With the Open just around the corner, all eyes are on the Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The final major of the year is already gearing up to be quite a show. Jordan Spieth will be coming back after a brief absence due to injury. Rickie Fowler is looking to win after going so long without a victory. However, like with many other events, there will be some missing faces. That includes two-time Open champion Ernie Els.
Why Did Ernie Els Withdraw?
Ernie Els didn’t withdraw for any health reason or emergency. However, the reason why he withdrew remains unknown at the time of writing. One can only speculate, as this withdrawal was a bit of a surprise. He just played in the Dick’s Open as part of the PGA Champions. He did pretty well for himself and finished T16, solidly in the top 20. The 60-year-old pro would have been welcomed back onto the field with open arms. Given that he had won the major twice in the past. Once during the 2002 Open Championship in Muirfield, and again in 2012 at Lytham St Annes. Els could have easily reserved a spot for himself if he so chose.
Si Woo Kim Takes Els’ Place
Whenever a player withdraws from a tournament, that means an opportunity for anyone on the alternates list. The RBC Canadian saw multiple players take advantage of the opportunities presented. One was getting ready to leave the sport for a job in finance, and another was down on his luck with the PGA and had previously lost his Tour Card. After Jason Day withdrew from the Player Championship, Danny Walker took his place while still on the toilet and became one of the start rookies of 2025. Now Si Woo Kim is taking Els’ Place at the British Open.
The announcement of Kim stepping into Els’ place was made on Twitter. The four-time PGA Tour winner was originally not going to attend do to 2025 being an off year for the South Korean pro. Although he has played plenty of solid games throughout the year so far, he just had some stiff competition. He even finished T8 at the PGA Championship, so Kim is more than able to hold his own during The Open.
On To The Open
With Ernie Els not attending The Open, the former champion will be missed. He still played a good game in the Dick’s Open and is likely to continue off that momentum after the major is done. As for Si Woo Kim, this is an opportunity for him to start making up for his performance this past year. If the PGA Championship is anything to go by, there is a strong chance that he could get into the top twenty. He could even get to the top ten if he can pull it off. The Open is only a few days away, fans and players alike are eager to see what the tournament has to offer, and to see who will win the last major of 2025.
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