The glorious answer to this random pub quiz-style question is that all three have squeezed into the 144-man field for this week’s 33rd Senior Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes via final qualifying.

It’s a dream come true for Trump International Golf Club Dubai club member Kelbrick who like Gary Nicklaus advanced at Hillside Golf Club in Southport, also host venue of the recent British Masters, on Monday. Kelbrick, who has won the Emirates Golf Federation’s season-long Order-of-Merit title two times in the last three years, qualified with a two-over-par round of 74, a shot worse than the Golden Bear’s oldest son who is giving professional golf one last shot.

Chamblee, who worked behind the cameras as Shane Lowry captured last week’s 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, was one of 14 successful qualifiers from Fairhaven as he carded a one-under-par round of 72.

More than 500 starters chased the 49 remaining spots for Royal Lytham & St Annes at Monday qualifiers held at Hillside, Fairhaven, Southport & Ainsdale and St Annes Old Links.

Spaniard Miguel Ángel Jiménez will defend the senior claret jug from Thursday in a field overflowing with former major (main and senior circuit) champions.

Kelbrick will be especially excited about the opportunity to join the same fabled fairways as his boyhood hero Tom Watson who has three Senior Opens to go with his five Open Championship wins in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

After going within a stroke of qualifying for the 2017 Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl, Kelbrick set his heart on qualifying last year after being promised a practice round with the eight-time major champion if he could qualify for last year’s Senior Open at St. Andrews. He couldn’t quite achieve that – missing by two – but may yet achieve that dream on Wednesday.

“I set out to do this not knowing if it was possible but to say to my children that I have played in the same tournament as Mr Watson,” Kelbrick told Golf Digest Middle East. “It’s a dream realised. I could possibly even play a practice round with him [Watson] on Wednesday but we shall see.”

Kelbrick’s outlined his dream of playing alongside Watson in an interview with Golf Digest Middle East last year.

“I first saw him play at Royal Troon in ’82 when he beat Nick Price [to hoist the Claret Jug for the fourth times] and from that day on…it’s just the way he’s lived his life, conducted himself,” Kelbrick said of Watson. “I’ve had the chance to meet him twice but I’ve never played with him. He’s a hero as man and as for his golf, his record speaks for itself.”

Interestingly, Watson has never won on the famous Lancashire links of Royal Lytham & St Annes.

“My record at Lytham could use some polishing but I would love nothing more than to play well with a chance to win at this iconic and historic venue. I am looking forward to this Major Championship with great anticipation,” Watson told the Staysure Tour.

“Royal Lytham is one of the premier links courses in the world and it always presents the players with a tough but fair challenge,” said the two-time Ryder Cup Captain who has collected wins at Carnoustie, Turnberry, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Royal Birkdale and Royal Aberdeen.

It will be interesting to see if Kelbrick gets his dream practice round and who the Dubai Trophy mainstay is grouped with for the opening two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

Bernhard Langer (1985 and 1993 Masters), who like Watson has won the Senior Open three times, and Fred Couples (1992 Masters) have seven Senior Open titles between them.

Other major champions confirmed for Royal Lytham & St Annes include Michael Campbell (2005 U.S. Open), Retief Goosen (2001 and 2004 U.S. Open), Paul Lawrie (1999 Open), Sandy Lyle (1985 Open, 1988 Masters), Larry Mize (1987 Masters), José María Olazabal (1994 and 1999 Masters), Ian Woosnam (1991 Masters) and Darren Clarke (2011 Open) who hit the opening tee shot at last week’s Open at Royal Portrush.

Perhaps the most dangerous major champion competing this week will be Tom Lehman. The American won the 1996 Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes by two strokes from Ernie Els and Mark McCumber.

Other names to watch this week are Ryder Cup-winning player and captain Paul McGinley, 2016 Senior Open champion Paul Broadhurst and eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie, who is chasing his fourth senior major title but first on British soil. 

