Tag: 2022 British Open

2022 Golfweek Awards: Best Moment of the Year — Tiger Woods’ walk up the Swilcan Bridge

It’s tough to reach consensus on some year-end awards, but Woods crossing the Swilcan Bridge was a slam dunk.

For good reason, the moment of the year in golf drew several nominations at the Golfweek editorial summit earlier this month. But once Tiger Woods crossing the Swilcan Burn Bridge was proposed the debate was over. It’s tough on some of these year-end awards to reach consensus, but there was unanimity as everyone nodded in agreement and we quickly moved on to the next category. Such was the goosebumps-on-goosebumps moment that was Tiger Woods potentially saying farewell to his competitive days at the Old Course at St. Andrews in the 150th British Open.

All that was missing from this moment was it happened on Friday afternoon with Woods missing the cut badly rather than being feted on Sunday. Woods, who won three Claret Jugs among his 15 major championship victories and two of them at St. Andrews, in 2000 and 2005, skipped the U.S. Open in order to allow his surgically repaired right leg and the rest of his ailing body to heal enough so he could even play. This was the one tournament Woods had circled on his calendar to play in 2022 and he wasn’t about to miss it.

And so it didn’t really matter that he was 9 over and destined to miss the cut by a long shot. Fans had arrived early that morning and assembled around the 18th hole. They waited for Woods to approach the famed Swilcan Bridge that leads players over the burn, which meanders across the first and 18th holes, and onto the 18th fairway.

MORE: 2022 Golfweek Awards

Playing competitors Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa as well as Woods’ caddie Joe LaCava hovered behind as Woods approached the bridge alone, the stage set for the monumental moment. Here is where Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson before him took turns bidding adieu to the Old Grey Toon. Woods slowed his walk and lifted his white Nike cap in appreciation but never truly broke stride for the long ceremonial stop that many expected. Did that signal that Woods expected to have at least one more spin around the Old Course down the road? Not even he knows.

“I don’t know if I ever get back to playing St. Andrews in a British Open, but to be able to experience that maybe one last time at this level was very special to me,” he said afterward. “That was my favorite golf course in the whole world, and if that was it, that was it, to be able to possibly finish up my career there, I don’t know. That’s one of the reasons why I was kind of emotional because I don’t know if I’ll ever play St. Andrews again. I’ll play Open Championships in the future but I don’t know if I’ll be around when it comes back there again.”

2022 Open Championship
Tiger Woods tips his hat to the crowd after teeing off on the 18th hole during the second round of the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

As Golfweek’s Steve DiMeglio wrote, “There were tears in his eyes, weight in his heart.”

“It’s very emotional for me,’’ Woods said. “I had a few tears. The warmth and the ovation at 18, it got to me. I’m not one who gets very teary-eyed very often about anything.’’

Woods speculated that the Open likely won’t return to St. Andrews until 2030 when he’d be 53 years old.

“I don’t know if I will be physically able to play by then,’’ he said. “So, to me, it felt like this might have been my last British Open here at St. Andrews.’’

Fans weren’t the only ones to shower Woods with applause as he walked the 18th fairway. Rory McIlroy played nearby on the first fairway and tipped his cap to the golfer who inspired him to take up the game. And when Woods reached the 18th green, Justin Thomas had just teed off and did likewise.

“It was just incredible,” Woods said. “The nods I was getting from guys as they were going out and I was coming in, just the respect, that was pretty neat. And from a players’ fraternity level, it’s neat to see that and feel that.”

Fitzpatrick said the scene “gave me goosebumps,’’ adding, “It’s something that will live with me forever.’’

And with all of us. That’s why it was the moment of the year.

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Speculation centers on Cameron Smith, three former Masters champions jumping to LIV Golf

Aside from British Open champion Cameron Smith, golfers strongly linked to LIV Golf include Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott and Bubba Watson.

The golf world is buzzing with speculation after Open champion Cameron Smith’s non-denial when asked if he was joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, coupled with Greg Norman promising enough new recruits this week that LIV has “closed shop” on the 2023 roster.

Smith, whose historic victory Sunday at St. Andrews was followed by a testy exchange on his future plans, appears set by all reports to be the headliner this week when the startup league announces the latest defectors from the PGA Tour.

Smith was annoyed by a question about rumors he was jumping to the Saudi-financed league after winning his first major championship. He shot 64 Sunday to edge Cameron Young by one stroke.

