Golf Monthly July 2025

neil.tappin@futurenet.com “Part romance, part ordeal, part fun.” As far as descriptions of the Open Championship go, this one from Bill Elliott in his excellent preview on page 38 sums it up perfectly. The Open is one of the UK’s showpiece sporting events and this year it returns to Northern Ireland and the beautifully brutal Dunluce course at Royal Portrush. The last time the Open was here was, of course, Shane Lowry’s win in 2019 and my abiding memory of that week was the joyous atmosphere. The fans came out in their droves, lined every tee, fairway and green and by the end of play on Saturday were singing Lowry’s name as they merrily meandered back towards the Harbour Bar. Some Majors are more historic than others and this one will…

The golden age of TV I’m a golfer who has been playing since the age of ten and am now 59, but I still enjoy competing. I was enthralled by Nicklaus, Seve and Langer at The Masters and used to enthusiastically watch golf on the BBC. I was entertained by both the coverage of the golf and the stories that were told by the broadcasters (Peter Alliss and Alex Hay). Coverage in the 1980s and 1990s seemed to be much wider and not always devoted just to the putting green. The stories told weren’t limited to what was going on on the golf course, but also what was going on outside the world of golf. Why do I now not watch golf on TV? The concentration on putts, the lack…

Scottie, congratulations on winning the US PGA. How do you reflect on claiming your third Major? The US PGA is a special tournament. Any time you can win a Major Championship it’s pretty cool, and I’m proud of how I did it – I stayed in it mentally and hit the shots when I needed to. The back nine will be one that I remember for a long time. It was a grind out there. I think at one point on the front I maybe had a four- or five-shot lead, and making the turn, I think I was tied for the lead. So to step up when I needed to the most, I’ll remember that for a while. What are you most proud of from the week? I’m just…

Former Curtis Cup star Mimi Rhodes continued her extraordinary start to the 2025 Ladies European Tour season after claiming her third win in four starts at the Dutch Ladies Open. Rhodes has only made eight individual appearances in her rookie campaign so far but is able to boast a sublime strike rate, joining men’s World No.2 Rory McIlroy on a hat-trick of victories this year. Following wins at the Ford Women’s NSW Open and Joburg Ladies Open during consecutive weeks earlier in this campaign, the 23-year-old carded three rounds of 69 to reach nine-under-par and come out on top at Goyer Golf & Country Club – two strokes clear of fellow rookie Brianna Navarrosa and home favourite Anne van Dam. Rhodes entered the final round tied at the top alongside…

“ANXIETIES AND STRESS WERE EATING ME ALIVE”Bubba Watson opens up on the mental health struggles he suffered during his double-Masters-winning era “I JUST FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN GOING THROUGH HELL”Resurgent Chris Wood reveals his ‘horrendous’ struggles with form and mental health “THE WAY I’M PLAYING, EVEN IF LUKE OFFERED ME A PICK RIGHT NOW I WOULD TELL HIM NO”Sergio Garcia plays down his Ryder Cup chances “WE’RE TRYING TO WIN THE MASTERS. I’M NOT GOING TO BE HIS BEST MATE OUT THERE”Rory McIlroy explains blanking Bryson DeChambeau at Augusta…

Angel Cabrera won two senior Majors in a week, triumphing first in the Regions Tradition in Alabama and then the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional. The Argentine, who was released from prison in 2023 after a 30-month sentence for assault and threats against a former partner, overhauled Padraig Harrington to win by one shot in Maryland and complete an unbelievable seven days. “I feel very emotional,” Cabrera said. “Maybe you cannot see but I’m very, very emotional inside, especially after all the things that I went through.” 3 Scottie Scheffler has become only the third player to win 15 PGA Tour titles, including three Majors, before the age of 29. The other two were Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. WHO AM I? Answer in credit to the left GOOD MONTH,…