golf’s original Championship will bring some much needed joy and excitement back into our lives this summer.
“With that in mind, we have been working closely with the government, our medical advisers and partner agencies as part of a rigorous scenario-planning exercise for staging The Open this year.”
Like The Championships at Wimbledon, the 149th Open was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic as both organisations had insurance policies in place with clauses covering them for infectious diseases.
However, The R&A is committed to staging the event this year, even if it has to be behind closed doors.
“We continue to plan for a full-scale Championship but also have robust plans in place for a reduced capacity or behind closed doors model,” Slumbers added.
“I can also assure you that we would like nothing more than to welcome you, our amazing fans, to The Open once again this July. We will be doing all we can to make that happen while ensuring the safety of all involved and following all necessary government guidance.”
While the PGA of America announced on Monday that it would allow the devices at its major championship this year, they won’t be seen in Kent in July.
The R&A said it has “no plans at this stage but will keep it under review” while the USGA said "considering them for our Opens has been and will continue to be part of our annual review process.”
Monday’s announcement by the PGA of America that it will implement the new rule allowing rangefinders at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, the Senior PGA Championship at Southern Hills and the KPMG Women’s PGA at Atlanta Athletic Club has divided opinion in the golf world.
PGA of America president Jim Richerson hopes the move will “help improve the flow of play during our championships” but not everyone agrees.
Canadian Nick Taylor, who defends his title in this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am where Seamus Power is the only Irish entrant, has his doubts.
“The argument that I constantly hear with it is pace of play,” Taylor said. “I think there would be an adjustment period where I don't think speed would, I don't think pace of play would speed up at all because we're still trying to find front numbers. I think caddies would still be double-checking.
“In the case when you're way off line, of course rangefinders are going to speed up play. I'm sure if you talked to caddies they would be against it because I think they take pride in what they do and it is a skill to get the angles, the numbers, and be confident that you get those numbers, where the rangefinder probably takes away a part of that.”
