REIGNING Open champion Henrik Stenson was the victim of a well-planned burglary as he began the defence of his title. The property he is renting in Southport was broken into while he was on the course at Birkdale on Thursday, and apparently everything he left behind was looted. Stenson, 41, even had to contact his […]
DUSTIN JOHNSON hit a journalist flush in the face with a wild shot at Royal Birkdale. The world No 1 flared his second shot to the par-four ninth miles right during Friday’s second round. And it looked destined for a gorse bush until it hit Irish Times golf reporter Philip Reid on the left cheekbone. […]
FURIOUS Sergio Garcia threw an almighty temper tantrum and then appeared to injure his shoulder after slamming his club into a bush. The Masters champion was chipping from beside the gorse on the par-three fourth hole. He had a limited backswing and could only advance the ball a few yards. Clearly seething, the Spaniard then […]
THEY’VE often said Rory McIlroy could take after the master, Tiger Woods. And on the back nine at Royal Birkdale yesterday, he roared into the sort of form which reminded you of the 14-time Major champion at his peak. Unfortunately, on the front nine, McIlroy had emulated the sort of erratic driving which had seen […]
TOMMY FLEETWOOD’S eagerly-awaited homecoming turned into a nightmare as he crashed to an horrendous six over par 76. The in-form English ace, who was born a few hundred yards from Birkdale, fluffed his lines, while playing partner Brooks Koepka showed how it was done by grabbing a share of the lead with a dazzling 65. […]