Retired tennis superstar Andy Murray has announced his ambition to compete in the regional qualifying rounds for the British Open, one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. The three-time Grand Slam winner, who concluded his illustrious tennis career after the 2024 Summer Olympics, is now dedicating significant time to his passion for golf, with a target of participating in the qualifiers by 2027.
Murray, 38, revealed his golf aspirations while speaking at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. He openly admitted that while he aims to compete in the regional qualifying, he doesn’t harbor illusions of making it to the main Open Championship event, acknowledging the vast skill gap between top amateurs and professional golfers.
Transitioning from Tennis Courts to Golf Courses
Since stepping away from professional tennis, Murray has fully embraced golf, playing up to four times a week. His social media profiles reflect this new focus, with his X (formerly Twitter) bio updated to read: “I played tennis. I now play golf.”
Murray’s competitive spirit, a hallmark of his tennis career, has clearly transferred to his new sport. He is actively working to lower his golf handicap, which has reportedly improved from seven to two in recent months, with the ultimate goal of achieving a scratch handicap. Golfers with a scratch handicap are eligible to enter the regional qualifying events for The Open.
The Road to The Open: Regional Qualifying
The British Open’s regional qualifying events are open to both amateur and professional golfers who possess a scratch handicap or better. These events are held at 15 locations across Great Britain and Ireland, with the top finishers progressing to the final qualifying stage. From there, a select few advance to compete for the coveted Claret Jug in the main tournament.
Murray plans to participate in these regional qualifiers in 2027, taking a measured approach to his new competitive challenge. He stated that a couple of his friends have participated, and it would be a “fun thing to do” if he reaches the required skill level.
Murray’s Golfing Appearances and Future Events
Even before his official target year for Open qualifying, Murray has already been gaining competitive golf experience. He participated in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am, playing alongside professional golfer Billy Horschel and former football stars Gareth Bale and Teddy Sheringham. He is also slated to compete in The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in October 2025, which he described as “very special” given the historic venue.
While he acknowledges the immense challenge, Murray’s pursuit of a spot in the Open qualifiers highlights his enduring love for competition and his commitment to mastering new skills, even after a decorated career in another sport. The Open Championship boasts a substantial prize fund, reaching £12.5 million, which could serve as an additional motivator for aspiring qualifiers.
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