The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews announces three new honorary members
Image credits: The R&A and Getty Images
Three of golf’s great champions have accepted invitations to become Honorary Members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
With 20 major championship victories between them, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie have enjoyed highly successful careers, been hugely influential in supporting and inspiring future generations of golfers, and served as outstanding global ambassadors for the sport.
Tiger Woods is one of the most recognisable and successful athletes of all time and his 82 victories on the PGA Tour are equalled only by Sam Snead.
Woods said: “I am grateful for this invitation to become an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. It is not only the home of golf but a place in this world that I hold near my heart. I am humbled to accept this invitation alongside these outstanding players today, as well as those who came before us.”
Rory McIlroy is another of golf’s most popular and successful champions. A fourtime major champion, McIlroy won The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and has achieved 33 professional wins around the world.
Upon hearing the news McIlroy said: "I'm thrilled to become an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. It's a privilege to represent a club that has done so much for golf over so many years and I'm proud to play my part in promoting golf around the world.”
Paul Lawrie is one of European golf’s most successful and popular players over the last 35 years and memorably became Champion Golfer of the Year after coming from ten shots behind to win in a dramatic Open at Carnoustie in 1999.
Speaking about the invitation, Lawrie said: “I’m delighted to receive Honorary Membership of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, particularly on the historic occasion of The 150th Open. The Club has supported the development of the sport since its formation and continues to do so today. I’m honoured to accept this invitation and to do that alongside Rory and Tiger is extra special.”
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