Former European Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Colin Montgomerie and José María Olazábal will tee it up at Royal Porthcawl in The Senior Open Presented by Rolex from July 27-30, 2023.
The trio each led Team Europe to victory following impressive playing careers in the biennial contest and they will this year bring that Ryder Cup experience to South Wales for Europe’s only senior Major Championship.
They will join already-announced Major champions Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Ian Woosnam as a stellar field assembles at the renowned Welsh links.
Bjørn, Denmark’s most successful golfer of all-time with 15 DP World Tour wins and two Legends Tour victories, will tee it up in the Senior Open for the third time and is excited by the challenge.
“The Senior Open Presented by Rolex is one of the highlights of the golfing calendar and I can’t wait to visit Royal Porthcawl in July.
“The course looks stunning and I know it will be in great shape come July. Links golf tests every aspect of your game and I’m looking forward to the challenge later this year.”
Scotland’s Montgomerie, who was crowned European Number One a record eight times in a glittering DP World Tour career which included 31 victories, continued Team Europe’s dominance on home soil at Celtic Manor in 2010.
The 59-year-old has a good record in the Championship with three top ten finishes, including runner-up at Royal Porthcawl in 2014, and would love nothing better than to go one better this time around.
“I’ve got some good golfing memories in Wales and I’m hoping to make some more this year,” he said.
“I’m sure the Championship will be well attended. The Welsh spectators were well worth a point in the Ryder Cup in 2010, and that’s what it took to win. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone at Royal Porthcawl later this year.”
Spaniard Olazábal, who will go down in Ryder Cup folklore as the man who masterminded the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, made his Senior Open debut at Royal Porthcawl in 2017 and the two-time Masters Champion is looking forward to competing in this prestigious event once more.
“The Senior Open Presented by Rolex is a fantastic Championship, steeped in history, and it is always an honour to tee it up.
“Royal Porthcawl is a golf course of true prestige, more than worthy of hosting such a great Championship and we are all excited to play in July. I’m sure it will be a great week, both for the players and the spectators.”
Royal Porthcawl was founded in 1891 as a nine-hole course before an agreement was made four years later to add another nine holes. In 1909, the club was bestowed the honour of using the prefix Royal – only the second club in Wales to be granted the privilege after Royal St David’s – before hosting its first significant championship in 1951 when The Amateur Championship took place.
This year will mark the third time the venue has hosted The Senior Open Presented by Rolex, with Bernhard Langer winning in 2014 and 2017. His win in 2014 was by a Championship-record 13 strokes. Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke will defend his title in South Wales this year, having claimed his maiden Senior Major at Gleneagles in 2022.
Tickets for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex are on sale now, with prices starting at just £25 for adults for championship days. Season tickets, giving holders access to all four championship days plus the Wednesday practice day, are available for only £95. Click here to purchase yours.
