Golfer skips Open Championship over schedule

Zach Johnson said he will not compete in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in two weeks. The 50-year-old American is eligible for the event after winning the tournament in 2015. Johnson made the announcement after his opening round at the John Deere Classic. He is in his first season on the PGA Tour Champions and has already skipped one senior major this year.

Schedule conflict cited Johnson said he cannot play four consecutive weeks.

He noted that he already missed the Regions Tradition and that the Senior Open follows the Open Championship the next week. "I am eligible for the Open. I am not going to participate this year. I can’t play four weeks in a row," Johnson said. Johnson added that he has no other PGA Tour events scheduled for the rest of the year besides the possibility of the RSM Classic.

Another player’s schedule noted Padraig Harrington, age 54, is currently playing eight consecutive events. Harrington said he does not mind the pace and views each tournament as an opportunity.