‘Cautious optimism’ that British Open will run

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — British Open organizers said Wednesday they have “cautious optimism” that golf’s oldest major will go ahead at Royal St. George’s in July.

The event was cancelled last year — for the first time since 1945 — because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the R&A effectively pushing its schedule back one year.

That meant the 149th Open would still be held on the links in Sandwich this year and R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said a “rigorous scenario-planning exercise” is underway to ensure it takes place.

There is currently a lockdown in place in England amid the rollout of a vaccination program. The Open is to take place July 15-18.