The Open: Matthew Jordan, West Ham United golf bags and Super League stars – notebook from the week so far | Golf News

As the 151st edition of The Open approaches the crucial final two days, we take a look at what’s going on in and around Royal Liverpool, and some of the stories you might not have seen this week…

Hoylake welcomes the Open

The world’s oldest Major hasn’t graced this part of the world for nine years and comes at Hoylake for only the third time after a 39-year gap between Robert Di Vicenzo’s victory in 1967 and Tiger Wood’s victory in 2006.

It’s no surprise that the tiny Wirral seaside town of just over 5,300 is set to welcome 156 of the world’s best players competing over four days for the coveted Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Anyone who’s strolled down Market Street, the main street leading to the course, will have seen everything from a pet shop with golf-themed displays in the window to a Volkswagen Beetle decorated in support of hometown competitor Matthew Jordan.

Every bus stop and billboard leading to Royal Liverpool seems to be adorned with Alex Noreen’s image thanks to his association with clothing manufacturer Admiral, although his apparent efforts to make the Swede the new face of golf may have suffered a setback by shooting one over in the first two rounds.

And for those who hope to play in The Open but find themselves unable to due to Royal & Ancient’s strict insistence that entries be restricted to players of genuine golfing ability, there is an alternative.

There’s an insanely fun golf course set up inside St. Luke’s Methodist Church. Appropriate, in some ways—because while the sport isn’t mentioned in the Bible, there isn’t a single golfer alive who hasn’t prayed for divine intervention at some point during a round.

jordan people’s champion

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Local star Matthew Jordan had the honor of starting the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, hitting the opening tee shot in front of a live grandstand.

The aforementioned Jordan was guaranteed to attract attention at the Open simply by virtue of the fact that he came through final qualifying just 18 miles up the coast of West Lancashire to earn a place in the field on his course.

But family, friends, club members and enthusiastic locals, who watched his every move from the time the tournament began at 6.35 am on Thursday as part of the first group, saw the 27-year-old shoot a two-under round of 69 on the opening day and his followers joined in.

Jordan’s widespread popularity was firmly cemented in the second round, where a one-over 72 was enough to see him finish under par for the tournament and comfortably make the cut. Still, the man himself was somewhat baffled as to why he became an instant cult hero.

“I don’t know,” Jordan said. “Obviously, my teammates are here, and I think if they think you’re doing well, you can lift each other up a little bit.

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Matthew Jordan birdied the second hole at Royal Liverpool to make a blistering start to his 151st Open Championship at Hoylake.

“I think maybe I’ve had a little support in the beginning, more and more people have noticed and then want to support themselves. I don’t know if I’ve been liked or not, just I’m obviously very happy that everyone keeps coming.”

More importantly, however, Jordan hopes that whatever happens on Saturday and Sunday, he can be an inspiration to aspiring golfers in the region.

Jordan said, “I hope that what I’m doing with young boys and young girls will make them realize how good golf can be and how rewarding it can be and they’ll see what’s happening.” “It can inspire the local area, and that’s clearly an added bonus of what’s happening.”

game worlds collide

Billy Horschel is known for showing his support for his old Florida Gators college team while on the course, but this week the American is again trekking around the links with a claret and blue bag bearing the badge of his other sports love, West Ham United.

Billy Horschel’s West Ham golf bag made another appearance at The Open this week

In stark contrast to when he did the same at the PGA Championship at Wentworth last year, it is doubtful that Horschel will find much support for his allegiance in a part of the country where Liverpool and Everton dominate when it comes to the Premier League.

Of course, players from Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils rugby league clubs were enjoying the sights of Royal Liverpool on the first two days of the week without matches in the Betfred Super League.

Wolves captain Stephen Ratchford and teammates Matty Ashton and Peter Matoutia were in attendance on Thursday. This was followed on Friday by current Super League Man of Steel Brodie Croft, England internationals Andy Akers and Tyler Dupree, as well as Ryan Brearley and Sam Stone all representing the Red Devils.

A day at The Open perhaps offset the disappointment that none of his team will be in this weekend’s Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Brothers playing in the Open is not an uncommon occurrence. Indeed, when Harry Warden picked up the Claret Jug at Prestwick in 1903, his closest rival was his younger brother Tom.

But 2023 marks the first time twins have appeared in the same tournament as Danish pair Rasmus and Nikolai Højgaard.

Their golfing careers are as intertwined as their lives. The two turned professional in 2019 and two years later became the first brothers in DP World Tour history to win consecutive weeks.

But as was the case when they both appeared at the PGA Championship earlier this year, it was Nicolai who made the cut while Rasmus failed to make the weekend after finishing seven over after two rounds. However, the former knows that he can count on the support of the second on Saturday and Sunday.

Twins Nicolai Hojsgaard and Rasmus Hojsgaard practicing together ahead of the Open

“Every time we play we try to win against each other but at the same time, we encourage each other if one of us does really well,” Nikolai said.

This year marked the first time since 1985, when Seve and Manuel Ballesteros and Taito and Naomichi Ozaki were in the field, two sets of brothers competing thanks to the qualifying of Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick.

However, unlike the Hojsgaard twins, the English siblings both made the cut after completing two over two rounds each.

big names missed the cut

“That’s LIV golf for you,” one of the crowd was heard sarcastically when Dustin Johnson bogeyed the 12th in a round of 81 on Friday that cost him 13 overs for the tournament, but the four-time major winner wasn’t the only big name to miss the weekend.

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Justin Thomas had a forgettable first round at The Open and it didn’t mean much more than the nine shots he took on the 18th hole.

For the second year in a row, 2021 champion Collin Morikawa (+4) was eliminated. So was 2018 winner Francesco Molinari (+6). Justin Rose, Shane Lowry (both +6) and Justin Thomas (+11) were the other notable ones to go along the way.

Meanwhile, defending champion Cameron Smith (+2) fell below the cut line at three overs. Lynx Golf certainly has no respect for reputation.

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