There’s less than a week to go until The Open gets underway at Royal Portrush, and anticipation is growing among golf fans.
The Scottish Open wrapped up with Rory McIlroy and Chris Gotterup putting on a great show during the final round at The Renaissance Club.
Next up for the PGA and DP World Tour is Northern Ireland, where the world’s top players will battle for the Claret Jug.
One major winner won’t be in the field at Royal Portrush, but that absence has opened the door for another player to step in.
Ernie Els withdraws from The Open Championship
One of the key avenues into The Open is reserved for past winners who haven’t yet turned 60, offering them continued access to golf’s oldest major.
Among those set to benefit from this in 2025 are Stewart Cink, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, and Zach Johnson. Ernie Els had also planned to compete under the same provision but has since withdrawn.
The South African won his first Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2002 after a four-man playoff and then again in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Els is coming off a solid showing at the Dick’s Open on the PGA Tour Champions, so his decision to withdraw is a bit unexpected.
Si Woo Kim steps in for Ernie Els at Royal Portrush
Si Woo Kim, a four-time PGA Tour winner, will step in to take Els’ spot in next week’s field.
Kim has featured in the past three Opens, but was not expected to qualify for Royal Portrush this year after a quiet 2025 campaign.
The South Korean delivered several solid performances this season – including at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and RBC Heritage – though he never truly contended for a title.
Still, his T8 finish at the PGA Championship stands out, and with a Players Championship win already under his belt, Kim has proven he can rise to the occasion in high-pressure events like The Open.
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