Open is still the world’s top draw

Dec 4 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

OPEN Championship organisers are confident that the world’s greatest players will still treasure victory in the event more than the golfing riches being offered around the world.

The tournament returns to Royal Birkdale next summer for the first time since Mark O’Meara triumphed in 1998.

R&A Director of Championships, David Hill, visited the windswept Southport course yesterday and insisted the world’s oldest championship can see off the challenge of an increasing number of more lucrative events around the world.

The European Tour has recently announced the world’s richest tournament – with a $10million purse for the new Dubai World Championship, which will form the showpiece finale to the season from November 2009.

The R and A has yet to decide whether to increase the prize fund for the 2008 Open, which runs from July 13-17, from the £4.4million on offer at Carnoustie this year.

“We don’t feel under any pressure to increase the prize fund,” said Hill, “although we have yet to make a final decision. But we are not worried by events like Dubai because when we talk to the world’s leading players their main objective remains to win one of the Majors. I think they would much rather be remembered for winning The Open or one of the other Majors.”

The North West remains at the cornerstone of the Open Championship rota and the successful return to Royal Liverpool in 2006 means the Hoylake links joins the other two royals, at Birkdale and Lytham, on the list. Royal Lytham hosts the Open in 2012, with another date on the Wirral likely by 2016. Royal Birkdale hosts its ninth Open in 2008 with a return likely in ten years time.

“The club got it absolutely right in 2006,” added Hill. “As have Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham over the years. The local authority also excelled themselves and really pushed the boat out to make it a success. There was a great atmosphere and people who came over from, for example, America really enjoyed their time.

“I think the recent renaissance of Liverpool helped with that with the nunber of hotels that have opened up around the waterfront.”

The ban on mobile phones on the course will continue at Royal Birkdale. It was introduced at Carnoustie after one or two problems at Royal Liverpool.

“Players were disturbed by phones at Royal Liverpool and while we recognise it is an incovenience not to carry them, the response we had at Carnoustie was fantastic,” explained Hill. “Around 7,000-8,000 were handed in to left luggage by spectators, who were able to use them en route to the course and pick them up immediately afterwards. At the end of the tournament we were only left with two unclaimed phones – a remarkable figure.

“The players really appreciated what the spectators did and we did not have a single complaint about the ban.”

MORE OPEN NEWS: PAGE 9