The Celebrated Event Known as the Open Ready to Tee Off

St. Andrews still packs appeal and a test through centuries

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Jack Nicklaus is at St. Andrews for the first time in 17 years, this time without his golf clubs. That hasn't lessened his appreciation of the Old Course for the British Open. Nicklaus is receiving honorary citizenship from St. Andrews. He says he was amazed in 1964 when he first played St. Andrews how it tested golfers of that time. And he says the centuries-old course remains a test today. Tiger Woods played nine holes of practice. He's won twice at St. Andrews. Defending champion Collin Morikawa has spent two days getting know the Old Course and is still learning.

Tiger Woods part of celebration of champions at St. Andrews

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Talk about a great warmup act for the 150th British Open at St. Andrews. Monday was the “Celebration of Champions.” Tiger Woods isn't big on ceremonial golf, but this would be considered a big exception. He played with Rory McIlroy, Lee Trevino and former Women's British Open winner Georgia Hall. They were joined at the end by Jack Nicklaus. He wasn't playing. Nicklaus is in the gray old town to become an honorary citizen of St. Andrews. That led to a lot of laughs and memories. McIlroy says it was a dream to be part of it all.

Rahm inspired by Seve's celebration at St Andrews

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Jon Rahm is looking to immerse himself in the history of the home of golf during his time at the British Open this week. Rahm was fascinated to learn in a chat with the great Lee Trevino that the Old Course at St. Andrews was meant to play clockwise rather than the other way round. The Spaniard has some of his own memories to fire him up ahead of a bid for a second major title. Chief among them is the iconic image of compatriot Seve Ballesteros celebrating winning the 1984 Open. Rahm says a British Open at St. Andrews is “truly the pinnacle of golf."