The post Dubai amateur sensationally qualifies for the Senior Open; eyes warm-up round with boyhood hero Tom Watson appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Jack Nicklaus’ son, Gary, whose own son GT was his caddie, birdied the final two holes to post a score of 70 that got him into a three-man playoff for one spot with Lance Ten Broeck and Don Bell. Gary won the playoff on the first extra hole.

“I am super excited about playing,” Nicklaus said. “I have been looking forward to this tournament all year. I had a chance earlier this week in New York to get into the U.S. Open and I failed to do so. To come back just a few days later and do this at my home course means a great deal.   “I think the whole scene today was punctuated by being able to enjoy such a moment at my home club, with my son on the bag and my parents and friends there in the gallery. It was a great day and hopefully I can carry it over to the championship at Notre Dame. I never thought a Buckeye from Ohio State could be this happy about going to Notre Dame.”

Proud of son Gary who qualified today for #USSeniorOpen! Gary, a senior rookie, was even thru 16 in qualifier at The Bear’s Club, heard he needed 2-under 70 to get in playoff for last of 2 spots & birdied last 2 holes. Won 3-man playoff on 1st hole!
Caddie (son GT) needs haircut! pic.twitter.com/pybP2jlj7k

— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) June 7, 2019

Last summer, Nicklaus qualified for the U.S. Amateur. He turned professional for the second time in his career later that year. He has played in three PGA Tour Champions events.

“I have struggled with tendinitis in my left elbow, and to be honest it’s been pretty annoying,” he said. “That, combined with limited starts on the PGA Tour Champions, have kept me from gaining any consistency and confidence in my game. But being able to birdie my last two holes to get into a playoff, and then to win the playoff against two very talented players, gives me some much-needed confidence and momentum.

“I’m pleased and excited for a number of reasons. I’ve always enjoyed the USGA championships, and the opportunities I have had to play in the U.S. Junior, U.S. Amateur, Mid-Am and the U.S. Open. Now I have earned a chance to play in the U.S. Senior Open in my first year of being eligible.”

The post Jack Nicklaus’ son Gary Nicklaus qualifies for the U.S. Senior Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

When he used to play rounds with his father, Jack Nicklaus, he recalled, he’d walk off the course certain he had outplayed him, that he had driven it better, hit more fairways and greens, and putted better.

“What’d you shoot?” Gary would ask his dad.

“Sixty-eight,” Jack would reply, his score three better than Gary’s.

“How’d you beat me?”

“Well, I managed my game better.”

“But I played better than you.”

“Apparently not. I shot 68, and you shot 71.”

Gary did not understand then, but he does now. “I think my game was pretty immature even though I was in my early 30s and was on tour,” he said a few days ago as he prepared to launch a second professional career. He’ll make his PGA Tour Champions debut this week at the Oasis Championship in Boca Raton, Fla.

Nicklaus played three full years on the PGA Tour, with only a single memorable effort. He lipped out a six-foot birdie putt to win the rain-shortened BellSouth Classic outside Atlanta in 2000, then lost to Phil Mickelson on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, a week before the Masters. Two years later, he lost his tour card and began drifting away from the game.

“I quit playing,” he said. “I really didn’t pick up a club for almost four years. Didn’t play at all. Maybe once a year. I had lost my card. Thirteen years of professional golf and I’d been struggling kind of the whole time. I didn’t really have a lot of fun on the regular tour. When you’re struggling to make cuts and playing every week—I think I played 96 events in three years—and you’re not playing well, it’s not a lot of fun.”

He had 122 career starts on the PGA Tour and made only 33 cuts, with that playoff loss to Mickelson his only top-10 finish.

“There’s not many better players out there that I could have lost to,” he said. “Phil’s amazing and has been for many, many years. I put myself in a position to win. I hit a great putt on the last hole, which I thought was a putt to win, which it was. It wrapped around the hole and came out. I had my chance to win it. If I had, my career would have been totally different. Then you don’t have to play 32 events a year. You can prepare, make a schedule.

