I note in the qualifying rules for The Open you automatitc qualify if -
1) Past Open Champions aged 60 or under on 17 July 2011.
2) The Open Champions for 2001-2010.
3) Past Open Champions born between 17 July 1945 and 19 July 1948. No one at this years Open under this one.
I have a problem that you can qualify for something you acheived so long ago (1 and 3) even though your standard now could be so poor compared to better players who have missed out. Some might say rule 2 goes too far back.
Things change in all sports with better players coming along and previous good players losing their talent.
I no golf likes to welcome back previous greats (like all sports) but shouldn't you have to qualify on how good you are now not what happened years ago?
Should the rules be changed so that you have prove your standard of play is of a certain standard now, not so many years ago?
I notice in the US Masters all previous winners qualify automatically.
Qualifying Rules.
posted on 16/7/11
In my opinion no.
I think previous winners have earned the right to come back every year. It's like part of the prize if you will.
If players had to qualify do you really think Tom Watson would be at this years open? I wouldn't have thought so, but do I love watching him play every year at the open? You better believe it. The same went for Jack Nicholas. Would we have been able to witness that emotional final walk over the bridge at St Andrews if he had to qualify to get there?
End of the day, i think golf needs moments like that, along with Watsons ACE yesterday. If we didn't get moments like that, i think golf would be all the worse for it.
This is only my opinion of course.
posted on 16/7/11
Tom Watson qualifies under rule 4:- Past Open champions finishing in the first 10 and tying 10th place in The Open Championship 2006-10. I feel this rule is a good one as they have prooved their talent quite recently not years ago.
I just don't like the idea that for example someone who one a sporting event at 30 still qualifies 30 years later even though their talent may have deteriorated enough that better players are missing out and haven't played to a decent enough standard the last 10 years.
posted on 16/7/11
And my point about Nicholas?
I just feel that if you win it, part of the prize should be that you're exempt from qualifying.
I can however understand your point about other players missing out though.