IN a bold break with tradition, the R&A announced yesterday that competitors would be allowed to wear shorts at this year's Open Championship – on practice days only.
With the sleet and snow showers whipping across the Dunluce Links yesterday thoughts were focused more on thermals than shorts and even defending Open champion, Francesco Molinari found the idea funny.
"There's people playing golf in shorts all around the world. So I don't see why we should be different but I don't think it will be a priority in Portrush this summer!," said Molinari.
Currently ranked number seven in the world, Molinari has enjoyed a dramatic rise to prominence over the last 18 months marked by his superb Open win at Carnoustie and a starring role in Europe's Ryder Cup success in France.
The 36-year-old Italian played the Irish Open when it was staged at Royal Portrush in 2012 and expects a fabulous atmosphere come The Open in July.
"It was impressive to see how quickly all the tickets were sold initially, so it's nice to see the R&A making more tickets available to the fans," said Molinari.
"I remember playing there in the Irish Open the year after Darren had won the Open Championship and being paired with Darren the first round, and yes, it was something I still remember, so I can only imagine what the Open is going to be - it is going to be even bigger, obviously, going back to Northern Ireland after so many years.
"Yeah, it is going to be nice for me, obviously - defending is always special - but defending in a place where the tournament has not been for so long I'm sure is going to be extra special."
He continued; "I remember the weather [at Lahinch] was not great for four days and it was a very challenging course, you know, with the wind and the rain and yeah, probably obviously not as flat as Carnoustie but a bit more elevation changes from what I remember.
"But, yeah, apart from that, just a very typical links challenge. The weather is going to play a huge part. But, yeah, I've got nice memories from the course, from the town. I remember it being a fun week. So I'm looking forward to going back there and seeing the changes to the course as well."
Molinari has shown no signs of resting on his laurels in the wake of his amazing 2018. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month and finished third in the recent WGC-Matchplay tournament.
"I think, for me, winning is a huge motivation and spurs me on to do even more, and that's what I've done this winter, working as hard as I have ever done," he said. "And I think you can see the way I'm playing, that, you know, I didn't settle, I didn't stop. Like I was saying before, the dream is to keep improving, to - I feel like I haven't reached my limit yet. So, the dream is to see how far I can go and hopefully get as many wins as possible along the way."
* Additional tickets will go on sale for The 148th Open at Royal Portrush on April 15, after The R&A extended the capacity of the venue on all four Championship Days to cater for the huge demand among golf fans to attend the event’s historic return to Northern Ireland.
Tickets for Championship Days sold out in record time last year, prompting The R&A to explore increasing the capacity at Royal Portrush.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “From the moment tickets and hospitality packages went on sale last year it was clear that there was huge demand from fans to attend this historic occasion.
“We have been working closely with the government agencies, our advisers and contractors to assess whether we could accommodate some more fans on each day of the Championship and have decided that we can do so without impacting on the outstanding spectator experience we provide.
“We are delighted to be able to offer more fans the opportunity to book their place at Royal Portrush by releasing additional tickets and introducing two new hospitality experiences, which will enhance even further what will be a fantastic atmosphere in July.”
It means total capacity for the event will rise to 215,000 and expectations are high that they will be snapped up in record time.
There is still time for fans to join the waiting list and sign up to The One Club free of charge in order to gain priority access to the additional tickets by registering via TheOpen.com/Tickets
Fans who have signed up will receive an email from The R&A with instructions on how to purchase tickets before they go on sale on April 15.
There are still tickets available for the practice days and the R&A also announced yesterday that they will relax their no re-admission policy which will allow spectators to come and go from the venue during the day, a decision that will be welcomed by the local traders.
