Martin Slumbers (pictured) suggested The Open will punish any actions similar to Phil Mickelson's blunder.GETTY IMAGES
The R&A warned players that they "may face disqualification if they repeat Phil Mickelson’s rolling-ball saga" at The Open this week, according to Rick Broadbent of the LONDON TIMES. Mickelson "created a storm" when he chased after a putt at the U.S. Open last month and "played it while it was moving." He received a two-stroke penalty from the U.S. Golf Association, but "many in the game" said that he "should have been thrown out of the tournament." R&A CEO Martin Slumbers "dropped a heavy hint" that any player that commits a similar offense at Carnoustie "would be treated more severely." He said, "We have looked very carefully at the rules and I don’t think it was good for the game and not the right way to have played this wonderful sport. I have talked to Phil since he’s been here. Not putting words in his mouth, [but] paraphrasing his words, he essentially admits it wasn’t his finest hour and I agree with that." Slumbers also denied that the no-readmissions policy at The Open was "driven by a desire" to maximize profits from food and drink sales. Fans are prohibited from leaving the course after entering, but Slumbers said, "We have had multiple problems for multiple years with fans buying unofficial hospitality and then not getting the experience they thought they were paying for. They blame us yet it has nothing to do with us" (LONDON TIMES, 7/18).
A BAD FIT?: The BBC's Phil Goodlad reported Carnoustie Golf Club Captain Bill Thompson believes the town on Scotland's Angus coast "may be too small" to host The Open's "corporate machine." Changes to ticket policies and a "tightening of security around parking and road closures means local residents and visitors face more restrictions." Thompson believes the R&A "may need to review how traditional venues stage the event." He said, "We have 14,000 residents -- we're not built for 45-50,000 people" (BBC, 7/18).
NO TIME SOON: In London, Laurie Whitwell reported U.S. President Donald Trump has spent more than £200M ($261M) acquiring and renovating Trump Turnberry since '14, but British Open organizers "are looking elsewhere for the years to come." Trump used his recent visit to the U.K. to stay at Trump Turnberry and played a round on the course that has hosted The Open four times, most recently in '09. Slumbers said that other venues have been slated to host The Open after Royal Portrush next year and Royal St. George's in '20. He said, "In 2021 we're going to be celebrating the 150th playing of The Open at St. Andrews, and in 2022, we'll be going south of the border" (London DAILY MAIL, 7/18).
