Major Golfers Absent
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson Sit Out British Open, Missing All Four Majors This Season
Anonymous
The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is set to tee off without two of golf's biggest stars. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will both miss the final major of the season, marking the first time either has skipped all four majors in a single year, according to Yahoo Sports.
Woods has been absent from competitive golf after a rollover car crash in Florida earlier this year. He was arrested after his vehicle collided with a pickup truck. He has since stepped away from the sport for treatment and has recently been spotted back in the United States, Yahoo Sports reports.
Mickelson Steps Away Amid Personal and Club Controversy
Phil Mickelson, a one-time British Open champion, recently announced he was stepping away from golf due to a personal family health matter. His absence from Royal Birkdale comes at a turbulent time, according to Yahoo Sports.
Mickelson was also expelled from his Southern California golf club. The club removed him after he allegedly made inappropriate physical contact with a female employee before a round. No timeline has been given for his return to competitive play.
Dustin Johnson Also Missing as World Ranking Drops
Dustin Johnson is another big name absent from Royal Birkdale. He also missed the U.S. Open earlier this season. His Official World Golf Ranking has fallen sharply in recent months, according to Yahoo Sports.
Johnson has, however, found success away from the PGA Tour. He has won in two consecutive starts on the PGA Tour Champions. That secondary tour is open to players aged 50 and older.
Scheffler Arrives at Birkdale After Rare Scottish Open Miss
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler heads into The Open on unsteady footing. He missed the cut at the Scottish Open last week, a rare stumble for the top-ranked player in the world, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Scheffler's friend and fellow top player Rory McIlroy offered some reassurance. McIlroy suggested Scheffler could still use the practice facilities at Royal Birkdale to sharpen his game before the tournament begins, Yahoo Sports Canada reported.
Star Power Gaps Leave Open Field Wide Open
The absence of Woods, Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson removes three of golf's most recognized names from the field. Woods and Mickelson have combined for six major titles at The Open alone. Their joint absence is rare in a sport built on marquee matchups.
With Scheffler coming off a missed cut and the field missing established stars, Royal Birkdale sets up as one of the more unpredictable Opens in recent memory. Younger contenders will have a clear path to one of the sport's most storied trophies.
Sentiment
NeutralNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
4
Articles
3
Reach
5
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor