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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms but only certain stars can use it at Portrush
SUPERSTAR golfers have a secret way of escaping thunderstorms when they strike at Open venue Royal Portrush - a secret underground tunnel that burrows through the sand dunes. Storms have hit the course this week already, causing practice rounds to be suspended. 5 Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay take cover in the tunnel Credit: Getty 5 Golfers, their caddies and officials shelter away from the storms Credit: Getty 5 Akshay Bhatia of United States walks through the tunnel during a practice round Credit: Getty And more wet weather is predicted with heavy run and thunder forecast for the County Antrim coastline later this week. However The Open stars like Rory McIlroy and The man-made subway passes from the 10th green to the 11th tee, and was built so players can escape the log-jam of golf fans at The Open. It goes underneath between 9th tee and 6th green and runs for 65 yards. Read more on The Open But this week it has served a second purpose — as a different type of bunker to the other 59 on the famous old course. When thunderstorms hit the course during Monday's practice round, American golf stars Keegan Bradley and lightning . And more storms are forecast for Thursday's open round. However only those players who are on that corner of the seaside course will be able to shelter if thunderstorms hit. Most read in Golf BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK If R&A chiefs decide to suspend pay over fears of lightning , the rest of the players on the course will be shuttled back to the clubhouse in golf buggies. The tunnel took a year to build and was dug before the 2019 Open to allow players to speedily move from green to tee despite the thousands of fans. The area at the back of the 10th green is a real bottleneck and golf chiefs feared chaos if players were forced to make their way through the crowds. The 10th green is also close to the 8th and 6th greens, and to the 9th and 11th tees in one of the most congested parts of the course. Open Championship golf club Royal Portrush has 65-yard underground tunnel for players to escape fans 5 The secret man-made tunnel runs from the 10th green to the 11th tee 5 Players simply disappear into the dunes when they go underground in the tunnel So the 65-yard tunnel allows players to quickly move from the 10th green to the 11th tee and bypass the crowds. 156 golf ers are competing at Royal Portrush aiming to walk away with the prestigious on Sunday evening. Around 275,000 fans are expected to visit the iconic Dunluce links venue across the eight days of both practice and tournament rounds. is the defending champion after his stunning performance at Royal Troon last year.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms but only certain stars can use it at Portrush
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUPERSTAR golfers have a secret way of escaping thunderstorms when they strike at Open venue Royal Portrush - a secret underground tunnel that burrows through the sand dunes. Storms have hit the course this week already, causing practice rounds to be suspended. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay take cover in the tunnel Credit: Getty 5 Golfers, their caddies and officials shelter away from the storms Credit: Getty 5 Akshay Bhatia of United States walks through the tunnel during a practice round Credit: Getty And more wet weather is predicted with heavy run and thunder forecast for the County Antrim coastline later this week. However The Open stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have a secret escape route from the storms by sheltering in safety in a 65-yard underground tunnel. The man-made subway passes from the 10th green to the 11th tee, and was built so players can escape the log-jam of golf fans at The Open. It goes underneath between 9th tee and 6th green and runs for 65 yards. Read more on The Open ROYAL RUMBLE Hole-by-hole guide to Royal Portrush including brutal par 3 named Calamity But this week it has served a second purpose — as a different type of bunker to the other 59 on the famous old course. When thunderstorms hit the course during Monday's practice round, American golf stars Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay took shelter in the tunnel as play was suspended due to the threat of lightning. And more storms are forecast for Thursday's open round. However only those players who are on that corner of the seaside course will be able to shelter if thunderstorms hit. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK If R&A chiefs decide to suspend pay over fears of lightning, the rest of the players on the course will be shuttled back to the clubhouse in golf buggies. The tunnel took a year to build and was dug before the 2019 Open to allow players to speedily move from green to tee despite the thousands of fans. The area at the back of the 10th green is a real bottleneck and golf chiefs feared chaos if players were forced to make their way through the crowds. The 10th green is also close to the 8th and 6th greens, and to the 9th and 11th tees in one of the most congested parts of the course. Open Championship golf club Royal Portrush has 65-yard underground tunnel for players to escape fans 5 The secret man-made tunnel runs from the 10th green to the 11th tee 5 Players simply disappear into the dunes when they go underground in the tunnel So the 65-yard tunnel allows players to quickly move from the 10th green to the 11th tee and bypass the crowds. 156 golfers are competing at Royal Portrush aiming to walk away with the prestigious Claret Jug on Sunday evening. Around 275,000 fans are expected to visit the iconic Dunluce links venue across the eight days of both practice and tournament rounds. Xander Schauffele is the defending champion after his stunning performance at Royal Troon last year.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Play Golf At Marco Simone Where The 2023 Ryder Cup Was Played
Italy's Marco Simone Golf & Country Club welcomes golfers from around the world to play its course ... More where the 2023 Ryder Cup was held. The club is located near Rome. During the hotly contested 44th Ryder Cup in 2023, some of the world's top professional golfers including Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay battled it out at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in the outskirts of Rome, Italy. 'It's definitely the best course I've ever played in Italy, hands down,' Patrick Cantlay of Team USA said at the time. It was the first time the Ryder Cup—professional golf's premier team event— had been held in Italy and only the third time the competition had been held in Continental Europe. Marco Simone's meticulously maintained 7,299-yard long course offers sweeping views of Rome in the ... More distance, including St. Peter's Basilica. The 16th green is seen here. The Ryder Cup Course At Marco Simone Little at Marco Simone has changed since the Ryder Cup was held there two years ago. Not only is the course the same but even the individual lockers bearing the names of each of the 2023 Ryder Cup players are still present. And while it operates as a private club, Marco Simone welcomes visitors from around the world to play the course. The experience should be at the top of every golf enthusiast's list as Marco Simone is one of the top golf courses in Europe. The meticulously maintained 7,299-yard long course offers sweeping views of Rome in the distance, including St. Peter's Basilica. 'The beauty of Marco Simone is that it already has a canvas that is really, really good,' Zach Johnson, Captain of Team USA commented at the start of the 2023 event. 'The course, the grass, is extremely healthy and very pure. The greens are fantastic.' Johnson praised the Marco Simone facilities and for being a venue that tests all aspects of the players. 'Marco Simone is a very high-character golf course,' he said. 'It (requires) everybody on both sides to have all elements of their game to be on, and I think that's a true test of the golf course. They have done a great job. They should be very proud.' While it presents a true test for seasoned players, the course is also enjoyable and approachable for novices. In preparation for the Ryder Cup, the course was redesigned to make it more challenging. The 17th ... More hole is seen here. Ranked Among The Top Golf Courses In Europe The pros are not the only ones in the global golf community praising Marco Simone. Indeed, it is considered to be one of the best in Italy and ranks among the top courses in Europe. It was recently ranked in tenth spot in the Golf World Top 100 Most Awe-Inspiring Courses on the European Continent. The original course, designed by world-renowned golf architect Jim Fazio, opened in the late 1990's. In preparation for the Ryder Cup, the course was redesigned by Fazio's son, Tom Fazio II and was remodeled between 2018 and 2021. The original course offered 27 holes, but nine were sacrificed in order to develop hospitality offerings required for the Ryder Cup in which as many as 50,000 spectators were there each day to watch the competition. European Golf Design, a United Kingdom-based golf design firm, worked with Fazio to reconfigure holes, specifically the last four holes, to make them more challenging and ideal for match-play purposes with the opportunity for high risk and high reward for competitors. Several of the par 4 holes are drivable, but bunkers surrounding landing areas present challenges for longer hitters. The 15th hole, for example, is a long and difficult par 4 while the 16th hole is a very short par 4 that has a challenging, but drivable green with water on the right side. The 17th hole is a difficult and long par 3, with three levels of greens. The final hole, the 18th, is a very short par five. 