“Then again, like I said, my game was immature and I was immature in my thinking what I had to do. I was so worried about how much money I was going to make, instead of, OK, the first six months I’ll play these 12 events and play three practice rounds at each place and be prepared to play in the event, rather than traveling on Monday, a practice round on Tuesday and getting one look at the course.”

Nicklaus eventually applied with the USGA to have his amateur status reinstated and began playing again, this time, armed with a greater understanding of the game and enjoying it more. “I played a few amateur events. Amateur events are fun. After that time off, my game was way better than it was when I was practicing and playing all time. I had a new outlook at the time and knew how to score. I think getting away from the game I figured out how to do that.”

Last summer, Nicklaus qualified to play in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach, where his father won the U.S. Amateur in 1961 and the U.S. Open in 1972.

Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jack Nicklaus, Gary Nicklaus Jr., and Gary Nicklaus at the 2018 PNC Father Son Challenge in December.

Nicklaus, meanwhile, had been playing a lot of golf with his son, Gary Jr., or GT as he’s known. GT was introduced to the golf world by caddieing for his grandfather Jack in the Par 3 Contest at Augusta and making a hole-in-one when Jack asked him to hit the tee shot for him on the ninth hole.

“I’ve been thinking about it for awhile,” Gary said of his decision to turn pro again. “My kids are older. My daughter’s 14, my son 16. When I play with my son, he says, ‘Dad, why aren’t you trying to play professional golf?’ He says, ‘when you turn 50 you’ll hit it far enough to play on Champions Tour.’

“When I play with him at 6,700, 6,800 yards, I shoot a lot of good scores. I think moving up and being able to play at 7,000 yards or under [on the PGA Tour Champions] is a good thing for me. My game’s better.”

Nicklaus turned pro less than two weeks ago and won his first event, posting a 66 in a Minor League Golf Tour event in Lake Worth, Fla. Last week, he tied for 39th in the tour’s 36-hole Major I event.

Having been a PGA Tour member, Nicklaus is automatically an associate member of the PGA Tour Champions, allowing him an unlimited number of sponsor’s exemptions for one year. He has a few already lined up, and given his pedigree it seems likely he’ll get enough to accurately gauge the state of his game.

“I don’t want to wear out my welcome with sponsor invites,” he said. “I’ll write some letters and try to get in some tournaments and see how my game is, see how competitive I am. But I haven’t played against this level of competition in a long time. I could be a little disenchanted, but maybe I won’t be. I think I can be competitive. I’m looking to go out and have fun. I’m not looking to stress out over any of it.”

Those rounds with his his son, incidentally, helped rekindle his interest in the game. “He’s pushed me,” Nicklaus said, “telling me you should pursue this.” Then there’s this conversation they had, a familiar one, indeed a familial one.

“Dad, I hit it 50 yards past you,” GT said to him. “You shot 68, and I shot 72. How’d you do that?”

“I used to have those same conversations with my dad,” Gary said. “Funny how it goes down through generations.”

The post The reason Gary Nicklaus is ready to give pro golf a second chance, this time as a senior appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhU6heTn1Bd/?utm_source=ig_embed

In case you don’t know, that’s NBA star J.R. Smith, who is also arguably the biggest golf fan on the planet. Patrick’s timing in winning the Masters was perfect because his NYC media tour overlapped with Smith’s Cavs visiting the Knicks. So THE KING was in the building at MSG on Monday night. But even LeBron takes a backseat to CAPTAIN AMERICA (Patrick, please wear golf shoes that say that on the back at your next tournament):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhX8_YLn-WS/?utm_source=ig_embed

Wow, J.R. is really itching to play that member-member. We can only hope this entertaining duo teams up on the links — and that someone documents it. In the meantime, there’s plenty to document from a fun-filled week at Augusta National.

