(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Five-time winner Tom Watson (1975 Carnoustie, 1977 Turnberry, 1980 Muirfield, 1982 Royal Troon, 1983 Royal Birkdale) and three-time winner Nick Faldo (1987 Muirfield, 1990 St. Andrews, and 1992 Muirfield) will be making cameo appearances trying to duplicate the heroic effort of Greg Norman last year.
The other Past Champions who are competing have won only one Open and include Mark Calcavecchia (1989 Royal Troon), John Daly (1995 St. Andrews), David Duval (2001 Royal Lytham & St. Annes), Todd Hamilton (2004 Royal Troon), Paul Lawrie (1999 Carnoustie), Tom Lehman (1996 Royal Lytham & St. Annes), Justin Leonard (1997 Royal Troon), Sandy Lyle (1986 Royal St. Georges), and Mark O'Meara (1998 Royal Birkdale).
Modern era Past Champions not competing include Nick Price (1994 Turnberry), Ian Baker-Finch (1991 Royal Birkdale) and three-time winner Seve Ballesteros (1979 Royal Lytham & St. Annes, 1984 St. Andrews, 1988 Royal Lytham & St. Annes).
The past champion exemption category increased the field by 12 players to a total of 27 competitors.
Another 36 golfers who are not otherwise eligible from the Top 10 last year or as a Past Champion come from the Top 50 of the Official World Golf Rating (OWGR).
Masters champion Angel Cabrera and the two golfers he beat in the playoff at Augusta National Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry are in the field for the 138th Open.
So too are 2008 Tour Championship winner Camilo Villegas, Sergio Garcia and the 20 year-old youngster Rory McIlroy.
Phil Mickelson is still officially in the field though is soon expected to withdraw and be replaced. Though wife Amy's breast cancer operation went well last week it as recently disclosed his mother Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer too.
That's a total of 63 golfers now in the field.
From the top 30 of the European Tour's 2008 Order of Merit Top there is an additional 14 golfers including Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie. Total 77.
2007 BMW PGA Championship winner Anders Hansen is in as a result of that victory.
3 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete