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SOUTHPORT, England – R&A CEO Mark Darbon had his turn to give his state of the union on Wednesday. As the leader of the governing body for golf everywhere but the U.S. and Mexico, Darbon is one if the most influential people in the game and he got right to the few news items worth sharing and then opened things up to the floor for questions (though there were still questions to be asked when the press conference was halted no more than 30 minutes in total).
Here are five things we learned in advance of the Open Championship:
There are rumors floating around that if England defeats Argentina on Wednesday night to advance to the World Cup final against Argentina, tee times for the final round may be moved to avoid a mass exodus to watch “The Beautiful Game.”
The R&A expects the final putt on Sunday to drop at 6:40 p.m. local time, which should leave time for a three-hole playoff to be completed in time for the World Cup final. That said, Darbon admitted that if England do get through tonight, they’ll have more discussions.
“I'm an England football fan, so it would be a great problem to have. But I guess also, because I'm an England football fan, we should also wait to see how the semifinal goes before we get too far ahead,” he said. “Of course in the background, we've been doing a lot of thinking about this…At this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we'll maintain that under review and finalize our position after the semifinal.”
Don’t expect a drastic movement if there is one – Golfweek is hearing 15-30 minutes earlier at most.
More: Our Open Championship hub: Stats, video and more
The R&A previously announced a code of conduct for fan behavior would be implemented for the first time this week at Birkdale.
“It's something that we've been thinking about for a while. I've worked in other sports; we've had codes of conduct at venues I've operated before. We're very proud of the way our spectators behave at The Open Championship. We think it's a great reflection of both passion and support for the world's best players but also respect for traditions of the game,” Darbon said. “We thought by codifying some of what we expect, it will help and support this championship moving forward. We're very confident in our ability to identify any folks that step over the line that we've drawn, and we'll monitor that through the week. I think we feel that it's within our gift, if someone does step over the line, to ask them to leave the venue, and I think that's a pretty powerful display. That's the mechanism that we'll use rather than fining a spectator.”
More: The Open has new codes of conduct for players and spectators. One requires no clarification
Darbon gave a brief update on rolling back the golf ball, which has been delayed two more years until 2030.
“The feedback was pretty clear. It wasn't unanimous, but there was a clear majority, a preference for the move to 2030. So we've confirmed that back to the industry,” he said. “Having heard the feedback from the industry, I think it would be remiss of us not to take some time to explore some of the other alternatives that may exist, particularly given that there's clearly been a bit of change in the position of the PGA Tour and its players, an openness to look at some model local rules. We're going to take that window, and we're going to work really collaboratively with the industry, manufacturers and other stakeholders, to ensure we've got the right solution moving forward.”
Pressed after the press conference on what led him to believe the Tour and PGA of America would ultimately go along with the two governing bodies, Darbon said he was “optimistic” and that they had met this week and he was “encouraged by the discussion.”
He reiterated what USGA CEO Mike Whan said in June that the Tour’s position has changed a little bit and it was worth exploring a potential model local rule that could be implemented at the elite level and not change the ball for the rest of golfers.
The R&A has only announced future Open sites through 2028, which is wild when you consider all the work that staging one of the championships entails but also points out how maddening it is that the U.S. Open and PGA Championship continues to announce major sites that are still 25 years from now. There wasn’t much news on this front other than a confirmation of future Opens at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake).
“We've just agreed to a MOU (Memo of Understanding) with the Liverpool City region and Sefton and Wirral councils to stage at least three Opens in the region by 2050. We will also stage other R&A championships in that period,” Darbon confirmed.
As for an update on Portmarnock near Dublin, which is in line to host its first Open, Darbon said it’s been taking longer than expected but “they’re pretty close.”
“It's a complicated venue because of the scale of The Open Championship. So there's been a lot of great feasibility work with the golf club themselves, with the local authority, with government. We've undertaken a big feasibility study. That work is pretty much done. We've confirmed that we believe we can take an Open Championship there,” he said. “What we're looking to do is build a model that opens up opportunities for the AIG Women's Open and The Open for many, many years to come. So that's the dialogue we're in right now with the Irish government, and we're optimistic that those discussions are heading in the right direction.
“In the spirit of transparency, it's taken a bit longer than I think I and we thought it may, but it's complicated doing all of that feasibility work. We're hoping to have a pretty clear view by the end of the year for sure.”
It also sounds like little movement has occurred for a return to Muirfield and Turnberry for now. Darbon did squash rumors that Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England, which will host the 53rd Walker Cup in 2030, isn’t under consideration at this time for the Open proper.
The R&A introduced a new award, the Spirit of Golf award, to recognize an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the game on a global scale and displays the values, behaviors and traditions inherent to golf.
Darbon announced Australian Adam Scott, who celebrates his 46th birthday on Thursday, as the first recipient of the award.
“Adam is a fantastic ambassador for the sport who has made a significant positive impact on golf all around the world. He's the ultimate professional and has consistently displayed integrity, respect, and passion for the game,” said Darbon of Scott, who makes his 101st consecutive start at a major.
Scott will be presented with a beautifully designed silver plate at a reception this evening to mark the award. “I am honored to be the first recipient of the new R&A Spirit of Golf Award. As someone who has spent my entire life in the game of golf it is so meaningful to be recognized for my impact on golf across the world, not only from a playing point of view but for also upholding values which are so integral to the sport,” he said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing in 100 consecutive major championships. It has been a privilege and is something I’ll never take for granted. I look forward to continuing that run at Royal Birkdale this week for The 154th Open.”
More: Adam Scott named recipient of R&A's inaugural Spirit of Golf Award
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Will World Cup impact Open tee times? 5 things we learned from R&A presser
Continue reading...