WE’RE BUYING

Patrick Reed: Golf is a weird sport, huh? After watching up close Reed’s performance at Hazeltine in 2016, I — like everyone else — was convinced he’d have a monster 2017. Instead, he had his worst year since turning pro. But Ryder Cup Reed finally showed up at a major this past week, and boy, was it impressive. The power, the putting, the PIZZAZZ! From recoils to club twirls to fist pumps to helicopter finishes, Reed has it all.

David Cannon

He still may not quite be a top-five player in the world (Shh! Don’t tell him I said that!), but he’s getting there. And that’s bad news for everyone else.

Rickie Fowler: For a second consecutive major, Fowler’s final Sunday charge was too little, too late. Still, a 12-under-par weekend at Augusta National was mighty impressive. “I’m ready to win a major,” Fowler said after. We believe you, Rick. And at the very least, that clutch closing birdie earned him an extra $440,000 for finishing solo second, one shot ahead of buddy Jordan Spieth. Looks like Rickie will be picking up the drink tab at #SB2K18.

Jordan Spieth: Speaking of Spieth, this special player continues to rack up legendary performances at a blistering pace. Reed may have won, but Spieth produced arguably Sunday’s two largest roars—for the same shot. Those patrons on No. 16 lost their minds when his long birdie putt dropped—and those gathered around the 18th green also went crazy when his birdie was posted on the big leaderboard.

David Cannon

Note to self: Do NOT doubt this man. Ever. Especially at the Masters. Sure, the bogey finish was disappointing, but we’ll remember Spieth’s 64 for a long time — or, at least until the next time he does something otherworldly.

WE’RE SELLING

Rory’s Masters Sundays: I’d be lying if I said Golf Digest’s Slack channel wasn’t a collection of Vince Carter “It’s over!” GIFs when McIlroy’s majestic second shot finished four feet from the hole on the par-5 second. But he missed the putt and then continued to miss from short range to the point Rory was barely a factor by the back nine. This won’t sting as much as the 80 he shot in 2011—and he still has plenty of time to complete the career Grand Slam—but it’s not a memory that will help him sleep any easier at night.

Tony Finau’s fluke injury: In the span of a few seconds, Finau went from the ultimate high—making a hole-in-one at Augusta National—to one embarrassing (and gruesome-looking) low—dislocating his ankle celebrating.

Andrew Redington

But Finau, recovered nicely, somehow playing through the pain, and playing well. His bid to tie a tournament record with seven consecutive birdies came up just short on the 72nd hole, but his T-10 was enough to guarantee his invite back next year. We’re guessing he’ll be more careful if he decides to tee it up in the Par 3 Contest again.

Our apologies if you were just about to eat.

John Daly’s flukier injury: John Daly hawking merch in a Hooters parking lot down the road from Augusta National’s gates has become its own Masters’ tradition. However, this year a woman lost control of her car on Washington Road and crashed into Daly’s RV, injuring his ankle. True story.

Luckily, no one was seriously hurt, but that’s some pretty bad luck for the two-time major champ. Like Finau, though, Daly had a nice recovery as well. He judged the Hooters Bikini Contest a couple days later.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads up the road from Augusta National to Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage, AKA that event Wesley Bryan won last year and then admitted to Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo that he threw up in his mouth down the final stretch. Here’s a look back at the instant classic post-round interview:

.@wesleybryangolf about as honest as it gets after his @RBC_Heritage win. (via @PGATOUR) ? ?
pic.twitter.com/0ZzhpDmq6g

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 16, 2017

Wes is back to defend his plaid jacket. And hopefully, he’ll bring some mints or gum in case that happens again.

Random tournament fact: Luke Donald is to this tournament what Phil Mickelson is to the U.S. Open. After Donald’s fifth runner-up here last year, he just needs one more to tie Mickelson’s mark at the national championship. Good luck, Luke!