'These four holes were designed while thinking about the match play format,' says Marco Aquilino, General Manager of Marco Simone. Luke Donald, European Ryder Cup Captain, enthused about these holes which he considered to be particularly exciting. 'The 17th hole is not an easy par three with water in play and really nowhere to miss it,' Donald noted, adding that the 18th hole is another spectacular par five down a hill with water by the green. In preparation for the Ryder Cup, a 7,000-square-meter clubhouse with a restaurant and pro shop twas ... More added. The building has event spaces, meeting rooms and expansive terraces, enabling it to host private events including weddings. A Meticulous Restoration And Expansion Marco Simone is owned and operated by Italian designer Lavinia Biagiotti, president and chief executive of the Biagiotti Group, one of Italy's largest fashion houses. In addition to having the golf course redesigned, Biagiotti Cigna also oversaw the meticulous restoration of a stunning 11th century castle located on the premises. Marco Simone has been a lifelong passion for Biagiotti since her late parents bought the property in 1978. In preparation for the Ryder Cup, Biagiotti added a 7,000-square-meter clubhouse with a restaurant and pro shop that features golf apparel from such brands as FootJoy, Ecco, and Adidas. The building also offers event spaces and meeting rooms enabling it to host corporate and team building events as well as weddings. The complex has expansive terraces with beautiful views of the course and surrounding countryside. Additional club facilities include a driving range (the only driving range in Central Italy with Trackman technology), an indoor golf simulator and other practice facilities. Marco Simone also offers five tennis courts, a swimming pool and a fitness center featuring state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. An off-site hotel alongside the 10th fairway offers several apartments for those of who want to stay close to the club. The club will add a fitting center in the near future. Marco Simone has partnered with GolfZon Leadbetter Golf Academy that enables members and guests can take lessons and participate in clinics. The golf academy, which opened on June 1, also developed a juniors program to encourage young Italians to take up the sport. 'We are constantly improving the quality of the product for the local community to increase the number of players,' says Aquilino. 'We also wanted to offer a higher level of lessons for visitors. The result is a golf academy with a very high standard.' In addition to having the golf course redesigned, the owner also oversaw the meticulous restoration ... More of a stunning 11th century castle located on the premises. No Need To Bring Your Own Set Of Clubs There is no need to travel with equipment as the course offers Callaway club rental sets. Greens fees to play the 18 hole course vary depending on the season and range from 195 Euros to 270 Euros for weekday play and 195 Euros to 270 Euros per player during weekends. The high season for 2025 includes April, May, June, September and October (ending on November 2). Low season is January, February, July, August and November 3 to December 24. (The course is closed from June 23 to June 27 for maintenance, December 25 through January 1 and during various Italian bank holidays.) Last year, more than 9,000 guest golfers came from around the world, with half being from the United States with the remainder from the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and a small portion from Asia. Marco Simone, which has also hosted the DS Automobiles Italian Open four times (1994, 2021, 2022 and 2023), offers club memberships but also welcomes visitors. International annual memberships are also offered for 3,000 Euros and include unlimited play, special greens fees for guests of members, and full access to all of the facilities at Marco Simone. 'Hosting the Ryder Cup was just the beginning,' says Aquilino. 'It was a turning point that represents the club's transformation when everything was elevated, from the course to its facilities. But it was not the pinnacle for Marco Simone which continues to improve its offerings.' The lockers for the 2023 Ryder Cup players can be seen at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Located in Guidonia, Lazio, Marco Simone is only 20 minutes from the center of Rome. Additional information about Marco Simone Golf & Country Club can be seen on its website.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jordan Spieth Makes Final Decision on The Open Amid Injury