“I just won the British Open, and you’re asking about that,” he bristled. “I think that’s pretty not that good. I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”

The last time a major champion acted indignant when asked about speculation surrounding LIV was at the U.S. Open when Brooks Koepka accused journalists of “throwing a black cloud on the U.S. Open” as he was preparing to leave the PGA Tour.

Three days following another disappointing showing in a major, Koepka bailed and joined LIV. This came a few months after he labeled those who joined LIV as sellouts and said he would not chase the money.

Smith’s game, unlike Koepka’s and most of the Tour players who have defected, is on the rise. He jumped to No. 2 in this week’s world rankings. Although he certainly would be the hottest golfer to join LIV this week, he is not expected to be alone.

LIV could add up to six names, according to multiple reports, including five ranked in the top 100 in the world.

Besides Smith, those strongly linked to LIV include No. 14 Hideki Matsuyama, No. 39 Adam Scott, No. 57 Marc Leishman, No. 84 Bubba Watson and No. 171 Henrik Stenson.

Matsuyama (2021), Watson (2014, 2012) and Scott (2013) are former Masters champions. Leishman was Smith’s Australian Olympic teammate and Stenson is the current European Ryder Cup captain. He will be stripped of that title if he joins LIV.

Norman, the last Aussie to win the Open before Smith, is reportedly attempting to put together an all-Australian team that would include Smith, Scott, Leishman and one of the other Aussies who joined LIV. That list includes Matt Jones, Jed Morgan, Wade Ormsby and Blake Windred. Jones has two PGA Tour titles, including the 2021 Honda Classic.

Norman added to the Smith speculation Sunday by congratulating his countryman on social media.

“Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! A spectacular final round mate. A triumph for you and for Australia as the first Australian to win in 29 years. You’re in good company. Enjoy every moment of your Open victory.”

Smith reportedly will sign a $90 million contract to join LIV. Phil Mickelson is LIV’s highest contracted golfer at a reported $200 million. Dustin Johnson reportedly jumped for $125 million and Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are thought to be making at least $100 million each.

Is Rickie Fowler still on LIV list?

Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler on the 17th green during the second round of The Honda Classic at PGA National. (Photo by Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post)

One name linked to LIV Golf for weeks, although speculation has diminished, is Rickie Fowler. The 33-year-old appears to be a prime candidate considering his game has taken a dive in recent years. His world ranking of 149 is his lowest in about 12 years. Fowler has not won on the PGA Tour in nearly 3 1/2 years.

Fowler was last asked about LIV about a month ago.

“My plans are to continue playing the PGA Tour right now,” he told Golf Channel. “But I also do think competition is a good thing, always has been. LIV is definitely interesting and intriguing, and it’s worth looking at. But, no, I haven’t made any decisions on that, and it’s going to be interesting to see kind of how everything continues to play out.”

A definite “maybe.”

LIV Golf currently includes 21 of the top 100 golfers in the world, including nine of the top 42. Johnson (16) and Abraham Ancer (20) are the lone LIV golfers in the top 20. Koepka has dropped to No. 22 after missing the cut at The Open, his second missed cut in a major this year along with the Masters. Koepka’s best finish in a major in 2022 was a T55.

LIV’s next event is July 28 at Bedminster in New Jersey. Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace won the first two LIV events. LIV will award $25 million purses for its first seven events this year, $4 million to the winner, and a $50 million purse for the season finale at Doral outside of Miami.

Norman told The Palm Beach Post in an exclusive interview last week that after this week’s announcements the 2023 field of 48 players is “closed.” He was then asked what would happen if a highly ranked player expressed interest in joining LIV before the 2023 season starts in March.

“That is a great problem to have and we will discuss it internally to figure out what would need to be done, if anything,” he said. “I’ve always respected and honored the first movers.”

The PGA Tour is slapping an indefinite suspension on those who join the LIV Golf Series.

“Everybody, it feels like, is against us, and that’s OK,” LIV golfer Talor Gooch said after the second round of The Open.

Tom D’Angelo is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at tdangelo@pbpost.com. 

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Dressed for Success: Cam Smith at the 2022 British Open

Check out the Original Penguin apparel worn by Cameron Smith at the 2022 British Open.

The final round of the 150th Open Championship did not disappoint and nor did Cameron Smith.

The Aussie came from behind, carding a 64 on Sunday to win his first major championship. Just wait until you hear how he plans to spend his time with the Claret Jug.

