2022 British Open preview: How to watch, who to watch, the course and prize money
The 150th edition of the sport’s oldest major is taking place at the home of golf (St. Andrews course in Scotland) this week.
The British Open will be played from July 14-17 and is expected to draw a record attendance of 290,000. It will be the 30th time that golf’s oldest major has been held over the Old Course.
Forecasts for calm conditions in Scotland have led to some players predicting the layout is in danger of being picked apart, with Jordan Spieth saying it could turn into a “wedge contest” unless the wind offers some protection.
Follow the final day of the 150th Open Championship live from St Andrews
The lowest round at a men’s major was carded by Branden Grace, who shot a 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017, while the record for St. Andrews is 61, carded by Ross Fisher the same year.
“Might shoot low, so what?” stated Jack Nicklaus, who won two of his three British Open titles at St. Andrews, told reporters.
“They’re shooting low now compared to what they shot 100 years ago. Times change and golfers get better, equipment gets better, conditions get better.
“Shoot low scores, but I don’t think it really makes a whole lot of difference frankly. It’s St. Andrews and it is what it is, and it will produce a good champion,” the 82-year-old added.
“It’s a magical golf course ... To believe the game of golf essentially started here, and it just absolutely is mind-boggling to me that it still stands up to the golfers of today.”
Ones to watch
More Morikawa magic?
Colin Morikawa enjoyed a sensational 2021, triumphing at Royal St George’s to claim his second major title aged just 24 and becoming the first player to win on his Open debut since 2003. Yet 2022 has so far failed to yield the same success for the defending champion. He went into the weekend with the lead at last month’s U.S. Open, only for a wobble on the Saturday to prove costly. After recovering with a fourth-round 65 to finish tied for fifth, Morikawa said he had learned to “just go play golf”, although that approach did not serve him particularly well at the Scottish Open, where he failed to make the cut. If he manages to find the composure that deserted him during that dismal third round in Boston, however, then the world number eight cannot be overlooked as a serious contender once again.
‘Popular’ Mcllroy’
The Saudi Arabia backed LIV breakaway tour has made villains of a number of star names, but Rory McIlroy is the PGA Tour’s hero. With news of each defector, McIlroy has stood firm in his opposition to the Saudi-backed series – all the while stringing together a superb run of form, finishing in the top 20 in each of his past seven entries and the top 10 in each of the first three majors of the year. Rory is a very real contender this week, and there could hardly be a more popular winner. He has unfinished business at St Andrews, too, having tied for third in 2010 and then missed the 2015 event – where he would have been the defending champion – through injury.
In-form Schauffele
Fresh from his victory at the Scottish Open – where other putative Open contenders floundered – Xander Schauffele is certainly one to watch. Last week’s victory at the Renaissance Club, which came despite a two-over-par opening round, came hot on the heels of his triumph at the Travelers Championship, sending the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist to St Andrews as a man in form. The American has also been in the mix at golf’s oldest major before, finishing tied second at Carnoustie in 2018, where a final-round 74 ended his hopes of a maiden major. That search will continue this week for the 28-year-old, with the Claret Jug firmly in his sights.
The Open prize money
The overall purse for the competition is $14,000,000 with the winner set to pocket $2,500,000 from the opening 156 opening field of players that will be whittled down to 70 after two days.
- Winner: $2,500,000
- Runner-up: $1,455,000
- 3rd place: $933,000
The 150th Open: how to watch
Golf fans in the US can follow the action live from St. Andrews via: Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app with the tee-off coverage starting at 01:30 (am) Eastern Time each day.
Viewers in the UK can follow the action live via Sky Sports with a highlights package set to be shown each night on BBC 2.