Staff WriterThe Senior Open returns this week to the heather-lined fairways of Sunningdale Golf Club, and like moths to a flame—or perhaps more aptly, legends to a links—they’re all coming back for more.
Among the headliners? Two men with enough charisma and career mileage to fill a tour bus: Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
For Monty, this isn’t just another walk in the Berkshire park. The 2010 Ryder Cup captain and eight-time European Number One is chasing the one that got away. “I’ve come close before,” said Montgomerie, who finished runner-up to the relentless Bernhard Langer at Royal Porthcawl in 2014. “Sunningdale demands precision, patience and a decent short game—three things I usually remember to pack.”
“Normally it’s a 4,000-mile commute to work. Now it’s a four-minute commute to work, which is a home tie, which is unusual.
“It’s very rare that it comes around that you’re playing at home but it’s just a lovely place to be. Look behind us. It’s a beautiful spot. All the Americans love it here. They think it’s their — well, it’s our Pine Valley in many ways, which is a huge compliment for Sunningdale, and it’s great to be at home.
“I think it’s a course that suits me more than some. It’s not the longest course, par 70 is quite strict, mind you. It’s a tough 70 with only two par 5s, but at the same time, got to hit the fairways. And that’s what I do; the best I’ve done in my career is hit fairways. So if I can do that, we can score.
“You never know. If a couple of putts go in we can get into some sort of contention, not just competing in the tournament but actually into contention. So we look forward to it.”
Now 60, the Scot already owns two KitchenAid Senior PGA Championships and a U.S. Senior Open title. But this Senior Open, his 12th appearance, would be the cherry on top—and a delicious reminder that golf’s twilight years are often its most intriguing.
On the other side of the tee box—and occasionally a cigar—is Miguel Angel Jiménez, who shows no signs of mellowing with age. The ponytailed Spaniard is in sizzling form, with four victories on the PGA TOUR Champions this year alone, including his third Senior Major at the Kaulig Companies Championship. He currently tops the Schwab Cup Standings like a man who’s figured out the secret to eternal youth: Rioja and rhythm.
“The game still excites me,” said Jiménez, who last won the Senior Open in 2018 at the Old Course in St Andrews, edging Langer by a single shot. “I feel strong. I’m enjoying my golf.”
“I feel good. Have a week off last week but I need to rest because of the rest of the season we have this year, recover a little bit of energy and coming here to Sunningdale . I played yesterday in the Pro-Am, and today I have a nice match with (José María) Olazábal and (Emanuele) Canonica, and we enjoy very, very much.
“The golf course looks stunning, as always. Not as fiery as four, five years ago. But we will see what is going to happen this weekend. I feel good. Golf course is nice and very, very pleased to be here.”
This week, he’ll share the first two rounds with fellow powerhouses Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera—a trio with six Majors between them and enough stories to fill a cigar lounge.
Montgomerie will be paired with Retief Goosen and Fred Funk, the latter having narrowly missed lifting the trophy at Sunningdale in 2009 after a playoff defeat.
Sunningdale itself is the only UK venue hosting a Senior Major, and it’s as stately and unforgiving as ever.
With its tight corridors, thick rough, and undulating greens, it’s less a golf course and more a lie detector. Miss your line, and it tells everyone.
But that’s exactly what draws players like Monty and Miguel back each year: the history, the challenge, and the chance to show there’s still plenty of magic left in the tank.
In a game where youth gets the headlines, the Senior Open reminds us that class is permanent—and in some cases, still smoking a Cuban on the first tee.