Smith pocketed a cool $2.5M and looked great doing so, rocking his Original Penguin apparel.

Though they don’t get as much fanfare as some other apparel brands on the PGA Tour, Original Penguin, owned by Perry Ellis, has been making fun and unique golf shirts for more than 60 years.

“We congratulate Cameron for winning the 150th Open in a stirring come- from-behind record setting fashion,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, President and CEO of Perry Ellis International. “We are proud to have Cameron, with 10 career worldwide victories and a major, as an Original Penguin brand ambassador.”

We’ve already taken a deep dive inside Smith’s Winner’s Bag but now we get to open up the champion’s closet and see how Cam Smith dressed for success at the 2022 British Open.

More Dressed for Success: Matt Fitzpatrick | Justin Thomas | Jordan Spieth

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What the Pros Play: Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith, the winner of the 150th British Open, has a bag filled with gear designed for versatility and control.

After winning the 2022 Players Championship, Australia’s Cameron Smith moved from No. 11 to No. 6 on the Official World Golf Ranking. Simply winning that event against the strongest field in golf would have made for a great year, but on Sunday, his win at the 150th British Open at St. Andrews made his season historically significant. He woke up Monday morning ranked No. 2 in the world, a major winner and only the second golfer in history to win the Players Championship and British Open in the same year, joining Jack Nicklaus.

Golfweek talked with PGA Tour reps from Titleist to learn about the gear that Cameron Smith used at St. Andrews, what he looks for in his clubs and to discover any changes he made in preparation for this season’s final major. Here’s what we learned.

Best 150th Open Championship apparel and accessories

Suit up with some of the best apparel and accessories from the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

The British Open has come and gone. Cameron Smith was crowned the Champion Golfer of the Year, Tiger Woods had his curtain call and now with the final men’s major of the year under our belts, we turn our eyes to 2023 and wait for the azaleas to bloom, right?

Not so fast. Just move on from the 150th playing of the most storied major at the Home of Golf? How could you not want some of the coolest treasures that this special week at St. Andrews had to offer?

We’ve curated a list to help you take advantage of some of the best items made for the 150th Open Championship.

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Rory McIlroy on feeling the pain of coming up short at 2022 British Open: ‘It’s one that I feel like I let slip away’

“I felt like I didn’t do much wrong today, but I didn’t do much right either.”

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Rory McIlroy had said all the right things in his post-round press conference and with those duties complete, he slumped into a four-passenger golf cart and buried his head into wife Erica’s left shoulder and all the emotions came flooding out.

The 150th Open Championship, the one McIlroy labeled his Holy Grail earlier in the week, was his to win or lose. After sharing the 54-hole lead with Viktor Hovland, McIlroy had built a two-stroke lead with nine holes to go. The World No. 2 had his strut back this week and was playing chess against the fabled seaside links in a way that would have made past champions here like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods proud. McIlroy could almost taste the alcohol he surely would have consumed from the Claret Jug once he regained possession of the winner’s trophy for the first time since 2014 and ended his nearly eight-year winless drought. Only problem is Cameron Smith of Australia had other plans and vaulted into the lead by reeling off five back-nine birdies in a row en route to shooting 8-under 64 at the Old Course. McIlroy, who closed in 2-under 70, two shots back, and finished in third, was left to wonder what more he had to do claim his elusive fifth major title.

“I’ll be OK,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not life or death. I’ll have other chances to win the Open Championship and other chances to win majors. It’s one that I feel like I let slip away, but there will be other opportunities.”

British Open: Winner’s bag | Prize money

Except he didn’t look OK as he drove off. He rued failing to convert on birdie chances at Nos. 3, 6 and 9, which could have nipped Smith’s charge in the bud. McIlroy hit every green in regulation in the final round and had a wonderful sense of speed with his putter, but he picked a bad time for it to go cold. He didn’t make a single putt of consequence.

“I felt like I didn’t do much wrong today, but I didn’t do much right either,” he said. “It’s just one of those days where I played a really controlled round of golf. I did what I felt like I needed to just apart from capitalizing on the easier holes – around the turn, 9, 12, 14. If I had made the birdies there from good positions, it probably would have been a different story.”

This one will hurt because McIlroy knows he had every chance to step on Smith’s neck but with every birdie by Smith his confidence grew and the pressure on McIlroy tightened.