Jordan Spieth Makes Final Decision on The Open Amid Injury originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Golf fans know what it means when mid-July approaches. The Open Championship is just around the corner. The historic event, first played in 1860, is the oldest tournament in the sport and will return July 17-20 at Royal Portrush for its 153rd edition. Advertisement Among the familiar faces expected to compete is three-time major winner Jordan Spieth. Spieth won The Open in 2017, defeating Matt Kuchar by three strokes, but he hasn't added another major title to his résumé since. After withdrawing from this weekend's Scottish Open due to an injury concern, Spieth provided a quick update on his status for The Open following neck spasms that caused some uncertainty. 'I'm good. It was a weird neck spasm thing that just came up,' Spieth said. 'I've been back to full strength getting ready for The Open Championship. I have no restrictions, which is great.' Spieth's last win came in 2022 at the RBC Heritage, where he beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff. In 2025, he has played in all three major championships and made the cut twice, finishing tied for 14th at the Masters and tied for 23rd at the U.S. Open. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship. Advertisement He's still searching for the consistency that once made him a dominant figure on tour. A strong showing at Royal Portrush could help reignite his confidence. Jordan Spieth at the U.S. Open.© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Historically, Spieth has been consistent at The Open, making the cut every year he's played. The only exception was in 2020 when the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a clean bill of health and momentum on his side, Spieth will look to recapture some of the magic that made him a major champion and contend once again at one of golf's most prestigious stages. Related: Heartwarming Tiger Woods Moment With Son Charlie Woods Is Turning Heads Related: John Deere Classic Results and Payouts After Brian Campbell's Big Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch the 2025 Rocket Classic: Tee times, streaming info, odds and picks
A handful of the world's top golfers will briefly become 'Rocket Men' for the weekend. The seventh installment of the Rocket Classic goes down Thursday through Sunday, with Collin Morikawa entering as the narrow favorite in a crowded field. Keegan Bradley is right behind him, seeking a second consecutive win after claiming the Travelers Championship last weekend. Advertisement ESPN+ will have coverage of featured groups and featured holes. CBS coverage can also be streamed on Paramount+. Time to lose our minds in Detroit Golf City. That's a thing, right? Better than a hair metal rock tour, the 2025 PGA Tour continues onward with this weekend's tournament. The purse totals $9.6 million, with the top finisher getting a cool $1,728,000. A few of the sport's headliners are sitting this one out, but the field still includes world No. 5 Morikawa, plus domestic standouts like Bradley and Patrick Cantlay. Since its inception in 2019, the tourney has been won by four Americans (Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Bryson DeChambeau and Nate Lashley) and twice by Australian Cameron Davis (2021 and 2024). The venue will undergo a massive renovation effort after hosting this year's go. Morikawa is trying to get right amid a PGA rough patch. He's ranked outside the top 10 in each of his past seven outings, including a tie for 42nd place in last weekend's action. The Californian was fantastic in his most recent Detroit visit, though, finishing 24 under at this course in 2023. In addition to winning the Travelers Championship, Bradley has churned out top-10 finishes at this year's PGA Championship, Memorial Tournament and Arnold Palmer Invitational. He's been bumped up to No. 7 in the world rankings. Cantlay, meanwhile, missed the cut at PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, but he was a solid 8 under at River Highlands. Elsewhere, North Carolina's Ben Griffin rides a budding hot streak. He played into the top 10 in the last two majors, and won the Charles Schwab Challenge in late May. Thursday Friday The complete list of tee times can be found here. Courtesy of The Athletic's sports betting editor Vik Chokshi: There's no rocket science involved here. My outright bets are usually based on a couple of models I follow, and I take into account course history and form. I also love betting on golf long shots (usually +2000 or longer range). Advertisement Here are a couple of guys I think are worth sprinkling pizza money on this week: Outright winner picks (Odds via BetMGM) Cameron Young +2200 Rickie Fowler +4000 Alex Noren +6000 Byeong Hun An +6000 Stephan Jaeger +6600 Emiliano Grillo +6600 Streaming, ticketing and betting links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Collin Morikawa: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images)