Here are five things we learned in advance of the Open Championship:
Final round tee times may be impacted by the World Cup
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There are rumors floating around that if England defeats Argentina on Wednesday night to advance to the World Cup final against Argentina, tee times for the final round may be moved to avoid a mass exodus to watch “The Beautiful Game.”
The R&A expects the final putt on Sunday to drop at 6:40 p.m. local time, which should leave time for a three-hole playoff to be completed in time for the World Cup final. That said, Darbon admitted that if England do get through tonight, they’ll have more discussions.
“I'm an England football fan, so it would be a great problem to have. But I guess also, because I'm an England football fan, we should also wait to see how the semifinal goes before we get too far ahead,” he said. “Of course in the background, we've been doing a lot of thinking about this…At this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we'll maintain that under review and finalize our position after the semifinal.”
Don’t expect a drastic movement if there is one – Golfweek is hearing 15-30 minutes earlier at most.
More: Our Open Championship hub: Stats, video and more
Code of Conduct penalty in effect
You must be registered for see images attach
The R&A previously announced a code of conduct for fan behavior would be implemented for the first time this week at Birkdale.
“It's something that we've been thinking about for a while. I've worked in other sports; we've had codes of conduct at venues I've operated before. We're very proud of the way our spectators behave at The Open Championship. We think it's a great reflection of both passion and support for the world's best players but also respect for traditions of the game,” Darbon said. “We thought by codifying some of what we expect, it will help and support this championship moving forward. We're very confident in our ability to identify any folks that step over the line that we've drawn, and we'll monitor that through the week. I think we feel that it's within our gift, if someone does step over the line, to ask them to leave the venue, and I think that's a pretty powerful display. That's the mechanism that we'll use rather than fining a spectator.”
More: The Open has new codes of conduct for players and spectators. One requires no clarification
Rollback talk rolling on
Darbon gave a brief update on rolling back the golf ball, which has been delayed two more years until 2030.
“The feedback was pretty clear. It wasn't unanimous, but there was a clear majority, a preference for the move to 2030. So we've confirmed that back to the industry,” he said. “Having heard the feedback from the industry, I think it would be remiss of us not to take some time to explore some of the other alternatives that may exist, particularly given that there's clearly been a bit of change in the position of the PGA Tour and its players, an openness to look at some model local rules. We're going to take that window, and we're going to work really collaboratively with the industry, manufacturers and other stakeholders, to ensure we've got the right solution moving forward.”
Pressed after the press conference on what led him to believe the Tour and PGA of America would ultimately go along with the two governing bodies, Darbon said he was “optimistic” and that they had met this week and he was “encouraged by the discussion.”
He reiterated what USGA CEO Mike Whan said in June that the Tour’s position has changed a little bit and it was worth exploring a potential model local rule that could be implemented at the elite level and not change the ball for the rest of golfers.
Dialogue continuing with rota courses for future Opens
You must be registered for see images attach
The R&A has only announced future Open sites through 2028, which is wild when you consider all the work that staging one of the championships entails but also points out how maddening it is that the U.S. Open and PGA Championship continues to announce major sites that are still 25 years from now. There wasn’t much news on this front other than a confirmation of future Opens at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake).
“We've just agreed to a MOU (Memo of Understanding) with the Liverpool City region and Sefton and Wirral councils to stage at least three Opens in the region by 2050. We will also stage other R&A championships in that period,” Darbon confirmed.
As for an update on Portmarnock near Dublin, which is in line to host its first Open, Darbon said it’s been taking longer than expected but “they’re pretty close.”
“It's a complicated venue because of the scale of The Open Championship. So there's been a lot of great feasibility work with the golf club themselves, with the local authority, with government. We've undertaken a big feasibility study. That work is pretty much done. We've confirmed that we believe we can take an Open Championship there,” he said. “What we're looking to do is build a model that opens up opportunities for the AIG Women's Open and The Open for many, many years to come. So that's the dialogue we're in right now with the Irish government, and we're optimistic that those discussions are heading in the right direction.
“In the spirit of transparency, it's taken a bit longer than I think I and we thought it may, but it's complicated doing all of that feasibility work. We're hoping to have a pretty clear view by the end of the year for sure.”
It also sounds like little movement has occurred for a return to Muirfield and Turnberry for now. Darbon did squash rumors that Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England, which will host the 53rd Walker Cup in 2030, isn’t under consideration at this time for the Open proper.
Adam Scott wins inaugural award
The R&A introduced a new award, the Spirit of Golf award, to recognize an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the game on a global scale and displays the values, behaviors and traditions inherent to golf.
Darbon announced Australian Adam Scott, who celebrates his 46th birthday on Thursday, as the first recipient of the award.
“Adam is a fantastic ambassador for the sport who has made a significant positive impact on golf all around the world. He's the ultimate professional and has consistently displayed integrity, respect, and passion for the game,” said Darbon of Scott, who makes his 101st consecutive start at a major.
Scott will be presented with a beautifully designed silver plate at a reception this evening to mark the award. “I am honored to be the first recipient of the new R&A Spirit of Golf Award. As someone who has spent my entire life in the game of golf it is so meaningful to be recognized for my impact on golf across the world, not only from a playing point of view but for also upholding values which are so integral to the sport,” he said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing in 100 consecutive major championships. It has been a privilege and is something I’ll never take for granted. I look forward to continuing that run at Royal Birkdale this week for The 154th Open.”
More: Adam Scott named recipient of R&A's inaugural Spirit of Golf Award
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Will World Cup impact Open tee times? 5 things we learned from R&A presser
Continue reading...