150th Open Championship
Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the sixth green during the final round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

“I can’t be too despondent because of how this year’s went and this year’s going,” he said. “I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve played in a long time. So it’s just a matter of keep knocking on the door, and eventually one will open.”

But despondent is what he looked like as he hid his face in his wife’s embrace. He finished second at the Masters, eighth at the PGA Championship, T-5 at the U.S. Open, and third at the Open – a banner-type year for Rickie Fowler in 2014 but for McIlroy it is close but no cigar. The end result is a failure and like Vesuvius he has to wait until April to begin the quest of pushing the ball up the mountain again.

It hurt because he admitted that he had dreamed of winning the 150th and allowed himself moments to look ahead and think about what it might be like to hold the trophy and be celebrated on the 18th green as the Champion Golfer of the Year.

“I’m only human. I’m not a robot. Of course, you think about it, and you envision it, and you want to envision it,” he said. “My hotel room is directly opposite the big yellow board on 18 there right of the first. And every time I go out, I’m trying to envision McIlroy at the top name on that leaderboard and how did that feel? At the start of the day, it was at the top, but at the start of tomorrow, it won’t be.”

It’s enough to make even one of the greatest golfers in the world bury his face in his wife’s warm embrace.

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Cameron Smith earns $2.5 million and the full prize money payouts for each player at the 2022 British Open at St. Andrews

It pays to play well in major championships, just ask Cameron Smith.

It pays to play well in professional golf tournaments, especially at major championships. Just ask this week’s winner, Cameron Smith.

The 28-year-old Aussie shot an 8-under 64 at the Old Course at St. Andrews in the final round of the 150th playing of the Open Championship to overcome a four-shot deficit and earn a one-shot win over Cameron Young to claim his first major title. Smith finished at 20 under to earn the top prize of $2.5 million, with Young taking home $1.46 million. Not a bad consolation prize.

Check out how much money each professional player made this week at the Open at St. Andrews (remember, no cash for the amateurs).

British Open: Winner’s bag | Cam to party with Claret Jug
Cashing in: Players to earn most money in a single PGA Tour season

Position Player Score Earnings
1 Cameron Smith -20 $2,500,000
2 Cameron Young -19 $1,455,000
3 Rory McIlroy -18 $933,000
T4 Tommy Fleetwood -14 $654,000
T4 Viktor Hovland -14 $654,000
T6 Brian Harman -13 $469,500
T6 Dustin Johnson -13 $469,500
T8 Bryson DeChambeau -12 $325,667
T8 Jordan Spieth -12 $325,667
T8 Patrick Cantlay -12 $325,667
T11 Sadom Kaewkanjana -11 $231,000
T11 Abraham Ancer -11 $231,000
T11 Dean Burmester -11 $231,000
T11 Tyrrell Hatton -11 $231,000
T15 Lucas Herbert -10 $165,583
T15 Xander Schauffele -10 $165,583
T15 Anthony Quayle -10 $165,583
T15 Francesco Molinari -10 $165,583
T15 Adam Scott -10 $165,583
T15 Si Woo Kim -10 $165,583
T21 Billy Horschel -9 $120,286
T21 Min Woo Lee -9 $120,286
T21 Trey Mullinax -9 $120,286
T21 Shane Lowry -9 $120,286
T21 Kevin Kisner -9 $120,286
T21 Matt Fitzpatrick -9 $120,286
T21 Scottie Scheffler -9 $120,286
T28 Tony Finau -8 $90,917
T28 Corey Conners -8 $90,917
T28 Harold Varner III -8 $90,917
T28 Will Zalatoris -8 $90,917
T28 Dylan Frittelli -8 $90,917
T28 Thomas Pieters -8 $90,917
T34 Thomas Detry -7 $68,906
T34 Robert MacIntyre -7 $68,906
T34 Talor Gooch -7 $68,906
T34 Lee Westwood -7 $68,906
T34 Sahith Theegala -7 $68,906
T34 Victor Perez -7 $68,906
T34 Jon Rahm -7 $68,906
T34 Aaron Wise -7 $68,906
T42 Sam Burns -6 $51,000
T42 Jason Kokrak -6 $51,000
T42 Thriston Lawrence -6 $51,000
T42 Adrian Meronk -6 $51,000
T42 Chris Kirk -6 $51,000
T47 Garrick Higgo -5 $40,600
T47 Patrick Reed -5 $40,600
T47 Jordan Smith -5 $40,600
T47 Yuto Katsuragawa -5 $40,600
T47 Joohyung Kim -5 $40,600
T47 Filippo Celli (a) -5 $0
T53 Joaquin Niemann -4 $35,656
T53 Danny Willett -4 $35,656
T53 Robert Dinwiddie -4 $35,656
T53 Lars Van Meijel -4 $35,656
T53 Justin Thomas -4 $35,656
T53 Paul Casey -4 $35,656
T53 Jason Scrivener -4 $35,656
T53 Brad Kennedy -4 $35,656
T53 Nicolai Højgaard -4 $35,656
T62 Cameron Tringale -3 $33,625
T62 Sebastián Muñoz -3 $33,625
T62 John Parry -3 $33,625
T62 David Carey -3 $33,625
T62 Ian Poulter -3 $33,625
T62 Russell Henley -3 $33,625
T68 Hideki Matsuyama -2 $32,525
T68 Sergio Garcia -2 $32,525
T68 Richard Mansell -2 $32,525
T68 Christiaan Bezuidenhout -2 $32,525
T72 David Law -1 $32,012
T72 Kurt Kitayama -1 $32,012
T74 Marcus Armitage E $31,762
T74 Justin De Los Santos E $31,762
T76 Wyndham Clark 1 $31,512
T76 Adri Arnaus 1 $31,512
T76 Aaron Jarvis (a) 1 $0
T79 Laurie Canter 2 $31,325
T79 Barclay Brown (a) 2 $0
T81 Sam Bairstow (a) 4 $0
T81 Sungjae Im 4 $31,200
83 Jamie Rutherford 8 $31,075

