The Open? Well, the golfing establishment seems closed to a little bit of rebranding
The R&A are a formidable lot. Many with knowledge of how pernickety they are about making sure people refer to the Open Championship as the Open Championship sniggered while making their way to Carnoustie last week. For there, above the M90, on a big sign with yellow lettering was a message directing drivers to the “The British Open”.
This of course is considered sacrilege by not just the R&A, but also many British golf writers and also players. So it was interesting to note that the messages had changed by the weekend. They referred instead, and very properly, to “The Open Championship”. Transport Scotland had clearly been nobbled by members of the golf establishment. Many in this ancient clan had presumably nearly veered off the road when catching sight of the signs.
The thing is, if the Football Association in England can rebrand themselves as the English FA in order to seem less arrogant, as they have done recently, then surely the R&A can take a deep breath and accept those outwith Britain, and indeed many natives, call it to the “British Open”.
If you can’t beat them, join them.
Talking about the English FA, Harry Kane was at Carnoustie yesterday.
The England striker has recently returned from the World Cup in Russia, where he won the Golden Boot after scoring six goals.
He proved annoyingly good with a golf club as well yesterday. Sky Sports recruited him to take part in their 99-yard challenge. Celebrities and pros have been asked to take part all last week – the idea is to get as close to the 100-yard marker as possible.
Kane got his ball to 91.9 yards, seven yards further than his England teammate Jordan Pickford managed when he turned up in Angus last week. Eddie Pepperell was top, having reached 99 yards earlier in the week.