Question of the week [July 8-14]: In your opinion, what makes the Open Championship special?
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The best part of the Open Championship is the unpredictability of the weather, the bounces and the pureness of the golf and how it plays into the results. The PGA Championship is starting to feel more like a PGA Tour elevated event; the U.S. Open is manufactured to an extent, but still like seeing par or single digit under the winning score; and the Masters is still and will always be special because it's at the beginning of the golf season. But the Open is just pure golf. Having played in both Scotland and Ireland, it's as simple as it gets, you get what you get — no excuses. I just love watching the Irish, Scottish and Open championships — men or women.
Wayne Smith
Georgetown, Texas
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If you are watching from the United States, it's watching golf in the middle of the night and catching a couple of hours before going to work or, if retired, sitting around all morning in your boxers with coffee.
I did attend last year's Open. The public transportation there is enviable, the crowds are polite, but partisan. They do think of everything for the regular fan, and the corporates are not given special treatment (that I could see). It was a special time. Only complaint is that the food is bland.
Can someone tell me what HP Sauce is supposed to do?
Mark Kazich
Darien, Illinois
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It's special because the course is the course. They don't trick it up, like letting the rough grow to 6 inches or reducing the fairway to a narrow ribbon. Plus, and most importantly, any golfer can play the 10 courses on the modern Open Championship rota. Whereas in the U.S. Open, most of the courses are so exclusive that you’re not allowed on the grounds.
Paul Golabowski
Noblesville, Indiana
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To begin with, the Open is special because it was the first and it is still the premiere event on the golf calendar — outside the overwhelming opinions (mostly American) for the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Masters — respectfully speaking. The U.S. events are every bit as exciting, historic and memorable, yet they are not the same as the Open with its mystique, weather and worldwide appeal.
Personally, I try to watch every minute of all the major broadcasts and especially look forward to the early times/morning groups of the Open, as well as the local flavors, bars and historical locations because they bring back fond memories. Everyone should visit the home of golf at least once.
Peter Croppo
Bayfield, Ontario
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Everything about it — the history, tradition, setting, weather, style of play and the prestige that comes with crowning the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Tom Klabunde
Tempe, Arizona
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The history and tradition of the Open makes this championship very special. I am of the view that all four men's majors are unique in their own way. In the case of the Open, the historic venues, the strict adherence to tradition, the massive yellow scoreboard on hole No. 18 and the knowledgeable and passionate fans make this championship one of a kind.
The vagaries of the weather play an important role as to who wins and becomes Champion Golfer of the Year, but I tend to focus more on the iconic venues and history as opposed to the impact of rain, wind or sun. To me, the Open is the unofficial world championship of men's professional golf. I look forward to this event every year with its large and diverse field of global competitors. It’s a highlight on my golf calendar.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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Arnold Palmer. Oops, he was the lead in modern times to make it special. Then Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, golfers with flair and Open personalities. Then Tiger Woods. And some minor characters who also played with gusto and enticed the spectators to cheer them on with their persona.
Today, it’s the continued history and the style of courses and the unpredictable weather. And the early television coverage in the USA. And for us in the United States, it’s the standing of our players and their quest to be the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Jim Pomeranz
Cary, North Carolina
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Front photo: Viktor Hovland during a 2023 Open Championship practice round at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Liverpool, England. Credit: Mateo Villalba / Golffile