PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — The last time Royal Portrush hosted the British Open, David Duval spent so much time on the 7th hole that he celebrated two birthdays. Duval posted a 14 on No. 7 and a 91 for the first round. Duval returned to the Open in 2022 and shot an opening 82 at St. Andrews. He finished ahead of one player, Mark Calcavecchia—who, like Duval, was in the field only because he was a former champion. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club loves the royal and ancient.
Duval is not playing this week. But he could have: Any past champion through 2023 is exempt through the age of 60. The R&A did lower the exemption age to 55 this year, but that only applies to champions from 2024 onward.