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Winner’s Bag: Cameron Smith, 2022 British Open at St. Andrews

Check out the clubs that won the Claret Jug.

The golf equipment Cameron Smith used to win at St. Andrews during the 2022 British Open:

DRIVER: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Blue 6X shaft

FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8X shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Cam Smith’s fairway wood – $299″ link=”https://globalgolf.pxf.io/P0q5qQ”]

IRONS: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (3-4), Titleist T100 (5-9), with KBS Tour 130 Custom Matte Black X shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Cam Smith’s irons – $1,299″ link=”https://globalgolf.pxf.io/oearam”]

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees), with KBS Tour 130 Custom Matte Black X shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Cam Smith’s wedges – $179 each” link=”https://globalgolf.pxf.io/GjY7qm”]

PUTTER: Scotty Cameron 009M Tour prototype

BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

[afflinkbutton text=”Cam Smith’s golf ball – $49.99 per dozen” link=”https://globalgolf.pxf.io/b3gnrk”]

GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet SuperTack

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Cameron Smith is ‘going to find out how many beers’ fit in the Claret Jug after 2022 British Open win

Smith made a late charge with six birdies on his back nine for his first major title.

Rory McIlroy was the fan favorite in the final round of the 150th playing of the Open Championship at the Old Course at St. Andrews, but eventual champion Cameron Smith may have picked up a few more supporters in his post-round interview.

Smith was at a loss for words after his 8-under 64 in the final round on Sunday earned him a one-shot win and his first major title. After the championship ceremony, the 28-year-old Aussie was asked how he plans to celebrate with the Claret Jug, and he had the perfect answer.

“I’m definitely going to find out how many beers fit in this thing,” said Smith with a chuckle as the fans erupted with applause.

Smith won the Players Championship earlier this year and now has three victories on the season and six in his PGA Tour career.

He’s also up to $9,847,000 in on-course earnings during the 2021-22 season.

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Cameron Smith wins historic 2022 British Open at St. Andrews with late birdie charge

Smith made six birdies on his back nine to win his first major championship.

The 150th playing of the oldest major championship at the Home of Golf doesn’t need any extra hype, but Sunday’s final round of the 2022 British Open at the Old Course at St. Andrews got better and better as the day went on.

The round started with Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland tied atop the leaderboard at 16 under but ended with Cameron Smith picking up the win to hoist the Claret Jug and earn the title of Champion Golfer at the Year. The 28-year-old Aussie shot an 8-under 64, his second 64 of the week, on Sunday to win the first major championship of his career. Smith also claimed the Players Championship earlier this year at TPC Sawgrass.

Now a six-time PGA Tour winner, Smith made a late charge thanks to six birdies on his back nine, five in a row on Nos. 10-14 with the final coming on the 18th to take a one-shot lead at 20 under.

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