Former British Open champions invited to play 4 holes next year
In this Sunday, July 19, 2009 file photo Tom Watson of the US plays to the seventh green during the final round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland. Tom Watson's place in the next five British Opens is safe after the Royal & Ancient's decision to change one of its exemption rules.The 60-year-old five-time British Open champion finished runner-up this year but would have lost his exemption status because of the R&A's age rules. But golf's governing body outside the United States said Monday it has amended one of its rules so that former champions who finish in the top 10 in the previous five Opens get a five-year exemption. (Jon Super / Associated Press)
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Seve Ballesteros is among 32 former British Open champions invited to play four holes on the Old Course at St. Andrews the day before next year’s 150th anniversary tournament.
The Royal and Ancient invited champions to play the first, second, 17th and 18th holes at the Old Course on July 14.
Ballesteros is still recovering from a brain tumor. But R&A director of championships David Hill said Monday that he hopes “the majority of our former champions will accept the invitation.”
The BBC will broadcast the two-hour Open Champions’ Challenge and the winners will receive prize money for a charity of their choice.
A similar event in 2000 featured 22 former champions and raised more than $65,000.