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

— Patrick Reed threw up down the stretch at Augusta: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds

— Patrick Reed will win the U.S. Open: 30-to-1 odds (Actual odds)

— Patrick Reed and J.R. Smith would win their member-member: LOCK

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (ON-COURSE DIVISION)

In what might be the greatest pinch-hit appearance since Francisco Cabrera won the Atlanta Braves the 1992 National League pennant, Jack Nicklaus’ grandson, Gary, took one swing at the Masters Par 3 contest and made a freaking hole-in-one. In front of Jack, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, no less. Unreal. Cue the chills:

Watch Jack Nicklaus' grandson, Gary, ace the final hole of the 2018 Par 3 Contest. #themasters pic.twitter.com/pk2FTqprwv

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 4, 2018

Congrats, kid. The only bad news is that it can only go down from here.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (OFF-COURSE DIVISION)

This Jeopardy! clip also might be the fail of the year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhXR4wIBebR/?utm_source=ig_embed

We’re guessing Julia wasn’t watching the Masters over the weekend. Although to be fair, maybe she was thinking of celebrity golf majors?

THIS WEEK IN TOUR PRO-WAGS PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Allison Stokke showed support for her man following his latest close call:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhVOoSxALBu/?utm_source=ig_embed

Again, I think Rickie will be OK. And Patrick and Justine Reed both got pretty in pink on Masters Sunday with these color-coordinated ensembles.

David Cannon

Aww.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Every time you think about it as a kid growing up, it’s always, you know, this putt is to win a green jacket; this putt’s to win the Masters. I think that’s just because of the history and everything that’s gone on here at Augusta National and how special it is to all the golfers and special it is to just golf in general around the world.” — Patrick Reed. Well said. Now enjoy your green jacket tour for the next 12 months.

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLF FANS (NON-J.R. SMITH DIVISION)

It looks like Lil Wayne really enjoyed his first trip to the Masters:

I just left The Masters! Wyd?? 1 of the most pristine and prestigious experiences ever. Great sh!t Reed!! Good go at it Rory. U all were FA! I be bak

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) April 9, 2018

Wait! but u have to know that u must watch a full video abt how to and how not to act while out on the course b4 ure even allowed out there!! It was awesome!! I need 1 of those set up at the entry of my home for visitors

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) April 9, 2018

Oh yeah, & I’m sure I’ve lost weight due to all the walking! I loved every min of it!! Shot out to Jamesy & the homie for showin us a good time! One time in the air for Patrick America!!!!!

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) April 9, 2018

But it’s too bad he missed his boy Tom Watson win the Par 3 Contest.

THIS AND THAT

The newer, friendlier Tiger Woods appeared several times during Masters week, most notably celebrating and flashing the “safe” sign when he avoided the water on No. 12 for the third day in a row, and with this congratulatory tweet to Reed:

Congrats @PReedGolf! At worst you have assured yourself a captain’s pick for next year’s @PresidentsCup.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 9, 2018

Tiger’s got jokes! … The PGA Tour is officially changing its slogan after more than two decades from “These guys are good” to “Live under par.” I miss “These guys are good,” already. . . . There’s a lot we don’t know about Patrick Reed, but John Feinstein reported he does most of his own cooking during tournament weeks and that he listens to the Imagine Dragons song “Radioactive” on loop when he practices. That’s by far the most unsettling thing I’ve heard about the guy yet. . . . The PGA Tour announced players will be allowed to use walk-up music at the Zurich Classic. Guess we know what Reed will be coming out to. . . . And finally, I used to think putting Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies in the freezer was an overrated move:

I used to be young and stupid.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Will Patrick Reed cook next year’s Champions Dinner himself?

Will Patrick Reed give his next child an Augusta National-related name?

Will Patrick Reed wear the green jacket to the first hole of the Ryder Cup? (We can only hope)

The post Patrick Reed’s surprising new teammate, John Daly’s wild week & an all-time embarrassing golf answer on Jeopardy appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.