Cam Davis, a 29-year-old Australian golfer, finds himself in a familiar situation at the British Open as the first alternate. Last year, he was on standby at the championship but never got the opportunity to play. This year, he must wait for not one but two players to withdraw before he can gain entry into the tournament. Despite his frustrations with the situation, Davis remains hopeful that he will eventually find his way onto the tee sheet at Royal Troon.
The unusual circumstance that has left Davis on the outside looking in is due to the fact that the number of players who qualified for the Open exceeded the typical 156-player field. When former winner David Duval withdrew, the R&A decided not to fill his spot from the alternate list. Additionally, the R&A made it clear that they would not replace any additional withdrawals until the field dropped below 156, which is their preferred field size. This decision has left Davis feeling unfairly treated and frustrated with the situation.
Davis is particularly frustrated by the R&A’s decision not to add him to the field despite two players withdrawing, leaving two tee times with just two players each. He believes that rounding out one of these groups with a third player would be a fair solution. However, the R&A has stated that they are aiming for a field size of 156 players and do not want to exceed that number, citing logistical concerns about the length of the opening two rounds at the Open.
The 159-player field for the Open was a result of the R&A’s decision to provide more opportunities for players to qualify through the Final Qualifying events. Despite knowing that the field would likely exceed 156 players, the R&A decided to stick with the number of spots available in Final Qualifying. While this led to a slightly oversubscribed field, the R&A is clear that 156 players is their preferred number for the championship.
Davis, who recently won his second career PGA Tour title, understands that he did not meet the criteria to qualify for the tournament directly but feels that it is unfair that spots are opening up after the field has been set and he is not being allowed to take them. Despite the frustration of the situation, Davis remains determined to be at the course ahead of the first tee time and continue to wait for his chance to play.
The controversy surrounding the Open Championship extends to the name of the event itself, with many United States golf fans referring to it as the British Open. The official name of the tournament is the Open Championship, but both names are used interchangeably in coverage. As Davis navigates the complexities of alternate lists and withdrawals, he remains focused on his goal of playing in the prestigious championship and showcasing his talents on one of golf’s biggest stages.
