Following the cancellation of The 2020 Senior Open Presented by Rolex the Championship will return to Sunningdale Golf Club next year.
Europe’s only Senior Major Championship will be played at the iconic Berkshire venue from July 22-25, 2021.
The Championship was scheduled to take place from July 23-26, 2020 at Sunningdale but has been cancelled along with the 2020 Staysure Tour season. This is the first time in the 33-year history of the Championship, first played in 1987 at Turnberry where Neil Coles became the inaugural winner, that it has been cancelled.
The R&A and Staysure Tour will transfer over tickets and hospitality packages purchased for The Senior Open in 2020 to The Senior Open in 2021. Purchasers who no longer wish to (or are no longer able to) attend in 2021 can apply for a full refund. Further information on this process will be sent directly to ticket and hospitality purchasers in due course.
Mark Aspland, Head of the Staysure Tour, said: “The decision to cancel The Senior Open Presented by Rolex was extremely difficult, however we would like to thank all of our stakeholders and fans that continue to support us during these extraordinary times.
“We are delighted that we will return to Sunningdale in 2021 for this prestigious championship alongside our valued partners at Rolex, who continue to provide unwavering support for our game, and we will be communicating directly with all ticket-holders in the coming days.”
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “The Senior Open has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we are deeply disappointed to have to cancel this year’s championship. We are delighted to confirm both the date and venue for the 2021 championship, however, and we look forward all the more to returning to Sunningdale for what promises to be another exciting edition of this prestigious event.”
Paul Sedgwick, Captain at Sunningdale, added: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to host this prestigious event for a third occasion at Sunningdale and we look forward to welcoming the world’s finest over-50s golfers as they test themselves over the renowned Old Course in 2021.”
The Old Course at Sunningdale first hosted The Senior Open in 2009, when America’s Loren Roberts defeated compatriot Fred Funk and Ireland’s Mark McNulty in a play-off. Another American, Marco Dawson, was triumphant when the Senior Major returned in 2015, finishing one stroke ahead of Bernhard Langer.